Serin smiled.“They are rare, babies like that.Yes, Calypso, I trust you to take care of it and sever its link to my daughter.”
“Already done.Okay.The placenta is complete, and did you want to bury it under a fruit tree?”
Deno smiled.“Lift it.”
Calypso lifted the platter, vines took the ex-life support, and it disappeared into the jungle.
She cleaned her hands and looked at the family.“So, Serin, are you confident about breastfeeding, or do you want me to wait until it feels normal?Hint, it will never feel normal.”
Serin laughed.“Stay around.There’s a room for you, no charge, obviously.”
Deno grinned.“Did you want to stay for a few days?”
“I have an appointment in two days, but I wouldn’t mind some food and a bed that isn’t flying or rocking.”
Serin nodded.“Can Deno come get you for anything?”
“Anything.First, though, food and then sleep, I have been on my feet for a while.”She packed up her kit, and Iro went to speak with the new mother.He was casually taking her pulse, and he blinked in surprise.
Calypso laughed.She had been tending to Serin for months.She had the blood pressure of a marathon runner.
She straightened and looked toward the buffet table.She identified seven likely snacks and paused to wash her hands in the bar sink.A familiar voice behind her whispered, “Calliope?”
She turned and smiled.“Hey, Harper.Long time, no see.”
“Calliope!”Harper’s hug was intense and full of desperation.
Calypso heard Piper cursing and fighting herself free of her mates, and then a second set of arms and a warm body slammed into her.
Calypso looked at the dragons who looked at her, and stunned recognition hit their faces.She stared at them and said, “This is what happens if Piper has to wash her own dishes.”
A slow smile crossed their features.They nodded.
Piper lifted her head and sniffled.“Why did they call you Calypso?”
“Because that is my name out here.Calliope is too fucking cheerful.”
Harper took in a ragged breath.“You were out here the whole time?”
“No.I pulled on a concealment, went to school, and did my practicum out here.I found that women in labour appreciate a woman who looks like she survived something.So I am the travelling midwife.I travel by boat or helicopter and bring little ones into the world.I also do pre- and post-natal visits.The mothers are in better shape when I come to them, and the environments that the ladies give birth in are interesting and varied.”
There was a laugh from behind them.Serin said, “Nina had to give birth in a tidal pool.”
Belle’s voice rang out, “And I have to give birth in the hot spring, but that isn’t for a while.Congrats on the little priestess, Deno.She’s got a lot of hair.”
Deno grinned.“I am very proud.”
“I have a niece.”Belle smiled.
Serin was still holding her child against her skin.Calypso kept an eye on the new mother.The golden hour, when the mother learned the feel of the child and the child learned the feel of the mother, was important if it could be upheld.If not, the bond still formed, but it took longer.Not allowing the time also didn’t defend the mother’s work to bring that child out and the time to catch her breath to come back to the world from her primal struggle.
“Harper, I was sorry to hear that Skyler was a tool.”Calypso sighed.
“Yeah.Me, too.”Harper lifted her head, and her gaze locked on the claw marks that had nearly taken Calypso’s eyes.
She swallowed.“You said they would fade.”
“They have.Now they are all silver lines.I don’t mind.They give me a certain presence.”Calypso touched her cheek.“So how goes courtship?”
