Chapter 25
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Sloan floated in the pool and watched his mate paddle about on his back, his belly sticking up out of the water.
That was the most adorable thing he’d ever seen, that heavy belly with its scales sticking out of the water like the spine of a giant dinosaur or something.
Tyr barely moved his feet and hands to keep himself above the water line.
Poor love, he was so heavy with the baby now, and he spent a lot of time in the pool being weightless.
Sloan, Brayden, and Riley had taken over a great deal of work with the bees, and he would carry Tyr out into the garden so the bees could come to visit him and sit on his stomach and commune with the baby.
But Tyr wasn’t doing a whole lot more of the work right now.
The midwives were beginning to worry that Tyr was going to have the baby early, that their little Melissa was going to be a large baby.
Oddly enough, Tyr didn’t seem to be worried in the least. In fact, he was just sort of Zen about the whole thing.
Sloan was a little worried.
Worrying isn’t going to do anyone any good. Tyr was laughing at him, not even bothering to lift his head and glance at him. You need to just breathe. Remember, the bees would let us know if something was terribly wrong.
He tilted his head, turning over to tread water. This is true. I need to trust them and our orbloks and our house spirit and you. He’d been so used to it being just him, Riley, and Brayden; he had to remember that he had a whole community too. Not just Tyr.
“Yep, you’re no longer a single. You’re a community; you’re part of a hive that loves you.” Tyr chuckled softly, stretching and rubbing his belly again as if to soothe.
That was the seventh or eighth time he’d done that in an hour or so. “Are you okay?”
“Mmhmm. Just a little off kilter. I am the size of a house, you know.”
“Maybe not the size of a house, but possibly a decent-sized barn,” he teased.
“Harden’s barns are huge. Speaking of Harden…” Tyr looked over at him, grinned so wickedly.
“Quit matchmaking.”
Tyr was convinced that Harden and Brayden were going to be a match. And he was really teasing Sloan about it. He was too kind to tease Brayden or his friend Harden, but everyone else knew it was a running theme with his mate.
“I just want him to be as happy as I am,” Tyr stated.
That melted his heart. “Well, how can I argue with that?”
That touch came again, Tyr stroking his belly. He didn’t love that.
“You sure you’re okay?”
Tyr growled softly, the scent of burnt honey on the air, sharp and sudden. “I’m fine, just a little tender. I’m not in labor; it is too early. The baby is not due until the fall.”
Oh, he totally needed to get the midwife. Absolutely. Now. Brothers?
He sent the thought to Tor, Brayden, and Riley. Someone would answer.
What’s wrong with Tyr?
What do you need me to do?
I’m in town, what do you need?
Or they’d all answer.
Whichever.
We need the midwife. Tyr is in labor and he won’t admit it. It was so hard keeping his thoughts from touching Tyr as well.
Tor chuckled. All right, it’s a little early, but not terrible. I’ll get the bedroom ready, the sheets cleaned, and all of that.
I’m in town. Riley’s happiness felt like sunlight. I’ll grab the midwife and head toward the hive.
I will work in the hives to make sure that he doesn’t have to worry about the bees. Brayden seemed the slightest bit distracted.
Are you all right, Bray? If there was something wrong with the bees, he needed to know now or Tyr would lose his shit.
Everything’s fine. I was watching Harden train some of those wild multi-legged horse things.
Oh.
Don’t read anything into it.
I won’t, promise. You have my word. He was totally lying.
Tyr rolled up, working to find his feet. “I’m not feeling great. Maybe I’m going go to bed.”
“Do you want me to carry you, love?” He didn’t want Tyr to slip, but he always asked. Sometimes, Tyr wanted to be a stud and walk, and sometimes, he wanted to be a kitten and be carried. Depended on his mood.
“I…” Tyr winced again, rubbing his belly. “I don’t know, love. Help?”
“Come on.” He waded out of the pool, lifting Tyr up over the edge to carry him upstairs, calling for Salano. “Can we get some honey tea going, please?”
“Of course, I will see to it. Tor has the bedroom ready.”
“Thank you.” Then Tyr frowned at him. “I’m not in labor.”
