1 - Abby POV
1418 Words
"Oh b*llocks!"
That was all I could say to the news that had just been given to me.
I'm having a baby...
My stunned expression did not seem to phase Colt as he held his hand over my stomach, gently stroking his thumb across the surface.
"Our little pup..." The love in his voice... I wish I could share his enthusiasm but I was not in that head space.
"Colt..." I try and keep my voice level but I was shaking with anxiety all over. "Let's just think about this for a second, please?"
"What is there to think about?" He turns his gaze away from my stomach towards my eyes, a hint of a challenge held within him. "We are having a baby."
"Yes but Colt, there are other things to think about here."
"Like." He really wasn't getting it, was he.
"Well for starters, we have only known each other for a month, dating for like half that. Is this not... too soon?" My questioning tone does not hit the right cord with Colt.
"Not for werewolves. We usually mate and mark each other the moment we meet so lots of wolves get pregnant soon after." He shrugs as if it was no big deal.
"Yes but this baby is in a human, who has gone through a lot this last month and wanted to take things slowly with her new werewolf mate." I pat him awkwardly on his chest. I have no idea what to do with myself right now.
"We will be fine, Abby. It is not like we are short on assistance if we do struggle." He gestures to Naomi and Siobhan who were painting the side of my garage.
"Yes but what about my parents?" I raise my eyebrows at him to see if he can get where I am coming from. His response - a shrug of the shoulders and a facial expression that reads 'so what?'.
"How am I going to tell my parents that the guy I just met got me pregnant and that they are going to be grandparents in nine months?"
"Five months." Colt point blank answers.
It took me a while to respond. I had to shake my head to help compute what he had just said. "...Sorry, what?"
"It's five months. Werewolf pregnancies are five months long."
Don't panic! Don't panic! Don't panic! DON'T PANIC!
"Colt... are you INSANE?" I snap at him. "That is even worse!"
"What do you mean? Are you not happy to be having a baby with me?" Colt meets my gaze. The love in his voice replaced by accusation as he squints at me.
"Colt, I would love to have a baby with you. But!" I just about managed to get out the 'but' before he can interject or pick me up again. "It was something I planned for in the future."
"But you can't help some things, Abby. Plans change."
"Yes, but - Uhh!" I run frustrated hands over my face. My brain was frazzled, whirring with all the changes and problems that were cropping up in my head.
"There is just too much to deal with right now. I don't even know where to start."
"Abby, it will be fine. We will take it one step at a time." He pulls me sofly into his chest and gives me a reassuring squeeze. I snuggle my head as far as I can into him; if I could bury my head so I didn't have to deal with the problems then I would.
"It's just... this is huge." I mumble into his chest. "I mean, we are having a baby, Colt."
"You're having a baby?" Our heads shoot up to see Maeve and Adelaide standing right by us. Their eyes were about to fall out of their sockets as their mouths dropped to the floor.
"Abby... y-you're... pregnant?" Adelaide manages to stutter out after what felt like forever. Not that I was much better. Words fail to form in my mouth. I knew what to say but it was harder to actually say to someone.
I just give a tight nod as a few tears start to roll down my cheeks. The girls both rush me and engulf me in their signature sisterly group hug. Their hands clasped my head and stroked my back as I rested my head in between them.
"Oh Abby. I'm so excited. I'm here for you whatever you need." Maeve claims from my left, struggling to contain her giddiness.
"We will help you, Abby. With all of it, including explaining it to your parents." Adelaide sniffs to my right as she pulls away, brushing the tears from her face and mine.
"I think that's going to be the hardest part." I respond as I look at them both. They give me a few more comforting squeezes before they pull away.
"Hey, why are there tears?" The others start to come over to see what the fuss is about.
"Abby's pregnant." Colt informs them all, the pride in his voice made my heart ache. Why could I not be as excited as he was about this?
Dan and Austin were seconds away from screaming their lungs out and jumping for joy but, thankfully for me, Naomi and Siobhan give them a sharp tug on their arms.
"Read the room, dumb*sses." Siobhan chastised them both, gesturing to the tears that were brewing again in the corner of my eyes.
"Abby, what's wrong?" Jason comes over and rubs my back, concern fills his eyes as he looks into mine.
"It's just... a lot to process. And that is before I knew that I would have five months rather than nine."
"Abby, we will work it out. Together. With a little help from our friends." Colt comes up behind me and pulls my back flush against his front. They all give me encouraging smiles and nods.
I wish I had their faith, but I knew my life had officially turned upside down, and that is considering what has been going on the last month.
Would I have to live in the packhouse now or would we move to our own place? I would have to explain to everyone, including my parents, how I was having a baby in five months. How was I going to do that?
Not to mention, the pregnancy and then raising a baby was a whole other kettle of fish.
I think the only thing that I was thankful for was this moment here. Colt was right, we had each other along with our friends around us. Just... one step at a time, I guess.
"Lunch is ready." My mum calls from the doorway, none the wiser that she was going to be a grandmother in a few months.
"Coming, mum." I holler back before turning back to the group. "No one says a word to them, not even a hint." I take in a big inhale before slowly releasing it through my mouth. "I will tell them when I am ready."
"Then we will take this opportunity to head back to the packhouse." Austin replies, coming over to give me a hug. "Congratulations anyway. If there is anything you need, just ask."
"I'm sure we can lend you some of the twins' clothes if that helps provide any comfort." Naomi gives me a squeeze before going over and joining in Austin's hug with Colt.
"I'm sure Adelaide will offer the same but we can help with the medical aspects if you would like that." Dan and Siobhan pull me into a hug, being careful not to squash little Imogen in between us.
"And the two best aunties in the whole world will be on standby when you need us." Maeve gives me a nudge as she goes to bro fist Colt. "But mainly for food and fun related activities."
Her and Adelaide wave us goodbye as they leave with the others to go back to White Crescent. Myself, Colt and Jason were the only people left standing in the front garden.
"Shall we go have some lunch then!?" Jason looks between the two of us.
"Sure." I huff as we make our way towards the door. "Remember, not a word."
"We know." Colt gives my hand a squeeze before we cross the threshold into my house and made our way into the kitchen, only to be greeted by my dad giving the guys a death stare.
This was going to be a long lunch.
- Writer
