Faye POV

The flashlights vanished the moment we all stepped outside. Everywhere was dark. I blinked hard into the shadows, my hands reaching out blindly into the thick air.

I couldn’t see a thing. The sky was completely blocked out, the trees of the backyard disappearing entirely from view.

It was like being surrounded by a dark fog.

I knew she was around because I could feel her presence and smell her scent. That familiar trail of caramel and fresh sweets hit my nose, a warm prickle of static electricity running down my arms as the pups shifted slightly against my ribs.

Then a single light came on, shining on the giant piñata I had seen earlier when I first arrived.

I was given a bat and told to beat the hell out of the piñata. Dina shoved a heavy wooden stick into my palms, her fingers guiding my grip around the smooth handle.

So I did. I pulled the bat back over my shoulder, taking a wide stance on the grass and swinging with everything I had.

It was tough, but I eventually managed to break it. The wood connected with a dull thud against the thick layers of cardboard, my breath coming in a hard gasp as the shell finally split open with a loud crack.

Butterflies slowly poured out. They didn’t just fall; they rose into the cool air in a gentle, swirling cloud.

First came a glowing blue butterfly, followed by a purple one, then red and orange. The tiny wings flickered softly against the dark sky, casting a soft neon light over my upturned face. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Soon there were dozens of them, glowing in neon colors. They swarmed together above the grass, their small bodies humming as they moved in perfect sync.

They floated through the air, putting on a show and forming funny emojis. A giant winking smiley face lit up the night, making a short, surprised laugh slip past my lips.

I couldn’t help but smile. My jaw relaxed completely, my eyes tracking the bright tracks of light as the cloud shifted shape again.

They were adorable. The soft colors reflected in the puddles on the grass, turning the whole backyard into something out of a dream.

My heart melted as they formed the words:

Mommy-to-Be. The bright blue and purple wings lined up in neat rows, the text hanging perfectly steady in the air right above my head.

Then I started hearing the sound of a piano behind me. A crisp, clear chord echoed from the shadows, the deep notes rolling across the lawn.

I turned around and saw a spotlight shining on my girl. The white beam hit the wooden platform that had been built near the edge of the trees.

A stage had been set up, and she was sitting at a piano. The sleek black wood of the instrument shone under the light, her fingers resting elegantly on the keys.

She smiled at me, blew me an air kiss, and winked. Her eyes flashed with that familiar playful spark, her lips parting as she tilted her head.

"Hello, Mommy... this is for you." Her voice carried perfectly through the quiet yard, low and smooth.

The entire stage lit up. A row of bright floor lamps clicked on all at once, throwing a brilliant wash of gold and blue across the platform.

I saw Beam and Malo holding electric guitars. Beam was adjusting her strap with a confident smirk, while Malo gripped his neck, his knuckles white as he tried to look cool.

Kiara was behind the drums. She twirled a stick between her fingers, her jaw chewing lazily on her gum as she tapped the high-hat.

Then the spotlight shifted to me. The bright circle of light found my shoes, wrapping me in a warm glow as everyone in the crowd turned to look.

Then the kids brought me a chair to seat..

I was given a concert.

The first song my girlfriend sang was the telenovela song, Mi Primer Amor. Her voice rose beautifully over the piano notes, the lyrics coming out clear and sweet.

According to Princess and Malo, it was the same song Princess and I had sung together in the school play when we were 9 years old. The melody felt strangely heavy in my chest, a weird echo of something I couldn’t quite reach. That’s why it felt familiar when I heard it during Haley’s sweet sixteen.

The thought made me want my memories back. A sudden ache hit the back of my throat, my jaw tightening as I listened to her hit the high notes so effortlessly.

I wanted to remember our moments from childhood. I wanted to see the playground, the old costumes, and the way she used to look at me before the world got complicated.

I hated that she remembered everything while I didn’t. It felt like she was holding a treasure chest that I had lost the key to, leaving me standing in the dark.

But at the same time, I loved it because it meant she had fallen in love with me long before I ever realized. The thought made my heart do a sudden, happy flip, a soft warmth spreading through my stomach as she locked her gaze directly onto mine.

They ended the concert by singing Camila Cabello’s Never Be the Same. The heavy beat of the drums rolled through the grass, Malo slamming his fingers against the guitar strings while Princess belted out the chorus with total power.

After the concert, smoke covered the stage and they disappeared. A thick grey cloud hissed out from the floorboards, hiding the instruments and the players in a matter of seconds.

I stood up, looking surprised..

While I was looking around, wondering where they had gone... I took a step forward, my eyes searching the dimming fog as the lights faded out.

"Who are you looking for, my Omega?"

I turned and saw her. She was standing right behind my shoulder, her breath warm against my ear.

That smug face of hers. Her eyebrows were raised, that classic arrogant grin stretching across her lips as she looked down at me.

