by Taylor Rylan
“Yes, but they also have an alpha grandpa. Just saying.”
Edison rolled his eyes at Wallace and I smiled, thinking about the love that was still apparent between the two.
“Alright, Linus. Your omega line is fully open. Your little lady is impatient. I wonder where she gets that trait from. On the next contraction, I want you to curl up a little and give me a push. When you do, it’ll bring her to the line, and I’ll be able to reach in and pull her out.”
“Sounds good. Just make the pain, stop, please.”
I wrapped my arms around my mate and did my best to calm him. I could feel his pain, and my stomach was cramping, so I knew his hurt so much more. When another sharp jab went through me, I looked down in time to watch Linus push with all his might and there she was. There was our beautiful little girl. She was slimy and covered in goop, but she was still so beautiful. I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer, so I just let them fall.
“Thank you, Linus. This is amazing and I love you so much, sweetheart,” I whispered in my mate’s ear. If he heard me, I wasn’t sure.
Edison reached in and oh so gently maneuvered Avery’s head out of my mate’s omega line. “Alright, let me clear her airway, and then one more push and she’ll be here,” Edison told us. He was completely focused on what he was doing, and for that, I was thankful. I’m sure he’d delivered hundreds or maybe even thousands of babies in his time. With a wave of his hand, what we could see was clean, and my little baby girl had blond fuzz on the top of her head. I felt another pain and I knew it was time.
“Okay, Linus, this is it, sweetheart,” I said as I gave him a gentle squeeze. He curled up and grunted as he pushed, and then we had a beautiful little girl. With another wave of his hand, she was completely clean and held up securely in Edison’s capable hands.
“Daddy, would you like to cut the cord?”
My eyes flew to Edison’s, and he was so blurry, I wasn’t quite sure where he was. After blinking several times, I let go of Linus’s chest and shifted my left hand and gave the cord a swipe with my sharp claw. When I did, she let out a loud wail and let us know she wasn’t happy about losing her food source. I brought my already shifted hand back and wrapped it around Linus again. With another wave, Avery was fully dressed and swaddled in her pink blanket and had started to calm down. Edison handed her to Wallace who cooed at her as he brought her up to us.
“Here you go, daddies. She’s beautiful. Yes, she is,” Wallace said with a sappy smile on his face. He gently placed her in Linus’s arms, and I realized that he, too, was crying.
“I love you, Linus. Thank you, my mate.”
Linus — 20
We were parents. I looked down at my beautiful little cub and sighed. I’d done that. Well, with Gage’s help, but we’d done that. We’d created her. And she was absolutely beautiful. I couldn’t help crying, and not the sniffle type, either. My parents would have been so happy to meet her. I know it. I miss them so much, but I have to believe they are still watching over me.
“Shh. It’s okay. I know you wish they were here. I’m sorry they’re not. Mine, too, sweetheart. But we’ve added a beautiful little lady to our family now.”
“I know. I want another. Why did I only get one?”
Wallace busted out laughing, and Edison hid his face in his arm and shoulder. They were probably right though. I’d just had Avery, and all along, I’d been thankful to be having just the one. Now that she was here though, I was asking why I didn’t get two. What was wrong with me?
“Alright, Linus. If you give me one more gentle push, we’ll get your placenta delivered, and then we’ll see if your line will close up on its own or if it needs help.”
I looked up from Avery at what Edison was doing and watched as a dark red blob popped out of my omega line. That was not what I was expecting. At all. Gage beat me to the question though.
“That’s what they look like?”
“Healthy ones, yes.” I watched in fascination as Edison gently brought my stomach together, and it closed up on its own. Or did it? When I looked to Edison, I got my answer when he gave me a wink. “How about some help with the bed, hmm?”
“Oh yeah, I’m so sorry about that. I didn’t know my water was going to break, Gage.”
“Sweetheart, don’t worry about it. We can get a new one.”
“No need. Here.” We were immediately on top of a fresh set of sheets, and I was no longer soaked with sweat or naked. I was especially relieved about that.
