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“It’s okay,” Ali says, pacing the meeting room. We’re currently at The Den. “It’s barely been two-and-a-half months since they were implanted. I’m sure it’s just prolonged indigestion.”
“It’s a full moon, kitten,” Malice adds helpfully. “I’m fairly sure Emerson is in labor too. They truly picked an awful night to throw the two of you a baby shower.”
“That term is still strange to me,” Silence says. “It conjures images of being showered in newborns.”
“I’m pretty sure we’re about to be—” Malice starts.
“Uh oh.” My beautiful, slightly swollen wife stops dead in her tracks. She squeezes Atlas’s arm so tightly, his light green skin turns white under her grip. “So, in case you were wondering, that’s not pee.”
My eyes fall to the small puddle of fluid, and I stagger back several steps.
“I’ll see if I can fetch Meena or Nadia,” Silence says in a calm voice I instantly envy. “Apparently, there will be birthdays all around. Emerson doesn’t need the doctor and both witches.”
“I’m okay,” Aline groans.
Silence spins around, heading off without another word. The door opens to the room they moved Emerson into, and there’s some screaming and grunting.
“How about we find you a room?” Atlas suggests. “I’m not sure siphoning is safe at the moment, but luckily, we’re in a decent spot. All monster births are at home.”
“This isn’t our home,” Ali grunts, hobbling along beside him.
“It’s like our second home,” Malice offers.
Ali’s eyes meet mine, and she growls, jabbing a finger at me. “This is all your fault.”
“Me?” I point at myself, completely flabbergasted.
“Yes, clearly you didn’t do enough research on how long clutches gestate.” She sighs, running her free hand over her stomach. “We don’t even have the nursery set up completely.”
“And yet, we’ll manage.” Atlas kisses her forehead, scooping her up while she complains that it’s not sanitary to touch her while she’s leaking amniotic fluid.
“You’ve got to fight the overwhelming dread.” Malice claps me on the shoulder. “Otherwise, I’ll be so full, I’ll vomit while she’s delivering, and that’s not the type of message I want to convey to our mate.”
I nod, but I’m still fucking terrified.
“We all are,” Malice says, like he can read it in the bond. He shoves me forward with a shadow. “But we’ll be fine. The entirety of our job at this point is to be strong and give her confidence.”
“Got it. I’m going to the break room to grab towels and water.” I need to be doing something right now.
“That’s an excellent plan,” Meena says, appearing with Vivie behind her. That fae is still very much incubating her eggs that were planted before Ali’s. To stifle the panic that rips through my system, I aim to grab supplies and be helpful.
Laz stomps to my side, bumping his shoulder against mine as we head for the storage room. “Vivie is only carrying three eggs. That’s why she hasn’t given birth yet. Don’t fret. It’s like I can hear you worrying.”
“You’re sure?” I ask, clearing my throat.
“I’m positive. I’ve got four younger siblings. My mom gestated nearly a year for the two solo births. Aline’s body wouldn’t be in labor right now if they weren’t fully formed and ready to meet the world.” Laz grins. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” I mutter, but my heart still races. It doesn’t matter. My job right now is to be her rock. Fake it until you make it.
* * *
“She’s extremely solid.” Malice squeezes Gemma’s cheeks. “I was under the impression she would be more jelly-like.” He shrugs. “She’s still the cutest little nightmare I’ve ever seen.”
“She does have the chubbiest cheeks,” Silence says, leaning over and grinning at the wiggly nightmare. He’s rocking Rogue, but she’s out. She’s got a headful of blonde hair, just like Silence, and the same icy blue eyes that signal she’ll likely have soothsayer magic. Although, none of us really have any idea. They may inherit Ali’s magic, and I’m no longer petrified by that fact.
Ali groans, pulling Talon off her overfull breast and passing him off to Atlas. I’m convinced there was no space left for the others to grow because of his overgrown monster offspring. Atlas’s hands still manage to seem huge in comparison to his little guy.
Talon is the spitting image of Atlas, straight down to his baby tusks. He has black hair and dark eyes and pale green skin, several shades lighter than his father. He was also the largest by close to a pound if the doctor’s portable scale can be trusted.
