Epilogue
Zara
Nine months later
My eyes flutter open, and a warmth wraps around me like a snug blanket. The bedroom is all soft glow and quiet, the kind of morning light that sneaks through the edges of the curtains and whispers that today's going to be a good one. I stretch out, arms reaching for the ceiling as I smile.
It's Mia's first birthday today. Nine months have passed since that tiny, wailing bundle turned my world upside down in the best way possible.
I slip out of bed and tiptoe across the room, my senses on high alert. I can hear the rest of the house is awake, but I don't want to make a sound, wanting this little moment to be just me for a few minutes.
The bathroom feels cool compared to the cosy warmth of the duvet I've just left behind. There's no dawdling; I know what I'm here for. I rummage through the cupboard, finding the little box I stashed away for when the time felt right.
The timing is definitely right today. It's Mia's birthday, and here I am, about to find out if she might be getting the news of an upcoming sibling as a gift. I take the test and wait while the minutes tick by.
A nice, long breath escapes me as I glance at the result. My heart does a little skip, filling me with a warmth that even my bed can't provide. It's like all the happiness inside me has bubbled up to the surface, and it can't be contained. But there's no rush to announce it, no desperate need to share—just yet. This moment, it's mine, a tiny secret bubble of joy.
I step out of the bathroom, knowing today's going to be so much more than cake and candles. It's the start of another chapter, another little adventure, and I can't wait to see the looks on my alpha's faces when they hear. But for now, it's just me and this happy little secret, wrapped up in the soft morning light.
I nip down the hall to Mia's room quickly as she is protesting loudly now. A little bubble of laughter escapes me as I push open the door and there she is, all big blue eyes and a mop of curly dark hair, making her look just like her daddy.
"Morning, birthday girl!" I beam at her, my heart swelling up so big it might just lift me off the ground.
She greets me with a toothy grin, reaching out with those tiny hands that somehow grip my heartstrings every single time. "Mama!"
"Gotcha," I say as I scoop her up, peppering her face with soft kisses that make her laugh and squirm in delight. Her happiness, so pure and infectious, fills the room like sunshine, and I whisper against her cheek, "Love you more than all the stars, little one."
Holding her close, I breathe in the scent of baby shampoo and that unique Mia smell, a mix of warmth and innocence that wraps around me like the cosiest blanket. It's moments like this, with her cuddled in my arms, that I know we've built something extraordinary, something full of love and light out of a dark situation.
"Ready for your big day, munchkin?" I ask, nuzzling her nose with mine, and her giggles are the only answer I need.
I shuffle down the stairs with Mia nestled against my shoulder, her little hand playing with a strand of my hair. As we descend, the familiar sounds of morning in our house wrap around us. The clink of crockery and the low rumble of laughter tells me the day has already kicked off in the kitchen.
"Careful, mate, that pan's about had it," Ben's voice carries through the hallway, laced with humour.
"Hey, don't blame the pan, blame Liam," Henry retorts, and I can almost see his cheeky grin from here.
"Both of you, hush, or you'll wake the birthday princess," Liam says, his tone softer but still buoyant with the easy banter they share.
I round the corner into the kitchen, and I see my three alphas, like pillars of strength and love in our home. Ben is at the island, leaning back against it, with a coffee cup in hand, and with that warm, inviting smile that was so rare at first but now shows him for who he really is. His dark hair is still wet from the shower, but those keen eyes miss nothing, especially not his daughter making her grand entrance.
Henry stands by the stove, spatula in hand, wrestling with what smells like a glorious attempt at pancakes. His concentration is pure Henry – precise, thoughtful, always quietly confident even when faced with a rebellious breakfast batter.
Liam is setting the table, the muscles in his forearms flexing as he moves plates and cutlery with care. He looks up, and his gentle gaze meets mine, filled with an affection that sends a wave of warmth through me.
"Morning," I say, my voice brimming with the happiness that bubbles inside me.
"Happy birthday, Mia," Ben says, walking over to plant a soft kiss on her cheek while Henry and Liam join in, peppering her with birthday affection.
Ben turns to me and gives me a soft kiss on my forehead. He breathes in my scent, and a questioning look crosses his face. I simply smile back at him, not ready to share just yet.
"Look who's ready to take on her first big birthday!" I announce, tilting Mia so she can see her daddies.
Mia responds with excited babbles, reaching out to them. They're wrapped around her little finger, and the sight fills the room with a glow that's better than the brightest sunshine breaking through the Lake District clouds.
"Food's nearly ready," Liam adds, bringing over a freshly brewed pot of coffee to the island. "Grab a seat, princess."
"Thanks," I say, grateful for the normalcy these moments bring, grounding us in the every day even as excitement flutters in my chest like a trapped bird eager to soar.
Settling Mia in her highchair, her little hands clap in anticipation, and I copy her, beaming and bursting with so much love that tears prick my eyes. Handing her a squeaky rubber duck, the kind that makes her eyes light up every time it lets out its funny sound, she takes to it immediately, squeezing it with glee. At the same time, I look over at Ben, Henry, and Liam huddled around the table inhaling food and coffee like it's their last day on earth.
"Sleep well?" Ben asks, his eyes are soft on mine as he passes me a mug of steaming tea.
"Yes, Mia sleeping through finally is like a miracle," I reply, placing the mug down and wringing my hands with a sudden attack of nerves as Henry swaps Mia's duck for a slice of jam on toast cut into squares, and then sits.
"Dada!" Mia shouts out, and Liam goes to her even though we have no idea which Dada she means. They're all Dada, and that's just perfect in my eyes.
"Here, let me help with that." Liam's already on his feet, wiping a smear of strawberry jam from Mia's cheek with the corner of a tea towel.
