Chapter 52: If You Have Pups, Then I Will Too, Ale

After our break in Port Angeles, I bought some snacks, and we were back in the road. I nod off when Leah shook me lightly on the shoulder. I turned to her sleepily and she said, "we're here." I saw on Google Maps that the two stores that you want to visit, are both in the Galleria in downtown, Seattle. ( A/N: I never been to Seattle, so I am making all of this up for the sake of the story. )

Oh, isn't that convenient. It feels like fate was on our side today, or did the spirits made it easy for me and they are blessing me this way? I don't know, but I was excited to finally to go to a mall for the first time since I arrived in this world. Leah helped me get out of the car as we walked to the mall. It was three story tall, and it was busy with a lot of people. When I got inside, I saw many guys staring at Leah, and many girls staring at both of us. Whenever people stare at me, they would usually unapologetically stare at my huge pregnant belly. I don't blame them. I look like I am ready to pop any moment, but I am not even close. I think at this point, I am like 26ish weeks in?

We looked at the malls' directory to find the location of the first bridal shop that we wanted to visit. It took us a minute to figure out how to read it, but Leah was able to find it, so we head toward the direction of the shop. It was on the second floor. We got on the elevator, and when we arrived at the entrance of the shop. It was closed and there was a button. I pressed the button hesitantly and a consultant opened the door.

She gave a polite smile, and asked, "Hello, do you have an appointment with us today?"

I said, "Uh, I am a friend of Alice Cullen.?"

She widened her eyes, and exclaimed, "Oh! Miss. Alexandria Hernandez, right?"

I nodded eagerly, and she said, "come in, come in! We have been expecting you. Alice Cullen is our dear friend to the owner of this shop. Our boss told us to take extra care of you, today. Do you need any refreshments?"

I said politely, "yes, thank you."

The consultant guided me and Leah to a private room as we followed quietly behind her. We were looking at the shop in awe. There was a chandelier in the middle of the shop, and it was lavished with many beautiful decorations that I really starting to feel like I was sticking out like a sore thumb in the shop. Even Leah was looking at me, and she was giving me the expression saying, "do you even see what they have here?" and I nodded her and mouthed, "right?"

The private room looked like it could hold a party of 8 people. There was an arch of mirrors by one side of the wall with a little white step, so that the bride-to-be can stand in the center and look at herself in the mirror. There was a huge white living room couch at the other side of the room. Both Leah and I sat there.

The consultant said, " I will be right back. I will go get you guys some snacks and drinks, Miss. Alexandria, and..?"

Leah said, "Miss. Leah."

The consultant nodded, and she finished off , ".. ."

She left, and I texted a quick message to Alice,

Thank you, Alice. I am at one of the bridal shops that you have recommended to me. Thank you so much!

She replied immediately,

I was checking on you at each bridal shop that I recommended you and when my vision goes blank, that is when I knew you were going to be at that shop, so I called for you and get you to have the best experience."

I texted,

Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness, Alice. Paul is also thankful for your help.

She texted,

Oh! I am so glad to hear that. Send me, Rosalie and Esme pictures when you get the dress that you wanted!

I texted,

Sure thing!

I put my phone down. The consultant came back with a polite smile. She gave us the refreshments, and she asked, "So, what kind of dress are you looking for today, Miss. Alexandria?"

I said, "hmm. I am looking for a dress bellow $1,000. I am open to trying different kinds of dress, but I prefer a dress that isn't too dazzling with a lot of jewels and it would stretch when I..get further long in the pregnancy."

She looked at me confusingly, "I thought we were told that you need the dress immediately."

I quickly saved myself, "Yes, I need it immediately because.. we are going to have the photoshoot in few days then in three weeks, I will be getting married. For that reason, I need the dress where I could wear it comfortable and that it could stretch as I get more further long in my pregnancy."

She said, "ohh okay okay, got it."

She looked thoughtfully as she held her chin, so she said, "okay, I have few dresses that we would fit you in. I will bring all of me."

I nodded, and Leah said, "nice..save."

I said, "Yeah.."

