Page 60 of Under the Dragon's Spell
TYREL
I opened the door carrying a bag of groceries in arm and closed it quietly, not sure whether Adrian was awake or asleep. Lately it was the latter more often than not. I was aware how much he needed to rest, but sometimes I wanted to wake him simply to get food into him. He claimed that he looked like a whale, but that was merely his belly. The rest of him appeared almost underfed, and I didn't like that look. The doctor didn't like it either, but there was only so much meat I could stuff into Adrian's mouth before he'd tell me off. In spite of being tired a lot, he'd turned into quite the spirited partner. But I was fine with that. After all, I'd picked him because he wouldn't let me boss him around.
I made to carry the groceries into the kitchen… when I saw my mate collapsed on the floor.
"Adrian!" I let the bag fall to the floor and rushed to his side. His eyes were closed and he didn't respond to me. "Adrian!" My voice became a little more urgent as panic pulsed through my body. What was wrong with him? And what could I do to fix it?
He blinked at me and the feeling of relief was so intense I nearly lost it. I'd known how much he'd come to mean to me before, but seeing him out cold on the floor had driven that realization home more than anything else had. I couldn't let anything happen to him.
"Tyrel?"
"I'm here. What happened?"
"Not sure." He tried to get up and I helped him. "I was… I wanted something to drink. Got dizzy."
"I'm taking you to the doctor."
"I don't need…" He stopped and leaned on me. "Oh God, I can't feel them move now. They were moving like crazy before. Do you think they're okay?"
I hugged him close and kissed his temples. "I'm sure they're just fine."
My love sounded close to tears, so I did the only thing I could do; led him outside, changed into my dragon form, and carried him all the way to the doctor's.
The receptionist was already well acquainted with us and when she saw the distressed look on my mate's face, she told us it would only take but a minute until we'd be seen.
I put an arm around Adrian, feeling the tension in his frail body. I found myself wishing humans were a little sturdier. If I could have given him some of my strength, I would have done so in a heartbeat. It was my offspring he was carrying, and yet I couldn't do much to help him at all. I hadn't even been there when he'd collapsed. If something had happened to the babies…
It was peculiar, I thought now, how much I'd come to care not only about him but about our children as well. I'd never been able to see myself as a father before meeting Adrian and wanting to give him what he desired. Up until then, it had all been about the inheritance. I couldn't care less about the inheritance now as I followed Adrian into the examination room. The first time I'd felt one of the little ones kick my hand, an odd sense of pride had swelled up in me, and the feeling hadn't dissipated since.
Adrian grabbed my hand and squeezed tightly when the doctor came in.
"What brings you here today?" Dr. Meloy asked the two of us.
"He collapsed," I supplied. "And now we're concerned about the babies as well."
"I see." The doctor stepped up to Adrian with a neutral expression on his face. "Let me check."
I stepped back only a little to let him do his work, but kept holding Adrian's hand throughout.
"How are you feeling now?" Dr. Meloy asked him while he was getting the ultrasound ready.
"Still a little dizzy, to be honest. But not as bad."
"I see," the doctor said again, then he left the room only to return a moment later with a chocolate bar which he handed to Adrian. "Eat. Get your blood sugar up."
Obediently, Adrian nibbled on the chocolate.
"I'm going to put a call in to the hospital and reserve a bed for you there. I want you under observation and on strict bed rest. That's the best way to ensure the safety of both you and the babies."
Although the expression on Adrian's face told me that he didn't like the idea, he nodded. What had happened today had scared him. I squeezed his hand while the doctor started looking at our offspring.
"Well," he said after a moment, "at least it seems your twins are fine for now."
I believe that was the first time I saw something akin to a smile on the man's lips. Simultaneously, I felt some of the tension drain from my mate.
"They're okay?" His voice was almost timid.
"Indeed. Growing quickly."
