A Baby for the Bear (Wylde Brothers 1)

15

Four weeks later

After Ary revealed her pregnancy to Charlie, which was already a month ago, a crazy thought every time it passed through her mind, everything had been going fantastic. He was attentive—overly so, in fact, but it was always welcome.

She couldn’t help but notice how territorial he was with her. Never had she been with a male who was like that, who seemed more animal than man, and she would be lying if she didn’t say it made her feel cherished and protected.

February had never realized how lonely she had been, even when she was with Frank or her other partners. They had been there with her, but not for her, and that was the major distinction between them and Charlie. It wasn’t just about the baby though. He talked to her and actually listened to what she had to say.

Even now, she remembered when Frank and she would have a conversation. He never paid attention to her and was certainly not interested in anything but himself.

Charlie conversed with her, responded to what she had to say, and focused solely on her. It was refreshing and made her realize exactly what she had been missing out on and the losers she let fill her life. He didn’t care that she had a few extra pounds, or that her belly wasn’t flat and her thighs were thick. In fact, he told her continuously that he loved her body and that she was healthy enough to carry his child.

He hadn’t been formally introduced to Melissa or Candace yet, and she hadn’t met his brothers. With her friends’ schedules taking them out of town for several weeks, and his brothers traveling from Sweet Water to Denver the last couple weeks for a new building project, there hadn’t been a right time for introductions.

That would change tonight though, because they had plans to go to Bram’s house later this evening, and she was taking Melissa and Candace with her.

Charlie picked her up, and they went to her first official doctor’s appointment—well, the one she considered official, since the time before had just been a confirmation that she was indeed pregnant. This one would allow them to find out the sex of the baby and if it would take after her or Charlie in regards to shifting.

Charlie seemed to be positive it would be a male bear shifter, but she couldn’t deny she was kind of hoping for a little girl. It didn’t matter the sex or who it took after, though, because in the end she just wanted a healthy baby.

“You getting excited?” Charlie reached across the seat and grabbed her hand. She nodded and couldn’t help but smile. “Me too, baby.” His own excitement was tangible, and his smile lit up his whole face. There was no denying he was one proud father, and that had her heartstrings tugging almost painfully.

Her belly was in knots, but in the good kind of way, and the further along she got in her pregnancy, the more she was anticipating the arrival of the baby.

She had four more months to go, and although she hadn’t felt any kicking or movement, she knew it would be coming and couldn’t wait.

He pulled the truck into an empty spot in front of the doctor’s office, and they climbed out. He grabbed her hand again, and she loved that he always had to be touching her. Since he went wild on her all those weeks ago, literally, she noticed he tamed down quite a bit.

Maybe it was because he was no longer fighting his bear for supremacy, and now the two were merged into one. Either way, she liked everything he gave her.

When they entered the small office, there were a few women seated in the chairs. Some had obvious round pregnant bellies. After she checked in and they sat down, Ary couldn’t help but notice the way the women stared at Charlie. Yes, he was certainly not a male to be missed, but wasn’t it obvious enough that they were together when he still had a hold of her hand and brought it up to his mouth to kiss her fingers?

The women were called back one at a time, and the longer she had to wait, the antsier she became.

“Calm down, kitten.” Charlie chuckled beside her. He was flipping through some Pregnancy 101 magazine, and that sight brought a smile to her face.

“February Felina?”

Her heart pounded a fast tattoo, and they both stood and followed the medical assistant into the back of the office. After being weighed, having her vitals taken, and asked to change into the standard paper gown, they were left to wait in the room for the doctor to arrive. Charlie started pacing, and it was her turn to speak and ease his nervousness.

“Calm down, Charlie.” He glared at her but plopped his big body into the tiny chair in the corner. The doctor arrived moments later with a sonogram machine and an assistant.