It was Christmas Eve, and the shopping centre was packed with people. Corey could never understand why people always seemed to leave things to the last minute. That and they tended to go a little crazy, as the shops were all closed tomorrow. It was just one day, for crying out loud. It wasn't like it was the end of the world.
Corey had woken that morning feeling a little out of sorts. He had the most awful reflux no matter what he did to try to get rid of it. Corey rubbed at his belly, the bub kicking him incessantly.
The line-up of kids and parents hadn't diminished at all in the four days they'd been here taking photos. Corey had no idea where the hell they were all coming from. It was like they were popping up out of thin air.
He sat waiting for the next child in line, his beard irritating him as it tickled against his skin. The suit felt suffocating today. Thankfully this was the last time he'd have to wear it. Corey couldn't wait to get it off.
A little girl with bright-red hair was led over to the chair. Before Corey could smile and welcome the little girl, he gasped as a sharp pain stabbed through his abdomen. Corey reached instinctively to his belly, rubbing it soothingly. It wasn't the first pain he'd felt today, but it was by far the strongest.
"Santa, are you okay?" the little girl asked, a worried frown on her pixie face.
Corey's mind whirled. This so couldn't be happening right now. The government couldn't get wind that everything wasn't perfectly fine. He had another six hours of photos with children to get through.
Corey pasted as much of a smile on his face as he could as he rubbed his belly.
"I'm just fine, sweetie. Thank you. Too much milk and cookies for breakfast." Corey winked at the little girl, and she giggled before climbing up on his lap.
Liam looked at him sceptically, eyebrow arched. His fellow Beta leaned down and whispered in Corey's ear.
"What's wrong?"
Corey whispered so softly no one else would be able to hear him. "I think I'm in labour."
Liam pulled away, eyes wide as he stared at Corey. Corey could see his thoughts reflected perfectly on Liam's face. They were fucked if Corey couldn't hold it together.
Liam left Corey to chat with the little girl on his lap. Corey's mind whirled with the possibility that he could be a father by the end of the day. He just had to make it through the following hours without giving away that something wasn't right. Corey didn't know if he was excited or scared shitless.
He watched from the corner of his eye as Liam went and whispered into the ears of the other wolves. Ben snapped his head round to stare at Corey as soon as Liam told him what was happening.
The giant Alpha stalked across the grotto until he was by Corey's side. He squatted down so as not to be quite so intimidating to the little one on Corey's lap.
"Hey there, missy. Have you told Santa what you want for Christmas yet?"
"Lego!"
"Lego, huh? You like making things?" Ben asked.
"Uh huh. I want to build buildings when I grow up."
"That's a very important job. I'm sure you'll be great at it."
The little girl beamed at him. Ben took a seat on the chair next to Corey, and they all smiled at the camera for the photo. Damon sat tall and placed his head in the little girl's lap for a scratch. As soon as Corey handed the little girl her gift, she skipped off back to her parents, and Ben leaned in.
"You okay?"
"Don't know. It may be nothing."
Corey hissed again quietly, then reached down and grabbed Ben's arm, squeezing hard when another shot of pain raced through him.
"Then again…" he panted. "Could be everything."
"Fuck," Ben hissed under his breath. "Do you think you can hold it together for the rest of the day?"
"I don't know.… Shit, that hurts."
"Yeah, I remember when Tommy went through it."
Corey laughed at that. He remembered as well. He and Ben had tumbled in the nursery as his Alpha had been losing it just a little bit.
"Can you call Ethan?" Corey asked quietly, his voice cracking. He wanted his mate here. Corey didn't want to let his Alpha know just how scared he was.
"Corey." Ben tapped his temple and Corey felt like an idiot. His cheeks went rosy as Corey thought about his mate.
Corey, what's the matter?
The relief that flooded Corey at just hearing his mate's voice in his mind was palpable. Corey took a deep breath and tried to relax.
Can you come down here?
You want me there? What's happened? The worry in Ethan's voice soothed something deep inside Corey.
I think I've gone into labour.
You what? Excitement and worry warred together in his mate's voice.
Yeah. Can you call the doc and let him know, then come here? I need you.
