The Polar Bear's Baby (Honeypot Babies Book 1) (7 page)

Aidan

I grab a bottle of whiskey I keep in the back, then Richard and I sit at one of the little tables in my shop. Once we each have sip our drinks, I wait for him to tell me what’s really going on.

“How did you know I was dating your sister?” I have to know. “She told me she hasn’t had a chance to talk with you yet.”

“You know I work in Honeypot, right?”

“Right.”

“I was going to stop by on Friday after my last therapy appointment. Her car was here. It was late.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

“It does when it’s my little sister, Aidan. You know as well as I do that Mia doesn’t do serious relationships. She doesn’t just jump into bed with people. She certainly doesn’t do that with people she doesn’t care about. When did the two of you get together?”

“At your birthday party.”

“I thought that might be the case,” he smiles and takes another sip of whiskey. “Congratulations, friend. I’m sure the two of you will be very happy together.”

“You aren’t worried about me dating your sister?”

“Aidan, please. I’m sure you already have your entire wedding planned down to the last layer of your wedding cake.”

“Really?”

“You’re a serious person, Aidan. For you to get together with Mia, for you to actually tell me about it, I assume I’ll have an invitation to the ceremony in the next month.”

I down the rest of my whiskey quickly. This definitely wasn’t what I was expecting when Richard walked into my shop today.

“This does explain the cravings,” Richard says. “Once I figured out the two of you were together, I started paying attention to the things she complained about. She’s been commenting on feeling sick a lot, on struggling to sleep. Coupled with the weird things she’s been eating, it made sense she’s pregnant.”

“You aren’t mad?”

“For you and Mia? Of course not. You’re going to make wonderful parents.”

“I feel like you’re taking this really well.”

“I’ve had some time to think about it.”

Now it’s my turn to raise an eyebrow. I thought he just found out about us. How long has he been thinking about this? As if reading my mind, Richard laughs.

“I saw the way you two looked at each other at my party. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out you two are attracted to each other.”

“I’m going to be good to her, Rich.”

“I know you are. If you aren’t, I’ll beat your ass. Shifter or not, I don’t care.”

We clink our glasses and chat for awhile about life in Honeypot and the direction he wants to take his counseling here. Right now he only works in Honeypot two days each week, but Richard is actually thinking of moving here permanently and working full-time in shifter town.

“What gives?” I ask, and now it’s his turn to be secretive. “Is there a special someone in your life?”

“Something like that,” he says. “But it’s complicated.”

Complicated.

It’s such a simple term that can encompass just about anything. Your car broke down? Your day was complicated. You’re having a baby and you hadn’t planned for it? Things are complicated. You want to date someone who won’t look twice at humans? It’s complicated.

“I’m here if you want to talk,” I tell him.

“Thanks, man. I appreciate that.”

He gets up and I walk him back to his car.

“Do me a favor,” he says. “Don’t tell Mia we talked. I want her to tell me when she’s ready. This is tough for her and I don’t want her to feel like she’s being judged or like I won’t listen to her.”

“Of course. I’m going to come out tomorrow morning to help her move.”

“I’ll be there with breakfast. What time are you arriving?”

“Nine.”

“I’ll be there at eight.”

Mia

“I wasn’t expecting you today,” I say when Richard waltzes in at eight in the morning. I haven’t showered, I haven’t had coffee, and I certainly haven’t had anything to eat. Once my morning sickness started full-swing, I cut out extra food because I just throw it up, anyway. Breakfast was the first thing to go. I already miss it, but when I do eat breakfast, I eat it too fast. Then I spend the next half-hour puking.

There’s no such thing as pacing yourself when you’re Mia.

“Surprise,” he says coming inside. Richard holds up a bag of food and a drink. “I brought you a milkshake.”

“I don’t think I can eat this morning,” I say hesitantly.

“I didn’t bring you food. I brought you a milkshake.”

“That’s…weird.”

“I didn’t think you’d feel like eating this early,” he shrugs. “Besides, I think we should hang out for a little while. We’ve both been so busy lately that we haven’t really had time to spend together.”

He comes further inside and starts making himself at home. If Richard notices the stacks of boxes or piles of trash bags sitting out, he doesn’t say anything. Instead, he sets the food on the table, along with the milkshake.

“Can I get
you
something to drink?” I ask, trying to remember how to be a good hostess. It’s been awhile since I had anyone over.

“Water would be great.”

I hear him start to eat and I turn to the fridge and try to calm down. This is the perfect chance to tell him about the baby. It’s the perfect opportunity to let him know I’m moving to Honeypot and that I’m going to move in with his buddy.

Only my heart is swelling with desperation and nervousness because I don’t want to let Richard down. He’s always been one of my best friends, one of my closest allies. For a long time, it felt like it was us against the world. No matter what happened in my life, I always knew I had Richard. I always knew I could count on him.

What if that all changes?

What if this makes everything different?

What if I tell him the truth and the truth isn’t good enough?

What if I tell Richard about Aidan and he gets upset?

