Chapter 12 #2
“Thank you, Doctor,” I told him. Not only for the pants but for his help on very short notice.
“You’re very welcome. Now, would you like to be somewhere more comfortable? Perhaps upstairs in your bed?” Dr. King asked before chuckling.
“It would be wonderful,” Calum said. “But his water broke over there.” He pointed to just in front of the doors. “And he managed to make it to here before he fell to his knees and said it felt like she was coming out.”
“Well, I’d say he was spot-on with that assumption. You both did amazing. And it was good thinking to call me when you did. But perhaps if you should have a second, maybe call me when the contractions start to give me a heads-up?”
I looked at Dr. King, completely horrified. “I’m sorry,” I said, tears filling my eyes again. “I was napping, and pain woke me up. I didn’t really think too much of it until I started walking around looking for Calum.”
“I wasn’t scolding you in any way, Asher. You did everything perfectly. But you certainly would have been more comfortable in your bed,” Dr. King said.
I nodded. I would have, but I wouldn’t ever be upset about our daughter being born where she was.
“Would you like for me to help the two of you upstairs?”
“Would you, please?” Calum said. I felt a familiar feeling when moving from one place to another and suddenly found myself sitting on our bed, my back leaning against pillows that were stacked behind me against the headboard.
“Thank you,” Calum said.
“Yes, thank you,” I echoed.
“You’re very welcome. I’ll be around for a bit if you need me. Enjoy your time getting to know your little girl. She’s a perfectly healthy little fox shifter. She’s six pounds, nine ounces, and twenty-one and a half inches long. She’s a very nice size for a little fox kit.”
“Dr. King?” Calum said suddenly.
“Yes?”
“Is it possible you could help with my phone? I left it down…stairs.”
The phone was suddenly floating in the air in front of us, and Calum reached out and took it. “Thanks again.”
“No issue at all. Call out if you need anything or have questions.”
Dr. King left the room, leaving me and Calum alone with our new little bundle.
“Can you believe she’s here?” I asked as I stared down at our daughter. She had the most adorable pink lips that were pouty, and her nose was somewhat flat, but I figured that was just because she had just been born.
“Well, you were due next week, so I’m not really surprised she’s here. Maybe about how fast she decided to come, but I’m both thrilled and relieved that she’s here and you are both doing well.” Calum looked at me. “You are doing all right, aren’t you? Are you in any pain?”
I grinned at my mate. “I had quite a bit, actually, but Dr. King did something, and a lot of it dulled once he took over. I’m not feeling much of anything at the moment. Well, except tired. And relief.”
“Both are understandable and expected even.”
I turned my head and looked over at Calum as he sat beside me, my shoulder touching his arm.
“Do you think your family would be upset if we don’t make dinner tonight? I’m not really feeling up for it at the moment.”
Calum looked at me for a moment before he snorted and then started chuckling.
“No, sweetheart. I don’t think they will be upset at all.
In fact, let’s let them know why we’re not going to be there this week and most likely not next week either.
We’re going to be too busy falling more in love with our little one to make the trek to their place to have dinner. ”
“They won’t be disappointed, will they?”
“No, sweetheart, they won’t. Here, let’s do this,” Calum said.
He picked me up and pulled me onto his lap before he picked up his phone and held it out.
I watched as he took several pictures of the three of us, and when he was finished, he brought the phone closer to show them to me. “Which one do you think?”
He thumbed through the pictures, and we agreed on the next to last one. I relaxed on Calum’s lap while he wrapped his arms around me and our daughter. He held his phone in front of us and typed out a message to his parents, brother, and brother-in-law.
Calum: It is with great joy that we get to inform you that little miss Isla Raine has decided to make a rapid and somewhat unexpected entrance into the world.
She was born today at 2:47, weighing 6 pounds, 9 ounces, and is 21.
5 inches long. Daddy and baby girl are doing amazing and I’ve never been prouder of Asher.
He was a true hero and had started to deliver her even before Dr. King could arrive.
Unfortunately, we won’t be able to make the family dinner.
We do apologize, but we wish to spend our evening with our new precious little girl.
“What do you think?”
“I think it’s perfect. I also think that within minutes of you sending that, your phone is going to start buzzing like crazy, and I give it less than twenty-four hours before étienne is asking to come meet her.”
Calum kissed the top of my head again, and I felt him nod in agreement. “You’re right, of course, but if you wish for a few days or even weeks with just the three of us, they will all respect that and stay away until we’re ready.”
I sighed. “Just today, okay? Can we have the rest of today and tonight just the three of us?”
“We can have as long as you want, sweetheart.” Calum kissed my temple again, and I watched as he hit Send on the group message. He then tossed his phone onto the bed beside him and wrapped both arms around us.
“I love you,” I told him. I did. I’d fallen for him almost immediately.
From the moment I saw him on the other side of that hotel room door, I knew I would fall hard and fast. And I had.
We’d shared our first I love yous the day after I woke from my fertile period recovery.
The past four months had been nothing but amazing, and I knew that it was all because of Calum and how incredible he was.
Not only as a person but as a mate. He was selfless and always put my needs and desires ahead of his, and I truly couldn’t have asked for a more perfect mate.
The phone started vibrating, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. We both knew it was going to happen, and sure enough, the phone just kept buzzing and buzzing with more messages.
I snuggled against Calum’s chest, Isla against mine, and closed my eyes.
“Are you happy, Asher?”
I sighed, completely content in the life I’d been blessed with. “I couldn’t be happier, Cal. Seriously. You are the absolute most amazing mate that anyone could ask for. I think Eli and I both lucked out when it comes to mates. Although, I think I’m the luckier of the two of us.”
I felt Calum’s chest shake next to my head and smiled as my mate chuckled at my comment. I adored Benjamin and Eli and their twins. I also knew it was Rainier and étienne’s guidance that helped make their sons the amazing men they were.
The phone buzzed again. I sighed at the noise. “Are you going to respond to them?” I asked.
“Naw. I already let them know she’s here and we’d be skipping dinner.”
I felt Calum kiss me again, and my body suddenly became heavy. “Cal? Take Isla. I need a nap. You’re all warm and safe, and I just pushed a baby out. My body is suddenly tired.”
I felt Calum carefully take Isla from my arms, and when he did, I slid from his lap and lay down beside him. I wrapped my arm around his legs and snuggled into the side of them.
“Love you,” I whispered. Seconds later, I felt fingers running through my hair.
“I love you too. Rest, my mate.”
That sounded like the perfect suggestion. I knew Calum would watch over and protect us both.
Have you ever wondered about that new bartender on the Beloved Gem?
Well, Stefan gets his own little fae in their story.
And of course Master Nikolai wonders if there will ever be a moment of peace with both Montgomery and Kyle now to cause mischief at the casino.
Be sure to grab Stefan and find out what they’re all up to!