Page 26 of Entwined

“Bram.” Darby grasped his chin and encouraged him to look his way. “Talk to me, sweetheart. I don’t understand why you need my robe.”

“I think…” He let out a whimper as another contraction came. “I think our baby is almost here.”

Darby’s eyes went wide and he shot to his feet. “Are you sure? What should I do?” He ran a hand across the top of his head. “Oh God. I have no clue how to deliver a baby.”

Bram nodded to himself as it occurred to him why Darby sounded so upset. He’d wanted his ma to be with him and had hoped to be in his own bed, but it didn’t matter. Fairies gave birth outside all the time and he didn’t need anyone’s help. However, he’d forgotten how panicky humans could get about the most basic of things.

“That’s all right, Darby.” Bram took stock of the immediate area. Oh yes, by the water. That would be nice. “See those long grasses over there next to the creek?” Darby looked in the direction Bram had indicated. “If you could lay your robe there then support me on it, I can take care of the rest.”

He tried to give Darby a smile in the hope of calming him down, but another harsh cramp chose that moment to slice through his gut. He had the feeling his smile had come out more like a grimace. From how quickly Darby yanked off his robe, Bram imagined he’d gotten the message.

As Darby rushed over to do what Bram had asked, he glanced around the area to see if he could spot any pain soothing leaves.

“There. I have it ready.” Darby bent down then scooped him up before he’d had the chance to protest. “Are you sure I shouldn’t go get someone?”

Bram cried out. There wasn’t much time. “No, but see those waxy leaves next to the bush of red flowers?” He pointed toward the edge of the forest next to where they’d been eating. “I could use a few of those.”

Darby’s expression appeared wild-eyed. “O-okay. Waxy leaves. Got it.” He gently lowered Bram to the ground, then kissed his forehead. “I’m grabbing those for you real quick. You stay here.”

If he wasn’t so miserable, he would’ve laughed. “I’ll do my best.”

As Darby scurried away, Bram kept himself supported by his elbows. Lying flat wouldn’t do him any favors, but he’d definitely need the strength of his alpha to remain sitting upright through the delivery.

“Here you are, sweetheart. I’ll get more if these aren’t enough.”

Bram gaped at the large pile of leaves then glanced in the direction of the now naked plant Darby had stripped them from. He’d have to teach Darby the fae philosophy of taking from plant life with care another time.

“Um, I think this will be fine.” Bram doubled over with another jolt of pain. “Could use one now, though,” he gritted out.

Darby shoved several of the leaves at him. Bram took one then let the others scatter on the robe. Almost as soon as he chewed on the juicy leaf, the thick, viscous liquid did its job and took the edge off the contractions.

“Better?” Darby stared at him as if he were about to burst into flames.

Poor human. They seemed to have problems understanding nature. He’ll adjust as the eons go by. Already Bram could tell that the pure energy of the fairy plane had affected Darby’s human form. They would be able to spend all the ages together with their family.

“Much better. Could you sit behind me and hold me up? The baby’s ready to come out.”

Darby scrambled to position himself so that Bram was between his legs and using Darby’s chest as a brace. He lifted his knees, and when the next contraction came, he bore down. Maybe some of Darby’s newfound fae spirit was taking over, because as Bram continued to push, Darby would help by brushing the sweaty strands of Bram hair off his forehead and whisper encouraging words.

“I love you, Bram. You’re doing great, I know I couldn’t do it.” Darby held him as the pressure became so massive, he thought he might tear in two. “That’s it sweetheart, I’m so proud of you, you’re so amazing.”

With one long yell, the baby slid from his body and he collapsed against Darby’s chest. Oh, thank the Golden Light that’s over with. Their newborn let out a lusty cry.

“Bram! The baby is here!”

“Yeah, I noticed,” he croaked. “Let me lie down and maybe you could check whether we have a girl or boy.”

“Shit, of course. What am I thinking?” He nervously chuckled as he lowered Bram onto his back.

Bram moaned and searched around with his hand for another leaf. Maybe grabbing this pile wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

“A boy! We have a boy, Bram, and he’s beautiful and perfect!” Darby made a choking sound. “The cord, Bram. Oh God, what do I do about the cord?”

Oh dear, I forgot. Bram instructed Darby on using one of the strings they had in the basket that had held their bundles of food together. He tried not to laugh when Darby scrunched up his nose at the part where he’d have to detach the cord. Fortunately, the small knife they’d brought to pare some apples had also been tucked away in the basket.

Once the deed had been done and Darby had calmed down some, he cradled their infant and held him so Bram could see their clearly furious child. He was squalling and kicking, his face turning a deep shade of red as he protested his abrupt arrival into a new world.

Bram shushed their baby. “Now little Callum, all is well. Your das are here for you.” Callum was the most incredible thing Bram had ever seen. “Lie him on his tummy across my chest. I’ll keep him warm while you wet one of the cloths from the basket so I can wipe him clean.”

Darby’s grin stretched across his face as he did what Bram had asked, his movements careful as he relinquished their child to Bram’s care. Callum had barely touched his skin when his crying stopped, and he began rooting around for a nipple. Bram helped guide him and by the time Callum had latched on, Darby had returned.

Darby stared in wonder while holding the damp cloth. “I can help clean him.” He shrugged one shoulder. “If you’d like.”

Bram smiled. His caring alpha wanted to be a part of things and Bram couldn’t be more thrilled. He knew that becoming a father and starting over in a new world had to have been shocking for him, yet he’d never been anything but kind and attentive. Fate had come through for them after all.

“Yes. That would really help, if you could.”

After much protesting from Callum over being washed with the dreaded cloth, he settled down then fell right to sleep. Bram repeatedly assured Darby that it was okay for him to rest on the ground and that they could even stay the night since they had plenty of food and the temperate air would keep them warm.

Of course, Bram was filled with warmth from inside and out as Darby held him and Callum through the moon cycle. Bram sighed in contentment as his heart swelled with the love he had for his new family.