Chapter 30: Preparing For The Big Bonfire

I woke up on my back, and the urge to throw up came back again. I immediately ran to the toilet to throw up. I heaved everything from my stomach, and I groaned from the bitter taste of puke in my mouth. I slowly got up and I felt the strong urge to pee. I almost peed myself, but I was able to sit down in the toilet just in time. Sigh, I guess this is another thing with my pregnancy I thought to myself as I brushed my teeth. I looked down to see if my bump was still there. Yup, still there and warm, but I noticed it got bigger.

I said amazed, "Wow" as I caressed my baby bump. I went and took a shower. I took my time, washing myself, remembering the love-making from last evening. I stopped myself before I start getting aroused, and I don't want to be sexually frustrated without Paul around. I got out of the shower, and quickly got dressed. I decided to wear black leggings and Paul's white button shirt since It could stretch to cover my now more noticeable baby bump. I'm not sure why I am having this urge to wear Paul's clothes, hmm. Probably it is a wolf thing since the father of the pups are not around? I need to ask Paul once he comes back.

I observed my belly, and I look like I was twice far along than I am actually in. I sighed internally knowing that there will be a point where it would be too hard for me to carry myself around. I might actually have to be in bedrest as I get closer to my due date. Would I carry until about 34 weeks like a normal triplet pregnancy or 40 weeks because as a wolf pregnancy, they tend to carry through full term no matter how many pups they carry? We only have about a month and half before they come, and we need to buy everything that we need before they come. Would we make it in time? Many thoughts were racing through my mind that I started getting anxious. I gave a deep release of breath to calm myself down and went back to the bedroom. I flipped through my phone, and I noticed that Paul texted me.

The text said,

Go to the clinic so Sue can officially check you. Seth and Leah are going to pick you up in few hours. Sad that I won't be there for the first appointment, but I will be there from the second to the last appointment. You and the pups health are my priority.

I texted,

Okay carino. Can't wait to see you soon

He replied back instantly,

Tell me everything once you get out of the appointment. We're going to have a huge bonfire tonight to celebrate the Cullens leaving, our success in the business, and the pregnancy of the first pups in the pack

I texted,

I don't need a celebration, carino. I am okay not having one.

He texted,

No, you do need it. Every pregnancy is a blessing from the spirits, we always celebrate it, and celebrating the first pups are very important for our wolves as well.

Oh, so it's a Quileute thing. I was willing to be bend on this since it isn't that big of a deal, so I texted,

Okay, I understand. Before you come back, can you pick up items from Seattle for the babies and for the house.

He texted,

Yes.

He immediately called so that I can verbally tell him everything instead of texting it out the list and I proceed to give him the list of items that we need at the house from Sam's Club, Fiesta, Walmart, Babies R Us and H-Mart. I also told him that if he finds the items for the babies in other places before Babies R Us, then buy it there since Babies R Us is a bit expensive. He appreciated that I was being mindful with money. He also pinched in with things that he wants the babies to have, and I was totally fine with his ideas. The list got longer, and I was getting overwhelmed then an idea came to mind.

I said, "Oh!"

He said, "Hm?"

I continued, "How about instead of picking them all up, you can order them and get them shipped to the house? I don't know how much work you need to do before you need to come back, so I don't want Jared and Sam getting frustrated with you."

He said, "That actually sounds great love. I didn't know they could do that"

I added, "Yeah, it's a thing in the future. Most people just order their groceries or items that they want to pick up or deliver by phone or by the internet. I don't think we are at the time where we can do it by the internet, but I am pretty sure we can do it by the phone. I think that should be a thing at this point."

He said, "Ohh I see.. Thank you love. I am happy to see that you are accepting the pups and are quick to start nesting for them. It makes my wolf very proud of you as his mate."He purred lowly at the last part.

I said, "Well, I mean..I am still adjusting to being pregnant and everything, but I don't to neglect them just because I am still wrapping my mind with having triplets."

