Chapter 32

Zac's point of view“You're 50 sweet," Lauren says, as I walk into our place with breakfast. She is having a hard time with some smells becausof her pregnancy. “Food aversion’ is what they call it. Bacon is the worst for her because the smell is so strong but she isalso grossed out by other random things all of a sudden like ham, salami, milk, and even coffee because she usually putsmilk in her coffee. I told her I would scratch her versions off of all menus from the packhouse kitchen but she denied msaying everyone loves bacon for breakfast, she wouldn't be the reason everyone has to suffer.She doesn't know, but I did talk to the kitchen staff already. I like our private breakfasts but I don’t want Lauren to have tstay out of the kitchen for every meal. She is about to be the Luna, plus people are going to want to see her. So I told thekitchen staff no bacon is to be cooked or used after breakfast. So no BLTs for lunch and no ham or bacon-wrappedanything for dinner.She opens up her container, and as soon as she sees her waffles she’s beaming. Just a little syrup, extra whipped creamwith berries on the side, just like she likes it. She leans over to give me a pleased kiss. We eat our breakfast and discuss tevents of today.Today is the big day. Lauren's friend Sadie will be flying in, and getting here around 12:30 pm, and we are doing our lunch1 pm. “I called the caterer and told them to get rid of the prosciutto-wrapped asparagus. I figured we might be saferwithout it”“00h good call, babe. I didn't even think about that,” she nods approvingly.“You're already doing such a good job of taking care of us,” she leans over and gives me another kiss. I love that she thinkI am because I feel so helpless in all of this. I hate to see her sick, and if I can do anything to make her feel better then Iwill. Gladly.“Anything for you and baby," I admit, and give her flat stomach a rub. “I can't wait until you're showing.” She smiles at thiand agrees.When we are finished eating we decide to take a look at the progress in the basement. The contracting company startedyesterday. I was able to get them to start so soon by explaining the scope of work I need to be done now and in the futurThe basement is about 10,000 square feet, plus we have some cosmetic stuff to do to get the gym ready, and after that, Iam going to need more houses built. 'm thinking about building an apartment complex on the pack lands as well forsingles. Eventually, I want to have a large hall built as well. Kids can use it in the winter for sports, and we can have a bighall available for events.For the amount of construction work I need to be done, it would take too long if I just stuck to one contracting company,I have 2.When we get into the basement I can see quite a bit of framing has been put up. It's coming along, and we're bothimpressed.Lauren's Point of View“Babe, are you almost ready? Jack is going to be here in the next 10 minutes,” Zac asks me. I walk out of my closet, “Whatyou think of the paper bag pants?” I ask.“Paper bag?"“Yeah, that's what they're called. What do you think of them?” I ask, and do a little turn. They're an olive colour and I'mwearing a black bodysuit with small frills at the shoulders.“You look awesome. You always do," he assures me.“Are you sure? Maybe I should wear a dress instead for lunch?” 1 ask. I never ask Zac's opinion on my clothing choices, buthere is a lot of pressure to make a good impression on the people that Zac cares about.“You look, awesome baby. Are you nervous?”“Yes! I am going to be meeting some really important people to you. I want to make a good impression, and I want them tlike me,” I admit. I feel like I already started on the wrong foot, considering some of them went to battle for me already.“There's nothing to not like. They'll love you,” he assures me and pulls me into a hug. I hold him close and breathe hisdelicious scent in.“KNOCK KNOCK*“That's gotta be them, let's go,” Zac says, and lays a hand on my back and we make our way to the door. Zac opens the doand I see Jack, in one arm he has the most beautiful little blonde-haired blue-eyed cutie, and in the other, he’s holding acar seat with a teeny tiny baby.Beside him is his wife Lexi, who is very beautiful, and she's carrying a big diaper bag.“Hil Come on in," Zac and I say, and Zac grabs the car seat from Jack.“Lauren this is Lexi, and you've met Jack. This is Molly, and this little guy is Enzo,” Zac introduces. Lexi pulls me into a hug“It's 50 nice to finally meet you,” she says.“It's 50 nice to meet you too. I feel like I know ya'll, because I've heard so much about you. Its nice to see you again, Jack.