Rejecting The Alpha Twins - Chapter 189: Chapter 189

Fiona Pov
“You’re pregnant.”
My mate’s voice was incredulous. I stiffened, surprised to see that he wasn’t angered at all but instead sounded shocked and even, dare I think it, wistful. How had he found out? I had my suspicions but kept them to myself, needing to deal with this moment, here and now.
“I’m pregnant,” I told him shakily, admitting it out loud, and watched his eyes widen, before he moved so fast that I could barely blink, embracing me tightly as I fought back the urge to vomit all over him.
His arms were so tight that they were impossible to escape. This had to be a good sign, but right now my body was protesting. Loudly and in the worst possible way. I could feel bile rising up my throat.
“Um, Liam, I’m going to be sick,” I whispered, and he immediately loosened his hold on me, although he did not let go.
I let my body relax against him, loving the feeling of his arms around me. It felt protective and something I had sorely been missing of late. I could not remember the last time he had held me like this. It was nice, I admitted, wishing this moment could last forever.
I felt him nestle against me, his nose sniffing my scent appreciatively. “We’ve been so busy lately, I didn’t realize your scent had changed.”
It had? I hadn't realized either, uncertain about how shifter pregnancies worked. I wondered if this was the reason my wolf had been so silent lately, as though she had been waiting for the both of us to realize. His voice was almost choked as he continued. “I can hear the sound of the little heartbeat that is almost perpendicular to yours. It sounds amazing. I can’t believe that I’m going to be a father,” he added, his voice rising in excitement.
He wanted to be a father. I was so surprised to hear that that I almost fell over. What about what he had insisted on before? Could I have been wrong about his wants and this entire situation? I coughed and he reluctantly let go of me, his eyes searching as he stared into mine. Perhaps he sensed that something was wrong with me. I hesitated but had to get the words out, unable to keep them to myself.
“I thought maybe it was the wrong time,” I ventured to say, unable to get the words he’d uttered mere minutes ago out of my mind.
I had to know if he was merely putting on a show for my sake. If he truly wanted this child or if this was all forced.
“Not the right time?” he said incredulously, “Why wouldn’t it be?” he demanded, his expression confused.
Had he truly forgotten everything he had said before already? Or was this just an act?
I fixed my gaze on him. “Thank god you aren’t pregnant,” I began to intone, and his eyes widened and his body tensed.
So he hadn't forgotten then. I waited, folding my arms slowly across my chest and never taking my eyes off of him.
“I didn’t know, and I didn’t mean it. There is no right time to have a child, Fiona. The moon goddess blesses us with one when we least expect it. If I had known….” He trailed off, looking remorseful.
“Then you don’t mind?” I asked shyly, feeling my cheeks slightly burn.
Maybe this could work after all. Maybe my tears had been for nothing. Maybe, maybe, this just might be the right thing for us both. A child, one to bring us even closer together instead of further apart.
There was no question in my mind that I was keeping my child. That was not up for negotiation. I would not abandon the best thing to ever happen to me.
Liam laughed, the sound filled with joy and almost like the sound of tinkling bells.
“Mind? I’m so happy I could dance. The thought of having a child with you, it fills me with such joy,” he explained, “I’m already picturing a young miniature version of you, with that beautiful hair and those big eyes of yours,: he said teasingly, his eyes beginning to sparkle.
I laughed. “I’m picturing the same, only with a son. One that is a beautiful hellion just like his father.”
I was certain I was having a son, although I could not exactly say why.
“Do we know?” Liam ventured to say, and I shook my head, a wry smile on my face.
“It’s too early to tell. All I know is that we have one healthy baby growing inside of me.”
My hand went to my stomach subconsciously, and his eyes followed my every movement.
I swear there were tears in the man’s eyes. I sighed. “How did you find out anyway? Once you made it clear that it wasn’t the right time, I figured I would delay the inevitable.”
Only that would have proved difficult. Shifter pregnancies, unlike normal human pregnancies, did not last as long. Within weeks, my stomach would be heavily swollen with child, and there would be no hiding it from him. I stared at him suspiciously, sensing my mother had something to do with it. She was the only other one who knew after all. So much for swearing her to secrecy, I thought with a small tinge of amusement. It seemed Regan hadn't been able to keep a secret if her life depended on it.
Liam shifted uncomfortably on his feet. “Well, um, the thing is…” he stammered, “your mother might have accidentally let it slip.”
He sounded slightly panicked now as though I might get angry or overly upset by the news.
Once upon a time, this might have angered me, but I knew that Regan was just as excited by the prospect of me being pregnant as I was. She must have assumed I had already told Liam as I had promised to do. I grinned despite myself. I would tell her off later, but for now, I could let things go. There was no point holding a grudge.
“She’s so excited to have a granddaughter or grandson. I bet she’s already told my fathers as well.”
It was almost a definite.
“No doubt,” Liam said agreeably, also not sounding overly annoyed by that. .
At least he didn’t sound upset by that concept. He, too, was coming to grips with having my family surrounding him. Even if it was causing him some problems. I winced. “Is this going to make it harder to deal with my family?” I asked, knowing it might.
