Page 45 of Kenan's Mate
“He’s perfectly healthy,” the doctor says from the other side of the room, where he had performed a quick examination of the child after helping to deliver him in the middle of a thunderstorm. “Fourteen fingers and fourteen toes, like his father.”
Kenan puts a hand on my shoulder and leans over me. Mariella places the baby in my arms, and I fall instantly and madly in love. She guides my nipple to his mouth and he latches on greedily, seeking sustenance.
“He’s beautiful,” I say, glancing at Kenan. “And he favors you.”
But then I notice pale blue eyes blinking up at me when he briefly pulls off my breast, and tears fall down my face. Blue eyes. Our child has the most beautiful blue eyes. Eyes like mine. Eyes like my father’s.
“What shall we call him?”
Surprised, I stare up at my mate, my husband. I’d assumed Kenan would decide on our son’s name. We hadn’t talked about it yet. “Are you truly asking for suggestions?”
He strokes the newborn’s cheek, and the child grabs one of his fingers and holds on tight. We both laugh. My heart is filled to bursting in this perfect moment.
“What was your father’s name?” Kenan asks.
“John.”
“We will call him John, then. Prince John, son of Prince Kenan and Princess Laylah of Dennian Mountain.”
I brush a kiss across Kenan’s cheek as he leans over me. “Thank you,” I whisper.
Mariella places a glass of water on the nightstand. “You must be sure to stay hydrated, especially since you plan on breastfeeding.” A light sheen of sweat covers her forehead and her gray wisps of hair are escaping her thick braid. Dark circles rim her eyes. It’s long past the elderly woman’s usual bedtime.
“You should get some sleep, Mariella. We’ll be fine.”
“Very well. I will get a few hours’ rest.” On her way to the door, she adds, “I’ll stop by the servants’ quarters before I hit the hay, though. I’m sure Heggal is anxious to hear the happy news. And tomorrow morning I’ll deliver the happy news to Joanna and Helena, if that is acceptable with you, Prince Kenan. Oh, and don’t you dare lift a finger yet, young lady. Prince or not, Kenan can change a few diapers.”
I chuckle at her bossiness and, for the millionth time, count myself lucky for Mariella’s companionship. A friend of Joanna’s, she came to live with us shortly after Kenan and I married, when it was discovered her master hadn’t obeyed Kenan’s edict that human women be treated more kindly. She had been a slave in one of the houses in the nearest town, and once I learned of her plight, I had begged Kenan to allow her to live with us. Since her arrival, she’s become a surrogate grandmother to not only me, but to Kenan as well.
The doctor follows Mariella from the bedroom, promising to visit tomorrow afternoon.
“Are you in any pain?” Kenan asks, concern drawing his brows together.
“Nope, I feel remarkably well. I can’t believe how fast he came out. My mother claims she was in labor with me for hours and hours.” No more than three hours could’ve passed from the first labor pain to John’s entrance into the world.
“I love you, Laylah.” He brushes damp locks of hair behind my ears. “I know you will be a wonderful mother.” He pauses, looking pained for a moment, as if a bad memory has flashed in his mind. “And I promise to be a good father to our son.”
I lean into him while John continues suckling at my bosom. “I know you will be a wonderful father, Kenan, and I love you, too. With all my heart.”
His lips touch mine in the gentlest of kisses. “My wife,” he murmurs.
“My husband.”
After John drifts to sleep at my breast, Kenan carefully picks him up, a look of awe on his face as he gazes down at our perfect baby boy. My heart swells at the sight of my big, strong Kleaxian mate lovingly cradling our little newborn son.
~THE END~