By The Full Moon's Light

Epilogue~ Pack Is Strength

Melody's POV

"I hate you," I sighed, flopping down on the couch.

"No, you don't," Steve smiled, wrapping an arm around my rapidly growing midsection. "You're just uncomfortable because of the pregnancy."

"Yeah. The pregnancy you caused. Therefore, I hate you."

"You can hate me all you want, but you are stuck with me," Steve whispered lovingly in my ear, rubbing the bonding mark on my neck.

"I didn't say I wanted to be rid of you. I simply said I hated you for putting me through this bullshit."

"Do you need to take a nap?"

"No. I need to shift. Something that you have taken away from me for the time being."

"I'm sorry about that, Doll. You gotta believe that I am."

"I know you are. I just like making you feel bad."

"Me and the rest of our huge pack," Steve rolled his eyes.

"I can't help it! It's the only enjoyment I get out of life anymore."

"The only enjoyment? Because that's not what it sounded like to me last night." I purred at the memory.

"It's the most consistent enjoyment. There, does that make you happy?" I asked.

"What would make me happy is you giving birth to our son."

"Steve, I am telling you, we are having a girl."

"Nope. I'm 100% sure it's a boy." Steve and I had agreed to not find out the sex of our pup, but in doing so we argued about it a lot. But I couldn't shake the feeling that there was a little girl growing in my womb. Steve heavily disagreed and thought there was a baby boy inside of me.

"You are not going this baby inside of you. You do not have a connection to the pup yet. You don't get a say," I reminded him for the umpteenth time. Sometimes, I worried about him thinking I was annoying. But then I remembered that he put a baby inside of me and it was going to be Hell to get it out. So if he thought I was annoying, it was his own fault.

"If you are so uncomfortable, why don't you take a nap? Relax a little?: Steve asked, pulling me onto his lap. I think he forgot that I didn't weigh 150 pounds anymore.

"Steve, I am going to crush your family jewels," I whined.

"No, you're not. You say that every time I do this and yet, here we are. My family jewels are fine.

"Yeah for now. Just wait until our daughter arrives."

"You mean our son."

No. I don't."

Timeskip

Melody's POV

"I really fucking hate you!" I screeched for the millionth time, gripping Steve's hand. "I thought you loved me! Why the fuck would you put me through this is you loved me?" I had been verbally abusing my Mate for the last hour and a half but he hadn't complained once. He had agreed with me on everything I said and had let me nearly break his fingers the whole time. I knew that once this was over, I'd apologize and thank him until my voice left me. But that time hadn't come yet. So instead I was dehumanizing him. But to be fair, I was pushing a watermelon out of my vagina, I deserved to be upset.

"Even with the drugs, I can feel everything. And it all reminds me how much I hate you," I glared at Steve.

"I know, baby, I know. This is all my fault. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Just remember what's on the other side for us, ok?" Steve said, keeping his voice low. He had learned quickly that I did not like it when his voice was normal volume. I had started throwing things at him. But when his voice was low, it calmed me, even if it was only a little bit. But every bit helped.

"You look so beautiful, Melody. And you're doing such a good job. It'll be over soon, baby girl. I promise. It'll be over soon." He was right. It only took another hour before our pup finally exited my womb.

"I told you she was a girl," I whispered sleepily, holding my baby girl against my chest.

"Yes, you did. Why did I ever doubt you?" Steve asked, the biggest smile on his face.

"Because you're programmed to oppose me at every turn. It's ok, it's not your fault. And Steve? I'm sorry for being such a bitch to you for so long. I didn't mean it," I said, tears in my eyes. It had occurred to me just how awful I had been. It wouldn't surprise me if he left me for it. He deserved so much better.

"I know you didn't baby. It's ok. I forgive you. But what are you going to name our little Princess?"

"Shadina. Shadina Kassidy Rogers. Shadow for short," I answered.

"It suits her," Steve said, picking her up. "Hello, Shadow. I'm your daddy."

Timeskip

Steve's POV

"She's precious," Bucky cooed while Melody held our pup.

"If you try to serenade mt daughter, I will rip your head off and no one is going to replace it with a metal one, do I make myself clear?" Melody said, glaring at Bucky.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Now would you like to hold her?"

"I don't wanna hurt her."

"And you won't. Be firm, she might as well be a cute worm right now," Melody said, situating Shadow in Bucky's arms. "See? She's fine." Shadow giggled and cooed at Bucky.

"I would die to protect her. If she needs anything, you come straight to me," Tony said, watching my baby closely.

"We would all die to protect her," Pepper said, smacking Tony's head.

"Yeah, but-"

"No buts. Any of us would give our lives for that little girl," Nat said and I smiled.

"How is my Goddaughter?" Colin asked, dragging Luca into the living room.

"She's fine, Colin," Melody rolled her eyes.

"Oh, she's perfect. But you look like you got hit by a train. You take a nap," Colin said.

"I had a baby!"

"No, you had an angel. And I thank you for your service, but we got her. Get some beauty sleep, because you need it."

"I think you look stunning," I said, pulling Melody onto my lap.

"Steve, you're biased," Colin said and Tony snickered. I loved having moments like that with my pack. Colin and Tony fussing over the baby, everyone just relaxing. It was perfect.

As Colin and Tony were the Godparents, they fussed over Shadow almost every day. And everyone knew from an early age that my baby girl was an Alpha-leaning Beta. She observed everything, but she wasn't scared to get in a fight if she had too. And Melody and I couldn't be more proud of her. Of our family. Of our pack. Because pack is strength. What more needs to be said?