He said, "Yeah. Well hon, I gotta go. Sam and I are going to meet with Jason to pick up our last check, and discuss any future business prospects with him."

I said, "Bye, see you soon" and he hanged up.

I went to the kitchen, and I made myself pancakes from the Aunt Jemina's pancake mix. I grew up eating that pancake mix, I don't know what is in that pancake mix, but it is to die for and addicting to keep eating from. I made myself a tower of pancake, couple fried eggs, and I microwaved few strips of bacon. I ate it all up, and feeling full, I leaned back against the chair.

Looking at the food, I realized that I need to coordinate with Emily for tonight's bonfire since it is going to be a big celebration.

With great reluctance, I used the house phone to call Sam's place. It took a second try before I got an answer, I heard a hesitant "..Hello?" from the phone.

I said, "Hey..This is Ale."

She said with a surprised tone, "Oh! Hey. Nice to hear from you. Sam..just told me about your news. Congrats! I'm making a scrumptious chocolate cake for you to celebrate it at today's bonfire."

Huh, I wasn't expecting that reaction. I thought she would be more wary of me, but then again, she is the type of person who cares about people's perception of her. Is she being nice to me in order to look good, and the small pause that she had, I think she is holding back some feelings regarding that. But I will give her a benefit of the doubt and play it cool with her.

I said kindly, "Oh. How thoughtful of you Emily! I love chocolate cake, and I can't wait to try it. On that thought, that is why I was calling you. What should I bring to the bonfire? How much food should I bring? I never fed the pack before."

Emily said confidently over the phone, "Oh yeah. The pack with the two new additions Brady and Collin, we will need to cook even more for them to be satiated for few hours. Bring food that is easily make in abundance like hotdogs, burgers and the sorts. I usually try to feed them a lot of grains, sweets and meat. That usually fill them up more. With hotdogs for an example, it usually takes 8 of them to fill them up, but that is why we bring many things, so we don't have to cook so much for one thing."

I nodded my head and said politely, "Oh that makes sense. How long it usually takes for you to prepare?"

She said, "It usually take me on my own about 3 to 5 hours to prepare. Kim is going to prepare nachos and hotdogs, and I am going to prepare burgers, fries and my famous blueberry muffins. Sue, Leah and Seth are going to bring fried chicken, corn and mashed potatoes. Billy is going to bring his 'famous' spaghetti with meat sauce. What are you going to bring?"

I said pondering, "I am not too sure. I need to see what I have around in the house, but I will start preparing them now since I have to go see Sue to check on the babies."

She said, "Alright..then I see you later?"

I said awkwardly, "Yeah. Uh bye" and she hanged up.

Well, that was a decent conversation, but it feels off. Doesn't she have any pent-up anger toward me of how I spoke to Sam and regarding Leah? Did she have a change of heart? But that doesn't make sense, she hasn't contacted me once since the guys left for Seattle. I brushed those thoughts aside to focus on what to make for the bonfire.

I checked at the back to see if Paul has a grill, and I found one! Nice, I could make some chicken and beef fajitas, so I started marinating the beef and the chicken. Once I come back from the appointment, I could start grilling them. I could make the Spanish rice after I get back, but I can get started on making refried black beans, so I started boiling the black beans, adding cumin, garlic, cilantro, salt, and other seasoning. I set it on low as I wait for Seth and Leah to come and pick me up.

Hmm, what else could I make?

Oh! I could make chili cheese enchiladas. They are super easy to make. Good thing I bought a pack of family-sized Wolf Chili in cans, pounds of shredded multi- cheese, stacks of corn tortilla and blocks of mozzarella cheese to stuff it inside the enchiladas. I started cutting the blocks of mozzarella cheese in strips and I put a tower of tortillas in a plastic bag inside the microwave to warm them up for few seconds so that I can start rolling the cheese inside the tortilla without breaking the tortilla. I pulled out 4 ceramic trays, and I started placing them in rows inside the trays.

