Page 79 of Dark Destiny: The Turning Of The Loom

Gertrude greeted them with a bright smile. "Right on time. She is in the first room."

There were only two patient rooms in the village clinic, and Sullha, the only occupant, had been discharged the day before.

"The baby will go in the other room for after-birth care if he needs more than the basics," Gertrude said, knocking on the first door. "Turner is here." She opened it and motioned for him to go in.

Bridget was already in a hospital gown, her red hair tied back, propped against the raised bed, huffing, both hands gripping the side rails.

Short, hard, measured exhales through pursed lips.

Merlin was at the sink, washing his hands, and he was wearing a white coat that was clean and pressed, which meant Julian had given it to him.

Turner crossed the room and put his hand over Bridget's on the rail.

He had no idea what to do.

He had watched the preparation videos for expecting parents, but they were meant for couples with no medical knowledge.

Bridget knew all there was to know, and he felt useless.

"Tell me what to do," he said.

She knew what she needed, and she would tell him.

Right now, she was busy breathing in and out and gripping the rails, so he counted because there was nothing else he could do.

When he reached forty-one, her grip eased, and she let out a long breath, sagging against the pillow.

"Victor." She reached up, hooked her hand around the back of his neck, and pulled him down for a soft kiss on the mouth. "Now get out."

He straightened. "What?"

"You wanted me to tell you what to do, and I want you to go out to the waiting room. You don't need to be here through the contractions. If you are, you won't make it for the grand finale, and Julian will have to treat you in the other room."

"I'm not such a weakling that I can't survive your contractions."

She moved her hand to his cheek. "You are the farthest there is from a weakling, and if it were your pain, you would bear it without complaining. But my pain will overwhelm you."

She knew him so well.

"I want to be here for you."

"I know you do, but you also want what's best for me and the baby. Right now, I need to focus on that without worrying about you."

Behind him, Merlin murmured his agreement with Bridget.

He looked at her for a long moment, at the sweat already beading on her forehead, at her utter calm, and realized she was not asking him to leave. She was commanding it.

He bent and kissed her.

"I'll be right outside. Send for me when you need me."

"I will. Make sure to scrub your hands before you come in, and Gertrude will give you a surgical coat and a bonnet.”

“Why? You are immortal.”

“The baby is not.”

He felt like an idiot. “Right. I forgot.”