Chapter Thirteen #2
“I think you’ll all be the baby’s honorary uncles,” Atlas replied.
“Or is Asmos’s case, just the uncle,” Seb said and gave some sort of jazz hands as if he was finishing a magic trick.
Bel tilted his head in confusion.
Seb grinned.
“Huh?” Atlas asked.
At least Bel wasn’t the only one lost.
“But if everyone is an uncle, then I want to be something special,” Asmos whined.
“Blood uncle?” Seb offered.
Atlas stiffened behind him, making another jolt of pain flare through Bel. “What are you saying, Seb?”
“That small drop of blood that you gave us? We were able to use magic to trace the bloodline. It took some time since we used magic but not a summoning. Lucifer was adamant that none of his demons would be summoned against their will. Even for research. Which I guess I get but it would have been so much easier if—”
“Seb.” Ash nudged his mate. “You’re getting off track.”
“Oh sorry!” Seb shrugged. “It took time because we had to print out every single demon in existence. Then we used magic to trace your blood to familial blood. And when we traced it to Asmos, I about swallowed my tongue but the blood kept tracing all the way to Zepar!”
Asmos yelped.
Fuck! That was not good news.
“Who?” Atlas questioned.
It was Asmos who answered. “My sire.”
“Sire? Like your father?” Atlas asked.
Asmos nodded. “He’s an asshole.”
Atlas leaned forward and started to laugh. His entire body shook, forcing Bel to shift uncomfortably.
“I think you broke him,” Ash whispered to his mate.
“What’s so funny?” Asmos pouted.
Atlas’s chuckle trailed off. “If there is any demon I would want to be related to, it would be you. I know we all joked about it earlier, how funny it would be if you fathered my mom, but I have truly begun to love you as a brother. I am actually relieved.”
The way that Asmos’s face lit up warmed Bel’s heart. Like Asmos thought that Atlas would be upset or something learning that he was directly related to Asmos.
“I don’t understand though,” Atlas said. “I thought you all, the demon princes, were the first demons.”
“The first-born demons yes,” Bel told him.
“We have sires though. Angels sent down with Luci to run the hell realm. When Luci realized what an enormous task he’d been given, he consulted his father and the magic changed so that the first births would produce demons.
It was the magic’s way of protecting the realm.
To ensure we always had our own kind and warriors. ”
“That you paid attention to in school but not the fact that you could get pregnant?” Asmos teased.
Bel shrugged. He’d found that part interesting.
“And Zepar is your father?” Atlas asked.
“If you could even call him that. My mother raised me. Zep was around when he wanted something from us.”
“Okay.” Atlas said. “I guess it’s no loss then that he abandoned my grandmother.”
“It really should have been one of the first demons we suspected,” Bel agreed. “He did have a tendency of leaving when his partner became pregnant. Although, that could be said about most of the original hell angels.” Like his own sire.
“Is that why you always say that angels are dicks?” Atlas asked.
Bel shrugged. “It’s partly that. Also, most of Luci’s brothers are assholes.”
“Especially Michael,” Asmos added. “Raph isn’t too bad. And I hang out with Az sometimes but for the most part demons and angels don’t mix well. We work together because we must but we’re not exactly friends. Angels think they are so superior over demons.”
“Where is Zepar now?” Atlas asked.
“The original hell angels have all returned to the celestial realm,” Asmos said. “Their job was pretty much done here. Luci bonded with us, not them, so they left once we took over running things.”
“So I probably wouldn’t run into Zepar here then,” Atlas said.
“Not likely,” Bel agreed. “We can contact him if you’d like. I can’t promise that you’d get the answers you’d want but we can try.”
Atlas began to rub Bel’s stomach again. “Maybe after the baby is born. I want to concentrate on you and our growing family.”
Bel was secretly relieved. Dealing with Zep or any of the original hell angels was never pleasant.
“Thank you, Seb and Ari, for finding me answers,” Atlas told them. “I appreciate all of your hard work.”
“We both do,” Bel added.
“Happy to do it,” Seb responded with a grin. “These last few months have been truly exciting. So much is happening in our realm.”
“That is certainly true,” Ash agreed with a kiss to Seb’s head. “But why don’t we go and let Bel get some rest.”
Bel arched his back, trying to push away some of his discomfort. Maybe he needed to get off the floor after all. Even if he had added three layers of extra padding. His body was obviously not happy with all the pain shooting through him.
“Call us if you need anything,” Seb told them.
“We will,” Atlas promised. “Thanks again.”
Ash, Seb, and Ari transported away, leaving Bel with Asmos and Atlas.
“I’m going to need help up. I think I do want to go lie down,” Bel told them.
“Of course, mate.” Atlas patted his stomach.
Bel groaned. He didn’t need any added pressure to his aching body.
