Page 36 of The Alpha’s Chosen Mate

Chapter Eighteen

EMILY

20 Years Old, December 12, 1993

“Thank you again for dinner, Emily.” Fiona leans back in her chair after finishing the last bite of her meal. “It was delicious as always.”

“You’re welcome.”

“And thank you for holding him so I could actually enjoy it while it was still hot,” she adds, nodding to the babbling, gummy-mouthed baby in my arms.

Nolan smiles at the sound of his mother’s voice, turning his head to find her. Fiona gives him a little wave, then he directs his attention back to me.

“You know I don’t mind holding him.” I coax his tiny fist away from my hair so he doesn’t yank on it.

At almost five months old, he’s already strong, and pulling hair is his current favorite pastime. Fiona, Stephanie, and I are all used to it and usually keep our hair out of reach, but of course I forgot to keep mine tied back tonight after I finished cooking. Which means Nolan keeps reaching for it, drawn to it like a magnet.

I tap his nose, and he laughs before gazing up at me with his big, round, serious eyes. With his hazel irises that match Fiona’s and his skin that’s a shade lighter than Felix’s deep, dark brown, he’s the perfect blend of his parents.

If Harrison and I had a child, would they look more like him or more like me? Or would they be the perfect blend of both of us in looks and personality?

I glance up, and Harrison is staring at me, watching me cuddle and play with Nolan. There’s something in his gaze—something that looks a lot like what I feel when I see him hold Nolan.

Longing.

Is he envisioning our potential children too? Is he thinking of a life together like this, a future where we have a family? Where the baby I’m holding is our child and not the child of our friends?

He clears his throat and tears his gaze away from me—fast. So fast, I’m convinced I imagined the look he was giving me. I saw what I wanted to see. It was born of my own longing.

We’ve spent every night together since his birthday, but not once has he mentioned the future. And to be honest? I’m okay with that—with the idea that our passion has a deadline. When I decided not to run away from him, I knew it was a possibility that our time together might end earlier than I wanted it to. That this would likely be a fling, not a forever romance.

It hasn’t stopped me from picturing a life with him. Where I’m his mate and the mother of his children. Where we watch those children grow up, find love, and create their own families.

“Everyone! Stephanie and I have an announcement.” Brad’s voice snags our attention. He stands, grabs Stephanie’s hand, and pulls her to her feet before pressing a gentle kiss on her knuckles. He’s still the same cheeky male, but he’s softened a bit since her birthday when they learned they were fated mates. They smile at each other—a secret, knowing smile of two people who share everything—and he says, “You tell them.”

Stephanie’s free hand covers her stomach. “We’re having a baby.” She’s speaking to us, but her eyes never leave Brad’s.

Pure love and joy emanate from them, and as we cheer in congratulations, Brad tugs Stephanie against him. He wraps their joined hands around her back and plants a big, sappy kiss on her lips, making us all cheer with more enthusiasm.

Nolan flinches in my arms. Then his lip trembles, and he bursts into tears, crying at the top of his tiny lungs.

“Sorry, Fi!” Brad says as Fiona rushes out of her seat and around the table to take Nolan from me.

“It’s not your fault.” Fiona rocks Nolan from side to side, cradling him against her chest. “It’s close to his bedtime, and he didn’t nap well today.”

“His whole routine gets thrown off when he doesn’t get a good nap in,” Felix says, moving to Fiona’s side. His massive hand covers the back of Nolan’s head as he helps soothe their fussy son.

“Come on, Nolie.” Fiona kisses his forehead as his crying slows. “Let’s get you home.”

I walk them to the door to see them out as Brad and Harrison begin clearing the table. I hug Fiona and Nolan, then Felix, thanking them for joining us. When I shut the door behind them, I turn to find Stephanie standing there. Her bright blue eyes brim with excitement. It bleeds into me, and I squeal once more, rushing towards her to hug her.

“I’m so, so happy for you, Stephanie.”

“You don’t think it’s too soon?” she asks. “We’ve only been mated for a few months.”

“Do you think it’s too soon?” I counter. My opinion of her family planning doesn’t matter. If she’s ready—if they’re ready—that’s what’s important.

“No. I’ve always known I wanted to be a mom.”