“Whew.” Mercury stopped about halfway down to the med bay, leaning against the wall with one hand and the other hand on his belly. “That was a tough one.”
“That good, huh?” He began surreptitiously timing the contractions. Talon didn’t want Mercury just dropping the baby in the hall.
“That good.” Mercury grinned and straightened up. “Okay, let’s keep a move on. I don’t want to lose any time that I could be doing other things to just standing around.”
“I’m right here with you.” Talon paced Mercury all the way down to the med bay where Dannol lay in a bunk surrounded by pillows, blankets, books, flowers, and balloons.
“Wow, look at all this.” Mercury beamed at Dannol.
The big dragon was still super skinny, but he was starting to look much healthier, and, for the first time, he was in human form as he lay in bed today. He raised an eyebrow at Mercury. “Someone tells me you sent me the balloons.”
“I did. Everybody deserves balloons when they’re recovering from something awful.” Mercury bent over slightly, panting, and on his belly.
Dannol’s gaze sharpened and his nose quivered. “Are you having a baby? Immediately, as in you’re in labor right now?”
“I am. My water broke a little while ago, and the midwife says I needed to get up and walk.” Mercury waved a hand as he straightened back up. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
Dannol scowled at him. “You shouldn’t be here. There are sick people here.” That made Talon like the guy more than he had all along. The fact that he would worry for Mercury meant he was a good guy.
“They told me yesterday there’s nothing contagious going on. I wanted to come see you before I’m stuck up there for a while with the baby. I will call you though because I don’t want to miss you.”
Dannol made ack eyes at Mercury. “You can just talk to me in my head.”
“Right. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t going to think that was invasive.”
“Mercury, pay attention.” Talon looked at Dannol, then looked at Mercury, then looked at Dannol. “He’s a human now. Remember when he was just a dragon? That’s why he couldn’t easily come through the halls?”
Mercury blinked. “Oh well, then as soon as you’re able, come up and see me and the baby. I don’t have to miss you now.”
“You didn’t have to miss me before, but I will if I’m welcome.” Donnal looked at Talon, who shrugged.
“Of course you’re welcome. How long do you have to stay down here?”
“I’m waiting for a place.”
Mercury panted softly. “Tell Cain there’s a place on our floor.”
Donnal flushed a bit. “I think that there’s going to be a place for me up near the seers.”
Mercury frowned a little bit, but Talon thought he got it.
Maybe just a touch.
“I think maybe Cain wants to make sure that he’s safe, Mercury.” Yeah that was it. Cain was worried about Dannol’s safety.
“Well, I want him safe and comfortable, too, so I hope you find an apartment soon. I’d say you could totally stay with us, but we’re going to be very busy. Too busy to be able to have a house guest.” Mercury kind of smiled. “In fact we’re having a new permanent house guest.”
Donnal actually chuckled. “I think that that’s amazing. And I think that you shouldn’t be here where all these sick people are. Talon, will you please take him away? Let him go be with you and baby-ing. This whole thing is quite distressing.”
“Not used to having pregnant omegas wandering around your space?” Mercury teased.
“I haven’t seen a baby in a century. So no. No, I don’t think so.” Donnal chuckled and actually stood. He was tall and painfully lean, but obviously healing. He came to Mercury and hugged him. “Thank you for everything. I’m so glad to see you, and I cannot wait to meet your son.”
Mercury grinned, “Me either. I just wish it didn’t have to be so painful along the way. It’s a little scary.”
“You have your braaken. He will protect you and support you through this.”
Mercury looked at him with big eyes, his expression so trusting and sweet that Talon just melted. “Yes, my braaken is the most amazing and wonderful braaken ever. No offense.”
