Breaking Point (BWWM)

7. Rekindling

Something felt a bit off, though Braxton wasn't quite sure what. Lucy had just finished up her check-up with Dr. Bernard and one of the pack midwives. Braxton was there as they were talking seriously about the birth plans, the baby was expected to be born in roughly two months, and considering that Lucy was Luna, the baby could come sooner than expected.

Her bump was growing with every passing day, not by much, but she almost looked full-term by now. Her natural scent smells stronger than ever now, and her skin and hair was radiant. Despite having put on the weight, there wasn't much fullness to her face, likely responsible to her lack of appetite. No longer did she get sick anymore - she had just gone her first full week without throwing up - though she never built up the appetite that she's had since her first trimester. Marlene and Brooke were concerned about it, they credit it to her lack of energy.

She was still put on extensive bed rest, though the doctor enacted a more strict one - meaning she wasn't allowed to go to her lessons anymore or leave the house unsupervised. It was like she was on house arrest. Brooke seemed to feel bad for her, often buying Lucy and the baby things, which she was always too tired to open. So many of Brooke's gifts sit in a corner of their bedroom untouched. She gets to them when she can, but it's so little at a time before she's too exhausted to continue.

When Lucy wasn't asleep, she was reading, but more recently she was knitting. Braxton was confused when Brooke came home with stuffing one day and gave it to Lucinda, that is until he saw the little knitted creature she'd made soon after. It was a dark grey wolf with a white patch on its belly. It could already sit up on it's own, but it was currently headless, as she was knitting that separately. Normally, Braxton was entirely against the idea of his son having stuffed, cuddly toys. But it was clear that it was therapeutic for his wife, kept her mind off the pains she felt and gave her something to do. She seemed to thoroughly enjoy it.

"Braxton? Hello? You still there?" Seth called from the other end of his office.

Braxton nods, "I like your idea, Seth. Sounds like a plan." Seth seemed a little put off, never had it been so easy for Braxton to agree to his plan.

"...Are you alright?" He asked genuinely.

Braxton couldn't help his laugh, staring at his Beta's confused and concerned expression. "Yeah, man, I'm good. I just have a lot on my mind." He said vaguely.

"Is it the baby? I'll be honest, Brax, you seem like a nervous wreck."

The Alpha sighed, "Something's just off about my wife today. I don't know what. She still can't get used to telling me when something's wrong."

"Well, at least it's better. A month ago she looked uncomfortable to be in the same room with you, let alone speak. How's the baby treating her?"

Braxton sits on the front of his desk, folding his arms. He nods, a satisfied smile making his face. "He's really active, almost too much." He said, unable to help how proud and prideful he felt talking about it. An active baby was a good sign for an Alpha, some of their folklore said it indicated how strong he would be.

Seth grins, "Good, so he's healthy, then."

"Oh yeah, definitely. He'll be fine, he's growing well, he's in a great position. There won't be any complications. It's just his mother that I'm worried about." It cycles back to the trust thing. He can sense when something's off, such as moments like these. However, she never elaborated when he asked: always saying that she was okay, or that there was no need when he offered help or guidance on something. He felt obligated to comfort her in whatever way he saw fit; whatever way she needed.

"She still has trouble opening up to you?" Seth pondered, and Braxton bobs his head.

Seth pats his shoulder assuringly, "Jooyoung was like that, too. You know she's reserved, like Lucy. Maybe I can get her to come talk to her about it. Now nothing gets past me; she tells me everything."