On my way. Be there as fast as I can.
Corey felt so much better knowing that Ethan was on the way.
"Thanks," Corey said to his friend.
"No worries. I'll stay here with you. Let me know if you need anything."
"Appreciate it."
"We'll try and get through this as quickly as possible," Ben assured him.
"Thanks, mate."
Ben squeezed his arm gently.
Samual led a father over with a baby. Couldn't be more than six months old.
Corey held his arms out for the little bundle, and the father handed her over without question before taking a seat next to Corey.
The baby girl slept peacefully. Corey stared down at the little bundle in his arms, his heart melting at the sight. Corey gently placed his gloved hand against her chest, feeling it rise and fall, feeling the life beating inside her.
"She's beautiful," Corey murmured to her father.
"Thank you."
They all stared at the camera and smiled for the photo. As much as Corey would have loved to have held the sleeping babe for longer, they were trying to make it through the line as quickly as possible, so he handed her back to her daddy and then passed him a present Ben had handed to him.
"Merry Christmas," Corey told him.
"Merry Christmas, guys."
The kids came and went. The pain came and went. Ben stayed by his side the entire time, letting Corey squeeze the crap out of his arm every time a contraction hit. Damon didn't move from his position in front of Corey's legs. The large wolf lay curled up on the ground, almost looked like he was sleeping at times.
Ethan arrived, and Corey finally felt like he could breathe again. Just laying eyes on his mate made him feel like the world had righted itself.
They took the last picture, then broke for lunch. The centre management of the shopping centre had been nice enough to let them use their small conference room, so they were out of the public eye while they took a break, recharged, and ate.
Corey stood and nearly doubled over as an intense wave of pain hit him. Ben caught him. Ethan rushed forward into the grotto and wrapped his arm around Corey's back, helping him to stand.
"Come on, Corey, I hate to say it, but people are watching. You need to stand up and act like nothing is wrong," Ben said quietly beside him.
Corey took a deep breath, then straightened.
"Okay, let me go. You can't be seen to be helping me," Corey said softly as he took a tentative step. Damon padded along beside them in shifted form.
They quickly made their way out of the public eye and into the conference room. Declan had already arrived and had set out a variety of wraps and hot food for them to eat. There was also an esky with ice-cold bottled water inside.
Ethan helped Corey into one of the chairs and quickly removed his beard, hat, and heavy jacket.
The cool air-conditioning hit Corey's overheated skin and sent a shiver down his spine.
Ben walked over to them and sat in the chair next to Corey. "How you holding up? You think you can make it through the rest of the afternoon?"
Corey leaned back and placed his hands on either side of his cushion strapped belly. "Yeah, I think so. They're not too close together yet, so hopefully the little one can hold off for another few hours."
Ethan placed his hand next to Corey's on the side of his belly. "I'll grab you something to eat and drink. You need to keep your energy up. "
"Thanks, babe."
"How you doing?" Damon asked as he shifted back and wrapped a towel around his waist. He, Liam, and Samual all took a seat on the opposite side of the table, their plates full of delicious-smelling food.
Corey's stomach grumbled, letting him know just how hungry he was. The smell of Declan's cooking always made his mouth water in anticipation.
"Okay, I think. Scared, excited. Too many emotions to count right now."
"Totally understandable." Liam grinned at him.
"Just wish the little bugger had chosen a more opportune time," Corey chuckled. Trust him to go into labour in the middle of a packed shopping centre on Christmas Eve surrounded by as many humans as possible.
If he wasn't careful, Corey could be responsible for divulging their greatest-kept secret to the world.
Ethan placed a plate on the table in front of Corey.
"Here you go, babe,"
"Thank you."
Corey picked up a mini-quiche and bit into the eggy deliciousness.
"I called Daniel," Ethan told him. "He and Melanie are packing up the car and driving up. They'll be here in a couple of hours."
"Thank you. Did you get a hold of Mum?" Corey asked. His mother had been absolutely ecstatic to find out she'd be a grandmother. She and her partner David had visited a couple of times in the last year, meeting both Ethan and Daniel's mate Melanie for the first time.
