“How’s Trey? What happened to him?” Ash asked immediately.
Doctor Phillippe narrowed her eyes, wondering how they knew that the boy was in there.
“Please? Can you just tell us how he is? We’re so worried about him.” Aisline pleaded.
“He’s in a very bad way. I’m doing all I can to help him.” The doctor frowned once again. “You really need to speak to Master Warrior Kelton about this if you want to know anything else.” She could understand their concern, but it wasn’t her place to pass on any information. Especially in this situation.
“Can you just tell me if he’ll be okay?” Tears swam in Ash’s eyes.
Doctor Phillippe patted her on the shoulder sympathetically. “I promise you that I’m doing everything I can for him.” She glanced over her shoulder at the two other boys. “Look guys, go and see Kelton. I need to get back to work.”
Jackson nodded solemnly. “Please take good care of him.”
“Of course I will.” The doctor nodded as she shut the door behind her.
Jackson, Aisline and Dylan walked away in silence. This was not how they saw their day ending.
As they descended the stairs, Dylan sighed. “I don’t know what the hell’s going on here.”
“Do you think it has anything to do with all the warriors being here?” Ash asked.
“I’ve no idea, but I’ve got a bad feeling that Trey is only the beginning of all this. It’s going to get worse.”
“How did you know that he was even up there?” Jackson asked him.
“I saw him when I went to the medical suite. I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to go in there. The doors are never shut. I only had a headache and wanted some tablets, but they kicked me out as soon as I stepped foot in there.”
“How did he look?”
“The only reason I recognised him was because of his sheer size. He was a bloody pulp.”
Ash sucked in a breath. Trey was one of the biggest trainees and was still growing. Whoever had done this to him had to have had back-up. Trey could take on anyone one-to-one.
She hated the thought of him being hurt. Trey truly was like a big teddy bear. He looked pretty scary to anyone that didn’t know him, all intimidating height and muscles upon muscles, but she knew the real Trey. He had the biggest heart of anyone she’d ever met. Why anyone would ever want to hurt him, she’d never understand.
“So, what do we do now?” she asked.
“We go and see Kelton. Ask him what the hell’s going on.” Jackson said determinedly.
“We can’t. He’s not available.” Dylan shook his head. “I already tried before I came for you two. I wanted to see what I could find out.”
“So, what then?”
“We wait. That’s all we can do. We wait, see Kelton as soon as we can and find out the truth. Maybe we’ll be able to find out more tomorrow? It’s getting late.”
Jackson nodded solemnly. With a glance at his watch, he was shocked to see how much time had passed. “Why don’t you try and get some sleep, Ash? You look exhausted and it’s getting late.”
She wasn’t sure how she was going to sleep tonight. After all that had happened between her and Jackson, she’d been on top of the world. Then, Trey. Her stress levels felt through the roof. How was she supposed to sleep with all that going on?
Knowing that they couldn’t do anything else tonight, Ash let Jackson lead her back up to her room. At the door, he kissed her softly and sweetly on her lips and told her not to worry. Trey was a fighter and wouldn’t let anything like this keep him down for long.
Shutting the door as he walked away, Ash rested her head against the cool wall. Worry for her friend floated relentlessly through her mind. As she laid down on her bed, she felt the fingers of sleep curling around her mind and sweep her under.
Chapter Four
“Something doesn’t feel right.”
Kelton looked over at Kayleigh as she lay in bed, looking decidedly pale. “What’s wrong?” Whenever she looked a little under the weather, he worried about her. He couldn’t help it.
“I don’t know.” Kayleigh frowned, her hand gently circling on her stomach.
“Is it the baby?”
“I don’t know!” she threw her hands up in the air in frustration. She knew that Kelton was only concerned about her and the baby, but the questions weren’t helping. She had no answers to give him, and that was what was scaring her even more.
“Do you want me to get Marion to check you over?” He didn’t want to panic, but he hated to think of anything happening to her or their baby.
