He was being super sweet. Super thoughtful. “You’re not just saying and doing this for the baby, are you? Because I would never keep you from our child. You don’t have to—”
Bay shook his head. “I want to be with you. I have feelings for you. They’re real. I’m very serious about you and it has nothing to do with the baby. I planned on seeing you again, on convincing you that we should give us a chance. Now I have to convince you that I mean it but that’s okay. I’m fine with that.”
She felt her heart squeeze and her eyes fill with tears. The hormones, she was blaming it on them.
“Are you willing to try?” His eyes were filled with such hope.
“Yes. I am.” She smiled, it suddenly felt like a weight lifted.
Bay kissed her, hard and deep. He finally released her, pulling back. “What do you say we go shopping for a crib and diapers?”
“I say, let’s go in a half an hour.” She reached forward and palmed his cock. “It has been a very long time.”
“You come up with such fantastic ideas.” Bay grinned, looking gorgeous.
“I know I do.” She reached up and kissed him.
Chapter 24
One month later…
“You’re sure?” Zane frowned so hard it was comical.
Bay held back a laugh. The vampire king would not appreciate being laughed at. “I’m very sure. Thank you for making the offer. I don’t enjoy being a warrior though.” He shook his head.
“But you’re one of the best I have ever seen,” Zane countered, still frowning heavily.
“Just because a person is good at something, doesn’t mean they enjoy doing it. It’s taken me a long time to come to that conclusion and here I am.”
“Okay. If you change your—”
“I doubt it, my lord. Thank you again.”
Zane nodded once.
“Oh, and congratulations on the birth of your son.” Bay smiled.
Zane’s face lit up, the male beamed. “Thank you. We are very happy. Zackery is doing very well. He is healthy and strong. He has already put on two pounds.”
“Wonderful. I believe he looks exactly like you.”
Zane nodded. “He has my eyes, loves drinking from Tanya and sleeps very well.”
“What does Sammy think of his little brother?”
“Loves him, maybe a little too much. Sam keeps trying to take him out of the stroller or the crib. He almost dropped him the other day.” Zane shook his head. “We have to watch him like a hawk. With that in mind, I am going home to visit with my family.”
“Good idea! They grow up so fast. In less than two months I’ll be a father as well.” he shook his head. “I can’t believe how quickly time is flying.”
“Yes, I am told that Ceri is doing well.”
“Yes, she is.” Bay was sure he had the same beaming look Zane had been sporting not a minute ago.
They walked out of Zane’s office together. The king hurried off towards the castle. Drago was waiting outside. He slapped Bay on the back. “So, are congratulations in order? Did you make the Elite team?”
“I made the team but—”
“Yeah!” Drago yelled. “I knew you would do it. You’re close to unbeatable in—”
“Hold up!” Bay chuckled. “Just a second,” he added when he saw that Drago wasn’t listening, “I turned it down.”
“What?” Drago’s eyes widened. “What do you mean you turned it down? No-one turns down a chance to be an Elite. Are you crazy?”
“I guess I must be, because I turned it down.”
“What are you going to do then?” Drago shook his head. He looked just as shocked as Zane had.
Bay shrugged. “For now, I’m going to give my soon-to-be mate a helping hand.”
“Yeah, Ceri could do with some help.” Drago nodded. “She is on her feet far too much.”
“I’ll do all the grunt work. Help where I can so that she can take it easy.”
“You are a good male,” Drago said. “I’m glad I got the two of you together. If it weren’t for me, you guys would still be pussyfooting around one another.”
“And I can’t thank you enough.” Drago had orchestrated the whole thing. He’d organized with Zane that Bay would be let off work early so that he would catch Ceri drinking from Drago. Bay had acted exactly as Drago had expected. Jealous and possessive as hell, and the rest was history.
“Do you need me to intervene so that Ceri finally agrees to mate you?” Drago asked. “I’m sure I could think of something that would hurry her along.”
Bay chuckled. “No! Thank you for caring but we’ll figure it out. Ceri will agree to mate me when she is good and ready.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I am.” Bay nodded.
“By the way, the curiosity is killing me. I know you told Ceri the full details, but she refuses to say anything about it.” Drago shuffled his feet.
“Yes?” Bay prompted when he didn’t continue.
“What happened to you? Your dick that is ‒ she said it was severed in an accident and that silver was involved but she refuses to tell me anything else about it.”
Bay smiled. “Ceri tells me that you are a male slut. I think that’s what she calls you.”
Drago smiled. “Not so much anymore.”
