The trip to the store was eventful to say the least, they drove very carefully on the way there as they didn't have a car seat. Stiles was thankful that it was a small town, nobody seemed to notice when he got out of the car carrying Sophie. They made their way inside, straight to the baby section.
They collected the typical things, a bassinet, a changing mat, more diapers and wipes. When they started looking at bottles, that's when Stiles knew that they were in over their heads. He read the packaging carefully, realizing that they made bottles in different sizes based on how old the baby was.
Sophie's age was unknown though they suspected that she was younger than three months. Derek could tell by her scent that she was especially young, or so he had said. Together with Isaac, they walked around tossing this and that into the buggy. When it came time to pick out clothes, they floundered again.
"What does 2T mean?" Isaac asked, holding up a pink romper. Stiles and Derek shrugged.
"I think that's too big for her anyway," Derek said as he flipped through a rack of onesies.
"I think we need some help," Stiles said, accepting defeat. "Isaac could you go and ask at the front for someone to help us?"
Isaac nodded and jogged towards the front of the store. It wasn't long before he came back with a kind looking older woman. She smiled as she walked up to them. "How can I help you?" She asked.
"Thank you, we recently took in my niece and I know next to nothing about babies, and we're a little lost," Stiles said easily much to Derek's surprise.
"What did you have questions about?" She asked, stepping closer to look at Sophie, "She's gorgeous."
"I think we've got all the big stuff, bottles and formula and such, but I'm confused about the sizes on the clothes," Stiles explained and she nodded.
"How old is she?" She asked.
"She's three months old," Stiles said.
"Okay then, let's walk over here." She led the way over to the next section of clothes. "Those over there were the toddlers' clothes, for when she's older. These sizes here range from newborn to a year old." She pointed to a pack of onesies, "You'll want to pick out clothes in the 3-6 months size, so that she can have room to grow."
Stiles looked at the tag that she held out to him and he nodded, a weight lifted off his shoulders. "Is there anything else in particular that you think we need for her?" He asked, pointing to the buggy.
She looked over the items that they had picked out, nodding in approval, "It looks like you have everything that you need, I would suggest one of our play mats for tummy time though."
"Tummy time?" Derek asked.
"Yes, with newborns, you have to keep careful watch over them while you set them on their tummies for a little while each day. This helps them develop their neck muscles." She explained and Derek nodded. "Other than that, you boys look like you're all set!"
Her praise made them blush. "Thank you, I appreciate your help!" Stiles said and she smiled as she walked away. "So, how many clothes do you think she'll need?"
"Babies can be very messy," Derek said, "We should get a little of everything."
"Alright then," Stiles nodded. They ended up filling up the buggy the rest of the way, just in clothes. Onesies, little t-shirts, a track suit, some soft leggings, a couple pairs of jeans and one pair of green corduroy pants. It was Isaac who pointed out the little sundresses.
"It is getting warm outside," Isaac said as he held up a sweet yellow and white flowered sundress.
"That would be precious," Stiles said, "Speaking of sun, we need to get her some sunscreen. I read that you have to be careful with babies in the sun."
"On that note, we also need to get her some shampoo and body lotion." Derek said as he led them to another aisle.
"And a little towel!" Stiles said excitedly as he snatched one from the rack. "It's a flamingo, how cute is that."
"Very cute," Isaac said with a soft smile.
By the time they had finished grabbing everything that they fancied Sophie needed, it was almost closing time. Derek decided that it was time to go, having to pull Isaac and Stiles away from the baby socks. He promised that they would come back another day for anything they forgot.
That was agreeable enough, so they made their purchases and went back to the house just in time for the sun to set. Before heading inside, Derek put together her car seats, one for the Camaro and one for the Jeep. They took the carriers inside along with everything else.
It was only as they brought in the last of the items that Stiles looked at the foyer and said, "Where are we going to put all of this?"
Derek shrugged again, "Wherever we can, I suppose."
That was a good enough plan. They spent the next couple hours putting together Sophie's bassinet and changing table that doubled as a clothing dresser. They were both put in Stiles' room.
Isaac was assigned the task of removing the tags off of all the clothing so that it could be washed as Stiles set Sophie into the bassinet for the first time. She kicked her little feet with a huffy laugh. "I'm glad to see you like it," Stiles said to her and she smiled up at him.
