Alpha Loren novel Chapter 88

December 19th

Ella's point of view:

Two days later I sat on the sofa of the Loren house still staring in awe at my ultra scan photo.

It was grey-scale and fuzzy but I couldn't take my eyes off the tiny little creature that you could just about make out. The Doctor said he looked perfectly healthy and when he was on the screen, I could see him moving his little legs and arms.

Rosa had gasped in admiration and grabbed my hand, nearly in tears at the sight of her first grandchildren and when we got home and showed the family, even Antonio seemed at least a little touched.

By 9 pm, I'd finally managed to drag my attention away from it when Mateo took it from my hands, pinned it to the fridge and replaced it with a tub of icecream.

We then sat with our legs stretched over Marco and Carlos as we indulged in the delicious creamy goodness as Bella and Lisa lay on the floor, glued to the TV which was broadcasting the latest episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians.

"This ice cream is so good," I groaned taking yet another spoonful.

"I know right," Mateo replied also digging his spoon into the tub, "Triple chocolate and fudge. Exquiste."

"Are you sure you want to eat anymore?" Marco asked looking at the almost empty container which had been unopened before Mateo and I got our hands on it.

"She's pregnant, Marco," Mateo replied for me.

"Yeh and what's your excuse, huh?" Marco asked, looking to Mateo. 

He shrugged, "If you've got a problem, we can take it outside."

"And Bella and Lisa, is there any chance we can change channels, I might actually have to cut my ears out if I hear another spoilt little Kardashian toddler have a tantrun," Marco grumbled.

"I'm with him on that one," Carlos said coming into the living room. "Why do you watch this shit."

"Carlos! Non merda in questa casa!" Rosa called from upstairs.

I giggled. 

Rough translation: 'Carlos! Do not shit in this house!'

"I heard that she found about you and Xander mating, Bella," Marco said in a whisper. 

She snapped her head around and glared at her brother with narrowed eyes.

"How do you know about that!" she hissed.

He grinned, "Carlos tells me everything."

"And how does Carlos know?" 

"Lenny told me," Carlos responded with a shrug.

She opened her mouth in shock, "How does Lenny know?!"

"I told him," Mateo added.

"For fuck's sake. You can't keep anything quiet in this house," she grumbled, before turning back to the TV.

Mateo let out a light laugh as he swallowed his mouthful of icecream, "Does Dad know yet?" 

"No and you aren't going to tell him," she growled firmly as she rested her head on her hands and kept her eyes on the TV

He put his hands up in surrender.

"I wasn't going to but I think you should," Mateo said, "He's gonna be mad if he finds out himself."

"He'll be mad either way."

"Leo permitted it right?" Marco said, "What's the problem?"

"You don't get it, boys," Bella grumbled, "When you three lost your virginities you practically got a pat on the back and a high five and it wasn't even with your mates. It's not the same for us."

"And in case you haven't noticed, Dad doesn't give a flying fuck about what the Alpha has said," Lisa contributed. "The fact that Leo permitted it means nothing. Just tell him when you get pregnant, Belle. That's all he needs to know."

"Thank you. Finally, someone with some sense," Bella said.

"Boys are idiots. Don't listen to them," Elena said entering the room.

"What do you know about boys?" Mateo said raising his an eyebrow as a little smirk crept onto his lips. "You haven't been with a boy in your life."

"I have five brothers. I think that makes me about as qualified as you can get. And you don't know about my love life."

"Going to junior prom with Benvolio Meridetti doesn't count," Mateo argued.

Elena clenched her jaw and turned to Mateo, "And why not?" she asked, folding her arms.

"He only went with you because he felt bad that Jack Martin backed out last minute," Mateo said as he lay casually on the sofa just looking up at Elena but somehow still managing to provoke her.

I had no idea who Benvolio nor Jack were but by the way Elena glared at Mateo, I could tell it was a touchy subject.

She suddenly lurched forward and grabbed a pillow before launching it at him. He caught it just before it impacted with his face and let out an excited laugh.

"Shut up, Mateo. You can be a real dick sometimes, you know?" she spat.

"Looks like it is somebody's flow season," he teased.

"Mateo, you have some fucking nerve to say that," she growled.

She then continued in Italian, her voice deepening with spite.

Mateo then rolled his eyes before arguing straight back at her also in Italian. 

The shouting match continued for a few moments before Mateo stood up only for Elena to shove him hard into the wall. 

Of course Mateo didn't hesitate to shove back. 

That was the moment I put the ice cream tub down and got to my feet.

"Okay! I'm going to bed!" I announced over the shouting.

"Yeah me too," Carlos said, still watching Elena and Mateo.

"I think I'll join you," Marco added.

"Yeah, maybe we should leave you two to it," Bella said as both she and Lisa stood up.

I began waddling to the stairs as Elena and Mateo continued to shout at one another. 

"Is that Mateo and Elena at each other's throats again?" Rosa asked hurrying down the stairs. "Every single day! Lenny had to prize Elena off of him yesterday before she gave him a black eye."

As I reached the fourth step on the stairs I felt a sharp cramp-like pain in my lower stomach.

I winced and stepped back a bit.

"Ella, are you okay?" Carlos asked steadying me so that I didn't fall back down the stairs.

"Yeah I'm fine-" I began before another sharp pain hit my stomach.

"MAMA!" Bella screamed. 

"Fuck," I mumbled as the pain still went on.

It was a few seconds before it finally eased, leaving me panting and sweaty.

"You know..." I said suddenly feeling a wetness in my underwear, "I think my water has broken.

"Mama!" Bella called again.

But she was still far too busy trying to make peace with Elena and Mateo.

"MOM!" Carlos bellowed, "Ella's having a baby and she's having it now."

The shouting instantly ceased.

"What?" Rosa asked appearing in the hall, her blue eyes wide and her lips parted slightly.

"I think-" I began before another contraction. 

I gripped Bella's hand and groaned in pain.

"-That I've gone into labour," I finished.

"Oh shit," she said.

Rosa never cursed.

"So soon?" she asked.

I nodded, "My water has already broken."

Rosa then took a deep breath before clapping her hands and turning to her six fully-grown children that stood in the hall.

"Marco and Carlos, help Ella to the car. Lisa call your brother. Bella get a bottle of water and some snacks. Mateo call your father. Elena call the hospital and tell them we're on our way," She ordered, "I'll get your things, Ella."

Only a few minutes later, I was in the car practically crushing Marco's hand with every contraction.

No pregnancy book or amount of period cramps could have prepared me for this. It was like being stabbed in the stomach, back, ovaries and womb repeatedly for the entire contraction. And the longer we sat there waiting for operation 'leave the house' to be completed, the more frequent and long they got.

"Good luck," Lisa said as Rosa got into the car next to me after userping her twin sons.

Mateo started the engine and I gave then a weak wave before he sped out the drive and through the forest towards the base hospital.

"Let's go and deliver a baby," Rosa said giving me a comforting hug, "It'll be over before you know it."