“I know, beautiful.” My lips brushed over hers, pouring all my strength and love into it. “I’m not leaving you. None of us are.”
“Okay,” Juliette resigned. “And for the record Beau, in case you get any ideas, I will not be doing this again. The baby making factory is closed.”
I leaned close to her ear, whispering so that the others couldn’t overhear.
“For now, love. For now.”
Her eyes widened and she could only glare at me. I winked at her, causing a small blush to grace her cheeks—just the way I loved. But as soon as it appeared, it was gone, replaced with another pain.
This contraction was much stronger than the last, making it near impossible for her to talk through, so it resulted in her sobbing and clutching her side. I took over massaging the pained area while she collapsed into my chest, staining it with fallen tears.
As another contraction ended, Juliette pulled away from me and began to rise to her feet.
“I can use the bathroom on my own, thanks!” she snapped at me when I tried to help her up.
“Gotcha,” I said, holding my hands up in surrender as my mom laughed at the irritable blonde putting me in my place.
“She’s barely hanging in there, Mom,” I admitted after Juliette had left.
“I know, honey. Childbirth is one of the most hard and trying things that a woman goes through. Her body is aching everywhere and doing things that it normally wouldn’t be able to. Essentially, it’s putting her through hell and back,” my mom explained.
“I hate seeing her like this. She’s normally pretty positive and sweet, but being in all that pain is getting to her. I mean, you just saw her. One minute she’s clinging on to me, the other she’s ready to rip my head off.”
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it only gets worse from here. Every step of the way, she’s going to blame you. She couldn’t have gotten into this situation without you. Son, you’re fair game.”
Juliette walked into the room and paused. Taking in the last bit of what my mom had spoken.
“She’s right, Beau. This is your fault. Go suck some monkey balls.” Her blue eyes suddenly turned to ice.
“Thanks, Mom.”
She gave me an apologetic smile as she reached out and helped Juliette to the bed.
“No. Not again.” Juliette cringed, her voice almost to a whine. “I basically just finished my last one.”
Harlow heard the commotion and entered the room. “Juliette, I need you to lean back.” She had set up a pile of pillows that would help in propping up her back. “I need to check your cervix and see how far you’re dilated.”
“Oh-kay.” Juliette strained against the pain but did as she was instructed. I stayed on one side of her—despite all of her eye rolling and glares—my mom on the other.
“You’re close to ten centimeters dilated, Ma’am. It should be any time now.”
“No.” Juliette shook her head vigorously, panic lacing its way into her voice.
“Juliette, honey. What’s wrong?” my mom asked.
“I’m scared.”
“Oh sweetie! It’s only scary right now, but it’ll feel like the most natural thing when you’re holding your sweet baby girl. She wants to meet you, so lets bring her into this world.”
“Okay,” Jule’s small, frightened voice responded.
“Alright, Juliette, on the next contraction, when you feel the urge to push… Push. I’m down here ready to help her take her first breath, when the time comes. No need to worry.”
She nodded, bringing her eyes to mine—hers filled with fear, mine filled only with nervousness and excitement.
“We can do this, right B?” she asked me in desperation and worry.
“Most definitely, my love.”
And as if on cue, the next contraction started. My hand tightened around hers as she gave up the idea of breathing and replaced it with pushing. Tears streamed down her face and she screamed in pain. She pushed again as she was instructed to and then again a couple times more.
“Good job, Juliette. She’s crowning. Keep going,” Harlow praised, excitedly.
A few more pushes later, Juliette and I heard our daughter cry for the first time, tears of joy filling both of our eyes.
“Alpha, would you like to cut the umbilical cord?”
“Of course,” I exclaimed excitedly, Harlow handing me the scissors.
With a quick snip, she took the baby away for a moment to clean her off, but returned quickly with her wrapped up in a soft pink minky blanket.
I looked down upon my mate and our daughter— Juliette holding her tightly and looking completely in love with the little baby in her arms.
We were both beyond exhausted but seeing our child had made everything we’d endured over the past months so worth it. Our daughter looked like me in so many ways, but I could see parts of Juliette in her too. Little wisps of blond hair sat atop the baby’s head.
“We made her, B. She’s so perfect!” Juliette whispered as she looked into the tiny dark blue orbs, orbs that I knew we would fall in love with over and over again.
“Beau, she has your dimples,” my mom chimed in as she brushed her pointer finger over my baby’s cheek. Tears fell from her face as she looked at her granddaughter, taking in the image of the tiny miracle.
“Would you like to hold her?” I asked, seeing my mom getting antsy with desperation.
Juliette handed the bundled little baby to her.
“Welcome to the world, little Gracelynn.” My mom bent her head down and gave the baby a sweet kiss.
All our friends rushed into the room, oohing and ahhing over the little pink bundle of cuteness. Juliette finally had a family, and because of her, I couldn’t have been more blessed. Life couldn’t get any better.
***
I had finally managed to herd everyone from my house, giving the three of us some time to ourselves. I climbed the stairs two at a time and entered my bedroom.
Juliette lay on the bed propped up on her side, in pajama pants and a tank top, our tiny newborn daughter beside her. She was playing with her tiny little hand.