It was strange, they had only had her for the evening but something about it felt right for her to be with them. Where she would be loved and cared for. He shook his head as he went to help Derek move the changing table this way and that until it was set just right along the wall.
Sophie was happy to babble around her pacy, her wolfish features having reverted back to her human form. She sang them songs as they finished putting away her things. Finally it was time for bed, as Stiles fixed her a bottle. He'd read that at that age, a baby had to feed every few hours.
She gladly suckled the milk down in greedy gulps, so fast that Stiles was sure she'd have a tummy ache. After she was finished, he gently burped her, a little worried that he was patting too hard. Sophie seemed to be fine though, burping cutely before rubbing her little face into Stiles neck.
Derek watched with a closed off expression, though Stiles could see the hint of a smile. The older man had once told Stiles that he would explain it when it mattered. Stiles thought that it was about that time.
It didn't take long to soothe Sophie into a deep sleep. Stiles laid her in her bed, turned on the baby monitor and together they made their way downstairs.
Before Stiles was able to say a word, Derek motioned for him to follow into the kitchen. "I'll cook while we talk," He explained and Stiles followed, sitting at the island.
Derek pulled out some simple ingredients to make some ramen, and as he prepared everything, it was like he was preparing himself to speak.
Stiles let him in his own understanding way, there were a lot of things that he knew about werewolves, but there was still so much for him to learn.
"When Isaac first started going to you," Derek started, "That's when I first knew."
Stiles had to force himself to not interrupt.
"I knew that, that was the first initial moment of you becoming one of us," Derek said as he stirred the boiling noodles, "When we get close to you, touching your shoulder, or your neck, that is our way of showing the outside world that you are part of us."
Derek's shoulders were tight, as if he were expecting Stiles to explode at any moment. As if Stiles were a bomb that he had to disarm carefully.
It took a moment, but then Derek spoke again, "It's called scent marking. It's a way for us to protect you, from other werewolves."
Stiles' mind was racing a mile a minute, more and more questions flooding his brain.
"We don't own you," Derek said, "If you were to decide to leave, that you didn't want to be pack, then we would let you go. It would be difficult, but you are your own person first and foremost. But if you want to be with us, to be pack, this is how we show that you're ours."
Silence stretched between them then, as Derek turned around and looked him in the eye.
"This is where I ask you what you want," Derek said with a smile, "When the pack would come back each day with stories of how you cared for them, fed them, taught them, helped them, I knew that you were the right choice. That they had chosen well. When you came here ready to punch me down, protecting them, I knew."
Stiles didn't know what to say.
"I knew that you were the only choice, that you were one of us, that you would do anything in your power to protect us," Derek said, "So, what I want to ask you, is Stiles, will you be pack, our emissary?"
Stiles hesitated before he spoke, "I don't know how good I would be at the job."
Derek shook his head fondly, "You've already been doing it for months. This is just the first time I've asked you if you wanted it. I should have asked earlier, so I apologize for that."
"And being your emissary?" Stiles asked.
"Every pack has a human emissary, that is usually changed at some point," Derek explained, "You would help run the pack, making decisions on behalf of me, the Alpha. You would be our representative while dealing with other packs and creatures."
"That sounds dangerous," Stiles said with a wavering smile, thinking of what his father had said.
"It can be, but no more dangerous than running into the line of fire to save Erica and Boyd," Derek reminded Stiles of the night they had faced off with the alpha pack. Stiles had gone into the warehouse with nothing more than a handful of mistletoe and mountain ash.
It had suitably blinded Ennis long enough to get Erica and Boyd, who were withering away, out of the warehouse. After that, Stiles left it to Derek and Scott to finish the pack off. None were left alive.
Stiles sat there for as long as it took Derek to start plating their dinner, "Am I just good for the pack?" A shiver went down his spine when Derek turned to look at him, "Just for the good of the pack?" He didn't truly know what he was asking.
Derek stepped forward taking Stiles hand in his, "You are inherently good. Good for yourself, for your dad, for the pack. Good for me." The look in Derek's eyes was warm and Stiles seemed to melt.
"For you?" Stiles said hopefully.
