Draven was her Lamaze coach, the one who was able to keep her mind distracted the easiest. The rest of the guys broke up in teams of two, one group to build a nursery, while the other babyproofed the house and coven.
News of her labor spread, and the house began to fill up with people. MacGregor and Mistress McKay took charge of the coven. Stanley guarded the door viciously, not letting anyone through without prior approval.
Breanna and her three mates Ambrose, Shade, and Ward, stopped by to wish them congratulations. The gargoyles came tovisit, Loki practically dancing in circles around them. Harper and her mate visited from the Academy, the couple expecting their first baby as well. Not that it mellowed the witch, but her berserker mate seemed to be able to keep her in check.
The headmistress had sent a generous gift of an animated mobile imbued with magic that made it look like the mythological creatures were actually moving. Even the king had sent a gift—the last three books from the lost library of Alexandria, with a note that said she would need it more than him.
Not ominous at all.
After hours of labor, Morgan could barely catch her breath between contractions. “You rat bastards. Next time any of you come near me with your weapons of mass destruction, expect to be castrated.”
The guys winced, but none of them objected.
Morgan would almost swear that the pregnancy and delivery was harder on them than her.
“I’ll help,” Draven volunteered, promising her anything. He patiently held out an ice chip for her, and she took it gratefully, chewing on it. The cutie had been a mother hen during the whole pregnancy.
Ryder squeezed her hand, rubbing her arm, desperate to ease her pain. The poor guy had suffered a sympathetic pregnancy the whole nine months—going through cravings, morning sickness, and even gaining weight. He looked sick to his stomach seeing her in labor, but he refused to leave her side.
Atlas checked her over every five minutes, and Morgan breathed through another contraction. “Your damn potions aren’t even taking the edge off anymore.”
“Because it’s almost time.” He spoke calmly, the elf having kept his cool for the last couple of hours, but his hands shook as he took his seat by her feet.
The guys tensed at his announcement. Caedmon stopped his pacing, his pale face looking rattled, the man more on edge aseach hour passed. He desperately wanted a family, but he had been so worried about losing her that he’d had her LoJack’ed.
Like literally placed a tracker on her.
She couldn’t go to the bathroom without him showing up outside the door.
Ascher stood by the window, his hands gripped behind him as he paced. He’d been assigned to stand guard to give him something to do, the man jumping each time she moaned. He looked ready to pass out with each contraction.
Kincade sat by her shoulders and mopped her forehead. He grabbed her hand through each contraction, wincing each time she squeezed it, despite being made of stone. He didn’t move from her side once, giving orders to the men when they began to hover and fuss too much.
Loki sat patiently in the corner, never once moving his bright gaze from her the whole time.
It was another hour before the baby was born with an angry cry.
The men rushed toward the bed and crowded close. Atlas rose with the baby in his arms, a proud smile on his face. He spoke in a reverent voice as he looked up at her, love shining brightly in his green eyes. “It’s a girl.”
“Yes!” Draven jumped up, kissed her forehead, then rushed to take a closer look at the baby, wonder making his face soften. “She looks just like her mother.”
Tears filled his stormy blue eyes when he reached out a shaky hand and ran a finger lightly over the headful of black hair. Each guy touched the baby, counting fingers and toes. Their chests were puffed up in pride, like she was their greatest accomplishment.
Morgan looked on at her dotting mates, exhausted but happy.
It didn’t matter which one was the biological father, they would all share equally in the task.
Atlas settled the baby in her arms, and Morgan glanced down at the little miracle. The metal in her necklace warmed, bubbling up and twisting until a large heart-shaped locket formed.
My thoughts exactly.
This little girl had captured all their hearts by just being born.
Ryder opened the door to the room, stuck his head out. and shouted, “It’s a girl!”
A massive cheer went up throughout the house, followed by hundreds of wolves howling in celebration.
Thanatos and MacGregor peered through the door, the proud grandparents practically bursting in pride. She tipped the baby up to give them a better view.