I grab a bottle of water from the top shelf and close the fridge door. I turn around. Richard is sitting at the table and he’s casually eating a breakfast sandwich. It’s time. If Richard gets upset, we’ll work through it. He’s my brother. He won’t walk out of my life over this. He won’t pressure me to make a different decision about the baby. He won’t be upset I’m choosing to have the child. He might disagree with me or he might completely agree. I don’t know. No matter what, though, he’ll tell me that it’s my choice. He’ll tell me this is my decision.

“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out, and Richard doesn’t react dramatically. There isn’t a giant earthquake and the sky doesn’t fall. The world keeps turning. Nothing bad happens.

“Congratulations, Mia,” Richard says. He takes another bite of his food and reaches for the water bottle. Somehow, I move toward him and hand over the drink. He has a little. “When are you due?”

He didn’t freak out.

He didn’t yell.

He didn’t scream.

He didn’t look like he was disappointed in me.

“Um,” I haven’t actually gone to the doctor yet. I have an appointment next week in Honeypot. When Aidan and I talked, we agreed I should see a doctor who is familiar with shifters and shifter pregnancies. My normal OB/GYN is awesome, but she deals exclusively with human pregnancies. I want what’s best for my baby, even if it means getting a new doctor. “About seven months,” I manage to tell him.

Now Richard smiles, stands up, and hugs me.

“Congrats, sweetie,” he whispers. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Don’t you want to know who the father is?”

“Sure, if you’re ready to tell me.”

“It’s Aidan,” I say. Surely
this
will elicit some sort of reaction.

“I stand by my earlier congratulations,” he says. “Aidan is a great guy, Mia. I hope you two are really happy together. You’re going to make wonderful parents.”

And then it hits me.

Then it really hits me.

I’m going to be a mother.

I knew this before. I’ve known it for a little while now, but suddenly, it’s like it sinks in.

I’m going to be somebody’s mother.

“I’m going to have a baby,” I say. Then I burst into tears. Richard is right there with me, hugging me, holding me. He whispers that everything is going to be okay. He whispers how proud he is of me for handling everything so well. He promises he’s going to be there every step of the way. He tells me I’ve got this. I can do this.

I’m going to be a mom.

“No matter what happens, I will always be here for you.”

“How did you get to be so cool?” I ask through my tears. “You’re the big brother. Aren’t you supposed to get mad or angry on my behalf or something? Aren’t you supposed to give me some sort of ‘safe sex’ talk?”

“Would me doing any of those things make you feel better?”

“Well, no.”

“Does me being supportive make you feel better?”

“Yes.”

“Then there you go. Mia, there will be people who don’t like that you’re pregnant. People will tell you that you’re too young, that it’s a mistake, that you should give your child up for adoption. There are people who won’t like that you’re human while Aidan is a shifter. There will be all sorts of people, but nobody’s opinion matters but yours.”

“I’m nervous. I don’t know anything about being a mother,” I admit. “And my baby is probably going to be a shifter, Rich. What if I’m no good at being a mom to a shifter baby?”

“Even if your baby is a shifter, he or she won’t be able to transform for awhile. You know that, right?”

“Yeah.”

“So you’ll have a little bit of time to get ready. You’ll have some prep time.”

I pull back from the hug and reach for the milkshake. Suddenly, I’m starving and I’m not sure if it’s because this huge weight has been lifted. I told my brother the truth and he was fine.

Everything was fine.

“Thank you,” I finally say to him. Then I notice he’s got more breakfast sandwiches and I reach for one, hoping I’ll be able to handle it without puking. “Hey,” I ask, motioning toward the bag. “Why’d you bring so much food? Even with the two of us, that’s a lot of sandwiches.”

“Oh,” Richard says with a twinkle in his eye. “Didn’t I mention? Aidan says he’ll be here at nine.”

Aidan

Our first night together in my house – our house – is a rainy one. The storm rages outside, but Mia and I are warm and safe inside. Most of all, we’re together. My girl is finally home.

“Whew,” she peers out the front window. “I’m glad we got all the boxes inside before it started to rain.”

“Same,” I say, coming up beside her. I drape my arm over her shoulder and pull her closer to myself. “You smell like cupcakes.”

“Maybe that’s because you kept feeding me,” she laughs. “Seriously, I don’t think I’ve had that many cupcakes in my life. Not ever.”

“I’m going to spoil you all the time.”

“I look forward to that.”

“How are you feeling tonight?” I press my hand to her belly. She hasn’t felt the baby move yet and neither have I. It’s still too early for that, but I can’t keep my hands off her. I’m so anxious to see our cub, so excited to see what our little baby looks like. Every time I touch her, I get a mental image of our sweet little family.

“Good. Happy. Tired.”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me, too. I’m still a little emotionally exhausted over talking with Richard.” After I showed up at her place, Richard helped us load everything into the truck. He and Mia chatted all morning, but he was pretty good about keeping his inner psychiatrist in check.

There were only a couple of times when she had to stop him from analyzing her behavior, but aside from that, the morning was productive and everyone got along.

