by Lacey Thorn
“I’m happy to be back,” Diane admitted, realizing just how much she’d missed everyone. How had she ever thought leaving here, leaving them would be a good idea?
“Diane!” Tah’s bellow carried down the hall and had her hurrying faster toward the bedroom.
Orsai opened the door for her and smiled down at her. Before she could move past him, he had her wrapped in a hug. “Welcome to the family, little niece,” he said. He glanced past her. “Where is my nephew?”
“Outside,” she said.
He kissed her softly on the cheek. “Thank you. You are a blessing. Not just to my nephew, but to all of us.” He nodded toward the bed behind him. “I believe the child waits for the comfort of the one whose voice is known.”
“What?” she asked, making him laugh softly.
“You, Diane. I believe the child has decided none but you will help bring him into this world.” He nodded. “It is as it should be.”
“Diane!” Abby yelled and began moaning.
Diane moved quickly and headed to the bed. Tah sat beside his wife and mate, holding her hand. His eyes were wide, fingers shaking, as he inhaled and exhaled rapidly. It took her a moment to realize what it was. Fear. Tah was terrified. The Professor sat on the other side, looking anxious, as well. No one else was in the room.
“Diane,” Abby moaned again, panting.
“I’m here,” Diane said, walking toward them. “I’m right here.”
“Zane?” Abby asked between pants.
Diane smiled. “Fine. Outside right now.”
“Thank God,” Tah groaned. “And thank God, you’re back.”
“Go,” Abby said to her mate, but Tah shook his head.
“I’m not leaving you. Everything else can wait,” he informed his mate.
“How long?” Diane asked.
“Hours,” Tah answered. “She’s getting exhausted.”
“First babies can be stubborn,” the Professor said, and Diane got the feeling it wasn’t the first time he’d said that.
She glanced around. It looked as if they’d brought up all the equipment they might need from the labs to the bedroom. Abby going into labor had once scared Diane, but now she felt calm and in control. It was apparent to her just how much Zane being gone had affected her.
“Dilated?” she asked.
“She was at seven when I checked ten minutes ago,” the Professor said.
“Has your water broken yet?” she asked.
Abby nodded. “Mucus plug is gone, too.”
“Well, then,” Diane said and turned toward the bathroom. “Let me wash my hands and grab a set of gloves, and we’ll see if you’ve dilated more.”
“Fuck!”
Diane heard Tah exclaim as she shut off the water and hurried back into the room.
“I’d say that’s a hell of a contraction,” the Professor said. He grabbed a towel and handed it to Diane to dry her hands before holding up a glove for her to stick in her hand.
“Grab me some fresh bedding,” she said. “Towels, too. As many as you can find.”
The Professor moved, but Tah stayed at Abby’s side. Their gazes were locked on one another. Diane knelt at the bottom of the bed and lifted the sheet up to check on Abby. She had her knees bent already with her legs open.
“You’re fully dilated,” Diane said, moving fast. “And I see a head of hair. You’re baby’s almost here.”
She glanced up at Abby.
“I think we were both waiting for you,” Abby grunted. “We’re ready, now.” She moaned and bit down on her bottom lip.
“Professor!” Diane yelled. “I need those towels!”
“I’m here,” the Professor said, handing her several thick towels before heading toward the equipment.
She didn’t have to ask to know he was getting everything she’d need to suction and cut and clamp the cord. She shoved one towel under Abby, then placed another one on top to catch the baby.
“Next contraction I want you to push,” she told Abby. She’d witnessed so many births, but all of them were cats. This wasn’t the same. But now, in the moment, Diane felt confident in her ability to bring this child into the world.
Abby cried out, and Diane watched the baby’s head crown. As the head cleared, Diane began suctioning the mouth. Thankfully, there was no cord around the neck. She cleared the nose as Abby gave one final push. She tapped the sole of the baby’s foot, and a loud wail filled the air. The Professor stepped in to help, clamping the cord off in two places while Diane took in the flailing fists and red face.