I’d never been more proud than I was at that moment. I was actually a father and my child was healthy.
I climbed gently on the bed opposite our daughter, each one of us on one side of her.
“I can’t believe we made her, Beau. It’s almost unreal.” Her eyes met mine and I couldn’t have agreed more.
Juliette shifted on the bed, lifting little Gracie into her arms. She leaned into my chest, my arms wrapping around them both as if in a bubble.
“Remember how you said werewolves were protectors?” she asked me, though she never took her eyes from the sleepy baby.
“Yes.”
“I now understand what you mean. I look at her innocent and perfect little self and all I want to do is make it so no one ever hurts her.” She turned and brought one hand to my cheek, rubbing the stubble that had recently sprung up. “I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time about it. You can protect us all you want. I’m yours.”
I pulled her tighter against me while making sure our child wasn’t being squished. My lips met hers and a fire exploded, her heart beating in perfect unison with mine. I deepened the kiss and she gave in to me, meeting me in perfect sync. I relished in the taste of the woman I’d desperately come to need and crave.
I pulled back, which elicited the cutest whine from my soul mate.
“Gosh… Stop teasing me, B.”
I chuckled at her response, taking my daughter from her arms and laying her in a snow white bassinet at the foot of our bed.
I reached into the nightstand, grabbing the small white box, and stuffed it into my pocket before flinging myself onto the bed. Her pleasant giggle only made my heart soar in love.
She climbed onto my lap and resumed the kissing, lacing her hands through my hair and biting my bottom lip.
“We need to talk, love.” My breath ran over her lips, which only succeeded i
n making her shiver.
She groaned in frustration, giving up on the desire she felt to have my lips atop hers. Curling into me, she rested her head on my chest. “Shoot,” she said, urging me to continue.
“Are you happy with me?” I leaned back into a pile of pillows, pulling her with me, angling her body so that I could see into her eyes.
“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life, Beau.”
“Then do one thing for me?”
“What?” she asked skeptically.
“Marry me, Juliette.”
“Wait, what?” she asked again, as if she had heard me incorrectly, but I continued, making like I hadn’t heard her question.
“You and Gracelynn are my life. I love you two more than anything in this world, and I want to stand in front of all our friends and family, declaring that love. You, my Juliette, carry the other half of my soul, and my wolf yearns to complete the bond, bringing our souls together where they belong. I want to spend the rest of our undoubtedly long lives loving and caring for my two beautiful girls. I want to make us even more of a family than we already are.” I finished and brushed the wetness from her cheeks.
JULIETTE
I looked at him. This was the man who entered the diner that first day, the very one that spent all that time searching for me. A man who had shown me every single moment since he rescued me how much our daughter and I meant to him. How much I’m worthy of all the love and affection despite my troublesome past and all my continuous mistakes. There was no question, this man was my future—my life.
“Damn, Beau… Quit making me cry.” I grabbed the back of his neck and pulled my lips to his, whispering and shaking my head. “Yes. I’ll marry you.”
We kissed for a few more moments before Beau pulled back once again.
“Seriously?” I asked him, though I knew he could sense my playfulness.
“I have something for you.” He pulled a little white velvet box from his pocket and opened it, revealing the gorgeous engagement ring he’d purchased for me.
“Holy. Hell. It’s huge, Beau but it’s so pretty!” I was in complete awe, bouncing up and down on the bed in excitement while he slid the diamond onto my ring finger.
He pulled me into a kiss, only this time, I was the one to pull back. “Sorry, handsome, but I have to call Saylor and Eve.” I climbed from the bed, stooped over the bassinet with our sleeping daughter, and gave her a gentle kiss—being sure to not wake her—then rushed out the room with my phone in hand.
“Women,” I heard Beau mutter as I walked out.
***
“What if nothing happens? I mean, what if I can’t just sprout a tail and fangs?”
“Jules, You do know we aren’t vampires?” Eve giggled, no doubt mentally picturing a half-vampire half-werewolf hybrid.
“Yeah, yeah… Whatever. But seriously, if I’ve been wearing this device since I was six years old, who’s to say that I’ll even be able to change at all?”
“Then we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” Beau responded, standing off to the side of the group holding Gracie. Though he was large and buff, he melted like a mushy gushy gummy bear when he was around her—she already had the poor guy wrapped around her tiny little fingers.
“Can’t we do this another day? There’s always tomorrow!” I pouted but a resounding ‘No!’ came from the group.
“Fine,” I growled. “Seriously though, what if I can’t change back and I’m stuck a hairy monster my entire life? Gracie will have a wolf-mom. No. I’m not doing it.”
“Oh shut up, Juliette. Never in the history of Lycanthropes has anyone ever been stuck,” Eve spoke.
They all laughed as if what I’d mentioned was the most ridiculous thing they’d ever heard, though it seemed like a completely valid fear to me.
“Fine, Obi Wan. Teach me your werewolf ways.” I bowed sarcastically, causing a chuckle from Saylor.
“First you need to breathe.”
“Uh, I hate to break it to you, Beau, but obviously I’m breathing if I’m standing here, aren’t I? And they chose you to be Alpha.” I was in a sassy mood, so sue me.