Something has been bugging me about Richard. The way he talked about Honeypot and relationships seems a little too personal for me. I understand he’s been counseling people here for awhile, but he knows the inner workings of our community and our people so well that I wonder if he has a deeper motivation to move to Honeypot. Is he dating someone? Is he mated to a shifter? At some point, I’ll bring it up to Mia, but tonight isn’t the right time.

And to be honest, Richard’s dating proclivities are none of my business. If he’s fallen in love with a shifter, then, well, good for him.

Tonight I have a little human of my own to take care of and I plan to ravish her like there’s no tomorrow.

With a kiss, I sweep Mia into my arms and carry her upstairs.

“Where are we off to, my sweet polar bear?” She asks with a smile, cupping my face. My five o’clock shadow must feel bristly and rough against her soft hands, but Mia doesn’t complain. She just leans against me and lets me carry her upstairs.

This is one of my favorite things about Mia.

I remember being a little cub and watching my dad with Katherine. He always made her laugh and giggle and even as a little kid, I knew that was how a husband was supposed to be. You’re supposed to make your mate smile. You’re supposed to make them happy.

There’s so much sadness and hurt in the world already. Why would you want to do anything to make your mate feel even more down? Mia and I haven’t known each other – really known each other – for long. Already, though, I know I would never do anything to make her sad.

Her being pregnant scares me because I know that at some point, I’m going to make her cry. At some point I’m going to hurt her feelings inadvertently or I’m going to say the wrong thing or I’m going to shove my foot in my mouth somehow, and it’s going to hurt her.

Our doctor warned me and so did Richard, but the realization makes me terrified. I’m going to do everything in my power to be supportive and encouraging during her pregnancy. Mia has given me everything I’ve ever wanted and more. She’s perfect.

“The bedroom, my sweet human,” I say in response. She laughs again and kisses me. Then kisses me more and more and more.

I drop her down in the upstairs hallway, unable to keep walking with her pawing all over me. I press her against the wall and use my foot to push her legs apart. My leg fits between hers and she humps me, rubbing herself against my leg as I kiss her there, pressed against the wall.

“Fuck,” she murmurs, and bites my bottom lip.

“You like that, baby?” She nods, and keeps grinding against me. I bite her neck and pull her hair, happy to give her a little tease as we play. One thing is for certain: Mia is going to keep me coming back for more and more and more.

She pushes back against me, forcing me against the opposite wall. Now it’s her turn to climb all over me, touch my body, run her hands over me.

“We aren’t going to make it to the bedroom,” she whispers. Then she drops to her knees, taking my pants with her. My cock springs out and she slides her tongue over it, kissing and licking.

“Fuck, baby,” I groan, grabbing her hair. I pull her closer to myself and she giggles, then sucks my dick. Mia has got the best fucking mouth. Her technique is awesome, but more than that, she’s enthusiastic. I love how into sex she is. I love how she enjoys giving and receiving pleasure. She’s not uptight or scared or nervous or insecure. She just enjoys herself and has a good time.

I don’t want to come in her mouth, but if she keeps it up, I’m going to. Reluctantly, I pull her away and raise her up. She comes in for a kiss and I stroke her shoulders for a moment, enjoying the feel of her body, enjoying her touch.

“More,” she whispers.

“Yes,” I agree.

We manage to get our clothes off and stumble to the floor together. I lay her out and fucking ravish her body. I start at her neck and move down until I’m between her legs. She tastes like brown sugar cinnamon. She tastes like heaven.

I bring Mia to orgasm with my tongue, then slide up her body until I’m hovering above her. Then my cock glides inside of her, deep into her tight, wet pussy.

“I love you,” I whisper to her.

“I love you, too,” she says.

“Marry me,” I can’t go another day not knowing she’ll be mine, not knowing she’ll be my mate. I need to know I’m going to go through life with Mia by my side. I need to know I’m going to get to spend the rest of my life making this woman happy.

“Of course,” she whispers, and she smiles at me. That smile warms my whole heart. That smile makes me know everything is going to be just fine.

“You make me so happy,” I tell her.

“You make me happy, too, Aidan. I feel like I’m dreaming.”

“I feel like that all the time.”

It’s not the best dirty talk. It’s the sweetest, most romantic sex we’ve ever had, but somehow, it’s perfect in its own way. Mia is going to marry her polar bear and I’m going to marry my human. Our relationship wasn’t what either of us expected, but it’s what we both need.

It’s everything we’ve ever dreamed of.

We complete each other.

We both come, tangled in our embrace in the middle off the hallway floor. We lay together for a long time after, just touching each other, just quietly thinking.

“Did you mean what you said?” She whispers.

“I’ve never meant anything more.”

“I love you, Aidan. I didn’t expect to be a mother, but I’m so glad we’re having this baby together. I’m glad it’s with you.”

“I’m glad it’s with you, too,” I kiss her forehead.

For a bear who didn’t believe in soul mates until recently, things are looking up. I have everything I’ve ever wanted, ever needed, ever dreamed of.

And Mia and I are going to have a baby.

Our little family is complete.