A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love.-Max Muller

Music: My Heart Is Yours by Justin Nozuka

A little tidbit about abuse victims at the top. So you understand Jordan even more. COMMENT AND VOTE!

3rd Person's Pov.(not edited)

"I was thinking about something you said. You said an hour was enough time and space for you, but would you really have believed me if I said I was ready for this in an hour after all that."

"You're right. Probably not."

"I wouldn't have even believed myself at that time. It would have been a complete lie and we promised each other to always tell the truth to each other."

"Of course."

"So your birthday is tomorrow," Korali reminded him burying her face into his chest and inhaling. She wanted to do something special. And to change the subject. Something that would remind him of all of the good. Give him a great first birthday. Even if he was turning 23 years old.

"So?" She felt his body shrug again. "It's not important." He picked up my suitcase and started down the wooden staircase of the pack house.

"It's just a day."

She scowled her eyes narrowing into slits. "It's going to be important. What do you want for your birthday?"

He looked back at his mate and sent a quick grin, "You really want to know that answer?"

Confused on his sudden joking manner she nodded. "You and me outside."

"You? And me? Outside?" Korali repeated slowly and then it dawned on her. "Oh my--Jordan you're so nasty." She laughed gripping his arm in a slight hug.

"But as you wish," she giggled her mood playful. She was almost out the door when she finally caught eyes with the blushing Cailo, who was rubbing his arm his cheeks a fiery red color.

"She told you, didn't she?"

"Uh? Explaining how sex as humans work to a 22-year-old woman is the most awkward thing I've done. She said 'I'm not stupid Cailo, I know what reproduction is. I just didn't think it was supposed to be in that position.' But her asking to see it, was too much."

"She's your mate Cailo, you should have just whipped it out." Korali giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.

"I was going to, I was but then I told her how it hurts at first, ya know, the basics and she freaked."

Jordan's body started to shake even more with laughter. Korali glared at him, hitting his shoulder before saying "I told you I need to speak to her. Cailo, let a girl handle it. She'll be okay when I'm done."

After a few words and with Arion she knew all about the act of making love and how it'd be. She wasn't necessarily comfortable with the ideas of positions but she said she'd get over it. She also confided in Korali, telling her that although she loved Cailo it was the mating bond pushing her to be lustful, because her mind was still seeing him in the light of her friend who she wasn't sure she wanted to show her body to. Which was understandable. She hadn't seen Cailo since he was prepubescent. She was just now growing into her female feelings for him and it was a different situation.
***

Jordan picked up the raw meat his hand being stained with blood. Sighing he stuck the steak into the sink, his cheek suddenly itching in a way that couldn't be satisfied by trying to rub it on his shoulder so he swiped his across his face. Korali took that opportunity to make herself known.

"Jordan, I wanted–" A gasp rasped from her lips. "Jordan," she repeated in uncertainty backing up a step before realizing what she was doing. So instead she stepped closer to him. "Are–are you okay?" Her hand was held out in front of her as if she was trying to calm a wild animal. "Are you bleeding?" Korali was actually worried. Perhaps he cut himself and was shocked by the amount of blood. She wanted to help.

"I'm fine!" He rushed. "This is blood from the steak," he said weakly. "I had an itch."

She laughed coming closer and rubbing some of the blood on his face. Kissing his lips once she looked at the steak longingly before sitting at the table. Jordan squinted at the meat once before grabbing a plate and setting it on it, then sliding it in front of her face.

"What?" She looked up at her mate with pure adoration. "How?"

He shrugged, "It seems right. And you looked like you wanted it. Just eat."

"But doesn't this seem like a weird craving. Am I okay?" She asked looking at the steak in a way that read weary but also starving.

"Not really. We are part wild wolves." Korali wasted no time tearing into the flesh, not caring about the blood or anything that could have been preventive. She ate away pulling apart chunks and stuffing her mouth.

After she was finished and she wiped her mouth she said "I love you so much Jordan."

"I love you always."

"Well happy birthday, my love! Are you ready for your birthday present?" Korali asked with a suggestive smile.

"I didn't think you were really up to it," his face was as bit shocked and at the same time ready.

