Chapter 2

Somehow Stiles slept like a rock and woke up near dinner time. He'd shot Malia a text before dozing off and she'd agreed to come over for dinner. Stiles could smell the chicken his father was baking in the oven. He shook his head thinking how much his father was doing for him, helping him. He'd expected the exact opposite.

Stiles washed up and went down to see if he could help. "Anything I can do?" He asked his father as the man whipped mashed potatoes.

His father offered him a small grin. "Nah, I think I got this." His father said trying to remain cheerful. "Malia should be here soon."

Stiles sank to the stool to watch his father cook and let out a breath. "I know."

"It'll be okay Stiles." His father said as he began setting the table. "We'll figure it out."

"I hope so," Stiles said just as he heard a thump in his room. Apparently Malia still had trouble using the front door.

His father had looked up and shook his head. "Tell her to use the front door from now on. I will not have the mother of my grandchild sneaking in your bedroom window. It's obvious what you've already done. No use trying to hide it now." Stiles nearly choked as his brain registered what his father just said.

"I'm just going to go get…" he said as he stumbled off the stool to go get Malia.

His dad just laughed as he continued getting dinner ready. Stiles jogged upstairs to see Malia sitting on his bed looking at him nervously. "Hey," she said as she bit her lip. "How are you?" She asked as she stood to move toward the door where Stiles was leaning against the door frame.

"Still in a perpetual state of denial I think." Stiles said as he stood from the door and made a hesitant step forward. He wanted to put his arms around her or kiss her but he knew that wasn't their thing.

"How did your dad take the news?" She asked him as she looked at the floor.

"Well he didn't shoot me with his glock." Stiles said giving a small laugh. The two of them meandered down the stairs where the sheriff had finished setting the table. He glanced up at the teenagers entered the room and gave them a small smile.

"Hi Malia, dinner's ready. Have a seat, we'll eat and then we'll talk." He said as he sat down and motioned for them to do the same.

They ate in awkward silence the only sound the clinking of forks on the table and the sounds of chewing. When the Sheriff had dabbed his face with his napkin and pushed back from the table they knew the time to talk had come. They took the dishes to the sink and then moved into the small living room to talk.

"So Malia…" The Sherriff began as he rubbed the back of his neck betraying just how nervous he was to have this conversation.

She gave him a nervous smile and saved him from starting the conversation. "I hope you don't blame Stiles. We were being careful but claws…" The Sheriff looked up in shock and Stiles's face turned a bright shade of red.

"Not something he needs to know Lia." He mumbled as he scooted nervously on the couch.

"Right." She nodded in understanding before she continued. "Well… I'm not fit to be a mother. I wanted to get rid of it but Stiles didn't want to. Mr. Tate already knows. I've moved out and am living in Derek's loft for now. He and Cora are leaving soon so he was happy to have someone look out of the place. After it's born I'd just sooner be on my way."

After her impromptu speech the room was silent. Both Stiles and his father stared at the girl with open mouths. Stiles recovered first closing his mouth and opening it several times as if he was trying to talk but the words wouldn't come. He swallowed thickly before trying again. "Does Derek know too?"

Malia nodded. "I was going to ask Peter what I might expect with the whole coyote thing but though Derek might have been the safer choice. I didn't really want to go to Eichen again."

Stiles stood and began pacing the room. "So did the Sour Wolf have any advice?" Stiles asked. His father leaned back in his easy chair as he watched him pace. He'd managed to close his mouth at least but he still looked uneasy.

"Just that it wasn't any different that a human having a baby. More than likely the baby won't start transitioning, if it's even going to, until the onset of puberty. He did say that sometimes there were exceptions and some babies were born with claws sprouting but not normally." She waved a hand as if it was no big deal.

The Sheriff finally spoke at last. "So there is a chance that this baby may be entirely human?" He looked hopeful at the thought.

"Derek figures it's a 50/50 shot. Half of his family were born were wolfs and half of his family was human like his father. No way of really knowing until later I guess." The Sheriff nodded and stared off as if he were staring into the future.

Stiles had paused in his frantic pacing to look at Malia. He could just discern a small swelling in her belly that hadn't been there before. "Are you sure I can't convince you to stay? Be a part of this child's life? I know it bothers you that you don't know your mother…" He trailed off knowing it was a sensitive topic for the coyote. He hoped he'd reach her that way, whether or not he and Malia were together it still didn't seem right to just walk out of your baby's life.

"I know I'm not my mother. But coyotes don't have a maternal attachment to their young. The father actually raises them. "She shrugged nonchalantly before continuing, "I guess it's just in my nature.

The news hit Stiles like lead. He'd never come across that little nugget of information when he was researching coyotes before. He wasn't even sure if it was true but if she believed it than it was regardless. He nodded again.

"So… logistically how are we going to handle this?" The Sheriff said as he sat forward again. "Do you need to see a doctor? Is there anything we can help with? I'd feel more comfortable if you weren't living alone while you're pregnant with my grandchild. This town isn't exactly known for its low crime rate."

Malia nodded as she listened to him. "I don't really need a doctor. Deaton's already listened to the heart beat and confirmed everything is okay. I'd like to see if Melissa could act as a midwife. For now I'd like to stay on my own. Maybe when I'm further along I'll reconsider your offer on moving in. I like my space."

Stiles couldn't repress his shiver as he listened to how unattached she was to her baby. She sounded as if she were discussing a stray cat for the amount emotion in her voice. "We should hold a pack meeting and let the rest of the pack know. You never know what kind of draw this might have to other supernatural entities." Stiles suggested as Malia stood to leave.

"Okay." She agreed as she started to make her way to the door. "Text me when Scott has a date and time and I'll be there. Thanks for dinner Sheriff." Malia called to him. The Sheriff gave her a parting wave and slumped back into his chair. Stiles walked Malia to the door so they could have a moment of privacy.

"Malia… I know that we weren't planning this and that we're young but we could give it a try you know? Me and you? Raise the baby together." His voice broke betraying his emotion. He never thought in a million years that this would be his life but he was ready to do whatever was best for his baby.

She looked thoughtfully at him for a few minutes before answering, it was clear she chose her words carefully. "That's really sweet Stiles. You really are a great guy. But you and I both know we weren't playing for keeps. I'm ready to leave this town in the rear view mirror and you are in love with someone else."

His head snapped up at her comment. "Wha?"

She gave him a small fleeting smile. "Everyone knows that Lydia's the one for you. Now if only the two of you would see that yourselves." She jogged down the front steps. "See you later Stiles."

He sat down on the front steps and watched until she disappeared from his view completely in shock over her words. He wondered how Lydia was going to take the news that he was going to be a father. That he was going to be shackled with a baby that may or may not be the next Malia. He imagined she would freak, berate him, then head for Berkley earlier rather than later. He couldn't say as he blamed her.

With the scary thought of telling her starting to worry him he whipped out his phone and shot Scott a text about setting up a pack meeting to get everyone up to speed before he chickened out.

For the life of him he couldn't figure out why he was more scared to tell Lydia Martin than he was his own father. Lydia was just plain scary sometimes. But more than that, he knew he cared more about her reaction than anyone else's. Malia had hit the proverbial head right on the proverbial nail. He was in love with Lydia Martin. And he was having a baby with someone else.