Chapter 143: Chapter 143
Epilogue
My breath caught. We’d considered that name but never decided. Now, looking at our son, it was perfect.
"Alexander Richard," I agreed.
"Alexander." Christian kissed our son’s forehead. "Welcome to the world, buddy."
After I was cleaned up and moved to recovery, Diana let Marcus and Eleanor come in.
Eleanor burst into tears the moment she saw Alexander. "Oh, he’s beautiful. Sophie, you did so well."
Marcus clapped Christian on the shoulder. "Congratulations, man. He’s perfect."
They took turns holding Alexander carefully, like he might break. Eleanor couldn’t stop crying. Marcus kept blinking suspiciously fast.
"The pack’s going to lose their minds," Marcus said.
Christian stepped outside, where apparently half the pack had gathered. His voice was thick with emotion.
"Sophie delivered a healthy baby boy. His name is Alexander."
The pack erupted. Cheering, howling—several people actually shifted and howled properly. The celebration echoed through the whole territory.
I could hear it from the recovery room and smiled, holding Alexander close.
That night, alone in the recovery room with Alexander sleeping in his bassinet, Christian and I were too amazed to sleep.
"I can’t stop looking at him," I whispered.
"Me neither." Christian touched Alexander’s tiny hand. "He’s so perfect."
"We made him."
"We made him." Christian looked at me. "I’ve never been more proud of anyone or loved anyone more than I love you and Alexander right now."
My eyes filled with tears. "Same."
Two days later, Diana cleared us to go home. Christian drove so carefully I thought we might never actually get there. I sat in the back next to Alexander’s car seat, unable to stop watching him sleep.
The packhouse entrance was decorated with banners and balloons. Elder Margaret had prepared enough food for a month. Emma brought a handmade baby blanket. Everyone wanted to meet Alexander, but Diana enforced strict visiting hours.
Three weeks later, I sat in the nursery at 2 AM, feeding Alexander while Christian slept on the floor—he’d fallen asleep mid-diaper change and never made it back to bed.
I looked around at the sage green walls, the furniture Christian built, and the peaceful quiet of our home.
Less than a year ago, I’d arrived at Shadow Ridge scared and uncertain. Now I had a mate who loved me completely, a perfect baby boy, and a pack family who supported us through everything.
I looked down at Alexander’s tiny face, his eyes closed while he ate, and felt overwhelmingly grateful.
Christian stirred and woke up. He immediately came to sit beside the rocking chair, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. We both watched Alexander together.
"I love you," Christian whispered.
"Love you too."
Alexander finished eating, and Christian took him to burp while I watched with a full heart.
This was our family. Our future. Our happily ever after.
Not because everything was perfect or easy, but because we had love and each other and this beautiful baby boy.
Christian placed Alexander back in his crib and pulled me close. "Ready for bed?"
"In a minute." I wanted to watch Alexander sleep a little longer.
We stood together, arms around each other, looking down at our son.
"Thank you," Christian said quietly. "For everything. For staying. For loving me. For giving me him."
"Thank you for being exactly who you are." I leaned my head on his shoulder. "For showing me what love really means."
Alexander made a tiny sound in his sleep, and we both smiled.
This was it. This was everything.
Our new beginning.
And it was more beautiful than I ever imagined possible.
Christian’s phone buzzed on the dresser. He ignored it, focused on Alexander.
It buzzed again. And again.
"You should check that," I said reluctantly.
He sighed and grabbed it, keeping one arm around me. Then he smiled—actually smiled.
"What?"
He turned the phone so I could see.
A text from Diana: *I just wanted to say congratulations again. You two will be wonderful parents. Also, FYI—I am planning a pack celebration for Alexander next week. Prepare accordingly. PS—He’s adorable.*
I laughed. "A pack celebration?"
"Of course." Christian kissed my forehead. "He’s the Alpha’s son. The pack will want to celebrate properly."
"Do we have to?"
"Afraid so." He pulled me closer. "But we’ll survive it together. Like we survive everything."
"Okay." I whispered.
Alexander slept peacefully in his crib, completely unaware of the pack celebration being planned in his honor or the family who already loved him more than anything.
This was home.
This was family.
This was love.
And it was ours—forever.
THE END