"Oh, I was serious." Korali stood up dropping the trench coat she was wearing from her body letting it pool down on the tiled floor. Jordan's eyes roamed her naked form, his mouth slightly salivating his eyes even flashing their wolf green.

"Uhm," he swallowed his eyes never leaving her form. "Where—uh—where did you have in mind?"

"I was thinking the lake or perhaps even the garden?" Korali suggested, bending at the waist slightly to pick up her jacket. She knew her stomach was going to become a problem as she got bigger because right now it was a bit annoying to bend with and it wasn't even that big.

She shrugged back into the jacket and as soon as she had it securely tied and reached into the fridge for her picnic basket Jordan was already practically carrying her out the door. Her laugh rang through the air.

They both paused at the lining of the trees grinning at each other before stripping their clothes and transforming into their wolves.

Jordan picked up the basket with his mouth and Korali followed him at a softer pace knowing he'd caution her if she didn't.

When they made it to pond it was silent except for nature and the rustling of small animals. Jordan knew that Korali had told everyone to stay away from this area.

Jordan looked at his mate fondly, he could see pregnancy even in wolf form. It still bothered him, but just a little bit less as the days went on. They both changed back deciding to get some copulating done. First in the water then on the muddy ground near the lake, then they ate.

As they trotted back towards the house covered it brown muddy spots all over their body Jordan mind linked Korali, the first time the spoke since they left the house.

"Thank you for a great first birthday."

"Oh, it's not over. I have one more surprise, Jay." She sped up a little trying to reach the house first.

There was a basket of notes and cards from the pack members and a box of oranges.

He looked at his mate in question for the fruit. "You smell like them for a reason, besides I know you love them. I've been here for a while."

"Of course." He pulled her close not caring about her dirtiness, kissing her for a while before digging into the notes to start reading them.

Honestly it was the most thoughtful gift he's ever received. He had gotten gifts from Cailo and Max, and even Arion's mom but they had been trinkets and candy. This was something that truly mattered, not to sound ungrateful for the things he received from his friends. By not speaking to his pack member, Jordan didn't know what kept their loyalty, only that he had it. The notes were special reminders that he was doing something good. That his mom didn't ruin him totally and it mattered. That his life meant something to someone other than his family.

***

Jordan is doting attentive mate. He constantly asked "Are you feeling normal today? Depression, sadness, doubt?"

"No, I'm perfectly happy. A little scared about the birth process but I'm fine." Korali hadn't seen her mom in months and she know this was going to be a surprise to her. Hopefully she let things go. Korali pulled on Jordan's hoodie that's sent comforting shocks to her body

Jordan pulled up to Korali's parents' and hoped for the best. He just wanted this to be over with and painless for Korali. He knew how much her mom meant to her. He didn't understand or care for her domineering behavior. But for Korali he was willing to put up with her.

As he took the keys out of the ignition, he sighed. "Please don't let her stress you out." She smiled, her stomach clenching anyway, and nodded. They walked towards the door hand in hand.

"Why do I feel like we're delivering bad news instead of good news?" Korali muttered nervously.

"Because with your mom this is bad news," Jordan shrugged gripping her hand tighter for support.

"Yeah but our baby is good." She affirmed holding her head higher.

Jordan knocked on the door, his hand slithered to her stomach doing soothing circles more for himself than her, she smiled. When Korali's dad open the door a smile lit his face.

"Your mom thought you'd come. She just thought without him. I'm glad you both seem to work out your differences."

"Dad, I'm pregnant" Korali blurted out wasting no time, Jordan grimaced and waited for the reply.

Her dad's face didn't drop, the smile widened "Oh this is going to be so good. Well congrats. Your mom is going to pass out." He opened the door and walked farther into the house.

"This feels like a death march," Korali huffed using her free hand to tug at the sweatshirt she was wearing.

"I've been on one of the dozens of those." Jordan added causing Korali's attention to go to his face.

"Oh, baby."

"Korali?" Her mom interrupted. She was sitting in a chair in the living room the television on. Her face was shocked to see them both there.

"Hey, mom. Jordan I came up to visit." Korali's hands were slightly perspiring and she wanted to get this over with.

"Tell me the bad news." Her mom saved no cut cards. She knew something was up.