“All right, but the bedroom is still ready for you.”
“Hmph.” Tyr buried his face in Sloan’s neck. “Not in labor.”
“Well, if you were, it would mean Melissa was ready.”
What if she’s not? What if I’m doing something wrong?
Never. She’s so happy. Sloan could hear her these days, clear as a bell. She was a giggly, goofy girl.
And she was ready.
Da! Da! Out!
Oh, dear him. That was… intense.
I hear you, sweet one. Are you ready? I think you’re ready.
OUT!
Tyr shook his head. “Listen to her. So demanding.”
“I know. But now do you believe you’re in labor? She’s ready to see the world, love.” He laid Tyr gently in bed, Tor holding the door open for them.
“I’m going to get you something cool and sweet to sip.” Tor stroked his brother’s fingers. “Love you, twin.”
“As I love you,” Tyr responded. He frowned after Tor’s retreating back. “He’s being so nice.”
“He has been ever since he came, love.” Sloan knew there was some unresolved shit there, but was it going to come out today?
“He has. He’s excited to meet Melissa. He wants her to love him.”
“I’m sure she will.” Tor was still a huge mystery to Sloan, but after what he’d done for Fredda and Stella, Sloan trusted him. “He’s trying super hard, love.”
Tyr nodded and smiled to him, even though it was lost in a wince. “He’s home, isn’t he? Do you think for good?”
“I don’t know.” He sat next to Tyr and put a hand on his belly. “I imagine as long as we have Penny in one direction, Fredda the other, and our Melissa here, he will be.”
Tyr’s belly was literally as hard as a rock, and he actually gasped at the feel.
Riley called out. Midwife is coming!
Good. She’s coming out whether we’re ready or not. “Can I look at your birthline, love?” Sloan put a hand on that belly again.
“You can. I’m sure I’m all right, though, don’t you think?” Tyr pushed down the covers, showing that splitting line, the birth sac swelling out, still intact.
“Goodness.” She’d better hurry, Ri, or she’ll have nothing to do.
We just landed.
“Is everything okay? You look worried…”
“Not worried. I just think we need the midwife, love. You’re very ready. Very.” The midwife had told him what would happen, but the reality was daunting.
“Very? But she’s too early.”
“She doesn’t care.”
“No.” Tyr finally laughed for him. “I suppose she doesn’t. But she can wait for the midwife.”
“That’s my feeling too.”
“And here I am.” Galial limped into the room, smiling at Tyr, then him. “Goodness. He’s not wasting time.”
“No, he sure isn’t.” Riley looked absolutely horrified staring at Tyr’s birthline.
“Ri, why don’t you go help get some food together in the kitchen?” Sloan winked at his brother. When it was Riley’s mate, he would no doubt take it better.
“Uh-huh…” Riley’s horror was actually comical, and Tyr snorted.
“Riley. Shoo.”
“Kay.” Riley fled, Tor laughed, and the midwife shook her head.
“Let’s get this done, Tyr,” she said.
“Apparently I’m working on that right now, lady.” Tyr winked at her, then leaned hard against his side. “But it’s very early.”
“And you’re very calm,” she shot back.
“What is there to fear? Sloan reminded me that no two births happen the same way, and if she’s ready, she’s ready.”
Galial arched one eyebrow. “Indeed? Are you sure you need me at all?”
“Yes!” Sloan’s eyes went wide. “I need you here. Please!”
She relented with a wide smile. “I was only teasing Tyr. I was there at his and Tor’s births, and he is sassing me.”
Tyr chuckled with her, but the sound was strained. “It’s been hurting a while now.”
“Why didn’t you say something, mate?” he demanded, and Tyr shrugged.
“It’s too early. I wanted her to be ready. I—” Tyr suddenly teared up. “I’m frightened.”
Sloan kissed Tyr’s hand. “I’m right here, my mate. I won’t let anything hurt you, or her. We’re all good.”
Tor nodded. “We’re right here with you, brother.”
Tyr nodded, and then a rush of water sprayed from his mate, and Tyr cried out, the sound sharp and pained.
