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He held her a few beats before his hand moved to her lower abdomen. Her heart beat faster, wondering if it were true. He finally whispered, "Not until you're fully rested, Dawn. You have to protect our child and be strong for him or her."
For a second, she lay there stunned. She'd wanted to believe Bram and the others that miracles could happen between true mates, but Dawn had always had a small bit of doubt, too. More than one doctor had claimed to have a surefire way to give her a child in the long road to having Daisy, and she'd learned to be a bit skeptical.
But Blake's hand was warm against her belly, and she tentatively placed her own over his. "Is it really true?"
Her voice cracked at the end, and Blake's concerned voice filled her ear. "Are you okay, Dawn? Should I fetch the doctor?"
Even though tears trailed down her cheeks, she shook her head. "No, no, I'm good. More than good, actually."
She turned until she could face him. Blake instantly frowned, and his gaze turned concerned. "You're crying, love. Why?"
She wiped a hand across her eyes before answering. "They're happy tears, I assure you. I just didn't know if it could happen. I know everyone said it can with true mates, but I guess I still doubted it."
He kissed her gently on the lips and then said, "If you need to hear it from Dr. Sid, I can take you to the surgery straightaway."
She kissed him a few beats before laying her forehead against his. "No, if your dragon says it's true, then I believe him."
He rolled onto his back and brought her against his chest. He stroked her back as he murmured against her hair, "It's true, Dawn. My scent is mixed with yours, which means you carry my babe. Of course, with my necessary part finished now, I'm going to need your help because I don't know the first thing about taking care of a baby."
She smiled and snuggled against his hard, warm chest, loving how his scent had already become familiar to her. "I'll show you the ropes. And I imagine Daisy will want to help, too."
At the mention of her daughter, a longing crashed over her. She missed Daisy, more than she'd realized.
As if reading her thoughts, Blake said, "Once we eat and shower, we'll go see Bram. That way he can get everything in motion to bring Daisy here as soon as possible."
Leaning back, she met his gaze again. "I'm happy right now, I truly am. So please don't take this the wrong way, but can I call Daisy soon, too? I need to hear her voice."
He stroked her cheek. "Of course you do. The frenzy took fifteen days, and I don't think you've ever been out of contact with her that long, have you?"
She shook her head. "No, never."
"Well, then let's get up and put things in motion so you can speak with her."
As Dawn stared into Blake's eyes, she didn't detect any hint of resentment. The problem was she didn't know if it was because he was good at hiding it or because he truly understood how much Dawn loved her daughter.
The frenzy had been a sort of bubble, one where it'd been just her and Blake. She only hoped that it wouldn't burst completely when Daisy entered because it would break her heart to have her daughter and the father of her second child at odds with one another.
No, Dawn. Stop it. She was so used to things going wrong with men that she was poisoning her own mind. Blake would have his chance, and she'd see for herself how it went.
Although was it too much to ask for a man she could probably fall in love with as well as a happy, blended family?
Kissing Blake one last time, she got out of bed and went about getting ready. Dawn wasn't a coward, so the only thing to do was put everything in motion so she could find out what her future held next.
Chapter Eleven
&nbs
p; Blake did his best to hide how nervous he was, which meant keeping his expression sort of friendly and not tapping his hand against his thigh.
He wasn't anxious because he would soon be moving in with an eleven-year-old girl who would be his stepdaughter, though. He knew that would be a challenge, and he accepted it in order for a chance with Dawn.
No, he was nervous because he was about to show Dawn his dragon form for the first time.
He could already see a few people at the edges of the lesser-used landing area situated toward the rear of Stonefire's land. Somehow word had already traveled about him wanting to shift, and spectators had flocked to the area.
His dragon grunted. It doesn't matter. This is for Dawn and only Dawn. Besides, this is our last chance to show her our dragon form before Daisy arrives tomorrow morning.
I know, but if someone rushes out to touch our black spot and starts to make a dramatic wish, I'm not sure I want to stay in our dragon form and let Dawn see the embarrassment.
