Chapter 7 – Arrivals

"So what else don't I know about you, Jared?"

"Well, I know Edie too. In fact, she was the one who told me about you in the first place. Told me to look out for you on campus."

"Sigh, no more secrets after this. Promise me that."

"Sophia, you know me better than that. You're my best friend and that is no secret. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about those things but I wasn't sure how you would handle me being from the panthera clan."

"Alright, Jared. I guess we should head on to Edie's now. She will know what to do."

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FEW MONTHS LATER

Sophia massaged her lower back trying to ease the ache that was beginning to spread upwards. Sighing, she gathered her books and went to find a seat to rest in. She still had a class to attend to in half an hour and she contemplated in cutting it.

Life hadn't been all peaches these couple of months. She couldn't help but relive the unease that she had to endure when it became apparent that she was pregnant. All the stares and open smirks, it had felt like everyone around her were laughing and talking behind her back.

It was just like being back in Wolf Lake (pre-flipping that is) all over again.

Luckily, she had Jared and Edie. If it weren't for them, she didn't know how she would have

endured all this. She only wished that she had been able to tell her dad about it. She hadn't been in direct contact with him since leaving Wolf Lake. She hadn't dared in case he came and dragged her back or worse, killed Luke for getting her pregnant.

Even Sherman didn't know about her condition, although she suspected that Edie had already told him. A sharp pain jolted through her system. Sophia began to worry. This didn't usually happen. Suddenly she realized that her calves were getting sticky with something, looking down she was pushed into full panic mode when she realized that her water had broken.

Take deep breaths, Sophia and calm down. Remember what Edie taught you.

She bent and took a deep breath. She knew that she had to get back home immediately. Once more severe contractions began, there was a possibility it might trigger a change. The shadow that was cast upon her made her look up. Standing there was Sherman giving her one of his usual grins.

"The birthing is right on schedule. I have to say I'm disappointed you didn't tell me earlier, I could have missed the opportunity of a lifetime. I mean it isn't everyday that a keeper gets to see a prophesized birth."

"Sherman? You knew. Of course you knew. I suspect Edie would have told you anyway. And what are you talking about prophesized? And slow down, your practically dragging me! Where are we going?"

"Back to the mansion. Edie's got everything ready there."

Another sharp pain in her abdomen made her stop and take a deep breath. She looked ahead and spotted Edgar waiting beside a black limousine. Gulping down as the pain slowly subdued, she looked at Sherman, who was gently holding on to her by her arms, in the eye.

"Daddy doesn't know right Sherman?"

"No. But he suspects something is up with you. You can tell him later. Now just take a deep breath and don't push. Everything will be okay."

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The sound of Sophia screaming broadcasted through the mental link made Luke jump straight out of bed. This was the first time anything came through the link since she had left so she must be in trouble and she must be somewhere near.

Quickly changing he raced down the stairs and out of the house running towards the sound of her voice trying to track her. But the closer he seemed to get, the softer the screams were until he couldn't feel anything but a hollow void on the mental link.

Puffing and charging up, he pushed forward, the need to protect Sophia from whatever pain she was going through apparent. It wasn't until he reached the end of the woods of Wolf Lake that he realized that she was still far away.

Sighing he looked up and howled with all the pain and despair that he felt. Somewhere from behind, another wolf joined in and they sang with harmony for a while. Turning he noticed the large gray wolf in the clearing and it nodded at him in an unsaid acknowledgement. It was no other than Sheriff Donner himself.

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It had been a long night and she smiled at the fact that she had naively thought that nothing could have been worse than flipping. Boy, flipping seemed to be a distant second compared to what she had just gone through.

But all of it was worth it for she had never felt this amount of accomplishment before in her whole life. Sophia glanced down at the two sleeping bundles lying by her sides. Her beautiful babies. She softly reached down to stroke the side of her son's cheek, he gave a little yawn and snuggled up in the downy blanket that Edie had knitted. It was at that moment that she vowed not to let anything separate her from them.

"Good morning Sophia. How are you feeling?"

"Well enough to start walking around. How long are you going to force me to stay in bed? It's been 3 days already. Between you, Edgar and Jared, you make me feel like an invalid!"

"I forgot how fast you Wolven women heal. And how are those adorable pups of yours this morning?" Edie cooed as she bent over the cot to pick up Sophia's daughter.

"Hungry I bet. Pass her to me Edie." Sophia said with a smile as she began to unbutton her nightgown.

"You know, it's about time you name them. We can't be calling them boy and girl you know."

"Yes, I know. I've been thinking about it actually. What do you think about Adrian and Ava?"

