“Should we leave you two alone?” Len suggested.
It was up to Sage, so I let him decide. He snorted and said, “You guys can stay as long as Hugo and Dax don’t make fun of my names like they always do.”
Dax crossed his arms. “I wouldn’t make fun of any name you chose for your own baby.” He paused. “Unless it was somethingreallybad.”
“Okay, then regardless of sex, I’m naming my baby Dax Jr.”
Dax barked out a laugh. “I’d be honored.”
“I’m going to respectfully pass on Dax Jr,” I said. “Any other ideas?”
“Um… Well. I dokindahave a name I really like, but I’m not sure if you’ll like it as much as I do,” Sage mumbled. Judging by his blush and reluctance to tell me, I knew it was one he loved.
“Go on,” I urged.
“Okay… Um, I was thinking of that night when we sat under the stars together.”
“The night we discussed being fated mates?” I asked.
Sage smiled. “Yeah, that one. So I thought… How about the name Star?”
Hearing the name sent a pang of affection surging through my heart. It feltright. I kissed Sage on the cheek.
“Er, does that mean you like it?” he asked.
“I do,” I told him, smiling. “Our starry baby.”
“Oh, that’s such a cute nickname! Starry… I love that.”
None of the pack made any bad comments about the name. I was glad to see they all liked it, too. It was a unique name, certainly, but it suited a baby born to our unique circumstance.
“I—”
Sage stopped abruptly and stared off into the middle distance, which worried me.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Huh.” Sage put his hands on his belly with a thoughtful expression. “Uhh… I think they heard us talking about them, ‘cause I’m pretty sure they’re trying to come out. Like, right now.”
The meaning of his words hit me.
“You’re going into labor?” I exclaimed.
“Hm. Uh. Yep, pretty sure.”
Len and Morgan were there in an instant, ready to walk him through it. I stayed glued to Sage’s side and held his hand for support. Sage clenched his eyes shut and breathed heavily for a moment.
“Ow,” Sage complained, wincing. “Okay, was that a contraction? Because it sucked.”
“They do suck,” Len said sympathetically. “It might be more comfortable giving birth in your shifter form.”
“I agree,” Morgan chimed in. “It’s a lot easier than pushing out a human baby.”
Sage bit his lip. “Okay. I can try it…” He glanced at me with a flicker of unease in his eyes. “You won’t go anywhere, will you, Xander?”
“Never. I’m here, Sage, and I’m not leaving,” I promised.
He smiled nervously. “Then… can I lay in your lap?”
I sat and summoned him closer. He shifted to become a wolf, then plopped his chin on my thigh with a small whine.
I hoped for Sage’s sake that it wasn’t going to be a long night.
