🌶️🔥 mild spice🔥🌶️

The Safe Haven was up and running. There was a small settlement already started when our ships showed up, and that's when I realized some of the girls who had been injured in the escape in the Maze, had been taken after they healed. Cookie, Maze B cook, Jillian and Leah the Meadow's two head healers, and a few others who survived were all waiting to welcome us. It was a long and emotional reunion. There were many late nights of catching up on the last almost two years.  

Vince had it operating very Glade like; everyone had a job and contributed. Thomas, Newt and Sonya helped out there. There was a makeshift school set up. Sammy liked being with the other kids, but he lost interest in the subjects quickly. He was a smart kid and found sitting at a desk difficult. It was Aris who suggested that he take him one on one and teach him in other ways, ones that kept his attention and fit into his extra energy.

Nana Ann and Mary had a good medical center going. Teresa, Jeff, Brenda, Jillian and Leah were all being trained to be independent medical staff. Bucky, Minho, Gally, Jason, Ryan, and Max helped Jorge with security, training, policing, going back to scavenge. Harriet helped with the technology side of things with Laurence. Fry and Cookie were obviously in the kitchen, and they were like the same person, Fry had a new bestie. Winston was surprisingly a very good cook as well, he was the butcher, but still knew how to whip up some mean scrambled eggs. The Right Arm and civilians slid into spots and helped.

Relationships were another big thing that changed. Now that life was safe and people were free and not running for their lives they could focus on life partners. Thomas and Newt were still a thing. Jason asked Sonya to marry him. Teresa and Ryan were still going. Much to my amusement, Winston and Jeff started flirting with each other. Newt and I got a kick out of it, and we teased him a lot. Gally and Brenda became a thing. And Fry and Harriet were almost a thing.

Ann and Jorge got married, it was a smaller wedding, but it was something to celebrate. And now I stood in my bra and underwear in front of the mirror frowning at the dress hanging beside it. I was obviously pregnant now. A few more weeks and it was baby's due date.

"Babe, you ready?"

He stepped into the room, leaning on the door frame, I glanced at him through the mirror, he had a dark fitted button up shirt rolled up half way on his forearms, and dark pants, his hair its usual swoop at the front. Safe Haven had been good for him, he had gained more muscle, and he had relaxed, that man aged like fine wine. My stomach fluttered and my heart skipped a beat. I looked back at myself in the mirror. I felt like a swollen whale. I was ready to get this baby out and have my body back. My body ached, my back was constantly in pain, I was tired, moody, had to pee constantly. Frowning even more I crossed my arms, "I don't wanna go." I pouted.

"And why the hell not! Your like the maid of honor." Minho rolled his eyes, but came up behind me, sliding his hands over my swollen belly, and gently holding some of baby's weight, making me sigh in relief. 

"It's too peopley out there and I'm uncomfortable and I don't want the eyes staring. And I don't wanna wear the dress."

I winced when baby wiggled and kicked. She was an active one and sped up even more when Minho was around and could hear his voice. 

"Dammit kid! Now I gotta pee. Again."

"Jess." He sighed, he gently pulled me to the bed and sat me down, I groaned and had to lean back on my hands because my belly.

"Now you listen up." I saw his smirk and how his eyes had that mischievous twinkle, so I knew his upcoming lecture was gonna be sassy. "This is not about you, so stop being so self-centered. 'Cause no one is coming to Ann and Jorge's wedding to see you. No one but me is gonna be watching you, they came for Nana, not you. So get over yourself."

"Thanks for the pep talk." I rolled my eyes.

"How about be careful. Don't die. Better?"

I snort, "great were all bloody inspired." I tried my best at a Newt accent. Which made him laugh. Baby pushed again, making me moan. I placed a hand and pushed back, trying to elevate the super uncomfortable feeling of everything stretching. "I swear this kid is just gonna rip a hole in my stomach and crawl out." I whined.

Minho chuckled. He leaned forward and kissed my tummy. "Be nice to your mommy!" He whispered. 

His lips tickled. Baby pressed a limb closer to where his. Mouth was, like baby knew where he was. I couldn't help but smile. It had been a game they played. Minho would talk to my tummy and baby would kick, Minho would move to the other side and I felt baby somersault and kick again trying to follow his voice. He kissed my tummy again, and I shivered, slowly running a hand through his hair. His game with baby was quickly forgotten, he kissed higher. Getting to his feet he kissed up my chest, making me moan. 

"Minho..."

