He wiped my brow with a damp towel. He wore a wide, genuine smile. “It’s a girl, my love.”
My heart clenched with fondness for a baby I hadn’t even met yet. “Oh my god. That means…”
“Our little Lark,” Pierce finished.
Despite the massive effort it took, I sat up and looked for her. Maxwell’s back was turned and he appeared to be holding something in his arms, with Margaret looking over his shoulder.
“I want to see her,” I said.
Maxwell turned around with a bright smile. Lark, all wrapped up in a pink bundle, was gently plopped into my lap. I couldn’t stop the tears from falling as I gazed down at her perfect face.
“Beautiful girl,” I murmured. “Welcome to the world.”
An excited muffled voice behind the door yelled, “Is it over? Can we come in yet?”
Pierce grinned. “Theo and the others. What do you say?”
“Sure, why not. The worst of it is over now.” I laughed. “Plus I want them all to see the cute baby I made and get jealous.”
Pierce chuckled and opened the door. Theo, Caleb and Adriel poured in.
“Sorry we’re late,” Caleb said. “We couldn’t leave because the sun was out and Adriel couldn’t go outside and I didn’t want to leave him alone, and oh mygodis that the baby!?”
He practically pushed everyone aside to get closer. He gasped, his eyes glittering with tears of joy. “Oh, she’s so small! Oh my god, I’m an uncle.”
“That’s right, you are.” I smiled and lifted my baby. “Lark, meet your uncle Caleb. Caleb, Lark.”
“No, I don’t want to take her, I’m scared I’ll do something wrong,” he cried.
“Come on. You’ll be fine,” I encouraged.
Whimpering, Caleb gently took Lark into his arms. He gazed down at her with curiosity and pride. “Okay. That’s enough baby juice for me. Take her back.”
“You’re the one whose a baby,” I said, laughing.
Margaret stepped up to the table with a gentle smile. Her entire focus was on Lark. “May I hold my granddaughter? Please?”
I smiled back. “Of course. Here.”
Margaret took her like she was a fragile piece of china. “You amazing child…”
“Benji, Pierce…” Adriel shook his head in awe. “She’s just wonderful. Congratulations, both of you.”
“And look!” Theo cried, pointing to her mouth. “She’s got her daddy’s fangs!”
As Lark opened her mouth to complain about the attention, I noticed what he was talking about. Two tiny canine teeth poking out of her otherwise toothless mouth. I gasped when I saw them.
“She does!”
“I guess sheishalf vampire after all,” Caleb commented.
“Of course she is,” Pierce said with amusement. “What else would the other half be?”
“Uh,” Maxwell said suddenly, and everyone turned to him. “I’m super proud of you for that delivery, Benji - Lark is beautiful, by the way - but can anyone else explain to me what the hell is going on?”
“Uh, who is this guy?” Caleb asked me in a whisper.
“Thedoctorwho delivered mybaby,” I said firmly.
