I looked at him obliquely and said what I found out today.
- Dri... I'm pregnant... - his hand froze at one point just above my kidneys. He stared at me as if I had just announced to him that I was an alien and that I own ten heads. When the initial shock had passed he quietly asked a question:
- You are not happy about this. You don't want this child? - If it was just one...
- It's not like that. I want it. It's just that the thought of motherhood never crossed my mind. Let's face it, in my former profession, that possibility wasn't even an option to choose. It was a big single "No." I would not want to give my child the same fate. A constant flight from an enemy I didn't even know. Other than Daniel, and later Rafael, I didn't really have a family. I had, but for a short time. Now I found my dad, and Kjartan and Espen... - I stammered at the last two characters. I thought that our bond would be as strong as it was when I was a child and then as a teenager... But unfortunately, the current world has outgrown them. Plus the news that I'm not their sister and... I wanted our contact to be like it used to be. They withdrew completely from the life of the pack and apart from a few meetings and exchanging the necessary words, that would be enough of our conversations. The first days after their return were perfect. We laughed, joked, reminisced about the good times... I regret that, but reality caught up with them. I hope that somehow they will manage and come out of this lethargy. The present is not as terrible as they think. Maybe someday we'll rebuild our relationship... The only thing I'm happy about is that they don't mind that their parents died. They were among those who shouted to me when I fell from the window. They saw everything with their own eyes. They hold a grudge against their parents for acting so unkindly. However, mistreatment for so many years can change anyone. Even the most stubborn person. Torture can break that person with enough time and strategy. After that a person never goes back to their version of before. I know something about that. I've learned it the hard way. - I... I don't know if I can handle it. For so many years I didn't have a motherly role model... And my history... And you... Oh Lord, you're only twenty years old and... - I started to panic for the second time that day. Damn hormones...
- Hey, hey, hey... You've got me and my family who adores you and will gladly help us, okay? And you've got a dad who's got your back. - I nodded and wiped my tears. I hugged him tightly, breathing in his scent, which began to calm me down. - Remember that no matter what happens I will always walk beside you. I will also love you and this baby until the end of my days. - He kissed the top of my head. I think it's time for news number two.
- Referring to your statement... - he looked at me with curiosity on his face. I laughed nervously and started to get my words out very quickly: - You meant to say them... I mean... Dri we're having triplets. - I said the last sentence raising my voice. After that particular phrase, it was the first time I saw a fainting guy. Really? What's gonna happen during their birth?

**********

Four weeks have flown by like a whirlwind. So far, no one but the two of us and Ann knows I'm pregnant. We have decided that we will tell everyone only after we find out the sex of the little ones. So far we are doing a good job of hiding it. I'm wearing Adrian's voluminous t-shirts, which I'm melting in, but they hide my ever-growing belly well. I'm just waiting for him to show up at Ann's office because he has to finish an important meeting that got prolonged.
- Ladies, forgive me for being late. - He rushed into the room a little out of breath and with his hair disheveled. He quickly walked over to me, gave me a quick kiss and sat down next to me, signaling to Ann that the ultrasound could begin. Since he found out we were expecting children he has become even more overprotective and shows me love in a million different ways. It was cute at first, but now it's starting to annoy me more and more. I'm already dreading what kind of caveman he's going to turn into when the kids come into the world.
- So how ready are we to find out the gender? - I looked at her surprised.
- What do you mean, it's only the third month or so. I think it's a little early for that. - I'll admit that I've read various internet forums, but unfortunately nothing about werewolf pregnancies. There's not much of that kind of stuff in the library either. She laughed at my statement.
- Rosa... Werewolf pregnancy lasts six to seven months, closer to the former, not nine like in humans. This is determined by our faster development and healing and so on. I won't bore you with those facts. Anyway, the human cycle does not correspond to ours. - She answered and put a cold gel on my rounded belly. After a while she started to move the device back and forth. Every now and then she would stop her hand and mutter some inarticulate sounds under her breath. Finally she turned to us and spoke:
- At the previous meeting I hit the jackpot with this soccer team. Three healthy boys. I'm a little worried about the size of one of them, he's a little smaller than the other two, but everything is well developed. It doesn't affect anything, so I wouldn't particularly worry, and everything will probably turn out at birth. - She sent us a warm smile. The most important thing is that they are healthy and developing well. I breathed a sigh of relief. So the family will find out today. We cannot hide it any longer. In a moment I will be as big as an elephant.

