21. Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-One
Caspian
“Quint, Torin and Caro left this morning for the island you said you’d heard the voices at, Kes,” Mattias said as we sat down to breakfast. “Odem has opted to stay at the compound until after you’ve both delivered. He’ll take Caro’s Dragon City patrol shift.”
Uncle Odem had quite a, how should I put it, mid-wife aura about him. The closer Kes and I got to our due date, the more he hovered. Not annoyingly or anything like that, but his he was definitely present more.
“Odem has been around for all the dragonets births,” Mattias shook his head. “At first, I didn’t think anything about it but now it’s actually quite maternal? Paternal? Not sure what to call it but he’s a calming presence in the wake of the labor storms.”
The closer we got, the more nervous Mattias was. Which, I understood. Two mates in labor at the same time was a lot for anyone to handle.
“What’s got you thinking so hard over there, Caspian?” Mattias asked.
“Just wondering if we’re really ready?” We had better be because the cramping in my lower back was quite alarming. And uncomfortable. “I need to stand.”
Mattias bolted upright while poor Kes hobbled to his feet.
“Is it?” Kes’ eye widened. “Oh crap.”
I swear it wasn’t two seconds later when Odem appeared, rubbing his hands together. “It’s showtime, gentlemen.”
Mattias tapped away on his phone. “Raven will be here soon. Odem, you take Caspian and I’ll take Kes.”
“Wait,” Kes held his hand up. “What makes you think I’m labor?”
“One,” Mattias held up a finger, “I can feel your discomfort through our connection. And two, I had a feeling it would happen like this.”
“What…” this cramp took my breath away. “Whoa, um, yeah. I’ll take one of you up on a ride to the nest.”
“On it!” Odem scooped me up and off we went. For being as big as they were, these brothers moved like the wind.
Mattias carrying Kes came in right behind us. As soon as they set us down, Kes and I migrated toward each other. Hands firmly gripped as we rode out each contraction.
“I’ll cover the nest with the plastic while you let Raven in,” Odem said.
“My loves, I’ll be right back.” Mattias kissed our foreheads then went to get our beloved High Priestess.
Fast.
Fast.
“Fast!” Kes and I screamed at the same time. Mattias flinched, then took off at a run.
Odem chuckled, and shook his head. “You omegas are amazing. Scary, but amazing.”
Kes and I paced hand in hand. The normally calming presence we felt inside this space was anything but right now. I didn’t want to stand or sit, and sure as heck didn’t feel like laying down. Nothing was comfortable.
“Raven!” I bellowed through a contraction as she stepped inside the room. “I’m worried about the Seadragonets.” The eggs will be fine and will continue to grow inside their shells. But what would happen with the other two?
“Can you both lie down so I can examine you, please?” Scooped up again, Mattias and Odem gently laid us atop the plastic that now covered the nest we so carefully prepared for this.
Mattias removed our clothing while Raven ran her hands over us, hovering just above our flesh.
“All six are perfectly healthy and right where they should be given your pregnancy timelines. The Seadragon twins are small but will continue to grow once the other two eggs are out, just as nature intended.”
Okay. Okay. This was good.
“Now, let’s get you both as comfortable as you can be.
You’re in for a long journey.” Not so comforting words from Raven.
Sensing our frustration, Odem turned on the television Mattias had installed for us.
I wished I could say it helped, and I guess between contractions it did, until they worsened.
Then there wasn’t a dancing yellow sponge in the world that could help us.
The girls had gone silent, my nerves already on edge, this only made it worse. Girls, Daddy needs to know you’re okay.
Nothing.
The boys aren’t talking either, Kes said.
Mattias spread his wings, cradling our family in them. Children, Papa and your Daddies need to know you’re okay. We love you very much.
Luff, luff, luff, luff, luff, luff. All six tiny luffs were present and accounted for and I breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
The girls fear fed through our connection, feeding off mine. I had to do my best to calm down and think pleasant, happy thoughts.
Keep telling them how much we love them and about all the wonderful things they’ll see, I told my mates.
The dragonets tension eased with every sweet word we uttered. Hesitant, at times, until they heard one of our voices.
It’s so beautiful here. We can’t wait for you to see the life we’ve built for you.
Papa, Daddy Kes and I are so excited to meet you.
