"I'm pregnant, Aaron," Alexi informed her alpha, a few weeks after Aaron had met her sisters.
"You're sure," Aaron asked with an excited gleam in his dark eyes.
"I would never have said anything if I wasn't," Alexi told him flushing. "I wouldn't want to get your hopes up or all excited."
What Alexi didn't say was that getting an alpha's hopes up about being pregnant could often lead to punishment when it turned out that the Omega was not with child.
Of course, Aaron would never be physically abusive to her, like some alphas would to their mates, but then, Alexi had always known that Aaron had been raised properly and knew when to act like an alpha. In other words, when to use his authority as an alpha.
"You know that most females of our kind know immediately when they're pregnant, usually within a few weeks at least, sometimes sooner."
"That's true," Aaron said with a wide grin. "Considering how much we've been making love I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner."
"So am I," Alexi admitted. "It happened much sooner last time. On what would have been considered our wedding night."
"It happens when it happens," Aaron said wisely. "You can't rush these things as pups come along in their own time. Besides, you might look like Adrianne and have her soul, but that doesn't mean everything is going to happen exactly the same way. For one thing, we didn't meet until you were in your late 30s, even if you only looked around 30 at most because of your immortality. You must remember that you were only 16 when you got pregnant and 17 when you were murdered. What I'm trying to say is that you were likely much more fertile since you were so young. A woman's eggs tend to decrease the older they are, though it does depend on a number of factors. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
"You're saying that because I'm older getting pregnant took more time," Alexi said.
"That's part of it," Aaron said. "But also you weren't that sexually active when we met and that has a lot to do with why it took so long for you to conceive. You did have several boyfriends you told me, but it wasn't a constant thing. The more sex you have... well... it stimulates, your ovaries."
"Which means that I would've gotten pregnant faster," Alexi said in understanding.
"More than likely," Aaron agreed. "It doesn't matter really, as we're finally going to have at least twins. I can't wait. It's not like I had the opportunity to raise pups the first time."
"No, we were both denied something we wanted desperately, a family," Alexi agreed soberly.
Alexi tried not to think about what had happened before, in her first life, as it made her sad, angry and miserable all at once. She knew Aaron felt the same, but he was good at concealing his emotions, but then, most alphas were. They felt they had to be strong all the time, even when great tragedy struck and in Aaron's case, he'd had a double tragedy strike him at that exact same time. Her loss and the loss of their pups she was carrying. She truly hoped that Thaddeus Grindle was burning in hell, Alexi thought viciously and had been ever since Aaron had told her how he had exacted his revenge.
Aaron said nothing simply took Alexi into his arms and cuddled her close while stroking her belly tenderly knowing that was where his pups were growing.
"Finally, finally, we're going to have a family," Aaron said his voice amazed and also shocked. "It's something I've wanted for so long. To finally have pups with the woman I love...it's like a miracle."
"Me to, I'm wanted pups myself for so long, but didn't want them with just anyone. It was a very lucky day when I literally ran into you in that parking lot. I knew pretty soon after we met that I knew you were my present and future," Alexi assured him. "It won't seem like any time at all before our pups are here."
"Yes, the time will pass fast," Aaron agreed, kissing her tenderly putting all his joy and happiness into it. "I'm going to spoil you rotten and the babies to once they get here."
"I won't mind that a bit," Alexi giggled.
She had to admit she loved the way her mate spoiled her rotten. He was always so generous and kind. He simply adored and cherished her, even more than he had back when she had been Adrianne.
Alexi could understand why however. Aaron had lost her due to the jealousy of Thaddeus and while the alpha had had his revenge that didn't mean that Aaron hadn't been grieving. There was simply nowhere for his anger to go, no legitimate target to aim it at, as Thaddeus had had no accomplices and Aaron wasn't one to take out innocents just because he was angry.
"Good, because even if you did you wouldn't stop me," Aaron mocked growled, causing Alexi to giggle again.
"I don't even care what the sex is, though I'd prefer at least one boy and one girl," Aaron said.
"Even if you don't get what you want this time, there's always next time," Alexi said. "I'm willing to give birth as many times as you want until I'm technically too old. We can't let the humans know that we are not like them and they only have a certain amount of time to have children."
"That's very sensible, I definitely approve," Aaron said smiling. "Besides, I think half a dozen or so is more than enough this time, but we'll see how it goes. I know someone that would be happy to keep an eye on your pregnancy. She'll even do a house visit."
"That sounds much better than having to going to some doctors office," Alexi said nearly purring as she cuddled against Aaron's shoulder.
Aaron nodded to himself more than satisfied. The two of them cuddled together for some time before separating. They were soon going to be a family and neither of them could hardly wait.