"I told you." Jordan muttered and Korali elbowed him.

"Mom, I'm—"

"Having his spawn," she spat already figuring out the situation.

"Well technically yes, but they're not demons so not spawn."

"They?" Her face was turned up into an uncomfortable frown.

"Well I don't know how many but who knows."

"Oh."

"Mom, I want you to be a part of the baby's life. But I won't allow any negativity. I don't need that. Jordan doesn't need that, it's just not healthy." Korali wasn't meaning to preach but she needed her mom to see past the prejudice that she held for Jordan.

"Is that what he wants?"

"Jordan's not the type to be anywhere he doesn't at least somewhat agree with. He wants our baby to have a healthy life. With grandparents and etc."

"What is he doing for you to show that he deserves you?" Korali paused. Her mom truly was thinking about her at the end of the day.

"Mom, he's apologized and he does special things to show me how sorry he is everyday."

"Sex isn't special."

"Oh well, since I'm a mated female I can tell you that I wasn't including that. But if I did then he's been doing super special spectacular things." Korali's Father choked a bit trying to cover it as a cough. She forgot that he was even in the room.

"I don't know how my daughter lets you touch her." She sneered her lip slightly curling in disgust. Korali felt sick and she didn't want to be there anymore. This was nothing but a bully fest for Jordan, over things he cannot control.

To Korali's surprise he laughed. "I don't know how she does either. But she does, and she obviously enjoys it."

"Jordan!" Korali scolded hitting him on the shoulder.

"But," he continued. "Honestly I take your shit for Korali's sake. Besides, I've never really had a family so I'm not completely sure how the dynamics work. I'm sure you're not suppose to hate the person your child is with though." Jordan shrugged in a nonchalant way. "But even though you do, she's with me. And she will be with me until the day we die. I love her despite her snoring."

Korali smiled embracing him "That's the baby."

The look of disgust on her mom's face didn't fade. If anything it changed into confusion.

After a long moment of silence Jordan sighed. "Kore, do you need to use the restroom or sit for a second before we leave?" She had been trying to make herself eat, so that she doesn't worry Jordan, but she couldn't keep anything down. And she was starting to get a heavy amount of motion sickness.

She paused. She had to pee and maybe even puke a little but she didn't wan to leave Jordan. She fixed her mouth to say no, but Jordan gently pushed her in the direction of the bathroom. "I'm not afraid of your mom. She's more afraid of me."

Once Korali was out of the room her mother spoke again. "She's too good for you."

"That's true."

"You don't deserve her."

"I say that every day."

"This baby is a mistake. You'll only hurt them both."

Jordan open his mouth but the moment of hesitation made her smile. "So you know what you're doing to my baby is wrong!"

"Not necessarily." He looked to the ground not sure what to say. "We weren't trying for a baby. I didn't want children. But to deny Korali something that she's wanted would be wrong. I don't want to hurt her. I don't want to hurt the baby. And I'd do anything to protect them, even from myself." He swallowed thickly before finishing. "But I told Korali that I was willing to try for her. To try for myself. Perhaps I can be a better parent than my own. With Korali a lot of impossible things are possible."

Her expression softened a little but not completely, the hate was still there.

"Listen," Jordan stood up and she flinched a bit causing him to sigh and move more towards the door. He repeated himself. "Listen, I want you in your grandchild's life because it seems like the right thing to do. I didn't know my grandparents. But I refuse to put Korali or our baby in any environment that's hostile or stressful. So you either learn to tolerate me like how I tolerate you because right now we're at a stalemate."

Korali's dad raised his eyebrows. "This is the most I've ever heard you speak."

Jordan's mouth twitched into a side smile. "Korali's effect."

Korali walked into the room again but this time she looked a bit fatigued. Which had her mate concerned. "Kore are you okay?" She pulled on a bright smile.

"I'm fine. Should probably go home and take a nap though."

"Okay after we make a stop." Jordan replied earning a sharp reply from his mother in law.

"My daughter says she's tired. You take her straight home. Rule number one, always listen to the pregnant woman."

"She needs to eat first." Jordan countered calmly looking at Korali with a knowing look. She looked away and sighed. She wasn't sure she was even in the mood to eat. She felt extremely sick.

