Chapter 20
Chapter
Twenty
T he elders called Cade in the next day, and Zeke, Ty, Beau, Hawk, and Gavin all went with him.
Poe was relieved when Cade came home and told him about the rota of new guardians that would be flying patrols, including Harden on occasion.
There hadn’t been any further incidents so far, and Poe was grateful. He was pretty much on bedrest now, and it was nice to have Cade be able to be home with him, making up their nursery.
And cleaning at his command.
Cade wandered into the bedroom to open the curtains, the early-summer light falling across the bed. “I need to get you up and dressed, my love.”
Poe blinked. “You do?” He wasn’t going anywhere, surely. He felt as if he could barely waddle.
“Yes. You have company coming.”
Poe chuckled. “I have company almost every day.” Dragons were coming from the village to read to him. Zeke came to play chess. Cosmo brought him Doritos, which somehow soothed his heartburn. The kids all drew him pictures and delivered him cookies and fudge.
“Yes, but today there will be a rain.”
“A rain…” He tried to parse that. Sure, it rained all the time where they were; that was why everything was so lush and there were so many bees for Tyr to make his honey. But—“You mean a shower?”
“Yes! Like a standing up bath, but it’s a party.”
“Oh.” He laughed, his belly aching with it a little. “Have you ever been to a baby shower?” Poe asked.
“No. We do not have those here. I mean, we have not.” Cade beamed at him. “Now we do.”
“Yes. Okay, well, get me up then and get me to the front room.”
“Of course, my love. First, you will go to the bathroom.” Cade came to ease him up out of the bed, then support him to the bathroom. It was Cade’s urge, he knew, to carry him about, but the midwife, and Abe, said it was good for him to walk.
He peed, then let Cade help him into soft robes. He had to admit, if he had to wear his old-style clothes when he was this pregnant, he would have balked and just walked around in a blanket.
“Thanks, honey,” he told Cade. “Do I get breakfast?”
“Tanya is making you pancakes. She has gotten good at them, no?”
“She has.” And Tyr had given them some amazing honey thinned out with some sort of plant liquor that tasted a lot like maple syrup. It was yummy.
His family was so good to him.
Just about the time they got done with breakfast, the Rocky Mountain clutch started to arrive. They brought tons of food and some presents and lots of laughter, and he had to laugh at who got to come and who had to stay home with the little ones and their own breeding dragons…
Arielle came breezing in, bending to kiss his cheek. “Happy baby shower day, Poe!”
“Thank you, sweetie.” He winked at her. “Tanya still has some pancakes in the?—”
“Cancakes!” Lissa and Laurel ran by, Zeke and Gareth’s girls squealing all the way.
“I’ll go make sure they don’t spill stuff all over,” Arielle said, stomping along in her indominable fashion.
He grinned, shaking his head. Lord. He loved them all so.
His in-laws arrived next, Rodea coming to kiss his cheek, Ganderyn glancing around at the decor that was being arranged by the omegas. “So this is a rain party.”
“Father, it is a shower,” Cade said.
“Is this not the same?” Ganderyn raised an eyebrow, his braids clacking.
“Not exactly.”
“You two could do an act at the tavern,” he said, mock scowling at them.
“Oh, yes, we would receive many stones and pieces of shell,” Cade said.
“And hair beads,” Ganderyn agreed.
“You are not funny,” Rodea said. “Go do something important. I will sit with Poe.” She settled down next to him, and Penny immediately came to crawl into her lap.
“Hello.” Penny offered up a little flower.
“Isn’t that pretty?” Cade’s mom nuzzled her gently, making her laugh. “Aren’t you a pretty little light?”
“No, I’m a Penny!”
“You are a pretty penny.” She glanced at Poe. “They named her for a coin?”
He shook his head, smiling at Rodea. “Her name is Penelope.”
“Oh. Is your name short for another name?”
“Poledrus.”
“Oh dear, I understand. Poe is much easier to say.” She winked at him, and they both laughed.
Dragons were coming in from everywhere, the excitement of having new babies a joyous occasion, and everyone was very pleased about the party.
