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“London.” He gave a weak smile. “I’d like you to meet your daughter.”
My daughter?
I stared at that bundle in his arms. My pulse boomed as her little arms flailed in the air and she unleashed a cry. Colt stepped forward, mesmerized by the sight, and reached for her. But he stopped suddenly, turning to find me instead. “She’s calling for you.”
I shook my head as agony roared through my chest. “No…not me.”
“Yes.” He stepped to me, stopping directly in front of me. “Can’t you hear her? She needs you, she needs her father.”
Her tiny wails were piercing, like needles into my brain. I took a step before I knew it, moving around Colt to the doctor. She was so tiny, all bright red on one side of her face. I looked up at the doc.
“It’s okay, that’s just from being pressed against her big brother.” DeLuca lifted her. “Colt is right, she’s calling for you.”
“Not me…no.”
“Yes, London,” Tobias answered. “You. She needs you now.”
I flinched with a vulnerable growl, unable to take my eyes off her. She was beautiful, with dark hair and big round eyes. Her tiny fingers stretched wide as she flailed. I reached for her hand, letting her wrap those fingers around my finger. She quietened instantly, her shrieks deepening to cries.
“See, look how she needs you. If you can just—” Doc started.
But I cut him off by moving closer and taking her from his arms. She bucked, wailing louder for a second. But I knew, as soon as I held her, I knew. They were right. They were all right. She settled as I cradled her tighter.
“Skin on skin is best. She needs that right now.”
“Vivienne.” I croaked her name, my eyes filling with tears. “Please tell me…”
“She’s lost quite a bit of blood and there are…” he stopped. “Other complications here.”
Fear hit me. “What kind of complications?”
He didn’t answer but he looked at Colt. “I’m going to need the three of you to come with me.”
The floor dropped out from under me. Colt emitted a pained cry, and slowly shook his head.
“This way.” DeLuca reached for him.
Carven wrapped his arms around his brother, guiding him as DeLuca turned and headed for the door, opening it wide for me.
“We’ll be here,” Ryth whispered. “We’ll be right here.”
I cradled my newborn daughter in my arms, gave Ryth a nod, and followed them. I didn’t know what we were walking into…all I knew was it was about to change my life forever.
THIRTY-NINE
Vivienne
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
The faint sound pierced my mind, dragging me from the darkness. The icy rush of air was instant, filling my lungs, the sudden chill drawing me higher. My eyes fluttered open and blinding light flooded in. The moment I was awake, I felt it, a crushing weight that was settled on my chest. Something was wrong…very wrong.
“Pet…” London called. “You’re awake.”
That beep…beep…beep…of the machine sped as the darkened blurs inside the room sharpened. Carven stood on one side next to me, his fists clenched tight around the steel rails. It was a hospital. Stark white, high up so that the sun flooded in enough to hurt my eyes.
