Page 89 of Heatwaves

“Why are you crying?”

“Lila?”

“Mrs. Riley?”

The last one comes from Ty as he stares at my mom. Glancing over my shoulder, I see tears streaming down her cheeks and she smiles. Idon’t think I’ve ever seen her happier or more beautiful than in this moment.

“I just found out some great news…and some mostly great news? I think I’m still in shock, but this should be good news, I think.“ I prattle on as my guys stare back at me. I cut myself off and return their stares.

“And are you going to share the good news?” Wyatt asks with a grin, but I can tell he’s still worried from the pinched line on his forehead.

I nod slowly, only relaxing when Mom comes up and takes my hand in hers. It gives me the strength I need to tell them.

“I’m going to be a big sister!” I yell before rushing to tell them the rest of it. “And we’re pregnant. Well, I guess I’m the one pregnant, but we’re having a baby.”

My announcement is followed by a moment of silence that has dread building in my stomach.

“We’re having a baby?” Ty asks, already moving toward me. “We’re going to be parents?”

“Yes.” I nod, still unsure how they’re going to take this.

A smile breaks out on Ty’s face as he tears up. “This is the happiest day of my life.”

Then he’s kissing me, my stomach finally settling. When we pull apart, we’re both grinning like idiots as tears run down our faces.

At least one of them is happy. If the others aren’t, it’ll be okay because Ty will be there. As long as one of them will be at my side, I can do this.

Then everyone is talking at once, and I’m being moved from one set of happy mate’s arms to the next. I’m smothered in kisses, hugs, and happiness.

I think I agree with Ty. This is the happiest day of my life, too.

Once we’ve settled down, Mom wraps her arm around my waist and rests her head against my shoulder. “It seems we have two announcements to make tonight instead of just one. Thanks for taking some of the pressure off me.”

“Are you announcing your pregnancy tonight?” I ask her, seeing the worry in her eyes as she nods. “Don’t worry, Mom. Everyone will be ecstatic about it, but I’ll happily allow you to throw me under the bus to distract them.”

Mom bursts out laughing. “You don’t have to announce it tonight. The six of you just foundout…”

“And you’re seriously stressing out,” Wyatt says, cutting her off. “I’m not going to be able to keep my big mouth shut either way, so we might as well tell everyone when you make your announcement.”

The rest of my mates give their agreement, and I love the way Mom’s shoulders relax. “I have the best son-in-laws.”

“You’re damn right you do,” Wyatt crows, sweeping in to wrap his arm around my mom’s shoulders before leading her from her room. “Now, let’s get these announcements over with so I don’t spill the beans.”

The rest of my mates trail behind them until it’s just me and Aidan standing there. “Are you happy, kitten?”

“So, so happy.”

We stand there grinning at one another until Carter calls for us from downstairs. I guess it’s showtime.

Who doesn’t want to announce their pregnancy to their entire family all at once?

I shake my head, but I know I’ll be fine because I have my mates at my side.

Standing at the front of the crowd, my pod and I wait for our mate to join us. It’s been six months since we found out that Lila was pregnant, and I swear she grows more beautiful with each day that passes—even when she complains that she feels like a beached whale.

I grin when my eyes fall on Ty’s new mate mark—well, both of his new mate marks. Each of us has a new mate mark that matches one of his. We decided as a pod to mark one another last night. While it was custom to wait untilafterthe bonding ceremony, the six of us aren’t exactly traditional.

Carter, Oliver, Ty, and I had marked one another years ago, but last night Lila had marked each of us, including the incubus, since they’veonly had a one-way bond since he bit her all those months ago. Then we’d marked Lila before watching Ty take Wyatt’s mark as well.

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