Page 29 of The Dragons’ Eternal Mate

Inside, Poppy was in bed, wearing a thin nightdress that stretched over her bump, her face red. Her hair was pulled back in what had once been a neat braid, but was now slipping free around her face. She cupped her bump, taking several deep breaths.

Samuel stood behind her, rubbing her back as he coached her. “You’re doing great, baby. Crushing those contractions.”

“Rowan!” She grinned, eyes flaring wide as she saw me. “I am so glad to see you. You too, Nina!”

Nina beamed at her, carrying the bag as I gathered up the first tools I’d need.

Walking over to her, Nina took Poppy’s hand as she set the bag on the floor near the bed, saying, “I heard that two little someones are ready to enter the world!”

“I’m so sorry about the late hour.” Poppy winced, breathing as the contraction peaked and then eased off.

I waved off her concern. “I literally just told your brother that babies are on their own schedule. It’s an honor to lose sleep to bring your twins into the world.”

“Plus, this gives us an amazing excuse to nap the day away tomorrow—no one would dare complain!” Nina giggled, checking through our supplies.

“Do you think they’ll be here soon?” Samuel looked between us, and I gave Poppy a quick visual assessment.

“Two minutes to ninety seconds apart means babies will be here very soon.”

Tearing up, Poppy looked up at Samuel as he held her hand, squeezing tightly. They looked at each other with such love. This was why births were some of my favorite duties.

Poppy had possibly one of the simplest pregnancies I had ever seen. I had very few concerns about her delivery, so we were preparing the basics: clean towels, ensuring there was a fire going, and plenty of fresh water as she progressed naturally.

Two bassinets sat next to the bed, ready for the babies.

The contractions were moving everything along just as they should, and both mom’s and babies’ heart rates looked excellent. When she needed to, Poppy walked through the contractions, stopping occasionally to crouch into a squat. I checked her after one of them, having her breathe through the discomfort.

I smiled at her, though, pulling off my glove. “You’re fully dilated and effaced. And⁠—”

Trading a look with Nina, I also glanced at Samuel.

“—I can feel hair.”

A happy sob left Poppy, and Samuel immediately took up his spot behind her, pressing on her hips to counter the contraction as it wound down.

“How do you want to push, Poppy?” Nina asked as I gathered the blankets closer, making sure we were ready to receive.

Poppy crouched again, turning to rest her back against the side of the bed. “This feels better. Can I just do this?”

“Absolutely. We follow what your body needs.”

Time sped up then, rushing through the last moments of stillness that accompanied the final contractions; the calm before the storm. Then Poppy was bellowing low, using gravity to help her push the first baby out, the head arrived, then shoulders, which had “baby one” sliding right into my arms.

“Okay!” I called out, my voice shaking with proud tears. “We have a boy! Look at that.”

I wiped the baby’s face gently, and not even a full second later, he was crying loudly, filling the room with those incredible first sounds. When I handed the baby to Poppy, she held her little bundle to her, tears of joy flowing as she peered down at her newborn child.

It was only a few moments later when the next contraction hit, and through three more pushes, baby two was born—another boy.

“Congratulations, new parents!” Nina giggled, wiping a tear with the back of her gloved hand.

Everyone basked in the glow for several moments, taking it all in before we clamped the cords and Samuel cut them. Poppy let us swaddle the newborns, Nina helping with the afterbirth, and then a frantic pounding on the door cut through the little bubble in the room.

“I heard crying! Am I an uncle?!”

We all laughed, and I shot a look at Poppy, who nodded as Nina got her covered in the bed.

“You are!” I called out. “Come and meet your nephews!”