I was on my second tray when I heard a knock. I opened the door, and it was both Leah and Seth. Leah was standing standoffish as she usually is and Seth said brightly, "Sorry the wait. We were helping Ma with preparing for the huge feast tonight at the bonfire. Paul asked us to take you to our clinic to see how you and the babies are doing."

I said brightly, "Okay."

Seth looked down and said, "Wow! You got bigger like Ma and you guys said might happened" and Leah looked at my stomach with an unreadable expression. I know it isn't jealously for sure, but I am not sure what exactly she is feeling.

I said sheepishly, "Yeah" as I twirled my curly hair with my finger. We got on to Sue's truck as we drove to the clinic. Seth drove, as Leah was in the passenger seat while I was in the back seat.

Leah said nonchalantly, "Your appointments will be done in secret. Everyone will go break for early lunch, so that we can have the clinic to ourselves without anyone knowing your condition. Billy asked for a favor, and the director of the clinic is in the know of the secret too, so don't worry about people asking questions."

Oh, that is a relief. It would be hard to explain to people why my belly is expanding so rapidly on every appointment.

It was a small tribal clinic, but it felt very welcoming and inviting to be at. Sue was at the door waiting for us, and she smiled warmly as she took all of us to a room. Seth waited outside and Leah was about to wait outside too, but I asked her, "Do you want to come in?"

She thought about it and nodded slowly as she went inside. I got on the table as I wait for Sue to ready to do an on ultrasound on me. I was a little anxious and worried of what we going to find in the ultrasound. Sue noticed that I was a little nervous and she chuckled softly, "it's okay to be anxious with your first ultrasound. All mothers are in their first one."

She said, "Can you unbutton your shirt and lower your pants, sweetie? I am going to put a gel in your stomach, and it would be a little cold to feel."

I nodded as I unbutton the shirt and lower my leggings. She placed the cold gel in my stomach, and I jolted from the coldness more due to the fact that my belly as almost the same temperature of a shapeshifter. Sue gently used the device rubbing through the gel to find my womb as we looked at the monitor.

Sue gasped, "Ah, there they are. Oh! Well, look at this. All of them are on a separate placenta! This is great news. It lowers the risk of your pregnancy. Even though it is still a high-risk pregnancy for someone with multiples, but the babies won't have to fight for nutrients. Babies in the same placenta, they tend to fight for nutrients and one baby tend to be a smaller one than their twin. Let me see if I can try to get you to hear their heartbeats."

Sue adjusted the machine, and she increased the volume, and I was able to hear all three of their heartbeats. It really sounds like a heartbeat of a hummingbird; it was so fast and loud. Sue laughed softly, "they look very healthy, and their heartbeat is very strong. Paul is going to be a proud papa". I looked at the monitor, and I stared at it.

Wow.. and I noticed from my peripheral vision, Leah was looking at my stomach in awe.

I asked, "Am I going to carry until about 34 weeks like a typical triplet pregnancy, or up to full term because of the hyper wolf'like pregnancy?"

Sue frown, "I don't have the answer for you about that right now. Once we get closer to 34 weeks, we may have more of an understanding of your situation, but don't worry, we will figure this out" as he gently placed her hand over my hand. Sue then proceeds to give a pamphlet for first-time moms and another for someone with having multiples. She told me what I can eat, what I shouldn't eat, so basically everything that a pregnant woman needs to hear.

Sue said, "Because of the rapid pregnancy, I will be monitoring you once a week to make sure everything is okay with you and your babies. I am pretty sure, Paul would come by the next visit."

I nodded as I cleaned myself, thanked Sue as she humbly waved her hand away and we all got ready to leave the clinic. On the way back to the house, I went and called Paul, but he didn't pick up. He is probably occupied, so I left him a voicemail telling everything that happened in the visit with Sue.

Seth dropped me off at the front door to go back help Sue to finish preparing for the bonfire tonight, and before he drove away, Leah asked, "Can I stay with you? You look like you might need some help for tonight" when she took a glance inside the kitchen.