“There we are. That should ease things up for a little while.” The midwife mopped up, humming, which actually seemed to calm Tyr a lot. She had magic in her voice and hands.
Tyr walked around the room, stopping every little bit to pant and hold onto him. Tor stayed close, light emanating from him.
Sloan petted him, massaged his back, walked with him, sang to him. He sang to their Melissa too, encouraging her to come out and be in the light.
It seemed to take forever and also, it took no time at all before Tyr grabbed his hand.
“Help me! She’s coming!”
“Back on the bed, love.” He eased Tyr down, letting him rest, and soon enough, there was a little hand. And a foot.
His eyes went wide. “Isn’t the head supposed to come out first?”
“Tyr is special.” She reached into Tyr’s body, easing Melissa around.
“Dragons are special to Sloan,” Tor murmured. “He’s only seen human births.”
“Really? Fascinating.”
“Focus!” Tyr roared, the sound sharp and hard.
“Yes, yes. Do not scare her back into your innards.”
Sloan gagged. He really wished the midwife had put that a different way.
She chuckled softly. “Alphas are so sensitive…”
Tyr’s laughter sounded strangled.
“When it comes to our omegas? Yes we are. I could be spurting blood and not notice, but Tyr has been in pain for hours!” He bit back anything else, because his voice had risen.
Tor’s lights seemed to get brighter, and they wrapped around him and Tyr both, the luminescence somehow soothing. Be at peace, brother. Tyr is well. You are having your child. Your first child. This moment will never happen again.
He nodded, holding Tyr to him, protecting him from all things, even himself. Thank you, Tor. You are appreciated.
Tor winked at him. She’s coming, you two. Catch!
Tyr roared, slumping in his arms, huge heart pounding fast and hard.
Sloan and Tor did just that. He caught Tyr, Tor caught their daughter, and golden light filled the whole room, a great flash of it making him blind for a moment.
PAPA! The sound snapped through the air, pushing into his very soul.
“My baby girl.” He almost sobbed, hugging Tyr. “Love, look at her. She’s glowing harder than Tor.”
Tyr blinked at her, then closed his eyes. “She’s perfect. We should keep her.”
“We should.” He looked to the midwife. “What can I do?”
“Help Tor clean up that sweet baby. Then you can cauterize the cord. I’ll tend to Tyr.”
“Of course.”
She shone—her scales metallic and golden, and her eyes were a bright, shocking blue. Tears stung his eyes, because she was the most beautiful little thing he’d ever seen in his life.
He gently laid Tyr down on the bed so the midwife could clean him up, and he took Melissa from Tor, using a soft towel to wipe her down. “Hello, my little love. You’re amazing.”
She blinked at him, so focused, so big, as if she’d arrived more grown than other little ones. Papa.
Yes, and that’s your da. He tilted her toward Tyr. He worked so hard for you to be here.
A rush of love hit him, and he nodded. That’s right, little bee. He loves you so much.
“She’s perfect,” Tyr whispered. “I’m so glad that she’s here.”
“Me too.” He handed her back to Tor so he could deal with the cord, and then she was swaddled up. Tyr was clean suddenly, and he laid the baby on Tyr’s chest. “Here she is.”
My little bee.
Da. Love. Then Sloan heard, clear as a bell. Hungry.
“Of course you are, baby girl. I’ll get you something.” He had practiced for this, in fact.
She’s loud, brother. Riley had a bottle in hand, now that the mess was dealt with. Is that normal?
I think she’s very special, bro. I really do. He grabbed the bottle, laughing a little. Two worlds colliding.
And in one body, not three. Tyr smiled at him. She’s amazing. Seriously, she’s utterly amazing.
She is, love. You did so well. Rest now. I can hold you both and feed her. Tor will be my backup.
Always. Tor’s ferocity made Sloan feel safe. Honored.
Thank you. Happy birth day, little bee.
Papa. Da. Unks. She was so smart already, and she fed, then burped, then slept. And so did Tyr.
Sloan stayed awake with his brothers, because Brayden came, and his new brother Tor stayed with Riley.
It was their privilege to watch over the baby and her da.