Page 205 of Fated to the Hunters
“It is.”
“It’s so cute.”
With Mateo having chosen an outfit and nursing pillow, Ezra was the last to choose a pair of shoes—black, of course.
Back home, Scarlett’s fatigue got the better of her and with a little food in her stomach, she disappeared upstairs to catch up on some much-needed sleep. Vince followed, stealing a few quiet moments with her and leaving Ezra and Mateo to their work out.
“I like Matilda, but doyouhave a good feeling about her?” Mateo asked after a while.
“Yes, she’ll do good.”
“Scarlett seemed to feel good in her presence too. Would you like us to be present during the birth?”
Ezra halted in the movement of grabbing his next weight. He hadn’t thought that was an option. Now that Mateo had given it, he didn’t know if he should take it. But it wasn’t just about him. He paused for a moment, thinking about what Scarlett would want. “We would love to have you there.”
Mateo’s joy over his answer was actually rather pleasing. Ezra had always known Mateo would be okay with Scarlett havingboth their children, but feeling how much he anticipated it—no matter whose child—was mind boggling.
“I don’t think I’ll be much help,” Ezra admitted, the words leaving his mouth before he could stop them.
Mateo laughed and shook his head. “I don’t believe any of us will be much help. Let’s just hope we don’t run around like headless chickens. I’m counting on Matilda to help us.”
Ezra stared at Mateo and the overwhelming feeling of gratitude and love towards his friend—no,brother—wasn’t anything he had been prepared to feel.
“You’re too sweet, Ezra. But Scarlett’s pregnancy is making you soft and I’m not sure how I can handle two emotional softies at once.”
“Fuck you too.”
Mateo gave him a wink and blew him a rather sassy kiss, instantly banishing the new, fluttery feeling.
Chapter Sixty-Five
Vince
Eight Months Later
Scarlett had been waddling up and down the stairs for hours, trying to keep her contractions going. She’d felt them on and off for a few days now, but every time she’d thought labour would finally begin, they ebbed away again. They’d been damned to sit down on the couches and watch, with Mateo keeping Matilda in the loop. The second Scarlett stopped, Ezra started the stopwatch.
“Matilda said she’s on her way now,” Mateo said after reading the text on his screen.
“What if they go away again?”
“Then she’ll be nearby when they start back up.” Mateo walked over to Scarlett who was rubbing her large stomach. “Don’t worry so much and don’t exhaust yourself either. I’ll get your room ready.”
Vince followed Mateo, but not without kissing Scarlett, leaving Ezra to obsess over her contractions. They took out the new set of sheets they’d bought for this very moment and started to stripthe bed. Scarlett had been worried about ruining the mattress, so they’d gotten multiple layers of protection to avoid it.
“How are you feeling?” Mateo asked as always making sure no one was left out.
“Anxious, but excited.”
“Me too. I just hope it’s a quick labour for her, but from my very limited experience, the first one is always the hardest.” Mateo sighed and Vince could sense that he just needed to get it all off his chest, so he stayed silent. “And what do we actually do when the baby is here? I read so many books and still don’t have a clue what to do.”
“Mateo…” Vince softly scolded.
His head snapped up, lost, doe-like eyes turning on Vince. “I’m crazy, aren’t I?”
“I believe it is normal. We all feel it, but we can’t let that control us. One step at a time. Matilda won’t just disappear the second the baby’s out. She will help us through the first weeks and your mother and Scarlett’s will be here on and off too.”
Running his hand over his face, Mateo slowly nodded. “I know.”
