“It is not easy cracking the shell and getting yourself out. Trust me, I did it once.”
“You were an infant.” Isaac raised his brow. “Don’t tell me you remember that.”
“Fine. I don’t.” I huffed and sat down on the blankets, holding the egg to my chest. “But it makes sense that it’s a big deal. I mean, that’s why they use to forbid families to assist the dragonette in getting out. They wanted only the strong ones, and so it was the first test that the child was worthy. Thank thegoddess those days are over and now just in the shifter journals. I’d break the law to help my child.”
“So would I.” Isaac pulled me down next to him, careful to not bother the egg in my arms. “Why don’t we take a nap? If it hatches tonight, we probably won’t be getting good rest again for a while.”
“Who knows.” I shrugged. “My friend’s baby ended up being a phenomenal sleeper. He slept through the night after only a week, took three naps daily for at least 90 minutes. And really found a natural rhythm quickly to their schedule. We might get just as lucky.”
“Sounds like an unlikely dream.” Isaac kissed the top of my head. “But I guess we shall see.”
“A nap does sound good though.” I yawned and snuggled into my mate’s side, the egg now resting on his chest. “Wake me in a couple hours.”
“Sleep tight, baby.” Isaac’s voice faded as darkness took over my consciousness.
I was startled awake a few hours later by a yelp from my mate.
“Ouch. What the—” Isaac’s voice lowered after a pause. “Um, honey. You might want to wake up.”
“What? Why?” I slowly opened my eyes and turned my head to look at my mate. “Did I elbow you again?”
“Nope. Look down.” Isaac’s face was beaming but I wasn’t expecting what I saw next.
On my mate’s chest lay the remains of the egg. In the middle of the shell pieces sat a tiny blue and red dragonette.
“Well, hello there, little one.” I ran a finger over the top of my child’s head. “It seems you were excited to meet us too, huh?”
“He was so excited, he scratched Daddy to wake him up. Didn’t you, sweetie?” Isaac gently picked up the remaining shelland placed it on the side. “That’s okay, though. Daddy and Papa love you and are glad to finally see how adorable you are.”
Our little one tilted his head and puffed out a fume of smoke, his eyes starting to droop. After a quick shake of his scales, the dragonette was replaced by my child’s human form.
“I think someone exhausted himself with all that work of breaking out. Perhaps he would like a nap?” I picked up my son and laid him in my arms, but he started to get fussy. “Babe, can you get one of the infant bottles ready for him. I think he needs a little formula and then a nap to refresh his energy.”
“Yup.” Isaac kissed both our heads and stood. “I’ll be right back.”
I was right about the bottle and nap, and soon laid our son, who we decided to name Micah, into my mate’s arms. “I promised Rebecca I would call as soon as he hatched. I’m gonna go call her in the other room so that I don’t wake him. Okay?”
“We’ll be fine here. Go share the news with your sister.” Isaac may have answered me, but his eyes stayed glued to our son. I couldn’t blame him. We made adorable children.
I sat down on the couch in the living room and called my sister.
“Is my niece here yet?” Rebecca’s voice was filled with cheer, a huge change from just a couple months ago.
“Your nephew, Micah, broke out just a bit ago, got fed, and is now napping with his daddy.” I held the phone away from my ear until my sister’s scream ended.
“When can I come over? I know you probably don’t want company tonight.” Rebecca rambled and I could hear her mate and kids in the background excitedly talking about the newest family member. “Can we come over in a few days?”
“Let me see how I feel tomorrow, but otherwise that works.” My curiosity couldn’t wait. “How are things over by you?”
“Really good, Thomas.” My sister’s voice lowered and softened, but I could hear a lightness that had been missing in recent years return. “I think we’re going to be okay. Since Holden switched jobs and is home every night, I am starting to breathe easier again. And the boys have been behaving better. They have their father and I have a partner.”
“I’m so happy to hear that.” I was nervous for a while after she finally broke down and told me how she was feeling. “I’m glad Holden listened to your concerns and worked with you to fix everything.”
“Me too.” The background noise had gone silent, usually a sign my sister had switched rooms. “I’ll fill you in more later. I don’t want to keep you from your son.”
“Okay. I’ll call you in the morning.”
I disconnected the call and went back to the bedroom.