I immediately hugged her. I didn’t even hesitate, throwing my arms around her neck and pulling her chest tightly against mine.

Then we shared a kiss. Our lips met in the dark, a deep, lingering pressure that made the rest of the noisy yard completely fade away.

"I love you, my Alpha..." I whispered. My voice was small against her collarbone, my fingers tangling in the soft fabric of her top.

"And I love you too, Mommy Omega." Her large hands came down to rest on my lower back, holding my weight steady against her.

As slow music played, I rested my head on her shoulder and we began to dance. A soft, swaying rhythm drifted from the speakers, and our legs moved slowly through the crushed grass.

"I’m glad to have someone like you by my side... and I’m even happier that you’re the one who knocked me up and not someone else. I promise to stay by your side for eternity, through the good times and the bad. I’ll always be with you," I said, inhaling her scent before kissing the top of her head. The words came out thick with emotion, my chest rising and falling against hers.

"Me too. I’m happy you came back to me and that you’re giving me a home... our home. I won’t let you slip away again. And if you ever try to leave, I’ll do everything I can to make you stay. You’re stuck with me forever, babe." She squeezed my waist tighter, her chin resting on my hair as her voice rumbled deep in her chest.

I laughed. A short, breathless sound escaped my throat, my face burying deeper into her neck.

I knew she meant every word. There was no hesitation in her tone, just that solid, terrifying Alpha certainty.

And I meant mine too. My fingers tightened around her shoulders, anchoring myself to her completely.

"Guess we’re stuck forever," I said.

As the party continued, there were still more surprises waiting for me.

First came Beam, Kiara, and Malo performing a play on stage. The three of them marched out in ridiculous oversized costumes, making everyone burst into loud laughter.

I sat down and watched them act ridiculous. I leaned back in the chair, Princess’s hand sliding into mine as the show started.

I couldn’t believe Princess’s friends were willing to do this. These two... the reason for today...

Even Malo.

He was acting like a clown. He had a giant plastic crown balanced precariously on his head, his face covered in messy makeup.

He dressed up as Princess and tried to imitate her, acting like a bossy boss while making Kiara carry dozens of bags and pretend to be Malo. He strutted across the stage, throwing his hands in the air and shouting orders in a high pitched voice while Kiara dragged her feet behind him, groaning loudly.

Now I wonder what Princess promised them... seeing Kiara like that... That’s gold.

Katie and Dave performed next, putting on a mini show where they tried to imitate my personality. Katie had tossed a hoodie over her shoulders, her eyebrows knitting together into a fierce scowl.

They made me look like some mean girl. She stomped her foot on the wood, pointing a finger at Dave and huffing loudly while trying to punch him.

"I don’t think you’re portraying me correctly," I called out. I shook my head, a loud laugh escaping me despite my words.

But they ignored me and continued acting exactly the way I apparently behaved. Dave exaggerated a massive pout, rolling his eyes toward the sky while mimicking my voice.

I could only shake her head in disbelief. I rolled my eyes, leaning my weight against the side of Princess’s chair.

Princess sat beside me with her arm around my shoulder, laughing at their performance. Her chest shook against mine, her loud, clear laughter echoing across the yard.

"Stop laughing. It’s not funny and it’s embarrassing," I pouted. I nudged her ribs with my elbow, sticking my lower lip out as I glared up at her.

But she kept laughing. She wiped a tear from her eye, her shoulders shaking as she watched Katie stomp around the stage again.

She insisted they were portraying me perfectly. She nodded her head firmly, her fingers squeezing my shoulder as she leaned down to kiss my burning cheek.

Then her eyes met mine. She caught the sharp, dangerous look in my expression, the fangs right beneath my lips waiting to show.

She immediately stopped laughing and coughed awkwardly. Her face straightened out in a split second, her jaw tightening as she cleared her throat.

Snapping her fingers toward the stage, she pointed dramatically. Her voice turned stern as she tried to save herself from my temper.

"Thank you. Next."

The next performance belonged to the kids. Kaye and Dina scrambled onto the stage, dragging a small cardboard box with a small square opening cut into the front.

They put on a puppet show. The two kids hid behind the cardboard sheet, their small hands rising up into the opening.

The story was about two moms raising four children.

They had drawn little drawings on the background paper, depicting a chaotic house full of toys.

They acted out family life while playing house. Kaye lowered his voice to sound like an Alpha, arguing about who was going to change the diapers while Dina made high pitched baby noises.

I watched with a smile until my eyes landed on the puppets representing our babies. I leaned forward in my seat, my eyes narrowing as I focused on the small wool shapes.

They were made from colorful socks.

Blue. Blue. Blue. And...

Pink.

I slowly turned my head toward Princess, who was enjoying the show.

"You fucking cheater..."