Chapter Twenty-Six
Bari
“Bari, dear one!” Petroh greeted me warmly as he rushed into the room, brushing a kiss over my cheek. “How are you feeling?”
I laughed. “Like I’m in labor,” I teased just before another contraction made me grimace.
Petroh laughed with me for a moment before glancing over at the door. “Ahearn wishes to join us,” he said gently.
I sighed. “I’m not sure that is a good idea,” I said baldly. “I get emotional during labor and you are aware of the situation.”
“I understand,” Petroh said thoughtfully. “Has the doctor said how long you have?”
I shook my head. “No, but based on my past experiences, I don’t think it will be more than a few hours. Your grandchildren should be here before morning, Petroh.”
He smiled at that and stroked my cheek. “I can’t express my appreciation for this sacrifice enough, Bari.”
Before I could formulate a response, a commotion came from the hall outside the room.
“Sir! You can’t be in here! This wing is for active labor patients and their partnersonly!”
Petroh sighed. “Perhaps I could speak with him and explain your concerns?” he suggested. “Even if you wish him to leave before the birth, it might help if he sees that you are well.”
I sighed as well. “If you feel that best.”
“I do,” Petroh said soothingly. “Regardless of all of the other circumstances, he is clearly concerned.”
Petroh left the room, only to return several minutes later with a flustered Ahearn in tow.
“Bari!” Ahearn rushed to my side and dropped to his knees beside the bed, clasping my hand and bringing it to his cheek. “Are you well?”
Surprised at the response, I nodded. “I am. The labor has only just begun. I should be able to get a few hours of sleep before it progresses.” I tried not to frown. “There’s no reason for you to miss your dinner to watch me. You should go home and eat.”
“Do you want me to leave?” Ahearn asked, his brow furrowing.
“I don’t know,” I confessed. “It’s a bit awkward, I suppose.”
“Because I’m not the sire?” Ahearn probed.
Another contraction hit, saving me from responding. Petroh stepped to the bed, placing his hand on Ahearn’s shoulder.
“Why don’t we go down to the cafeteria and have some dinner?” he suggested.
Ahearn looked as though he was going to disagree, but then nodded and rose to his feet, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “If you need me, tell the nurse.”
“Of course,” I agreed immediately, although I wasn’t exactly sure what he anticipated me needing himfor. Granted, in my past pregnancies, Ahearn would have been at my side, feeding me ice chips and rubbing my feet as my labor progressed, but our relationship had been vastly different then.
For the next several hours, Ahearn and Petroh took turns occupying the chair beside my bed and the medical staff diplomatically refrained from commenting on the odd situation. I made several more attempts to convince Ahearn to go home, that it wasn’t necessary for him to waste the rest of his night alternating between sitting in the hard plastic chair and pacing the waiting lounge, but he adamantly refused to leave. Assuming it was due to his insistence that he meet the very letter of his agreement with the Prince of Dragons, I didn’t argue.
When in the early morning hours, the doctor finally pronounced the birth imminent, Ahearn fell silent and stepped back into a corner of the room to allow Petroh and the doctors to assist me, but never left the room.
Even though the twins made their appearance early, the birth itself was fairly unremarkable. Granted, with five previous births in my past -and two of those twins- I wasn’t exactly a novice at such things. I pushed when told to and rested between contractions, finally collapsing back against the pillows when the second shrieking cry pierced the air.
My job was done.
“They’re beautiful,” Petroh said warmly, tears streaming down his cheeks as he accepted first one and then the other of his grandsons from the nurses and placed them in my arms, kissing my cheek.
Exhausted, I smiled and kissed each of the small heads before their grandfather lifted them and returned them to the nurses. “They are, Petroh,” I agreed with a twinge in my heart. “They look so much like Colm.”
Petroh choked back a sob and nodded. “Thanks to you, he will live on, Bari. Thank you.”
“It was truly my pleasure,” I said, managing to hold back a yawn. “Your son was a dear friend.”
“He cared deeply for you, also.” Petroh nodded, stroking the cheek of the babe nearest him before turning back to me with a warm smile. He looked over to Ahearn. “We should go now so he can rest.”
Ahearn scowled, but walked over and kissed my head. “It’s over, Bari. Congratulations.”