"Yeah, I spoke to her." Ethan grinned. "She nearly burst my eardrum when I told her you'd gone into labour."
Corey chuckled. His mother was a little excited.
"They've got plans with David's kids tomorrow for Christmas, but she stayed on the phone with me as she booked them a couple of tickets, flying in on Boxing Day morning. I also placed a call to Doc Carter. He's had everything ready for the last week in anticipation."
Corey couldn't wait to see his mum. He was also glad the doc was ready for them.
"What would I do without you?" Corey whispered as he leaned over and placed a kiss on Ethan's cheek.
"You'll never have to find out," Ethan reassured. Then he returned Corey's kiss.
"I like the sound of that."
"Me too."
Corey returned to his lunch and joined in the conversation around the conference table. Every time a contraction hit, he reached over and squeezed his mate's hand. Even though they were breath-stealing, Corey had a feeling he hadn't felt anything yet. He was not looking forward to the next four hours.
Thankfully the shopping centre closed an hour earlier today, being Sunday.
"Okay, guys, sorry to do this, but break time is almost over," Damon announced to the group.
Corey bit back a groan. "You're not leaving, are you?" he asked Ethan. He couldn't help it if his voice sounded a little whiny.
"I'm not going anywhere without you. I'll just take a seat on one of the public benches and read a book. I'll be right here if you need anything." Ethan gave Corey a reassuring smile, and Corey immediately felt better.
He'd never thought of himself as a clingy guy before. Hell, he'd tried to walk away from Ethan when they'd first met. But neither of them had been through this before. And Corey had no troubles admitting that he was scared outta his mind.
They'd talked with Tommy when they'd first found out they were pregnant to find out what they could expect. Tommy was the only guy they were close to that had been through this and had been good enough to answer all Corey's and Ethan's questions. Didn't stop Corey from being shit scared now that the time seemed to have arrived.
He and Ethan were going to be daddies in a few hours. There was going to be a small, defenseless child that depended solely on them for the next couple of decades.
Corey took a shuddering breath. He didn't know if he could do this.
A warm hand pressed lightly against his back, then started rubbing in soothing circles.
We've got this, babe.
Ethan's voice in his mind always managed to calm Corey, and now was no exception.
We're going to be a family.
A family. The joy in Ethan's voice was easy for anyone to hear. Corey desperately wanted to give his mate that. Ethan had been without a family for so long before he met Corey. Now he had Corey and Corey's family to call his own. And soon there would be one more to include in those numbers.
"Come on, let's get you ready for public viewing again," Ethan said, smiling gently at Corey.
Before Corey could move, he clutched at his cushion-wrapped belly. "Whoa."
"What's the matter? What's wrong?" Ethan asked fearfully.
"Haven't felt anything quite like that before."
"Like what?"
"Baby just moved."
Ethan immediately placed his hands to the sides of Corey's belly.
"I can't feel anything." Ethan frowned up at Corey.
"Seems to have settled down again."
"Bub's probably just as anxious to meet us as we are it," Ethan theorised.
Corey nodded, knowing Ethan was just trying to make Corey feel better.
"You sure you're okay to go back out there?" Ethan asked.
"Yeah, let's get this over with."
Corey gave his mate a reassuring smile.
Ethan held up the massive Santa jacket, and Corey slipped it on. Before he could do it up and belt it into place, Ethan leaned down and placed a kiss to the side of his belly, whispering softly to their unborn child. Ethan had been talking to Corey's steadily increasing belly since the day they found out he was pregnant. Corey was sad to realise he'd miss these little moments once their baby was born.
Corey pulled his beard back on and then sat the hat on the top of his head.
"How do I look?" he asked Ethan.
Ethan straightened his beard a little, then stepped back, grinning at him. "Perfect."
Corey rolled his eyes. He could be wearing garbage bags, and Ethan would think he looked perfect.
Three-and-a-half hours to go. Corey could get through this. He kept repeating that to himself over and over as they made their way back out to the grotto, where another line had already started forming.
By the end of the day, Corey was having to grit his teeth and bite his bottom lip to stop himself from crying out. The contractions were coming thicker and faster now. What he'd felt earlier had been nothing compared to the pain his body was currently experiencing.