Poe had the feeling that this was going to be a regular thing. Dragons, he was discovering, did love their get-togethers, especially when there was something happy to celebrate.
Abe came wandering over to him, looking him over. He took his job as midwife quite seriously. “How are you feeling?”
He rolled his eyes. “Gigantic.”
The corner of Abe’s lips quirked. “Yeah, you are.”
“Not helping, Abe.” He knew he looked like a giant belly with toothpicks sticking out of it.
“No? Well, what are you going to do?” Abe winked. “Are they moving a lot today?”
Poe shook his head. “Not really. They’ve been very quiet.”
“Hrm. Good to know. Would you like some cake? There’s cake.”
“I really wouldn’t. Thank you, though. I’m not very hungry. I don’t suppose that there’s any of that honey drink that Tyr makes. The cold one?”
“I’ll find out.”
Rodea winked at him, rocking Penny, who was dozing on her chest. “You’re very close. The babies will come soon, and then you’ll feel so much better.”
“I hope so.” He was ready to meet his sons, to get his body back. Cade never made him feel monstrous or unattractive, but he wanted to be able to ride his mate, make love to him.
Leave it to me to overachieve and have triplets. He patted his belly. Oh, soon I’ll get to meet you in person, boys.
Usually that got him a quite enthusiastic response from Sherlock, Mycroft, and Watson. Today, it was very quiet.
They decided to name the boys after characters from the human world and bring something new into Lunastra. Oddly enough, it had not been him who picked the names. He’d gotten Cade a copy of Conan Doyle’s mysteries, and his dragon had fallen in love, devouring the entire book in just a day.
Now Cade had shared the stories with all of his friends, and they’d purchased an extra two copies, one for the village library and one for Cade’s father.
Poe had to admit that he kind of loved that—that they were starting an entirely new set of, well, everything. They were blending dragons and human culture and everything.
He’d had long, esoteric talks with Cade about if that messed things up, but Cade reminded him all the time that his wyrmnain had said her parents had come from the human world, and that Cosmo and his brothers were the product of mingling dragon and fae culture.
It was a good exchange. Books were amazing, and somehow, here in this magical place, Poe could read in dragon and the dragons could read human languages.
His lower back twinged, and he bit his lip, trying to ignore the sudden, unusual pain. He was used to discomfort and heartburn, but that felt like a violin string breaking in his spine.
Rodea’s head tilted. “Poe?”
He shook his head, chewing on his bottom lip. “Just a twinge.”
“A twinge?”
“Uh-huh.” And there was another one, sharp enough to steal his breath for a second. “That was…”
“Maybe I should ask Galial if she can peek at you. I just saw her.” Rodea stood, handing Penny off to him.
“Oh, I’m fine. I’m sure I’m fine.” He wanted the babies out, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to be in labor.
“Of course you are, sweetheart. Cade? Son? Come sit with your mate.” It was absolutely not a request.
“Okay.” Cade came prowling over, his worry clear. “What is it?”
“Sit. I’ll be back.”
Abe was back in front of him as Rodea left. “What’s going on?”
“My back hurts. I think Rodea went to get Galial.”
Abe nodded. “Good. Good. We can work together well, I think, and you’re…complicated.”
“I am?” He blinked slow, his whole self feeling…his birthline itched. Badly. He’d forgotten about it, since his belly was so big.
“You are. Why don’t we get you back into the bed, Cade? Cade, I think that maybe it’s time for us to move Poe back to the bedroom. Puck, you’ll watch Tanya?” Abe asked.
Puck nodded. “Yes, we’re good. Everything’s good. We’ll keep with the party, feed Tanya. You guys do your thing.”
Cade handed off Penny . What’s the matter? Is everything well? Why are you so pale?”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m always pale.”
“Well, there’s pale and then there’s snow-like.” Cade sighed.
“I think it’s time to go back to the bedroom.” Before someone dies. “Can you help me out please?” Now Poe really wasn’t feeling very much like explaining things.
Cade helped him stand up, and as soon as he did, water seemed to flow everywhere.
“Oh dear.”
