Chapter 45

Chapter 45
Chapter 45 - Lilly’s pov.

It's quiet, and I immediately realize I'm alone in bed. I ignore the disappointment I feel. Dex is an important man with responsibilities, so of course, he can't stay in bed and get up with me. Especially not after a night like last night. The bed feels cold on the side he was lying on. I roll over to his side, the pillow still smelling of him, and I press my face into it. I stay there, eyes closed. After a few minutes, I realize how quiet it actually is. That's strange. Claire always makes some kind of noise early in the morning, even when she's asleep.
I bolt upright, my heart pounding. Panicked, I crawl across the bed toward Claire's crib. Did something happen to her while I was sleeping? Why didn't I hear anything?
"Oh, thank God," I gasp when I see the note in her bed. 
I let myself fall back onto the bed. Once I recover from the shock, a smile spreads across my face. Even though he had a rough day himself yesterday, he chose to take care of Claire, to give me a break. I don't know how to thank him, to let him know how much this means to me. Not for giving me peace, although that's wonderful too. No, for the fact that he cares about Claire, cares for her. 
My eyes start to sting with realization.
For the first time since I left home, I miss my mom. How I wish I could have called her and told her about Dex. I stare at the ceiling, repeating to myself that contacting her is a bad idea. I can't risk it, not after yesterday. I sigh. Maybe in the future, when my dad and Alex give up. However long that may take.
I have to focus on the present now, on our future with Dex and his pack. Full of renewed energy, I get out of bed. I realize I don't even know what time it is. I'm startled to see it's almost 11 o'clock. The last time I slept this late was when Brent was still alive. I just hope everything goes well. Although I trust that if it got too much for Dex, he would have woken me up. Or would his pride have gotten in the way? Those thoughts make me hesitate. I quickly get dressed and, after brushing my teeth, I rush downstairs.

I hear chatter coming from the shared living room. "Ah, look who we have here," Bruce says when he sees me. "Sleeping beauty." I stick my tongue out teasingly and walk over to Dex, who's sitting on the rug with Claire. "Thank you," I say, kissing his cheek and sitting down next to him. I lean over to pick Claire up, but she wags her arms wildly and babbles dissatisfied. Stunned, I sit back down. She immediately smiles at Dex. "Okay, okay. I know where I stand," 
I say with a pout, feigning insult. "Ah, don't worry," Dex says affectionately, taking my chin. "I'm glad to see you." He kisses me tenderly. I smile against his lips. Claire babbles loudly, and Dex pulls away, chuckling.
"Hush, princess. You're sharing first place," he says soothingly, picking her up and kissing her cheek. My heart melts when she giggles as he tickles her neck with his nose.
"Not to spoil the fun," Ronan says, and I glance over at him. "But when do you want to make the announcement?" He doesn't have to say which announcement he means; that much is clear. I look at Dex doubtfully. Without taking his attention off Claire, he says, "Tonight. I've already arranged it with Mrs. Jackson." Ronan nods. "Uhm, arranged what?" I ask, clueless. I got the impression he'd make sure all the pack members were together, and then we'd tell them, and that was it. But if he's talked to Mrs. Jackson about it, it seems like it's a bit more than that.
Dex takes Claire onto his lap and looks at me. "News like this is more than just an announcement. It's a celebration. A celebration for you, for us," he explains. "So I arranged with Mrs. Jackson to have a big BBQ tonight. When everyone's there, we'll share the news, and afterward, we'll have an informal get-together. That way you can get to know everyone in a casual way." He explains, but I'm not sure what to make of it.
"A BBQ? On such short notice? Isn't that a bit much work? How's she going to manage that for so many people?" I ask, a little confused. I don't know how many members the pack has, but undoubtedly too many to ensure there's enough food for everyone in such a short time. Werewolves, no less, who eat much more than normal humans. 
Ronan waves away my concerns. "Leave it to Mrs. Jackson, she has her ways," he says mysteriously. Reece shakes his head, laughing. "What he means," he says. "That she's prepared for unexpected celebrations."
"What? Are you saying you always have an incredible supply of food just in case?" I ask, eyebrows raised, almost incredulous. "Sort of, not everything, of course. But Mrs. Jackson has her connections in town," Dex says. "Don't ask me how she does it, because I don't know," he adds as I open my mouth to ask the next question. I stay silent, still wondering how Mrs. Jackson is going to pull it off. "Now that that's cleared up," Dex says lightly before his eyes blur. I assume he's briefing the rest of the pack about tonight's event.
He stands with Claire in his arms and extends his hand to me. "Okay, let's go." Confused, I take his hand. "Let's go where?" I look at the others, who clearly know more than I do. "Shopping, of course. I assume you'd like a new outfit for tonight." My eyebrows shoot up. "Shopping? Now? Are you sure that's a good idea? With everything going on." I'm surprised he's thinking of that now. Shouldn't we find out where Alex is?
He shrugs. "Yeah. Let's put our minds on something positive. He's not stupid enough to try anything while you're surrounded by us." He puts his free arm around me. "You all coming?" Reece and Bruce nod. "Not me, I'm needed in the office," Ronan says, a note of relief in his voice, and I chuckle.

