The annoying beeping of the heart monitor is the first thing I hear when I gain consciousness. Ever so slowly, the world comes into focus. I open my eyes and scan the dark empty room. Except for the machines, the room is silent with little noise coming from the slightly ajar door. I look down at my body covered by the hospital blanket and my pregnant bump is decidedly missing. Instantly, feelings of worry assault me and an emptiness overtakes me. I feel incomplete without my baby. I'm just about to reach for the call button mounted on the adjacent wall when the scent of my mate and something beautiful drifts through the door.
Instantly, I am transfixed as Sebastian comes into focus. But he is not alone. Cradled in his arms is a beautiful baby with its eyes closed. Its almost comical how tiny the baby looks in Sebastian's muscular arms but I'm too mesmerised to laugh. Scents of lilies and sunshine and just plain beauty drift from my child. All I see and smell is the baby. From just outside my door, Sebastian rocks the baby while singing a lullaby too softly for my ears to catch. And in that moment, I realise that that is my whole world.
Sleeping in my mate's arms, that child becomes my life. My reason to breathe and love every day. It only takes a split second but I fall instantly in love with my child and at the same time, my love for Sebastian strengthens. He is the father of my child and the love of my life. That baby is every beat of my heart but Sebastian is my heart.
I don't know how long I simply stare at my family but its cut short when Sebastian looks up from the beautiful bundle and meets my eyes through the doorway. Suprise at my awakening is quickly masked by relief and happiness as he walks through the door. Bringing my little family closer. I have so much to say to Sebastian. So much love and regret to convey but I can't take my eyes off the beautiful bundle.
"Is that....." I try to whisper but tears clog my throat. The wonderful scent of my baby drifts closer to me until Sebastian is right by my bed and all I can smell is that scent. The scent of my child.
"Victoria Marksmen" Sebastian finishes for me and my heart sings when I realise the significance of the name. My daughter is named after my brother. My eyes meet Sebastian's and all I see and feel is love. Sebastian gently places my daughter in my waiting arms and as soon as I make contact, my world shifts.
I look down into the most beautiful sleeping face I've ever beheld and all I see is a shining future. A future filled to the brim with love and happiness.
A future of Sebastian, Victoria and I. Together.
============
It's much later in the day when Sebastian and I finally have a chance to talk. Throughout the day, I've been visited by what feels like every member in the Pack. Brian was the first to walk in this morning and seeing his hesitancy when handling Victoria was comical. Pauline's visit was tear-filled and emotional. The werewolf couldn't stop comparing Victoria to an infant Sebastian and it warmed my heart to know that our daughter looks so much like her father.
The resemblance is almost uncanny. Her eyes and hair are the exact same shade as Sebastian's. Her nose is similarly perfect, not unlike her father's and her mouth is a rosebud pink. My opinion may be biased, but to my mind she is the most beautiful baby in the world. She looks nothing like me but our souls are connected in the most fundamental way.
After Pauline's visit, I find myself fatigued and sleepy. I suppose surgery and giving birth will do that to a person. But before I sleep I'm instructed by the nurse on how to breastfeed Victoria. After many attempts, Victoria finally latches onto my nipple and suckles away. I close my eyes in the quiet of the room and doze off for a moment. Sebastian returns from walking Pauline out of the hospital and plants himself in the chair by my bedside. I smile tiredly at him. Sebastian watches me feed Victoria in silence.
" I feel like I'm always in the hospital. We should start reserving a room. Don't you think?" I ask after a beat and Sebastian bursts into laughter. My smile broadens at the sound of his laughter. Its been awhile since I've heard it. Victoria whines around my nipple and I gently rock her back into a relaxed state and nuzzle her head. Sebastian stops laughing and I look up to see him staring intently at the two of us. So many emotions filter pass. Love. Adoration. Awe. Before settling on anguish.
"I thought I'd lost you. Both of you. I didn't.... I didn't know if you were going to survive. I was so close to losing you. Again." Sebastian's voice thickens with tears from the overwhelming emotion and I feel it too.
"But you didn't. We're right here." I manage to say around the invisible lump in my throat.
"You can't leave, baby. I know before you were adamant that you leave. But you can't. Not because you can't survive on your own. But because I can't. I wouldn't be able to survive it. Almost losing you and Victoria just shows me that this is it. The both of you are my everything. I couldn't do it without you. Either of you. " Sebastian says as he leans so close to me that we're almost sharing the same breath. His hazel eyes lock onto mine and I can't imagine never looking into them again. Never feeling this close and loved by my mate.
"I can't leave either. I love you so much. I think I always knew I wouldn't leave you. I guess that's why I kept putting off apartment hunting. "
Sebastian grins and captures my lips in a furious kiss. And right there, in a quiet hospital room with Victoria nestled against my bosom, every fissure in my heart mends and I know that no matter the consequence my heart will forever belong to my mate.
YOU ARE READING
Alpha & Luna
WerewolfLeslie. She's a quiet wolf living on the outskirts of her pack alone. Coping with the grief from her father's recent death. She doesn't think she needs anyone until she meets Sebastian. A fierce and fair Alpha of a neighbouring pack. He's sweet and...
