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Stiles squinted as he looked into the sky, snowflakes falling around him. It was the chillest night of the year, but not quite yet Christmas in Beacon Hills. He stuck his tongue out and tried to catch snowflakes, even though he logically knew that they were likely full of pollution. He could never really shut down that part of his brain, so it nagged him in the back of his mind as he failed to catch snowflakes anyway.
He heard a chuckle behind him and it sent warmth radiating through his body, from head to toe.
Stiles didn't have to look to know that it was Derek, likely watching him like he always did when Stiles least expected it. Then he felt arms wrap around him, Derek’s breath playing against his neck as his mate tucked his face there and breathed in. Derek was like a furnace against his back, keeping him warm in the cold weather.
His mate taking comfort in his scent made Stiles melt against him, running his hands over Derek’s arms as he was held.
“Hey,” he said softly, turning just enough to brush his nose against Derek.
“Hey,” Derek replied, almost in a whisper. He smiled and kissed Stiles, then rested his forehead against him. “Sorry… you looked like you were worried about catching snowflakes.”
Stiles laughed. “Yeah, I had a few thoughts running through my mind when I was trying to catch them.” He shrugged. “But my clumsiness also extends to my inability to catch snowflakes.”
“To be fair, it’s difficult for most humans. Plus, I imagine if you did, you wouldn't really be able to feel much since they melt instantly.” Derek dropped his face to nuzzle against Stiles’ shoulder.
“You’re not wrong,” Stiles replied with a chuckle. “I guess it’s really about the symbolism of the whole thing.” He thought about his childhood, too, and his mom. “I used to try to catch snowflakes with my mom all the time during winter. We were never really successful either.”
Derek was quiet for a moment, resting his chin on Stiles’ shoulder as he held him. After a few moments, he finally said, “I hope we keep the same traditions with our kids. And create new ones.”
“Me too,” Stiles replied, moving his hands to rest over his abdomen. He wasn't pregnant yet, but he hoped they would be soon. It would be some time yet before he’d come into his heat for the year, but Stiles was counting down the days until they could have a family of their own.
“Come on, the pack has the bonfire going. Let’s get you warmed up and fed. Erica will never let me hear the end of it if I let you freeze to death before she gets a niece or nephew,” Derek grumbled, but Stiles knew there was no heat to his words.
Stiles laughed softly and turned just enough to kiss Derek’s bearded cheek, enjoying the feeling of it against his lips. He nuzzled against him as Derek rumbled with that happy sound he often made before Stiles drew away and turned to tuck himself against Derek’s side as Derek wrapped his arm around Stiles.
Together, they walked toward the sound of laughter, happiness, and family…
Stiles’ heart was full.
***
A week after the bonfire, Stiles went into heat. It had been surprising and exciting at the same time.
Now, he groaned as he heaved into the toilet, nausea having taken over his life in the last twenty-four hours.
Derek leaned against the doorframe of the bathroom, crossing his arms over his chest. “Are you sure that you don't want anything? Water? A wet washcloth?”
Stiles groaned and flushed the toilet.
“If this is food poisoning, I’m going to kill Lydia.” Because the only thing that Stiles wanted it to be was morning sickness that couldn't tell time.
He knew Derek would be trying his hardest not to laugh at his joke, but Stiles sighed and lay on the cool bathroom floor, pressing his face to the tile.
Derek sat down next to him, a washcloth in his hand, and gently placed it on Stiles’ forehead. “At least let me call Deaton so he can check you.”
“Maybe later,” Stiles replied, leaning into Derek’s touch. “Right now I just want the world to stop spinning.”
Derek’s touch made things better as he felt Derek run his strong hands along his body, soothing both his aches and nausea almost completely away.
“Thank you,” Stiles mumbled and smiled as he felt Derek’s lips against his temple.
“You’re welcome,” Derek whispered. “Come on…let me get you to bed so you can get some rest and I’ll call Deaton. Maybe he can make a house call.”
“Okay,” Stiles pouted and let Derek pick him up, tucking himself against Derek’s chest. He took comfort in his mate’s presence.
Soon enough, Stiles was fast asleep, the thoughts of a family swimming in his dreams.
***
Stiles looked at the test results in his hands, reading the paper over and over again. He couldn't believe what he was reading. He was pregnant. It felt like something he’d been waiting on forever, even when it hadn't been.
