Chapter 78: New Beginnings

Chapter 78: New Beginnings
Eight Months Later

Sun came through the open window. Cosette opened her eyes and saw the bright room. Someone was staring at her.

"Good morning, my wife."

Cosette smiled.

"How are you feeling?"

Cosette tried to sit up. Aslan helped her. It was hard for her to move because of her big belly.

"I had a strange dream."

"Aren't you always?" Aslan said, smiling.

"It's different this time," Cosette said. "I dreamed about our future kids."

"And?"

"I dreamed of them running around the mansion with their little voices echoing through the hallways."

Aslan kissed Cosette’s forehead.

"Don't worry. You'll see them in a few days."

Cosette left the room with Aslan helping her. Some servants in the hallway greeted them.

"Good morning, Alpha, Miss Cosette."

Cosette smiled. "Good morning."

Cosette and Aslan went down the stairs. They saw the bright place. In eight months, many things had changed in the mansion. The old, empty feeling was now replaced by noise and footsteps from the servants and staff. The mansion was open again for the townspeople to tell the Alpha their problems. The quiet, dark hallway and furniture covered in cloth were now filled with light from the open windows. The forest-like garden was now full of plants and colorful flowers. There were also servants and staff all over the mansion.

Aslan and Cosette went into the dining room. The food was ready on the table.

"What do you want to eat?" Aslan asked.

Cosette shook her head.

"Come on, Cosette. You can't always have no appetite."

"Are you leaving today?" Cosette asked.

"I just need to take care of something at the council." Aslan looked at Cosette. "Don't you want me to leave? I could stay here."

"If it's about the council, you should go."

Even now, the situation between Elwood and the council wasn't completely settled. They were watching Cosette’s pregnancy. The decision of whether her child could be the heir depended on her baby.

"I'll be back soon."

Cosette nodded.

"That's why you should eat."

Aunt Neela came into the dining room. She was now the manager of the mansion again.

"You need to eat healthy food, dear. Especially now that you're about to give birth."

"That's what I'm saying," Aslan said, frustrated.

Cosette smiled at Aslan’s reaction. Aslan had been dealing with Cosette’s unpredictable mood swings caused by her pregnancy. And his frustration was something Cosette found amusing.

"Do you find this funny, my wife?"

Cosette nodded with a smile. Aslan frowned. But then he smiled. He couldn't believe that even now, Cosette was back with him, that they were back in Elwood. And the woman in front of him was now his wife.

Four months had passed since they got married. It was one of the biggest events in Elwood. Many people attended. Almost all the townspeople were invited. It was a town-wide celebration. On the day they tied the knot, Cosette’s Grandpa and her cousin Yuan attended.

While eating, Cosette mentioned Yuan’s visit.

"Yuan is coming later."

"Is your Grandpa with him?"

"He can't come because he has something to take care of. But he sent gifts for the twins."

"I'm not surprised," Aslan said while eating. "He seems more excited than we are. Almost one room upstairs is full of gifts from him."

Cosette smiled. "When the twins can travel, we can visit."

Aslan nodded. He gazed at Cosette with affection. "We'll do that."

Before noon, Aslan said he had to leave.

"Kieran is here. If you ever need anything, he'll be here," Aslan said while standing in front of the mansion door.

"Be careful."

Aslan came closer and kissed Cosette’s lips. "I'll be back soon."

Cosette waited for Aslan to leave completely before going back into the mansion. As she went in, she suddenly felt pain in her stomach. She held it.

"Are you okay, Miss Cosette?" one of the servants asked.

"I'm fine. It seems like the baby is just making its presence known," she answered.

"You should rest, Miss Cosette."

\--

Around noon, Yuan arrived at the mansion. Cosette greeted him right away.

"Yuan!"

Yuan brought the gifts from their Grandpa. The guards helped him.

"Cosette, take it easy. We just saw each other a month ago," he said, laughing.

"How are my nephews and nieces?" Yuan said, facing Cosette’s belly. "Did you miss Uncle?"

"Aren't you going to ask how I am?" Cosette asked.

"I know you're doing well, Cosette, or is that pregnancy glow?"

Cosette couldn't help but smile. More than just a cousin, Cosette saw Yuan as almost a brother.

Soon after, the door opened again. Miss Farrah came into the mansion.

"Miss Farrah," Cosette greeted. "It's good you visited. Wait, did you two talk about visiting today?" Cosette asked the two.

After the wedding, Miss Farrah decided to go back to her mother's town. She was in Elwood to help her brother get back to how he was before. So now that the trouble was over and Aslan was back to being the Alpha, Miss Farrah needed to go back to her mother's town, where she managed the land and property that her mother left behind.

Miss Farrah and Yuan looked at each other. Instead of answering, Miss Farrah faced Cosette’s belly.

"Did you miss me, my little darlings?"

Cosette just smiled and didn't ask anymore questions. Yuan went up to the guest room to rest from the long trip. Miss Farrah went straight to the kitchen to greet Aunt Neela.

Cosette stayed in the living room and walked around. She went to the garden. She found the cat Noir sleeping peacefully on the bench under the tree, with the sun shining on his black fur.

"Hey, Noir," The cat woke up when he heard her voice. He jumped to the ground and followed Cosette as she walked.

Cosette looked at the plants in the garden. The mansion looked very different compared to the first time she stepped foot here.

"I knew I'd find you here."

Cosette turned around. Kieran walked closer to her. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm doing fine," Cosette answered.

"Are you nervous?"

Cosette smiled. "You know me so well, Kieran."

"Is it about your child?"

Cosette sat on the bench. Kieran helped her.

"I'm worried that not only the heir, but both of them will be subject to the council's monitoring until they grow up. I'm normal. Aslan is half-blood. This is the first time this has happened. And there's a big chance that none of our children will get Aslan’s blood as a hybrid."

"I think you forgot something," Kieran said.

"Aslan is an Alpha. He's not just an ordinary hybrid. His blood is more prevalent even compared to his pure-blooded counterpart. Besides, after everything you've been through, are you going to worry now? Aslan can protect you and your children, and we're by his side as his people, as friends."

Cosette smiled.

"It feels like it was so long ago since I first stepped foot in this place," she said. "Remember you used to warn me about the secrets of Elwood, but I was stubborn."

From being a stranger in town, she was now the Alpha's wife. Who would have thought that this day would come?

Cosette felt the pain in her stomach again. She groaned.

"Are you okay, Cosette?" Kieran asked, worried.

Cosette couldn't answer. She was holding her stomach. It was throbbing, and she was slowly losing her breath because of the pain.

"Cosette?"

"Kieran... I think I'm going into labor..."

"Huh?!"

Kieran blinked, seeming like he didn't know what to do.

"Wait... Aslan’s not here... shit..."

"Kieran!" Cosette shouted because of the intense pain. "Snap out of it. I'm going into labor!"