“Well, that explains that.” Abe nodded. “Back to the bedroom. Galial’s coming. Let’s do this.”
“All right.” Cade stood there, his eyes wide. “You’re having a baby.”
“No, I’m having three babies.” And personally, he was not going to put up with this whole blinky-eyed alpha, I can’t possibly deal with this bullshit from Cade, because he didn’t have a choice. If Poe didn’t have a choice, neither did Cade. “So let’s get me to the bedroom, shall we, before they start falling out on the floor.”
That would actually be okay, because that would mean that labor wouldn’t be very long. But still there was the whole decorum of the thing. The last thing he needed was to become the legend of the man who came from the human realm, then dropped triplets on the floor.
Abe chuckled softly. “Damn, you’re good.”
Cade started moving them, which was a blessing because he was fixing to have to hurt somebody.
“Are you angry at me?” Cade asked softly. He was always very literal.
“No, love. I’m just hurting very much. And I’m ready to do this. I’ve been ready for weeks. ”
“I know.” Cade carried him as if he were made of glass, and he put him in bed none too soon.
His mate cleaned him, got him a sip of icy miielle, the honeyed drink that soothed him, so much. Oh, that was better.
Not comfortable, but better.
And he reached for Cade’s hand. “I will apologize for snarling and snapping when I am done with this, love. I imagine I’ll do more of it before it’s over.”
Cade gave him a surprisingly happy grin. “I understand now, my mate. I am not worried. I love you.”
“I love you too.” But man, he was in a whole world of hurt.
“Ah, here we are.” Galial joined Abe by the bed. “Shall we have a look at the birthline, healer?”
Abe nodded. “Let’s give it a go.”
“Okay, Poe. I am going to open your robe so I can look, with your permission.”
“Of course. I’m all right.” He was having triplets. He hadn’t had modesty in ages.
Cade held his hands, and his eyes widened when he saw the birthline. It was a little tough for Poe to see it, so he blinked at Cade.
“Is it gross?”
“It is very open and…gooey.”
“Oh. Okay. Well, goo is normal with babies and birth.”
Galial laughed, putting her hands on Poe’s belly. “Oh, yes. This is happening fast. Feel, Abe.”
Aw. Look how they’re working together, mate , Poe told Cade.
It is very nice . Cade was just staring at his birthline.
“What is it?” Poe tried to peer down.
“A hand.” Abe said. “Come on, little one. Come to Uncle Abe.”
“Oh! Already? Wow.” Poe was kind of amazed. He hadn’t even pushed yet.
“Yes. Now we need to go easy since we don’t know the position of the rest of the babies. So why don’t you give a little push and see how it feels?”
“Okay. I can do that. Just tell me when.”
Abe chuckled. “You’ll know when it feels like something is trying to suck your ass in through your belly. That was what Brandon said.”
“Ack.” He blinked some more, but then the sensation that Abe had just described descended on him, and he shouted, pushing for all he was worth.
And shouting. And sweating and panting.
“I am going to shoot this baby to the moon! How can it not be coming out when I’m pushing so damn hard!” He directed his ire at Abe, who seemed safest.
“It’s okay, man. Just breathe. Remember how Galial taught you to breathe.”
“I’ll breathe with you, love.”
“I’ll show you breathing.”
He scowled at Cade. He was going to eat his mate’s face off. That was the easiest answer.
In fact, his dragon wanted to just lurch out and snap, which hadn’t happened in months.
Suddenly, though, all of the light in his soul seemed to glow, bathing the entire room with white light and causing Galial and Abe to gasp.
“What the hell?” Abe shielded his eyes, shook his head. “I’ve never?—”
Cade beamed and stroked his spine, the touch warm, encouraging. “That’s my mate.”
Poe had other things on his mind. “I think that’s one of the babies.”
Sure enough, before he could even focus, Abe had a glowing baby in his hands, the light absolutely stunning.
“Lovely. Here’s one. I think we’re going to need more help.”
As if they knew they needed to come in, Rodea and Tyr and Harden appeared.
