But tonight was different. Zale's hand was warm in mine and we had news to share.
"You're sure about this?" I asked as we paused outside. "It's still early. We could wait a few more weeks."
"I'm sure." He squeezed my hand. "They're our family now, and I want them to know."
The words “our family” had a quiet warmth settling around my heart.
We walked in together and the room quieted. That wasn’t unusual because people always noticed when someone arrived. But tonight was different. Maybe it was the way Mrs. Trent's eyes lit up when she saw us. Or how Benjamin nudged Margand whispered something. Or the knowing smile on half a dozen faces.
In small towns, everyone always knew more than you thought they did.
"Hawthorn! Zale!" Adrian Read, our mayor, called from the front. "Glad you could make it. Find a seat because we're about to start."
We settled into chairs near the middle. The usual business began and the mayor rattled off details about upcoming road repairs, the summer festival planning committee, and a proposal for new streetlights on Main Street. I only half-listened. My attention kept drifting to Zale beside me and the barely-there curve of his stomach that only I could see. My mate was carrying our pup and I had to hold back tears so no one would ask me why I was crying.
"Any other business?" the mayor asked after forty minutes of discussion.
This was it. The moment where people shared personal news such as engagements, new businesses, family visiting, or anything the townspeople might want to know.
Zale looked at me and raised a brow. I nodded and stood up. Every head in the room turned to look at me.
"I have something to share." My voice came out steady, despite the churning in my belly.
"Go on." The mayor waved his hand, encouraging me to stand up.
I pulled my mate to his feet beside me and gripped his hand.
"Zale and I—" I paused, looking around the room at the familiar faces. These were people I'd been feeding for a decade and who'd watched me work non-stop. There were some who pushed me to go after Zale when I'd been too scared. "We're going to have a baby."
For a heartbeat, there was silence before the room erupted.
Mrs. Trent let out a shriek of joy. People started clapping and others were openly crying while the major was beaming. People surged forward, surrounding us with congratulations and hugs.
"I knew it!" Mrs. Trent grabbed Zale and pulled him into a fierce hug. "I saw you making all those teddy bear cookies and I thought, that boy is nesting."
"How far along are you?” someone asked.
"About six weeks," my mate replied. A soft flush spread over his cheeks.
"That's wonderful! Congratulations!"
"When are you due?"
"Have you thought about names?"
"Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?"
The questions came fast and I glanced at my mate, hoping being the center of attention wasn’t overwhelming him.This was different from his family's cold formality. We were around people who cared about him and us.
"Everyone, let them breathe!" Adrian laughed. "They probably don't have all the answers yet."
The crowd eased back a little but people kept coming up to shake my hand and to hug Zale.
"My daughter hasbaby clothes her kids outgrew," one woman told us. "I'll bring them to the bakery."
"I'm knitting a blanket," Mrs. Trent announced. "It'll be done before the baby comes."
"I've got a crib in my attic." Benjamin pulled up a pic on his phone. "It's solid wood. My kids used it but you're welcome to it."
