Prints on our hearts

Chapter 28

            Alex walked outside to sit with her mom who was sitting on the wooden bench swing. Alex sat down with a sigh. Lillian looked over at her amused. "Tired already?", Lillian chirped. Alex closed her eyes and leaned back. "Physically and emotionally.", Alex sighed. Lillian put her hand on her shoulder but pulled away when Alex flinched. "Alex put her head in her hands. "I think I have PTSD.", Alex groaned. Lillian nodded and carefully took her hand. "We will help you get through this. You are not alone.", Lillian comforted. Alex nodded. "I appreciate it but I am worried about Alma.", Alex admitted. Lillian rubbed her shoulder. "It's okay. We are here to help you.", Lillian reminded. I nodded and leaned into her as Lillian wrapped her arms around her. This was a comfort that Alex had long forgotten, A mother's caress. Alex stayed that way for a while as she watched the children run and play. Roxie, exhausted from playing, walked up and curled up at Alex's feet. Alex smiled as she leaned down to pick the pup up. As she sat her into her lap, she sleepily gnawed on Alex's fingers and hand. Alex leaned back into Lillian as she closed her eyes. A light hand rubbed Alex's hair making her jump from her seat and get into a fight stance with Roxie still in her arms. Alex groaned loudly as she saw Alma standing behind the swing with an amused but worried look on her face. Alex put Roxie down to let her run to Alma. Alma's gaze softened as she walked around the swing to Alex. Alex wrapped her arms around Alex and held her close. Alma nuzzled into her neck. "We will get through this.", Alma whispered. Alex held her a little tighter. "You are my saving grace Alma.", Alex whispered back to her. Alma pulled back and kissed Alex softly. Any fears or doubt Alex might have had were washed away with the kiss. Alex didn't know what she would do without Alma or the children. As if on cue, the children swarmed them with a giant group hug. Alex threw her head back and laughed. She loved her giant family. Raoul, Dakota, Lillian, and James joined in causing Alma to laugh this time. After a few minutes of their large hug, everyone began to slowly pull away. "Children, While you are all here, we want to talk to you.", Alma said with her motherly tone. The children all agreed and sat down surrounding them. Alma reached out and intertwined her fingers with Alex's. Alex smiled over at her. "Children, as you all know, I am pregnant. This does not mean that we will spend less time with you. Yes, I have been in bed a lot but it is because pregnancy is a little hard on me. If you want to spend time with me then you are more than welcome too. When the baby comes we would be happy to have everyone to help out in any way you can. Babies can be a handful. We do not want anyone to feel left out of less important. We love you all the same and a new baby will not change that. If you feel like it is then pull on of us aside and tell us.", Alma said to the children sitting all around. They nodded in understanding. To Alex's relief, everyone had smiles on their faces. "When is the wedding?", Amelia called from the group. Alex smiled. "You girls can start working on the plans but it will not be until after the baby is born.", Alex answered before Alma could. Alma smiled over at her. The girls in the group giggled with glee. Claire jumped up. "Can we go swim before dinner??", she asked excitedly. Alex giggled and looked to Alma. Alma smiled. "Yes. Just be careful and do not go too far please.", she gave in quickly to her children. Alex laughed as they all sprinted inside to get their new bathing suits. Alma leaned into Alex. "Dakota!", Alex barked. He flinched a little but ran up to her. Raoul smiled at his daughter. She was fitting nicely into her Alpha position. "Watch them. Be their lifeguard.", Alex ordered firmly. He nodded and ran off to his boat. Alma giggled. Alex looked down at her with her eyebrow raised. Alma leaned up into her ear. "You ordering people around is sexy.", Alma whispered. Alex laughed and growled playfully at her. Alma kissed her cheek and walked off. Alex smirked as she walked. Alma knew exactly how to get to her. The children began running back outside. Dakota sat on the bow of his boat watching them as they ran to the water. As all of the children piled out to the water, Alex looked back to the door. Her throat went dry as she saw Alma come out in a proud bikini. She smirked as she walked passed Alex. Alex stared hard before joining her. Alex sat on a towel beside Alma in all her clothes. Alma giggled at her. The children laughed and played in the water. The ones that could swim better went a little deeper while the weaker swimmers stayed where they were able to touch the bottom. After a while of splashing and playing, Lillian called everyone into dinner. The children sprinted from the beach and up into the house as Alma and Alex walked slowly up. Alma was rubbing her belly softly. Alex smiled to herself. She noticed that this may be the most she has smiled in a long time. Alma made Alex incredibly happy. The children topped the cake. Soon they would all be an official family.