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When she finally reached the correct room, she gently opened the door. Sid sat between her mother's raised legs and Ginny—Stonefire’s most trusted nurse—stood near some beeping machines. Another nurse rushed past Brenna.
She blocked out everything but her mum, who lay pale and nearly lifeless on the bed. Her eyes were open and she was breathing, but even to her, it was plain that Mum’s fight to live was slipping.
Her dad looked up, but never stopped wiping his mate's brow. "Brenna, come."
Somehow she made her feet work and stopped next to her father. "Papa, what's going on?"
Her mother's weak voice garnered her attention. "Brenna."
Clasping her hand over her dad's already holding her mum's, Brenna leaned down. "Mum, you need to keep fighting. I'm sorry for the things I've said over the years. I was angry and didn't mean them. You need to live. I love you."
Her mum gave a weak smile. "Fighting was always our way, and our own brand of love."
"Mum," she murmured as tears formed in her eyes.
"Shh, Brenna. No matter what happens, I know you'll be the best big sister in the world to your little brother."
"Don't talk like that. You'll be around to raise him and force me to babysit."
"I would like that."
Her mum's eyes closed and one of the monitors went to a flat line. Her dad cried out the same time Sid barked, "Out," and then listed off a series of orders to Ginny and the other nurse.
Brenna and her dad were pushed out of the way. Ginny pointed toward the door. "Leave so we can try to save her."
After another second of staring at her mother's still face, Brenna took a deep breath and guided her dad out the door.
The instant they were in the hallway, she hugged her dad and a strangled sob escaped his throat. Hugging him even tighter, she willed for her mother to be okay.
She had no idea how long they stood there, but at some point, Killian's voice filled her ear. "Come, love. Let's wait in the private waiting room. Sid and Ginny will tell us as soon as possible what's going on."
Her dad slowly handed her over to Killian and she clung to her mate. Her dad murmured, "I'll wait here. You two go."
She glanced at her dad. "But Papa…"
"No, Brenna. All of us can't stay or we'll congest the hallway, but I want to be here in case your mother needs me." He touched her cheek. "I'll let you know if anything changes."
Opening her mouth to protest, Killian murmured, "Come, love."
Emotionally exhausted, Brenna allowed Killian to guide her away. Once they reached the private waiting room, they sat and she snuggled into his side. She fought her tears, but when Killian whispered, "Let them out, love. I'm here," she let go and cried.
Suddenly, all the years of petty arguments and resentments melted away. Brenna would trade anything to keep her mother around so that she could actually get to know her better.
~~~
As Killian soothed his mate, he kept a tight rein on his emotions. From what he'd gleaned from a nurse, Brenna's mother's heart had stopped beating and the doctors had to make a choice—the mother or the baby.
However, if Brenna's mum had given the order to save the baby above all else, the doctors would have to follow it.
Dragon-shifters didn't handle anesthetics well, which made C-sections difficult. Occasionally a dragonman or woman could survive the drugs, but the chances were slim. If Brenna's mother had indeed wanted the child saved, Sid would use anesthesia to deliver her child.
That almost certainly rang the death knell for Brenna's mother, given how fragile she was.
Blue spoke up. I don't like this. After everything, Brenna deserves a happy ending.
Killian replied, I wish that, too. But life doesn't always work out that way. Black remained silent, so Killian probed, Are you okay?
Black grunted. I don't like this situation. It only reminds me of what could happen if we ever have a young with Brenna.