“Tah,” she said, glancing up. “Would you like to cut the cord?”
Tah looked shaken as he took the surgical scissors the Professor held out and with the older man’s guidance, cut the cord between the clamps, separating mom and baby. Diane took over from there, wrapping one of the towels around the baby. There would be plenty of time to clean up later. Now it was time for this perfect little baby to meet mom and dad. She held the squalling bundle out to Tah.
“Meet your daughter,” she whispered.
“A girl,” he whispered, taking her and looking as if he might pass out.
“A girl,” Abby said with awe and held her arms out for the baby.
“You said it was a boy,” Tah grunted at his wife.
Abby shrugged, her eyes glued to her daughter, but she winked at Diane when their gazes met. Had Abby known all along?
“We have a daughter,” Tah said to his mate, and Diane witnessed something she’d never expected to see.
After handing his daughter to his mate, the big man went to his knees beside the bed and lowered his head to the mattress with tears coursing down his cheeks while Abby threaded one hand through his hair. He took it and kissed her fingers before Abby brought it back to the bundle in her arms. It was such a private moment for Diane to observe. Her eyes watered, as well, and she quickly turned her attention to seeing to the afterbirth and taking care of Abby.
“Ten perfect fingers and ten perfect toes,” Abby cooed. “Aren’t you just a perfect little angel? You’re going to have glossy brown hair and big brown eyes just like your daddy. And what a grip you have. Strong like your daddy, too. She’s perfect, Tah.”
His head lifted and there was so much emotion on his face, Diane felt intrusive again.
“She’s perfect like her mother,” he whispered.
Working together with the Professor, they had Abby sutured and cleaned up, resting comfortably on clean sheets.
“I’ll leave you guys alone for a bit,” Diane said. “I’ll be back in a bit to clean your little girl up for you. It’ll take your milk a little bit to come in all the way, but you should let her suckle. There’s colostrum, which is rich in antibodies and very good for her right now.”
The Professor kissed Abby’s brow and glanced down at the little girl in her arms. “She’s beautiful,” he said. “Tah’s right, just like her mother.”
Abby squeezed his hand. “Thank you, Professor.”
He headed toward the door, taking the bagged afterbirth and cord with him.
“Thank you,” Tah said and surprised Diane by grabbing her and hugging her close. “You’ve given me the world.”
She hugged him back hard. When he released her, Abby held out her hand and Diane sat beside her for a minute, taking in the blinking eyes of the baby girl, now quiet in her mother’s arms and appearing far too attentive for a newborn.
“She’s beautiful,” Diane whispered.
“I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to bring her into this world,” Abby said.
“I’m glad,” Diane admitted. “I’m so thankful I was here to experience this with you. Now, I’m going to clean this mess up and get what we need to give your little girl her first bath.” Diane began gathering stuff. “Do you want me to tell them?”
“Tah will,” Abby answered. “They’ll have heard the baby and be waiting.”
Tah bent and kissed his mate sweetly on the lips. Diane knew how that felt now, the kiss
of a mate. Then he bent and placed an even softer kiss on the baby. He reluctantly left his wife, stopping only to startle Diane once again with a kiss on top of her head. Then he walked across the room, growing more confident with each step. He threw open the door and stood there, filling the entrance.
“Well?”
Diane heard Reno demand from the hallway.
“We have a perfect baby,” Tah thundered.
“And?” Amia’s voice prompted.
“A daughter,” Tah said, and his voice was still filled with wonder. “I have a daughter.”
* * * *
Zane had his eyes on his mate’s fine looking ass and wasn’t prepared when Murphy hugged him and slapped him on the back.
“You scared the shit out of me,” Murphy admonished. “I was afraid we’d lost you for good.”
Zane hugged him back. “How’s Finn?” he asked.
“As annoying as ever,” Murphy said. “No claws yet, but his senses are on par with mine. We’ve been testing them.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Zane said with a chuckle. “Logan?” he asked.
