order of fics so far: "No Longer Waiting", "Heart On The Line", "Layers", "Safety Notes", "Stand For Life", "Ready Or Not", "Being A Frankenstein", "Delirium Takes Over"...
will change as more are written :)

Ruby was running around the diner a bit stressed. They had hired more help so she could have normal hours with an 6 month old at home, but it was still crazy.

And something was wrong with her wolf. Her senses would burn enough to stop her in her tracks. When it happened a third time a new waitress snapped at her.

"Hey, Lucas! You may own the place but some of us still have to work!"

Barely stopping an eye roll and an 'It's Frankenstein now' Ruby continued on. Even Granny was nicer than that woman. But since Trevor came home they needed extra hands around here. She still didn't like the new people.

Feeling a tug in her chest the new mother looked up and there was Victor sliding into a seat during lunch break. He winked after removing sunglasses, not wanting to draw more attention.

But before Ruby could collect the next order that same burning hit her.

The wolf inside keened and the smell of the tuna melt was horrid to both of them. She gripped the counter tightly but couldn't take it. Victor didn't even have time to reach his wife before she was bolting out the door.

He glared at the new waitress who yelled insults and followed after but she was nowhere in sight.

Victor called saying he couldn't return to work today. Grabbing their son from daycare along the way, he kept an eye out the window but knew there were only a few spots she'd be. Mainly the docks or home.

"...And after you finish your nap, we're going to see Mama, and maybe we can make something better than that gross baby food, huh?" he murmured to the baby on his shoulder.

He set Trevor's bag and Ruby's things he'd grabbed down, before carefully setting him in the playpen to sleep.

She jumped from face first on the couch at the soft click of the front door.

"Whoa, easy there," he called as she swayed dizzily. Victor gently took her shoulders, crouching down.

Ruby was paler than earlier and basically crashed into him. She groaned and her other arm wrapped around her middle.

"What's going on, Liza? Talk to me."

"I-" She shook her head, not ready.

Pressing his lips to her temple he whispered, "you're pregnant, aren't you?"

Ruby gasped looking at him now but nervously. "Yo-you knew?"

"I think it goes without saying I am a doctor and scientist," was answered with a pointed look and smile. "But more, I'm your husband."

Tears filled her eyes and they both heard her wolf whine. "I'm s-so sorry, Victor!"

He was caught off guard and hugged her close. "Whatever for, Darling?"

"I-I don't know how to be a mother!" she answered. "Granny was there when I was younger but she was tough and-and I didn't even know I was a wolf u-until I killed someone."

Her words were becoming more frantic and sobbing couldn't be stopped.

The doctor shushed her and tried to soothe his wife. "Ruby, that's all in the past now. It has nothing to do with being a mom!"

"It's everything to do with - I-Oh Gods, Victor, I killed my boyfriend and then my own m-mother! How can I be pregnant after that?!"

"That was out of your control, Liza! I'm responsible for what happened to my brother and father, should I not be a husband or father now?"

"What? N-no, you're a great dad!"

He smiled bitterly, still feeling guilty over his past, but the point stood. "Then all we can do is try. And," he pointed toward the playpen where 6 month old Trevor had rolled, snuffling. "If you haven't noticed, you are a mother already."

She nodded to that. "B-But I've never been pregnant. What if I hurt the baby or the wolf does somet-thing?"

"For all I've seen wolves do have violence. But they are also fiercely protective of their young. We don't know how this pregnancy will go but I do know you raise your children as best as anyone," he told her.

He really didn't know how wolf pregnancies went, much less werewolves, but he did know his wife was amazing and would be nothing less than she was to Trevor.

"I love this baby," she smiled, still teary but a bit more settled.

"Me too."

"They're going to be so close in age!" Ruby was a little afraid of what would happen with two toddlers.

"Then our cub will have someone to always be a playmate."

She felt happier and snuggled into her husband's arms again. Bad choice the wolf groaned.

"What is it?"

"You smell like that damn food," she whined, nausea rising again.

Victor chuckled feeling Ruby's nose against his neck, trying to find his scent instead of the diner. "C'mon," he called softly, moving back. "Let's go take a hot shower and grab a quick nap before he wakes up."

Ruby nodded, that sounded amazing.

Already pulling clothes off, if a little lazy from wooziness, she asked, "how else did you know?"

This time Victor grinned widely. "You hogged all the covers to the bottom of the bed even though you have an actual den. And..." he couldn't help laughing now. "You growled at me the other night when I wanted to hold Trevor."

She shoved him playfully. "You were reading him science textbooks!"

"Uh-uh, sure, that's the reason!"