Daniel had arrived with Melanie, and they were waiting with Ethan, who was now pacing the floor in front of the bench.
His mate was sending him soothing thoughts, but it just wasn't working. Corey was in too much pain to let them help him in any way.
The last child was finally taken from his lap, given a gift, and Samual and Liam were seeing him and his parents from the grotto.
Corey collapsed against Ben, who had remained by his side the entire time. He didn't know if he'd have managed to get through the last several hours without his Alpha next to him, lending him support and strength.
"Are you going to be able to walk out of here?" Ben asked him quietly.
"I'm going to have to. You and Damon are probably the only ones that might be able to carry me, and that wouldn't look good to the public or the government."
"Okay, but take it slowly. We'll get everything packed up and come to Dr. Carter's once we're done here. Your family is waiting to take care of you. Congratulations, Corey. We'll see you soon."
"Thanks, Ben." Corey carefully got to his feet.
Corey grabbed his bell and rung it a couple of times as he made his way out of the grotto. "HO, HO, HO. Merry Christmas, everyone," he called in a much more confident voice than he felt.
The few remaining people in the shopping centre called similar greetings back to him as Corey made his way to where Melanie and Ethan waited. He assumed Daniel was pulling the car around.
"Let's get you outta here," Ethan said quietly as they made their way over to the door Corey had been using to enter and exit the shopping centre for the last two weekends.
Corey stepped through the door, Ethan beside him and Melanie coming up behind him. The door closed behind them, and Corey doubled over in pain. He clutched at his belly.
"Ethan," he gasped.
"I know. I'm sorry, babe. I wish I could carry you, but you have to walk. It's not that far."
Corey felt his mate's distress at not being able to help him, but he didn't have the strength to reassure Ethan just then.
Ethan wrapped his arm around Corey's back and helped him as much as he could in the small corridor.
They eventually made it through and out the back to where Daniel sat in Corey's car, the engine idling.
Ethan opened the passenger door and got Corey situated before he and Melanie climbed in the back. It was a tight squeeze for the two of them, as Corey and Ethan had installed the baby seat with the capsule a week ago.
The seat sat empty right now. Corey couldn't believe that the next time he was in this car, there would be a little person occupying that space.
Seatbelts on, Daniel took off for Dr. Carter's place.
Corey pulled the Santa hat and beard from his face, thankful to finally be rid of them. He clutched at his belly as he panted and tried to breathe through the pain.
The drive to Doc's place didn't take all that long. That was one good thing about living in a small town. Everything was less than ten minutes away.
The garage door sat open with space available for them. Daniel pulled right up, the roller door closing behind them, blocking them from view from the outside world.
Dr. Carter opened Corey's door and smiled down at him.
"How about we see about making you guys a family of three, huh?"
"Yes, please," Corey gritted out.
Ethan climbed out from the back and between him and Doc. They maneuvered Corey out of the car and into the house.
"You guys can wait in the living room along with anyone else that may arrive," Doc Carter called back over his shoulder.
Corey was led down a passage and into a room at the end of a corridor with a wide door. There was another room opposite with a similar door.
The room looked like a recovery room. A large bed with monitoring equipment sat in the middle of the room.
"Why don't you get out of the awful suit, then hop up on the bed and let me have a look at you."
Corey couldn't agree more. Ethan stepped up close and helped Corey remove the massive jacket and the cushion that had been taped to his belly.
Ethan removed the large red velvet pants as far as they could go, leaving Corey in just his boxer briefs and a T-shirt.
"Sit on the bed, babe, so I can get rid of these boots and pants."
Corey did as requested. Ethan knelt on the floor and undid the boots, pulling them from Corey's swollen feet. The relief he felt at their removal was palpable. Ethan pulled the Santa pants the rest of the way down. Corey's legs felt cool and bare now. Ethan stood up and placed the clothes in the corner of the room so they were out of the way.
Corey scooted back on the bed until he was lying against the pillow. The head of the bed had been propped up slightly.
"Right, let's have a quick look here to see how things are."
Doc Carter pulled Corey's T-shirt up until it was bunched just below his pecs.
