The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate Chapter 139

Athena

Tristan opened the door and there they were. Orion with his arm around Sarah, their two kids bouncing excitedly on the porch.

Liam was in Sarah's arms, while Lily, was tugging on Orion's hand.

"Uncle Tristan!" Lily squealed, launching herself at him.

He caught her easily, swinging her up into his arms. "Hey there, love."

Liam reached out his chubby arms toward Tristan. "Tis! Tis!"

"He's been saying your name all morning," Sarah said with a laugh as Tristan took Liam too, somehow managing to hold both kids.

"Come here, you," I said, reaching for Liam. He came willingly, wrapping his little arms around my neck.

Sarah came in next, carrying a dish covered with foil. "I know you said not to bring anything but I made my mac and cheese anyway."

"You didn't have to do that," I said, taking it from her with my free hand while balancing Liam on my hip.

"I wanted to," she said, hugging me with one arm.

Orion was the last one in, and he ruffled my hair the way he'd been doing since we were kids before heading to the kitchen with a case of beer.

"Derek's running late," he called back. "He texted saying he'll be here in twenty."

"No problem," Tristan said, setting Lily down. She immediately ran off to explore with Orion following to make sure she didn't break anything.

Liam was content to stay in my arms, playing with my necklace.

"He's gotten so big," I said to Sarah.

"I know," she sighed. "They grow so fast. One day you're bringing them home from the hospital and the next they're running around causing chaos."

I felt a flutter in my stomach at her words. Soon I'd have my own baby to watch grow up.

We all moved into the living room and I felt my nerves kick up again. We were really doing this. In a little while, we'd be telling them about the baby.

Tristan must have sensed my anxiety because he came up beside me and took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"You okay?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah," I said. "Just nervous."

"Don't be," he said. "It's going to be fine."

Orion came back from the kitchen with Lily on his shoulders. She was giggling and trying to touch the ceiling.

"Daddy, higher!" she demanded.

"Any higher and you'll go through the roof," he said, but he bounced a little, making her squeal with delight.

I watched them with a smile. Orion was such a good father, seeing him with his kids always made me happy.

Sarah settled onto the couch and I handed Liam back to her. He immediately tried to climb down, wanting to follow his sister.

"No, baby," Sarah said. "Stay with mama for a minute."

He pouted but stayed put, though his eyes followed Lily around the room.

The doorbell rang again and Tristan went to answer it, Derek came in looking relaxed in jeans and a leather jacket.

"Sorry I'm late," he said. "Had to deal with something."

"Everything okay?" Orion asked, immediately alert as he set Lily down.

"Yeah, just some paperwork that needed signing," Derek said. "Nothing exciting."

He greeted everyone and settled into one of the armchairs, accepting the beer Orion handed him.

Tristan disappeared into the kitchen to check on the food, and I followed him, needing a moment to settle my nerves.

"You're panicking," he said without turning around.

"I'm not panicking," I said.

He turned to look at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Okay, maybe I'm panicking a little," I admitted.

He came over and pulled me into his arms. "They're going to be happy. I promise."

"I know," I said against his chest. "I just want everything to be perfect."

"It already is," he said, kissing the top of my head. "We're having a baby. That's all that matters."

We stood there for a moment, just holding each other, and I felt my nerves start to settle.

"Come on," he said. "Let's get dinner on the table."

Dinner was loud and chaotic in the best way. Lily chattered nonstop about her preschool and her friends, while Liam made a mess with his food, getting more of it on himself than in his mouth.

"Liam, please," Sarah said for what felt like the hundredth time, wiping his face with a napkin.

He just grinned at her and went right back to smearing mashed potatoes everywhere.

Lily insisted on sitting next to me, and she kept reaching over to steal food off my plate even though she had her own.

"Lily, eat your own food," Sarah said.

"But Aunt Athena's tastes better," Lily said, making everyone laugh.

"That's because I'm not eating it," I said, tickling her side.

She giggled and finally focused on her own plate.

I caught Tristan watching me from across the table, a soft expression on his face. I knew what he was thinking. Soon we'd have our own kid sitting at this table.

The thought made warmth spread through my chest.

After dinner, Orion and Tristan cleared the table while Sarah and I got the kids settled in the living room. Derek helped carry dishes to the kitchen.

Sarah put on a kids' movie for Lily and Liam, and they both settled on the floor with some toys Tristan had bought for them.

"Okay," Sarah said, turning to me. "What's going on?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Come on," she said. "I know you. You're nervous about something. And you invited us over, which you never do unless something's up."

I smiled. She knew me too well.

"You'll find out soon," I said.

We all gathered back in the living room once the kitchen was cleaned up. The kids were absorbed in their movie, and the adults settled into comfortable seats with drinks in hand.

Tristan handed me a glass of sparkling cider that looked like champagne. Sarah's eyes zeroed in on it immediately.

"Not drinking?" she asked.

"Not tonight," I said, taking a sip.

