Page 37

It’s been eight hours since Ivy went into labor. Since I’m a big mess of adrenaline, Dr. Alten asked me to stay in the waiting room after checking my heartbeat. I told her I’d never hurt Ivy. She explained things can get chaotic in there, and since she’s never assisted a human to deliver a hybrid, she’d feel much better with me out here. I understand, but it pisses me off and it’s driving me crazy. The assistant comes out every so often to give updates.

I’m pacing while Kyle stretches out across a couple of chairs, reading the newspaper. Ivy told me what he said to her, which was gratifying. From the start, I had hoped my mother and Kyle would come around to accepting her, and they did far more than accept. Prior to Kyle saying anything to Ivy, he already showed his acceptance and honor through actions. He prevented me from breaking up Shayna and Ivy’s fight, and rightly so. Ivy needed to find her physical strength and prove it to herself and others. He protected her from Ben. Of course, any werewolf would, but I’ve known Kyle since we were kids, and he stepped in as an Alpha. I hope he finds his mate someday, because he’ll be a great mate and father. In wolf years, it doesn’t matter when it happens. Unlike humans, physically we age extremely slow. I’m twenty years older than Ivy, and we look to be around the same age.

The assistant comes out, and I stop pacing as she approaches.

“Alpha Larc.”

“Is Ivy okay?”

“Yes, Alpha. She’s tired, but she’s doing really well.”

“Then why are you here?”

“She asked me to relay a message to you.”

I gesture with my hands for her to continue.

“Oh yes, she said, ‘Tell my wolf-charmer I love him.’”

I soften and smile.

“You let my little sprite know I’m out here, waiting patiently to see her and the baby, and that I love her more.”

The assistant presses a hand to her chest and bats her eyes to stop herself from crying, then she leaves.

Kyle stands, stretches, and laughs.

“Aw, the wolf-charmer loves his mate.”

I put him in a headlock as he laughs at me. Yeah, sometimes we look older than we act, too. Kyle gets out of the headlock and shoves me away. There’s a large window in the waiting area, and we stare out at the rainy day. Many of the cabin guests have left, but our construction company has taken on another project. A bar down the block from where our store is located. Tibald is overseeing the project.

Kyle asks.

“So, have you guys decided on a name?”

“Donovan. Ivy loved the idea of naming the baby after my dad.”

“Nice. And if it’s a girl?”

I wave his question away.

“It’s definitely going to be a boy.”

He pats my shoulder.

“Okay, big boy. We’ll see.”

My mother comes rushing through the door out of breath.

“Why didn’t you tell me Ivy was in labor?”

I wrap my mother in my arms and kiss her head.

“Because I’m nervous as hell and figured it would take a while. Ivy’s been in there for eight hours.”

She wiggles out of my arms.

“Eight hours is nothing. I suffered for eighteen hours with you.”

Kyle barks out.

“You mean, you’ve been suffering for fifty-five years.”

My mother hugs him and giggles along.

“I guess you can say that.”

“Laugh it up, you two.”

I place my hands on my hips, letting out a heavy sigh. What if Ivy is in there for eighteen hours? My poor mate will be too exhausted to push. And if the baby is big? Will she even be able to give birth naturally?

My mother takes my hand and leads me to a chair to sit.

“Everything will be fine, Larc. Ivy is stronger than any of us gave her credit for.”

“Except me.”

She kisses my forehead.

“Except you. Have they come out to let you know how things are going?”

“The assistant came out not too long ago to say Ivy is doing fine. Tired, but fine.”

Sitting next to me, she adds.

“If Ivy is in labor too long, they will induce her, and if the baby is too big, they’ll do an emergency C-section. Dr. Alten is a great doctor.”

Another four hours stretch on, and the assistant comes out to tell us Ivy is still in good spirits and is dilated to ten. She’s getting ready to push.

“Are you sure I can’t go in there?”

“Um, Alpha Larc, Dr. Alten would really appreciate it if you remained out here.”

I nod and she disappears behind the doors. There’s a lot of commotion going on, beeping, and the doctor coaxing Ivy to give another push. I’m pacing again and send a prayer up to the Moon Goddess for everything to be all right. Mid-step, I hear a baby’s cry and grab hold of the wall to steady myself. My heart is about to jump out of my chest. It’s only a matter of minutes before I see my mate and our boy. I haven’t told my mother that we’ll be naming the baby after my dad. She’s going to be so happy.

