Page 71 of The Magic of Eternity
“Kai,” Goldie said, smiling at our Alpha while Faris and Fischer sandwiched her between them, each holding one of her hands.
Kai’s gaze snapped to hers, his mouth dropping open. “Yeah? Really?”
I couldn’t help but laugh as he started bouncing on his toes with excitement. Kai suddenly glanced at me, and his face fell. “Oh, I… I mean, Bram, you should do it.”
“What? Why?”
“I just thought because she’s got the same hair and you’re her—”
I shook my head slowly at first and then more firmly. “I’m her what? Father?” I looked at my family, all of us together and alive, sharing this moment. “Regardless of who sired this baby, or any of the others the stars bless us with, I vow to love every single child created in this family as my own. This little princess, she’s not just mine. She’s ours. Please, Kai.” I clapped his shoulder. “Cut the cord, brother.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Cam agreed, his voice tight with emotion.
“I’m so excited!” Kai bounded, quite literally, to the end of the bed, and Balor explained what he needed to do.
“You were perfect, sweetheart. I love you so much,” Fish whispered to Goldie, kissing her cheek.
Faris watched in awe as Kai cut the cord, and I suddenly noticed a scattering of toast crumbs through his hair. “Absolutely amazing, Firefly. Thank you for giving us such a gift.”
Balor carefully carried the baby over to the table. “Let me clean her up. Rest for a moment, my queen.”
Little wails were bouncing around the room and with a lingering look at my tiny warrior, I walked over to join Balor. I needed to see my daughter’s face up close.
“Shh, little princess. We’ll get you to your daddy in just a moment. Your mama still has some work to do,” Balor cooed as he wiped her down. He glanced at me over his shoulder. “Take your shirt off, Your Majesty. Babies need skin-to-skin.”
Tears blurred my vision as I all but ripped my damn shirt off. “Where should I— I mean, do I need to—” Fuck, I couldn’t even form a sentence. I’d never held a baby before.
“Have a seat there, on the loveseat.”
“Okay, yeah.” I ran to the damn thing. Balor had her loosely wrapped in a soft cream-colored blanket, which I’d be replacing with the one I’d made as soon as possible. The bundle in his arms was so damn small. So fragile.
I looked over to the bed and found Goldie staring at me with love, before her face crumpled, morphing into an expression of extreme pain. “Oh gods, I need to push!”
Balor quickly guided the baby into my arms, with her body against my chest. He carefully tucked the blanket over her, before rushing back to my mate. The others were helping Saige back into position when I heard the tiniest little coo I’d ever heard. My heart melted into a puddle before I even laid eyes on her face.
Like a magnet, our eyes connected as soon as I looked down, and I had to stifle the sob that was sitting in my throat. Chubby red cheeks, big hazel eyes with gold flecks, and a wild mess of red hair. “Sweet girl,” I whispered, running my hand over the top of her head. Gods, I’d never felt anything so soft. My face was wet, my heart was full, and my soul was singing with happiness. This moment was one I’d thought I’d never get. The time spent as a prisoner, the moment my knees had hit that wooden floor and I’d been forced down, Asrael swinging that massive axe… A ragged sob took me by surprise as I stared at my perfect daughter.
I’d lived a long time already. Demons were raised rougher than humans or any who lived in this realm. Death for us was simply the next phase. A new beginning. The disappointment and heartbreak that I’d felt in what I thought were my final seconds—knowing that I’d never get to make love to my mate again or wake to her wrapped snugly around my body, that I’d miss not only the birth of my children, but the honor of knowing what kind of women they’d grow up to be… I was positive I’d never felt something so utterly devastating in my life.
But here I was, with my family, holding one baby and about to meet the next. She wiggled within the blanket, breaking my train of thought and pulling me back to the moment, which was exactly where I wanted to be. I didn’t want to miss anything. She freed one arm and quickly brought it to her mouth. Clumsily, she tried to get her little fist into her open mouth and I gently helped guide her. The moment her fist hit her mouth, she started sucking and chomping like a wild little monster, and I found myself chuckling deeply.
“You’ll get to eat soon, little piglet. For now, you get to spend some time with your Papa. Come here,” I whispered, rearranging her so that more of her bare skin was pressed up against my chest. She started thrashing like the little monster I was quickly learning she was, and I yelped when I felt a deep suck on my nipple. Raising her higher, I helped her get her fist in her mouth again. “I know you’re hungry, but Papa doesn’t have anything for you. These chest raisins are merely for visual appreciation. By the stars though, you might take your mother’s right off with that force.”
“Push, little witch! You’re almost done.” Cam’s voice pulled me from my baby-induced fog.
“Oh gods, it hurts. It hurts so bad!”
“Balor!” Fischer barked. “What’s happening?”
The room exploded when Balor lifted his hands and we found them covered in dark blood. My Goldie was sobbing as she continued trying to deliver the other baby.
“This baby is bigger than the first. I’ll give you five minutes to deliver her or I’m going to have to take her to surgery at the palace.” He placed his hand on her belly. “The baby is still doing fine, but I’m getting concerned with the amount of blood loss here. There’s been some internal tearing.”
“What do you mean?What does that even mean?!” Faris demanded.
“It means that her body has been through a lot, and it’s taken its toll. After delivery, I’ll have to do some stitching...”
Goldie groaned. “No. I can do this. I can do—” Another scream.
