Finding Home

Chapter Thirty-Two

I got up and went to my bedroom and pulled out my old radio that took I swear five million batteries to run but it was going to be worth it this year. I came out and turned on my CD that had Christmas music on it.

The guys stopped and turned around and were surprised at what I was doing, then Derek laughed "that's our Ath, full of surprises" he said and continued to decorate the tree.

Tom walked over and when the song started to play, have yourself a merry Christmas, a slow song. Tom held out his hand and I took it, we danced to the song wrapped in each other's arms.

When the song ended, Tom got down on one knee and pulled out a ring box. I stood there with tears in my eyes. "Athena, will you love me forever and be by my side through everything and will you do me the greatest of honor and become my wife and mate?" he asked.

Darryle and Derek stood there not moving or saying a word, I looked down at Tom and saw the love in his eyes and my heart was so full at that moment.

"Yes, Tom, I will always love you and I can't wait to be your wife and mate" I said. Tom put the ring on my finger and stood up, his hands cupped my face, and he bent down and softly kissed my lips.

Derek and Darryle were both whooping it up and came over and each took his turn to hug me and welcome me as their already known sister.

I sat back down and watched all three guys decorate the tree and joke around, life was perfect at this moment, seeing the ones I loved and rubbing my stomach knowing that in a month I will get to meet my precious baby and have a house full of love.

Once the tree was done, Derek and Darryle went into the kitchen to cook dinner, I was a bit nervous, but I saw Tom oversee everything which made me laugh when Tom kept rolling his eyes.

The baby was kicking up a storm in my stomach, which usually meant it was time to eat again, "how long till dinner?" I asked sitting on the couch watching the men in the kitchen make one hell of a mess.

"Um, a bit longer than planned" Derek said not looking at me, I laughed "I gathered by the smell" I said as I got up and went to the pantry. I grabbed my crackers and peanut butter and a knife and went to sit at the table.

I was halfway through when the guys put a bowl of pasta on the table with a smaller bowl of sauce next to it. I looked up and grabbed the bowl that they set out.

I filled my bowl and started to eat, looking up with the fork halfway to my mouth I saw all three watching me, "what?" I asked, "you are just too cute" Darryle said smiling as they all sat down.

I looked down and saw a bowl of pasta, a plate full of crackers that had a ton of peanut butter on them, and a bowl of fruit. All the food was mostly eaten by me within a matter of twenty minutes.

"We're hungry" was all I said with a shrug and kept eating till everything was finished. Derek just smirked and shook his head, "I bet you it's a boy, a girl can't eat that much not even for our kind" he said.

"I'll take that bet and I think I'm having a girl" I said and stuck my tongue out at Derek. That got everyone laughing, "I'm going to have to side with my mate on this one" Tom said finishing his meal.

"What about you Darryle?" Derek asked, "I'm not sure honestly, have you seen Ath's appetite when we first met her, and she wasn't even past the first month into her pregnancy, it's going to be a toss-up" Darryle said not really giving anyone his answer.

We all finished, and we all helped clean the kitchen, especially after the guys cooked it would take all four of us to clean it up. After dinner since it was still snowing the guys, all went to take care of the animals and the garden barn for the night.

Once they were done, we were going to have a movie night, I pulled out some old Christmas classics that we all agreed on. I made sure the fire was going in both rooms and I had our drinks ready.

I settled in on the couch watching the fire, waiting for the guys. There was a knock at the door, I looked around thinking I must have dozed off and was dreaming. Then there it was again another knocking at the front door.

I got up and went to answer it, I opened the door and there he stood yet again. "I swear Devon you are really asking for it you know" I said standing there. His eyes got huge, and his mouth hung open.

"Ath, our baby" he said looking at my stomach, my hand automatically went to my stomach and started to rub, "yes my baby is in there, what do you want Devon, you know you are to stay away from me" I said.

"I know per the council orders, but I broke away from them Ath, I am no longer bound by their laws now" he said smirking. Oh, hell this cannot be a good thing. "What's your point Devon" I asked starting to get cold and wishing I had not opened the door.

"My point being is I am here to take my place as your husband and the baby's rightful father" he said standing there.

I started to laugh, "a bit too late for that Devon, how many times do we have to go over this?" I asked.

"Let me in so we can talk" he said, "no Devon you are not welcome in my home" I said and as much as I wish I had the strength I also protected my baby when he started to push his way through.

"Where's the crew that is always hanging around you?" he asked as he looked around expecting them to be standing there, "none of your business Devon now get out" I started to raise my voice.

I did not like how he was acting; it was starting to scare me.

Devon walked over to the fireplace, "I remember my first night here with you Ath, you were so sweet and kind for letting me inside so I wouldn't freeze, you thought I was just a regular hiker lost.

The funny thing is I was studying you all that time, for weeks knowing your routine, making sure you were alone and not just waiting for someone to come back home.

I saw a woman who I wanted as my mate and someone who was strong and determined, someone I could count on as my other half, and there you were ripe for the picking.

But then you got pregnant, and I could not afford the council to hurt you or me, so I did the next best thing and ran.

I know Tom and the brothers could not say a word because they were bound by law and oath, see Tom is next in line to take over his father's spot on the council. Our baby is a rarity, never has been done before.

Our child will be special with powers we do not know of yet. Some humans have those extra abilities, well our baby will be above all of that and just think how we will be treated like royalty" he said sitting down.

"You are absolutely crazy Devon" I said sitting on the couch facing him. "I'm engaged to marry Tom, Devon and that is all there is to this, you had your chance with me, but you ruined it" I yelled at him.

He sat there looking at me, "well he may not want you if I take you right here and now and have him walk in seeing us together" Devon said as he went to stand up.

"Oh, I would still want my wife" Tom said quietly but very deadly. Devon turned around and almost fell over when he saw Tom, Derek, and Darryle all walking towards him.

"I have had enough of you bothering my wife and child." Tom seethed, before the brothers could snag Devon, Devon grabbed me and went back to the door.

"What in the hell are you doing Devon?" I asked, starting to get scared, he has changed, he has a nut loose in his mind. "I'm taking what is rightfully mine, Ath is mine and so is the baby" he said as he backed us out the door into the night.

I started to shake as it was winter, and I was not dressed for this kind of weather.

Tom and Derek along with Darryle stood there watching him intently looking for a weakness but they were not about to chance it with how he was holding me.