“So, you’re naming her Avery. Do you have a middle name for her or are you forgoing it?” Wallace asked as he sat on the edge of the bed.
“Yes. Rose. It was Gage’s mother’s name,” I whispered as I ran my finger down her soft cheek. We did this? Somehow, I’d made a little girl with Gage’s help. Wow.
“We’ll leave you two alone for a bit. But we’ll be downstairs if you need us,” Edison said.
I nodded but didn’t look up from my little bundle. I couldn’t. When I heard the door click shut, I finally looked away from the bright blue eyes that matched both mine and my mate’s. In doing so, I was met with an identical pair, ones that were the other half of my soul.
“Would you like to hold our daughter?”
“I’m good. I’m holding both of you, and that’s better if you ask me.”
“Are you sure? She’s so soft and beautiful. I’m completely in awe of the fact that she’s half me and half you.”
“Enjoy it now, sweetheart. I have a feeling she’s going to be a little hellraiser. It’s the grizzly in her. Maybe next time we’ll get a little fox.”
“I don’t care about that. I’m not upset we have a little grizzly bear. She’s perfect.”
“She is. Just like her daddy.”
“I thought you were daddy?”
“I’ll be whatever she wants to call me. Daddy, papa, dad, da. I don’t care.”
“Okay, I know you said you were good not holding her, but I haven’t been able to go to the bathroom yet this morning. Would you hold her so I can?”
“I’ll help you into the bathroom, and then I’ll take her in there. Sound good?”
“Are you saying I can’t make it to the bathroom on my own?”
“Not at all. But your stomach did just bust open so you could push our daughter out. Now scoot up and I’ll help.”
I leaned up a little, and Gage was able to get out from behind me. I expected him to help me walk to the bathroom, but I should have known better. No, my adorable and protective mate picked me up with our daughter in my arms and carried us to the bathroom. He gently set me down, and then took Avery from me. There was just something about a big alpha who went all gooey and mushy over a little bundle of pink.
Deciding it was safer to sit since my legs were a little wobbly, I turned and did just that. I had already experienced immense relief now that Avery wasn’t pushing on my bladder, but now that I no longer felt like I had a bowling ball in front of me, life was even better.
“Did I really pout and ask why I didn’t get two?”
Gage chuckled at me as he cooed at our daughter. When he nuzzled his nose along her cheek, my heart melted. “You did. But don’t worry. We’ll have another just as soon as you want. I’m not going to say no to more kids, sweetheart. We’ll obviously have to wait for your next heat cycle, but I will not deny you children.”
“I love you, Gage. I can’t thank the fates enough for giving you to me. I needed you so much when we found each other.”
“I know, sweetheart. I think that’s why we found each other then. Why else would we be kept apart for a year? You were so close for a year. Why didn’t we scent each other sooner?”
“I’m not sure,” I said as I gingerly stood up. There was a slight pull on my stomach, and I couldn’t hide the cringe. That had Gage reaching out for me. I gladly took his arm and supported myself with his help.
“Here. Take Avery and I’ll get you back to bed,” Gage said as he tried to hand our daughter back
to me.
“Let me wash my hands first. I just went to the bathroom and things are still leaking a bit.”
“Is that normal?”
“Yeah. Arik said it was possible for an hour or two. I’ll sit on a towel and it’ll be okay.”
“You sure? I can get Edison if you need me to.” I could tell that Gage was getting a little concerned, so I did my best to reassure him.
“It’s fine. Arik said it happens from time to time. It’s more common with multiples, but it’s still not abnormal. I’ll sit on a towel,” I repeated as I lathered up my hands, and then quickly rinsed and dried them. Once I reached for Avery, Gage readily passed her back, and then swept us up into his arms again.
“You know, this really is the way to travel. Wait! The towel.” When Gage turned back into the bathroom, I snatched a towel off of the shelf, and then I was back on my feet beside the bed.
“Knock, knock. We brought breakfast and a bassinette,” Edison said as he opened the door and peeked in.
