Page 67 of Sapphire Seas

Nothing.

The boys aren’t talking either, Kes said.

Mattias spread his wings, cradling our family in them. Children, Papa and your Daddies need to know you’re okay. We love you very much.

Luff, luff, luff, luff, luff, luff. All six tiny luffs were present and accounted for and I breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

The girls fear fed through our connection, feeding off mine. I had to do my best to calm down and think pleasant, happy thoughts.

Keep telling them how much we love them and about all the wonderful things they’ll see, I told my mates.

The dragonets tension eased with every sweet word we uttered. Hesitant, at times, until they heard one of our voices.

It’s so beautiful here. We can’t wait for you to see the life we’ve built for you.

Papa, Daddy Kes and I are so excited to meet you.

I’ve waited so long for a family of my own. Papa can’t wait to meet you.

Gurgles were what we were down too given the intensity of the contractions. They were coming hard and fast, my torso one giant muscular spasm and Kes wasn’t much better off. Sweat matted our hair to our heads, Odem left and returned with cool wash cloths he placed on our foreheads. Mattias had managed to slide into the nest between Kes and me, a hand on each of our bellies as he whispered to the babies.

“Don’t worry, my loves, everything is fine. Your Daddies are working hard to bring you into the light. Don’t be afraid, we’re all here waiting for you. Even Uncle Odem. You’ll love him, he plays with your cousins all the time.”

I wish we had thought to record this. Sweet musings to play back to the little ones whenever they were feeling down or scared whenever Papa was away. I swear, the gentlest of souls reside within the largest of men. I already envisioned our dragonets tackling Papa to the ground. Their giggles filling our home as Kes and I stood nearby watching the mayhem unfold. Papa having the time of his life, enjoying every silly moment with his offspring.

Now, we just had to get these eggs out of us.

“There’s. No. Way.” Kes panted between words. “This…Ahhh!” he finished breathing through the contraction just as another hit me. Thankfully, Mattias had two very strong, very capable hands he used to massage our backs through each one. Poor Odem was our errand boy, fetching ice chips and cold, wet rags. Oddly enough, he seemed rather happy to be helping.

“Where’s Raven?” I barked, rather loudly. “How much longer?” Surely live water births were easier than this.

“She’ll be back later when your contractions are closer,” Mattias said. Far too calm for my liking. All the years I dreamed of being a father I’d neglected to focus on the pain associated with bringing dragonets into this world.

But then again, no one in my herd ever laid an egg, let alone two.

“This thing is never coming out of me,” Kes groaned. “It’s too big.”

“Alex said the same thing,” Odem said, “and he threated to castrate Ionus.”

I could see that, coming from Alex. There was no doubt who ran that household.

“I think we need more diapers!” I shouted through the next contraction. Every head turned to stare at me. “What?” Panting had become second nature at this point.

“You’re in labor and you’re worried about diapers?” Odem, the once favorite brother-in-law of mine was quickly falling out of favor. “Dude, the eggs won’t even hatch for a couple of months. You have plenty of time to order more.”

Good to know, though I didn’t share that with him. I was still on the fence as to whether or not he just irked my last nerve.

“Oh. My. Goddess!” Kes yelled. “Why does it hurt so freaking bad!”

At this point, Mattias and I were both getting nervous. My contractions were bad enough with what I guessed were normal sized eggs. Poor Kes had a double egg to push out.

Now I was worried about him.

Are you okay, Kes? Talking was far too hard right now, screaming was easier but not something I enjoyed.

Is there a way to have sex and never, ever get pregnant again?

I-I, I honestly don’t know.