Evelyn POV
“Noah, it’s not my first pregnancy.”
“Evelyn, you nearly drowned. You had a lot of water still in your lungs. I’m just making sure the baby is healthy.”
“And I appreciate it, I really do. But you said the scan and tests came back fine and that you felt the heartbeat was strong. I promise if I feel any changes you’ll be the first to know.”
I’ve been awake in the hospital for the past two days now and the just sitting around and resting was driving me insane. I had things to do, revenge to organise.
I was also desperate to see my older babies and let them know the happy news. Because it was happy news, even during a sad time where we had lost fighters and families were in pain. It was still important to acknowledge the happy moments as well as morn the losses.
Cassandra was helping Reuben at home apparently, and I was grateful. He actually believed Elspeth when she said I usually allow her to have a bowl of ice cream for breakfast. The sooner I got home the more we can get back to a normal routine.
Leaving the hospital, Reuben made sure to drive me back…it was a five minute walk, if even that. His protective levels had multiplied since finding out I was pregnant.
I didn’t have the heart to remind him I’ve been pregnant before and was without him last time. No, best to let him be protective if that makes him feel included in my early stages when realistically, there wasn’t a lot any partner could do right now.
As I walk into the house I find Elspeth and Harry making cupcakes together in the kitchen, their baking operation being overseen by Beatrice.
As soon as Evelyn sees me, she runs over to me and I pull her up into my arms. She wraps her legs around me, which earns a small growl by Reuben. Luckily it is missed by Elspeth but not by me.
“Reuben, you’ve got to calm down. I’m not the first female to be pregnant with older children. The baby will be fine. You’re going to drive me insane otherwise.”
Having said my peace and making sure Elspeth is okay, we then move on to find Rex, alone in the garden. He was sitting on the bench with a football by his feet. He looked sad.
Picking up on my concern through the bond, Reuben wraps his hands around my stomach from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder as his voice enters my mind.
“He helped Liberty pull you out. He gave you CPR.”
I want to cry. Oh my brave little alpha. Rex had been through so much already.
“Can I have a moment alone with him… I’ll have a herbal tea please? Doctor’s orders.” I cheekily ask through the mind-link before Reuben kisses his mate mark on my neck, leaving tingles in his wake and heads back into the kitchen.
So much had happened to Rex…the car shooting and kidnap, the attack on the pack which he had to hide in the basement for, having to shoot me in the leg to keep me alive, and now the Lake House. He’s been through so much, yet he was taking it in his stride.
“Hello darling..” I sit down next to him. He was miles away so much so that he didn’t notice my approach and jolted, kicking the ball in the process.
“You’re out? How are you feeling?”
“I’m feeling good…” He cuts me off with a knowing stare which makes me change my answer.
“Okay a little sore, but I’ll be okay after a nice bath. How are you?”
“I’m okay, I wasn’t injured.”
“No, but not all injuries are physical. You’d tell me if something was upsetting you wouldn’t you?” I hoped he would but it didn’t hurt to remind him I was always here to listen.
“I’m annoyed at myself for not stopping Auntie Lib, but there was nothing I could do.” Even saying the words seems to help him release some guilt. His head leans back on the bench as his head looks up to the sky.
“No and that’s not your fault darling. She left on her own accord, she did what she felt she needed to do. The Moon Goddess has a plan for us all. Sometimes it may not seem like it, it might seem she has forgotten us. But whatever path Liberty is on, it’s a path she needs to follow. All we can hope is that our paths entwine again and for longer next time.”
I think my chat with Rex helped him, he quite happily joined Elspeth and Harry to sample the cakes they made.