Broken Halves

Chapter Six

POV: Dani

I try to fight back the tears that seem ever present in my eyes as Jorden leads me into the hospital. I can't help but think that this should have been Cole whose arm I am grasping as we walk side by side into the hospital. Cole should have been the one who leads me to our child's first appointment. He should be here to watch his child grow, be born, and to hold them for the first time.

Despite my might, I can't stop the overwhelming emotion, and before I know it a single tear rolls down my cheek as the reality that Cole will never live out his dream settles over me for the first time since his death.

Jorden pulls me to his side and pulls my head down to rest on his shoulder, offering me his comfort. "Dani, I know I am not Cole, and I'm not trying to replace him, but you are not alone. I am here." His words calm the whirlwind in my heart and I find myself getting lost in his crystal blue eyes that shine with nothing but kindness.

Suddenly thankful, I raise my hand to settle over his where it lays on my shoulder and squeeze tenderly, "Jorden, I'm so very thankful that the child will have a father and I'm very glad it's you." Jorden's own eyes glisten with unshed tears but he only swallows deeply before he nods with a tight smile and opens the door for me.

"Alpha, Luna." The receptionist greets with a respectful head nod the moment we step through the doors into the pack hospital. Jorden greets the woman and a pit forms in my stomach as I can't help but compare the moment to one that mirrored it in the past; the only difference being the hair color of the man on my arm. This time, I am being accompanied by a brunette, not a blonde.

"We are here to see Ben." Jorden explains to the woman, his voice lulling me out of my head and refocusing my attention on the present. "We have an appointment for the child." Jorden further explains while placing a hand gently on my stomach where the child will grow for the majority of the next year.

The receptionist, whose name I have yet to learn, smiles before glancing at her computer. "You both are in room 4 Alpha, its right around the corner." Jorden nods before placing his hand on the small of my back and leading me in the direction indicated, "Thanks Mary." He of course, like Cole, knows the name, occupation, and history of every member in this pack

A few moments after we enter the room, Ben arrives. He is calm and one can tell that he is good at his profession. Judging by the aura that surrounds him, and my ability to relax just at this sight of the older doctor, he is doing exactly what he was meant to.

"How are you feeling Luna?" Ben greets while washing his hands in the sink. I find myself releasing a deep sigh and responding before the words even register in my mind, "Physically or emotionally?" Ben smiles sympathetically at me as he puts on blue gloves and approaches my side with a cart filled with various different items.

"If you don't mind taking a step back Alpha," Ben instructs causing Jorden to move to sit in the chair by the door. He is tense, and I know he is remembering my last baby. I smile at him reassuringly but my attention is soon diverted to Ben as he begins to speak, "Go ahead and lay down Luna and life your shirt please."

Once I am situated, Ben pulls a bottle from the cart and turns to me, "This might be cold." He then proceeds to a rub blue gel all over my abdomen. I shiver at the foreign substance but don't shy away as Ben moves the machine over and begins to wave a wand like tool from the cart over my stomach while looking at the ultrasound machine intensely.

"Well Luna," Ben speaks after many tense moments of silence, "I have to say baby number one is about three weeks along." He turns away from the screen to smile at me but my attention is solely on Jorden who is slowing growing tenser in his seat. I see his jaw clench and I know he is going to speak. I look down, the story of my first child is about to be shared for the first time.