A Bear's Baby

by Vanessa Devereaux

  “What can I say, other than he’s the most stubborn bear I know.”

  Charlotte knocked on the door and then walked in.

  “I thought I’d offer some moral support.”

  “Any news on Ava?” asked Ash.

  “She’s pushing hard as we speak,” said Charlotte.

  “Okay Jenna, you want to lift your sweater up and we’ll get things started here,” said Ash, pulling the ultrasound machine over to her side.

  Charlotte poured some green jelly onto Jenna’s belly.

  “Sorry, I know this stuff is cold,” she said.

  “Can I hold your hand?” Jenna asked her.

  “Sure you can, but everything’s going to be okay.”

  “Okay, here we go,” said Ash. He put the wand on her belly and slid it over close to her navel and then down.

  “Everything looks perfect. You want to take a look? I guess I should ask you if you want to know the sex of the baby because it’s pretty obvious.”

  She hadn’t thought about it. Not knowing would give her something to focus on during labor.

  “Could you cover it and let me look?” asked Jenna.

  Ash took a sheet of paper, covered part of the screen and then turned the monitor around.

  A tear ran down her cheek. Her baby was beautiful. Little hands and feet so perfect. Even if Brady didn’t want her or the baby she had enough love to give this child for the two of them.

  “I’ll print two copies, one for you and one I’ll send over to Brady,” said Ash, winking at her.

  “He’ll come around to the sensible way of thinking,” said Charlotte. “All the guys are working on him.”

  “There was another knock on the door and the nurse she remembered as Mia looked in.

  “Thought you’d like to know Ava just had a girl, seven pounds, two ounces and masses of gorgeous hair. She’s Nick’s double.”

  “Tell them we’ll drop by to welcome her into the world,” said Ash. “Okay Jenna. Everything looks good so we’ll see you again next month.”

  ****

  Brady played peek-a-boo with Sophie. She’d laugh and then smile at him.

  “You are growing bigger every time I see you,” he said, dancing the bear back and forth across his desk.

  Ash had told him that Sophie might need heart surgery soon, which was common for a child with Down Syndrome. Brady’d be there for her, and for them if they needed financial or any sort of support.

  Maggie knocked on his door. “This just arrived by courier for you,” she said, putting it in front of him.

  “What do you think it is for Uncle Brady?” he asked Sophie who was now sucking one of the plastic rings they were using for therapy for her. “Guess I won’t know until I open it.”

  He ripped open the package and frowned at first, but then realized what it was. An ultrasound image. He didn’t look at it but instead pushed it back in the envelope and threw it in the bin.

  Brady looked at Sophie. He could swear she had the look of disapproval on her face.

  “What? It’s where it belongs. I’ll reproduce when I want to and not before.”

  Now she was looking like he was the meanest bear on the block.

  “Don’t you look at me like that. I’m not the one who did something wrong. Jenna did. Tricking this bear into… No, I will not look at the image.”

  He glanced at Sophie again. Was she willing him to it, or what?

  Brady pulled the package out of the bin and slid the image out and set it on his desk.

  Dear God, it was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. He outlined the feet and hands with his fingers. So perfect, and this was part of him. The head and shoulders the legs and the, wow, he was going to have a son.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Her opinion of bears was beginning to change. She rubbed her belly, feeling the baby move around for the second time today. Ash had told her that was a good thing. The group Brady and Ash were part of, was the nicest, closest-knit clan she’d ever come across. Some of them dropped by to see her, and Bear and some of the shifters had devised a plan that they thought would help Brady see reason. She hoped they were right because as her belly grew, she became more scared about the prospect of being a single mother. Yes, she had a career and a home, but she hadn’t thought the lone parent thing over before she’d jumped in feet first. Bottom line was she wanted Brady in this child’s life. In her life too. She loved him. There, she’d finally admitted it.

