39. Charlie

3 MONTHS LATER

My waddle is unreal. Maybe it’s my height, or Jackson impregnated me with a mutant child. But I don’t think that, at five months pregnant, I’m supposed to walk like this.

The obnoxious bell rings over the clinic door as I waddle in. Anna greets me with a big smile. “How you holding up there, mama?” she asks, and I glare at her. Pregnancies are supposed to be glamorous and beautiful. Emma practically radiates feminine energy when she enters a room with her perfectly globe-shaped baby belly. However, I feel like I just came from Mordor while looking like a swollen Dwarf.

I hear Nan’s voice from the back as she calls out a ‘hello.’ She has been helping at the clinic and has taken over as the midwife of the Pack. After Michael’s death, she quit the diner and started helping Emma more. She said she likes to stay out of the drama that the diner often is filled with. Mrs. Anders decided to take over the diner and has done wonders for the place.

“It’s fine,” I snap, “Is Emma ready?”

We’ve gotten into a routine now since I come so often. Anna nods and hides her laughter. I huff and move to the hall down to room one.

According to Nan, typical pregnancies only last six months, and Emma has been diligent about having me come in for a visit every two weeks for the last month. I hit my six-month mark next week, and I’m not sure they’re telling me the truth because this baby does not feel in the least bit rushed to leave my cozy cabin.

“Charlie, you look radiant,” Emma says, her doctor’s coat doing little to hide her belly.

I roll my eyes. “How much longer until this tiny beast leaves? Is that something you can tell me?” I say, almost pleading, as Nan knocks on the door.

“Charlie, I think you’re going to have my first grandbaby. Should we check you out?”

I nod and lay back on the table.

“Charlie, wants to know if you can tell her when the baby will come,” Emma whispers to Nan, Nan’s hands shifting slightly on the side of my belly and then toward the bottom.

“Well, their heads down, so that’s good, but it seems they may still have a few weeks love.” She grabs my hand and pulls me up to the side of the table.

I watch my feet dangle. My swollen ankles look ridiculous. “Is every pregnancy going to be like this?” I ask, feeling defeat pulse through me. I’m so tired.

Sleep has left me wanting, anytime I find a comfortable position, the baby kicks me incessantly, and I just can’t manage to get cozy and sleep. Poor Jackson has started putting pillows between us because I get violent when I’m tired.

Nan’s lips pinch. “Hopefully not, you’ve had a lot going on this pregnancy, and the added stress could be making it more complicated.”

“How’s Ryan doing?” Emma asks kindly. I feel my heart light up at the mention of my brother.

It took almost a month of asking before Jackson took me to see him. Once I knew where he was, I visited every day. Sometimes, he had good days, and sometimes…well, Reacher dragged me out with tears.

“He’s good. We had a conversation the other day about our childhood.” He has slowly returned to the man I knew. We don’t know the details of what he went through, but just him having some semblance of safety and time has healed some of his wounds.

“That’s great, I’ll be by later today to bring over some more medications to help his recovery.” Emma says, “Are you ready for your baby shower?”

My entire mood falls because, no, I never agreed to this. Jackson, however, thought it would be good for the Pack to see that we are inviting them to be part of our family, especially after the truth about what Michael White did buying stolen cubs.

“If I say no, does that make me a bad Luna? I haven’t felt like socializing, much less being the center of attention.”

Emma hides her laugh, and Nan rolls her eyes at me. I huff and slide from the table the crinkly paper and giant crater from my butt, reminding me I weigh the same amount as a small whale.

I sigh as I head to the door, “I’ll see you ladies later at the party.” I rub my belly like Buddha, “Unless this little pup decided to show up unfashionably early, thus saving me from attending.” I laugh secretly, hoping that would happen.

“Little Mate,” Jackson nearly skips up to me, “How was your appointment? How’s my pup? His hand lovingly rubs over my belly.

Le sigh this man.

“We are both doing great; just keeping it waddle.” I attempt the joke, and Jackson’s head just shakes.

“Well, I have something that might cheer you up,” he says, pulling me toward the large dining room.

Dragging my feet, I say, “Jackson, I think I’d rather lay down before this party tonight.”

“Now, now, little Mate, you’re going to want to come with me now.” He assures me as he holds the back door open to the large veranda. The fall wind whips at my face as it rushes inside.

The sun hangs in the sky momentarily, blinding me as we step onto the back veranda. The pups are playing in the field with Wyatt; tiny yips and howls make me smile. “Jackson, I don’t understand,” I say as my eyes land on a figure off to the side of the yard—a figure I would know anywhere.

Ryan’s smile is wide. His dark black hair is slicked back. He looks relaxed out here in the chaos of the pups.

“Ryan, watch me,” Kyler yells at my brother.

“Go on, tiny pup.” He reassures him and gestures for him to show him.

Kyler launches into the air and shifts. Ryan’s applause is swift and loud as he cheers on his new friend.

“Ryan?” I whisper. My brother’s head snaps to me, his joy failing him for only a second. Then he gestures for me to come over, and I don’t hesitate to run down the stairs. Well, let’s be honest. It’s a really athletic waddle. My feet only pick up the pace as I hit the lawn and throw myself into my brother’s arms.

He grunts as he catches me. “You, Charlie, are my greatest treasure.” He whispers against my ear.

“I love you too, Ryan.”

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