Page 21 of Xander
Liv was so familiar with her that she placed her hand over Frost’s stomach without asking.She felt a sense of calm as it washed over her from Liv’s touch, and she felt as though she could breathe for the first time since she spotted the bump.
“Where’s Xander?”
“I discovered the little bump on my millionth trip to the bathroom tonight.”She rolled her eyes, she couldn’t help it.“I didn’t want to disturb him because he’d been sleeping so soundly.”
Liv softened her gaze, sensing there was more to it and Frost cracked.“I don’t know if he wants me.He hasn’t claimed me, despite ample opportunities to do so, and he hasn’t told me how he feels.He keeps reminding me that we’re mates, but I haven’t shifted, so why would he want a defective mate in the first place?”
“Are you going to keep the baby from him?”
Frost gasped and shook her head until she felt a bit dizzy.“No, he’s the father.I would never do that.Even if he doesn’t want me, he’ll want him.”She choked on the last word and rubbed gentle circles on her belly.
Liv nodded, satisfied.“Although it’s been two weeks, he seems bigger than a normal baby, almost like he’s months old instead of weeks.May I lift your shirt?”
Frost nodded.But before Liv could move her shirt out of the way, the front door crashed against the wall and she flinched at the sound.Xander stomped through the entrance into the living room where they were sitting and stood in front of her.His eyes were both full of fear and anger, the anger currently winning over the other.
She lowered her head onto her hand and rubbed at her brow, groaning aloud.Fuck.She then remembered her promise not to leave Xander again.
Steeling herself, she glanced up and prepared herself for whatever he wanted to say to her.The anger that radiated from him had her moving her hands to the front of her belly, holding her little man protectively.
Xander paused and closed his mouth.His eyes followed her hands as they rubbed against her stomach.She watched as his eyes widened as he spotted the baby bump for the first time since he walked in.When he blew out a breath and ran a hand through his hair, all the anger and fear that marred his face when he arrived disappeared in an instant.
“Are you pregnant?”
She gritted her teeth as a pain that she didn’t know she could ever feel and still be alive ripped through her chest.He sounded less than happy at his realization and she braced herself for the actual rejection that was coming.“Yes.”
It completely shocked her when he dropped straight to his knees in front of her and wrapped his arms around her.He buried his head against her chest.He squeezed her close to him, but she had no idea what this meant.
She sensed more than heard Kai and Liv exit the room, but she continued to sit there on the couch.She was stunned by Xander’s reaction and as she tried to figure out what it meant, her mind kept blanking on the possibilities.Warmed by the embrace, she wanted to lean into him and hold him, but she held herself stiffly, prepared for anything he might say, whether hurtful or not.
After a long while, Xander raised his head and captured her lips in a kiss that wasn’t rushed, but instead was sweet and loving.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”His ragged voice reached her ears and she found herself sinking into his arms.His hold tightened as he continued.“I’ve always been cautious, it’s my nature, but I should have told you how I felt from the moment I brought you home.”
“How…”Her voice broke and she had to start again.“How do you feel?”
“I love you.I will always love you, for the rest of my existence.I wanted to claim you so many times, but my practical side kicked in and I knew I had to talk to you about what it meant, and it scared me to think that the knowledge would drive you away.But I did that with my stupidity.When I claim you, you will always carry my mark on you, and I want you to claim me as well.It means that I will kill for you, sacrifice my life for you.As long as you’re happy and whole, I will be happy, because you are my life now.”
His eyes were pleading as he looked at her, and she shook herself out of her stupor.
“I love you, too, Xander.I felt it the moment you came into my life.”
For a long time, they held each other’s gazes as he caressed her face.He kissed her and when he pulled back, he glanced down, but not before she spotted the sheer happiness on his face at the thought of a baby.
“Can I…touch…”
She grunted her displeasure at him asking in the first place and grabbed his wrists, yanking up her shirt with one hand and moving his opened hands over her belly.
Xander’s face lit up and she knew that he’d felt the same connection to their little man when he touched her.She could feel the vibration in her belly, a little bit like a burst of happiness, before it settled down into a hum.
“You’ve given me more than I could have ever expected.The moment you came into my life, you gave me a sense of peace I’ve never known, and a love that I could hardly believe I could find.But more than our connection, we share our baby.I promise, I will never hold anything back from you again.”
“I know.”Frost smiled and leaned forward to kiss him, a small touch of reassurance.“Are you going to claim me now?”
“Yes.That means our connection will be unbreakable.”
“But I’m…I haven’t shifted yet.What if I’m damaged in some way?”
“Every immortal is different.There is no normal.None of the immortals remember their transitions or much about the first few weeks after.You can’t compare shifters to other shifters, much less shifters to vampires.Take Ara.She’s brilliant with her telekinesis, which grew stronger after she transitioned, but it takes her close to twenty minutes to shift completely.Liv would rather heal than hurt, and each time Kai or the others go out on assignment, she’s a wreck.Aubrey had been a vampire of ten years before she met Seth and knew nothing about other immortals until she met us.
“You are who you are, sweetheart.Whether you shift or not, I’m in love with you and from now on, I will show you every day.Never taking you for granted.”
Tears pricked her eyes and she nodded.She blew out a breath and wrapped Xander in a hug.Once her tears dried, she pulled back and watched as Xander stood, offering his hand.
“We should have Liv look you over.”
She nodded and took his hand, smiling when he pulled her close.
“Please, don’t ever leave me again.If I’m being dense or a dumbass, just punch me in the face.Trust me, it would be less painful.”
Her cheeks heated with embarrassment and she nodded.“I promise.I won’t ever leave you.”
