"Yeah, fire and I don't get along well, but there is enough chill in the air, it will be welcome if it gets cooler," I reminded her. "But I'm glad you waited for me. I don't need you burning down the cabin."
We both sat at the same time and enjoyed our food for a few minutes, watching the ripples on the lake.
I wasn't sure how to start but I thought a direct conversation was the easiest way. There was no way that I'd be like her mother and keep something this big from her. This not just affected my life, but now hers.
"So, I have something big to tell you," I started and she cut me off.
"You're making me leave?" she questioned in a broken voice, tears already streaming down her face.
"What, no, no, sweetie. You have a home here as long as you want one. We’re forever, I promise. Youneverhave to worry about that.”
I pulled her to me, hugging her hard. She squeezed me back hard enough it ached but I wouldn’t complain. When she calmed a little, I continued.
“This is hopefully a good change," I reassured her. "Though, for me, it’s a bit of a shocking one as well."
"I’m sorry. It's my biggest fear that you'll decide that you don't want me anymore," she confessed, and my heart broke a little more for her.
“I hate that she did this to you, but you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Phoenix. I love you and I’m here for you as long as you want me to be,” I said again. My voice was hard and strong, ensuring she knew I was serious.
She took a deep breath and met my eyes again, forcing a smile. “Okay, go on. I didn’t mean to freak out.”
"Before you got here, I met my pack.”
She blinked at me. “Wait, why haven’t you introduced us? You know you don’t have to hide them from me.”
“I know,” I said with a sigh. “It was me. My past trauma had me running away, even though I really didn’t want to. They gave me space, but now I need to face them.”
“There’s more,” she guessed when I hesitated. “Out with it, Aunt Bea.”
“I’m pregnant.”
When the words left my mouth, the piece of pizza that she was holding fell to the ground and the tears started all over again.
I stood up and placed my plate on the chair, hurrying over to hug her to me again. My emotions were such a mess I ended up blubbering with her.
"Are you happy or sad? I can't tell," I managed to get out.
"Happy, I always wanted a brother or sister," she said, wiping the tears away when I released her.
"Oh, good. I was so worried that you'd think that I was replacing you, but you’re just as much mine as this little one will be," I promised her.
“I can’t wait. How long?”
“I’m not sure yet, I need to schedule with the doctor. I just realized today,” I admitted. "Now, I have to tell the pack."
"Does your pack live here in town? Have I met them?" she asked, wiping away the last couple of tears from her cheeks and picking back up the pizza that didn’t fall to the ground.
"No, they haven’t been around yet. They’re firemen," I answered, giving her at least a little info on the mystery men.
"They?" she asked with an eyebrow arched.
"Yes, there are three of them. Somehow, my besties and I have been blessed with more than one mate," I answered.
"When do I get to meet them?" she asked, her face open and curious. I was sending thanks to whatever gods were listening for letting this go well.
"Tomorrow. I'm going to have them come over for dinner. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to meet them outside and catch them up to speed. Then we can have dinner all together?”
We both took a bite before she answered.