"That sounds just perfect. And do Adrian and Ava have a second name?"

"I've always wished that if I get a daughter, I'll name her after my mother. So I'm naming her Ava Marie Donner. But I'm not quite sure what to name would go with Adrian."

Edie turned to pick up baby Adrian from the cot.

"How about his paternal grandfather's name? I think that would go very well with Adrian. Adrian Willard Donner. See even the pup agrees."

"So you know who their father is then?"

"Yes. Sherman told me. Don't worry, he's not going to tell anyone but I think that you should at least talk to your father. Sherman says he's been a bit depressed after you left. He has a right to know as does Luke."

"I suppose it is time to call daddy but I'm not about to tell Luke. These are my babies."

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"Wolf Lake Sheriff's Department, may I be of assistance? Yes, he's in. One moment please. Sheriff, it's for you. Line One."

Molly's voice broke through his thoughts. Matt Donner stared at her for a moment before picking up the receiver. Ever since he had heard the screams of his daughter through the mental link he had been tortured with worried.

Who knew what trouble his little girl could be going through? His patience was at its last lap. Damn that Sherman for having to leave for a teacher's conference. Matt vowed that he would get Sophia's location from Sherman through any means.

"Yeah, Donner here."

"Da...Daddy?"

"Ohmigod, Sophia. Honey where are you? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine daddy. I'm at a friend's house."

"Do you know worried I have been for these last few months since you left. How could you not have called? Why did you leave baby?"

"I'm sorry daddy. I didn't mean to. It's been hard for me too but I thought that I risked getting dragged back here if I called you. I know that Vivian will go to any lengths to keep the pack together. But daddy, I had to leave. Things were just getting stifling at Wolf Lake. I never would have the chance to do the things I wanted to. Besides, you weren't so big on my sticking around in Wolf Lake before I flipped."

"Sigh. I know baby. So how are things?"

"Great daddy. I managed to gain entrance into a very prestigious university here in San Francisco. I finally have a chance to follow my dreams. I'm studying zoology. Even taking some art classes. I'm enjoying every moment of it."

"You've been having no troubles there then?"

"No I haven't. I've met great people here who are a great source of help. I mean Sherman's sister, Edie, treats me just like her grandkid. And I've got friends who take care of me as well."

"That's nice. Now you listen good Sophia, I understand why you left and kept it a secret but that don't mean I'll permit you to give me scarce calls once in a while. I expect to hear from you at least every month and send me emails regularly too. You're my little girl and I can't help but worry if I don't know what's going on. Understand?"

"Yes daddy. I miss you too daddy."

"Well, that can't be helped."

"Uh daddy, there's another reason why I called you only now."

"What is it, Sophia?"

"Well, ummm.... Congratulations, you're a grandfather."

"Is this some sort of joke Sophia? Are you trying to tell me that's the actual reason why you left. I will kill that bastard Cates for doing that to you!!"

Matt grabbed the WLSD mug that was on his table and flung it across the room shattering it into pieces as it hit the wall.

"Listen daddy, calm down. That's why I didn't want to tell you. I knew you'd get all furious and worked up. But in any case, it's not Luke's. I met a guy when I first got here. A human. That's why I waited this long. I didn't want to endanger my babies."

"God, Sophia how could you be so irresponsible. I thought that they would have taught you in school on how to take precautions. So what are you going to do? What about your studies? Are you planning on giving them up for adoption?"

Sophia felt her anger rising. How dare her father possibly think that she would actually give up her children.

"I didn't call you so that you could lecture me on this. I'm informing you because I thought that my children have a right to their grandfather and I had hoped that you would accept them as your grandchildren. I'm going to raise my children and I know that I can do it by myself and some help by people who are more supportive than you are. I don't plan on stopping my studies and luckily because of our DNA, I don't have to take maternity leave so I can go back to classes with no interruption."

"I know honey. I knew that you'd never possibly abandon your children. But look at it from my point of view. Here I am just getting news from my baby girl after god knows how many months and she tells me that she's just had babies of my own."

Matt took a deep breath. Sophia was just like Marie after all.

"So, did I hear wrong or did you say children?"

"No, I had twins. A boy and a girl. I'm naming them Ava Marie and Adrian."

"You're naming your girl after your mother. She would be so happy if she were alive. How about ... Adrian? I hope your not naming him after me? I can't imagine my grandson running around with my name."

"I haven't figured out what to call him yet."

"Well, look, I've already been on longer than I should be cos' I'm on duty and all. Plus I see John and Molly wondering if I've totally snapped."

"Yeah. Adrian just woke up. I need to go to him."

"Well, take care Sophia."

"You too daddy."