As the large door swung open I was instantly hit with the familiar smell of home. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath as it hit me how much I'd missed everyone.

I led Aiden to the living room where Nick and a few other pack members sat talking. Catching my scent as I walked in, Nick jumped from the couch and ran to me, hugging me tight.

"Nick!" I laughed, "I can't breath!"

"Sorry.." He said, taking a step back. "I just missed you so much."

"I missed you too." I smiled. "But I have someone for you to meet.."

I took Aiden's hand and pulled him towards us. "This is my mate, Aiden." I introduced him.

"Nice to finally meet you Aiden." Nick said.

"You too.." Aiden replied with a small smile.

"I'd love to stay and catch up, but my best friend is around here somewhere trying to have a baby so I should probably go.." I said.

"Right." Nick said, his tone sounding more serious. "We sat up one of the spare rooms for her so she could stay in the pack house instead of the medical center. Follow me."

Nick led us to the end of the hall where most of the rooms were vacant. It was a good choice, since this part of the house was mostly quiet and peaceful.

He knocked lightly on the door, and I heard Luca's voice from inside answer "Come in."

The room was quite large and had been set up like a hospital room. Luca sat in a chair at Celia's side, and a doctor walked around the room checking monitors and writing on a clipboard.

"Hey." Luca smiled, getting out of the chair and giving me a hug.

My heart hurt as I looked at his face. His eyes were filled with worry and concern, and he looked like he hadn't slept at all the previous night.

I hugged him back tightly. "Everything will be fine." I reassured him.

"I hope so." Came his quiet reply. "You can take my seat, me and Nick will take Aiden to go get some food, knowing you, I'm sure you didn't stop to eat." He chuckled.

Luca placed a hand on Aiden's back, leading him out of the room and down the hall, as Nick followed.

I took Lucas spot, and grabbed Cece's hand, giving it a squeeze.

"Hey there bestie, hows it going?" I asked softly.

Her eyes were red from crying and she looked so scared. "Somethings wrong Alice. I haven't felt her kick, and they told me her heartbeat is above normal. I'm so scared. I can't lose her." She cried. "Luca is being really supportive and reassuring, but I can see it in his eyes that he's scared too." She told me.

"You two have overcome so much together. Everything is going to be fine, and you're going to get through this." I told her softly.

"I missed you so much." She said quietly, leaning over to hug me.

"I missed you too. You can meet Aiden when they get back, you'll love him."

"I'm so happy for you, Al." Celia smiled, giving my hand a squeeze.

"If you only knew how far he'd come, Ce. He hadn't left his room for months, and now here he is with me at my old pack. He's stepped back up as alpha and he's accomplishing so much. Even though I've barely witnessed him acting as an alpha, I can tell he makes a great one. The pack loves and respects him so much." I gushed with a smile on my face.

"I know he still has a ways to go, and it wont be easy, but I know it will definitely all be worth it in the end."

"Remember that, Al. Always remember that. I had to overcome a lot when I moved here, and sometimes I felt like giving up, like the fight wasn't worth it. But looking back now, I cant even imagine my life any other way. I love my mate, my pack, and my daughter, and I cant imagine my life without them. There will always be battles to fight, and obstacles to overcome but they're always leading you to something greater."

As I listened to Celia's wise words, I smiled, knowing she needed to hear herself say them more than I did. Things would work out for them, I knew it.

We continued to sit and talk, until suddenly Celia leaned forward in her bed, clutching her stomach.

"Al, get a nurse, quick." She mumbled.

I raced out of the room calling for help. The doctor and nurse rushed in, checking monitors and attempting to ask Celia what she was feeling.

She tried to answer, but as tears fell down her cheeks it was clear the pain was too much.

"I know you don't want to leave, but I'm sure Luca will be here soon and there wont be room for everyone to be in here. We'll take good care of her, I promise." One of the nurses reassured me.

I nodded my head, eyes teary as I left the room. Luca rushed past me, and to Celia's side as the door shut.

I sniffed, trying to hold back the tears as I worried for my best friend.

"Alice?" A soft voice asked from behind me. "Are you crying?"

I stayed silent, but soon Aiden's arms wrapped around me, pulling me into his chest. Unable to keep it together any longer, I cried as he held me.