"For me," Derek said and without preamble he leaned forward, connecting their lips. It was short and sweet, Stiles didn't even have time to lace his fingers through Derek's hair before the older one was leaning back. Stiles gripped the sleeves of Derek's pullover, not quite ready to let him go. His stomach was awash in butterflies.
"Tell me this isn't over," Stiles said, eyes bright and pupils blown.
Derek held him close, "It's just beginning."
Stiles finally loosened his grip, allowing Derek to step back. "I accept," Stiles said then. He hadn't been so sure of anything in his entire life.
Derek's smile was dazzling, "Thank God."
Stiles laughed, following Derek over to where the food was laid out. Footsteps echoed down the stairs and it was then that Stiles knew, Derek was just making sure the kids didn't see anything. They would likely know, by the scent of them, but it didn't feel right to make out in front of them.
Isaac entered the kitchen first, followed by Erica and Boyd. It took only a moment for Erica's face to light up in recognition, but she didn't say anything. Instead choosing to show restraint.
Stiles was eternally grateful, he didn't need her blasting them for his love life.
Jackson, however, didn't have as much tact. His nose wrinkled upon walking into the kitchen and rubbed at it. He looked over at the table, eyeing Derek and Stiles. "Well, finally," He said, only for Lydia to slap him over the back of the head.
His chin touched his chest, suitably scolded before they joined everyone at the table. Stiles wouldn't say that he was embarrassed, rather he was humbled. Just how long had everyone known that it would come to this?
They conversed minimally over dinner, Lydia telling them about their plans for their upcoming trip to Hawaii for Jackson's graduation. Stiles ooh'd and aww'd in all the right places, sharing amused looks with Derek from across the table.
"Before everyone scatters, we have something to discuss." Derek said as everyone cleaned off their plates. Once the dishwasher was loaded, they all came back to sit around the table.
"The first thing is that we received a new arrival to the Hale pack today. Sheriff Stilinski dropped off a three month old baby that we've named Sophie, she is a werewolf who was found under unfortunate circumstances. I would appreciate everyone's help in caring for her until we're able to find her pack," Derek explained much to the surprise of everyone other than Stiles and Isaac.
"Secondly, Stiles," Derek started and Stiles motioned for him to continue, "has officially accepted his place as emissary of this pack."
Isaac grinned as Erica laughed happily. Boyd nodded to Stiles with a smile and Jackson rolled his eyes. "We all knew this was coming," Jackson said to which Lydia, bless her, pinched him.
"Yes, I'm sure you did, but guess who the pack mom is now bitches," Stiles fronted much to the amusement of everyone.
"You always were the pack mom," Erica joked.
"Only because I was stuck slaving away in the kitchen, while you all ate me out of house and home," Stiles joked back.
"You do make a mean curry," Jackson said, for once not sarcastically.
"Thank you Jackson," Stiles said, jaw nearly on the floor. He looked at Derek, "Did you see that? Not a hint of snarkiness."
"Alright alright, don't get your panties in a twist," Jackson said, back to his usual, "Is that all?"
"No, we'd like for everyone to meet Sophie," Derek said and Stiles immediately stood up.
"I'll get her," Stiles said, going up the stairs.
When he walked into the bedroom, he found Sophie awake, just peeking around the room taking in her surroundings. "Well, what are you doing awake little miss?" He asked her and she grinned a gummy smile at him.
"Let's go meet your aunts and uncles," He said as he carried her down the stairs carefully. "Everyone, this is Sophie."
Lydia and Erica immediately fell apart at the sight of her, cooing as they came closer to see her. Erica leaned down to sniff at her gingerly, smiling when Sophie snuffled back at her. "Boyd, would you look at her? We need one of these," She said and Boyd looked queasy.
"Not for a few more years at least," Boyd said as he too leaned in to scent Sophie.
"I've seen cuter," Jackson said, even as he let her take a finger in her hand.
Stiles gasped at him, "You have not!"
Lydia nudged Jackson, "That's what ours will look like one day, just with red hair." He smiled at her and Stiles looked at Derek again in disbelief.
It was then that Stiles looked into Sophie's eyes truly for the first time, they were gray hazel, a beautiful mixture of earth tones.
"Is she ours?" Erica asked gingerly.
Stiles met her eyes, "For a little while."