Corey hissed when the doc touched his bare skin. "Jesus, your hands are cold."
The doc chuckled softly. "Sorry." He removed his hands and rubbed them together for a second. "Better?" he asked as he touched Corey's belly again.
"Much."
Corey watched as the doc pressed in on his belly time after time after time.
Corey didn't like the frown on Doc Carter's face, and he reached his hand out for Ethan, who took it right away.
"What's the matter?" Ethan asked.
The doc looked up at them both. "From what I can feel, I think your baby has moved position."
"What does that mean? Babies move all the time."
"You're right, they do. However, your bub has been head down, bum up for the majority of your pregnancy. If I'm feeling things right, the head is now here." Doc Carter pressed down on a spot just under Corey's ribs.
Corey grunted as another contraction hit him, and he squeezed Ethan's hand as he tried desperately to breathe through it.
"Okay, so what do we do?" Ethan asked the doc as he smoothed Corey's hair back from his forehead.
"First thing is to do a quick ultrasound to double check my findings. If I am correct and the baby has turned breach, then the best and safest option will be to perform a C-section."
"Whatever… it… takes," Corey panted through the pain.
When the contraction finally eased, Corey took a deep breath and glanced at his mate. He could feel the worry pouring off Ethan in waves.
"Everything's going to be fine."
Ethan's smile was forced. Corey could tell. "Isn't that supposed to be my line?" Ethan asked him.
The doc wheeled over an ultrasound machine, then picked up the wand and a bottle of gel.
"This might be a little cold."
"No worries."
Corey hissed as the freezing gel hit his skin. The sound of his baby's strong heartbeat soon filled the room as the doc pressed down on his belly with the wand.
He and Ethan watched the monitor like their life depended on it.
As much as Corey was trying to remain strong, his heart broke a little when the image of their child's head showed on the screen, nowhere near where it needed to be.
"Okay, that verifies my diagnosis." Doc Carter wiped the wand before placing it back on the trolley. He then took a handful of tissues and cleaned off Corey's belly.
"So, what now?" Corey asked.
"Now I get you a gown to change into and a set of scrubs for Ethan. That is, if you want to be in the operating room with us?" The doc asked, looking right at Ethan.
"I'll be there. I'm not missing this for the world," Ethan replied adamantly.
"I need to notify Noah and Vanessa the plans have changed slightly. Thankfully, we're prepared for this eventuality. I'll be back in a moment with your clothes, then I need to go prepare. Once you're both ready, head next door. Vivian will see to putting in a drip for Corey, and then if you can sit on the edge of the mattress and curl up into as small a ball as you can, we can get the epidural in," Doc told them.
"Got it."
Doc left, only to return a moment later, his hands full of clothes for them.
"I need to go scrub up. Everything is going to be fine," he reassured them.
"Thanks, Doc," Corey said.
"I'll leave you to it, then."
Doc Carter disappeared to get ready, and Ethan didn't waste any time following the man's orders. He helped remove the last of Corey's clothes with swift, smooth actions. Ethan helped him into the hospital gown, tying it at the back.
Corey sat on the edge of the bed, resting as Ethan then stripped and redressed himself in the scrubs provided. "You ready for this?" Ethan asked him, his expression a mix of apprehension and excitement.
"More than I ever thought I could be. I can't wait to meet our son or daughter." They had decided they didn't want to know the sex of their baby, wanting instead to be surprised at the birth.
"Me too. Love you, Corey Jones. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to love you."
"Love you too."
Corey gasped as another wave of contractions hit him before he could say any more. Ethan wrapped his arms around Corey, and together they slowly made their way across the hall.
The room was pristine and looked like any operating theatre one would see on the television. There was an operating gurney in the middle of the room; large moveable lights hung over it. There were sinks to the side, and trays sat on top of wheeled trollies with blue hospital cloth covering what Corey assumed were the instruments needed to cut him open.
His mind raced, and his heart rate picked up. It was all so real in that second. This was happening, and there was nothing he could do to change the course of events.