"Jordan go get the car started. I need to have a word with my parents for a second." He nodded firmly pressing a kiss to her forehead, sending a warm sensation through her face. She smiled until he closed the door behind him.

"Mom," Korali was drained. She thought perhaps that the time apart would be enough but it seems that it wasn't. "I'm tired. I love you and I miss you so much. But Jordan is apart of my life. My life. This is his baby too."

"Korali I can't help but feel like you're making a huge mistake and I'm watching you do it."

"If he's a mistake then I'm willing make the mistake. I love him. He loves me. Life is full of ups and downs and emotions and problems. I don't want my mom to be one of those. I want you there." She clutched the wall slightly, feeling lightheaded. "Jordan has his problems and as much as he tells himself he's ready for this baby," she quirked up a grin," I know he's not. I'm not ready either. It's all too late and too new. But he loves me enough to try. Don't you?"

Korali's dad pulled her into his arms lifting her up like she was a little girl again. It was comforting. When she felt another set of arms around her, she felt like things were going to be okay. Everything was okay for now. "I'll try because I love you." Her mother whispered into her ear. It was as light as a petal falling from its stem, but she heard it and felt it loud and clear.

Once they released her from their embrace Korali's parents kissed her cheeks as a farewell and she eased down the front steps and to Jordan's side. He was leaning on the side of the truck his eyes on the sky. He opened the door for her and then returned to the driver's side.

Korali's fatigue finally forced her eyes into submission. She woke up on the bed with a large box of pizza next to her and her stomach growling. She didn't bother looking up she opened the box immediately and devoured every crumb, even licking her fingers. When she finally looked up she saw Jordan leaning on the closed door with his eyebrows raised.

She beamed bashfully, "I was hungry."

"I'm just glad to see you finally eating. I was trying not to worry, but I noticed you eating only sometimes and you threw it up every time. If you have trouble keeping stuff down, then the doctor prescribed some anti-sickness pills."

"I thought I was doing a pretty good job to hide it so you couldn't tell."

"You can't hide anything from me. Especially health. Now take one of these pills just in case." He handed her the tablet and she swallowed it down quickly. She didn't feel like being sick. She didn't need it in her life.

"Jordan, I'm sorry for my mom—" He held his hand up for her to stop. She shut her mouth quickly it turning into a frown.

"I told you this at the beginning of our relationship, since we met--"

"We weren't in a relationship, remember?" He gave her a quick glare that brought a laugh out of her.

"I told you that what people say about me doesn't matter and that your mom was no different. The only person I care about what they have to say about anything is you," His eyes darted to the floor. "And for some reason my mother."

"Still, you didn't have to hear that. I brought you there and you were ridiculed and I'm sorry for it. She's willing to try to be less hostile."

He ignored the last sentence and slithered up the bed to her, "I'll forgive you if you do something for me?" His face was inches from hers and she her heart skipped a beat at the insinuation. Her skin heated pleasantly and her mood and body feeling much better after the food she was definitely in the mood.

"Can you," he whispered in a voice so soft it was seduction for cloud. Her mouth dropped open, her lips shiny from her swiping her tongue across them watching his lips form the words. "Scratch my back?" It took a moment for Korali's lascivious mind to catch on to his request.

"What?"

Jordan raised and eyebrow and scooted away from her a bit. "Scratch my back?" Then a slow grin slithered across his face. "What were you thinking?" He thought she would try to cover herself up and say nothing but this was Korali. She was honest when she wanted to be.

"I obviously thought we were going to have sex," she replied in a deadpanned voice. She was serious and a bit disappointed, but in an annoyed way.

"Unlike you, I am pure and I have other things on my mind," he spoke his hand across his chest. She gave him a mocking look and rolled her eyes.

"What else did you speak to the doctor about?"

"I asked what was the sex of the baby."

"And?"

"And he says he'll need another ultrasound to see."

"What do you want--I use that term loosely--it to be?"

"I'm not really particular."

"What about names?"

"I was thinking Aimatia (Uh-may-shh-uh), in Latin meaning garden of flowers." Korali looked at her mate in awe her heart swelling warmth and her eyes with tears. He was toying with a button on her shirt, not making eye contact with her.