“Juliette,” Beau warned.
“Oh wait. Saylor, here. Guard this with your life, and by guard it, I mean don’t steal it,” I said, slipping off my engagement ring.
Saylor bust out laughing. “Not to be offensive, Jules, but I’m loving the newfound sassiness. Being engaged and a mother definitely changed you for the better and albeit more interesting.”
“Haha. Glad to be of your amusement. Remember, watch it, don’t steal.” I glared.
“Gotcha!”
“Close your eyes, Juliette, and focus on the air flowing through your lungs. Search within you and find her, find your wolf. When you’re ready to return to your human form, you’ll do the same, but instead of looking for your wolf, you’ll find your human side.”
I did as he had instructed and a small gasp escaped my lips when I felt her. I felt the soul of my wolf sleeping within, almost as if in a sleep-like trance. I reached out to touch her, and in a moment’s notice, my wolf and human had become one. United.
Standing in the place where the human me had been standing now stood a whitish blond haired wolf. I felt the same, actually—in fact, I felt even better. My eyesight and hearing were heightened and I wanted to chase something—anything.
“Holy hell, Jules. That was totally a Twilight moment.” Saylor gasped as I pranced up to her.
“It’s still the same Juliette, no need to be afraid,” Beau assured her.
“Um… My best friend that I’ve known my whole life just materialized into a freaking wolf. I’m not afraid, I’m freaking amazed! I have the coolest bestie in the world!” My crazy friend vibrated with excitement. Since I couldn’t talk as a wolf, I resorted to rubbing my furry head on her pant leg.
“Eve, would you?”
“You don’t have to ask me twice!” She smiled as she took Gracelynn from Beau’s arms.
Within seconds, in Beau’s place stood a sandy colored wolf with a dark brown spot above his left eye.
“It’s official—I’m now calling you spot.” Saylor chortled.
Griffin laughed so hard he clutched his sides. A small growl erupted from Beau’s direction, but Griffin couldn’t stop. It was entertaining to say the least.
I walked up to Beau and ran my head underneath his neck, looking him square in the eye before speeding off. I could feel Beau following closely behind though I was smaller and quicker than he was.
He followed me to the front yard of our house before we both phased back into our human form.
“Crap.” I held my arms and hands over my body parts to cover any exposed areas and rushed into the house and up the stairs.
“You didn’t think that your clothes would stay intact did you?” he hollered after me. “They shredded instantly, love.”
I was pulling a shirt over my head when Beau finally entered the room—completely naked. “Geez, Beau… Wanna know what’s sexy? Modesty. Put on some clothes.” I slapped my hands over my eyes.
“Uh… Jules… Hate to break it to you but you’ve seen all this before, hence Gracelynn.”
“Oh shut-up!” I spun around, my back facing him. “That was only once and it was like ten months ago. So until I ask, keep your junk to yourself,” I all but hissed.
Beau came up behind me, his hands circling my waist.
“You better be wearing pants.”
“I am.” He snickered and I turned around to face him, my hands running over his bare chest. I could feel his every muscle beneath my fingers and it made me crave him in ways that only my soul mate could.
“Being near you, B, makes me desperate. All I wanna do is throw myself at you, and that’s so not like me.”
“Can I say something without you thinking I’m trying to get you into bed?” he asked.
“Sure.”
“I got a good look at you when you phased back to your human form—” I took no time
at all smacking him on the arm, playfully but hard enough to reprimand him. “Hey! I wasn’t done talking.”
“Sorry, go on.”
“Anyways, I didn’t see any of your burns.”
“What?”
“We really need to work on your hearing. I said that it looked like the burns from the fire are gone.”
I pulled out of his arms and walked to the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind me.
“What. In. The. World.” I yelled loudly while I stood and looked myself up and down in the full-length mirror in the bathroom before exiting. “Everything is healed. Not just my burns.”
“Everything?”
“Yes. Everything. Every single burn from the fire, but also my injuries from Gracie’s birth. How the hell is that even possible?”
“Werewolves heal almost instantly. It must have been brought on by your phasing.”
“So you’re saying that I will be able to heal that quickly every time I get hurt?”
“Yes.”
“Thank goodness.” I sighed, my shoulders relaxing. “All I ever do is hurt myself.” Before I could walk away, I turned to face him. “Put on a shirt, like now please. We have to go find Eve. I’m missing our baby already.”
“As you wish, my love.”
It took us less than five minutes to find Saylor, Eve, and Griffin at the park with Gracelynn. Griffin was holding her gently while the two girls fought over who got to go down the slide first. Grown adults fighting over a slide, that’s new.
“Can I have her, Griff?” I held out my hands, ready to take my beautiful child from him.
“Juliette, she’s your kiddo, no need to ask.” He smiled down at the little newborn one more time, before handing her over to me.
“I missed you, sweet girl,” I cooed, looking into the face of my favorite girl. A gasp left my lips. “Beau, Look!”
“What am I looking at?” He walked up behind me, glancing over my shoulder at our child.
“Her eyes. They’re—”
Make A Wish (Dandelion #1) Page 23