My eyes fluttered closed as I felt his lips on my neck, and up my jaw to my mouth. Sliding his tongue in, he took hold of my hands and pulled me to my feet, and pulled me back in front of the mirror. He pulled away, now that I was panting and wanting more he turned me to face the mirror while he pulled me back into his chest.

"I love you, Jess." He whispered against my neck. Sweeping my long thick hair to one side, his lips brushed my skin making me shiver and whimper.

"You're beautiful, Baby." He whispered, his voice was deep and huskey. Now his hands were slowly exploring up my body.

"Minho..." I panted, my eyes fluttered closed and I tipped my head back onto his shoulder.

His hands were gentle, caressing my swollen chest. Just as I reached a hand up to hold the back of his neck he pulled away.

"Wear the damn dress Jess. We gotta go." He growled in my ear and slapped my ass. He turned away with a cheeky smirk and wink.

"Minho!" I cried. He left our bedroom leaving me all worked up. "Shuckface." I grumbled.

I reluctantly pulled the dress on. It was tighter then it was when I first tried it. It hugged every curve, the deep v showed off my chest, which Minho was quick to notice had grown in size. I pulled my eyeliner out and twirled the little knife up and used it to keep the eye liner straight.

"So that's the trick." Minho smirked, leaning against the door frame.

"Eyeliner sharp enough to kill a man. Especially ones who cause me problems." I narrowed my eyes at him through the mirror. I saw him smirk.

"I'm pretty sure you cased me enough problems back in the Glade."

I paused and straightened up. My hand trembled and I shook my head.

"Out loud Jess. What's going on." Minho stepped up gently taking the knife and eyeliner and placing them down.

"I tried to kill you in the map room after a greenie's fire. Real or not real?"

"Not real." He said softly. He cupped face and kissed my forehead. "You needed space after a fire, you went to the map room. You wrote in your journal. Something on your writing scared you. You tried to harm yourself. I slapped the knife out of your hands."

I crumpled my face trying to think. "I...I said... I said I love you for the first time. Real or not real?"

He smiled at me, his eyes disappearing as his eyes crinkled. "Real."

"Why would I try harm myself?"

"You didn't think you deserved it."

"..do I?" I asked hesitantly.

"Yes. All of it. You deserve it all." He said firmly, but gently. He tipped my head up and he kissed me softly. "And I willingly give it to you."

I hummed and nodded. "Thank you." I mumbled.

"Jess, I told you I have two hands, I can handle you all day. Don't be upset with yourself, I get to remind you how much I love you."

"Okay." I whispered.

We paused for a moment, just looking at each other. Until baby wiggled and made me flinch, breaking the mood. Minho interlocked his fingers and tugged me from the room.

The wedding was simple but pretty on the beach. Sammy was the ring bearer and took his job seriously. Vince was the officiant. And after the ceremony there was a bonfire, food, drinks and dancing. I stayed for a bit, but after a while my knee started bouncing.

"Does Mama wolf need to go?" Ann whispered leaning closer.

"I'm fine Nana. This is your day. I'm here for you." I have me a smile, it was forced, and she knew that.

"No no no. You have been very kind to me to to today. There is nothing more. Go rest. You will need all your strength strength strength- energy for baby soon." She smiled gently at me. "And besides, this party is getting out of hand hand hand for me too." She looped my arm and guided me around the wild crowd beside Gally's table of moonshine. Where we ran into Minho who took over for Nana. She kissed his cheek, "Take care of your huntress. Mama wolf is tired." 

"On it Nana." He nodded, sliding his arm around my back, and I wrapped mine around him. Ann had walked away back to Jorge, Minho leaned in and growled in my ear, "I'll absolutely take care of you." He guided me further away, back towards our little cottage. 

"What are you insinuating, Sparky?" I tipped my head up and looked at him, raising an eyebrow. 

"My pj pants, and t shirt, Fry's bacon and Cookie's cookies.

"Well that sounds acceptable."

"Ill even rub your back." He growled, his voice dropping more, same with his hand placement. 

"JayJay!" Winston cried, stumbling over to me. I threw an arm out before he face planted. Minho and I helped right him.

"Thanks girl! The ground keeps moving." His eyes were unfocused, but he had a huge smile.

"What's up Winnie?"

"Did you knoooow..."

"I know a lot of things. What are you getting at?" I sighed. Running my hand through my hair and flipping it to the other side.

"You have pretty hair." He gazed at my hair for a moment and then shook his head. "Jeff kissed me!" 

"Why are you here tell me and not back over there kissing him back?" 