~~~Aaron and Alexi~~~
"You're pregnant?" Audra squealed, as soon as Alexi imparted the news in person. She had driven to the apartment house that she used to share with her sisters.
"Indeed I am," Alexi giggled happily. "I'm only a few weeks along though, so you can't tell yet. You know that usually one of our kind can tell when they're with pups immediately. Trust me, I can feel the little lives growing within me, even if they are no bigger than a speck of dirt right now."
"So have you had it confirmed?" Amelie asked.
"Yes, just to be sure. I was right of course," Alexi said. "Aaron knows a lot of professional people, so he took me to this female doctor, Alex Blake that he trusted. Alex confirmed what we both already knew."
"I'm surprised it took this long," Amelie said.
"I was too, but Aaron reminded me that I'm nearly 40 and older women often don't get pregnant as easily or as quickly then someone younger. This is just as much true for our species as it is for humans," Alexi explained. "I also wasn't sexually active when we met and hadn't been for a couple of years. If I had been I probably would have gotten pregnant faster."
Of course, Alexi didn't tell them that they would always look 30 because they were immortal, as her sisters didn't look any older than she did. Alexi knew that she and Aaron should reveal that information, but Alexi didn't think that her sisters would accept it. They knew nothing about their own history or the history of shapeshifters.
"That's a very good point," Audra said.
"It is something I hadn't considered," Amelie admitted. "Still our sister is pregnant now and that's what matters, I bet your Aaron is overjoyed."
"He is," Alexi confirmed. "He's very happy with my pregnancy and can't wait for the pups to be born. He's already warned me he's going to spoil them rotten."
"We will to," Amelie said cheerfully.
"It is the first time that Aaron has had any pups of his own, so I can't blame him for being excited just like I am," Alexi said.
"So he doesn't have any illegitimate children then," Audra asked.
"He's not the type to get some woman pregnant without having a more permanent relationship," Alexi said. "If it did happen on accident or something, then he would pay child support as that's the kind of alpha he is, very responsible."
"I definitely approve," Amelie said pleased. "You definitely picked yourself a winner, little sister."
"I certainly think so," Alexi said being happily her face glowing. "Aaron's the best."
The three of them talked for a couple of hours before Alexi took her leave.
"I'll see you sometime soon," Alexi promised. "It's not like Aaron keeps me prisoner. I'm free to come and go as I like."
"That's good, otherwise we'd have to deal with him," Audra said seriously.
It was easy to tell she wasn't joking.
"You don't have to worry I'm perfectly happy right where I am," Alexi said seriously before departing
~~~Aaron and Alexi~~~
"You're right on track for your due date in three months," Alex told the soon-to-be parents.
"So the babies are healthy?" Aaron asked.
"Yes, they are," Alex assured him. "That's not unusual for wolf pups though. You know that Aaron."
"Just want to make sure," Aaron told her, grinning at her adorably making Alex smile back.
"I can't blame you, considering this will be the first time for you," Alex said with a laugh.
Aaron said nothing, as Alex knew nothing about the fact that he was immortal, or this was not the first time his mate had been pregnant, even if that pregnancy was hundreds of years ago with a different version of Alexi. While Alex was a good friend still, it was not a secret to be shared lightly and his friend had no reason to know. That might not be true someday in the future, but now it was not necessary to reveal it.
"So you told us that we're having triplets right," Alexi asked.
"Yes," Alex confirmed.
"So do you know the sex?" Aaron asked.
"I thought you didn't want to know, that you wanted to be surprised?" Alex asked.
"I changed my mind," Aaron admitted. "Alexi reminded me that we need to know so we can decorate the babies nursery in the appropriate colors. It might be nice to be surprised, but then, we won't be prepared. Like if it's all girls we'll need to decorate the nursery in pink, purple, yellow and baby blue."
"I understand Aaron," Alex said.
"I'm one of triplets, all girls, but I know it's more likely that we'll get both girls and boys," Alexi said.
"Yes, you're absolutely right that a combination of sexes is the most common," Alex agreed. "Girls are the next most common, with boys being the least. That's with humans though, it doesn't really apply to shapeshifters, as both sexes are equally as likely. As to sexes, you're getting two girls and a boy," Alex said.
"Well, looks like we'll just have to decorate the babies nursery in non-gender specific colors," Aaron said with a huge smile.
"We should do that anyway," Alexi told Aaron. "You know there aren't any guarantees what sex we're going to get every time we do this. We can let them choose individual rooms once they get older."
"Who knows they might even want to share it once they're old enough to make that decision and the rooms are certainly big enough for that," Aaron mused.
