The Polar Bear's Baby (Honeypot Babies Book 1) by Sophie Stern Page B

you.”
    “Don’t you want to know who the father is?”
    “Sure, if you’re ready to tell me.”
    “It’s Aidan,” I say. Surely this will elicit some sort of reaction.
    “I stand by my earlier congratulations,” he says. “Aidan is a great guy, Mia. I hope you two are really happy together. You’re going to make wonderful parents.”
    And then it hits me.
    Then it really hits me.
    I’m going to be a mother.
    I knew this before. I’ve known it for a little while now, but suddenly, it’s like it sinks in.
    I’m going to be somebody’s mother.
    “I’m going to have a baby,” I say. Then I burst into tears. Richard is right there with me, hugging me, holding me. He whispers that everything is going to be okay. He whispers how proud he is of me for handling everything so well. He promises he’s going to be there every step of the way. He tells me I’ve got this. I can do this.
    I’m going to be a mom.
    “No matter what happens, I will always be here for you.”
    “How did you get to be so cool?” I ask through my tears. “You’re the big brother. Aren’t you supposed to get mad or angry on my behalf or something? Aren’t you supposed to give me some sort of ‘safe sex’ talk?”
    “Would me doing any of those things make you feel better?”
    “Well, no.”
    “Does me being supportive make you feel better?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then there you go. Mia, there will be people who don’t like that you’re pregnant. People will tell you that you’re too young, that it’s a mistake, that you should give your child up for adoption. There are people who won’t like that you’re human while Aidan is a shifter. There will be all sorts of people, but nobody’s opinion matters but yours.”
    “I’m nervous. I don’t know anything about being a mother,” I admit. “And my baby is probably going to be a shifter, Rich. What if I’m no good at being a mom to a shifter baby?”
    “Even if your baby is a shifter, he or she won’t be able to transform for awhile. You know that, right?”
    “Yeah.”
    “So you’ll have a little bit of time to get ready. You’ll have some prep time.”
    I pull back from the hug and reach for the milkshake. Suddenly, I’m starving and I’m not sure if it’s because this huge weight has been lifted. I told my brother the truth and he was fine.
    Everything was fine.
    “Thank you,” I finally say to him. Then I notice he’s got more breakfast sandwiches and I reach for one, hoping I’ll be able to handle it without puking. “Hey,” I ask, motioning toward the bag. “Why’d you bring so much food? Even with the two of us, that’s a lot of sandwiches.”
    “Oh,” Richard says with a twinkle in his eye. “Didn’t I mention? Aidan says he’ll be here at nine.”

Chapter 14
     
    Aidan
     
     
    Our first night together in my house – our house – is a rainy one. The storm rages outside, but Mia and I are warm and safe inside. Most of all, we’re together. My girl is finally home.
    “Whew,” she peers out the front window. “I’m glad we got all the boxes inside before it started to rain.”
    “Same,” I say, coming up beside her. I drape my arm over her shoulder and pull her closer to myself. “You smell like cupcakes.”
    “Maybe that’s because you kept feeding me,” she laughs. “Seriously, I don’t think I’ve had that many cupcakes in my life. Not ever.”
    “I’m going to spoil you all the time.”
    “I look forward to that.”
    “How are you feeling tonight?” I press my hand to her belly. She hasn’t felt the baby move yet and neither have I. It’s still too early for that, but I can’t keep my hands off her. I’m so anxious to see our cub, so excited to see what our little baby looks like. Every time I touch her, I get a mental image of our sweet little family.
    “Good. Happy. Tired.”
    “I’m glad you’re here.”
    “Me, too. I’m still a little emotionally exhausted over talking with Richard.” After I showed up at her