My mother and Kyle are next to me, all of us facing the doors, and they finally open. Time stops except for the lagging doctor who’s carrying our baby. She’s sweating and has fluids and blood on her scrubs. I can’t even move my legs; they’re deadened from surprise.

I’m a dad.

The doctor hands the baby over, instructing me to hold the head, and says.

“Congratulations, Alpha. Meet your daughter.”

My head snaps up to her and gradually drops down to the baby. I hear Kyle’s muffled laughter and my mother clapping and crying.

A daughter. Well, I’ll be damned. She’s a ball of wails. I open the blanket to count her tiny fingers and toes. Unbelievable. This little bundle is mine. Mine and Ivy’s. And she’s perfect. Her hair is white.

I fold the blanket over her, and glance at my mom and Kyle, both of them congratulating me.

Then I look at the doctor.

“How’s Ivy?”

“Sleeping. This little one didn’t want to come out. But Ivy did great.”

“Can I see her?”

“In a bit. We’re cleaning her up to bring her to the room. I’ll let you know when she’s settled.”

My mother is bouncing on the balls of her feet.

“Please let me hold my granddaughter.”

I hand her over to my mother who starts sniffling. She lightly runs her finger over the baby’s eyebrows and nose.

“Oh, my Goddess, she’s gorgeous, Larc. She looks like Ivy.”

Kyle comes up behind my mother and says.

“Good thing.”

He slides the blanket away from the baby’s face and his mouth stretches into the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on him.

“What a cutie.”

He glances up at me.

“Looks like you’ll have to come up with another name.”

Dr. Alten takes the baby and heads back in. Half an hour later, a nurse appears to bring us up to Ivy’s room. When I walk in, my heart squeezes in my chest at how peaceful my mate appears. She did it. My strong little sprite has given me a pup. The baby is asleep in the incubator.

I brush Ivy’s hair off her forehead and kiss it, which wakes her up.

She gives me a weak smile, and asks.

“Have you seen her?”

My lips hover over hers while I keep sweeping my hand over her hair.

“I have and she’s as beautiful as her momma.”

Ivy places her hand on my cheek.

“And as stubborn as her papa. She put up quite a fight not to come out.”

I let out a laugh.

“How are you feeling?”

“Like someone dragged me through the woods and I was trampled on by a dozen horses. But aside from that, I’m good.”

For the first time, Ivy notices my mom and Kyle, and my mom takes her hand.

“Ivy, the baby is perfect just like you.”

This has her smiling, and not long after, her eyes close. My mother and Kyle stay for a little while and then leave us alone. I watch my little mate sleep along with my daughter. My daughter! Holy shit! This brings on a whole new set of problems. Well, not necessarily a set of problems. For the rest of my life, my little girl will be highly protected by me.

A nurse comes in and asks if I want skin-to-skin with the baby.

“Skin-to-skin?”

“Yes. If you take off your shirt, I’ll take the baby out of her outfit and lay her on your chest. It helps the baby bond. Ivy did it right after the birth.”

“Definitely.”

I tear off my shirt, and she places my half-naked baby girl on my chest, covering her with a blanket. Her little yawn has me melting into the chair. How can I be in love so quickly? She has the sweetest, tiniest fingers, and her soft white hairs are stuck to her head. She has a strong heartbeat.

I’ve been so mesmerized by this little one that I hadn’t noticed Ivy is awake.

“Daddy suits you.”

“You’re incredible, do you know that?”

“Yeah, I can’t argue there.”

We sit smiling at one another until it dawns on me.

“I had no doubt the baby would be a boy, and we had the name picked out. We have nothing for a girl’s name.”

“Speak for yourself. You thought it would be a boy. I knew it would be a girl.”

“Really?”

“Really. And we’re going to name her Posy, after my mother.”

I glance down at my baby girl, fast asleep on my chest, and then back at Ivy.

“I love Posy.”

“Larc?”

“What, love?”

“Can I hold her?”

Letting out a heavy sigh, and grinning, I lay the baby on Ivy’s bare chest and say.

“I guess. It’s the least I can do.”

My big body snuggles sideways next to Ivy on the bed, resting my cheek on top of her head. Ivy and I have only been together for a short time even though it feels like a lifetime. From the beginning, our pull kept us together, and we grew. Ivy became the strongest woman I’ve ever met, and I’ve learned so much just by watching her. She’s made me a better man. She’s given me the most precious thing a mate can give. Now, staring down at them, I can honestly say this is and will always be my favorite place. Cuddling with my little sprite and my little Rosey Posy.

THE END