I said cheerfully, "I would appreciate that a lot, Leah" and let her in.

I said smirking, "You want a soju?" and she gave me a small smile, "You know it."

We both laughed, as she helped herself a soju and helped me check on the beans and the rice.

She said, "Wow look at you. You said you weren't a cook, but you're making a legit dinner for all of us."

I said bashfully, "Nah, it's not something grand or huge. I know little bits of things from different culture, nothing great. I don't know if you guys gonna like it, but I want to show you some of my culture through Hispanic food and Tex-Mex food."

She asked, "Which one is the Tex-Mex food? It's the chili cheese enchiladas. We usually make our own sauce for our enchiladas instead of using American chili, so because the enchiladas are Americanized, it's Tex-Mex."

Leah nodded, so she helped me layered the enchiladas with the chili and the cheese, and we placed it in the oven with a timer, so once it is done, we can see when it is over. Leah helped me bring the marinated beef and chicken outside to start grilling.

When I was aboutta start grilling, Leah came behind me and said, "Uh no. pregnant woman needs to stay away from the grill. Not good for the babies, and if Paul finds out, he's gonna rip my head off, so no. Go somewhere else."

I laughed, "Okay, okay. Hmm. Do you mind setting up the hammock for me? I would like to lay on it" as I stepped away from the grill with hands up.

Leah said, "Sure, but I am doing it far away from the smoke and at the same time that I can still see you."

I nodded, "Okay" and we went back to set up the hammock close to forest where she can see me. She helped me get on and went back to start grilling the meat for me. I laid back and sigh in content.

This is life. I love laying on the hamaca (hammock). It may be the most Latina thing ever, but its so relaxing laying back at it and looking at the sky. Even though it is gray from the cloudy sky, it is still relaxing. I used this time to reflect everything that has happened the past two days.

I gently laid my hand on my stomach and pondered as reality sit in. I got transported here, married, claimed, and now I am pregnant not even within a month. So much has happened in a short period of time. If I didn't have strong mind and support from Paul and the spirits, then I might've lost my mind by now. The forced claim was pretty traumatic not gonna lie, but with everything that has happened, it feels like a distant memory for some reason.

I guess this is my life now.

I don't know how much time has passed, but I fell asleep in the hammock. I was woken up by Leah lightly shaking me. I woke at a jolt, and I noticed that it was already late in the night. The sun has gone down. Man, I was really out of it then.

She said, "Hey, I let you sleep since you did a lot today. I got everything put in the car. It is almost time for the bonfire, let's go."

I said groggily, "Okay, thanks Leah."

Leah said, "Don't mention it" as she helped me get off the hammock and let me hook her arms with her as we approach the car since I couldn't see in the nighttime. She chose to drive since I can't see in the nighttime which I am not complaining.

On the way to the beach, I asked, "Do you happen to know if Jacob showed up to the wedding yesterday?"

She replied, "Nope. Sam told Quil and Embry to go patrol after you warned Paul ahead of time. They were patrolling, but Jacob didn't show up. You sure Jacob was gonna show up?"

I said, "Yeah.. it was a big thing when he did."

She frowned, "why?"

I said, "Well, Edward being a prick, he sent Jacob their wedding invitation to him. When Jacob got it, he ran away, so that was different this time. He didn't run away but he left before he got the invitation, and he went on a spirit walk earlier than anticipated, so he didn't disappear for the same reason. He returned to the wedding during the reception to get a glance of Bella in her wedding dress. They danced a little and, in their conversation, Jacob gets angry, and Sam had to come in and drag Jacob away before making more of a scene at the wedding reception."

I didn't want to tell Leah what exactly they were talking about. It wasn't her business, and I want to respect Bella's privacy even if she doesn't really like me at the moment.

I asked, "do you know who went to the wedding?"

She said nonchalantly, "only Billy and my mom. They went in support for Charlie. The wedding was beautiful from what my mom told me. The other vampires were there, and it was uncomfortable for them to be around them. Besides that, nothing interesting else happened."