  Bear was going to let her know what time Cole MacDonald would pick her up to take her to the Lamaze class. At least if the plan backfired she’d have someone to hold her hand and see her through her labor which she secretly was dreading.

  The partner to be was perfect, Bear told her. An intelligent, tall and handsome doctor who specialized in fertility issues. Part Kodiak, part grizzly, women drooled over him, and best of all he’d gone to school with Brady. The two of them had always competed, not only with grades or sports, but who got the most shifter girlfriends.

  Supposedly bears were downright jealous creatures.

  She hoped the plan worked.

  ****

  Brady downed his beer in three large gulps. Nick passed around the photo of his baby daughter, April Renee. He took a quick look, trying not to be overly interested. She was cute in her pink frilly dress and matching booties with the bows tied to their fronts.

  “She’s sleeping almost all through the night so at least Ava and I are getting more sleep,” said Nick, pulling out yet more photos. The next photo was of Nick cradling her and Ava looking at both of them.

  He swallowed. Would he ever have his photo taken with his son? Even get the courage to hold him?

  “So, Bear, I hear Cole MacDonald is back in town and is now Jenna’s birthing coach.”

  Brady looked over at Aiden as he spoke. Not only had the mention of Jenna had got his attention, but the fact his arch rival was going to be her birthing partner, made his ears perk up.

  “I introduced him to Jenna and he jumped at the opportunity,” said Bear.

  “That’s great for both of them,” said Liam. “Weren’t you two on the same soccer team at school?”

  Brady took a while to answer. “Yes, we were.”

  “You might have guessed the women are already lining up for him,” said Bear.

  Brady tapped the coaster under his beer glass.

  “So he’s going to be there at the birth?” asked Dane. “I wouldn’t miss that for the world, seeing the head emerging and then the baby being placed on your wife’s belly.”

  Brady couldn’t stand this any longer. He jumped up.

  “I know what you guys are up to, and it’s not going to work. In fact, I have to go because I have a date and I think this might be the one.”

  “Okay, see you around,” said Ash.

  The guys continued with their conversation. They hadn’t taken the bait that he’d moved on. Shit, the thought of Cole being Jenna’s coach, being the first person to hold his son. Over his dead body.

  ****

  Cole MacDonald was cute and she did see all the other women looking at him. Even the other pregnant women eyed her with envy as she sat on the mat with his arms and legs wrapped around her.

  “Okay, Jenna, take a nice breath in, hold it and then blow it out in three little puffs,” he whispered so close to her ear that it made her hair move away from her face.

  She followed his and the instructor’s lead. She was determined she was going to have no painkillers or medication. This baby was coming out au natural.

  “He’s here,” whispered Cole.

  Jenna knew who he meant, but didn’t see Brady at first. She finally saw him peeping through the window.

  “Same old Brady. Most competitive bear you could wish to meet. Okay, let’s give him something to be really worried about.”

  Cole moved his hands all over her belly. “Come on, Brady, come and get your mate,” he said. “Yeah, that’s right. I’m touching your mate and your bab
y.”

  “Is he still watching?” asked Jenna.

  “He’s watching and even from here I can see he’s red in the face. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t shift right here and challenge me to a fight.”

  She hadn’t seen Brady as a bear. Maybe she should see one of them in their bear form just so she’d know what to expect if she was to win him back.

  “You know what I think we need to do? We need to go shopping for a crib, changing table, and baby clothes and see if he follows us. I know he will.”

  “You really think this is going to work?” she asked.

  “Won’t be long before he comes sniffing at your door.”

  ****

  Jenna had stalked him once. Followed him to the dance class so it seemed only fitting that he followed her. Her and fucking Cole. They were heading into Baby World. He tapped the steering wheel.

  His date had been a disaster. He’d thought of Jenna constantly. He’d wanted sex so bad that he thought fucking Daisy until they both couldn’t walk would be the answer, but it wasn’t. For the first time in his life he’d been looking at a pussy and couldn’t get a hard on, He’d left in a hurry.

