Page 52

“Towels,” he said, skidding to a halt in the bedroom.

The baby was half in Lonia’s hands, Rory still standing.

“Excellent. Put them over here and support your mate, please?”

“Yes, of course.” He laid down the towels and moved immediately to slip in behind Rory, holding him. “I’ve got you, love.”

“I know.” Rory panted. “I feel you. Love you.”

“I love you too.” He kissed the back of Rory’s neck. That was his son floating in there.”

“One more easy push, Rory. You’re almost done.” She chuckled softly. “Please don’t tell John how this is going, sweetheart. He might pop you in the nose.”

Rory gave a barking laugh, and Alexander popped out, the amniotic sac staying whole for about another second before it popped over the towels.

“They say that’s a blessed birth. Congratulations.”

Alexander took his first breath and began to cry.

Oh. Fen fell in love at that moment, tears stinging his eyes at the sound of his son’s howl. “Rory. He’s beautiful. You did so well.”

Rory laughed, the sound a little damp with tears. “I’m glad you came home. I might have just sat here forever.”

“No. No, you would have known.” He wasn’t about to let his mate put himself down. He’d just had a baby! That was a miracle of nature.

“I’m still glad you were here.”

“What can I do, Lonia? To help now?”

“Well, we need to get everything all cleaned up, we need to cut the cord, and I’ll seal up the birthline as best as I can. I miss the dragons for that,” she teased.

“He’ll be able to take a few days to rest. As long as he needs.”

“This was a gentle birth. He’s a natural. Can you help lay him down so I can hand him the baby?”

“Of course.” He helped get Rory more flat, and he watched as he took the baby, smiling down at little Xander—not Trent.

He smiled, cutting the cord when Lonia indicated, then helping to clean up his mate. Once Rory was comfortable, he grabbed Rory’s phone to call his family.

“Hey, Ror.”

“It’s Fen, Liam. The baby is here!”

“Already? Are you serious? What the hell?” Liam sounded as shocked as he felt, and then Xander started to cry. “Is that him? My nephew?”

“It is. I was going to call and tell you to come up, and bam.” He turned away for a moment. “I think he was in labor for a while and didn’t tell me.”

“Little fucker. That’s insane. We’ll gather up goodies and be up in the morning. He deserves one evening of rest and bonding.”

“Thank you, Liam. We’ll see you then.” He hung up, then went right back to his mate and their baby. “Your brothers will be up in the morning.”

Rory nodded, eyelids drooping. “I can handle that. I just want to rest with you.”

“He should be sealed up well,” Lonia said. “Did you want me to sit downstairs for a bit, just to make sure all is well?”

“Do you mind?” It had all just happened so fast. Fen would love to have her there in case something happened.

“Not at all.”