The drive from Fairbanks took forever, so when I finally arrived in Nenana, I could barely contain my excitement. Glancing at my watch, I saw that I had thirty minutes before I need to help Mrs. White with her end of the day science class. That would be just enough time to stop in and see Marcus during his lunch break.
I bounded through the door, slipping in the puddle left from his work boots, and grabbed the side of the wall before I totally bit it. Being sure not to crush the photo in my hand, I kicked off my shoes, shimmied out of my jacket, and unwrapped the scarf from my neck. I was getting used to wearing the layers and even better at taking them off quickly.
“Holland?” Marcus called from somewhere in the house. “I thought you were teaching at the school today?”
I ran into the living room, surprising him when I jumped into his arms and planted a kiss on his lips. His chest rumbled with laughter as I held him close. In no time at all, our innocent kiss was turning into something hot and heavy, and although I wouldn’t mind an afternoon quickie, I had something more important to tell him.
I shimmied out of his arms and reached for the floor. The moment my feet hit the ground, I jumped away from him and wiggled the picture in front of my face. Being sure to keep it turned away from him, I raised my brows several times.
His laugh warmed my heart and when he grabbed my hips and pulled me against his erection, I almost got distracted. “What is that?” he asked.
“Well, I had the morning off, so I called the doctor in Fairbanks and asked if I could get into my check up early.”
“Your three month one?” Marcus held his hands across my belly and rubbed them gently back and forth. Unlike Brady, I was already showing and had started to wear stretchy clothes around my waist. “Why didn’t you call me? I could have gone with you?”
“I know,” I said, kissing his lips. “But there was a last-minute cancellation today, so I took it.”
“Well, is everything okay? Is the baby all right?” Marcus had been such a doting father. I’d felt guilty about seeing the doctor without him today, but I had a feeling that what I was about to show him would make up for that.
“The baby is great. And…,” I wiggled the picture in front of our faces, “do you want to know what we’re having?”
“Seriously?” Marcus shouted. He picked me up again and swung me around in a circle before setting me down. “Of course, I do.” Dropping to his knees in front of me, he kissed my belly over and over. “I’ve been waiting to know.” He glanced up at me with a perplexed look on his face. “Wait, they can tell already?”
“If the baby is in the right position, they can.”
“And?” His smile healed every last hole in my heart.
“And we’re having a girl!” I flipped the ultrasound around and pointed to the red circle the doctor had drawn distinguishing the girl parts.
“What?” Marcus jumped to his feet and picked me up once more. “A girl? Seriously?”
“Yes. And she’s big. Bigger than Brady was at this stage.”
For the first time in a long time, I was able to talk about Brady without feeling guilt or shame or pain. The last three months living in Nenana with Marcus and his pack had healed so much of what was broken inside of me. Spending time with Mariah had helped me love her father even more, knowing what kind of man he was and loving everything I learned about him. With most of the Wyoming panther pride dead or missing, no one was stalking me and no one cared that I was mated to a coyote alpha. Kevin, Daniel, and Colby welcomed me with almost open arms once they learned of our pregnancy, and I’d been able to work part-time in the school helping the kids start a science fair program for the first time.
Life was good, and I had no doubt Brady would have been proud to see me so happy.
“I can’t believe we’re having a girl,” Marcus whispered, a couple of tears slipping from his eyes. “I’m so excited.”
I hugged him close. “I know you are.”
“Wait!” He said suddenly, pushing me back away from him. “We have to go see Kenzie.”
“The witch?” I’d met almost everyone in Marcus’ circle of friends outside of Nenana. Kenzie, who was still in the midst of caring for a newborn, had become an instant friend.
“Yes. She’ll be able to tell how…powerful she’ll be.” Marcus stopped to take a breath and then looked down at me. “What are we going to name her?”
“I have a few ideas in mind,” I said with a smile that hid my nerves.
“Tell me,” he said.
“I was thinking maybe Kennedy?” And before Marcus could respond, I blathered on. “It was my grandfather’s name and also Brady’s middle name.” Swallowing the lump, I cleared my throat and willed the tears away. “I thought it might be nice to continue that namesake.”
“Kennedy,” Marcus whispered. “I love it.”
“You do?”
“Kennedy Myer Stillwater. She’s going to be a strong and formidable leader,” he said with pride.
“If she’s anything like her father, I know she will be.”
And I meant every word. I could already feel the difference. While Brady had been absolutely perfect, there was something…extra about Kennedy. She felt strong and magical, even though I wouldn’t be able to describe that feeling with words. But she was definitely different. And perhaps that was because of who her father was and how close this pack was. Or perhaps I was already imagining how our lives would be thirty years from now when Kennedy would rule the Nenana coyotes. Either way, I was carrying a child with a future destined for her. I knew it. And I loved it.
“What time to you have to go to the school?”
“Fifteen minutes. And what time do you have to go back to work?”
“Ten minutes.” He wiggled his brows at me. “That’s enough time.”
“I agree,” I said, already pulling my sweater over my head.
By the time Marcus had relieved me of my jeans and carried us to the couch, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. I loved this man. I loved this town. And I loved the little family that had welcomed me into their arms when I never thought that kind of life was possible for me again.
“I love you, Marcus,” I said as he played with my breasts.
“You have no idea how much I love you, woman.”
And as we spent our lunch break showing each other just how much we cared, that dark pit deep inside of me settled into a place of content. No longer would I have to suffer alone. No longer would I miss being a mother.
And no longer would I have to wonder if I’d ever be whole again.
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