Valen's POV
"Valen."
Small hands gripped my arm tightly and shook. I groaned in response and tried to pull away.
"Valen, wake up. It's important."
I groaned louder and sat up, the thin silk sheet sliding down my bare torso.
"What's wrong?"
I rubbed my eyes and cracked my neck as I glanced over to my beautiful queen.
She was holding her swollen belly tightly and her thin white nightgown was soaked down the front. It took my slumbering brain a moment to realize what was happening.
"Holy shit!" I yelled as I jumped out of the bed and toward Indigo.
I grabbed her free arm and wrapped it around my shoulders to support her weight. She let out a small sigh of relief and leaned heavily into me.
"How long ago did this happen?"
"Not long. I woke up because I had to pee for the seventh time tonight and suddenly there was a pop and a lot of fluid. I think it's time to go now."
"You don't say," I grumbled as I carefully sat her down on the edge of the bed.
"Stay here. I'll get our bags and let the pack doctor know."
Suddenly, Indigo let out a fierce cry of pain and threw her head back. She gripped her mid section tightly and ground her teeth.
"We don't have time to get to the healing lodge. Tell her to come here. Now."
I was stunned for a moment.
"Are you sure?"
"Goddammit Valen, yes I'm sure. Get her here. NOW."
Her eyes flashed gold and I knew she wasn't playing games. My brain was still working at half speed, but I threw on a t shirt and mind linked the pack doctor.
She answered immediately to let me know she'd be there as quickly as possible. There had been an emergency earlier and she was just getting out of surgery. I relayed this information to Indigo.
"She better get here fast," she panted as she clutched her stomach once more.
Beads of sweat began to break out across her forehead.
I sent a quick message to Anton and my brother to let them know it was time. Knowing them, they would show up faster than the doctor.
Indigo screamed in pain as another contraction ripped through her body.
"What can I do?" I pleaded. I had never felt so helpless in all my life.
"Help me up onto the bed."
Her voice was strained and I could tell she was fighting to keep it under control.
I immediately obliged and helped her to the head of the bed. I arranged some pillows behind her back to try and help the pressure I was sure she was feeling.
Once she was settled, I ran into our en suite and filled a cup with water. I brought it to her and watched as she eagerly gulped it down.
"Thank you," she breathed.
I kissed her clammy forehead.
"Anything for you, my love."
She gave me a weak smile which quickly turned into a grimace. She groaned and laid her head back.
"I really hope they make a quick entrance. I can't handle going through this for hours."
I clutched her hand tightly just as the doors to our bedroom violently swung open.
"Don't panic, I'm here!" Artemis shouted. Indigo grimaced at her best friend.
"I hate to tell you, but unless you know how to birth two babies, you need to get the hell out."
Artemis stuck her tongue out at Indigo and made her way inside anyway. Von was close behind her and he gave me a sheepish grin.
"You know how she gets," he said while gesturing to his pregnant wife.
I shrugged my shoulders and gestured for him to come in.
Just as I thought we were going to get a moment of peace, Aislinn and Anton walked in.
"Why the hell didn't you tell me directly! I had to hear from Anton what was going on!" Aislinn scolded me as she scurried in and rushed to Indigo's side.
They began discussing the consistency of contractions and her pain levels, so I turned toward Anton and clapped his hand in mine.
"Thanks for coming so quickly."
"Of course, your majesty." He replied politely. I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Who else did you tell?"
His face reddened and I knew I'd caught him. Indigo had wanted to keep the birth of our twins private for a few days.
Anton had fiercely disagreed with her, stating that it was as important to the pack as it was to our family.
I'd sided with my wife, obviously.
"It doesn't matter now,"I muttered to him. "How far out is the doc?"
His eyes glazed over for a minute and he cringed.
"It's... Going to be a while."
"Shit," I cursed under my breath.
Indigo wailed once more and threw her head back. Aislinn's eyes widened and she turned to me.
"It's time."
My heart began to race and my palms were drenched in sweat.
"We can't wait just a little longer?" I pleaded.
"No time, we have to do this now."
I always loved how Aislinn was so fierce when it came to taking care of the people she loved.
"Artemis and Von, close and lock the door. We don't need any more surprises. Anton, get me a container of water, some gloves, scissors, and some string from my bag. Indigo, what do you need right now?"