He gasped. "You're so right! Bye Jay!" He stumbled back grabbed Jeff by the hips and pulled him closer and kissed him, making the group around him whoop and whistle. 

"Why are our friends a bunch of shuckfaces?" I shook my head. 

"Come on, Babe. I wanna take care of you." 

Walking back to our cottage in bare feet on the sand was nice. 

"Did you ever think we'd get here?" I asked. 

"Honestly?" 

I hummed. 

"Well, there were many times I wanted to give up. I still gotta be careful around Gally's moonshine, I don't want to slid back into that habit, especially with our Princess on the way. I wanna be the best version for you guys. But I had hope, sometimes it was really small, but it was always there." 

I hummed. He stopped walking and pulled me closer into his chest- or as best as I could with this big belly. He slid a hand into my hair, cradling the back of my head, his dark eyes sparkled in the moon light, his other hand just traced my face gently, taking in every detail. I slid my hands into the back of his hear, I was happy to be here. In his arms, safe, happy and content.

•×•

"Winnie! Stop fussing I'm fine." I swatted him away again. 

"Girl! You are going to be the shucken death of me!" I cried, "These aren't just braxton hicks! I've been timing them!" 

"I'm fine. Baby isn't due for another 2 weeks and Minho isn't here yet. He gets back tomorrow." 

"Jay!" 

"Stop! I'm fine. Baby wouldn't do that to me! I can't do this with out Minho. So it's not gonna happen." 

"Jessie, listen to me." 

He grabbed my shoulders and turned me around, "This baby is coming whether you like it or not. And You can do it. I'll go get Harriet to call them, they can cut it short and come back." 

I could feel the anxiety creeping in, I knew he was right, these weren't practice cramps, this was real. But why now? I needed Minho for this. I felt my eyes fill with tears and my hands started to shake. 

"Breath Jay. It'll be okay." He rubbed my arms gently. "Go sit, and I'll go get Sonya, Tessa, and Ann and I'll get Harriet to call." 

"No! Don't leave me!"  I pleaded. 

"Jay, Sonya is just next door. Sit." He pointed to the chair. He helped me over and sat me down. He spun on his heel and ran out the door. I leaned back in the chair, closing my eyes, and trying to breath slowly, running my hands over my belly.

"Why? Why you gotta be like this huh?" I asked my stomach, running my hands up and down trying to ease the ache. "You're daddy isn't here yet, if this is how it's gonna be for life, we're gonna have a real problem!" 

I felt the next contraction coming. I growled getting up, moving felt better then sitting. I leaned on the counter as it continued to build. I growled as the cramp peeked and slowly settled. I let out the breath and straightened up. 

I had just got a cup of water when the door burst open. Sonya and Winnie burst in. 

"Where's Nana?" I asked, I groaned again sitting back down. "And Tessa?" 

"Jason went to get them, he's a faster runner, and he's going to call Min. You're good girl. Now stop stressing."

"So this is it, huh. Big bad Jessie is gonna be a mommy." 

"Ya...and apparently she doesn't like to be told what to do. Min specifically said wait until I get back." 

Winston snickered and rolled his eyes. "Sounds an awful lot like her mother." 

I smirked. "True."

"You know its a girl?" Jason asked. 

I shook my head, "No, we just both think it is." 

I could feel another one. I struggled to sit back up, Sonya grabbed my hands and helped me up, I stood up and leaned heavily on her, She held my arms as it built. I dropped my head forwards and let a gasp of pain. This one was definitely more intense. Winston pressed on my back, helping with the back pain. At the peek of the contraction, something inside snapped, and I felt wet gush. 

"I don't think there is stopping this one, your water just broke." 

"I need him." I whimpered. 

 •×•

I screamed again as the next contraction hit hard and fast. I was covered in sweat, and tears leaked out. It had been a few hours of contractions, I could feel baby dropping. I was trying so hard to hang on, Minho was supposed to be here. I couldn't deliver our baby on my own. 

"You're doing wonderfully." Nana encouraged. 

"I need him Nana! I need him!" I cried. 

"Mama Wolf is strong, she can do this." 

"NO!" I cried, more tears slid down my sweaty face. 

Sonya and Tessa crouched on each side of me, Winston still rubbed my back. Jason and Newt paced around in the front room. 

"Jessie." Nana said sternly. "This pup is coming coming on her way. You are going to have to push push push whether you want to or not. It is not safe for Pup to be forced to stay, it is not safe for you too. Do not fight it. Breath and show your Hunter you can." 