One of the last things he’d heard before he’d been hit with the virus was that Logan had been infected, as well.
“Good,” Logan said as he and Clara came bounding down the porch stairs toward them.
Clara hugged him first, then Logan.
“So good to have you back,” Logan said. “How’re you feeling?”
“Better,” Zane told them with a smile.
“Fever?” Logan asked.
“Not gone,” Zane admitted, feeling the truth in his veins. “But sated at the moment. I was going to search for you two.”
“Diane said as much when we saw her,” Clara said.
“Zane.”
The quietly spoken voice of his Uncle Orsai had Zane glancing over and walking toward the porch. Orsai met him at the bottom and they wrapped their arms around one another and held tightly.
“I was waiting for you,” Orsai said.
“I’m so glad to see you,” Zane told his uncle. “It’s been too long.”
Orsai held him another long moment before stepping back. “Now, tell us what news you bring.”
Zane didn’t ask if Diane had said something to Orsai, as well. She wouldn’t have had to. It wasn’t a big surprise to Zane that his uncle already sensed there was something in the air. Orsai had been doing that Zane’s entire life. It was as if his uncle had a sixth sense about things.
“Diane and I met with some others in the woods on the way here.” His glance went to Clara.
“My uncle?” she demanded, stepping forward.
Zane shook his head and hated the disappointment he saw in her eyes. “Three shifters. One injured. Two men. One woman. The leader said his name was Gideon.”
“Long, wavy black hair and blue eyes?” Clara asked.
“A few inches shorter than me,” Zane said with a nod.
“That’s Gideon. He’d have Ariel and Griffin with him,” she said. “He’s here? They’re here?”
“I’ll take you to them. I had to be sure before I brought them here,” Zane said.
Clara nodded and practically bounced on her feet.
“Smart call,” Logan said. “How far are they?”
“Not far,” Zane said. “We’ll make quicker time if we take the ATV’s.”
“Who’s hurt?” Clara asked.
“Gideon,” Zane told her.
“How badly?” she asked.
“He was shot with arrows.” His glance went to his uncle. “They think they were poisoned with something, but there’s no scent of it. He’s not healing all the way.”
“Shit!” Clara cried and turned to her mate. “We have to go to them.”
“We will,” Logan assured her, turning to Murphy. “Pull either Vic or Holt, whoever you see first and have them go with us. You, Clara and I will head out, as well.”
“I’ll take you to them,” Zane offered, but Logan shook his head.
“You should head in to the Professor for a full work up. You said yourself the fever isn’t gone, yet. Tell me where you left them. We’ll find them,” Logan said.
“I’ll go with them,” Orsai said. “Take a look at Gideon and see if I know what was on those arrows. Did he have one of them with him?”
Zane shrugged. “I didn’t ask. I was more concerned with getting my mate safely home.”
“We’ve got it from here,” Logan said. “Let Reno know where we went and why. We’ll be back as soon as we can.”
Zane nodded and stood watching as they walked away. Murphy came back with a grumbling Vic beside him.
“Great,” she muttered. “More of you grouchy bastards to add to the mix. Maybe we could find a few more humans. I’m starting to feel outnumbered here.”
Zane grinned. Man, he’d missed them, all of them. No matter what lay ahead, this group was his family, and he planned to stay with them, him and his mate. He knew without asking that Diane felt the same way. He’d seen it on her face when they’d arrived and she’d gone to check on Abby. They belonged here.
He went up the steps and opened the door just as a baby’s wail filled the house. The baby was here. He hurried down the hall, seeing Reno pacing outside Tah’s bedroom door while Amia leaned against the wall, one foot tapping on the floor.
“Zane,” she said as she peeked up and saw him. She pushed off the wall and met him, embracing him. “It’s so good to see you.”
Reno was next in line, wrapping Zane in a hard hug. “I’m glad you’re back,” he said.
“Glad to be back,” Zane said.
They all turned toward the door as it opened and the Professor stepped out. He wiped his eyes and cleared his throat.
