Chapter Eight

5th month

Reed had just gotten dressed when he heard "I'm fat and ugly" via the connection he and Noah had shared. When he walked in, Noah was standing in front of the full-length mirror, peering into it.

"You are not fat; you are carrying my baby," Reed told Noah as he hugged him from behind. "Now get dressed so we can go and find out if we're having a boy or a girl," Reed told the young man. Noah did as requested, and they proceeded to the hospital. Once there, the regular exam was performed, followed by a thirty-minute breathing treatment.

"Are you two ready to find out the baby's gender?" Dr. Newburry asked.

"Yes, we are," Noah and Reed answered simultaneously.

The doctor cautiously swept the ultrasound wand about Noah's abdomen for five minutes before pausing the screen.

"Congratulations! "It's a boy," she commented. Noah tilted his head to the side and looked at the display. A tear rolled down his cheek. Noah's gaze wandered when he felt Reed take his hand and gently grip it. Reed leaned in and gently kissed him on the lips.

"I love you, baby," Reed said.

"I love you, too," Noah answered, reciprocating the kiss. An hour later, they were about to pass the studio when Noah announced, "Someone's in front of the studio," pointing to his right. Reed took a cursory glance, and Noah was correct. There was someone standing outside.

Reed pulled into the parking lot and shut off his engine. As they stepped out of the automobile, Noah's hazel eyes were drawn to the man in the shadows. Noah came to a sharp halt as the figure appeared. A set of hazel eyes met his own. Reed blinked many times to ensure that he was not seeing twins. In front of them appeared an older, stronger Noah. Noah's expression and eyes conveyed shock.

"Jonathan," Noah's voice stuttered.

"Hello, Noah," the man said. Reed stood next to Noah, feeling slightly out of place.

"Noah, who is this person?" Reed inquired.

Unsure how to respond, Noah answered, "Let's go inside." "You know what the doctor said about staying out in the cold for too long," he remarked, spinning around to face Reed. The redhead nodded before opening the art studio door. "Come inside," Noah said to the guy. The three of them entered the brick building and sat in chairs. Reed asked, "Who are you?"

"Reed, this is Jonathan, my brother," Noah said. Everything was made obvious now.

"And you are?" Jonathan inquired, shooting Reed a frown.

"His boyfriend and his mate," Reed added. Noah removed his big coat and placed it on the chair due to him feeling hot. That's when Jonathan's gaze shifted to his swollen belly.

Noah approached Reed's side and stated, "As you can see, we're expecting," holding Reed's hand and smiled. The tension around them immediately subsided.

"How far along are you?" Jonathan inquired, lifting an eyebrow.

"Five months," Noah announced joyfully.

"I'm going to the vending machines," Reed explained. "Want anything?" he inquired.

"Salted pretzels if there are any," Noah said with a smile. Reed said his farewell, kissed Noah on the cheek, before leaving the room. Noah sat back down in his chair.

"I have been looking everywhere for you," Jonathan said. "When I found out what happened, I left the pack and started searching," he told him.

"I'm sorry, but I needed to disappear," Noah said. "Hunter hurt me."

Reed reappeared with a few tiny bags and an armful of drinks. "Remember, the doctor said to eat and stay hydrated," he told Noah, offering him a bag of pretzels and a bottle of water.

"Are you still having breathing troubles?" Jonathan inquired, apprehensive.

"Yeah, but I'm getting regular treatments," Noah said, unscrewing the top and taking a sip. Jonathan sighed with relief.

"I'm glad you found someone who genuinely cares about you," Jonathan responded.

"Reed has been a lifesaver for me," Noah explained.

"Thank you for watching over my little brother," Jonathan remarked. "So, tell me; will I have a niece or a nephew?" questioned the man.

"It's a boy," Noah replied, putting his palm on his stomach.

The chats resumed until Reed noticed Noah was exhausted. "Let's do this another time," Reed said. "Noah needs to rest."

"Okay, glad to see you," Jonathan said.

"Wait," Noah responded. "Where are you staying?" he inquired.

"The hotel," Jonathan explained, giving them the room number. They eventually separated ways. As Noah and Reed embraced in bed, Reed commented, "Your brother seemed concerned about you." "Why didn't you contact him after leaving the pack?" said the man.

"He was still in college, and I was running away," Noah explained. "I needed to get my life back in order before I let anyone else in it."

Noah's energy level dropped, making it difficult to stay awake for long. Dr. Newburry prescribed a portable breathing machine. Reed had an art class that day, so Jonathan came and stayed with Noah. "Thanks, man, you're a lifesaver," Reed replied as he prepared to depart.

"That's what friends and families are for," Jonathan said. Jonathan sat on the couch, turned on the television, and kept the volume down. When a door opened in the distance, he quickly looked over his shoulder. Noah appeared and pulled the breathing machine behind him. His hazel eyes reflected a sense of confusion.

"Jonathan," Noah whispered, his voice low.

"I'm on the couch," Jonathan informed him.

Noah sat down on the couch, staring blankly ahead. "Are you alright?" Jonathan asked.

"Yeah, just lonely I guess," Noah said.

"I can fix you something to eat," Jonathan said.

"Thanks, I'd like that," Noah replied. Jonathan stood up and went into the kitchen. He prepared soup and sandwiches for Noah and himself. As they were eating, the door opened.

"I'm back," Reed announced as he entered and kissed Noah's face. Noah immediately smiled.

"How was class?" Noah inquired.

"It went well," Reed said. "There was a new student today," he explained. This piqued Jonathan and Noah's interest as Reed described everything.