“Go,” I say, nodding encouragingly and working hard to put a little smile on my face. “We’ll be fine.” I move my hand to my belly again, worried, suddenly, as I realize that Rafe can feel my anxiety – an anxiety beyond that which a new mother feels when she goes into labor. My poor baby – he’s alrea
Ella Slowly, I breathe through my contractions, taking deep breaths in through my nose and huffing them out of my mouth. The pain is…well, I suppose I can’t say like anything I’ve felt before, can I? Not after all I’ve been through in the past five months. But it’s incredible, the way it radiates
But no, it seems like Rafe and my body have other plans. Sinclair talks softly to me throughout the process, helping me get ready in the moments between contractions. He helps me change into a cotton nightgown instead of the travel clothes I was wearing on the way here. He brings me two cool cups o
Ella I’m gripping my sister’s hand, gritting my teeth and groaning through the first of my pushes, when the door bangs open again. I don’t open my eyes – can’t look – Quite frankly, at this particular moment I don’t care who the hell it is – if it’s Hank, or Roger, or insurgents coming to kill us
I nod, eager, and begin to push again. And push, and push. I gasp, laying back and panting as I feel the contraction end, and I look to Cora for instructions. Instead of a happy smile, though, I see her exchange an odd little glance with Hank. “What,” I demand, working to sit up and moaning at the
Sinclair Agony. It’s agony for me – obviously, more for my mate, I’m sure – but watching her survive this is ripping me apart. I struggle against Roger’s grip – he shouldn’t be stronger than me, he’s never stronger than me, I should be able to break away – but something about all of this has jus
But still, in the brief moments when I can concentrate, I see Sinclair standing by my side, feel his hand in my own, and see our little baby wrapped up in a sheet in his arm – Just as he was in the dream state – And I find new determination within me. So, working hard to steady my breathing, to no
Ella As they close the door I look up at Sinclair and smile. I don’t have any words, but the expression on his face lets me know that he feels exactly the same. Warm, and happy, and a little panicked that we now have to take care of this little person, but thrilled. Absolutely thrilled to be her