Heartbeat

Fortunately, I arrived at the main party safely, and exchanged my thanks with the kind human for leading me back. Stephanie remains on the dance floor until the end of party. I am glad she hadn’t noticed my absence at the bar or she would have definitely freaked out.

As for the strange lady who definitely knew something about my twin sister that I didn’t, and also the existence of my unborn child, I did not give up on searching for her face from the bar end. However, there was no sign of her, and I later decided to give up for now. Inwardly, I noted to myself to be careful around people. Perhaps I had exposed my child’s existence or so, but I couldn’t recall any memory that I told another apart from my two best friends.

I also did not forget to apologize to my baby in my heart. Because of my carelessness, I almost fainted from feeling a bit dizzy. Frat parties are definitely no good for a pregnant woman with the smell of alcohol, perfume and sweat mixed together.

It’s a miracle that I hadn’t felt like throwing up on the spot.

Apart from the shocking meeting with that strange lady, no other weird person came up to me, and Frat party ended with me dragging the drunk Stephanie to the car and I drove us home.

My September passed smoothly, and before I knew it, November was already at the door. According to humans, Christmas holidays is next month, and the winter season also draws near.

‘’I’m really pregnant.’’ I whisper in awe under my breath as I stare at my belly in the standing mirror. There was a small bump, protruding out like it’s saying hello. This sight made me understood that I am indeed pregnant.

Another life was growing and breathing inside of me, and it was a complicated feeling.

I feel happy, stunned, afraid....just very emotional all at the same time.

‘I wouldn’t be able to hide it any longer.’ I let out sigh, dropping my sweater that I raised a bit to see my small baby bump. I may be able to hide that I am pregnant now, but that won’t be the case in some months’ time.

My baby bump would definitely be bigger than this. Some days ago, I suddenly remembered that male werewolves could detect when their mates were pregnant from three months and above. That means I have to prepare for the day that Jared discovers my pregnancy.

Just the thought of it feels nerve-wracking, but I take a deep breath to calm myself before preparing my bag for my evening class, and also my first ultrasound at the hospital.

****

‘’Mrs. Henderson.’’ The nurse calls out my name.

‘’Yes.’’ I shyly raise my hand before getting up from the bench with my bag and followed her into the ultrasound room.

‘’This way, please ma’am.’’ With a small smile, she kindly gestured to the bed beside the machine. I nodded, then quickly dropped my bag on empty chair, and proceeded to lie down.

‘’Can you expose your belly, please ma’am?’’

‘’Ah...yes.’’

I immediately slid my sweater and top up a bit, enough for my belly to show, as the nurse wear gloves and pour some gel on her hand. She then rubs the gel on my belly and I flinch from the cool contact as she moved to the machine soon after.

I watch as the nurse moved some kind of hand-held scanner on my belly, wondering how this would show my baby.

‘’That is your baby on the side of the screen, ma’am.’’ The nurse says softly, and I quickly focus my attention to her, only to find that she was staring at a black and white screen.

My baby?

I stare deeply at the place where nurse mentioned my baby, and notice a pool of black, but with something grey and white like a small bean, visible inside.

‘’T-That’s...my baby?’’ I stutter in surprise, and look at the nurse for confirmation. How is that small weird image my precious baby?

‘’Yes, ma’am.’’ The nurse met my surprised gaze. ‘’Your baby is still small and growing. At this stage, your baby is very young to be seen clearly.’’ She laughs at the ending, probably understanding the reason for shock.

‘’...Oh.’’

That sounds plausible.

‘’Your baby’s heartbeat is strong, ma’am. A clear sign of a very healthy baby.’’ The nurse continues to stare at the screen, moving her hand with whatever that is on my belly.

‘Heartbeat?’ I furrow my brow slightly in thoughts.

Now that the nurse mentioned that, I concentrated my senses to the sound of my baby’s heartbeat. If the nurse could detect that from a machine, then perhaps I, a werewolf....

*Ba-thump*

My ears caught a small flickering thump.

I widen my eyes slightly at the distinct sound that definitely did not come from my own heart or the nurse’s.

‘T-That’s...you, baby?’ A drop of tear leaks out of my eye as the flickering thump comes again, this time a bit stronger as though greeting her.

‘My baby.’ I once again I realize that a life was growing inside of me. ‘My precious baby.’ The understanding brought more tears to my eyes and I wiped my tears, sniffing with a small happy laughter.

‘’M-Ma’am?’’

I shake my head, silently indicating the startled nurse that I am fine. These past weeks, I have been feeling jumpy and scared, just so emotional and mentally drained from schoolwork, the pack’s disdain, and even the baby that no one knew apart from my best friends.

The fear of their rejection towards my baby filled my mind to the point that I even had dreams...nightmares to be precise. It also didn’t help that I hadn’t seen Jared since his last rut.

But now....the sound of my baby’s small heartbeat washed away those restless feelings. I felt happy, and now realize that I am not alone.

My unborn child...My precious baby....is now my family.

My one and only.

****

‘’Our little munchkin is finally here!’’ Stephanie coo at the ultrasound picture in the car. I finished with the ultrasound and joined Stephanie in her car. Logan also followed since we offer the same course for this evening class.

‘’I can imagine how beautiful she’ll be once she’s born.’’ Stephanie has been cooing with aww for a moment now. This friend of mine has even given the baby a gender, saying the baby’s definitely a girl.

‘’Logan, we must give birth to a boy to marry this little munchkin here after our marriage.’’

Logan chokes on his water at her words and coughs while giving his girlfriend a flabbergasted look. Inwardly, I offer my quiet bestfriend condolences for having a girl like Stephanie who’s already thinking of a future son.

‘’Let’s go, Steph.’’ I repeated the same words again.

‘’Alright. Alright.’’ Fortunately, Stephanie agrees this time and returned my ultrasound picture. ‘’Your mother’s already taking you away from me.’’ She grumbles and turns her head with a ‘hmph!’

I chuckle lightly at her small complaint as she started the car and took us out of the parking lot.

‘’Back to class now, right Lena?’’

‘’....Not yet.’’ I answer after a moment of thought. There was something that I added to my to-do lists and it’s very important.

‘’Where to then? We still have enough time before class.’’

‘’The grocery store.’’ I disclose and explain briefly. ‘’I need to get some ingredients for a birthday cake, and other stuffs.’’

A very special birthday cake.

That I plan to bake for my mate, and also for an announcement.