An Uneasy Accord

Chapter 90 - BASTARD!

Brooklyn groaned and stirred to the tickling sensation of Derek's hand rubbing her stomach.

"They're at it," he grinned into her neck. His eyes were still closed but he we fully aware of the twins moving about. He pressed his lips to warm soft skin, taking in the rich blend of sandalwood and earth.

"I don't think they ever stop," she groaned.

"You don't have much longer," Brooklyn heard him say.

"We don't even have anything ready," the hunter sadly realized.

"We still have time," he was quick to reassure her.

"Not with the Argents and Peter looming out there."

Brooklyn bemoaned her body as she fumbled around to face him. Her body held the agility of a beached whale slowing her down while carefully flopping around. Her center of gravity had drastically shifted lower making the simplest movements seemed to make something like climbing Mount Everest a breeze.

"God I feel like freaking Shamu!"

"Don't say that," Derek drew her enlarged body closer towards him.

"I do!" She could feel the hot tears welling in her eyes. "When I look in the mirror I have a double chin! My hips are huge and I waddle when I walk! Derek I waddle! My back hurts all of the time! And my ankles are swollen to the size of softballs! I pee at least five times at night! I even have varicose veins on my legs! How can you find me attractive when I'm a big fat blimp!"

Derek felt the hurricane of emotions churning violently in his mate and let her unload. He knew it was the hormones causing her to talk so badly of herself and doubting his dedication to her and the twins. He simply wrapped his arms around her and stroked his fingers through her hair.

"It's okay," he cooed in her ear. "I don't care if you have swollen ankles or if you waddle when you walk; I love you."

"You're just saying that."

"No," Derek tilted her head up towards his patient sapphire rings. The hunter felt her volatile streak start to recede as she felt the warmth of those loving eyes draw her in away from the pain. "I mean it Brook. You won't be like this forever. Once the twins are born you won't feel so horrid."

"I'm sorry," she sniffled. "It's just these damned hormones get the better of me and then I shoot off like shotgun."

"It's okay," Derek took no offense to her outburst. "I'm still here am I not?"

"Yeah," she hiccupped.

"Wolves don't care about weight or emotions; only humans allow such things to hold power over them."

"Yeah and I am one."

"Right," Derek rubbed his neck and suddenly felt awkward. "When do you go to the doctor? I want to be there."

"Next week," she wanted Derek to be there; to see the next generation of the Hale family as they continued to grow inside of her.

She put her hand on top of his as each felt the twins kicking and moving about. Derek felt his paternal instincts awaken as he lay there with Brooklyn in comfortable silence. He knew it was the wolf triggering this but Derek held no reservations about welcoming these new foreign sensations. It was a fierceness that rose from the pit of his soul, a primal determination to protect his bloodline and the one carrying his young.

"What are you thinking?"

Derek blinked and shortly shook his head. "What?"

"What are you thinking? You had this thousand mile stare going on for a moment."