Indigo groaned in response and clawed at her gown. I ground my teeth at the thought of her being naked in front of all of these people, but she was my priority.
I helped her out of it and discarded the offending item into the bathroom.
"Do you want to get up and move?" Aislinn asked her gently.
She nodded her head and put her arms up. I helped her stand and walk around the room for a moment.
Her body tensed and her hands closed like bear traps on my arms. She began panting and crying.
"Aislinn!" I called.
She was by my side in a moment.
"Indigo, do you want to lay down again?"
She shook her head furiously.
"Anton, get the sheet from the bed," Aislinn commanded.
He ripped the sheet of the bed and laid it flat on the floor. I led Indigo over to it.
"Okay, can you lay down just for a moment so I can check you?"
I was seriously impressed with Aislinn's finesse right now.
"Remind me to promote you," I muttered and she just waved her hand at me.
I gently lowered Indigo to the floor and Aislinn wasted no time.
"I can feel the first baby's head," she gasped.
"It's almost time to push. Indigo, I want you to do what feels most comfortable to you. Valen will help you move."
I was back by her side in an instant and I saw Artemis lean down in front of Indigo.
"Focus on me," she soothed.
Indigo looked into her eyes and tried to even out her breathing. She held her hand out for me and I slowly raised her back up.
"You want to squat?" Aislinn asked.
Indigo nodded and clenched her teeth before letting out an ear splitting scream.
"I need to push!"
Artemis quickly made her way next to me and Indigo grabbed onto her with one arm. I was grateful for the support. Artemis could probably see that I was internally freaking out.
"Anton, get some towels!" Aislinn stated as Indigo began to wail once more.
"That's right, keep going. You can do this," I whispered to her.
She gripped my arms tighter and her body tensed.
"Remember to breathe, love."
She let out the breath she had been holding, before sucking another in and focusing on pushing. Anton returned with the towels and stood beside Aislinn.
After a few more minutes of pushing, a cry pierced the air. My knees almost gave out on as my first child entered the world. Indigo relaxed for a moment and smiled at me.
"You did it," I whispered.
"Not...done..yet," she panted and her body tensed again.
"Valen! Come cut the cord now!" Aislinn screeched.
Von was suddenly by my side.
"Go. I'll help here."
I nodded my head in relief and took the scissors in my hand. I cut where Aislinn showed me and she quickly handed the baby to Anton who began to towel it off.
My eyes glanced the dark, downy hair on the top of it's head and my heart began to beat rapidly.
I was beginning to follow Anton when Indigo wailed once more. I snapped out of my trance, silently promising my child I would be there in a moment, and stood before Indigo for round two.
She screamed in agony as the second child made it's way into the world. I held my breath as I waited for the screech.
But nothing came.
Indigo's panicked eyes met mine.
"I'm sure it's fi..." I began, but she tore he gaze from me and looked toward our baby.
I followed her eyes and stifled a cry.
The baby was blue, with the cord wrapped around its neck.
Aislinn was hurriedly trying to put a finger in between it's neck and the cord to allow air to pass through while simultaneously trying to unwrap it.
"No!" Indigo screamed and she ripped away from Von and Artemis.
She pulled our baby from Aislinn's arms and stared at it with teary eyes, before glancing up at me.
"I have to help him," she whispered.
Her voice was full of pain and desperation.
"You can't. Not in this state. What if.."
She interrupted my thoughts.
"This is our SON. I'm going to help him."
Her eyes flashed once again.
Aislinn gently finished unwinding the cord from his neck and Indigo sat on the ground.
She put her hands on the tiny baby's torso and breathed deeply. I could see sparks of light emitting underneath her fingertips.
His torso would barely move to indicate his shallow breaths.
The room was silent as we watched.
Indigo's hands began to take on a ghastly, smoky black color and I could see her body trembling from exertion.
Just as I went to reach for her, the baby let out an ear piercing wail and the tears finally escaped my eyes.
Author's Note:
Yay, babies! Did Indigo go too far? What will happen to her son? Does she have two sons? Is the other baby okay? Is Indigo okay?
Next chapter will be the official end!
Comment and Vote if you enjoyed!
Xoxo,
CrimsynIris