“Everything okay?” Reno asked, and Zane felt as tense as his friend seemed at the thought something might have gone wrong. Tah would go ballistic, and Diane would never forgive herself.
“We have a healthy baby,” the Professor said then glanced at Zane. “As soon as you get a chance, I’ll expect you downstairs. Full work up.” He turned to head toward the staircase leading to the lab but turned again. “I’m glad to see you. We would have lost Diane without you.” With those cryptic words, he turned and left.
“Lost her?” Zane asked as he, Reno and Amia took up the waiting vigil again.
“She might have fallen apart a bit without you around,” Reno said with a smile.
Zane would have to talk to his mate a bit more about exactly what had happened once he’d left. He remembered her saying she’d yelled at the Professor and Tah. Finn and Holt came down the hall then and more hugs were given just before the door opened and Tah filled it.
“Well?” Reno demand.
“We have a perfect baby,” Tah thundered. He looked shell-shocked but happiness radiated off him in huge waves, encompassing them all.
“And?” Amia’s voice prompted.
“A daughter,” Tah said, and his voice was filled with awe. “I have a daughter.”
“A daughter,” Reno said and grinned.
Zane watched as the two friends embraced and wasn’t surprised when Reno wiped tears from his eyes.
“When can we see her?” Finn asked.
“Let’s give them some time alone,” Diane said as she stepped out of the bedroom with her hands full of laundry. “I still need to wash our newest member up.” Her gaze skimmed over everyone else and found Zane. He liked the way her breathing picked up and her cheeks went a light shade of pink. He didn’t know for certain what she was thinking, but he guessed it was pretty close to his thoughts.
“I’ll help you with those,” he said, moving forward with eyes only for his mate.
“Zane,” Tah said and stopped him to give him a hard hug.
Zane didn’t remember this gruff group of Marines being so touchy-feely before. He blamed Abby for this influence, and he thanked her for it, too. He figured the other mates had a lot to do with it, as well. It seemed natural to give a hug now instead of a
mere pat on the back or squeeze on the shoulder.
“Are you okay?” Tah asked.
Zane nodded, and his gaze skimmed to his mate again. “I am, now.”
“We’ll talk soon,” Tah said. “Join me when Diane comes in to wash the baby. I want to hear everything.”
Zane nodded and turned back to Reno.
“Logan and Clara took Murphy, Vic and my uncle to pick up some visitors Diane and I ran into on the way back,” he said.
“Who?” Tah demanded and his voice vibrated with a growl.
“Gideon,” Zane answered. “Clara described him perfectly. He has two other shifters with him. Clara said they were Ariel and Griffin. Gideon was shot by hunters.”
“Will he make it?” Tah asked.
“Depends,” Zane said. “He thinks the arrows they hit him with were laced with some type of poison. He doesn’t seem to be healing like he should.”
“Reno,” Tah said.
“I’ve got it,” Reno assured him. “Take care of your mate and baby girl.”
Tah nodded, and Zane turned once more to join his mate. Together, they moved away, heading toward the stairs and down to the labs. He was watching the sway of her lush ass before him as she walked when she stopped and turned to him. His cock was hard and aching with the need to fill her again. She stole his air when she leaned into him and whispered the exact words that hovered on his tongue.
“I need you.”
Chapter Thirteen
Diane was ready to toss the dirty laundry on the floor and take Zane right there. She saw the same intense desire reflected in his eyes. Dropping her glance, she took in the blatant bulge of his arousal cupped by the faded denim. He was more than ready for her.
“I’ll take those.”
The Professor’s voice interrupted, making Diane jump.
“Easy,” Zane said and placed his hand at the small of her back.
“We need to have a talk,” she told the Professor.
He smiled sadly and nodded. “Later. Right now I’ll go see to Abby and the baby while you and Zane clean up. I’m sure you’d both appreciate a shower. I’ll see to it no one disturbs you down here.”
“I thought you wanted samples?” Zane questioned.