Chapter 29
Beryl
Guardians of Glitter Bomb Territory
A couple weeks passed with daily update photos on the egg from Mum and Bree. It was growing bigger by the minute, and I kept waiting to get a photo of a little hand or foot sticking out of it. Surely, my sibling was ready to burst out of there any day now.
Delin and Volex had rented an apartment together downtown and I wondered if they were hooking up. It wasn’t any of my business but Volex corrected my assumption as soon as he was close enough to hear it.
“I have lived many years and I have made love to one man. He’s been in three different lives, but it’s always him.
The other side of your family may be attractive but not nearly attractive enough to change that fact.
I am waiting on my mate. When he returns you might not see me for a while,” he shrugged, taking a drag off his cigarette.
I made a mental note to never joke about him dating anyone – ever.
When it was time for our ‘big’ ultrasound, Jade decided that Philip was the best person to perform it since we all survived the first one he did.
Doctor Lawngry had performed a few since then but Jade said I always looked like I might swat his hand away.
I wasn’t brave enough to swat an omega dragon’s hand for no good reason.
I wasn’t dumb enough either. Still, I’d have dragged any healer Jade wanted to do the ultrasound into the house if that was the only way to make him happy.
It was a Sunday afternoon, and we’d spent all morning telling Jondi that he had to sit still while Philip did the ultrasound. That he’d been able to see the screen but not touch it.
“I’m not a baby. I know how to live,” he said and I stifled a laugh. He was starting to grow up, and I was proud of him.
When Philip arrived, he planted himself in his usual armchair in the living room and waved to him.
Jade already had his shirt off and I couldn’t take my eyes off his big, full moon belly.
I saw it every day but was still amazed at how his body could grow and change to support our baby.
I sat on the sofa behind him, leaning against the arm, so he wasn’t flat on his back, which wasn’t a very comfortable position for him anymore.
“Whatcha hopin’ for, kiddo?” Philip asked Jondi while he was setting things up.
“A baby!” he said, his eyes growing wide.
“Good answer!” Philip winked at him and adjusted his hat.
A few minutes later we were all looking at Baby Lavender on the screen.
She was tiny and perfect, and I couldn’t wait to meet her.
A sob tore from Jade and I kissed his cheek.
Jondi squirmed in his chair. He always ran to Jade if he cried and we had to explain many times that it was just the stuff that helped the baby grow that made his dad cry.
Jade waved him over with one arm and Jondi hugged him, careful to avoid bumping into Philip’s hand which was still holding the wand to Jade’s stomach.
“It’s okay. She’s pretty, huh?” Jondi whispered.
“She is,” Jade sobbed and Jondi hugged him tighter. “Her name is Lavender.”
“Hi, Baby Lavender,” he waved at Jade’s stomach. “I’m your big brother. When are you coming out?”
“Not for another month or so,” Philip smiled at him. “But that’ll pass before you know it.”
“She’s going to be born during summer vacation?” Jondi asked and Philip nodded.
“Will she swim?” Jondi asked.
“Maybe when she’s older,” Jade said.
“I’ll teach her!” he grinned.
I’d drain every body of water on Earthside to find a lost rock for that kid.