Page 70 of The Magic of Eternity
Balor chuckled. “That sounds about right.”
“Oh gods, here comes another—” Goldie’s breath was stolen as a strong contraction took over her entire body. Fischer, Faris, and Bette appeared just as it waned. Fish had a stack of towels which he promptly delivered to the bedside. Faris and Bette set a basket full of herbs, crystals, and who knows what else on a table that we’d set up for this purpose.
“Sweetheart.” Fish dropped down beside her and stroked her cheek. “You’re almost there, okay? The pain will be over soon.”
Another contraction hit and she let out a terrible scream. I couldn’t take hearing her in so much pain. Gods, I wished I could just take this agony from her.
“She should get on her hands and knees,” Bette declared, bustling over with a bundle of dried herbs that she arranged in a tin tray and lit aflame. “It was the only way I was able to deliver, and it was how she was also brought into the world. It’s a good position.”
Bette knew that Laurie was dead, though the specifics hadn’t been discussed yet. Too much had been going on to get into the nitty-gritty of everything. Rick, Hunter, and Randy Roger were hanging out together in Bette’s cottage to give us all privacy right now. Much to everyone’s surprise, Goldie’s sister, who was supposed to be here, wasn’t. Hunter assured us she was safe, but there was a story there. Unfortunately, none of us had the time right now to worry about it.
“Do you think you’d prefer that? We can help you flip,” Balor offered.
“Gods, yes. I can’t lay on my back anymore. Help me, please help me,” she begged, her eyes pleading with each of her mates. A thin sheet was over her legs and she’d lost the nightgown a long time ago, saying a sports bra was more comfortable.
“Okay, baby. Come on, let’s get you comfortable,” Cam soothed, pulling her sheet away. Together, we helped her get into a better position and she groaned in relief as she let her belly touch the mattress, allowing her to stretch her back out.
She was bare from the waist down already, and Balor instructed her to face the side of the bed and let her feet hang over the edge of the opposite side. This would allow him to catch the babies.
Her arms were shaking so badly I didn’t see how she’d be able to hold herself up, but she did. Our woman was so strong. Bette took a small glass jar from her basket and dipped her fingers into the contents, a clear liquid. She trailed her fingers down Goldie’s forehead, over her nose and lips while murmuring some kind of incantation.
“Sweet child, I am so proud. You’re about to find out what it means to love fully. There is no comparison. It’s how I love you. May the stars bless you and guide you through safely to motherhood,” Bette whispered, wiping away the rogue tears from her face. “Enjoy this moment with your mates. I will return soon to meet your sweet girls.”
Goldie reached out with one hand and gripped Bette’s tightly. “I can’t. It hurts, Gran. Oh gods, it hurts!”
“You can and you will, Saige Wildes. You’re the strongest being in this room. Focus now, feel the comfort of your mates, the presence of the stars, and push those babies out,” Bette told her sternly. Shit, I didn’t even have babies to push out and I felt myself give a test push.
Goldie nodded, releasing her hold on her grandmother. “I love you, Gran.”
The older witch smiled. “I know. I’ll see you soon.” She turned to look at each of us. “Take care of her and send word as soon as you’re able. I’ll be at my cottage with the others.” With that, she left the room.
“Oh fuuuuuck!” Goldie screamed, dropping her head to the bed to stifle her cries.
Balor moved behind her, assessing. “Push, my queen. Push through the pain. You can do this.”
A slice of toast sailed through the air, followed by another, and another. “What the fuck are you doing now, you lunatic?!” Sloane barked.
Faris growled, continuing to throw bread around. “It’s all burnt. Ruined. I need an untoaster. This is garbage!”
“Fuck the toast, Faris! Get your ass over here!” Goldie yelled, snapping him out of his panic.
He rushed over and took her hand. “I’m sorry. I’m nervous,” he muttered. Goldie didn’t respond, as another wave of pain quickly hit.
I climbed up on the bed, and ran my hand up and down her back. “You got this, Goldie. My tiny warrior. Push, princess. Keep pushing.”
“Ahhh, I’ve been cursed!” she shrieked into the blankets.
“Red, you’re almost there. Come on, you got this. We’re right here with you.” Sloane’s voice was serious, but it seemed to give her what she needed at that moment.
“Push, push, push! That’s it. Here comes the first one,” Balor announced, and I felt as though my heart was going to explode from my chest.
With an animalistic scream, Goldie gave it her all. I watched in disbelief as Balor held up a tiny, wiggly baby with a red face and very red hair. “A beautiful little girl.”
She slumped over onto her side, panting wildly. “I did it?”
“You did it, Cub. Gods, you did it.” Kai dropped a kiss to her head, and Cam came over with a cool, damp cloth to wipe her face.
“Who is cutting the cord?” Balor glanced around and chuckled when the group of us froze. “Ah, come on now. It’s a little cut.”