Kayleigh shook her head. “It’s probably nothing and I’d feel awful for pulling her away from where she was needed.” She’d hardly seen her friend in the last few days and felt helpless. Usually, if Marion was tied up in the medical suite, Kayleigh would have been up there helping her, but with the pregnancy, there was no way she could do it. Kelton wouldn’t let her work herself too hard and they both knew it would be emotionally exhausting to be up there with Trey at the moment.
It wasn’t like when she was human. This pregnancy was entirely different. Everything was happening so much faster than she’d ever known. Her stomach was full and rounded and the pressure she was feeling would have meant that the baby was nearly ready, but now? She didn’t know. This Lamia pregnancy was a mystery to her and the not knowing was scaring the life out of her. She’d read the books, of course, but mainly she’d relied on her own experience, but that wasn’t helping her now.
“Well, why don’t we give Mira a call? She’d be happy to help.” Kelton wanted to help her in any way that he could. Mira was Master Warrior Dixon’s wife, and a trained midwife. Up until the trouble with Trey, they’d planned on Marion being there for the labour, but now she just couldn’t spare the time away from the injured trainee. Mira had been happy to volunteer when Dixon had explained what had been going on and she and Kayleigh had been friends for a long time. It was reassuring for Kelton to know that Kayleigh would have someone with them that they liked and trusted as opposed to a stranger.
“I don’t know.” Kayleigh looked miserable.
“I’ll go and phone her now. You stay put and rest.” He ordered and strode out of the room.
This was the last thing he needed at the moment, but Kayleigh and the baby were his priorities and they came first, no matter what. He felt like he was being pulled in different directions, but there was only one place he wanted to be. Ideally, he would have been checking up on Trey today, making sure that Caleb and Rees were dealing with the situation and he’d arranged to meet up with Patrick today.
That was going to be a hard situation. He wasn’t looking forward to meeting up with Patrick, but they needed to do it sooner rather than later. This wasn’t something they could ignore. However, Kayleigh had to come first. He’d fight anyone who said otherwise.
Within moments, he was in his office and dialling Mira’s number.
“Hello?”
“Mira? It’s Kelton.”
“Hey! How are you? How’s Kayleigh?” She sounded genuinely pleased to hear from him.
“That’s why I’m calling. I was wondering if you could check her over. She says something isn’t feeling quite right. I’m a little worried about her.”
He could hear the smile in her voice as she spoke, “Don’t worry. It’s nearly time. It’s natural for her to be worried. And for you. I’m sure it’s nothing, but I’d be happy to look her over for you.”
“You would? Thank you, Mira.”
“I’m waiting in for a delivery. Do you think you could bring her to the house for me?” she asked.
“That’s not a problem. It’ll do her good to get out of this place for a while.”
“Excellent. Come over whenever you’re ready, I’ll be waiting.”
“Thank you again, Mira.” He said before hanging up the phone.
At least taking her to see Mira would put both their minds at rest. He was going crazy with worry for Kayleigh and
their unborn child. He hadn’t been through this before and none of the other warriors had children, so he couldn’t ask any of them if all of this was normal.
The stress was clearly etched on Kayleigh’s face every time she laid a gentle hand on her bump, worry that their secret would be out the moment the baby was born, worry that something was wrong. He had no words to comfort her.
Kelton had no such worries about what the baby would be. All he wanted was for both of them to be happy and healthy. He didn’t care if the baby was Matris, Mortuorum alien or human. Whatever happened, they would love their child and deal with the future. He was worried about the here and now. He hated to see Kayleigh distressed.
Jogging back up the stairs, Kelton burst back into their suite, making Kayleigh jump.
“What did she say?” Kayleigh asked immediately.
“That there probably isn’t anything to worry about but if it will settle your mind, she’s happy to check you out.”
Her shoulders slumped in relief. He didn’t want to mention to her that it was nearly time for the birth as he didn’t want to worry her further. Kelton knew that she would handle the pain and then forget it the moment that she held their child in her arms, but it also meant she’d worry more about the child’s origin now that the time was getting closer.
