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ChapterTwenty-Four
Briar
The doctors had managed to keep me out of full-blown labor for two days until I hit the thirty-seven-week mark. They agreed that stress had likely gotten us here in the first place, but thankfully we were close enough to the due date that it wasn’t as risky as it could have been.
Anita had checked in on us often, but between the amazing room and all my mates, I was well cared for. I was just fighting through the pain of my sporadic contractions.
When they finally deemed it time to start pushing, I was more than ready. Labor was the most pain I’d ever endured, and I’d crushed more than one set of fingers thanks to each and every contraction. The moment Oliver was out, the pain became almost nonexistent as I focused on our tiny baby.
The sound of his cries was the best thing I’d ever fucking heard. Moments later, he was on my chest, and I was staring down at his precious face. The moment he was in my arms, I realized that nothing mattered besides our family. The trauma of his conception might haunt me for a long time, but it wouldn’t affect my love for him. After a few heartbeats, he was already my world. I had never known I could love like this.
“He's perfect,” Wells whispered. I glanced up at the alpha who was swiping away a tear.
“I never thought I’d see you cry, big guy,” I teased, but I was smiling up at him in adoration.
“How could I not? You’re both so perfect,” he said. Oliver was now snuggled against my bare chest, my body heat warming him. The pack gathered close, tucking blankets around us and putting a hat on his tiny head.
“You did so good,” Beckham praised, butting Wells out of the way. He rested his hand on Ollie’s head, tears rushing down his cheeks. “I can’t believe you made me a dad, Briar. Have I told you lately that I love you?”
“Every day,” I confirmed. “I love you too. No cold feet yet?”
“You still worried about that?” Graham asked. He was on my other side, softly stroking my hair. “I couldn’t imagine turning away from this. In this room is everything I need. Nothing else matters.”
“Remind me of that when I’m sleep deprived,” I begged. “Where did Ellis go?” I asked, glancing around. “And Miles?”
“They had to grab something, or that’s what they said,” Tallon explained. He sounded as confused as I was, and ten minutes later, my missing mates returned. They carried in a coffee cup from the bakery we had our date at.
“You remembered,” I laughed. The small gesture mixed with my still crazy hormones, forcing me to bite back a full-on sob.
“You know, it’s funny…” Miles pointed out. “We haven’t known you while not pregnant. It will be interesting to see the difference.”
“For the record, I don’t normally cry like this,” I said as Graham wiped away the stray tears.
“I hear we have a baby,” Liam’s voice sang out. I covered myself a bit before calling him over. “Is it okay for me to come in? And Cora?”
I appreciated his attempt at respect, but I wanted him here.
“You know I want you to meet Ollie. Look, Liam, he has your hair!” I ran my fingers through the tiny curls poking out of his hat.
“He’s perfect, Briar,” Liam said, totally choked up, as he placed a kiss on top of my head. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”
“Language,” Beckham chastised, making us all laugh. A tiny cry rang out, and everyone groaned.
“Yeah, this’ll be a fun change for us all.” Tallon winced.
Oliver calmed as I patted his butt and softly sang to him. I couldn’t stop staring at him, awestruck that he was mine and finally here.
“Graham, what did you do?” Beckham accused with a gasp. He was holding his phone, one hand over his mouth as he scrolled. I couldn’t tell if he was angry or holding back a laugh until he spoke again. “Headline after headline. ‘After confrontation at the charity ball, Mayor Aaron Townsen is in the hot seat,’” he read off.
“I gave my lawyer all the information that night. He worked through the footage, compiled everything, and finally filed formal charges. They’re already trying to settle, but someone leaked the information, along with footage of that punch,” Graham said proudly.
“That punch felt great,” Wells admitted, smirking at the memory.
“He deserved worse,” Liam said with a bite in his tone. Cora stayed by his side, quiet but confused, as we had our moment. I had a feeling he hadn’t divulged everything, but at this rate, she’d find out soon.
“Good, I’m just glad he won’t have a leg to stand on. He deserves this and more,” I said. “Vivian too?”
“Yes,” Graham confirmed. “I’m not sure of the charges yet, but she won’t get through this unscathed. I was a bit too busy to check in.”
“Who wants to hold him?” I asked as I shifted Ollie. He let out a cute burp before softly sighing, and even that was adorable. It seemed the guys agreed because every one of them was staring at him like he was perfect. With all these adoring men around, this kid was going to be trouble.
“Me,” Wells said. I swaddled him in his blanket before handing off the baby burrito to his dad. A tear rolled down Wells’ cheek, but I didn’t call him on it. I knew the feeling. He rocked our baby in his arms and spoke in a soft whisper that made me fall in love all over again. As each of the guys took their turns, I became positive that life couldn’t get any better.
“You did good with this group,” Liam whispered as he leaned in and hugged me.
“Thanks to you for saving me,” I said, squeezing him back. “They make me incredibly happy.”
“I know the feeling,” he said with a grin. “We want to move to Grove City so we’re closer. I need more baby time.”
“You’re welcome any time. I bet Graham could check on availability for a room in the building if you want.”
“It’s a bit rich for my blood,” he countered. “Med student, remember?”
“I own the building,” Graham admitted. I glanced over at him in surprise. “I didn't realize until right now that you didn’t know that. Sorry.” He winced and braced himself, but it was just one of those things. Graham didn’t put much stock in wealth. He had it, and he invested well, but flaunting it never occurred to him, so it had never come up.
“We could lease-to-own if you’re interested. I offer reasonable prices. I’d be willing to simply give it to you, but I have a feeling you’d never allow that.”
Liam shrugged. “You’d be right, but I’d love to talk. I’ve been stuck at home until now, but I graduate in a month, and I’ve got four years of residency ahead.”
“I’ll figure something out and call you this week,” Graham promised. “Family always has a place with us.”
“Can I have a turn?” Cora asked. Her voice was unsure, but she didn’t need to be. Everyone had had a turn, and if she and my brother were serious, that made her family too.
“Of course! He should meet Auntie Cora,” I said, carefully handing him over. She was a natural, and I swore she shed every bit of shyness in that moment. Her face brightened up, and she became a whole different person.
When I started yawning, the alphas kicked everyone out, and Tallon took Oliver so I could try to sleep while he did. The moment he was safely nestled in my beta’s arms, I was out.
* * *
A week later,I was still trying to get this new mom thing down. The suite they’d put together for us was perfect, and some semblance of a routine already established—with the adults, at least. Oliver had a long way to go before we would be getting solid sleep.
Despite being tired, I was finally starting to feel like myself again. I’d done a bit of work here and there on my laptop, and although my body was obviously not back to normal yet, I was okay with that. Part of me missed his little kicks and movements, but having him in my arms helped me forget all of that. I had my sweet baby, a pack that claimed me as theirs, and men that loved me enough to stick around, even through the toughest scenarios. They were Oliver’s dads in every sense of the word, and I would never not be thankful that I’d found my way to them.