He and Derek were perfectly fine waiting for kids, but it was something that Stiles ached for. To give Derek a family, a pack. To rebuild the Hale name into what it had been before the accidental fire that had taken out most of their human pack members.
Now he could give that to Derek. They had a pack, but they all wanted more.
Stiles could feel his excitement vibrating under his skin and all he wanted to do was call Derek and tell him as soon as he could that they were going to have a cub of their own. But Derek was in a meeting with a pack from a few towns over, bureaucracy and all that jazz, which Stiles never really cared for.
He rested his hand over his abdomen and looked down at himself, imagining what the coming months would look like. In six months, they’d have a baby. The urgency to build a nursery for their cub flooded Stiles, and he knew that soon enough, he’d start nesting.
Stiles’ excitement bubbled over as he folded the paper and tucked it into a drawer. He needed to find a cozy blanket, which would soon enough become a massive pile in their living room.
The anticipation until Derek came home would be more than enough to keep Stiles from nesting all over the house for now. Their life was about to change, for the best, and Stiles couldn't wait.
***
Stiles looked at the small box in his hands, eagerly waiting for Derek to come home. Today he’d be back from his trip and Stiles had already started nesting in their guest room. He also couldn't help himself and had sketched out several ideas about what he’d wanted the nursery to look like, so they had options.
When the door creaked open, Stiles tilted his head and stood up, listening as Derek entered their home. He quickly padded over to the front hallway and waited in anticipation.
Derek came into view, and his face broke out into a smile. He wasted no time in scooping Stiles up into his arms and holding him close, burying his nose against his mate’s neck.
“God, I missed you,” Derek rumbled, practically purring.
Stiles leaned into his warmth, almost forgetting about the small box that was partially crushed between them.
“I missed you too, so much,” Stiles breathed, relishing in Derek’s presence.
Derek seemed to notice that something was keeping them from being fully pressed together, and he drew away just enough to look between their bodies. “What’s that?”
Stiles looked at him, wide-eyed. It was the surprise that Stiles had come up with to let Derek know they were expecting a baby in the next six months. He laughed nervously and drew away, saying, “It’s a present.”
“For me?” Derek asked, confused. “It’s not my birthday yet, even though I know you like to give me presents before Christmas.”
“Well, I guess it’s kind of a present for both of us,” Stiles amended. He gently handed Derek the box, and his breath caught as he waited for Derek to open it.
Derek raised his brows, his eyes trailing over Stiles’ face before he looked down at the box again.
He looked curious, but also confused, his thumb running over the surface. Derek slowly tugged on the ribbon tied in a bow that held it closed and set it aside.
Stiles’ heart was in his throat as Derek lifted the lid and waited with bated breath.
A myriad of emotions swept over Derek’s face before he looked up with wide, surprised eyes and a blinding grin. “Stiles…”
“I’m pregnant,” Stiles whispered. He didn't have a chance to say much more before Derek swept him into his arms, kissing him and making happy wolf-noises.
“We’re having a baby,” Derek whispered into the space between their lips, like it was a secret. “Our own cub.”
“I know…” Stiles breathed, smiling into another kiss. “We have six months to get ready.”
“We will be,” Derek promised. “Whatever you want, we’ll make it happen.”
“It’ll be perfect.”
***
It had only been weeks since they found out that Stiles was pregnant, and Derek had been the happiest he’d ever been. They were having their own cub. Finally, a little family of their own. Not that he didn't love his pack and see them as family, but it was different. It was so much more.
It was familial in a way that he hadn't felt since he’d lost his family in the accidental house fire during his childhood. He couldn't even say that he remembered the fire at all since he’d been away seeing one of his aunts in South America for the summer. It was a thing that he and Laura did every year since he could remember because they could always shift and run to their heart's content in the wilderness.
But she’d stayed behind that summer because she had a new boyfriend and Derek couldn't care less about any kind of romantic relationship.
His studies were more important. He loved learning all about werewolf lore and being the best werewolf he could possibly be, especially since he was supposed to be Laura’s right hand when she’d finally take over the pack.
Derek ended up inheriting not only his family’s wealth but all of the Alpha sparks that were extinguished in the fire. He never thought he’d be the Alpha, nor did he ever want to be, but he fell into the role just like he did everything else in his life. With grace and exceptionalism.
He hefted the bags in his arms, balancing a box or two as he tried to take everything at once from the car (which he needed to see about getting another vehicle soon, really soon) because he wanted to see Stiles’ face with all the gifts he’d brought him.
