Page 76 of Married into the Mob
Though if we didn’t tell them, we wouldn’t have any peace until we did.
“Why not? I hope Aunt Louisa will be happy.”
That could go either way. She might be ecstatic to have a great-niece or nephew. Or the pregnancy would be a sign that Hunter and I were committed. Something she hadn’t been in favor of. But no matter her reaction, I refused to allow her to spoil our excitement.
“Yes!”
A loud cheer went up, and Hunter got dressed, and we wandered back to the party. There were hugs and kisses from everyone. Dad couldn’t contain his excitement. But it was Aunt Louisa I was focused on.
She asked how I could be certain without doing a test. I whispered that I just knew. Her reaction was more circumspect than Rudy’s—not surprising—but she didn’t say Hunter had ruined my life, so that was a plus.
I sat and nibbled on roasted potatoes and salmon while Hunter filled a plate with lamb and asparagus and tiny appetizers Uncle Arnie had made.
The kids had quietened. Two were asleep, while Lottie was watching a program on her tablet.
“We didn’t get to do the toasts.” Rudy grabbed two bottles of champagne from the ice buckets, and Uncle Arnie poured me a soda water with a splash of apple juice.
Rudy tapped his glass. “We’ve never had a real wedding in the family before.”
Aunt Louisa looked around. “None of you are married?”
“We didn’t have ceremonies,” Flint spoke up. “Ours were all very intimate occasions.”
“First-time proper ceremony,” Ranger added.
“First throw-up during a ceremony,” Uncle Arnie said, and he looked at me as he spoke. “Sorry, sweetheart.
Awww. Uncle Arnie was adorable. I gave him an extra-big hug.
“First rings that originated with paper clips.” That came from Rudy.
I slung an arm around my mate’s waist. “Our first pregnancy coincided with the first wedding.”
Hunter kissed my hand, the new ring, and my mating mark. “I love you, Dellie.”
“Love you forever and always.”
We all raised our glasses.
“Despite the puking, it was a good day,” I noted.
“Everyone help bring the leftovers inside.” Rudy was taking charge but shooed me away when I tried to help.
“Look at our little brother.” Ranger had his head close to Flint’s.
“Now that he's becoming a dad, I guess we can’t kick his ass anymore.” Flint raised his glass, but Rudy told them both to take platters into the kitchen.
Everyone left, with Rudy saying he’d be back in the morning to collect the chairs.
I yawned as we waved them off. Hunter arranged for a driver for Aunt Louisa, and while she hugged me, she air-kissed my mate. That was progress I supposed.
“I’m so tired, and I almost ruined this suit.” I studied myself in the bedroom mirror and brushed a hand over my flat tummy. “Hard to believe there’s a little one inside me.”
We had considered booking a hotel for tonight for our “honeymoon,” but I was glad we’d decided against it. The night you find out you’re going to be a dad is a night you should be at home.
I asked about the baby and if they’d have shifter traits. Hunter explained we wouldn’t know for years if they had a beast, but we might get hints. “Lottie for sure has a wolf inside her because of how agile she is and her excellent eyesight and hearing.”
“We have so much to look forward to, especially considering where we started.” I thought back to the day we met. The memory wasn’t as scary as it had been.
