The Quiet Giant's Mate Epilogue - Regina

I won’t blow smoke up your ass and say the last two years have been perfect. There is no such thing as perfect. Anyone who tells you their life is ‘perfect’ is in denial. My life quickly changed three years ago at André’s masquerade ball. I went from being single to having a mate to having a son. There is only one thing I’d change if I could: finding Ivan sooner.

I do wish I got to dole out Lia’s punishment for tampering with official documents. In the end, she got what was coming to her. She may not have been turned to stone and knocked over, effectively killing her. But who am I to argue with how André allowed Delilah to deal with her?

That was one of the perks of being their surrogate. They let her decide Lia’s fate. It seemed fair that Lia hurt Delilah just as much without realizing it. Lia is still alive, but she’s learned her lesson and may never want to be near a plant again for the rest of her life. And no one in Sicily will ever see her again as she was kicked out of the pack.

But enough of that Liar. Like the rest of my family, I put her in our past and left her there. Too many happy things to focus on. For Ivan and I, the last two years have focused on Noé.

He is a sweet boy, not what I would call a quiet giant like his papa. Noé has always had a set of lungs and has never been shy about using them. And I love him, but well, I was happy when we got to the point we felt comfortable letting him sleep in his nursery.

Two months of having Noé in our bedroom had a negative impact on us as individuals and as a couple. It’s like he had a sensor to know when we were kissing more than a quick peck and would start crying. And while I was recovering from giving birth, we weren’t as annoyed, but after I was medically cleared for sex, it was aggravating.

It annoyed me more than it did Ivan, which was another problem. I started to feel that he wasn’t attracted to me the same way after having Noé. The fact that he didn’t seem as upset as me when Noé would interrupt our intimacy was enough proof to me. It caused me to distance myself from Ivan and, in some ways, from Noé. I didn’t like it, but I didn’t know what to do with these mixed-up feelings.

It took Ivan about three days to decide to sit down and ask what was wrong. I tried to explain to him how I felt about Noé getting in the way of our relationship and him not being attracted to me. As I sat there crying because I was just overwhelmed by it all, Ivan called my Mama, and when she arrived, he handed her Noé and an overnight bag. He didn’t answer her many questions about why I was crying or why she was taking Noé overnight.

I was confused about what was going on too. It was the first time we’d be away from Noé for over an hour or two. I quickly understood why Ivan sent our son to stay with my parents. I understood multiple times, starting in the living room, kitchen, pool, and shower and ending in our bed. Yeah, there was no doubt that he was attracted to me after a night that could have given the nights from my heat a run for their money.

After that night, Noé started sleeping in his nursery, giving us privacy. And at least once a week, we’d have a sitter, and Ivan would take me on a date. And at least once a month, Noé would spend the weekend with my parents giving us two days of just us.

It was perfect, and I love Ivan even more because he took that initiative. He still suggested I see someone about the postpartum to work through any lingering resentment I might have for our son or him.

It’s helped us get past that first hurdle of family life. After that, we fell into a groove, and now that Noé is two, it’s getting even easier. We did have to super baby-proof the villa because after he started crawling, all bets were off.

He is right on track developmentally regarding speech and fine motor skills. In height, he’s roughly the size of a four-year-old, which from what Ivan and Amelia have said and the few pictures of them as children, is par for the course with a Furlan.

All this has brought us today, the day we become the Beta couple of Incubi. I’m twenty, going on twenty-one, and at last, Papa and Mama have agreed we are ready to take on the responsibility. Ivan apologized a few times because he thought it was because of him we had to wait. And that may be partially true, but twenty is the age someone is considered old enough to take over a title in Incubi unless there were some unforeseen circumstances like death.

I should be over the moon and getting ready for the big night. And I am. I am so excited for tonight. There’s just one problem. Well, not a problem but a hiccup in the form of a stick sitting on my bathroom counter with a plus sign on the display screen.

I’m pregnant. I close my eyes and hold my hands over my abdomen and listen. My healing may not work like Papa and Alexander’s, but I can still feel and hear the fast thumping of my baby’s heart.

“Regina? Are you all right in there?” Zoe questioned, knocking at the bathroom door. “Mama and Delilah are here with your dress. We need to get you ready for the ceremony.”

“What’s wrong?” Mama asked before knocking on the door. “Regina baby? Are you all right? It’s okay to be nervous. Everyone’s nervous when they assume a title.” She tried to reassure me.

“I… I’m okay.” I gulped back the worries.

‘You have nothing to be worried about. Sure, it means I can’t do the run after the ceremony and won’t be able to run again for another however many months. But it’ll be all right. We’ll have a second pup and know what pitfalls to watch out for.’ Gioia assured me.

‘What if Ivan doesn’t want a second baby? He’s said he’s happy with being the three of us.’ I frowned.

‘Don’t put words into our mate’s mouth. Of course, he’s been happy with a family of three and be just as happy as a family of four. So, get out of this bathroom. Tell your female family or don’t. Either way, you need to get ready.’ Gioia snorted.

I sighed, put the test away, and smiled as I opened the door. “Sorry, I worried you. Just nervous. I’ll be better after I’m with Ivan.” I assured them.

