Well, apparently my wolf was not going to be helpful right now at all. I quickly said, “Ok… we need to pop you to the hospital… like several minutes ago… so maybe… pull…” I trailed off when Cassie’s face started to scrunch up.
I said, “Oh god… don’t sneeze… don’t. That’s definitely the face of someone who is going to sneeze… I don’t umm… this is fine… I’m prepared. We can do this… in Faerie… outside…by ourselves… it’s totally fine.”
Cassie groaned, “Just don’t try to lie.” My wolf laughed at me, so I yelled, “FREYA!” Freya snickered, “You should probably catch the pup.” I told Cassie, “It’s not a lie… we’ve got this… it’s ok… just uhhh breathe.”
A pop sounded, but it wasn’t bringing anyone to us. Liquid flowed out of Cassie which told me I was definitely right. I whispered, “Your water broke.” Cassie was now trying not to sneeze. I shook myself, “Ok, I can catch a pup… that’s a thing that I can do. It’s fine… I’ve read about childbirth… and ummmhad some stuff I did… training wise…not like this… but I did take a test.”
Cassie asked, “Why would you take a test about giving birth?” I replied, “I mean… it wasn’t explicitly about giving birth… so… that’s not the point… we should stop talking about that and focus on… ummm, delivering pups.”
I linked Cayden, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING RIGHT NOW?! GET OUTSIDE! BONDS EXIST, CAYDEN! THEY EXIST!” Cayden answered, “Ok, I’m inside at the party. I know bonds exist, but you and I don’t have one. Why are you outside? What’s wrong?”
I told Cassie, “I’m just going to check things.” I got on my knees to assess the situation. Cassie scrunched up her nose, so I didn’t have time to answer Cayden because Cassie sneezed. My hand immediately moved and I caught the baby.
I said, “Well… this is… happening… gosh… it’s slimy… but it’s cute. Oh, it has hair… look at all that hair on this pup.” Cassie asked, “Is it a boy or girl?” I looked down and saw the answer clear as day. I said, “Definitely a boy.”
Freya said, “People are coming.” I retorted, “Why didn’t YOU TELL ANY WOLVES!” Freya said, “Snow said this was a great moment for us bonding with the new pups and that people would get here.” I shouted, “I CAUGHT A PUP THAT CAME OUT OF MY SISTER IN LAW!”
Freya chuckled, “Yes, but you missed Kai’s birth and that upsets you. Now, you were the one that delivered your nephew and the one that’s coming next. Besides, you are actually trained for this.” I retorted, “I never delivered a pup! I patched people up… that’s not the same thing!” Freya chuckled.
I heard people running towards us. Cassie announced, “Aesir above, I have to sneeze again. If Cayden doesn’t get here in time, I’ll kick his ass on principle. Even though I can acknowledgeit’s not his fault I was in denial.” I said, “He’s coming… that’s definitely his running pattern and I scent him.”
Cassie asked, “His running pattern?!” I asked, “Huh? What? That’s probably strange… for someone to catalog…. Oh hey…. look there he is.” Cayden sounded out of breath as he shouted, “I’m here. What’s going on? IS THAT A BABY?” He is obviously…. a slimy pup…but a cute one. Cayden shot me a look. I looked at Cassie’s head Guard, “I said that out loud… didn’t I?” Ghiza nodded.
Cassie sneezed again. I turned on autopilot and caught that pup with my other hand. I smiled and said, “Well, her hair is just like her mom’s… look at all her auburn hair. She’s cute… also slimy… this is a very slimy process that I feel books did not adequately prepare me for.” A few people sorted out a laugh.
Cassie asked, “It’s a girl? We have a boy and a girl?” I answered, “You do.” Several pops sounded. Doris was now here. I said, “So… you and I… need to chat about my ideas on how to accurately give dates for births. It would help people… I’m just saying.”
Doris asked, “Do you know me?” I answered, “Umm… you’re Doris… so… yes. The answer was just yes.” Doris chuckled, “I’d be glad to talk to you about any and all ideas, Duchess Melanie.” I pointed, “Ok... see? It’s not just me… she knew who I was.”