The consultant came with a racket full of dresses. They were all inside black protective covering. It was about 8-9 dresses? I looked at it and thought to myself, this is going to take a while. I tried on an ivory ankle-length dress with long laced sleeves with Leah helping me to undress and fit in. Once I finish, the consultant will come back to the room. It was stretchy on the waist, but I didn't like the long sleeves. It reminded me too much of how Bella had her dress in her wedding. I don't want to look like I was copying her. I also realized long sleeves with a covered would be covering the claim mark, and I want to show it off for Paul, so I told the consultant no long sleeves because there is a 'tattoo' on my back that I want to show off, and my wedding would be in the woods. I would be sweating if I have a long-sleeved dress.

She nodded in understanding, so the consultant pulled out a ballgown dress that was strapless. When I put it on, it felt very Hispanic of me to wear this kind of dress. They tend to go toward the princess-look. I think it is because for our sweet 15, the dress tends to be very big and long. I may sound very Americanized or something, but I personally don't want to look like a princess. My back was opened, so my claim mark was openly displayed. Since it was strapless, my cleavage was clearly showing. I was afraid that by the time I get married, I will be spilling, so I realized okay, I want some sleeves. Also, the bottom is just way too puffy, and my baby bump will be completely covered by the puff. Knowing Paul, he wouldn't like that, he would want me to show it off, and I didn't like it either. It would be hard to walk around pregnant in a ballgown dress too, so I told the consultant, "no. I want some sleeves, just I don't want my back covered. I don't want a big puffy dress either, but I do want some. If that makes sense?"

She nodded, and she pulled out a mermaid dress. She walked out to give me time to change into to that dress. I was getting tired of standing, and I was rubbing my lower back from the low ache that I was experiencing. Leah rubbed my shoulder for a moment and lower back to help me to destress. She said, "I know, it's a lot, but we will find your dress. Don't worry."

I nodded, and she helped me put on the mermaid dress. It had short sleeves with a V-shape back and front. The mermaid dress snugged my huge pregnant belly. It had my pregnancy full on display. The dress had its puffiness all bellow the knee. It didn't feel right. I stood there stiff as the consultant became back to see how I looked.

Leah said, "uhhh, no. She looks like she would barely walk in that dress. No mermaid dresses."

I said, "yeah, I liked the upper part of the dress. I like the V shaped back and front with small sleeves, but the puffiness was like the same with the ball gown, just lower. It feels weird, and yeah, I could barely walk on it. I think it would get tighter when I have the wedding in..few weeks."

The consultant nodded, and she pondered for a good while. She was looking at the rack of the dresses, and she said excitedly, "I think I have the perfect dress for you! I will be right back!"

She left in a hurry as I sat down on the couch and slowly took off the dress. I didn't realize so much time has passed. We have been in the shop for almost 2 hours and a half. It takes about 30-45 minutes for each dress that I tried on. I was getting a bit fatigued, and very hungry. My stomach was rumbling loudly. Leah put a hand on my shoulder, and she said, "We will have to eat soon. How about we try this last dress? If it doesn't work out, then we can take a break, eat lunch and go to the other bridal shop."

I nodded tiredly, and I said, "I like that."

Leah braided my hair and put it in a low bun since she could tell that I am getting sweaty. Leah put the fan on as I drank more of the water and finished the snacks that the consultant gave us. I could also hear Leah's stomach rumbling too. the consultant knocked the door, letting us know that she had found the dress, so she placed the last dress on the hanger. Leah got the dress and she helped me put it on. I got on the little white stand and stood there looking at myself in the mirrors.

Woah. I think it's the dress. The dress was a long ivory ankle-length dress. It had a V neck front and back. It showed my claim mark proudly, and it showed my pregnant belly. It didn't feel so tight on my wait and pregnant belly. It was a empire style dress, so it was a little loose. There was no volume or puffiness. It looked like the dress for me, but I wanted a little more volume. Not like a ball gown, but maybe like a A-Line dress? It was simple, but maybe a little too simple?

Leah said, "It looks cute on you, Ale.."

True. It felt very comfortable, I am getting tired of trying out dresses, but I feel like its missing something and I don't know what it could be. Maybe I can try out the other bridal shop and later on, come back for this one if the other shop doesn't have the dress that I want?

The consultant asked curiously, "I could tell from your expression that you really like this dress, but something is off. What is it?"

I said, "I like it a lot, but I wish it had a little more volume."

The consultant's expression lit up and said, "oh, I have the thing that will help you to have the volume that you are seeking. I will be right back."