“Here we go.” Baby one was plopped into Cade’s momma’s hands. “Clean that one up. There’s another one on its way.”
Galial nodded. “Tyr, grab a towel. You’re up.”
By the time that Harden had baby number three in hand, Poe’s light was diminished to a vague sparkle. The babies, however, were shining like beacons.
All Poe could do was smile at them. His own magic would replenish.
Later.
He was tired. He was overwhelmed. He wasn’t sure his stomach was ever going to recover.
“They’re beautiful,” Tyr murmured.
“They are. I want you all to go away, so that Cade can fix this gaping hole in me, and then you can bring the babies back, okay?” He really needed a nap. Cade could deal. He was macho and shit.
Lightning danced over his belly, the tingling wild as the birthline closed.
Then they got him up so they could clean up the bed and ease him back down into fresh sheets and blankets.
“Sleep for a minute, and then I’m going to go give the babies their bottles.” Cade was vibrating, tears on his cheeks. “Our sons.”
“Mycroft, Sherlock, and Watson. That’s the order.”
“I understand. I’ll be back in a minute. I love you.”
“You’d better.” Poe winked at Cade. “I’m the best thing that ever happened to you.”
Cade was…stunned.
Babies. Three strong, healthy babies. And they glowed . They were the perfect mix between him and Poe, and he could already see himself teaching them to fly and to read and to honor their family and their clutches.
“They are so beautiful, my son.” His mother was feeding one of the boys. She had helped him put the boys’ names on their blankets so everyone would know which was which. She had Mycroft.
Cade held Sherlock. And Tyr refused to surrender little Watson.
“My mate did so well. We need to take them back up to him as soon as we can.”
“Yes. Once they’re fed, they can go rest with Poe. He was a trooper.”
“He is so strong and wonderful.” He’d never been more in love. And that was saying something. Poe had become his world.
Tyr shook his head, smiled. “They’re amazing. Maybe one day. Maybe it will be me.”
“It will happen.” Cadeyrn knew it. It had to. If it could happen to him, it could happen for anyone. He would make a safe space. For all of the babies.
A soft sound, like the tinkling of bells hit him, making him frown. Then he smelled her.
“Wyrmnain.”
“Cadeyrn.” She walked in out of the closet door, the scent of roses and sunlight following in her. “I had to see my great grandchildren. Look at them shine.”
He beamed, so proud. “Yes, they look like their father.”
“They look like both of you.” She touched each baby one after the other, giving them a blessing. As she did, each baby eased, their lights relaxed. “You’ve done such a good job.”
Cade shook his head. “Poe did all the work. My task starts now.”
“I have faith in you, grandson. You will ensure these babies grow up healthy and well, I know.”
“Yes, Wyrmnain. You have my word. My vow.”
She nodded, the entire universe in her gaze. “You keep your watch, and I will keep mine.”
“Thank you.” Humbled, he bowed to her, letting her see how he honored her.
“I love you all so.”
“Would you like to see Poe?”
“I would. I shall go up. Come on when the babies are fed.”
“I will.” He grinned as their cat went to sniff delicately at Wyrmnain.
She put a hand on his head, rubbing his ears. “You have your work cut out for you, my friend.”
Her response was a low, satisfied purr that filled the air.
The babies finished eating, and they were burped, then they trooped up the stairs to take the babies to their omega father, who was sleeping so well, his grandmother leaning over him, light pouring out from her.
She glanced up at him with a smile. “Be at peace and enjoy your family. Bring them all to visit, often.”
“We will. I promise.” He would have Poe put it on his calendar. His mate was so organized.
“In the basinets?” Tyr whispered, and Cade nodded.
“Please. We will all sleep for a bit.” He would crawl into bed with Poe in case anyone needed him.
As soon as he was in the covers, his mate curled in, glowing gently. “Love you. More than life.”
“I love you too, my own. I am so proud of you. I am sorry you were hurting so much.”
“It’s bizarre. I feel so light.”
“They are large babies.”
“Are they perfect?” Poe muttered.
“Totally.” And no matter what was coming—from the human world or their own—he would defend them.
For an eternity.