Ghiza dryly said, “Yes, that’s not totally different.” It wasn’t. Haley stepped beside me to heal Cassie while Doris cut the umbilical cords. I looked down at my dress. It was ruined, but that was ok. I was covered in goo, slime, and blood… but I’d caught two pups. I’d delivered pups… kind of.
Did it count if they were sneezed out? I was going to say that it did. Holy crap! I’d just delivered my niece and nephew. That was… surreal. On so many levels. Eric linked me, “Thank you so much for being out here with Cassie.” I replied, “Yeah… I justwanted to walk.” Eric squeezed my shoulder tightly, conveying his thanks again but silently.
Freya linked, “Thor is also quite grateful we were here and linked Cayden.” Someone popped next to me and snapped. I looked down and saw the pups were now clothed and had blankets. All three of us were now slime free.
I glanced up and smiled at my brother in law. I said, “Thanks, Max.” He smiled, “Anytime.” Max asked, “Cass, are you ok?” Haley had stepped back. I quickly placed each pup into the arms that Cassie held out for them. Cayden was at her side kissing her forehead then his children.
I linked Xander, “Are you and your uncle done talking?” Xander answered, “Yes. Where did you go?” I replied, “Pop to me. You’re an uncle… so congratulations… on that.” Xander shouted, “WHAT?!” He popped to me.
My husband whispered, “Cass?” Cassie sighed, “Yes, I know I pushed all my connections down. I didn’t want my annoyance at the fabric making me itchy to ruin everyone’s night. I sneeze out babies, so it wasn’t like you missed the pain of me pushing.”
Cassie winked at me before adding, “Your mate found me, so I wasn’t alone. Cayden got here in time for the birth of our daughter. So, my husband just missed our son’s birth. To be fair, I kind of missed all the signs. Thankfully, Cayden checked the bond.”
Cayden replied, “I didn’t. I felt your annoyance and wrongly assumed you were with Aiylee. Melanie linked me then stopped.” I gasped, “Because I had to catch a PUP! I was… BUSY!” Cayden ruffled my hair, “Thank you for linking me. You got my ass moving. Also, I’m sorry I thought you were talking about something being wrong with you. After I said we didn’t have a bond I checked mine with Cass.”
I replied, “It was a logical response. I was uhh in crisis mode… and this is not the usual type of event I’m prepared for… so I’lladd this to my scenario list… and uhhh do better… should the situation arise again.” Several people laughed but I was dead serious.
Xander kissed the side of my head. Freya said, “It’s fine. We will add this to our scenario table. You love being prepared.” Which I had not been in this instance… so definitely next time. Cassie chuckled, “It’s hardly your fault, Melanie.”
I replied, “I mean… it’s not anyone’s fault… fault is the wrong word… pups were born… that happens… it’s life… and it’s a good thing.” Cassie admitted, “I was convinced the fabric made me itchy. I just wanted to be out under the sky and in the grass.” Haley hit Eric in the arm making my father in law groaned.
Haley gestured wildly with both arms, “See, Eric? Bexley and I told you and Liam, multiple fucking times, it would be perfectly fine if we gave birth outside.” Cayden said, “I wouldn’t exactly call this perfectly fine.” Cassie replied, “Melanie handled it. Apparently, she was kind of prepared because she read something about childbirth and took a test.” People turned to look at me curiously.
More people popped in which got the eyes off me… except Ghiza, Blade, and Xander. Well… they could look at the pups… that I totally caught. Freya agreed, “We did. Again, that’s not shocking. You are a trained EMT.” I knew that… but they didn’t.
Cayden and Cassie were holding their pups and everyone gathered in close to them. Lucinda and Aiden were thrilled. Aiden whispered a blessing and kissed Cassie’s forehead. Aiylee squealed, “Of course Cass gave birth here! This is so exciting!”
Lucinda and Aiden were going to get to announce that Cassie had given birth in Faerie. I asked, “What are their names?” Cassie smiled at Cayden lovingly saying, “You tell them.” Cayden announced, “This is Nicholas Eric Crawford and Natalie Melody Crawford.” Haley squeezed Eric’s arm.
