Page 36 of Gargoyle Vigilante

Amir peered up at him through pain-clouded eyes and nodded slowly. Dante let out a shaky breath as Ezekiel worked, a vision of calm efficiency.

Dante continued to hold Amir’s hand in between refreshing the cloth with more water. Time stretched on, an unbearable agony that was foreign to him. He’d released the concept of the passing of time centuries ago. But how much longer could Amir tolerate what his body was putting him through?

Ezekiel rose, wiping his hands on a towel from the tray he’d set by the stool. The mysterious herbs and oils Dante had seen him mixing when he arrived were also included. Ezekiel tossed the towel into a basket, then wiped his forearm across his own sweaty brow.

“We’re close. I’ve finished massaging his rim, so it should be nice and loose for the delivery.”

“What!” Dante balled his fists, gritting his teeth so hard he thought they might crack. “How dare you touch him like that!”

Ezekiel puffed out his chest then advanced on him. “Listen, you insufferable, clueless, stone-sucking, puffed-up bully—I’ve had enough of yourshit. Do you have any clue what the mechanics are for having a baby? How do you suppose yoursmall mate is going to push a half-gargoyle infant through that tiny hole, huh?”

Dante’s knees wobbled, a wave of nausea passing through him. “Umm…” He had nothing. Dante cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck. “Can he at least have something for the pain?”

Ezekiel exhaled loudly, his exasperation clear. “He’s had the herbal salve on his lower back, and he’s progressed to the stage where he can inhale the calming oil that dulls the pain.”

Dante shifted his weight to his other side, raked his fingers through his hair then shifted back again. Ezekiel arched his eyebrows at him.

“Well? Would that be to your satisfaction?”

“Yeah, great. Sorry,” Dante mumbled. “Carry on.”

While Ezekiel went about his business, Dante returned to caring for Amir the best that he could. But he felt so helpless, inadequate. Was hand-holding and a wet cloth making that big of a difference? He’d never put poor Amir through this nightmare again. No way. Plan or no plan, they were having one, and that wasit.

Ezekiel had returned to his position on the stool while Dante continued to whisper what he hoped were soothing words to an exhausted Amir. His poor sweetheart looked wrung dry, and he was beginning to feel like the biggest asshat in all of eternity for knotting him in the first place.

“Oh,” Ezekiel broke into a wide grin. “The baby’s crowning.”

The fuck?He had no idea what that meant.

Dante stretched his neck, trying to sneak a look below the gown while still holding Amir’s hand. Amir screamed at a volume Dante hadn’t known his mate was capable of. He swallowed hard, not wanting to interrupt Ezekiel at what was clearly a crucial moment.

Ezekiel regarded him with a happy smile. “Want to see your baby enter the world?” He then looked up at Amir. “Come on, Amir. Take a deep breath and push harder than you ever have. One more, and your little one will be here.”

Dante took a step closer to get a better look. He sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes widening and throat closing up as he swayed on his feet. Ezekiel’s urgent words barely permeated his consciousness.

“Hey, tough guy. If you’re going to keel over, do it somewhere else.”

Dante steadied himself while Amir gave one final push, growling through what had to be excruciating pain. A wail echoed throughout the chamber, and Ezekiel held up a tiny creature, crying angrily as he fought for breath in this new world.

Dante's heart pounded as he watched Ezekiel wrap their child in a warm cloth and hand him over to Amir, who appeared utterly exhausted but incandescent with joy. Dante moved closer to see the baby.

His baby. His and Amir's. He was beautiful, a tiny, screaming miracle.

Amir peered up at Dante with an expression of utter adoration and handed him their child. "Dante," he whispered, "meet our son."

Dante grinned like a fool. Their son. The words echoed through his mind, leaving him awestruck. He carefully cradled the infant in his arms, marveling at how small and precious he was.

"Hi, little one," Dante murmured. He stroked the baby's downy head gently with a single finger, causing the baby to blink open his eyes, staring at Dante as if he recognized him.

Something shifted inside him. It was as if all his previous understanding of what love meant was nothing compared to the joy of having Amir and their child in his life.

Ezekiel had been cleaning up while he and Amir cooed over their baby. He returned to their side and carefully repositioned the chair, so it became a narrow bed without the opening. It allowed Amir to rest more comfortably but still provided a reclining back and arms for him to rest his elbows while cradling the baby.

Amir was back to holding their squirming infant, and Ezekiel peered down at his wiggling form. He closed his eyes, using his palms to briefly scan both Amir and the baby before straightening again.

“You’re both healthy and strong.” Ezekiel gave Dante the side-eye before continuing, “You remember what we discussed about nursing? It would be good to start feeding him right away.”

Amir blinked several times as if trying to rouse himself from sleep. “Oh! Of course. Here Dante, could you hold him for a sec?”

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