“Yeah, I think I’m ready to sit down,” Gabriel said. I led him to one of the cushioned benches beneath a window, which was lined with stuffed animals on either side. He sighed as he sat down, then gaspedsharply.
“What?” Iasked.
“Um,” he said, his voice shaking. “Mylegs…”
I looked down. They were soaking wet. His legs, the cushion and the floor were covered in clear fluid that wasn’t there a momentearlier.
“Oh!” Dad gasped. “Gabriel, your waterbroke!”
Panic hit me and I cried, “Gabe, the baby’scoming!”
He yelped and he clutched my arm. “Oh my gods, okay, what doIdo!?”
“I’ll call Dr. Lynden,” Dad said calmly. “Dante, you get ready to take Gabriel to the clinic. I’ll call Ruby and Lorenzo and meet you there as soon asIcan.”
“Okay,” I said. “Come on, Gabe, I’llcarryyou.”
Carefully, I lifted Gabriel off the bench and carried him bridal style to the balcony. I put him down for just a moment while I shifted, then picked him upagain.
“I’ve got you,” I promised. “Don’t worry. We’ll betheresoon.”
Gabe nodded, too terrified tospeak.
I took off, trying to fly slowly and fast at the same time. I didn’t want to scare Gabe, but we really did need to get to the clinic as soon aspossible.
“How are you feeling?” Iasked.
“Cramping a bit,” Gabriel admitted. “But it’snot-ugh!”
His pained voice sent terror shooting throughme. “What?”
“Contraction - now,” he muttered through gritted teeth. “Hurts.”
I growled in sympathy. “I’m sorry, babe. We’ll be there soon, I promise. Look - there’s the clinic, justbelow.”
He groaned, a low pained sound that made my heart hurt. “I’d rathernotlook…”
I landed smoothly. Instantly, both my dad and a nurse were there at the door to help Gabe out of my claws as I shifted. They took him inside and urged me to follow. My heart raced. I’d never been so simultaneously scared and excited in my life. But I had time to be excited later - right now, all I cared about was that my mate and baby got through thissafely.
“We’re here,” Ruby’s voice from my side made me jump. She and Lorenzo were already there, waitingforus.
“Where’s Gabe?” Iasked.
“They’re about to take him inside for delivery,” Lorenzo said urgently. “Comeon.”
I saw Gabriel being ushered by the nurse and ran towards him. “Gabe,I’mhere!”
He glanced over his shoulder, his face twisted with pain. “Dante!”
I stopped by his side and took his hand, which he grippedtightly.
“You can come into the delivery room,” the nursetoldme.
“Good,” I said, sighing. “Gabe, I won’t leave your side the whole time, Ipromise.”
Gabriel began to smile, then a wave of pain hit him and he groaned loudly, almost doubling over. I hated seeing him in so much pain. My dragon roared in sympathy. I wished desperately that I could sharehispain.
Soon, Dr. Lynden appeared, her expression calm but serious. “Alright, everyone, let’s try to relax. Gabriel is in good, experienced hands,” she reassured us. “Bring Gabriel inside. Dante, you can come too, but nobody else. The delivery room is crowded enough asitis.”