She left in a hurry, and I looked behind her in confusion. I could feel my feet were getting swollen, so I was hoping that she will come back soon. I guess Leah saw my discomfort from my expression, and she said encouragingly, "Hang in there just a little longer, chickee. I think this is it, girlie."

I nodded mutely when the consultant came back with a veil, ornament in her hand, and a skirt? She went behind me and put the skirt around me. It looked like an extension skirt, and she said, "this is a Tulle Bridal Overskirt. I think this is the skirt, that will give you the volume that you wanted." (A/N: I will add the link to the picture of this over-skirt at the bottom of the chapter)

I stood there in awe. It made my dress a little longer in the back like a small trail, and it did add more volume while still making it elegant. It wasn't as voluminous as a ballgown dress, but like a A-line dress. I started getting teary, and I asked, "what dress is this?"

She said with pride, "it's an Alessandra dress. It's ironic that it had the similar name as you. It is like this dress was made for you."

She was about to put on the hair piece and the veil when Leah stepped in and said, "I want to do it."

The consultant took no offense to it, and Leah put them on for me. Leah put the hair piece on my right side and attached the veil on the back of the hair comb. I just looked stunning. I wanted a simple, elegant dress. Nothing too extravagant since we are going to have a small wedding. It is what I wanted.I was getting really emotional. I wish,,people from my world and timeline be able to see me wearing this wedding dress. I swallowed my bile in my throat, so I won't openly cry in front of Leah and the consultant.

The consultant squealed in delight as Leah stepped down from the stand and we all stared at me in the mirror. I twirled myself around and the consultant gave me a small bouquet to hold in my hand. I was holding the bouquet with one hand and cradling my pregnant belly with the other. Leah went in front of me and started taking pictures from the front, side and back. I told her with a smile, "I think this is it, Leah."

She said with a small smile, "I think so too, Ale."

Leah helped me to get down, put my clothes back on, and the consultant took everything to the front, so I can pay for it. I was a bit worried of the cost with the veil and the hair ornament, but in total, it cost 350.00 in total. I looked at her in confusion and she said sweetly, "we give discounts to expecting mothers, and the Alessandra Dress was the last one and on clearance. Thankfully, I was able to find it before it got discontinued."

I nodded and paid everything. I said my goodbye to the consultant as we left the shop. I am so thankful that we got it all done in one shop. If I was this tired with one shop, then I cannot imagine how tiring it would be if I had gone to the second shop. Leah carried everything for me, and she put them at the trunk of the car. We went back inside of the mall to grab lunch in the cafeteria. I sent the pictures to Rosalie, Esme, and Alice. I was immediately bombarded with messages, but I didn't have the mental strength to open them just yet. I was mentally and physically tired, and I just wanted food. I'll reply back to them later on.

Leah asked if she would send the pictures to her mom, and I nodded mutely. She was grateful for that gesture and sent them to her mom. Leah told me to sit down on the booth, and she would go grab lunch for both of us.

XXXXX

Me and Leah were eating our lunch in the cafeteria. I was eating a foot-long Philly Cheesecake sub from Jersey Subs as Leah was eating two foot-long subs with a liter of Coke. We were eating when two women in their late 40s asked, "May I touch your tummy?"

I froze and looked at them. I would, but I am afraid that they would be frightened from the high temperature of my belly. If they touch my stomach, then they would be asking me questions and get me to see a doctor. I would try to avoid that as much as possible. I tried to be polite and said, "Sorry, I am not comfortable with people touching me."

One of them said, "Aw. Not even for one moment?"

Sigh. They are acting entitled. Just because they are older and are a woman, it doesn't mean that it is okay for random strangers to touch pregnant ladies. I have heard complaints from pregnant ladies in Youtube of people randomly touching their bellies without their consent. It trespasses their personal space, and for some, they feel violated.

Leah snapped at them, "She said no. Bug off."

When they didn't budge, Leah started growling lowly. The other one started pulling the lady's sleeve to get away, and that person said, "I'm so..sorry. We'll be off now."

