25: THIRD TRIMESTER

THIRD TRIMESTER: 28 WEEKS

Marisol hadn't been able to read, really read, in years. She forgot how much she enjoyed the smell of books and how the words could fabricate images in her head. Of course, she could read braille before, but it wasn't quite the same. Ever since she had lost her sight, she gave up pleasure reading. But now? She wanted to enjoy all things she missed while she could.

Sitting on the window seat in the living room, yes a window seat she didn't know they had, she could feel a hand grace her back. She glanced at the arm and then smiled at the veins that popped up under his skin, Strangely, it was a turn on. She looked up at him, staring a bit longer, taking him in as he would disappear soon. Well, in fact he would. She wouldn't be able to see his beautiful dark eyes or stubble once her babies her born. She tried to ignore that. Tried to focus on the here and now. The happiness she felt from seeing again.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded. "Yes, why?"

He walked toward her feet, sitting down. "I thought what the doctor said might have...made you sad."

"I'm not. I deduced that my eyesight had something to do with being pregnant with werewolf babies," she smiled at him, noticing his dark pants and dark blue shirt. She swallowed, noticing how his shirt contained against his shoulders. She was attracted to him before she could see him; his personality made him the sexiest man to her. But after seeing him, she had to admit she would jump him if she could.

Wait could she?

"So what do you say?"

She shook her head, confused. "Huh?"

"I asked if you wanted to go shopping. For the babies, I mean, and something else."

"Oh, yes! I would love to. Should we invite the others too? I know your mom wanted to help pick colors and Abigail wanted to shop for maternity clothes. My clothes are getting so tight on me."

"We can ask them."

"Where are they? Can I ask them myself?"

"They're at their house."

"They have their own home?"

"Yes, but it's really close. We can walk."

Marisol immediately stood and tucked her book into her bag. She practically grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the house. She smiled as they walked through the trail. "I didn't realize that you really do live in a forest."

"Does it bother you?"

"No. It's beautiful."

"Would you mind living here? With me, maybe?"

Smiling, she shook her head, holding his hand in hers as she gazed above her up into the canopy. "Not at all. I'd live anywhere you wanted as long as you were there."

"While that is comforting, I want you to have a choice as well."

"I do," she said emphatically, "And I choose you." Marisol looked ahead, seeing the quaint cottage. Stones were leading to the entrance that was lined with lanterns and beautiful ferns. She could tell one of them worked hard on the landscape. As they climbed up onto the porch, Marisol knocked.

Carlisle opened the door. He smiled at them, especially at Marisol. "Come on in."

"Carlisle, your house is so pretty."

"Thank you, Marisol. I take it you're enjoying being able to see again."

"Of course," she said, smiling. "Now you really have no chance of beating me in chess."

She could hear Irabella's laugh come from the kitchen where he led them. Irabella immediately hopped off her stool and went to Marisol, hugging her. "Oh, sweetie, you're glowing! You've met Dr. Cal right?"

"Yes, this morning," she affirmed seeing the doctor sitting at the island. He stood up with a kind smile.

"Well, we have known him for years, you see, so we are quite close. I am so glad he was able to make it."

"Me too. He's really good."

"Yes," she agreed. "Anyway, to what do we owe the pleasure?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to go baby shopping, but you're busy I see."

"Actually," Dr. Callahan said. "I was just about to go."

"Oh, you could stay for a few more hours. I want something I want to discuss something with you anyway."

He nodded. "Of course, then."

"Then it's settled," Irabella said. "We can go out, get lunch, and get some shopping done!"

❥

Marisol listened to Abigail and Irabella talk about something, but she dazed off, watching the trees pass by. She looked back when they drove passed a sign that said 'open house.' It was in front of a lantern-mailbox that sat beside a metal gate. She couldn't see much, but she saw a long driveway leading up.

"Wait could we go back? Just for a second. That house is up for sale."

Marisol shut her door with a broad smile, seeing pillars leading to the front door. It was a beautiful home with a garden in the back and a roundabout. Its as surrounded by gorgeous trees that were filled with chirping birds. There was a large wraparound porch and upon entering the house, her smile widened.

The kitchen was elegantly modern with white fixtures and a black backsplash. The open landscape allowed her to have a view of the living room, dining room, and study. She couldn't help to think that this would be perfect to watch all her kids grow up in. Upstairs, there were five bedrooms with one master bedroom. The master had a connected bathroom and his and her walk-in closets. Attached was a beautiful balcony with ivy growing up the fence. In the backyard was an indoor pool and hot tub with a beautiful fence surrounding the trees. She wondered briefly how far they were from the pack. She wasn't paying attention.

Marisol walked into the library with a smug grin on her face.

"You love it."

She jumped from his voice. "I will never get used to your stealth and wolfy senses," she joked. "Its...nice," she lied. She loved it.

"It's outside of our territory."

"Oh," she sighed. "Well, that's okay. I didn't like it that much anyway."

Grey didn't believe her. Walking out of the house, Grey helped her in the car, but went to talk to Nolan. After a few minutes, he came back and drove away without Nolan.

"Wait what? Why isn't Nolan coming?"

"Let's just go shopping."

❥

"What are you two thinking? Are all of them going to share a room until they get older?"

Marisol looked at Abigail, unsure. "I'm not sure. We never thought about it, honestly."

"Well what do you prefer," Grey asked.

"I would like for them to share the same nursery and then have their own rooms once they get a little older. I think privacy is really important once you hit puberty."

"Then lets pick colors for the nursery and we could talk about the rest later. Do you know which room you would like for them?"

"Something close to us in the packhouse. Maybe down the hall? I have to look at the empty rooms. I don't think I want a lot of white. When I lose my eyesight I'll be a huge klutz again. And besides, babies make messes and white is so hard to clean. What about splitting their nursery into thirds. The girl could be in the middle and the two boys on the end. The boys' walls could have one color while the wall behind the girl's nursery could be an accent."

"You two haven't picked out names yet?"

"No," she said.

"Well, I think Abigail is pretty," Abigail joked.

"So what colors?"

"I don't know. What do you think Grey?"

Greyson was far too busy talking with his dad and Dr. Cal to hear what she asked. She rolled her eyes with a small smile. She grabbed some paint swatches before the ladies walked out and went into another store to get more maternity clothes. Marisol almost started crying when she realized she was too big for a lot of things.

Once picking out some clothes, they went to lunch. She was ravenous. When the waiter came, she couldn't hide her hunger anymore. "Can I get your chicken Alfredo with a side of French fries and a baked potato? And Oh! Could I get the Mac n cheese with some chips? I'll also have a coke–"

"Caffeine, Marisol," Grey chastised.

"Oh, come on, let the girl live! She can have a little caffeine."

"No, he's right. I'll just get a hot tea, then. But could I also have a slice of pizza with some of those garlic knot things?"

Marisol concluded her order and looked around the table, seeing everyone's eyes on her. "What?"

"Hungry, Marisol?" Abigail asked, grinning.

"Starving!"

"She is feeding for four," he reminded, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

Unedited again. I know I'm an ass.