Two of their pack members stood dressed in hospital scrubs, masks covering their mouths, gloves already on. Corey recognised them as Noah and Vanessa, Doc Carter's assistants. They hurried over and helped Corey to where they wanted him on the bed. He sat there for several minutes as they stuck a needle in the back of his hand, then connected it with a drip on a tall pole.
"This might be a little cold," Noah apologised seconds before a freezing cloth smelling strongly of antiseptic hit his skin. Noah wiped the cloth in ever-increasing circles on Corey's back.
"We'll wait for the next contraction to pass, then I need you to lean as far forward as you can without falling off the bed or hurting yourself," Noah informed Corey.
Ethan stepped up in front of Corey and placed his hands on Corey's shoulder, helping to steady him. Corey appreciated the help.
When his body finally finished shooting pain through his abdomen, Corey did as asked and leaned forward. Ethan didn't once take his hands off Corey. The position was uncomfortable, and Corey found it difficult to maintain.
A sharp sting was all Corey felt before being informed that he could straighten back up again. Corey took a deep breath when he sat up and glanced at his mate.
Ethan must have seen the fear in Corey's eyes as he placed his hands on either side of Corey's face and leaned in until their foreheads were touching and they were breathing the same air.
"Everything's going to be okay," Ethan whispered just for Corey.
The reassurance from his mate meant more to Corey than he could convey at that time. This was really happening.
"Let's get you settled down and set up. Doc Carter will be in any minute," Vanessa said.
Ethan stepped back slightly, allowing Vanessa and Noah to help Corey lay back to where he was needed.
"There's a stool over there for you to use, Ethan. We recommend you stay at Corey's head." Noah pointed to a stool in the far corner. Ethan collected it and wheeled it back to the head of the bed and took a seat.
Ethan grabbed Corey's hand and squeezed it. With his other hand, he smoothed back Corey's hair from off his forehead.
Vanessa and Noah were very efficient in erecting a small curtain that cut off both Ethan and Corey's view from just below his chest.
I'm scared.
Corey had no problems telling his mate exactly what he was feeling.
Ethan squeezed his hand in reassurance. Before he could say anything in response, Dr. Carter walked in. This time the man was fully decked out in scrubs, gloves just about up to his elbows and a cap and face mask covering the majority of his head.
He made his way down to the bottom of the bed, where Corey lost track of him behind the curtain.
"Corey, can you feel this?" Doc Carter asked.
"Feel what?" Corey replied. He hadn't felt anything.
"Fantastic. We can begin. You two will be daddies in no time."
This time it was Corey that squeezed Ethan's hand. Corey didn't think he stopped squeezing once he started.
Corey felt some slight tugging, pressure pulling on his lower half. There was no pain though. He heard the sound of a suction machine and some murmured chatter. Everything else was a bit of a blur. He stared at Ethan, drowning in his mate's gaze.
Corey's head felt like it had been stuffed with cotton wool, and all the tugging and pulling taking place in his lower body was making Corey feel nauseous. He didn't pay attention to the talk that took place between the doc and his assistants. Corey didn't think he'd be able to follow it, even if he wasn't fuzzy headed.
A sharp, piercing cry rent the air, and Corey glanced at the sheet blocking his view before looking back at his mate. Ethan's eyes were wide, tears gathering in the corners.
They both as one returned their gazes to the curtain separating them and their child. Vanessa's head came into view first. Then she held a small baby up for their inspection, one hand under its bottom and the other supporting its neck.
"Congratulations guys. 'It's a baby girl!" she told them, the excitement in her voice clear to hear.
"A daughter," Ethan whispered.
They stared at their gunk-covered child for the few seconds Vanessa held her up for before she whisked her away.
"Where's she gone?" Corey frantically asked as he tried to sit up to no avail.
Ethan placed his hand on Corey's shoulder, trying to hold him in place. "It's okay. I can see her. Vanessa is just getting her all cleaned and wrapped up. I'm sure she'll be back with us shortly."
Corey wanted to see his baby girl again. He wanted to stare into her precious little face for hours on end. He had a feeling he'd be doing a lot of that in the coming weeks.
"Have you chosen a name, gentlemen?" Vanessa asked as she walked around to the head of the bed and placed a hastily cleaned and wrapped baby on Corey's chest. Corey and Ethan both steadied her, making sure she was safe where she lay.
