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This was not the sweet and wondrous part going on right now.
Zoe made a seething groan. Ian turned to go to her, but my Ivy grabbed his wrist.
“Let me take a turn.”
Ian gave her a grateful smile. “She’s ready to kill me, but I don’t know what else to do for her.”
Ivy patted his chest. “You’re doing it. Just by being here, I promise.”
Ian’s eyes got a suspicious sheen and he only nodded. The fact that Ian was speechless told me volumes about his fear. The man never shut up.
“Thanks for coming, man.”
“Of course. I’m not sure what I can do or if Zoe wants me here…”
“She wants to burn the entire world at the moment. My fiancée is a scary one for sure. But such a warrior.”
I glanced over Ian’s shoulder to the two women huddled together. Ivy had her hand wrapped around Zoe’s as they both laughed through the contraction.
Laughed.
Dear God. The black spots forming in my vision weren’t from a stroke, right?
Ian punched me lightly in the gut. “Breathe, mate.”
I blew out a slow breath. “That’s my future right there.”
“It sure is. It’s beautiful and terrifying.”
“Fuckbeast!” Zoe’s shout filled the rafters.
“Right, I better get up there.”
“I’ll be right here.”
Ian gripped my upper arm. “Thanks. Really.” He ran back to the mother of his impending child.
The next hour was more of the same. Furtive glances from Zoe’s brothers outside who hovered but wouldn’t come into the barn. I paced while Ivy took turns with Ian sitting beside Zoe.
The storm raged outside. Rain slashed at the roof and thunder rolled ominously.
“Okay, Zoe it’s time to give me the goods, all right?” Anna’s voice was calm and sure. The only calm one in the room at that point.
Ian was stationed behind Zoe now, supporting her as contraction after contraction zapped all of her energy. Suddenly, Zoe slumped in his arms and Ian tried to lift her back to a seated position. “Magic? We’re almost there, love.” His panicked expression made me cross my metaphorical line and move into the birthing area.
Anna moved quickly, coming to check on Zoe. Anna checked her stats, lifted her
eyelids, and checked the small machine set up beside her bed. She moved quickly and efficiently back to where the sheet was draped over Zoe. She ripped it back and I staggered back out of the way.
“Zoe?” Her mother rushed forward; her voice shrill. “What’s wrong?”
“Just her blood pressure dropped. She’s fine. No internal hemorrhaging or anything. Everything’s… There we go. Welcome back, Zoe.”
Zoe’s eyelids fluttered open. “Ian?”
“Here, love. I’m right here.”
Ivy came up next to me, her fingers lacing with mine.
