Page 6 of His Treasured Mate

They both jumped and then Elise slowly picked up the phone.

“What the hell Lil? You've been eavesdropping the entire time?”

“It's not eavesdropping when you leave the call running,” Thomas said.

“Thomas is there too?”

“Hi Aunt E,” Lilah said as she grabbed the phone and waved at her.

“We're really excited to be getting a new cousin,” Audrey yelled.

“The whole family is watching this moment?” she asked.

“Sorry, but there was no way I was going to miss this. But really? This isn't your first time getting pregnant?”

She sighed, and I knew the heavy weight she was carrying. I knew it far too well.

“No, it's the fourth actually, but the others were a long time ago.”

“But why didn't you say something? Why didn't you tell me?”

“I know how devastated you were when you miscarried. Then each time you got pregnant, you were so paranoid and worried. I didn't want to contribute to that stress. I've never told anyone except Patrick.”

“Then why wouldn't you tell him this time? Why did I have to bully you into talking to him?”

“We made it to almost ten weeks the last time. That was about seven years ago, just after you'd had Cammie. We were so hopeful, and it just didn't happen. I’m still not convinced I'm meant to be a mother, and I didn't want to get his hopes up again.”

A lump formed in my throat. I'd waited until I was past the eight-week mark to tell Thomas about Cammie because of the very same thing.

“I'm sorry I wasn't there for you.”

“Don't be. I didn't let you.”

“Well, I'm sorry all the same. And I'm sorry I bullied you into telling Patrick before you were ready.”

“I was ready. I think I just needed that little bit of a push. I've been really sick this time and overly emotional. It's never been like this before. Lucy says everything is progressing well.” She looked at her mate with obvious love shining between them. “Tomorrow we'll know for sure. I've debated on telling you until after the confirmation, but I would really like you to be there with me. If everything's okay, we'll get to see a healthy little baby in the making.”

They kissed, and I knew it was time to give them their privacy.

“Can we watch too?” Willa asked hopefully.

“Not this time, peanut,” Thomas told her.

“You will call the second you know regardless of the outcome. Promise me, Elise.”

“I promise, Lil. And thanks for everything.”

Before the call ended, I saw Patrick kneel down and kiss her stomach, which made me cry all over again.

“Why don't you girls go outside and play?” Thomas suggested.

“Can we walk to the Alpha house?” Cammie asked.

“I am sure your grandparents would love that.”

“Yes! Come on guys. I bet Grandma will make us cookies.”

The four of them left us alone and Thomas wrapped me up in his arms and held me close as I cried, mourning the child we'd lost once more, but also the nieces or nephews that I hadn't known could have been.