“Good to see you too,” he smiles.“Hi, Molly! It's nice to finally meet you. I love your pretty blue dress, you look beautiful” She smiles and waves to me.“I can't believe how big he's getting,” Zac says while looking at baby Enzo in his car seat.“I know, it's crazy," Lexi chuckles.“Here, want me to get him out of there so you can hold him, Zac?" Lexi asks.“Sure, although I think Lauren is going to want him first," he chuckles. Lexi unbuckles him and then hands him to me.“Oh my gosh, he's so little... And he's so precious,” I gush. “You guys did good!”Lexi smiles at me and then looks to Jack and he’s looking at her with so much love and pride. They're really cute togethertoo. I look to Zac, and he's beaming at me and rubs my back. “I can't wait,” Zac smiles.“Can't wait for babies?” Lexi asks.I look to Zac, and he gives me a look and I know he’s asking if he can tell them. I nod.“Yeah, Lauren's actually pregnant’ Zac says with the proudest smile.“Congratulations man,” Jack says and pulls him into a hug.“Congratulations! I am so happy for you both,” Lexi adds.“Thank you!"jack and Lexi came early, and Lunch isn't for another hour and a half, so we sit in the living room. Zac gets coffee foreveryone, and some juice for Molly, and we put on some Paw Patrol while we chat and get to know each other better. Jackand Lexi are adorable together, and their kids are just the sweetest. I was nervous at first, but I should have known if theywere so close with Zac, I had nothing to worry about.Finally, at 12, my Mom and Julien show up, then Jenny and Malcolm, and Paul. Soon Kyle, Jack's gamma, and Zac's long-timfriend shows up. The caterers are busy in the kitchen preparing lunch, and we're in the family room with everyone. It's sonice to have so many of our people here with us. As s00n as Sadie gets here, we can start. I decide to text her,Me; ETA?Sadie: Just pulling into my parent's place. Dropping off my bag, and then heading over.Me: I'll send Julien to pick you up, so you don't get lost.Sadie: Thanks.“Julien, could you get Sadie? She's at her parent's place. She's heading over now,” I ask.“Of course!” he answers and leaves.I let the caterers know that we'll be ready in 15 minutes to eat, and soon Julien is bringing Sadie in. I jump up, and we wrzour arms around each other.“I missed you” I say as we squeeze each other tightly.“Me too!”Then all of a sudden I hear her gasp, and her arms fall to her side. I move back and look to see what's the matter, and sheisn't looking at me. She's looking behind me. I turn, and Kyle, Jack's Gamma, is standing there in just as much of a state 0shock as Sadie.“Mate” Kyle says, and Sadie smiles wide, and walks to him. They have this awkward quiet moment, and 1 break it. “Kyle, this my best friend Sadie, Sadie, this is one of Zac's friends from his old pack," I explain.Neither of them looks at me, and they just smile at each other.“Hi” Kyle says.Hi" Sadie responds, and even though her back is to me, I can hear by her tone that she is smiling and she’s so happy. Thwhole room is quiet, and watching them.“Lunch will be ready in 10 minutes, if you both want a few minutes alone, you can go to the library," I point to ouroffice/library.“Thanks,” Kyle says and extends a hand to Sadie. She takes it, and they escape to the library for a minute alone, to getacquainted.I am so excited my best friend found her mate, and so close to me. Black Moon is just half an hour away. We could gettogether all the time. Although she just started college, that might be difficult to navigate. Maybe she could get a transfercloser. She wants to be a nurse, and she just started her first year.zac immediately pulls me close, “I didn't see that coming.”“I know, I'm super excited though. Kyle seems nice and Sadie is the best," I admit.We all chat until lunch is ready, and then I ask Jack to mind-link Kyle, so we don’t have to disturb them physically.When Kyle and Sadie come back to the kitchen her lips are pink and swollen, and she has a hickey on her neck, and Kyle"hair looks messy. I just smile at Zac and don't say a word.The caterer’s layout the large spread, and we all take a seat.“Before we all eat, we would like to make an announcement,” I say, and nod to Zac to continue. Zac smiles at me, holdingme close.“Lauren's pregnant,” he says, and everyone is so excited. The only people who knew are Jack, Lexi and Jenny. We get plentof congratulations, and my Mom is ecstatic.“I told you I was on it,’ Zac says to my Mom, and she winks at him. I don't know what that was about.Lunch was delicious, and we had such a great afternoon together.

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