Third Person POV
"Born 7 pounds, 6 ounces, we welcome Wesley Vedette into this world. To be guided by the Goddess and those around him, we bless him by knowing him." The whole family crowds the medical office, surrounding the new mother and her baby who rested quietly on her chest. He was pink and small with the softest tuft of blond hair.
"Lesa, he's precious," Celeste coos, swaying in the arms of her mate. Their thoughts laid much in the same; how nice it'll be when their children come. What their baby will look like. Darker hair, definitely, but who's eyes would they get? Wesley's eyes were a deep blue, like his fathers. Lesa didn't dwell on it, like many in the room were worried she might. Instead, she remembered when she first met Christopher. When all was good, at least as far as she knew. She remembered that childlike joy at finding her mate. How curious, that a rogue who found his extended family here after years on his own, would be her future.
"He's perfect," she whispered back. She was tired. She was told it was fourteen hours she'd been in labor. It all felt like a blur now but she knew she was tired. Yet, she couldn't take her eyes off of him, her baby boy. This little person she will mold and shape into a perfect gentleman. This little person she will protect and love and cherish. This little person she will form memories with and will one day watch him have his own children to do just the same.
Whether he was conscious of it or not, Josh leaned against Jacob as he stared in awe at this pup. He'd never thought of a family before. Until right now, this moment in time, his only goal was to be able to tell the world about his love. How deeply he loved the brooding man at his side. Now, now he was curious. His parents raised him kindly and with a passion for knowledge. To question everything and find the answers you can and not to get stuck on the ones you can't. Now his next question came: how does one start the adoption process?
Very conscious of it, Jacob wraps his arm around Josh's side, pulling him closer. No one looked, too enamored with the baby, but he didn't care if they did. For years, he's been scared. He'd never admit it, no. But he was. And he is. Xavier has every right to not accept him and Josh as a couple and Xavier's opinion influences the entire pack. But he was done. Josh wanted more and who was he to deny him? And if, for any reason, Xavier would decide not to support them, then they would go. They'd started over once and they could do it again. Or they could live as rogues. Be packless and survive on their own. Of course, Jacob would buy them a little house. And they could live and hunt, maybe even get human jobs. Jacob didn't care, as long as Josh was there with him.
Zay also felt exhausted. She hadn't slept through the night, staying up with Lesa, and she couldn't recall the last time she saw her mate. No - that was a lie. It had been 19 days, 7 hours and (she looked at her watch) 37 minutes. The watch ticked. 38 minutes. She was always aware of it, could always feel it like a tether that showed no movement yet gave so much life, it pulsed. She had contacted Shia the second she felt Celeste's Luna Bond begin to form. She was used to tuning into the bond, often watching over those she was worried for or even feeling curious about. She had a thought when she woke up in the morning, something telling her to check on her family. So she checked every bond. Most were still in slumber, Jacob and Jared were up but nothing else revealed itself. Celeste was awake and her bond had been beating with something new. Xavier's was humming in the same way. And she knew. Now, she will continue to wait. As she always did, and as she always would, for her mate. Her beloved.
Jared, honorary big brother to Lesa, made his appearance with his tired child in tow. He remembered when Delian was born. She cried so loudly, he swore his eardrum burst. The doctors seemed startled too and he knew she would be a tough little pup. She had the fullest head of the brightest red hair. He linked it immediately to the childhood pictures of his mate, Katherine. Oh Katherine. . . She would love to see baby Wesley. His poor mate, she could move for hardly an hour at a time these days. Even with the continuing treatment, Jared was worried his mate wouldn't make it through the holidays. So close. He begged to the Goddess, even out of his mates beliefs, to help her. To hold her through. If not for him, then for their daughter, not even yet 6 years old.
Delian clung to him, tired eyes peaking curiously at this baby. She was sure she was half dreaming when she saw an image in her mind of a dirty blond boy with deep blue eyes. He smiled and held out a hand to. . . To her, she supposed. She yawned, feeling herself be pulled closer and closer to a full dream. The room was so warm, humming with this full feeling she had long ago labeled as love. It was the same feeling she felt whenever she visited her mom at the hospital. The same feeling whenever she saw the Luna and Alpha interact. The same feeling she felt when her dad tucked her in at night. She smiled, closing her eyes as she fell asleep on her fathers shoulder.
Celeste wanted to hold the baby first but the mother's orders were clear. Her big brother would be the first to get the chance to hold the baby. Giving him up for even a moment felt difficult but the second her hulking big brother held her tiny child, something in her relaxed. Maybe it was the Alpha gene. Maybe it was her love and trust in her big brother.
Xavier was in awe of the pup. He saw his sister in this little child. Flashbacks of when she was born and holding her while his father held him. She was little then, like Wesley is now. And she was also pink. He asked why his sister was pink and his mom said she was so fresh, her skin was still cooking; like a cookie when you take it out of the oven, it needed time. His eyes flashed to Celeste, bright smile beaming. She leaned into him, curling her finger in front of him. He watched her with half lidded eyes, seemingly unamused. He began to squirm and was handed back to his mother where he settled back to peace. "I guess we're not good enough for him," Xavier teased Celeste, pulling her to him by her waist. She shrugged, her hair shifting away from her mark.
"I guess we'll just have to win over our own." She couldn't help her teasing smile as she leaned up to press her lips to his, hand going to his cheek.
Josh quietly booed them, giving them a thumbs down. He was happy for his friend. He knew what it was like to struggle to accept the good and to lean into the concept that everything is going to be okay. That it's safe to love, safe to live. To see her thrive meant more to him than he would admit. Jacob squeezed his hip. Awareness set in. At first, his shoulders stilled. Then he looked up at the man he is so deeply in love with, tears nearly brimming in his eyes. And he leaned into his hold, practically burying himself in Jacob's shoulder as his own arm wrapped around the taller man.
Celeste was too busy pouting to notice this of her friend. All children liked her. She hoped the baby hadn't committed her face to memory with bad feelings. She had made him fuss! Was this a sign about motherhood? She had been worrying on it constantly lately, with the injury to her arm. Xavier wants kids, she wants kids. She didn't get to hold Wesley but could she even manage? She sighed, leaning her forehead against Xavier's chest.
"You tired?" She hummed, not answering his question. He rubbed at her arm, leaning down to press his lips to the top of her head.
"Alright everyone," Zay started, quiet enough to not startle the baby. "Thank you all for coming and supporting Lesa but I think it's time we let her and baby settle in for the night. Goodnight everyone, say your goodbyes and get out of here."
Lesa thanks everyone individually. She promises Celeste tomorrow. Tomorrow she'll show her how to hold the baby and that she can. She thanks her big brother, whispering in her ear that Wesley could do with a friend. He chuckles, giving her a wink. Having observed her little family the entire time, she gave Josh a slow squeeze, telling her she loved him just as much as she loved Jared. She had to pull Jacob to her, telling him to 'play nice.' He gulped. Still holding Delian, Jared squeezed her shoulder opposite where little Wesley rested, telling her to reach out if she needed anything. She would never bother him. He had told her he was preparing the house for Katherine to come home where she would. . . She shouldn't dwell on that now, though every time she sees him. . . Zay is the last to leave, packing up her bag and telling her to call the nurses should she need anything simple. But any worries, Zay assured her, were just a link away.
As the little family all headed into their individual directions, a feeling of calm settled over them. A feeling of love, lifting their each and every step.