November 2nd

Maria's face turned a ghostly shade of white and she brought the phone down with one shaky hand and stared down at Leo's phone.

"Sherbet Lemon," She whispered back to herself.

"Maria what does it mean?" Rosa said taking Maria's shaking hands.

"Leo, you need to go to Ayas immediately," Maria said.

"What why?" Rosa asked. "What's wrong, my dear?"

"Sherbet Lemon. It's a code word for help," Maria said. "We used to use it when we were little, whilst playing games in the woods with the others."

At that point, Leo grabbed his car keys and turned to me.

"I'm sorry to leave you again," he said kissing my head. "I'll be back as soon as possible."

"It's fine," I replied kissing his cheek.

"And you should have this," he added handing me something I hadn't even seen in a long time, "I'll call you."

My phone.

I gladly took it and smiled.

"Go. Do what you need to do to help Lia."

He nodded before swiftly leaving.

"Never a quiet moment, huh?" Mateo said.

He then looked over to Rosa to see her noticeably fretty and worrying.

"Try not to worry Mom," he said wrapping an arm around her. "Leo will take care of this. Just as he always does."

"You're right," she replied. "But just the thought of my little girl in trouble...it's painful."

"I'll make coffee," I announced.

A few moments later Antonio came through the door with a confused expression.

"I just saw Leo leaving," he replied. "He said something's happened with Lia. He was in a rush and didn't explain, could anyone care to enlighten me?"

"He's gone to rescue her from Haden," Maria said. "She's in trouble."

Antonio's face dropped, "Fucking hell. I fucking knew this would happen. Why did I let that fucking bastard take her?"

He let out a low growl before marching out the door. Leo's car was still in the drive and we heard the car door open, presumably as Antonio got in.

The car was soon speeding away and I got back to the coffee.

The rest of Leo's brothers and sisters tried their best to comfort their Mom for hours.

I took the time to check my phone after weeks of not having it. 54 text notifications and 29 missed calls.

Half were from Connor and the rest were split between Abi, Charlotte, Paul and My Mom.

I replied to Abi and Charlotte and filled them in on everything. Connor, I decided not to tell about the baby...yet, same with my Mom. And Paul I just completely and utterly ignored.

I then noticed that a host of new numbers had been added to my contacts including Leo, Blair, Luca, Antonio, Rosa and Dr Amanda. Naturally, I had to text Luca about my baby news.

Watch out, bitch. I'm on my way.

Five minutes later as promised, Luca was at the door to Rosa and Antonio's house.

The second I opened it I was greeted by a crushing hug.

"I'm so fucking happy," he said swinging me around.

"And I can't fucking breathe!" I cried.

He instantly loosened his grip and instead began kissing me all over.

"Ew," I said wiping the slobber off me.

"You ground genitals with the Alpha...and I'm over the moon!"

I almost choked.

"Luca!"

The things that come out of this boys mouth...

"I can't wait for you to push a screaming bundle of flesh out of your vagina either," he added hugging me again.

"I literally can't with you sometimes," I said with a laugh.

"Am I allowed in? I brought cookies," he replied.

"No, piss off," I said. "Joking. You'll have to ask Rosa though. This is not my house."

"So long as you stop talking about genitals and vaginas!" Rosa called back.

"Your wish is my command, Ma'am," he announced with a salute before practically dancing into the house.

We spent the evening sat with Rosa on the sofa. She told me lots of information about being pregnant and having kids, some stuff that really paled my face, as Luca listened with a weird amount of interest.

"So you shit when you give birth?" Luca asked. "Like normal shit or...runny shit?"

"Ew!" I exclaimed. "Luca!"

"Usually normal but pretty sure with Leo it was-" she began

"I can't take any more of this," I announced. "Thank you for all the advice, Rosa. And thank you Luca...for your contributions."

"Any time, babes," he replied.

"It's getting late, I'm off to bed. You're welcome to stay down here as long as you like but one of the girls should have a spare toothbrush and some pyjamas when you need them, Ella."

I nodded and she left leaving just Luca and I.

"Ella?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Can we have a sleepover?"

"A sleepover?" I questioned.

"I feel obliged to sleep on the floor beside the pregnant Lady to watch over her in the absence of her mate," he replied.

I stared blankly at him for a few seconds.

"I have never met someone quite as peculiar as you in all my life," I replied. "But if sleeping on the floor next to me will fill your little heart with joy, you are very welcome to."

He pumped the air, "Omg, we can plait each other's hair and have a pillow fight. I've always wanted to have a slumber party like that."

"Watch over me as I sleep my ass," I laughed. "The real motive behind your request has become apparent."

He giggled, "You got me. But I think this could become a beautiful friendship, Ells. I feel emotionally connected with you."

"Okay..." I replied. "Let's go upstairs, weirdo."

Elena's room was the closest to the top of the stairs so on the way to the guest room, we stopped there in the hope of finding some toothbrushes and pyjamas.

I knocked on the door and was greeted not by Elena but by Bella. As it turned out all the Loren sister's were in there anyway (minus Lia of course).

"Sooooo," Bella said. "You're pregnant!"

"Yeah!" I said.

"When did you...I mean....when did you and Leo....I mean-" Elena said screwing up her nose at the thought of her older brother doing such a thing.

"When did he knock you up?" Luca said outright.

"About a week ago," I answered with a laugh as the girls grimaced.

"That's not a thought of our brother I really want in my head. Thanks, Elena and Luca," Lisa said giggling.

"He's 23 now remember. A big boy.copy right hot novel pub