They both walked away in a hurry. Now I think about it how come Leah never asked me to let her touch my pregnant belly? I know she always wanted kids in the future, and she was depressed when she thought she won't be able to have kids due to not having her period once she became a shapeshifter. I never thought about it because I thought it was since she is pretty closed off, not that physically affectionate or being respectful toward me. Now I think about it, even if she is closed off, she wasn't curious not even at least one time? Even after we concluded that her cycle was mirrored to an actual, she wolfs cycle with mating season?

I was quiet as I finished my meal, and Leah noticed the change of my expression. She glanced at me with her mouth full as she was finishing up the last piece of her second sandwich, "what's wrong?"

I wasn't too sure if I should be asking this question, but I need to know why. I feel there is a deeper reason, so I asked, "how come you never asked to feel my belly? I don't think it was because you were being respectful or being shy about it. Is there another reason?"

She froze and looked at me. She glanced at my protruding belly with a long look, and she said softly, "part of me ..still can't accept that you're pups are going to become shapeshifters in the future.."

I waited to see if she is going to keep going, but she didn't, so I asked gently, "How come? I'm not upset with you, Leah if you are worried about it..."

She looked at me with a complicated expression. It was a mixture of sadness, fear, and apprehensiveness? She said, "..when they get older and phase, who is going to lead them?"

My eyes widened in realization. As the mate of the current Alpha, she is going to give birth to the next generation alpha. Since I am going to give birth to future spirit warriors, she would have to give birth to the next generation alpha so that they will be led by the rightful alpha from the Black Family lineage.

I said, "you think that with the upcoming mating season, you are going to get pregnant immediately with the alpha's baby?"

She said, "It's not I think, but I know..my wolf spirit confirmed it to me. That is why she wants me to hurry it up with getting affectionate with Jacob, so I would get claimed by him soon before mating season. By doing this, the non-imprinted wolves won't get attracted to my heat during mating season and my wolf spirit wants me to get the fertility claim before mating season to ensure that I would get pregnant immediately. As the mate of the Alpha, I have to ensure that the Alpha will have a child to pass down the title….Even though I want kids and I see Jacob as a great dad to our..children, I'm afraid, Ale."

She looked at me with intense fear in her eyes, "I barely getting my life together and I have to give birth to a baby already? I am still in school. I won't let me having a baby stopping me from graduating college. I do want have kids once I graduate from college..I mean. I just became Alpha female. How much more the spirits want from me? I am barely keeping all of this together and Jacob notices. I know I can't keep this from him for long and I know, he'll understand very well the pressure..but..I don't know.."

I could see the insecure Leah is resurfacing again. Not saying it's a bad thing, just an observation. I have those moments as well..The Leah that went through so many hardships and yet she persevered even if it made her be bitter for a very long time.

I said, "It's understandable that you are feeling this way, Leah… So much has happened within these past two months…I don't know why exactly the spirits think next spring is the best time for you to get pregnant. Or even when I know the reason, I don't understand it..But, we'll figure this out Leah. Just as you, Seth, Jacob, your mom, and Paul have been there for me during my pregnancy. We'll figure this out when it happens, Leah."

I put a hand on her shoulder, and she gave me a weak smile. She looked tentatively at my stomach, and boldly, I grabbed her hand and placed it on my stomach. I let her hand sit there and she had a look of awe in her expression.

She murmured, "they really do have the same temperature like us."

I smiled gently at her until the baby that was resting on my right side, kicked softly on her hand. Her eyebrows were raised, and she looked at me with a bit excitement.

She asked, "is it that how it feels all the time?"

I nodded, "Yup, they are pretty active. I can't imagine how active they will be as I get closer to my due date."

She felt a little more confident, and she put both of her hands on my belly. She was caressing them slowly, and she had a gentle smile as she was feeling the small movements of the babies squirming slightly inside of me. I have gotten used to them squirming around inside of me, but I don't know if I can keep that up as they continue to grow in a faster rate every single day.

She pats my belly gently, and she said with a cunning smile and a mischievous gleam in her eyes, "alright.. Time to go to Victoria Secret."

Victoria Secret?

Author's Note:

I sent this chapter early. Hope you guys enjoy it! Let me know if I am dragging the story too much. I can make it shorter. I am not married, so I don't know the set up that I gave to Ale was good or alright, but I really tried. Unfortunately, there aren't that many maternity wedding dresses out there, so I hope this was okay. I will upload the pictures and links to the dresses on my author's profile.

As always, reviews are very much appreciated.