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nDavid

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nI had absolutely loved my birthday this year, and I think Rawlynne quite enjoyed her as well. We had spent at least eighty percent of that time naked and in each other's arms. There was not a room or a surface in my house that I hadn't taken her on, or in.

nShe had ended up taking another day off from work but she refused to let me touch her that day. She said she needed to recover and I needed to work so she left late late the night of her birthday. I was so sad to see her go but I had those memories to last me.

nShe was right though, I had work to do. I was still Trinity's guard and we were all helping her to plan and get ready for the Alpha's birthday party. I spent the next three days working and not even being able to see Rawlynne at all.

nI saw her next at the party for Reece's birthday, the group of people already growing when she showed up with Jackson.

n

"Hey, wolf boy.

" Jackson yelled at me. We had been on friendly terms lately so I didn't know why he was mad at me right now.

n

"What's up Jackson?

" I asked him with a smile.

n

"Go easy on my sister from now on, she's been feeling worn out since your birthday celebration.

"

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"JACKSON!

" Rawlynne yelled at him with a bright red face.

n

"Well it's true.

" I couldn't help but swell with pride then. Come on, what man wouldn't be happy to have that lasting type of effect on a woman.

nThe birthday party went great. And I was not prepared for the revelation that Trinity and Reece were having twins. That was exciting news for them, but with me and Rawlynne getting married now I didn't want to ruin things by getting her pregnant. I knew she had a lot of plans for her career and a baby wasn't part of those plans yet.

nJust after the fireworks were over Rawlynne was feeling tired from a long few days at work so I offered to take her back to my place, after I promised that I wouldn't try to do anything but sleep. She agreed only after that promise.

nWe took a quick shower together and climbed into bed. I held her in my arms while we slept peacefully through the night. I had wonderful dreams of our future. It was difficult for me to imagine ourselves looking older so I just pictured us as we were now.

nThere was a sweet little baby in the dream and for some reason I was able to smell in this dream. There was a lingering scent of maple syrup around Rawlynne but the baby, who was just a few days old, smelled exactly like fluffy pancakes covered in maple syrup. Was that what a future child of ours would smell like.

nI smiled all through the night as that dream played over and over in my head.

nWhen I was getting ready to wake up, just on the verge of consciousness I could still smell that maple scent. It was like fresh from the tree maple syrup and it was making my mouth water for some pancakes.

nWait, why was I still smelling that maple scent? Shouldn't it have gone away with the dream? What was with this lingering smell?

nOnly it wasn't just lingering, it was there and it was becoming overwhelming. My eyes popped open then and I stared at Rawlynne. She was still asleep in my arms but I needed to check something.

nI hovered over her and pressed my nose to her stomach, inhaling deeply. That smell was there again and way stronger now.

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"Uh oh.

" I was worried that Rawlynne would be upset with this development.

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"Mmm, David? What are you doing?

" She stretched and turned to look at me with surprise.

"There is no time to do anything right now, we need to get to work.

"

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"Rawlynne, I'm so sorry.

"

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"Don't be sorry, just keep it in your pants for next time.

" She giggled.

n

"No, it's not that. It's….It's that…. Oh Goddess I'm so sorry Rawlynne, I ruined your plans.

" I felt so irresponsible and I just knew she was going to be angry.

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"What's wrong? What is it you think you ruined?

" She was sitting up now and pulling away from me, the t-shirt she had borrowed from me all disheveled and sexy first thing in the morning.

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"You said you weren't ready yet, but I didn't listen. I shouldn't have taken you so many times on our birthdays, I should have worn something to prevent this.

"

n

"Prevent what? What are you talking about? David, you're starting to make me worry here.

"

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"I'm sorry, sweetheart, I'm so sorry that I got you pregnant too soon.

"

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"What?

" Her face dropped and she looked like I had just smacked her on the back of the head.

"What did you just say?

"

n

"You're pregnant. I am so sorry, I didn't mean to do this to you. And this is the first time we've been alone and settled down since you left the other night so I wasn't able to tell sooner. I am so sorry honey. Please don't hate me.

"

n

"Why would I hate you?

" She looked at me with laughter in her eyes.

"It's not like you did anything wrong, now did you?

"

n

"But, you said you weren't ready for kids yet. Your career, you said that-.

"

n

"And all those plans were before I met you. I have new plans now, and even more new ones I guess. I'm not mad David, actually I'm quite happy, or I will be once I can process this without you trying to make it sound so bad.

"

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"You're happy?

" I asked her with disbelief in my voice.

"You're not mad? You want the baby?

"

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"It's our baby, of course I want it. I love kids anyway, I just wasn't ready for one until I found the right person.

"

n

"I love you.

" I wrapped my arms around her waist and buried my nose in her belly.

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"What are you doing?

" She laughed at me again.

n

"Smelling you and the baby. They smell like maple syrup and it's bringing out the fruity parts of your scent. It's actually making me want to have pancakes for breakfast. Well, pancakes or you.

"

n

"Slow down there tiger, we still have work to do. Pancakes we can do, dessert will have to wait.

"

n

"Dammit, I knew you'd say that.

" I laughed now too.

"Hey, I got a perfect name we can use.

"

n

"Already thinking of names, are we?

" She rolled her eyes as I looked at her.

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"But it's perfect, it means maple tree, since the baby smells like maple syrup it's perfect.

"

n

"What is it?

" She actually looked like she wanted to know.

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"Kaede, it's Japanese.

"

n

"I like it, but we will see. Is it for a boy or a girl?

"

n

"Either, which makes it perfect for either one.

"

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