“Honey, your stomach is really hard,” Atlas said, with concern lacing the words.
Asmos cackled. “He’ll show you something hard.”
“Asmos!” Atlas snapped. “Now is not the time for that.”
A burning sensation raced down his spine to his tailbone, forcing a grunt past his lips. The pain was getting worse.
“Bel?” Atlas said his name in a panic.
“Just keep rubbing my stomach. That helps with the pain,” he pleaded.
“Pain? You’re in pain?” Atlas demanded.
He nodded. Bel was really trying to keep it to himself so not to be more of a bother than he already was, but the pain was getting worse.
“How long?” Atlas asked. “How long have you been in pain?”
“All morning,” Bel admitted.
“Bel!” Atlas screeched.
Bel winced. His head still hurt too. “Shh, it’s fine.”
“Are you serious?” Atlas tried to push Bel forward.
Since reclining helped, Bel fought his mate. “Stay there. Rub my belly some more.”
“I’m going to get Luci!” Asmos announced before popping away.
Bel shook his head. Dramatic demon. It was just a little pain. He could handle it. Bel was a big tough demon. Did everyone forget that?
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Atlas sounded calmer.
“It’s fine,” Bel assured his mate. It wasn’t like he was in labor. Raph had assured Bel that he would know when it was time.
“I’m banning that word from our house,” Atlas threatened.
Bel chuckled before a massive jolt of pain had him curling in on himself and almost throwing up. “Ow!”
“Mate! Oh God!” Atlas scrambled from behind him. “We need to get you to bed!”
Rolling onto his side, Bel tried to pull his knees up, but the pain was so severe he couldn’t manage to move.
“Belphegor!” Lucifer’s shout made him flinch.
“Luci!” Atlas yelled. “Help him please!”
Bel really didn’t think all the screaming was necessary.
“Raph’s on his way,” Luci said. “Let’s get Bel to the birthing suite.”
Wait! What?” Bel lifted his head. “Birthing suite?”
Lucifer crouched in front of him. “It’s time, my friend.”
It was time? No! Bel wasn’t ready. He changed his mind. Being pregnant wasn’t that bad after all. Maybe he could do it for another month or so.
“We’re having a baby!” Atlas’s voice was shrill. Panicked.
“Hey.” How was Asmos the calm one? “It will be okay. This is what you were waiting for.”
Bel met his mate’s gaze and they shared a frantic look.
“Let’s get you prepared, my friend,” Luci said and transported Bel into the room that had been prepared for this moment.
* * * * *
Atlas
The birthing room was warm, filled with soft pretty things for his mate to look at, and plenty of color.
When Raphael had first suggested preparing a birthing room, Atlas had imagined a cold, sterile white-tiled space.
He should have known with his mate that things were never going to be so basic and ugly.
No, his demon prince had beautiful taste.
“I changed my mind,” Bel whimpered. “I can’t do this.”
Asmos’s hand on Atlas’s lower back urged him forward. Atlas dug his heels in. How was he supposed to help his mate? Reassure him? This was crazy! His mate, his very male mate, was having a baby. Their baby. Now. Now? Like right now!
“Hello, friends,” Raphael said softly, appearing close to Bel’s bed. “I heard it is time to bring this beautiful baby into the world.”
Bel shook his head frantically. “No, no, it’s not time. Luci is wrong.”
“Luci is not wrong,” Lucifer said in amusement. “Your stomach is preparing itself for birth.”
Atlas glanced down at Bel’s exposed belly. If possible, Bel’s swollen stomach was even bigger than it had been that morning. And it was changing in color. Instead of the gorgeous dark demon flesh that Atlas was used to seeing, Bel’s stretched stomach was pale gray.
“That’s natural,” Lucifer assured him. “Here, come see.”
Bel shook his head. “It’s not natural! None of this is fucking natural! Stop looking at my stomach. Leave me alone!”
“Oh!” Raphael rubbed his hands together. “I think we’re closer than Luci thought. We better get ready.”
“Closer?” Atlas squeaked. He was still rooted to the spot.
“I really should have been called at least an hour ago,” Raphael commented. He rolled up his sleeves as he strode to Bel’s side. “You must be in so much pain.”
“It’s fine!” Bel assured him as he smacked at Raphael’s hands as the angel tried to touch his forehead.
Atlas really was banning that damn word. No one would ever say fine in their house again. He ran over to the opposite side of the bed and caught Bel’s hands. “Stop that. Raphael is here to help us.”
“Us!” Bel yelled. “Us? I don’t see you in this bed about to split in two to deliver a baby!”
“Shh,” Atlas soothed, kissing Bel’s cheek. “I know, mate. You are amazing. You are doing so well. I’m proud of you.”
Bel huffed but finally settled down.
“That’s perfect,” Raphael stated before pressing two fingers against Bel’s forehead.