The contraction waned, and Beth collapsed back on the bed.
“Tell me about when you knew Ruugar was your mate,” I said, hoping to distract her. “Was it love at first sight?”
A low laugh burst from Beth. “I first met him when my forced-fiancée and I came to town to view the venue. But our second first meeting was when I was dressed in a hideous gown and running away from my wedding. He knew immediately I was the one, but I thought he was just another annoying male.”
“She tried to resist me,” Ruugar said. “But I had other plans.”
“The mating mark appeared not long after that.” She stroked the pretty golden symbol on her inner wrist. “I thought I was hallucinating.”
“Like me with Ostor,” Rosey chimed in from where she stood near the foot of the bed. “One minute I was asking him to be my fake date for my sister’s wedding, the next minute we were trying to pretend a lack of interest in each other while sharing the same hotel bed.”
“Tark wooed me with a raven and a bobcat,” Gracie said. “When he dropped to his knees and licked my palms to mark me, I pretty much swooned.”
“Hail impressed me with how kind he was to everyone around him,” Allie said with a fond smile. “He stares at me like I’m the answer to all the questions he’d been asking his whole life.”
Their stories flowed around the room, tales of unexpected love and destiny, of lives forever changed by a single moment of recognition. Each woman had faced a choice, to accept the mark and what it meant, or walk away from all it might offer.
They’d all chosen to stay.
“What about you, Carla?” Beth asked between contractions. “When did your mark appear?”
All eyes turned to me, curiosity mingled with knowing smiles.
“It was,” I said, my face overheating. “Very recently. We, um…”
“During the snowstorm?” Grannie’s sharp eyes missed nothing. “When you were stranded with Becken?”
My silence was answer enough.
“Gotta love an orc male,” Gracie said with a grin. “They sure know how to woo a woman.”
Rosey leaned into her side. “Totally.”
“The marks often appear at pivotal moments,” Inla said, her lips quivering with humor. “When the heart is most open to possibility.”
“Or most vulnerable,” I whispered.
“It’s pretty much the same thing, isn’t it?” Grannie patted my arm. “Vulnerability is courage wearing its heart on the outside.”
Beth’s grip on my hand tightened as another contraction swept through her. “Oh. This one feels different. I think I have to push.” Her gaze met mine. “No, I know I have to push. Baby’s coming. Baby’s coming!”
“Start counting, Beth,” Grannie said as Inla checked her. “You too, Ruugar. It’ll give you something to do besides look like you’re going to pass out. None of that, now. Your youngling’s ready to meet the world and they want their daddy front and center.”
What followed was the most wonderful experience I’d ever been a part of. Beth’s strength amazed me. I marveled at the raw power in her small human body as she worked to bring her child into the world. Ruugar supported her, counting along with me.
Inla provided calm direction, Grannie offered wise advice, and everyone else formed a circle of support, passing cool washcloths, offering encouragement, and just being present as this Christmas miracle unfolded in front of us.
“You’re doing beautifully,” Inla told Beth as she knelt on the bed between the woman’s legs. “Your youngling’s almost here.”
“Another big push,” Grannie cried out. “That’s it, girl. Bring your baby out into this amazing world.”
Beth pushed with a harsh cry and a new sound filled the room, a high, indignant wail that announced the arrival of new life.
“A daughter,” Grannie said, her voice thick with emotion. “Strong and perfect.”
Ruugar made a sound unlike anything I’d ever heard, part sob, part laughter, all joy in one single syllable. Tears streamed down his face as Grannie placed their youngling on Beth’s belly.
“Look at her,” Beth whispered, stroking her daughters back. “She’s beautiful.”