I look at Claire. "I think someone needs a nap first," I say with a smile as she snuggles into Dex's shoulder. "Oops, I didn't think of that," Dex mumbles, embarrassed. "It's okay, we can go when she's awake," I say, lifting her from his arms. She grumbles, but as soon as I hold her against me, she relaxes. I kiss the top of her head and tell Dex I'll be right back. Before I reach our room, she's almost dozed off.
"Shhh, it's okay. Mommy will hurry up," I whisper as she struggles while I try to change her diaper. I don't know what Dex has been up to with her this morning, but it's got her asleep before I'm even out of the room. 

Dex is waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, deep in conversation with Gigi. She throws her arms around my neck enthusiastically. "I'm so happy for you," she says with a broad smile. 
"I know exactly which shops we need to go to," she assures me, hopping up and down happily. I raise my eyebrows. "Are you coming too?" I ask, happily surprised. "Of course, someone has to show you the best shops," she says naturally. "And I think you'd like a woman's opinion too," she adds with a wink, and I smile broadly, because she's right. Not that I don't trust Dex's taste, but a woman's gaze is different. She takes my arm and leads me to the living room. "Tell me, what are you thinking of? And what do you want for Claire? I thought it would be super cute if you two matched," she says, and I can only laugh at her enthusiasm. "Um, I have no idea. I just found out we're going shopping," I say, laughing. She looks at Dex. "What did you have in mind? You need to match, too," she says to him, and he looks a little uneasy. "I don't think that's necessary. I'll just pull something out of the closet. Tonight's about Lilly," he says. "And Claire." I smile.
"Of course it's necessary," Gigi says. "Tonight's about Lilly, but also about you. About the pack, she'll be our Luna." When she puts it like that, she has a point. Dex sighs; he knows she's right, too.
"We'll get Lilly and Claire an outfit first. I'm sure I have something in my closet that will match," he says, and Gigi nods.
She picks up her phone. "We'll start at this store," she says, handing me the phone. "They have super cute dresses for girls, and often matching evening gowns too."
I look at the website. I can't blame her; the dresses are super cute. "Don't you think this is a bit much?" I ask hesitantly. Although the dresses are beautiful, they seem more like something for special occasions. I'd feel quite overdressed. She shrugs. Dex looks over my shoulder. "Yeah, but it's a good idea to look for your Luna ceremony," he agrees. Gigi takes the phone back.
She brings up another website. "Okay, we'll look here." I look at the photos again; this one looks more casual. "Do they have children's clothes?" I ask, seeing nothing on the site. "No," she says, shaking her head. "But there are a few shops on that same street where we can look for Claire," she says, and I nod approvingly.
"And you're sure this is a good idea?" I ask Dex, just to be sure. "Yeah, no worries. Reece and Bruce are coming too. He'd have to be incredibly stupid to try something when we're on a busy shopping street and you're surrounded by us," he says confidently. "Okay, if you say so," I reply, not entirely convinced.