Page 260 of Labor of Love

“Arrrnnnngh.” Reed made this wild noise. “I don’t feel like I got this.”

“But you do. If Starry can push out twins…”

“Oh, stop it.” But Reed did grin at him, just faintly.

“Push, Reed.” Alaina always looked so calm, but he had a feeling that was an illusion. She was a lot like a duck, he thought -- gliding along the surface, paddling madly underneath.

Reed pushed, making that noise again, and he rubbed and let Reed grab his free hand when he needed to, and it took forever, but before he could blink, it seemed, Alaina was making crooning noises.

“Here she comes. That’s good, Reed. That’s perfect.”

Yes. Reed had told him at the shower that they were having a girl.

Hamish couldn’t be more thrilled.

And then it was, “One more push, Reed,” and Reed yelled, and the baby slid free, and?—

And his phone blew up.

So did Alaina’s.

“Oh my gosh.” Alaina looked at him in utter panic. “Starry is about to have his baby.”

“Aw.” Reed laughed. “Go. Dandy is here to help us clean up.” Dandy was a sweet, quiet omega dragon who was learning the midwife trade from Aliana. “Give him my love.”

“I will.” She raced out, because that was the boss’s mate, after all, and Reed was all done but the goo.

“Here, Hamish,” Dandy said quietly after a few moments. “Hold her while I clean up Reed.” And the baby was in his arms.

He looked down at her, so in love already. “Carissa, right Reed?”

“Yes. After my mother.” Reed’s mother had passed when he was a young dragon, but he spoke so eloquently about her…

“Carissa. Hello, baby girl. Your omega daddy will want to hold you soon.” He wanted her to bond, skin to skin, with Reed. Even as he wanted to hold her and protect her for the rest of his life.

“He’s ready now. I’ll go get some food ready.” Dandy gave him a beaming smile.

“Thanks, Dandy.”

Dandy waved, leaving them, and he placed their girl into Reed’s arms, helping his exhausted mate hold up their baby.

“Look at her,” Reed said, sounding awed. “She’s so beautiful.”

“She is. I love you both so much.” Tears actually stung his eyes. “Thank you, love.”

“For what?” Reed looked up with him, love in his eyes. “You saved me.”

“And you have given me everything.” He stroked the sweaty hair back from Reed’s face. “You are my everything.”

“I’m also tired, so don’t make me cry.”

He chuckled. “You can rest now. Alaina showed me how to swaddle her during training.”

“Mmmm.” Reed relaxed back against the bed, trusting him, and that was the most amazing thing he could imagine. So he would hold onto it with every bit of strength he had.

"Starry!” Reed carried his little girl into Starry’s front room, beaming. “How are you feeling?”

“Good. Good. How are you?” His friend looked as tired as he felt, but he was also ecstatic. The twins were playing on the floor, and Starry was feeding his and Des’s newest, a little boy named Jameson.

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