It was a steep hill, and Derek found he loved going down it because he wanted to give Stiles and their baby everything they could possibly want or need. Stiles was obsessed with decorating the nursery and soon enough it would be filled to the brim.
Derek managed to get the door open and kicked it closed behind him as he called out, “Stiles?”
He was likely in the nursery, bundled up in his nest.
When Stiles didn't answer, Derek set the things down by the couch and padded off toward the nursery.
Sure enough, Stiles was there, fast asleep in his nest. He was sleeping a lot more now. Derek noticed he was getting tired more easily, but it was expected since he was growing their baby.
He swore Stiles was already showing, but he wasn't sure if it was wishful thinking, or Derek was imagining things. Stiles always said it was a food baby, but Derek refused to think that when he knew there was a real baby in there.
They had less than six months until their baby was here.
And Derek and the pack were more than ecstatic about having a new cub in the family. It was a great thing for all of them. Finally, Erica and Boyd’s kids would have another little one to play with during the full moon.
Derek quietly stripped off his leather jacket, set it aside, and toed off his shoes. He climbed into the nest behind Stiles, wrapping his arms around his mate and burying his face against Stiles’ neck as he breathed deeply. He knew he did that every chance he could and Stiles sometimes poked fun at him, but Derek couldn't help himself.
Stiles smelled like home and made him feel at home more than a physical home ever had. It was more than just the scents of the land and the forest; it was warmth and love and more.
Derek relished in Stiles’ scent, taking deep breaths and rumbling happily against his skin.
Stiles made a soft noise, his hands finding Derek’s arms and running along them as he stirred. Derek practically purred against his neck and rubbed his bearded cheek there, marking Stiles with his own scent.
“Hey,” Stiles breathed softly, then yawned as he craned his neck to look at Derek.
“Hey,” Derek replied, a gentle smile on his face. “Sorry to wake you. I just had to hold you and scent you in your nest.”
“It’s okay,” Stiles replied and smiled, leaning in to kiss Derek. He leaned back against Derek and Derek kissed Stiles’ shoulder. “Did you do what you needed to do?”
Derek checked. “I did, but then I got a little sidetracked and ended up buying a lot of things for you and the baby…”
“Oh, really?” Stiles asked with a chuckle, smoothing his hands up and down Derek’s arms that were still wrapped around him. “Do I get to open any of these presents yet?”
Derek looked thoughtful. While he wanted Stiles to open all of them right now, he did want Stiles to open most of them on Christmas Day, which wasn't that far away now. “Do you think you can wait a few days?”
Stiles humphed and gave a dramatic sigh, but Derek could tell he wasn't upset because his scent was still sugary sweet and he wanted to roll in it. “Yeah, I guess I can.”
Derek kissed Stiles’ cheek and ran his nose along it. “I bought something you can open now, though.”
He never thought Stiles’ eyes could get any brighter with excitement, but they did and Derek chuckled. “Do you want to go into the living room? Or I could bring it in here?”
Stiles yawned again and stretched, pulling his cover under his chin. “Can you bring it in here, please?”
Derek chuckled and moved his hand up to brush Stiles’ hair back from his forehead. “Of course. I’ll be right back.”
He kissed Stiles’ nose, then crawled out of the nest, went to grab the bag, and came back in a matter of seconds.
“Here it is,” Derek said, planting himself in Stiles’ nest again. “Open it.”
Stiles moved to sit up and took the simple bag from Derek, trying to peek inside as if he could see through the tissue paper poking out of the top. “What is it?”
Derek shook his head, but grinned. “You’re going to have to open it to find out.”
Stiles looked intrigued. He carefully pulled the colorful tissue paper out of the bag, as if something fragile might spring from the bag or fall from it. He put the tissue aside and looked in, a soft look spreading over his face as he smiled.
“Derek, is this—” Stiles pulled out the figurine.
“A baby wolf,” Derek supplied. “I thought it would be nice to add a baby wolf ornament to our tree. We can always have the baby’s name engraved after he or she is born.”
Stiles’ eyes looked glassy, like he was trying to hold back tears as he studied the ornament.
“I love it,” Stiles replied and held it against his chest as he leaned over to kiss Derek. “It’s perfect…”
And it was. It was just the beginning for them and their little family, but Derek knew the journey would be filled with more love than any of them could ever imagine.