“Do you need help getting dressed?”
She shook her head. “I can manage it. When will she be here?”
“We’re going to her house.”
Kayleigh nodded, not really caring, just happy that someone was going to look her over. She was worried stiff that something was going to go wrong with the pregnancy. Even if it meant travelling to the other end of the country, she’d have done it.
“I’ll meet you downstairs in ten minutes.” Kelton called before striding out the door with her hospital bag in his hand.
He didn’t want to rush her, but if something was happening, he wanted to get her to Mira as soon as possible. There was no way he was going to deliver his own baby. He may be seen as a hero out on the streets, but that? He wasn’t equipped to do something like that.
Bumping into Dixon at the bottom of the stairs, he breathed a sigh of relief. At least that meant that he wouldn’t have to go searching around the mansion for him, which would save time.
“What’s the rush? Where’s the fire?” Dixon asked.
“Kayleigh’s not feeling so good. We’re heading over to see your wife.”
Dixon grinned. “She’s so excited by the pregnancy, and so honoured that you asked her to help.”
“Do you need anything while we’re over there?”
“No, just tell Mira I’m thinking of her.”
“Will do.” Kelton nodded. “You’ve got things covered here while I’m gone?”
“Of course. That goes without saying.”
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone for. Kayleigh needs me and I can’t leave her.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got things covered here. Concentrate on your woman.”
That was what Kelton appreciated about Dixon. He was always ready to step up to the mark whenever he was needed. Lately, with all the distractions, he had been relying more and more on Dixon and Verynai to keep things running smoothly at the academy and had no qualms about leaving things in their capable hands. If the time ever came that he had to step down as the head of the warriors, he knew that the warriors and trainees would be in very capable hands with those two.
Shaking his hand as was their custom, Kelton left the academy in his capable hands and led Kayleigh out to the waiting car.
“How are you feeling?” he asked her as he helped her into the car. With how large her stomach had gotten, she didn’t find it easy to fold herself into the small car.
“Like a beached whale.” She grumbled.
Kelton chuckled. There was no point in telling her otherwise, but to him? She looked more beautiful than ever. Swollen with her child, he never thought he’d get to see this moment. Not that she’d ever listen to him when he told her that, but she was blooming with this pregnancy.
They remained quiet in the car with Kelton glancing over at Kayleigh every couple of minutes, not liking the grimace on her face. He was glad he’d managed to get hold of Mira so she could check her out.
They pulled up outside the house and Kelton helped Kayleigh out. Mira was waiting at the open door for them as they walked up the quaint path to her home.
“How are you feeling, Kayleigh?” she asked with a smile as she helped them into the house.
“I don’t know.” Kayleigh grumbled again.
“That’s all she’s been saying.” Kelton muttered to Mira.
“It’s understandable. This is all new and she won’t know what to expect. It doesn’t matter how many books you read on the subject, they never prepare you for the reality of it.” Mira smiled.
“Why don’t I take you upstairs and see what’s going on?”
“Please.” Kayleigh tried to smile.
Kelton moved to help her up the stairs when Mira held a hand up. “You wait down here.”
“But-”
“No buts. You’re waiting down here.” Mira had been doing this for years and she knew well enough that the expectant mothers often put up a mask in front of their partners and she wanted to know how Kayleigh was really feeling. There’d be plenty of time for Kelton to join them soon enough.
He didn’t like it, the look on his face told them that clearly enough, but he did as he was told and watched Mira take the love of his life upstairs and out of his sight.
As they walked slowly into the spare bedroom that Mira had set up with all the stuff she may need, she asked Kayleigh, “So how are you really feeling?” Kayleigh looked tired and was walking awkwardly.
“Awful.” Kayleigh groaned. “I’m so tired, my stomach is so tight, my back is killing me and I feel pressure.”
Mira nodded. “Let’s lie you down on the bed and check you out.”