I’ve waited so long for a family of my own. Papa can’t wait to meet you.
Gurgles were what we were down too given the intensity of the contractions.
They were coming hard and fast, my torso one giant muscular spasm and Kes wasn’t much better off.
Sweat matted our hair to our heads, Odem left and returned with cool wash cloths he placed on our foreheads.
Mattias had managed to slide into the nest between Kes and me, a hand on each of our bellies as he whispered to the babies.
“Don’t worry, my loves, everything is fine. Your Daddies are working hard to bring you into the light. Don’t be afraid, we’re all here waiting for you. Even Uncle Odem. You’ll love him, he plays with your cousins all the time.”
I wish we had thought to record this. Sweet musings to play back to the little ones whenever they were feeling down or scared whenever Papa was away.
I swear, the gentlest of souls reside within the largest of men.
I already envisioned our dragonets tackling Papa to the ground.
Their giggles filling our home as Kes and I stood nearby watching the mayhem unfold.
Papa having the time of his life, enjoying every silly moment with his offspring.
Now, we just had to get these eggs out of us.
“There’s. No. Way.” Kes panted between words.
“This…Ahhh!” he finished breathing through the contraction just as another hit me.
Thankfully, Mattias had two very strong, very capable hands he used to massage our backs through each one.
Poor Odem was our errand boy, fetching ice chips and cold, wet rags.
Oddly enough, he seemed rather happy to be helping.
“Where’s Raven?” I barked, rather loudly. “How much longer?” Surely live water births were easier than this.
“She’ll be back later when your contractions are closer,” Mattias said. Far too calm for my liking. All the years I dreamed of being a father I’d neglected to focus on the pain associated with bringing dragonets into this world.
But then again, no one in my herd ever laid an egg, let alone two.
“This thing is never coming out of me,” Kes groaned. “It’s too big.”
“Alex said the same thing,” Odem said, “and he threated to castrate Ionus.”
I could see that, coming from Alex. There was no doubt who ran that household.
“I think we need more diapers!” I shouted through the next contraction. Every head turned to stare at me. “What?” Panting had become second nature at this point.
“You’re in labor and you’re worried about diapers?” Odem, the once favorite brother-in-law of mine was quickly falling out of favor. “Dude, the eggs won’t even hatch for a couple of months. You have plenty of time to order more.”
Good to know, though I didn’t share that with him. I was still on the fence as to whether or not he just irked my last nerve.
“Oh. My. Goddess!” Kes yelled. “Why does it hurt so freaking bad!”
At this point, Mattias and I were both getting nervous. My contractions were bad enough with what I guessed were normal sized eggs. Poor Kes had a double egg to push out.
Now I was worried about him.
Are you okay, Kes? Talking was far too hard right now, screaming was easier but not something I enjoyed.
Is there a way to have sex and never, ever get pregnant again?
I-I, I honestly don’t know.
Had any dragon ever asked that before?
“They have,” Raven said as she came back in.
“There are ways to prevent it but let’s get these eggs out of you first.” Even with as miserable as I was right now, I knew the end result was more than worth it.
And from the sounds of it, I may be the only one bringing new dragonets into this house in the future.
“Alright, Odem, you’re my helper since Mattias has his hands full,” Raven said. “Caspian and Kes, on the count of three I want you to push. Ready?” We both nodded. “One, two, three, push!”
“Ahhh!” Kes and I groaned, pushing with all our might.
“You’ve got this, I’m so proud of you both,” Mattias said as he rubbed our backs. The once thoughtful gesture now grated on my last nerve. SpongeBob wasn’t helping anymore either. “Odem, switch to the calming sea sounds, please.”
Yeah. I think our anger filtered through to Mattias.
Goddess, I hoped the Seadragon births were much easier.
“Okay, time to push again. One, two, three,” Raven called out, but I was already pushing. “There is a beautiful azure egg poking out, Caspian.”
Odem clapped his hands together. “Alright, baby one is headed out. I’m ready to catch so push away!”
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. This egg was ripping me wide open. I swear, the pain radiated all the way to my teeth. How was that even possible?
“Trinity,” I gasped through a contraction. “Need. To. Push.”
“Do it,” Raven said. “The largest part of the egg is next. After that, it’s easy.”