“Okay, well, if you need anything, let one of us know,” Mama assured me as she kissed my cheek.

“Let’s get this show on the road, baby sister. It’s time at least all three Petridis siblings are the Betas of Sicily.” Zoe grinned as she tugged me to the bed where the Petridis Beta gown awaited me.

I couldn’t help but smile as I looked at the gorgeous strapless trump gown with its sweetheart neckline that personified the Petridis name as the fiery phoenix rising from the ashes as the first Petridis Beta rose from what was believed the dead after an epic battle whose victory secured the Incubi territory. Many Beta females have worn this dress before me, and now it will be my turn.

Letting my anxiety and concerns about the baby fall to the wayside, I let my family help me prepare. Zoe did my makeup, Mama did my hair, and Delilah did my nails so they resembled little phoenixes. Then last was the gold phoenix necklace. It was a bit chunky for my taste, but it’s a family heirloom, and I can’t say no to wearing it.

“Perfect.” Mama smiled as she looked over my shoulder as I admired my reflection.

“Thank you, Mama.” I smiled and hugged her.

“All right, let’s head to the ceremony before someone starts to cry, and we need to retouch makeup,” Zoe teased as she shooed me away from the mirror.

I didn’t have to ask where my son was. I knew he was with my Papa and Ivan. I was excited to see Ivan in his suit. We had to custom order his suit as he couldn’t wear the same suit every Beta before he had. When he saw the original suit, he was apprehensive as it’s a bold look, but he knows better than to argue against traditions and stood still as the tailor took his measurements to make the suit.

I was holding back laughter when we arrived at the clearing, and I saw Ivan standing two feet above the crowd with Noé in his arms. The dark blue, nearly black suit matched my dress, covered in the rising fiery feathers of a phoenix made him stand out even more than his height. He was hiding how uncomfortable he felt, but I knew. When our eyes met, I smiled.

‘You look handsome. I can’t wait to see that suit on our bedroom floor.’ I greeted in our link as I confidently walked toward him, the crowd of people around him parting.

“Mia uccellino…” Papa smiled as he hugged me. “You look lovely and ready to soar.”

“Thank you, Papa.” I smiled though my eyes were still on Ivan.

“Mama!” Noé exclaimed, reaching out for me.

Ivan sighed, passed him to me, bending to kiss my cheek, and spoke to me in our link, ‘The dress is stunning and will look best on the floor with this tacky suit.’

I blushed as I took our son with a grunt. He is certainly a big boy, and I love him. I kissed his cheeks and ensured he looked presentable before setting him down.

“Hello, my handsome uccellino.” I smiled as I fixed his hair. “Mama and Papa will have to go on stage with Zio Alec. So, you will stay with Nonno and Nonna and be a good boy.” I instructed.

“Si mama.” He smiled and kissed my cheek before letting my Mama take his hand.

“Break a leg. Next year it will be us taking our title.” Valter smiled as he slipped his arm around his new mate’s waist.

I’m glad he finally found her, and to think all he had to do was travel to Bloodmoon. Diann is a nice girl, and we get along well. She’s one of Suzie’s friends, so I had no doubts we’d be good friends. And finding her was the light switch Valter needed to stop moping about me being taken. Diann smiled and leaned into Valter with that dreamy, newly mated look in her eyes. Something tells me a new Gamma heir will appear sooner than later.

I took Ivan’s arm and let him guide me to the stage where Zio Alec and Crista awaited us. The whole pack gathered with our extended family from Madonie and Nebrodi for the event.

The ceremony was quick as we drank from the goblet and receded our vows as Betas. I used Noé as an excuse not to shift and go for the run. In fairness, he was getting cranky due to the late hour. Most of the little ones were. I wanted to wait till I had Ivan alone to tell him about the baby. And well after the party and getting Noé to sleep, Ivan had other plans that didn’t involve talking. So it wasn’t till after some amazing toe-curling sex that I finally had the chance.

“There’s something I need to tell you.” I sighed as I snuggled into his chest.

“You’re pregnant,” Ivan stated.

I blinked and leaned back to look at him. “How did you know that’s what I was going to say? I’ve been extra careful to control my thoughts tonight.”

“But weren’t extra careful to dispose of the test.” He shrugged. “Plus, you didn’t want to shift. Gioia wouldn’t have let you use a cranky Noè as an excuse.”

“Oh, my Goddess. So you’ve known the whole night and said nothing?” I gasped.

“I was waiting for you to bring it up.” He shrugged again. “Are you happy that we are having another?” He asked.

“Yes, of course, I am. Are you?” I countered.

“Of course. One, two, ten, I don’t care how many pups we have, Regina.” He smiled softly as he brushed back my hair from my face. “I love you, my fiery pixie.”

“I love you too, my quiet giant.” I couldn’t help myself. I kissed him deeply because he may not always say a lot, but when he does, it’s perfect.

Several months later, on a cold January morning via an emergency c-section, we welcomed our daughter, Nicole Andrea Furlan, all five kilograms and seventy-three centimeters of her. She’s snuggly perfection with my hair and Ivan’s brown eyes. I pray she’s an easier baby than her big brother. But no matter what, I know that we can face anything together. So I look forward to watching our children grow.