Page 34 of A Layperry's Heart
I think I’m okay. My stomach is hurting a bit. I must have eaten something strange.
Aldo shakes his head.You didn’t eat anything strange that I can remember.
My brows wrinkle and I’m about to suggest maybe it’s something else when my bottom half grows wet all at once. I look down at myself, my eyes wide.
“What the fuck?” Christian blurts out, staring over at me. “No fucking way. Did your water just break?”
Just as he says it, my middle ripples with a tight cramp, pain exploding through me. Oh. Oh, by the Ancestors! This baby couldn’t decide to come just a little bit later?
“I think Christian is right,” I say, holding my stomach. “I think our baby is coming. Now.”
“Now? On the ship? In space?”
Maria jumps in, reaching across Aldo and taking my hand. “Everything will be okay.” Then she turns towards Aldo. “Stop panicking! You’re not helping your partner. You need to stay calm and in control, mijo.”
Aldo nods his head. He takes a few deep breaths before turning back towards me. “Everything is going to be fine,” he says slowly, like he’s trying to convince himself. He’s adorable. “What do you need?”
I look down at myself. “New pants and some towels to clean up this mess.”
“I’ll take care of that. You just umm, breathe? Or something? Fuck, I feel so unprepared for this.”
Maria stands up and calls over one of myLayperrybrothers. “I need some bottled water, some towels, some new pants for my son-in-law, and maybe a bucket, just in case Aldo throws up.”
Aldo’s face goes white. “Throw up? Why would I throw up? Is something wrong with me?”
Maria shakes her head. “Deep breath, mijo. You’re fine, but I know you get squeamish sometimes. It’s just to be safe.”
“Right. That makes sense. Fuck,” Aldo turns back towards me, holding my hands. “I’m so focused on myself. I’m being a terrible partner. Are you still okay? How’s the pain? Should I rub your back?”
I can’t help but chuckle, watching my mate flounder like this. He’s usually so in control, able to face situations head-on without faltering. Seeing him this way is amusing and helps distract me from the pains cramping my middle.
“I’m okay.” I lean forward in my seat. “You may rub my back.” I look over at Maria and she gives me a wink, knowing I’m doing this to keep Aldo busy and his mind off his anxiety.
Darthleem comes with blankets, towels, and water. Maria gently cleans me up and helps me out of my pants. I would be embarrassed if she wasn’t so lovely and kept reminding me that I’m her son now, just the same as Aldo. Christian squeezes my shoulder, silently letting me know he’s here for me as well. Darthleem keeps coming and going, making sure I have everything I might need.
I’m surrounded by people who love and care for me. What better place to bring a child into the world? They’re going to know love from the moment they join us.
I’m not sure how long it takes, but eventually the contractions running through my body intensify, coming quicker and quicker until they’re too hard to ignore. I position myself on my knees in front of Aldo’s chair, tucking my face against his stomach. Aldo runs his hands up and down my back as best as he can, massaging my shoulders.
Thankfully, by this point he’s calmed down. “You’re doing so well. You’re almost done. Our baby is almost here,” he murmurs, his voice soothing me to my core.
Darthleem and Maria are behind me, ready to catch our baby. I squeeze Aldo so tight I worry for his health as I bear down, letting my body follow the lead of my contractions.
“I see them,” Maria says from behind me. “Almost there, Gendry.”
Aldo wipes the sweat from my brow. “You’re almost done, love. Keep going. You can do this.”
My tail flicks out as pain lances through me, connecting with someone. Maria makes a startled noise and I look back over my shoulder, finding her holding her cheek. We all freeze and a moment later, the four of us burst out laughing.
“I am so sorry!”
“It’s okay, it’s fine! Just focus on getting this baby out,” Maria says with a grin.
The laughing forces my muscles to contract in a new way and a moment later, I feel our baby slide free from my body. Relief like I’ve never felt before washes over me and I fall forward into Aldo again. I’m careful to keep my tail to myself.
“Oh, boys,” Maria says, her voice soft and filled with awe. “She’s beautiful.”
I quickly lift my head and turn so I can see our baby. Maria is correct. Our baby is beautiful. She looks completely human but for the two little antennae sprouting from her head. She’s a hybrid, a perfect mix of myself and mymatron.