“Says she who doesn’t have a second egg to birth.” I didn’t mean to snap at her but damn, this was beyond anything I’d ever imagined it to be. “S-sorry.”
“Don’t be. Ronan used some pretty colorful language during his labor. I considered therapy after that delivery,” Raven winked, clearly teasing me. “Let’s get Trinity’s egg out and in the nest beside you.”
“How are you doing, Caspian?” She asked. He’d been quiet far too long.
“Ready for a nap,” Kes finally replied. “Anything yet?”
“I’ve got a glimpse of a beautiful arctic cerulean egg. These dragonets are going to be magnificent.” Not sure her kind words hit the mark. The pain radiating through our connection from Kes was intense. “Kes, I need you to push so we can get these boys out.”
“It’s so hard,” his dragon growled while Kes pushed. “Can’t. Do. Much. More.”
“We can’t do this without you.” Mattias was doing his best to calm Kes. “You’ve got this.”
“Says he who’s never pushed an egg out of his asshole!” That must’ve been a bad one for Kes to have barked at Mattias like that.
But, then again. “AHHHH!” I screamed and pushed and finally Trinity was out.
“Her egg is amazing, Caspian.” Raven ran her hands over it to assess her. “Very healthy girl. Uncle Odem, if you’ll do the honors.”
Odem wiped Trinity’s egg down then tucked her into the nest between Papa’s legs. “My sweet, beautiful first born, Trinity. Your colors will be so brilliant. Papa loves you so much.”
Wasn’t much resting time to enjoy my beautiful girl’s egg when her sister was rushing to make her exit. I kinda felt bad working on my second egg when Kes still had his first and only to birth.
“Not. Doing. This. Again!” Kes growled as he pushed. “I’m so tired.”
“You’ve got this, sweetheart,” Mattias kissed Kes’ sweaty head. “You’re doing so well.”
“We have more shell showing,” Raven said, “but it looks like Sapphire wants to join her sister. One good push, Caspian, and the bulk of her egg will be out. Her colors match her Papa’s perfectly.
” Mattias was teary eyed. His arms no longer around us and instead cradled Trinity’s egg.
Wasn’t much longer before her sister’s egg was nestled in his arms beside hers.
“Rest up, Caspian,” Raven said as Odem covered me up.
I rolled over to face the eggs. They really were amazing and beyond any beauty I’d ever imagined. “Daddy loves you girls so much.” Our sleepy dragonets had a long, stressful day given the snores coming from inside their eggs.
“The Seadragons will shift around now that there’s more space,” Raven said. “So don’t be concerned with that.”
“Thank you, Raven, sorry I snapped.”
She laughed. “Totally understandable. Now, let’s get these boys into the nest with their sisters.”
I tried my best to stay awake while Kes was in labor but kept fading in and out.
When Kes screamed, I popped up a bit too fast and got wobbly.
But Odem was there to help me out. Mattias had moved behind Kes at some point to help him push.
Kes didn’t look good at all, paler than he normally was given he’s an ice dragon.
Kes, are you okay?
No answer was a bad sign and Mattias was nervous as heck.
“Mattias, do I have your permission to use magic to help your mate?” Having Raven ask that was a bad sign. Magic was only used in instances where an omega may not make it.
“Yes, please, do what you need to do to help him.” Kes wasn’t awake, wasn’t pushing or anything.
Not answering in our bond. This was not good.
What would happen to Mattias and I if Kes didn’t make it?
We’d all die and our dragonets would be raised by the brothers.
The whole line would weaken, we’d never win the war.
Calm down, mate, he’s breathing just worn out. Kes will be fine, I promise.
Tired as I was, there was no way I was going back to sleep until I could hold him. Kes was not only my mate, but my best friend. We’d spent countless hours holding each other, sharing stories and sweet kisses. I couldn’t lose him. We couldn’t lose him.
As soon as Raven got the boys egg out, Odem tucked it in beside us. Kes didn’t move when Raven used magic to lift us just enough for them to slide the plastic out from beneath us, nor when Mattias shifted and wrapped us in his wings.
I’m worried, mate.
As am I, my love. I’m not leaving either of you until I know you’re both well. I’m so proud of you. I love you, mates.
I love you and I love you too, Kes.
A faint, love you, came from Kes, easing our worries just enough for all of us to feel safe enough to rest.