I hummed in agreement. Even though I am glad that Jacob didn't show up to the wedding, it shows that ..he is moving on from her little by little, so that got me happy for him. However, it is a still a concern if he is going to imprint on Reenesme, but seeing that he has been on the spirit walk for almost three weeks, maybe not? Either way, the Cullens aren't going to be here once he gets back, so I can't wait to see how Jacob has changed or have been enlightened once he comes back.

We finally arrive to the beach, and Leah parked the car and gave me the keys. There were few picnic tables surrounding a fire pit. There was a long row of food, drinks, and supplies with Emily and Sue helping to set up. From the looks, Brady and Collin was talking with Old Quil and Billy close to the fire pit. Kim was sitting quietly behind them, listening intentively to their conversation. Quil was busy lighting up the fire pit to make it bigger with little Claire jumping up and down from the sight of the flaming fire. Seth ran up to us with a big smile and helped us unload the food to the table.

I looked around and I happened to see Charlie there. Oh, why is he here? Not complaining, but he is going to start asking questions when he sees me..I guess he was invited here by Sue and Billy to comfort him since Bella got married. Charlie is probably feeling the empty-nest type of deal. I hope the pack and the Rez helps Charlie and be nice to him through this process. Now I think about it, I don't think Bella ever called Charlie during her honeymoon. I think she only called him when she couldn't come back home and started unnecessarily stressing him out with her fake illness due to her pregnancy. I hope they have a better plan this time because Charlie went through a lot, and he doesn't deserve to be pulled around like that.

When I approach the table, it seemed like Sue and Emily were in a middle of a heavy discussion because Sue had a firm expression and Emily had a, upset expression with tears building up in her eyes. Sue gave me a polite greeting, and Emily said fake-cheerfully, "Hey Ale. I am glad you were able to make it. Wow! Look at all the food that you brought. Thanks, I bet the pack would love it!"

I wonder what they were talking about?

Then, she looked down to my stomach, and she gasped dramatically with her hand in her mouth.

She said slowly, "Wow! I knew you're pregnant, but I really can't believe how big you have gotten."

Trying to be social, she said eagerly, "How does it feel? You know, being pregnant immediately right after being claimed."

I felt a little uncomfortable with that question, and when I was aboutta answer, Sue whistled, "Guys! Thank the girls and go help yourself! But leave some for Sam, Jared, and Paul when they get here in few minutes."

It felt like even Sue knew that question wasn't right, so she tried to prevent even more misunderstandings between us by calling everyone to eat already. I heard a overlapping voices of, "Thanks, Ale, Sue, Emily, and Kim" as the guys fought their way to the front to get the first serving.

We all sat down and ate. I ate a good two serving full of all the food, trying everyone's cooking and loving it. When I was serving myself a third plate, I felt Paul's warm arms wrapping behind me. He gave me a kiss at the cheek as he was caressing lovingly my belly.

I said happily, "You're back!" as I put my plate down and give me a hug.

He chuckled lowly and he murmured by my ear, "You got bigger. I heard your voicemail. Let's talk more about this later, okay? Imma go eat, but Old Quil needs to talk to me for some reason. Once I finish talking to him, I go sit next to you, okay?"

I nodded, and I turned around. Sam and Jared went to sit beside their imprint, and I noticed that Embry was alone, so I decided to go sit next to him. I sat few feet apart from Embry to avid Paul going apeshit with me getting too close to an unmated wolf.

Let's see how my time with Embry goes.

Author's Note:

I know, I know. I promised a chapter yesterday, but I didn't. Sorry about that. I spoke way too soon because on the second day after taking the vaccine, I really felt the side effects. I had fever coming in and out throughout the day, extreme body aches, and a migraine throughout the day. I just didn't have the strength to think and write a chapter.

Thankfully, I feel okay today. I still got some body aches, but no fever or migraine. I felt bad for not sending a chapter, so I made this a little longer to make it up. Hope you guys like it.

As always, reviews are very much appreciated.