Kelton paced around the living room. He’d been to Dixon and Mira’s home enough times to feel comfortable in there, but right now, he was anything but comfortable. The thought of Kayleigh being in any pain cut him up. He turned sharply when he heard Mira walking down the stairs.
“How is she?” he asked immediately. She’d looked so uncomfortable and in pain when Mira had led her upstairs.
Mira smiled. “She’s resting. But not for long. Your baby is on its way.”
Kelton sat down heavily in the chair in shock. “She’s having the baby?” He knew this was possible, but now? Soon, he was going to be able to hold his baby? It was unthinkable. After everything, they didn’t think they’d be able to have children, yet here they were, with their child nearly here.
Kelton was scared to death.
“She is. It could still take quite a bit of time, but things have started.” Mira smiled. She loved the miracle of birth and was honoured that they had asked her to be part of it. And it was an honour, not only because Kelton was one of the greatest warriors of all time, but because they were both friends. It meant a lot to her that she was included in this special time.
“Is she okay?”
“She’s not in a great deal of pain at the moment. But, if you want to go and sit with her, I’ll leave you alone for a bit.” She knew that this was a time that a couple needed to be together. This was going to be one of their last moments as just a couple and not as parents.
Kelton was up and out of the chair like a shot. Mira called after him, “If you need me, give me a shout.”
Rushing into the room, Kelton felt relieved to see Kayleigh sitting up in the bed, actually looking relatively comfortable. “How are you feeling?” She looked a lot better now that Mira had looked her over. They’d done the right thing in going there and he was relieved that Kayleigh was looking a little better.
“Better now that I know what’s going on.” Kayleigh smiled warmly.
“You’re not worried?”
“Of course I’m worri
ed, but it’s too late to stop it from happening now.” Kayleigh smiled sadly.
“Would you have? If you had known early enough?”
Kayleigh knew Kelton was talking about abortion and she shook her head. “Even if I had known the day we conceived, I wouldn’t have done that. It’s just not me. I can’t wait to be a family, and we’ll deal with anything that’s thrown at us.”
“You know that I’ll do anything to keep us all together?” Kelton had already told her that he’d give up everything, the academy, the warriors, he’d give it all up, if they needed to move away to be with their child in safety. It was something they had to consider.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he tentatively took her hand. This was a huge moment for the both of them. They had been happy together for so long, and after the bumps in the road recently, he wasn’t sure they’d ever get back to this point. However, right in that moment, things had never felt better.
He knew that the next few hours weren’t going to be a walk in the park, but they were in it together. If he could take away the pain for her, he would. But seeing as he couldn’t do that, he’d be there for her every step of the way. It was what they did. Being there for each other in the hard times as well as the good.
“You do realise that this is going to be the last time that it’s just the two of us?” Kayleigh said as if reading his mind.
“Do you mind that?”
“Not at all.” She grinned. “Does it get more perfect than this?”
He leaned across to kiss her on the forehead. “Not for me it doesn’t. As long as I have you in my life, everything is perfect.”
Chapter Five
“One more push.” Mira called out, smiling over at Kelton, who was looking terrified.
“Come on, Leigh. You can do it.” Kelton crooned soothingly as he smoothed her damp hair back from her face.
Kayleigh all but bared her teeth at him. “How the hell would you know if I can do it? You’ve never had to do this! You’ve got no idea!”
Kelton didn’t say anything else. She was right, but Mira threw him a sympathetic look. He remembered what she’d told him earlier. Apparently, a lot of women could get aggressive during child birth and seeing as Kayleigh had refused any pain relief, it was understandable that she was getting cranky. Kelton couldn’t contemplate the kind of pain she was going through and it was killing him having to stand by and watch helplessly. Add on the stress she’d been feeling throughout the pregnancy about the baby, and she was a time bomb ready to explode.
End of an Era: A Sons of Satrina Novel (The Sons of Satrina Book 4) Page 4