"What happened?" Cloud asked, kneeling next to me. "I heard you scream."
"Baby," I managed to say through gritted teeth.
Realization dawned on him. "Oh. Okay. We’re doing this."
Castor stood up. "Thank gods you showed up, Cloud. I'm going to go get supplies now."
Cloud nodded distractedly as Castor ran off. All of his focus was on me. He brushed the sweat off my forehead and stroked my hair. His presence and gentle touch immediately calmed me down. A sigh fluttered out of me as I relaxed under his care.
It was funny how his harpy talons seemed so comforting to me now compared to how I felt when I first met him. They were no longer knives of death, but just big nails attached to my mate’s sweet hands.
But as relieved as I was to see him, he wasn't worming out of this so easily.
"Where the hell were you?" I muttered, glaring at him with one eye.
Cloud smiled, like my snarky attitude amused him. "Talking to Animus."
I scowled. "You were talking to that stupid spirit while I was trying to have a baby?"
He leaned down and pacified me with a kiss to the forehead. "Sorry. I didn't know you'd go into labour the second I left. But I felt his presence and my instincts were telling me to investigate. I wasn't going to let anything threaten my mate."
His explanation loosened me up. Maybe it was the torrent of hormones flooding my system, but tears formed in my eyes. He was doing all that to protect me? Even I couldn't be mad about that.
"Fine," I mumbled. "But don't leave again."
"I won't. I promise."
I knew there was more to his story about chatting with Animus, but right now I didn't give a shit. Having this baby was the only thing on my mind. I curled up against Cloud, the grass cool against my body while my mate radiated heat.
"Sorry about your nest," I said. "I know you wanted me to give birth there instead of on the ground."
Cloud chuckled. "Meeko, I don't care where you have the baby as long as you're comfortable and it's healthy. Besides, I should've built the nest closer to the ground. It's dangerous for my pregnant mate to climb all that way up without me there to carry him. What was I thinking?" he teased as he ran his talons carefully through my hair.
It was comforting that Cloud was still his usual carefree self during my labour. That was all I needed him to be.
It was like his presence clicked something on in my body. The sharp, agonizing jabs of pain relented, giving way to an uncomfortable but otherwise smooth process. He held my hand and helped me breathe, and when Castor returned with cool towels and warm blankets, they helped me through the birth together.
Now that Cloud was here and I could finally relax, I appreciated Castor's help more. He kept reassuring me that all of this was normal, that I was doing great, and that the baby would be here soon enough. Along with Cloud's support, it made pushing a baby out of me that much more comfortable.
I was also stupidly emotional. Everybody in Cloud's family was so nice and helpful. I felt incredibly lucky to have them in my life. I couldn't imagine a mate who wasn't Cloud, or an extended family that wasn't his.
And most importantly, it made me happy thatthiswas the family our baby was about to join.
"Keep pushing, Meeko," Castor encouraged me. As an older omega who had done this already, I trusted his experience. When he told me to push, I pushed. When he told me to take a breather, I gasped for air.
"I see a cute little head," Castor exclaimed. "Don't stop now, Meeko."
My heart raced with excitement. "Human?"
"That's right."
It certainlyfeltlike I was pushing a big-headed human infant out of me. But I was too elated to fuss about whether giving birth to a mouse or an egg would've been easier. My baby was almost out in the world.
With one final grand push, Castor caught the wailing infant in a bundle of blankets. A wave of relief rolled through my body. The birth was over.
And now parenthood was just beginning.
* * *