"But Nana..." I cried through clenched teeth as another contraction was already building. They were almost back to back at this point. I clamped my eyes closed, I knew they were right, I had to do this. I pulled myself away from the noise and chaos around me, I blocked everything out. Clenching my jaw hard, I moaned and growled through the next one. I could feel a heavy pressure. Following along with what my body was doing, I tucked my head down and pushed. 

The contraction eased and I breathed a bit easier. 

"Good Baby! Good job." 

My eyes flew open, crouching in front of me was Minho. Worry and concern mixed a happiness swirled in his eyes. 

"You..you're here? Real or not real?" 

"Real. I'm here. I made it. Jorge flew like a bat outta hell. Everyone is waiting to meet Her Majesty, the Princess of Sass." 

I let a sob of relief out, I could do this now, good thig because I felt another one. Leaning forwards into my rock, I pushed.

"Good Missy, good, keep going!" 

Twenty minutes later, Minho and Sonya helped me switch positions in between contractions. 

"One more." Nana encouraged. 

"I see a lot of black hair!" Tessa called.

"Go! Push!" I dropped my head onto Minho's chest and cried in pain as I felt the ring of fire.

"Come on babe, this is nothing compared to torture!" 

I grabbed his shoulders so tight my knuckles were white. There was intense pain and then there was instant relief. And I heard a small like wail. I leaned back with a cry of relief of my own.

"Jess! We were right! Baby girl!" Minho's voice cracked. He shifted so I was leaning into his chest, while he sat behind me. Nana lifted our baby up and placed her on my chest, and draped a soft blanket over us. 

"Jess...you are amazing, you made that inside your shuck body, and then...wholly shuck. You really are Savage! You pushed a human outta you!" 

"I told you long time ago Females are far superior." I panted, with a small smile. I couldn't take my eyes off our baby. She was so tiny, with her little squeaks. 

"I agree." He smoothed my sweaty hair out of my face and kissed my forehead. 

Once we had some time to gain some energy, and Nana and Tess had time to check make sure I was okay, and baby was okay. Everyone came spilling into the room. 

"She's so tiny!"
"She looks just like Minho!"
"Except cuter!"
"She has Jessie's nose."
"What's her name?" 

"Gwendolyn" Minho said, looking at me gently. 

I looked up, to my best friend in the whole world, besides Minho, "I promised I'd name a kid after my best friend. Gwendolyn, Winnie for short." 

Winston's jaw dropped and his eyes filled with tears, "Jay!" 

Minho kissed my temple and then leaned down and kissed little Winnie's head. 

"Okay, out out out. Hunter and his pack need rest." 

Everyone left and it was just me, Minho and our baby. 

•×•

"MOOOOOOM!" 

"I swear to chuck above! Gwendolyn! Stop picking on your brother!" I yelled over my shoulder. "Jett Charles! Buddy, come here."

"If he wasn't so annoying!" She sassed, I could hear the eye roll with it. For a four year old she had sass oozing out of every pour.  She marched her little feet into the living room.

"Minho!" I turned my head to him, "Deal with your sassy princess. 'Cause I don't have time patience or energy right now!" 

Winnie folder her arms and stomped her foot and pouted in front of Minho, who had a look of stone on his face and folded is own huge arms and raised an eyebrow at her. She threw her little arms up and sighed. Minho knelt down in front of her and they had a quiet conversation. Jett came over and climbed up onto the couch beside me. He snuggled into my side, and gave a gentle kiss on his infant sister's head. Making her squeak and wiggle, pulling making me wince. Nursing was a pain sometimes.

"Shhh Jett, Sadie is trying to eat, and go to sleep." 

"Okay Mommy. Sowy Sadie" He whispered. 

Minho came over and picked up the 3 year old boy, making him squeal, and laugh. "Hey, J.C. wanna go play on the beach, lets let mommy and Sadie have a nap." He threw the boy over his shoulder. 

"Can Sammy pway?" 

"I'm sure he can." Minho leaned over and kissed me, and then his second daughters head. "I'll take them to Uncle Winston for a bit, burn off some steam. I love you Jess, my beautiful Duchess of Darkness. I still can't believe your mine...and these little shanks are ours."

"I can. I pushed them out." 

He chuckled. "I got my happily ever after." He leaned back in and kissed me gently.

"Me too. I love you Sparky." I whispered against his lips. 

"I love you too, Jess. So fucken much." 

•×•

Gwendolyn (Winnie): Age 4.5
Jett Charles (J.C.): Age 3
Sadie: 3 months