"Yeah, twin boys can share one room and twin girls another," Alexi agreed.
"I'm glad you're so happy," Alex told Aaron with a small grin.
"I told Alexi awhile back that I would like both a boy and a girl if possible," Aaron explained, even as he kissed the top of Alexi's head in affection. "I'm definitely getting my wish."
Alex said nothing, but thought it was heartwarming at how Aaron had changed once he had met Alexi. He'd always had a strong Alpha personality, but Alex had always respected and liked him, mostly because he wasn't one to bludgeon others into submission like many alphas did, but he was also intelligent, occasionally humorous and had a strict code of honor. She hoped she'd find someone like him one day. However, she had known that there was something in his past some great tragedy that had turned him into the man he was, but since it hadn't really been her place to ask she hadn't, as that might have gotten her into serious trouble with Alpha in question.
"Well, it was the likely possibility," Alex said finally.
"Still, that doesn't doesn't mean I can't be happy that I'm getting both," Aaron said.
"No, it doesn't," Alexi giggled. "I suppose I had better start shopping for baby things."
"I would've thought you would've been doing a lot of better already," Alex said.
"I have done some, but I didn't want to get anything gender specific until I knew what we having. Besides, my sisters have bought a lot of things for the triplets we're having and I've just recently finished sorting it out. They're very excited about becoming aunts."
"I certainly would be, but my two brothers don't seem interested in settling down anytime soon," Alex said.
"What about you?" Alexi asked.
"It's not that I'm not interested I just haven't found an alpha that I like enough to settle down with," Alex said. "I want somebody who doesn't abuse their authority, someone like Aaron actually."
"There are alphas like me out there," Aaron told Alex who nodded.
"I know that Aaron," Alex promised kindly. "I just seem to have a hard time finding someone like you, someone with patience, that isn't going to be upset when I am staying at the office late doing paperwork or even that I work at all. Someone who isn't going to demand that I serve their every need and that I quit working as a doctor at all, so that I'll be around to fulfill their every demand like a slave. I want someone whose independent enough that they don't need constant attention, someone that isn't going to be upset if I'm not home to fix dinner or cater to their every whim like a two year old having a temper tantrum. I want someone who realizes that my work as a doctor is important to me and is part of what makes me happy as it means I can help others. It's not that I haven't dated some nice alphas we just didn't click, not well enough to consider mating as a viable option at least. I plan to make this clear to any alpha I even consider mating with before we take that last step. If they get offended then they're not the alpha for me. I value my independence and won't be subjugated. It does make it harder to find an alpha to mate with though."
"I have to admit you're not completely wrong," Aaron grimaced. "I've met some alphas exactly like you've described. They think throwing their weight around makes them a macho guy, when really it just makes them a bully. It's as if they haven't figured out yet that being like that is never going to help them find a woman that will put up with that attitude. No omega in their right mind would mate with someone like that as they'd be to scared."
"So have I," Alexi agreed. "It's like they haven't figured out that throwing their weight around is not a power play and that any omega with sense would run as far away from that type as they can."
"Yeah, I've experienced that to," Alex said. "It's made me rather wary of dating at all unfortunately. Yes, I know there're good alphas out there. Aaron is proof of that. I'm just having a hard time finding a decent one."
"I know several that aren't mated if you'd like me to introduce you," Aaron said. "Normally, I wouldn't interfere but..."
"But we're friends so you want to help," Alex finished.
"Yes," Aaron answered. "You don't have to take me up on it, but I do know some alphas who know how to behave properly, who will treat any Omega they get involved with correctly. I've always wondered what the parents of such pups are doing, because it is certainly not training their sons and daughters how to correctly treat people, especially omegas."
"Most of them are still young, Aaron, they will outgrow it," Alex said.
"I never went through such a stage," Aaron snorted. "If I had my parents would have spanked me. They would've torn up my butt until they were sure I had learned my lesson."
"I think that's part of the problem, most parents don't spank their kids nowadays, not even shapeshifters, so it's no wonder they run around like little hooligans," Alexi commented. "My parents certainly would have tanned my backside if my behavior got back to them when I was a kid."
"I have to agree," Aaron said with a nod of respect at Alexi's wprds. "Whenever our kids are born there definitely going to be spanked for seriously misbehaving. We'll see how it goes."
"I don't think we need to worry about that until they're at least five Aaron. They should know right from wrong by then," Alexi said. "They're not even born yet."
"Still, we might as well plan for the future," Aaron told her while kissing her on the forehead.
"I suppose so," Alexi said, even as she rubbed her huge stomach.
~~~Aaron and Alexi~~~