Chapter 19
Lyrian
The first contraction hit while I was reviewing security reports. The pain wrapped around my abdomen like a steel band, different from the practice contractions I'd experienced before. This was real. This was happening, and I didn't know what to do. Desperation soon took over my whole body.
I pressed my hand against my swollen belly, trying to steady my breathing the way Mae had taught me. I was hopeful it was going to work.
The twins' emotional signatures pulsed with anticipation and anxiety, mirroring my own feelings. After everything that had happened—my overexertion during the gang war, the strain on my body—I knew this wouldn't be easy. It was actually going to be the most difficult thing I faced in my life so far.
"Zoren," I called out, my voice steadier than I felt. He was in his office next door, coordinating the aftermath of our victory over the rival gangs.
He appeared right away, his protective instincts already flaring. Even when he was busy, he always set aside everything he was doing to come to me. "Is it time?"
Another contraction answered for me, stronger than the first. I gripped the edge of my desk, nodding. "Get Mae. But first—" I gestured to the reports. "The Vipers are regrouping in the east district. We need to—"
"We need to get you to the medical wing," he interrupted, already moving to help me up.
"No." I caught his arm. "Listen to me. The Vipers are desperate after losing their allies. They'll try something bold. We can't ignore this, even now." The words ended in a grimace as another contraction hit. They were coming faster than they should. Too fast.
Zoren's face showed his internal struggle—the need to protect warring with our new understanding of partnership. Finally, he nodded. "Chen," he called out, and our lieutenant appeared in a flash. "Get Mae. Tell her it's time. And bring the latest intelligence updates to the medical wing."
I smiled through the pain, grateful he understood. This was what we'd been working toward—true partnership, even in crisis.
Mae arrived as another contraction gripped me. Her face turned serious as she checked the monitors. "Blood pressure's elevated. The twins are stressed." She shot me a look. "This is what happens when you overtax yourself during pregnancy. I told you to take care of yourself."
And I knew what she was thinking, but wasn't going to say to me. She was thinking that I was stubborn and a fool. But it was okay. I was going to be okay because she was here to help me.
Guilt stabbed through me, sharper than the contractions. If I hadn't pushed so hard during the gang war, if I hadn't overextended my abilities... "I'm sorry," I whispered.
"Not now," Mae said firmly, helping me onto a gurney. "What's done is done. Let's focus on bringing these babies into the world safely."
The medical wing had been prepared for this moment. Extra security lined the corridors, and Mae had converted a large private room into both a delivery suite and a temporary command center. Monitors showed both medical readings and security feeds. It was exactly what we needed.
"Eight centimeters already," Mae announced after examining me. "This is moving fast. We need to be just as fast as it is."
Another contraction ripped through me, and I reached for Zoren's hand. He took it right away, his strength anchoring me. "The twins," I gasped. "Something's wrong. I can feel their distress."
Mae checked more readings. "Baby A is in position, but Baby B is showing signs of distress. We might need to consider—"
An explosion rocked the compound, cutting her off. Security alarms blared. What was happening? Oh, not now.
"The Vipers," I ground out between contractions. "They're making their move. Now." I could feel the chaos of emotions beyond our walls—fear, determination, bloodlust. They weren't going to stop for anything. They wanted to cause pain and suffering.
Zoren turned to the security feeds, but didn't let go of my hand. "Chen, report!"
"Multiple breaches at the perimeter," she responded through the comm. "They're targeting the medical wing. They must know about the birth."
Of course they did. They were coming for me. What better time to strike than when we were vulnerable? The thought sent ice through my veins, but I forced myself to focus. "Let me—" I started to extend my abilities, to reach for the emotional signatures of our attackers.
Anything I could help with, I was going to do, even though it was dangerous.
"No!" Both Zoren and Mae shouted. I knew they were right, but I still had to do something.
Mae's monitors were beeping frantically. "Your blood pressure can't take any more strain. The twins are already stressed enough."
Another contraction hit, harder than before. I cried out, feeling something shift inside me. The twins' distress peaked, their emotional signatures screaming in my head.
"Mae," Zoren's voice was tight with fear. "Something's wrong."
"Baby B's heart rate is dropping," she confirmed, moving quickly. "We need to deliver now. Lyrian, on the next contraction, I need you to push."
Another explosion, closer this time. Gunfire echoed through the corridors.
"Zoren," I gasped, "the southeast corridor. They'll try to flank our defenses. Tell Santos—" The contraction cut me off, forcing me to push.
Instead of dismissing my warning, Zoren relayed it immediately through his comm while supporting my back. "Santos, watch the southeast approach. Chen, reinforce the medical wing's defenses."
"Baby A's crowning," Mae announced. "One more push, Lyrian."
I bore down, screaming as our first child entered the world. The sound of his cry mixed with distant gunfire.
"It's a boy," Mae said, quickly checking him over before passing him to a nurse. "But we're not done. Baby B's stats are still dropping."
The room spun as another contraction built. I could feel our second child's fear, the struggle. "Something's wrong," I repeated. "They're scared. They're so scared."
Zoren's face was pale but determined. "Tell me what you need. Both of you."
"Talk to them," I pleaded. "They can sense emotions too. They need to feel safe."
Without hesitation, Zoren leaned close, one hand on my belly while the other still gripped mine. "It's okay, little one," he murmured. "Your fathers are here. You're protected. You're loved. Just follow your brother out."
Whether it was his words or just time, something shifted. The next contraction brought our second son into the world, silent at first, then wailing as Mae cleared his airways.
"Both boys," she announced, relief clear in her voice. "They'll need monitoring, but they're fighters. Just like their fathers."
Thank goodness. For a moment, I thought there was going to be tragedy.
The sounds of battle were fading. Through the haze of exhaustion, I heard Chen reporting victory—the Vipers' attack repelled, our defenses holding strong. It was all thanks to our collective effort.
Zoren helped me sit up as Mae brought our sons to us. They were tiny and perfect, their emotional signatures already distinct and strong. One calm and watchful, the other fierce and protective—just as I'd sensed during pregnancy.
"They're beautiful," Zoren whispered, touching each tiny face with wonder. "And safe. You're all safe."
I leaned against him, studying our children. "We did it. All of it. The cartel, the babies, everything."
"We did it together," he corrected. "And I love you so much."
Mae cleared her throat. "As touching as this is, all four of you need rest. Especially you, Lyrian. No more excitement for at least a few days."
I smiled, my exhaustion evident in the lines on my face. "No promises. But I'll try."
"We'll try," Zoren amended, still holding my hand.
Looking at our sons, seeing how they already balanced each other just as Zoren and I had learned to do, I knew we'd found our way. Not perfect, not easy, but right for us.
"What should we name them?" I asked softly.
Zoren looked at our firstborn, the calmer one. "Marcus," he suggested. "After your father."
The name felt right. I turned to our second son, the fighter. "And Alexander," I said. "For strength."
"Marcus and Alexander," Zoren repeated. "Welcome to the family, little ones. You're more protected than you'll ever know."
I added, "And more loved than we ever thought possible."
Mae shooed everyone but essential medical staff out soon after, insisting we all needed rest. But as I drifted off, our sons sleeping nearby, I felt complete. I felt that everything had finally come together in my life.