My gaze flicks between the three of them. My pulse quickens; it's now or never. "Guys, I need to tell you something..." I start, the words teetering on the edge of my lips. They all turn to me, anticipation hanging between us like bunting at a street party.
"Go on," Henry encourages, leaning forward.
I take a deep breath, the news fizzing inside me like a bottle of champers ready to pop. "I have something amazing to tell you all."
"Spill it then," Ben says, his smile encouraging but unwittingly adding weight to the pause before the reveal. He knows. He can tell the difference in my scent. The other two might not be as attuned, but Ben's been through this before.
I'm grinning so wide my cheeks ache, but I don't care. "I'm pregnant," I blurt out, the words rushing out like they've been bottled up for way too long.
Their reactions are immediate and electric. It feels like time slows down for a split second, everything suspended in the air between us.
Liam stands first, knocking his chair back as he does. He wraps me in his big arms, lifting me clear off the ground in one of his bear hugs. The others are quick to join in, pulling us into an all-encompassing and warm group embrace.
"I knew it! We're going to be dads again!" Ben chuckles, his voice thick with emotion, while Henry plants kisses on top of my head, murmurs of joy tumbling from him.
The house is now a riot of laughter and cheers, the earlier calm washed away by a tide of sheer elation. I can barely hear myself think over the excitement, but it doesn't matter. This is what happiness sounds like: chaotic and utterly perfect.
Mia claps her hands in her highchair, joining in the excitement without knowing why. Her little face is lit up with glee. I reckon she senses the love swirling around; it's infectious, after all.
Liam's laughter echoes around the kitchen, and he says, "Looks like the birthday girl is going to be a big sister!" He sets me down gently, but his eyes are dancing with mirth.
We all settle down again, breakfast resuming amid an atmosphere thick with plans for the future and fond recollections of the past year. Mia gurgles happily, oblivious to the fact she's at the heart of this new joy unfolding.
Henry looks across at me with those sincere eyes. "You okay? Not feeling overwhelmed, sick, tired?" he asks.
The concern in his voice is touching; they always look out for me so well. "Nope," I reply confidently. "I've never been better."
The warmth of their joy wraps around me, and I'm floating on a sea of love. It's pure amazement, the way they look at me as if I've hung the stars in the sky. I've never felt so cherished, so absolutely vital.
"Zara," Ben breathes out, his hand resting gently on my stomach, his eyes alight with visions of our future. "A little miracle."
"Right, we've got loads to sort out," Liam says.
"First things first," Henry starts with that soft smile that always makes my heart do funny things. "We need to make sure you're eating right, Zara. I'll whip up some of those smoothies you love."
"And we'll have to see about Paternity Leave," Ben states.
"Can we not just bask in this for a minute?" I laugh, because leave it to my lovely alphas to skip straight to logistics when I'm still processing the fact that there's a tiny life growing inside me.
"Of course, princess." Liam reaches for my hand, squeezing it gently. "But you know us, always wanting to be ahead of the game."
Rising from the table with a smile, I say. "Right, I'm off to get the birthday girl cleaned up."
My heart does a little skip at the thought of Mia in her party dress for when Susan and Peter come around later after the guys get back from work.
"Need a hand?" Ben offers.
"I've got it," I answer, shaking my head. "You three need to get going."
"Bye, Mama," Liam calls out with a cheeky wink.
Giggling, I scoop up Mia and head upstairs, the soft carpet silent beneath my feet.
I lay Mia down on the changing mat, her little legs kicking with anticipation as she looks up at me with those big, baby blue eyes that could melt the coldest of hearts. I run my fingers over the soft fabric of the pre-party dress we picked out for her first birthday – it's a pale yellow, adorned with tiny, embroidered daisies, delicate and perfect just like her. The party dress is blue, like her eyes and the colour of the summer sky.
As I slip the yellow dress over her head, she babbles in delight, a string of baby sounds that make no sense yet mean everything. She's growing up in a world filled with so much love, and I swear she knows it. She throws her tiny arms around my neck as I lift her up, and for a moment, we're locked in our own little embrace. It's these little moments that I live for.
I press a kiss to her forehead, breathing in her sweet, innocent scent. "Happy birthday, baby girl," I whisper, and she coos as if she understands every word.
With Mia dressed, I set her down to play with the pile of stuffed animals on her play mat. Her little fingers grab a plush bunny, and she gnaws on its ear, content as can be. It gives me a moment to reflect on the whirlwind of these past few months - from the unexpected turns our relationship has taken to the excitement of growing our family.
There's a quick tap on the nursery door, and Henry's head pops in, his face alight with mischief. "I forgot my keys," he says, but I can tell he just wanted another peek at Mia before he left for work.
I roll my eyes playfully. "Sure you did," I tease him.
He winks at me and scoops Mia up for one last cuddle, peppering her face with gentle kisses that make her giggle like it's the best thing that's ever happened to her. "Dada loves you so much," he tells her earnestly, his tone full of promise and love.
Henry finally puts Mia back down and gives me a soft kiss on the lips. "Take care of yourself today," he says seriously.
I nod and shoo him out of the room with a smile. "Go on, you're going to be late."
He leaves with a farewell wave, and I'm left alone with my little girl again. It's quiet now, the house suddenly large and empty without the presence of my alphas. But it's a good kind of quiet, the peaceful lull before the storm of birthday festivities begins later on.
I sit on the floor beside Mia, watching her explore her tiny kingdom of toys with wide-eyed wonder. Each time she discovers a new texture or a new sound, her face lights up with the simple joy of discovery. It's mesmerising, really, to witness the world through such innocent eyes.
Lost in thought, I marvel at how our lives are about to change again as we add to our family. The unpredictability of it all would have scared me once, but now? There's no fear, only an overwhelming sense of gratitude that I'm on this journey surrounded by love and laughter.