"Elizabeth Maree Jones," Ethan softly replied as he stared at their little girl. "Lizzy for short."
"Ohhh, Corey, your mum is going to be beside herself."
Corey had to agree. Ethan suggested if they have a girl, Corey's mum's name should be the baby's middle name. Corey had been touched by the suggestion.
Corey and Ethan stared at their sleeping baby on Corey's chest. She had tufts of black hair matted to her little head, perfect little bow lips parted in sleep, and the cutest little button nose Corey had ever seen.
Staring at his baby daughter, Corey realised he had no idea what the hell he was doing. He was now responsible for this little girl. And what the hell did he know about raising girls!
Ethan must have sensed his rising panic as he leaned in and kissed Corey on the temple, whispering to his mate. "We'll work it out together."
Together. Corey could deal with that. As long as he had Ethan by his side, they could get through anything.
"Thank you for giving me such a precious gift," Ethan whispered.
Corey glanced up at his mate and smiled. He wanted to tell Ethan that he was welcome. That it had been his pleasure. Instead, Corey lost the battle he'd been fighting against nausea and said, "I'm gonna be sick."
He didn't remember much else after that.
Ethan kissed his passed-out mate on the forehead.
"Why don't you take her and go see everyone? They're all waiting for you in the living room. We'll get Corey fixed up and take him next door, where he can rest for a little while," Vanessa told him.
As much as Ethan wanted to stay with his mate, there was nothing he could do in here. Corey was out cold. Even Lizzy was sleeping on his chest still.
Ethan gently picked his daughter up. His daughter. He still couldn't believe it as he placed her in the crook of his arm. Ethan had no idea how long he stared down into the perfect little cherub face before he remembered he was supposed to be moving.
Slowly he made his way out of the operating room and down the passage through a set of double doors and into the living section of the house. Ethan was taken aback by the sheer amount of noise he heard as soon as he passed through the doors.
When he made it into the living room, he understood where it was all coming from. Every single one of their friends was gathered in the living room, ignoring any previous plans they had for Christmas Eve.
Daniel, Corey's brother, spotted Ethan first and jumped to his feet, hurrying over to Ethan.
"Daniel, I would like to introduce you to your niece, Elizabeth Maree Jones."
"Hi, Gorgeous," Daniel crooned as he placed a hand atop her blanket-wrapped body.
She didn't stir.
"Congratulations," Daniel said, then clapped him gently on the back. "How's my brother doing?"
"Good. Passed out. He should hopefully come to shortly."
"I'm glad everything went well."
Ben stepped up to him, and Ethan looked up at his Alpha. "Was everything okay at the shopping centre? I hope we didn't cause any hassle for you."
"All's good. Corey kept it together remarkably well. I don't believe anyone noticed anything astray."
Ethan sighed in relief. "I'm glad."
"Even if they had, it's for me to deal with. All you need to do right now is enjoy this time with your mate and your brand new baby girl because trust me, the sleepless nights are coming!" Ben winked at Ethan, then moved aside to let another of their friends through.
The sun had set by the time their friends and family had all left, and Ethan now sat in a comfortable chair, holding a bottle, which Lizzie sucked at like she was starving.
"Hmmm."
Ethan looked up at the sound. His eyes immediately locked onto those of his mate. The love shining back at him made Ethan's heart light.
"Love you," Corey whispered.
Ethan stood and made his way next to the bed. Corey shuffled across slowly to make room for the two of them. Ethan climbed onto the bed carefully. Even though they were shifters and healed quickly, his mate had just had surgery. These things did take a little time to recover from.
He lay down next to Corey and placed Lizzy between them.
"She's beautiful."
"She has your eyes," Ethan told his mate.
"Yeah?" Corey asked, his voice almost astounded that his daughter would take after him in any way.
"Yeah. I fell in love with them just as soon as I saw them, just like I did with you."
Corey leaned over and placed a kiss to Ethan's lips, the touch soft and tender.
"Love you, Corey, so much. Thank you for starting a family with me."
"There's no one else I'd rather have a family with."