  Jenna was all he wanted. She was his mate. He spied them inside the store. Cole was holding up a pink baby dress.

  “It’s a boy, jackass,” shouted Brady, not realizing a young couple were walking by his car and that his driver’s side window was all the way down.

  “Sorry,” he said, lifting his hand to them. “Rehearsing lines for a play.”

  All this had let to frustration, embarrassment, and now another bear was moving in on his mate, and his territory. He scooted down in the car seat as they left, packages under their arms, laughing and smiling as they headed back to Cole’s car.

  Brady waited for them to leave and then headed into the store. He walked up to the desk.

  “Yes, sir, can I help you?” asked the assistant.

  “You sure can. I want the top of the line of everything you have delivered to this address by tomorrow.”

  He wrote down Jenna’s address and slid it over the desk. He pulled out his credit card. “I also want the biggest teddy bear you have placed with the order. Oh, and throw in some blue baby outfits. Only top of the line items for my son.”

  ****

  Jenna knew that everyone was getting her ready for motherhood. Today she’d been given the task of looking after Christopher and Lilly’s daughter, Kaitlin. Lilly had given birth to an eight pound five ounce boy earlier that day. Christopher said he’d be along later to collect her and they’d go to the hospital so she could met her brother who he’d said was the best looking baby in the world. He kept saying “I have a son” with pride and love in his voice.

  “You want to share a pizza with me?” Jenna asked Kaitlin as they drove up to Jenna’s townhouse.

  “I like the one with sausage on it.”

  “Then you’re in luck because it’s definitely got that.”

  Jenna held Kaitlin’s hand as they rounded the corner. She stopped in her tracks. There were boxes everywhere.

  “It’s Christmas again,” said Kaitlin.

  “I didn’t order anything,” said Jenna.

  “Look, there’s a huge gift card,” said Kaitlin, pulling a large envelope from a box.

  There sure was and Jenna’s name was written on it. She opened it.

  I will be sending two men over tonight to take all this into your house and set up the crib and changing table. I also added a rocking chair. I’m told babies enjoy being rocked while being breastfed which I hope is what you’re intending to do. I will stop by tomorrow night to make sure everything is in place and to your liking-Brady.

  “Is it your birthday?” asked Kaitlin.

  “No, not my birthday, but it sure feels like it.”

  ****

  Brady hadn’t heard from Jenna and he wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing. He couldn’t blame her if she didn’t want to ever see him again. In hindsight, he’d been a fool.

  He smoothed his hair down and rang her doorbell.

  She answered it within seconds which told him she’d probably been looking out for his arrival. They stood there looking at one another for a few seconds and then he looked down at her belly. He hadn’t seen it up close and it was round and beautiful. Perfection. Brady reached out and touched it. Jenna put her hands over his and made him hold her belly.

  “He’s been active again today. I take it the blue baby clothes mean you looked at the ultrasound. I wanted to keep it a secret, but I guess now I can go and buy some blue paint for the nursery.”

  He pushed her inside and kissed her. He could smell a heavy bear scent on her now. He rubbed her belly again. He wanted to, and had to, make love to her. All bear shifters had to when a mating had resulted in a pregnancy.

  Brady lifted Jenna up, moved himself around the empty boxes where the baby furniture had once been housed, and headed for the bedroom. He placed her on the bed and slowly lifted her loose smock top, he pulled down the maternity pants, and there was the beautiful belly with its pregnancy mark on full display. Three quarters of the way around. He knew that meant she’d be in need of sex. He fingered it, feeling it’s raised bumpy edges. He leaned over and kissed her belly right on the navel, taking in her scent, and that of his son’s. She touched his hair, running her fingers through it and making his scalp tingle, and his cock grow hard.

  “I’ve missed you,” he said.

  “I’ve missed you, too.”

  They kissed and then pulled away.

  “Do you like all the baby things I had delivered?” asked Brady.

  “You didn’t have to do all that?”