"Well that's good because I was thinking of Zavier (Zay-vee-er) for a boy."

"It's a good name. What makes you want that name?"

"I don't know. It just feels right." Korali shrugged pushing herself off the bed. She was growing much larger and the roundness of her abdomen was very much visible. There was now no hiding that she was very much pregnant. She was definitely feeling the back pain symptoms. She was one of those women who got really large quickly.

Jordan raised his eyebrow wondering where his mate was going. "Come on, I want to see what the baby is."

After making sure Korali had the right shoes on, Jordan still picked her up and carried her to the doctor's house.

"I wouldn't dare asking could you pick me up while I'm big. We're werewolves. The fun isn't there." Jordan grinned setting her down on the white stairs of the large house. Not bother to knock, Jordan pushed the door open and called for the Doctor. He appeared from one of the rooms with his stethoscope in his hands.

"Just take the Luna into that room. I'll be right with you. Jane fractured her ankle." With a firm nod, Jordan ushered his mate into the room and onto the hospital bed.

He never discussed it with Korali but he felt a bad feeling about the baby. Like something bad was coming. Not necessarily the baby. Perhaps it was just him being paranoid. What if the baby came out like him? What if the curse passed to him? What if he passed on the no-mate situation because he got lucky enough to find Korali?

What if the baby made complications for Korali? She was trying to pressure him into staying alive for the child that God-forbid it happen, but if the child were to kill her, to stay alive with them. He didn't think that would be possible. Life wouldn't be worth living without Korali, even if he had a replica of her. He needed her. She was now his soul reason for living. He thought his life being meaningless many times. He never took his life because he never cared to. It was always something that he should just do and time would take him when it was ready to.

But Korali gave him such meaning that for life to be ruthless and take the only person he truly cared about away from him would only be sucking the soul and life from him now. He'd be like how Arion described his Father. A shell of his former self not able to even live correctly. He'd be no good to raise a baby by himself. He loved his friends. Cailo, Max, and even Arion had always been there for him, but even they weren't enough. Korali was everything to him now.

Jordan was trying for her. He loved her enough to try. But he was still apprehensive about his impending fatherhood. If he thought on it too hard he would sweat. Her body was swelling in the right places and he felt somehow closer to her through this whole experience. He felt such an overprotecting feeling in his gut. It was then he decided that he would kill his mother the first chance he got. Maybe then he could bring his dad some peace even if it's only before he passes. Perhaps he could save Mahalia. With that last thought the doctor finally walked into the room.

Korali stopped her humming. Her mate was in deep thought next to her and she was going to let him have his moments. The doctor smiled and Korali returned the gesture. She leaned back on the bed and let the doctor do his job.

"We've decided on Aimatia for a girl and Zavier for a boy," Jordan announced his eyes not even on the monitor. But on Korali's extended stomach. It was a bit unsettling for her but she allowed it because this was his first time there.

After the doctor moved around a bit he finally focused on the screen a bit.

They say that you already chose what you truly wanted before the coin is tossed, before the choice is picked, before the situation plays out.

Korali knew what sex she hoped the baby was.

"Well it looks like baby Zavier will be on his way in a couple more months." The Doctor clapped leaning back in his seat. She smiled and Jordan's eyes widened in surprise.

"Do you want to do a cute announcement to show the pack?" Jordan nodded his eyes never leaving Korali's stomach. His hand went to it and he rubbed soothingly.

The opened and hit the wall with a nasty slam a panicked and breathing heavily Max. "Luton has been injured."

How did you feel about Korali's mom in this chapter? Do you think she'll be able to get along with Jordan? Did you like Jordan's response to her? Do you like the baby's name? How do you think Jordan feels about the baby when you saw that ending? Is Jordan's mother coming next chapter or what happened to Luton?

I felt a little picturey that's why I added those ones up top. Oh and don't worry. I'm not going to stretch this story too crazily. But the plot will start to move a bit with these next chapters. And so will Kore's pregnancy and Jordan. I hope for there to be about 6 or so chapters left? Perhaps a bit more but no more than 10 more. I want to finish this book up and be on to the next. All I know is that I'm suuuper excited to write the last couple of chapters. OMG. Anyways, comment and vote~!