Natalia watched me as I got dressed, "Alfred?" She asked wrapping the blanket around her tighter for warmth, "Can I ask you a few questions?"

"Sure." I answered as I bent down for my belt. My mind was still on the night before and what my mother had told me.

"Well…" She said as she looked towards the door, "What's your brother like?"

It was something while I wasn't expecting didn't take the smile off my face, "Well he's a kind, strong Alpha that would make a good Mate one day." I heard her snort slightly as I looked her way, "What? Not what you meant?"

"Not exactly. I wasn't asking because I was interested in him." It stung when she said it, "I was asking if all Alphas are like him."

It was a strange question really; no Alphas are exactly the same. Even Ludwig and Gilbert while both could be neat freaks with the same eating habits were unique. "Well I don't know. He respects Omegas like my mate did but really I don't get your question." I shrugged slightly as I struggled to get my belt on, "Sorry."

"No it's fine." She said, "But…he seems mature. Maybe that's what I'm getting at."

"Mature? My brother?" I said with a light hearted laugh, "I guess he is. Wasn't your brother um mature?"

All I got from that was a shake of her head, "Can I ask you something else?"

"Sure I guess." I noticed that her eyes never wavered from a spot on the door. "What's on your mind?"

By then I had gotten use to many of her quirks. So I was prepared for some bleak idea of life or death but again she surprised me more. "What's it like to be pregnant and to mate?" Only then did she look away from her spot on the door.

"Ah, guess your Mom didn't tell you the joys of mating either?" It came with a soft laugh as I sat down next to her, "Well it's hard to explain really. Mating gets rid of a lot of the discomfort you feel during heat and being pregnant…well that can vary." Gingerly I took her small hand into mine, "Do you want to feel the pup?"

"It's too small to feel, I doubt it could…" She stopped once I rested her hand on my belly, "It's really in there." Her eyes widen in awe before tears threated to fall, "Alfred…"

I hugged her quickly knowing that she was about to break down, "Shh." I quietly hummed as I ran my hand up and down her back, "It'll be okay, you'll have a family too someday."

Her shoulders shook as she hugged my neck with all her might, "It's not me I'm worried about." She hiccupped, "It's my brother I'm worried about. I don't care if a damn Alpha looks my way but he deserves to find love, to have a family, to have a life."

It made my heart ached for her, we were so much alike. We both wanted our brothers to be happy but what she confided in me about her brother completely broke my heart. Her brother while a towering man had the mindset of a child. He was an innocent and naive man according to her and would never hurt a fly. In fact the reason he left the army was because he was told to go home. Did I completely believe that? No, but I knew she believed it heart and soul.

"And he will." I told her once she had calmed down, "He will have a life." Giving her a grin I kissed her forehead. While I could tell she didn't like it she didn't shy away from me. "But you do deserve someone too you know."

Again Nat sighed, "No one's as good and kind as my brother so why bother?"

It was clear that her mind was made up as I stood up and took her hand, "Well if it helps you can be an awesome aunt to my kids."

"What?"

"Well you and Toris already take care of them on Sundays when I'm working and I do see you as a little sister of sorts so," I grinned as she quickly got dressed, "I don't see why they can't call you Aunt Natalia."

It was as if I said her brother was set free because the next thing I knew she was hugging me tightly as she kissed my cheek. "Thank you Alfred." She said sweetly as Matthew knocked on the door, "Yes Matthew?"

My brother slowly walked in slightly confused, "Did I go to the wrong room?"

"Nah bro she just spent the night so what's up?" It's when I saw the letter in his hands, "That for me?"

He slowly handed it my way, "Well the post man said it was."

I took it and read that familiar writing, "Damn." I whispered as I quickly opened it and read what it said. "Mattie…"

"What does it say?"

"It says that those shitty Judges want to have a word with all the Mates. To probably just parade us around some more." I growled out wanting to rip up the paper.

Thankfully Mattie stopped me. He took my hand as he gave me a smile, "Alfred they want to get all their facts straight."

"Yeah? Then where's Nat's? She should be there for her brother." I growled out, my anger wasn't at him but really the whole situation.

He sighed, "Al you can ask him when you talk to him or them I guess." He looked down at my hands, "So when is your date?"

"Looks like in another month or so but still." I let out a groan noticing the time, "Shit, Nat we have to go if we want a seat."

"Right um I'll go head." She said as she raced out. She was still upset and this just added to it.

I lingered behind to kiss my kids a good morning, "Want to talk about it?" Matthew remarked as I fed Julia her breakfast.

"Not really."

"Al it's eating at you."

"Well…" I sighed, "Yeah it is but I'm trying."

"I'm trying too." He answered, "Tomorrow why don't I take your place and you stay here?"

"What?"

"I mean it Alfred. Natalia and I will go and you will stay here and I don't know have them make pictures or play with them." He crossed his arms as Cain let out a laugh, "And that's final."

"But…."

"Alfred." It was clear that he wasn't going to budge on it so I sighed instead, he had a point whether I wanted to admit it to myself or not.

"Okay but for now I have to go." I kissed both my children's heads before I hurried to the courthouse. "Mommy loves you two." I said as I waved them goodbye.

"Bye Mommy!" Cain said with pride as he waved his hardest and my little girl smiled before tucking her head into my brother's shoulder. How I hoped they won't hate me for being away for so long. They were my world and as I made it to the courthouse I sighed. They were as well as the one I was carrying.

Alpha, Omega or Beta, either way it was mine and I loved it as well. "Hey sis did you save me a seat?" I yelled out above the crowd.

Hearing far off in front an answer, "Yes now hurry up."