I saw her exchange a look with Orion, and I knew they were both starting to figure it out.

"Alright," Orion said, looking between Tristan and me. "What's going on? You two have been acting weird all week."

My heart started pounding. This was it.

I looked at Tristan and he came to sit beside me on the couch, taking my hand.

"We wanted to have you all here because we have some news," he said.

Sarah sat up straighter, her eyes bright. "Good news?"

"The best news," I said, feeling a smile spread across my face.

Tristan squeezed my hand and looked at me. "You want to tell them?"

I nodded and turned to face everyone. My brother, my sister-in-law, my friend. My family.

"We're pregnant," I said.

For a heartbeat, there was complete silence.

Then Sarah let out a sound that was half squeal, half sob, and practically launched herself across the room to hug me.

"Oh my god," she said, squeezing me tight. "Oh my god, I knew it! I knew something was different!"

She pulled back and I saw tears streaming down her face. "I'm so happy for you," she said. "This is amazing!"

She turned to hug Tristan next, and he laughed as she nearly tackled him.

I looked at Orion. He hadn't moved. He was just sitting there, staring at me with an expression I couldn't quite read.

"Ori?" I said, my voice small.

He stood up slowly and walked over to me. For a second, I thought he might be upset. But then he pulled me into the tightest hug he'd ever given me.

"My little sister is having a baby," he said, his voice thick.

"Yeah," I said, tears starting to form in my eyes. "I am."

When he pulled back, his eyes were wet too. He looked at Tristan.

"You're going to be a father," he said.

"I am," Tristan said, his voice equally emotional.

Orion pulled him into a hug too. "I'm happy for you, brother. So damn happy."

Derek stood up and came over, a genuine smile on his face. "Congratulations," he said, hugging me. "This is wonderful news."

"Thank you," I said.

"What?" Lily's voice piped up from where she'd been watching the movie. "What's happening?"

Sarah went over and picked her up. "Aunt Athena is going to have a baby."

Lily's eyes went wide. "A real baby?"

"A real baby," I confirmed.

"Can I see it?" she asked.

"Not yet, sweetie," I said. "The baby is still growing in my belly. But when the baby comes out, you can see it."

"When will it come out?" she asked.

"In a few months," Tristan said.

"That's a long time," Lily said, but she looked excited anyway.

Liam had toddled over during the commotion. "Baby?" he said, looking confused.

Sarah laughed. "Yes, baby. Aunt Athena is going to have a baby."

He seemed to think about this for a moment, then went back to his toys, apparently deciding it wasn't as interesting as his truck.

We all laughed, and the tension I'd been holding broke completely.

Sarah had a million questions. When was I due? How was I feeling? Had we told anyone else yet? Did we want to know the gender?

Derek asked more practical questions about work and whether we'd need to adjust schedules.

Orion mostly just watched me with this soft expression that made my throat tight. I could tell he was still processing everything.

The conversation flowed easily after that, everyone sharing stories and advice. It felt right to have them all here, to share this joy with the people we loved most.

Around seven-thirty, we were all laughing at something Derek had said when suddenly three phones went off at once.

Tristan's, Orion's and Derek's.

The laughter died immediately.

They all pulled out their phones, and I watched as their expressions changed from joy to something much more serious.

"What is it?" I asked, feeling dread creep up my spine.

Tristan looked up at me, his jaw tight. "There's been a breach at the northern border."

"Multiple rogues," Orion added, reading from his screen. "They're calling all fighters to report immediately."

Derek was already standing, his whole demeanor shifting to something harder, more alert. "How many?"

"At least fifteen," Tristan said, his eyes scanning the message. "Maybe more."

"Fifteen?" Sarah said, her voice rising slightly. "That's a coordinated attack."

"We need to go," Orion said, standing up. "Now."

My stomach dropped. This couldn't be happening. Not now, not when everything was finally good.

Tristan came to me and cupped my face in his hands. "I have to go."

"I know," I said, even though every part of me wanted to beg him to stay.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," he promised. "Stay here with Sarah and the kids. Don't go anywhere."

"Be careful," I said, gripping his shirt. "Please be careful."

"I will," he said, and then he kissed me hard and fast. His hand went to my stomach for just a second. "I have everything to come back to now."

Orion was already kissing Sarah and the kids goodbye. He came over to me next.

"Lock all the doors," he said. "Don't open them for anyone except us. Understand?"

"I understand," I said.

He pulled me into a quick hug. "I love you, little sister."

"I love you too," I said. "Please come back safe."

"Always," he promised.

Derek was at the door already, his phone to his ear, presumably getting more information.

And then they were gone, the door closing behind them with a finality that made my chest ache.

Sarah and I stood there for a moment in the sudden silence, the kids still playing obliviously in the corner.

"They'll be okay," Sarah said, but I could hear the worry in her voice.

"They have to be," I said, placing my hand on my stomach.

Because we were having a baby.

And he had to come back to meet our child.

He had to.