  “Only the best for my son. He’ll have top of the line everything. He’ll go to the best schools. He’ll be the best bear shifter on the block.” He rubbed her belly again, this time feeling his son kick inside Jenna’s stomach.

  “You feel that?” she asked, lying flat on the bed.

  “I sure did.”

  “I want to make love to you. And don’t worry. I checked with Bear and asked if it was okay.”

  Jenna smiled.

  “I know what the guys were up to making me feel jealous by using Cole MacDonald as bait. Made me realize I almost lost the best thing that ever happened in my life.”

  He pulled her maternity jeans and panties off her body. Next, he pulled her top over her head and up her arms. She wasn’t wearing a bra. Her breasts were big, and the nipples dusty pink and huge. He couldn’t wait to see his son feeding from them.

  Brady ran his fingers over each nipple. They were hard and he couldn’t help but take the right one into his mouth and lick. She tasted more bear than human right now. That would change after she gave birth, but for now he soaked in the odor and felt himself grow thick and hard.

  He pushed her thighs apart and danced his fingers upward into her curls. He touched her folds and then felt her juice pour from within her. He put his nose into the air. Brady pushed his finger gently inside her, hearing her draw in her breath.

  “Does that hurt you now?” he asked.

  “No, your finger is cold.”

  He smiled. “I have something that’s very warm,” he said.

  “Um, let me guess what that is.”

  He got off the bed, stripped faster than it usually took him, and was between her legs. He held his cock up and gently pushed it against her opening.

  “You don’t have to be gentle with me,” said Jenna.

  “There’s a big beautiful belly between us now,” said Brady, sliding deep inside her. He lay on top of her while taking most of his weight so they could kiss and rub noses. He’d start with her favorite thing of all. He let his cock vibrate against her pussy walls.

  “I’ve missed this so much,” said Jenna.

  He felt her pussy grip him. She orgasmed in seconds.

  “More please,” she said.

  ****

  Jenna held the bedsheets as Brady pounded inside her. Yes, she�
��d finally convinced him she wouldn’t break, the baby would be just fine and no, her multi-orgasms wouldn’t cause her to go into premature labor.

  In fact, they were stronger and more exciting than she remembered. She turned over on her side and rubbed her belly as he reinserted his cock inside her. He held onto her while rubbing her navel as they bounced together. She really had missed him for everything wonderful in her life. His wit, his companionship, his touch, and the special way he made love.

  She climaxed again and again, feeling his cock pulsate faster and then his hips and body slapped again her ass. Brady’s breathing became labored. He groaned and filled her with his own release. He held her tight.

  “I think I need to go for a run,” he said, close to her ear.

  “Do you change into a bear when you run?”

  “Most of the time.”

  “Can I see you? I mean in your bear form?”

  “It would be a great honor to introduce you to my bear.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jenna trembled. She hoped the baby didn’t pick up on her fear. This was his father and any minute now he was going to come out of the woods on all fours. She heard a rustling noise and glanced by the trees to her right. He was huge. She shook as he approached her.

  It’s Brady. He will not hurt me. It’s Brady, he will not hurt me one little bit.

  His shoulders were powerful and his legs resembled solid tree trunks. He got closer and her heartbeat raced. She could feel the blood racing in her ears. She had to calm down for her health and that of the baby’s. Brady brushed her hand until she was forced to stroke his head. His fur was coarse and thick. He rubbed his nose against her belly immediately making the baby move. Not just a little, but a lot.

  Did the baby recognize that this was his father? Maybe they had a connection that Jenna didn’t have with her son. He licked her belly, making it feel like the baby was doing some flips inside her.

  Brady lifted his paw. She took it and he pulled her to the ground and then sat beside her. They sat looking out at Flathead Lake. It was gorgeous with the sun glistening upon it. Sail boats across the way on the other side of the cove. So far away no one would see her sitting with a bear. Not spying her, the woman having a bear’s baby.