**********

Adrian had planned a quick family get-together, so fourteen of our most important people were sitting around the table. Unfortunately, the absence of my "ex" brothers stings, but maybe when the kids are born they will be friendlier to their surroundings. I must say I felt a little sad. However, I need to focus on the here and now.
- We have an important news to announce. - Adrian started with a mischievous smile. We had just finished a lavish dinner and after a pause we were now sitting with desserts in our hands and coffees or teas, according to our choice, placed on the table. As I avoid mint with all possible effort, I did not hesitate to take a big, sweet piece of chocolate cake on my plate.
- We... - his speech was interrupted by the sound of an overturned chair. It turned out that it was Em who had made such a fuss. Daniel didn't know what had actually happened, so I rushed after her. I found her in the restroom washing her face. She groaned at the sight of me and sat down on the edge of the bathtub. She hid her head in her hands, leaned forward, and began breathing deeply through her mouth.
- Why did you run out so suddenly? - When asked, she raised her head and looked me in the eye.
- I haven't been able to eat chocolate for about a week... And I love it so much. If I even get a hint of its scent in the air, I end up by the toilet bowl. I thought I was over it, but apparently not... - she had tears in her eyes because she didn't know what was going on. I started laughing so hard I couldn't stop. After a few minutes, I wiped away the tears that had spilled out during my fit of laughter. When I recovered, I sent her a beaming smile.
- If this keeps up, we really can start a soccer team. - I burst out laughing. She continued to look at me with incomprehension. - Oh, don't pretend you don't know how to make babies. - I rolled my eyes and her face suddenly flashed with understanding about her condition. Instantly she started squealing, jumping and doing other wonders on a stick. I shushed her and then quietly took her out of the house and smuggled her to the hospital. After some time we left with the knowledge that she has only one baby in her belly, but unfortunately it is too early to find out the gender. But at least she knows the reason for her temporary hatred of chocolate. After everything was settled, we walked back into the living room.
- I'm sorry I didn't follow you. You suddenly left and well... I also saw Rosa following you, so well... - she was immediately cornered by her remorseful mate upon entering. She didn't respond to anything but just pressed her lips against his. Adrian came up to me with a questioning look on his face.
- What's the matter? You two suddenly disappeared for a long time and no one saw you. - He asked and the rest of the family started looking at the four of us with undisguised interest. Em nodded to me, which meant I could probably tell her secret.
- Well... It turns out you're going to be an uncle. - I said and winked at him and then kissed him on the cheek. He looked at his sister and in a flash he understood the whole situation, so he started laughing. I looked in their direction and at the look on Dan's face I started involuntarily giggling. Eventually he scooped her up in his arms and started spinning her around her own axis.
- How did you know? - He asked when he put her down after his outburst of joy and when he thanked everyone who congratulated him.
- I told Rosa, who suggested quite bluntly why I have been feeling unwell lately and took me for a quick ultrasound, which confirmed the supposition. This is the reason for our brief absence.
- She? She doesn't have any children, nor is she expecting any. - He snorted and gave me a pitying look.
- What do you mean? In that case, what grows in my belly? Unicorns? Or grizzly bears? - I asked sarcastically. Everyone's jaws dropped at my announcement.
- You... Are you... expecting a baby? - Maria asked with tears in her eyes.
- If only one... Your son's little boys are little bastards eager to do their job and because of that a trio of your grandchildren is sitting inside me right now. - after that revelation, my mate's mom got weak. Well, finding out that one is going to have a string quartet for grandchildren is a bit much to bear in a few minutes. This time it was us all who got the congratulations and we spent the afternoon and evening celebrating new life. A new generation of little wolves.

**********

I was already lying in bed ready to sleep when Adrian knelt down by the edge on my side.
- Honey?
- Mhm...? - I awoke from a light sleep. I propped myself up with my elbow to be in a semi-reclining position and rubbed my eyes pushing the sleep away.
- Since the kids are on the way I figured we could use something to cement our relationship. - He pulled out a small black velvet box from behind his back, and when he lifted the lid I saw a beautiful rose gold ring with a shining piece of sapphire. I gasped for air at the sight of it. - I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I know in the wolf world they consider us married, but I want to connect with you in every way possible, so what do you say about making me the happiest man on earth? Will you agree to become my wife? - tears glistened in my eyes. I started nodding hard and landed in his arms repeating the word "Yes" like a military mantra. Now I have everything I never dared to dream of even in my wildest dreams. A family, the love of my life, children who will soon come into the world... What else would you want?