Ascension of a Gamma

Chapter 77 Sour Brownies

— Liam

“Babe, I'm sorry. You told me I can have it."

I ate the last brownie on the fridge and forgot to bake more since I spent the day in the office. For the mean time, I was handling two packs because I didn't want her to stress herself over pack matters. She was on board with the idea. It gave her more time to read books and nap — she'd been napping at almost after every hour.

When she was in the mood for boring paperwork, she'd join me. I enjoyed her company — things finish faster, and her mood would lighten up at the Black Mist Pack’s reports which were usually on their progress on the numerous programs implemented to help stabilize their position.

I didn't get yelled at or pushed away for being smelly, even though I just took a shower, o r have to deal with an emotional breakdown.

When she was in a good, I was in a good mood. There was peace in the house. And if she was really in a good mood, we'd make love. Everything was good.

However, today wasn't a good day for either of us. Anna was unhappy, pissed, and angry a t me over one fucking brownie!

Anna crossed her arms and huffed.

“I never said you could!”

I swear on the Goddess's name that she was smiling as she said I can have the last brownie. In the future, I'd never eat the last of anything. She'd have to force it on my mouth herself so we wouldn't have this discussion again.

“I'll make you some more,” I offered.

It was the only thing I could think of. She wouldn't eat brownies unless they were baked, by none other than me.

She glared at me. This wasn't going to work. As my head solved equations, Luca was silent.

Just when I needed him.

We got her pregnant — we should both be responsible for everything that came with it!

“I want it now!” she screamed.

“Babe...," I said softly, taking her hand.

You're being unreasonable

She pulled her hand away and stomped out of the kitchen.

“I'll make you more than last time!” I yelled after her.

She came back, a smile on her face.

"You will?" she asked, her eyes sparkling.

I want to take a nap, too.

“Yes,” I answered, and she squealed then hugged me. At least I didn’t smell now. I hugged her back gently, taking in her scent.

“Can you make me sour brownies?” she asked.

“Babe, -" I started, my mind working out a list of every sour food I could add on a brownie, before adding, “-brownies are made... sweet.”

The change in her expression made me regret my words. Her lips pulled down into a scowl as she narrowed her eyes at me. Her hands fell to her sides, then she bit her lower lip.

Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no... not this Anna!

This was the sad and overcritical Anna. She was the most difficult to deal with because her tears were my weakness. SAO Anna made me feel helpless. In the worst case so far of a SAO Anna, I had to hold back from crying too. Her SAOness was contagious and I wasn't getting immune to it the more she came out. There was only one thing good thing that came out SAO Anna, but it was a rare occurrence. It happened only once.

Her lips quivered then she let out a cry. Tears fell down her cheeks.

“Babe, babe, don't cry. I'll make you sour brownies, alright? All the sour brownies you want.”

“No... you don't want me to eat brownies because it makes me... fa-a-at,” she cried.

Goddess, help me.

I hugged her then kissed the top of her head.

“No, babe. You're not fat. You're carrying our baby,” I said softly as I stroked her hair.

She sniffled.

“Ba-by,” she repeated.

It's working!

“That's right. You look so beautiful wearing this dress, babe. Look at you — you're glowing!”

She giggled.

It's a good sign.

“You're the most beautiful in the world, babe. I'm so lucky to have you.”

She pursed her lips. “You are?”

"Of course, I am! See, I'm going to make you sour brownies so how about you take a nap and I'll wake you up when they're ready.”

“Alright,” she said, yawning. She kissed my cheek then turned around, stretching her arms over her head.

Can't believe that worked.

As I thought about how to make a brownie — a universally sweet treat since its first creation — taste sweet and sour, I heard Anna squeal in the living room.

“Hey, Liam!” said Andrix, handing Anna a decorated box.

I didn't know we were expecting guests — at nine in the evening!

"We brought you... specially made chocolates!” He opened the box for her, and she squealed, hugging him immediately.

So, when it's her uncle, HE doesn't smell?

“Thank you!"

I glared at Gale and he got the signal. While I was truly happy for the two of them, couldn't he put a leash on his mate and tie him to their bed?

“Now that that's done, we really should get going,” said Gale.

"And Anna here needs to take a nap,” I replied, pulling her to my side. She was stuffing her mouth with chocolates, not paying any attention to us.

“Sure,” said Andrix after a short pause. “Goodnight, Alpha.”

"Mm-mm..."

"Hey there, Bella,” said Carson, getting in with Lexy.

Why are they here?

He held up a bag for her, saying, “We didn't know what you'd like so we bought you pickled cucumbers, pickled papaya, pickled red onions..."

He took out a pack of something yellow then continued. “...pickled radish... we bought this at a Korean store. Lexy said you'd crave for sour foods.”

“Thank you, Car!” she said, hugging him.

Can I add pickles to brownies?

"Sometimes I think you got these two pregnant, bro,” said Lexy as Anna hugged her

next.

“You're all here,” said a new guest.

Why are they all here?

Rigel, like the rest of them, invited himself in and gave Anna a quick hug. He handed her a fruit basket.

A fucking fruit basket!

Can't they all wait until tomorrow?

And all it had were mangoes. I took it from him on Anna's behalf because she just had to hug him longer. Apparently, everyone else smelled alright to her and only I stank from time to time that she'd even kick me out of our room!

I took all of their presents to the kitchen as she chatted with them. I took a deep breath for ten seconds, then I felt her hands run along my waist to my stomach as she hugged m e from behind. “Are you mad?” she asked.

"No."

“Jealous?”

"No."

She inhaled deeply then exhaled loudly.

Do I smell good now?

“I still prefer your brownies,” she said softly. “And hot chocolate. And everything you cook for me.” I sighed, turned around, and kissed her hard. Was the rare occurrence repeating itself?

"Do you want to try those pickles?” I asked.

She nodded. As I washed the mangoes, she tried whatever she wanted.

"Gross..."

“Expired?” I asked, alarmed

I saw what she was holding and smiled. I didn't like pickled red onions, too. I took it from

her and put it aside, to be thrown to the trash later.

“Mangoes?”

She shook her head. “Woodland.”

I didn't know what she meant, but when she pulled me down into a kiss, it didn’t matter. She tasted like pickled red onions — the one thing I couldn't stomach. It just tasted... awful.

I made a move to pull away, but she wouldn't let me.

I see.

“Are you feeling sorry for me?”

She looked to the side. “No.”

Not very convincing when I can smell you.

“Is this your apology?”

"No."

I smiled and tipped her jaw, so she'd look at me. How could I stay mad at you? I kissed her slowly, missing her closeness. She'd been denying me the simplest forms lately. I understood it had something to do with the changes she was going through, but sometimes, it was frustrating.

“I love you, hot chocolate,” she said under her breath.

“I love you, too, brownies,” I replied, sliding her off the stool with her legs crossed at my back and going out the kitchen before she recalled her order of sour brownies.