“It's great baby, thank you.” Merick wraps his arm around my shoulders and hugs me into his side. “I have to work for a little bit, but then I thought we could go shopping for the baby. We need clothes, diapers, and that other baby stuff. I thought we could drive to Bozeman and do our shopping there. Then have a late lunch or early dinner. How does that sound?”
“That sounds good. Go get to work and I’ll clean up here.” I tell him.
Merick kisses me before disappearing down the hall to his office. I can’t stop smiling as I clean up the dishes and then wipe off the counters. Once that’s all done I head upstairs to take a shower.
I’m eager to spend the day with my man, shopping for our daughter. I place my hands on my belly--our daughter. It still doesn’t feel real to me. Our little Olivia is so loved already. She’s one lucky little girl because she’s got an army around her that would die to protect her.
When I finish my shower I dry off and moisturize all over. The natural glow I was missing this past week is back and my cheeks hurt from smiling. I do my makeup keeping it light. I braid my hair on both sides. I wear my typical uniform these days, black leggings, a long sleeved t-shirt that hugs my massive belly. Over that I throw on a long dark purple cardigan.
I grab my black riding boots and carry them downstairs. Sitting on the edge of the sofa, I slip them on one by one. Fuck, this is getting harder and harder to do. When I get them zipped up, I stand up and head toward Merick’s office.
I peek my head in and find my man typing away. “Hey baby.” I walk further into the room. He holds his hand out to me. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you.”
“You are not interrupting me at all. Come here. Fuck you’re sexy.” I shake my head, but he pulls me close until I’m straddling his lap. “Taryn you are so fucking sexy. I’d love nothing more than to fuck you right now, but I need a shower and then we have to get our daughter some stuff.”
I carry the basket of clothes I just washed into the living room. Merick watches me fold adorable tiny clothing that we bought for our daughter today. She’s set for clothing until she’s at least six months old. We got a ton of diapers, body wash, lotion, and wipes.
We also bought a carrier, a bouncy seat, and portable bassinet so we will be able to bring the baby all over with us.
Merick also had me call Amelia to find out what we’d need for the home birth. I’m not super thrilled about doing it at home, but it’s for our safety. I have faith they’ll make sure our baby is protected.
I hold a pink onesie up that says, “Daddy’s girl.” and lay it on my belly. Merick looks at me and the onesie and smiles wide. “I can’t believe she’s going to be tiny enough to wear this.” I fold it and add it to the pile.
When I finish, Merick carries the basket upstairs for me, and helps me put away everything in her dresser. Glancing around I grow so excited to have my baby girl sleep in this room.
A shout sounds from outside. Merick freezes, he turns to me. “Stay here. If you hear something that sounds bad, hide.”
He’s gone before I can react. I shut and lock the door, pressing myself against the wall. I hear a feminine voice that I recognize, flinging open the door I run down the stairs, or will say, walk fast.. I find Merick, Ryder, and Lily standing in the foyer. Lily is staring daggers at the vampire, and he’s looking at her in a way that makes my heart race. My bestie sees me and pushes past them straight to me.
“What are you doing here?”
“Sweetie you were crying when you called yesterday asking me to come. I didn’t like what I heard and knew I had to get here. Are you okay?” She looks me over and stops at my belly, her mouth hanging open. “What the fuck,” Lily whispers. “What’s going on Taryn?”
“W-What do you mean?”
“How about when I pull up that asshole wouldn’t let me near the door, like he was guarding it.” Lily punctuates it by pointing at Ryder. He doesn’t appear to be phased at all, he shrugs. “I wasn’t here that long ago and you look like you’re due to have that baby soon.”
I turn to Merick because I don’t know what to do right now. He nods at me, giving me permission to tell her. I lead her through our home and back into his office.
“Lil, you better sit down.” She does and I pace back and forth in front of her. “What I’m about to tell you is going to sound completely crazy, but I swear it’s all going to be okay.”
“Oh god you’re dying.”
I shake my head, here we go. “I’m not dying.”
Lily’s eyes widened. “H-How did you know? I didn’t say that, I thought it. Taryn please tell me what’s going on.”
“Long story short. Merick and I are soulmates, we were connected long before we ever met. Our baby is the key to restarting the magic that was lost to this town. The baby has given me the ability to hear people’s thoughts and I’ve had flashes of the future or different versions of the future.” I take a deep breath. “My daughter is part shifter because...well her father is a wolf shifter. Ryder is a vampire.”
Lily starts laughing, “you had me going for a second.”
“I wonder how long it took them to set this up?”
“Lil, I’m not pulling your leg. This isn’t a joke.” I walk slowly
