Mine To Keep
E 1
Sunlight spills gently into the kitchen, golden and warm.
The sound of coffee brewing hums softly in the background.
Rowan stands barefoot in an oversized hoodie—Lucien’s hoodie—pouring oat milk into three mugs.
The scent of toasted bread and fresh espresso fills the air.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
(humming to himself, stirring one mug, smiling)
Jeremy Winslov
(soft footsteps, entering the kitchen with slouched shoulders and sleepy eyes)
Jeremy Winslov
Morning, Ro
Rowan Callahan Hudson
There’s the baby Bear.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
(turns, arms open)
Rowan Callahan Hudson
Come here.
Jeremy Winslov
(lets out a shaky breath, walks straight into the hug)
Rowan Callahan Hudson
You always smell like those cinnamon rolls from the bakery down the street.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
(Chuckles)
Rowan Callahan Hudson
Did you sneak one again last night?
Jeremy Winslov
(muffled against Rowan’s chest)
Rowan Callahan Hudson
(pulls back, searching his face)
Rowan Callahan Hudson
You okay?
Jeremy Winslov
(eyes dart away)
Rowan Callahan Hudson
(not buying it, switches off the stove)
Rowan Callahan Hudson
(sets down the spoon, takes Jeremy’s hand)
Rowan Callahan Hudson
Talk to me. What’s going on?
Jeremy Winslov
(Lower lip trembles)
Rowan Callahan Hudson
(squeezes his hand, gently)
Rowan Callahan Hudson
Jeremy, what’s wrong?
Jeremy Winslov
(voice barely audible)
Jeremy Winslov
I’m… pregnant.
The coffee machine clicks off with a final hiss.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
(eyes widen, lips parting slightly)
Rowan Callahan Hudson
You’re… what?
Jeremy Winslov
(nods slowly, tears brimming)
Jeremy Winslov
I didn’t mean for it to happen, I—It was just once
Jeremy Winslov
I didn’t even think that I could—
Jeremy Winslov
(Voice crack)
Jeremy Winslov
I don’t know how but I’m pregnant
Jeremy Winslov
I’m scared…
Lucien Winslov
(from the kitchen doorway, voice like thunder)
Lucien Winslov
You are WHAT?!
Jeremy jolts, Rowan instinctively shields him with an arm.
Lucien stands frozen in his crisp white shirt, tie half-done, a dark expression on his face.
Protective. Furious. Confused.
Rowan takes a step between them, his voice calm but firm.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
Lucien. Not now
Lucien Winslov
(Jaw Clenched)
Lucien Winslov
He’s my brother, Rowan.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
And he’s scared.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
Look at him.
Lucien Winslov
(eyes flick back to Jeremy)
The tension breaks slightly.
Jeremy Winslov
(wipes a tear from his cheek)
Rowan quietly pulls Jeremy into another hug, and Lucien—still standing by the door—says nothing more.
But his hands curl into fists.
E 2
Lucien Winslov
(Grits his teeth)
Lucien Winslov
I need some air.
Lucien storms past Rowan and Jeremy, his steps heavy and sharp as he heads toward their bedroom.
Jeremy shrinks back slightly, trembling, his hands shaking as he clutches the hem of his shirt.
Jeremy Winslov
I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…
Jeremy Winslov
Alphas don’t get pregnant
Jeremy Winslov
This can’t be happening
Jeremy Winslov
It was once… just once…
Rowan Callahan Hudson
Hey, hey… breathe.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
I’m right here.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
You’re not alone, okay?
Rowan Callahan Hudson
We’ll figure this out.
Jeremy leans into Rowan, tears slipping quietly down his cheeks.
After a moment, Rowan gently squeezes Jeremy’s shoulder and speaks quietly.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
I’m going to check on Lucien.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
Will you be alright?
Jeremy Winslov
(nods, still trembling)
Rowan heads down the hallway toward their bedroom.
Lucien is sitting on the edge of the bed, his hands clasped tightly, jaw clenched.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
Lucien… you can’t stay like this.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
You’re shutting him out, but he needs you.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
Jeremy needs you.
Lucien Winslov
He’s my little brother.
Lucien Winslov
This shouldn’t be happening.
Lucien Winslov
Not like this.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
You’re scared. I get it.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
But Jeremy’s scared too.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
And right now, he’s broken and unsure.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
You need to be his rock, Lucien.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
Like you always are.
Lucien Winslov
(closing his eyes, running a hand through his hair)
Lucien Winslov
I don’t know how.
Lucien Winslov
This changes everything.
Lucien Winslov
How can I protect him now?
Lucien Winslov
How do I protect him and the baby?
Rowan Callahan Hudson
(Takes Lucien’s hand)
Rowan Callahan Hudson
You protect him by standing beside him, not running away.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
We’ll figure it out, together.
Rowan Callahan Hudson
We’ll always do.
Lucien exhales slowly, the tension easing just a bit as Rowan’s words sink in.
E 3
The room is softly lit by morning light filtering through sheer curtains.
Jeremy sits on the edge of his bed, knees pulled close to his chest, trembling slightly.
His eyes stare blankly at the floor.
Jeremy Winslov
I’ve been feeling so tired… weak… for days.
Jeremy Winslov
I thought it was just stress or something
Jeremy Winslov
Maybe too much work at the company, or… I don’t know.
Jeremy Winslov
But then, yesterday… I couldn’t ignore it anymore.
Jeremy Winslov
I went to the hospital.
Jeremy Winslov
(swallows hard, breathing uneven)
Jeremy Winslov
The doctor looked at me like I was crazy… until she said it.
Jeremy Winslov
(closes his eyes tightly, fighting the swirling confusion)
— Flashback — Hospital Room, yesterday —
Jeremy sits on the edge of a crisp hospital bed, wearing a loose sweater
A kind-looking female doctor sits across from him, holding a clipboard.
Doctor
Mr Jeremy, I know this might come as a shock, but your test results are positive.
Jeremy Winslov
(mouth falls open, eyes wide, heart pounding)
Jeremy Winslov
Wait—There must be some mistake…
Jeremy Winslov
I’m an alpha.
Jeremy Winslov
This can’t happen to me.
Doctor
Pregnancy in alphas is extremely rare, but in your case… it’s very much real.
Doctor
You need to take care of yourself.
Doctor
We’ll support you every step of the way.
Jeremy Winslov
(exhales slowly, a tear sliding down his cheek)
Jeremy Winslov
How do I even face Lucien?
Jeremy Winslov
(Takes a shaky breath)
Jeremy Winslov
How do I face this?
Jeremy Winslov
What if they think less of me?
Jeremy Winslov
What if I …. lose everything?
Jeremy Winslov
(buries his face in his hands, overwhelmed)
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