***Genni POV***
As usual, I awoke slowly from the trance-shift. Allowing my senses to click in place for this realm.
I could make out Sara's voice. It sounded so much lighter than before. I could also hear Greg, Peter and Molly firing question after question at Sara. I opened my eyes and found myself on one of the sofas. Sitting up, I got the other's attention by standing quietly and walking over to the crib that held the baby girl. Our baby girl, I said to Sapphire.
Before I picked up my sleeping child, I turned towards the anxious people staring at me and answered all their questions. Greg, of course, was the first to say anything after the quick fire round.
''Let me get this straight in my head, Sara carried Baby Girl, birthed Baby Girl, and has been trying to care for Baby Girl when all this time Baby Girl is actually yours''?.
I nodded my agreement with his run down of the situation. Molly had her arms around Sara, who was smiling like a loon. And Peter, dear Peter, looked like I'd slapped him across the face.
''I know all this is a shock. I myself still can't believe it myself'' I added. I looked again at the sleeping Babe, and my arms yearned to hold her. But I was afraid, what if all this was some sort of dream for me? Am I about to wake up next to Sara's bed, back in the hospital?
Sara left Molly's embrace and walked over to me. She softly held my arm and said gently, ''You going to just stand there looking but not touching? Or do you intend to be a hands-on Mom?''.
I let out the breath I had been holding and admitted to Sara, and Molly, who had joined us, that I was terrified it would all disappear, that she would disappear. The thought of that brought tears to my eyes. While we were having this quiet discussion, the baby started to stir. She had only been asleep for thirty minutes, give or take five. I looked liked a deer caught in headlights as I realised I didn't know what to do.
I started to feel a cold breeze around my chest. It was only when Molly came over to explain to me what was happening that I understood. This was crazy. How is this possible?
''You're Gra......Genni. It looks like the baby's cry has started your milk flow, go into the bedroom and I'll bring the baby to you''. I looked at Molly, so grateful that I get to call this amazing woman my Beta and friend.
Sara ushered me into the bedroom, where I saw a glimpse of myself in the mirror. You could clearly see that I was lactating. How the fuck is this possible? I wasn't the one pregnant. This shouldn't be happening......
I'm scared, confused, excited and downright terrified simultaneously. Sara sits next to me on the bed and helps me take my T-shirt off. It's like I'm frozen in fear and can't move.
The door opened and Molly entered holding the baby girl, and my heart started to hammer in my chest. Everyone must have heard it. Sara puts an arm around my shoulders and starts to explain what I must do. The baby is placed in my arms, and everything but her fades away.
I know what to do, it's instinctual. I free one breast from my bra, and the baby latches on hungrily. The pull inside my breast is the weirdest feeling ever. But also the best feeling ever. As the baby feeds, all I can do is stare at her. She is perfect, I can actually see a little of Jonas in her, and that fact makes my heart swell even more. A tear escapes and silently runs down my cheek. It was only then that I realised Sara was still next to me, and Molly was kneeling at my feet.
Molly wipes the tear away and asks if I'm okay.
Am I okay?
I'm here, holding this baby, my baby. Our baby. I'm betting than okay. I'm brilliant. And humbled and awe struck. I never knew I could love something more than Jonas. But I think I do. I think I'm head over heels for this little lady.
There's a shuffling noise by the door, and I look up to see two heads poking out. One on top of the other. That makes me smile, and I tell the guys to come in.
Greg walks in first and places Bastian in his mother's arms, and sits just behind her on the bed, while Peter sits on the floor by Molly. I leave us like this for a few minutes, then I link with Peter and ask him to fetch my Father and Martha. He jumps straight up and leaves the apartment immediately.
I explain to the others where I have sent him. ''Why didn't you just link to your father?" asked Greg, somewhat perplexed. But it was Sara who answered him, ''Sure honey, Gen's gonna link to her dad and say, how's it going today? By the way, I want you to meet your Granddaughter? Come on Babe, use your head''. Greg looks a bit peevish at this, but soon enough is chuckling and kissing Sara on the cheek.
I didn't realise my expression had changed until Sara asked me what was upsetting me.
I looked at them, they are so happy. They are a family unit. Mom, Dad and baby. I look at the sweet baby in my arms, then close my eyes. Picturing Jonas, I sniff back my tears.