“Oh! Breakfast sounds wonderful. I didn’t eat much last night,” I said as I watched Wallace come in and set the bassinette down beside the bed. I gently placed Avery in it, and then Gage was there again, helping me get situated on the bed by placing the towel down, and then me on top of it.
“You should have mentioned the leaking, Linus. I can help if you’d like,” Edison told me with an understanding look on his face.
“Could you? It’s an odd feeling.”
“It is. I’ve been there. Have a seat and we’ll leave you two to your breakfast,” Edison said as he gently placed a tray at the foot of the bed. “We’ll be here all day if you two need us.”
“You don’t have to stay. We know how busy you are helping War and Arik.”
“Trust us, War and Arik are just fine. They have Aspen and Orin to help chase after the twins.”
“Are you sure?” I asked. I really wanted to spend the day with my mate, snuggled up with our daughter, but I also wanted to talk to Wallace and Edison later as well. I owed them so much and I hadn’t yet been able to thank them.
“Yes, I’m sure. Arik knows where we’re at, and he’s doing pretty much what you’re doing. He’s cuddled up with little miss Valentina and is enjoying time with War before he goes back to work next week.”
“Already?” Gage asked.
“Well, he’s been off for three weeks now. You’ve only been off for a few days. I know there were some issues with Emerson that were resolved when he got to claim his mate, but Brice is a different story.”
“Yeah, let’s not get started on those two just now. Thanks for breakfast. I was actually downstairs to make Linus breakfast when I found you two.”
“I’m aware of that. Enjoy your breakfast and let us know if you need anything. We’ll be around, hanging out in your library, most likely. You have a beautiful house.”
“Thank you,” Gage and I replied in unison. Gage gently set the plate down on my lap before going around to the other side of the bed and doing the same for himself. I realized how hungry I was and started eating as soon as Gage was situated.
“That good?” Gage asked as I moaned around a mouthful of eggs.
“I’m just that hungry, I think. I’m not really tired right now, but we’re supposed to nap when she does, right?”
“Yes. But maybe we should wait until she wants to be fed? Or changed? I know babies always need to be changed.”
“They do. Trust me, they do. Today is almost unreal, Gage. A year ago, I never thought I could be this happy or love someone as much as I do you and Avery. Thank you for not giving up. I know things haven’t been easy, but I’m glad you’re my mate.”
“Sweetheart, I wasn’t ever going to give up. They might have mistakenly kept us apart for a few days, but I was never far. You were mine from the moment I scented you and nobody was going to keep us apart. You do so much for me. You keep my mind focused, and you bring me and my bear so much joy. I don’t want to go back to the emptiness I lived with before you came into my life.”
“Okay, I love you. So much. But you gotta stop. I’m too emotional right now,” I said as I grabbed the napkin and dried the tears that had started to fall again.
“I’m sorry, Linus. I understand though. It’s been an emotional day. But know that I love you and always will. No matter what,” Gage said as he wrapped his hand around the back of my head and brought my mouth to his. The kiss was sweet and innocent and Avery picked exactly that moment to let us know she needed attention by starting to fuss in her bassinette.
“So it begins,” Gage said as he got up to tend to our daughter. I smiled at my mate as he cooed at Avery while carrying her out of the room to change her diaper. I got up to help because I was pretty sure Gage had never changed a diaper in his life. This was certainly something I wanted to see.
The End
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Current List of Books
Shifters/MPREG
Honey Creek Den Series
War’s Mate
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Troy’s Warlock
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Ryker’s Enchantment
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Grayson’s Enlightenment
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Contemporary Series
Men of Crooked Bend Series
My Forever, My Always: Men of Crooked Bend Book 1
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My Choice, My Chance: Men of Crooked Bend Book 2
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My Survivor, My Savior: Men of Crooked Bend Book 3
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My Truth, My Future: Men of Crooked Bend Book 4
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My Heat, My Home: Men of Crooked Bend Book 5
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My Love, My Valentine: A Men of Crooked Bend
Companion Novel (4.5)
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