"We can throw you a shower!" Mrs. Axley was practically bouncing. "Oh, this is so exciting!"
The offers kept coming. Help, gifts, advice, support. It was overwhelming in the best possible way.
After the meeting officially ended, people lingered. The potluck spread that always followed meetings became an impromptu celebration. Someone brought out sparkling cider for Zale. People kept coming up to us with stories about their own children and grandchildren,and we were given parenting advice that was both helpful and not.
"Sleep now while you still can." One man put his head close to mine.
"Don't listen to the books. Trust your instincts," a regular bakery customer advised.
"Make sure you have a good pediatrician lined up early."
"The first few weeks are brutal but it gets better."
"Enjoy every moment. They grow up so fast."
I listened to all of it, storing away the advice and was touched by how much everyone cared.
“Was it the right decision to tell everyone?" I pulled my mate aside from the throng of people around us.
"It absolutely was." He slung an arm around my waist. "I feel so welcomed."
"You two are going to be wonderful parents," Adrian told me after Zale was surrounded by a group of omegas discussing morning sickness. "This town watched you take over the bakery, Hawthorn, and make it your own. We're so glad you finally found someone." He grinned. "Your grandmother would be so proud."
The mention of my grandmother had me wiping away tears and dredging up memories. "Thank you."
"We'll be here for you. That's what the community's for.”
I nodded because I didn’t trust my voice not to crack.
Across the room, my mate caught my eye and smiled. We were building a family. And we weren't doing it alone.
Eventually, people started heading home. But not before Mrs. Trent pressed a bag of homemade baby booties into Zale'shands. She told us she’d made them last week just in case. Benjamin forwarded us crib photos, and at least six people promised to drop off various baby items at the bakery.
We walked home hand in hand through the quiet streets. The bakery lights were off but framing the windows were fairy lights my mate had put up at Christmas, insisting they stay there all year.
"People are so sweet. And to think when I got off the bus on my first day, I thought it was a place to pass through or to stay a while until I gathered my thoughts."
"I hope you were okay with all the attention. The community can come on a bit too strong sometimes."
"No. They were amazing." His eyes crinkled at the corners and he snuggled up to me. "I never had that growing up. Now I have people being happy and excited about my life."
"You absolutely do.”
"We do," he corrected me and pressed a hand to his stomach. "All three of us."
I pulled him close and kissed him on the sidewalk under the streetlights, hoping my kiss expressed the gratitude and love I couldn’t put into words.
When we finally pulled apart, I rested my forehead against his. "I love you."
"I love you too." He grinned. "And I think our pup is very lucky because they have people who love them before they're born."
"Yeah." I thought about all the offers of help and support.
We climbed the stairs to our apartment and placed the bag of baby booties on the kitchen counter.It was evidence that this wasn't just something we were thinking about. It was happening in seven months, give or take, and we’d be parents with a pup.
"I have a confession." Zale climbed into bed beside me. “I’m worried I won’t be a great dad because I didn’t have good examples growing up."
Pulling him close, I rested my chin on his head."I’ve seen you with the kids who come into the bakery and how you charm them and make them feel special by remembering something they told you on their last visit."