''I just wish Jonas could be here for this. This is our baby. Ours, Sara. And he doesn't even know. It just makes me feel a little sad. It's okay though, I'm okay''. I ended on a smile, but still had a squeeze from Sara.
The baby had stopped sucking now, so I tucked my breast away and placed the baby against my shoulder so I could burp her. I kissed her soft downy hair and whispered sweet nothings into her little ear when Sara said ''You're a natural, Gen''.
I held one arm out so I could give Sara a hug. ''Thank you so much for agreeing to this crazy plan, thank you for allowing me to become a Mom, and thank you for keeping her safe until I could claim her. I love you, Sara. You're my best friend. The absolute best''.
Sara just held onto the hug as her response, nothing else was needed. Until I pulled away quickly and held Greg's hand, 'thanks to you too, Greg. Thank you''. Greg got off the bed and came closer to me to hug me quickly. I could see unshod tears in his eyes, but said nothing. Again, everything had been said.
Molly asked if she should put the baby in her crib, as she was now sound asleep after a good feed. I agreed reluctantly, but Sara reminded me that I had a lot of shopping to do. Like a lot.
I had to buy everything for the baby. From nappies to a crib and everything in between. I started to panic slightly until Greg pointed out I could buy everything needed online and get it delivered straight away.
For the next few minutes, Sara and myself made a list, thank goddess for her. Having her own baby meant she knew exactly what was needed. We even jotted down some sleep suits for the baby, but Sara refused to buy any other clothes. Stating that as new mothers, it was our right and tradition to go baby clothes shopping. Molly, who had popped back into the bedroom, clapped excitedly at the prospect. We all made our way back into the lounge, where both babies now slept in their cribs, next to each other.
''These two will share an incredible bond, ya know'' Greg said as he placed the laptop on the table for us. Molly agreed with him and walked over to the cribs, talking to Bastian first and then my baby.
''do you have a name for her yet?'' Enquired Molly as she continued to gaze lovely at the two babies.
My hands flew to my cheeks as I admitted I hadn't even thought of that.
''You know, it's an essential thing to have Genevieve. I need to know what to call my Granddaughter, after all,'' said the booming voice of my very excited Father as he walked through the door. As I had asked, Peter had explained the basic's to my dad before he arrived. And it was clear by the smitten look on his face that he not only believed it and accepted it, but was already the proud and dotting grandfather I knew he would be.
Lucas and Martha walked in behind my father. Lucas rush at me and picked me up in his arms. ''I'm overjoyed for you, Sis. Congratulations on becoming a Mom''. And he kissed me on the cheek whilst putting me down.
Marther was next to hug me, she was openly crying with joy, kissed and hugged me multiple times. My father, however, only had eyes for the little angel in the crib. I watched as he very gently picked her up and cradled her to his chest. I could see tears streaming down his face as he gave her a very watery kiss on the forehead and muttered to himself the werewolf code from our old pack. He swore to protect her, to guide her, to show her the path to wisdom, adding a promise to always love her. We were all in tears by the end of the impromptu speech. Martha stood beside him and gently kissed the baby's head. ''And Aunt Martha will be right there with him, little one''.
I looked at her, shocked for a second ''Aunt? Why Aunt? Don't you want to be known as GrandMa''?
I questioned, Martha blushed, ''I didn't want to presume, my dear. I'm not blood. So,,,,,''.
''Neither am I, but I dare anyone tell me this is not MY Granddaughter'' said my father firmly.
That broke some tension as Martha walked up to me and enveloped me in another hug. 'As long as it's okay with you, I would be honoured to be the little ones, GrandMa. Just Hounred''.
''that settles, it'' said my father brusquely. ''Now, GRANDMA, come hold the baby while I congratulate my daughter and thank Dear Dear Sara for what she made possible''.
I could see Sara blush at his words, but she accepted his hug and thanks nonetheless. When the baby was back in her crib, and Bastian was back in his, he wasn't left out of the celebrations after all. Sara and myself stood by the foot of both cribs and gazed down at the miracles snuggled in their soft baby blankets. I took Sara's hand in mine and gave it a light kiss.
''Look at us'' I said quietly, ''Just a regular couple of Mom's''.
Sara chuckled at this and said 'I don't think you will ever be a regular, anything, missy. Not then, not now, not ever''.