He gave me a crooked grin. “It might cause some more teething problems, but nothing we can’t handle. What’s more important is…” he reached over and touched my hand, his eyes pinning me. “Are you happy about this? “ he asked, his voice tender, causing more tears to come to my eyes.
“I’m ecstatic,” I told him honestly, unable to keep it to myself.
I never thought I would want to be a mother, but now that the choice had been taken from me in a sense, I was looking forward to it. I was finally getting the family unit I had been longing for. The family unit that had been denied me since I was a small child. I was forging my own family and my own path and I could not be any happier about that than I already was.
“Then I’m happy,” Liam said nonchalantly. .
“She’s going to have a cousin,” I dared to venture, “perhaps we should also let Alpha Max know. It would be nice for them to get to know each other.”
Maybe they could change history for the better and become firm friends unlike Celeste and me.
It would not be long until Celeste gave birth. There would be but a few weeks between the two of us if that. Liam frowned at me. “Are you sure you want to open that gate? I mean, considering yours and Celeste’s history…” he trailed off, a look of doubt on his face.
I didn't blame him for being apprehensive about it all.
“I’m sure,” I said confidently, “it’s not the same situation. I’m not offering to adopt Celeste’s child; I’m merely wanting the two of them to grow up having a relationship. I won’t punish one child for the sake of its mother. I won’t let history repeat itself,” I added softly.
Never again would I allow history to cause bitterness or resentment inside of me.
This would not be the same as me and Celeste. I might not care for my half-sister, but I would not punish her child or pretend that he or she did not exist. I wanted them to get along with each other, establish the kind of relationship that Celeste and I never could.
“You are amazing, you know that," Liam told me, shaking his head in astonishment.
I blushed. “I’m nothing of the sort; I simply want to be the bigger person. Besides, Celeste….” I swallowed hard, “Celeste will be gone. Alpha Max has already decreed he’s going to execute her for her actions. Neither you nor I disagrees with that. The only other option left to her is to put her in an asylum, for he says that being forced to give birth to the child had slowly driven her mad.”
I guess in her situation, it could cause anybody to become crazy. I felt a slight pang of sympathy for her, but only slightly. She had brought this on herself and I was not responsible for her actions.
“What do you want for her?” he asked quietly, "Can you live with that decision?"
I met his eyes. “Anybody else would have been executed. I won’t make any special requests for her. It will be hard for her child, but she or he should learn that breaking the law, no matter who you are, will only result in dire consequences.”
Liam nods tightly. “Then we’ll contact Alpha Max when the timing is right. We’ll also let your parents know about the pregnancy, although I doubt they don’t already,” he chuckled.
I nodded, beaming, and flung myself into his arms. His voice was muffled when he spoke next, against my shoulder. “There’s only one thing left to do now.”
I was confused. What did Liam mean by that? Everything was working out. He wanted our child, we were going to inform my parents, and everything was going to be perfect. I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better than it was going now. My life was complete. Nothing was missing. But Liam gently pushed me away as I stared at him, bewildered. He cleared his throat and then got down on one knee, causing tears to well in my eyes.
“Fiona Dominion,” he began loudly as I stared, his hand rifling in his pocket and withdrawing a small ring box which he held tightly in his hand.
“Will you marry me?” he asked, and I stood there paralysed, unable to think clearly.
I hesitated. He looked up at me, his eyes sincere. “Are you doing this because of the baby?” I whispered.
It would break my heart if that were the reason. Having a child was no reason to be married. Or an excuse to get married.
He shook his head, a fierce expression on his face.
“I’ve been holding onto this ring for weeks now, trying to muster up the courage to ask you. I want you, Fiona. The fact that you are pregnant only makes this moment even sweeter. I love you with all my heart and my soul. My life has never been happier since the moment I laid eyes on you. You are the woman of my dreams,” he began, and a tear began to trail from my cheek.
I had dreamed of this moment since I was small, and now my dreams were becoming a reality.
“I love waking up to you every morning. I love the smile and the joy it instantly brings to my day. I love the way you hum to yourself every morning and the way you bring sunshine to everybody. I love the way you do your hair, and every time I touch you, I feel the tingling that comes with the mate bond. I only have eyes for you, my one and only, and if you take this ring, I promise to cherish you every moment of every day. I promise to spend a lifetime with you, making sure that you are a priority in my life and that I’ll spend every waking moment loving you. This ring is a commitment to you,” he breathed, and just like that, my heart began to skip a beat.
This was everything I had ever hoped or dreamed of. My mate looked up at me expectantly, and I nodded, tears streaming down my face. He hastily put the ring on my finger and we embraced, kissing each other lovingly. It was perfect.
We married. I gave birth to a little boy called Hunter, who was every bit his father in both personality and looks. My fathers took a step back from the pack business, leaving my mate to run his pack while they revelled in their role as grandfathers. My mother was a huge help, assisting us and a delightful babysitter and grandmother. My child grew up adored by all, and Celeste gave birth to a little girl, Ruby, whom my son remained protective of. I spent my life, adored by my mate, cherished and adored. Life had never been sweet, and until the moment we left this earth, my mate never broke his promises to me.