“Good! Then hopefully what happened to me won’t happen to you. I was dating a she-dragon. She was obviously way more serious about things than I was. I decided to go into town on the Stag Run.”
“On a rut weekend.” Drago widened his eyes. “It doesn’t sound like those have been very good to you; aside from the one where you met Ceri, that is. Go on,” the male prompted.
“I was feeling the pressure to settle down and was nowhere near ready. Anyway, I was about to bed a human when she walked in on us. Ember was so pissed off. She saw red, grabbed a knife, the blade was silver-plated. Before I knew it…” He made a sweeping motion at his crotch area.
Drago groaned. “No! She didn’t!”
“She most certainly did. It grew back but didn’t work.”
“Not at all?”
“No, not until Ceri drank from me.”
“Interesting.” Drago nodded. “I’m going to be more careful around females.
“Good idea,” Bay said. “I’m heading to the clinic now.”
“By the way, I’m joining you guys for dinner tonight,” Drago said.
“I thought you were meeting human females as a part of that whole program you guys are running.”
“Nah,” Drago shook his head, “I changed my mind.”
“Okay.” Bay shrugged. “We’ll see you later then.”
“What are you doing here?” Ceri looked at her watch and then back at Bay. “Did you finish early?”
“Nope.” Bay shook his head. He leaned down and kissed her, first on the lips and then on the forehead. “I’m only just starting my day actually.”
“Well, then what are doing here?” Ceri asked again.
“I’m here to help you.”
She frowned. “Wait, weren’t you supposed to hear whether or not you got the Elite position? Wait a minute.” She pushed her chair back, standing up. “Don’t tell me you didn’t get it. That you worked so hard to prove yourself for nothing. That you did prove yourself and then didn’t get it. I’m going to go and talk to Brant…after my next appointment that is. Zane had better have a damned good explanation as to why you were not appointed. It’s because you’re a dragon, isn’t it?”
Bay was smiling at her. He shook his head. His eyes were bright and beautiful in the morning light. He looked the picture of calm, not like someone who had just been disappointed. “What is it?”
“I turned it down.”
“What? Why?” she asked, eyebrows raised.
“It’s not what I want.”
“Why not? I thought you…” She frowned as realization hit. “Do you want to go back to your lair? Would you prefer to—”
“No,” he shook his head, stil
l smiling, “I’ve never enjoyed being a warrior. I hate leading teams into battle and the endless perimeter patrols. All of the skills training is a ball-ache. I want to do something different, and right now that ‘something different’ is helping you. I don’t want you on your feet so much. I don’t want you lifting heavy equipment.”
“Oh.” She sat back down. “You want to help out around here.”
He nodded.
“Um…you’re a male.”
“Is that a problem? I don’t think it’s a problem.” Bay shook his head. “You keep saying how you want to see more males in traditionally female roles. Well, here I am.”
“Are you sure though? I help females give birth. I counsel in the use of birth control and safe sex. I—”
“I know.” Bay nodded. “You’ve told me a lot about what you do. I’m here and I want to help. I’m not sure it’s something I’ll do for forever, but right now…yes, I’m interested. If you’ll have me.”
“I suppose I have talked a lot about my work. And you’re certain you’d—”
“Very.” He walked behind her and started massaging her shoulders. She made a moaning noise just as Lily walked in.
“Oh.” Her mouth formed an O. “Am I interrupting?”
“Not at all,” Ceri blurted.
Bay stopped massaging her.
“In fact, you’re right on time. This is Bay.” Ceri gestured to the father of her child, her boyfriend, her soon-to-be so much more.
Lily smiled. “Hello, I’ve heard all about you.”
“Bay meet Lily.”
He leaned forward and shook her hand. “Hi.”
“I hope you don’t mind, but Bay will be working as my assistant for the coming period.” She couldn’t believe it, but he seemed sincere about wanting this. She half expected him to run at the first sign of blood.
“Not at all.” Lily shook her head. “Good to meet you.”
“Okay, so, any news for me?” Ceri asked.
Lily shook her head, her eyes were clouded, her shoulders slumped. “I’m afraid not.”
“When was the last time you took a pregnancy test?”
“Last week. It’s just too depressing seeing a single line.”
“I understand.” Ceri opened the drawer, taking a box out. “I think the first order of business is to do one.” She handed the box to Lily. She didn’t have to tell the other female where the bathroom was.
Lily nodded and disappeared behind the closed door.
“I really hope it’s positive this time,” Ceri said.
“How long have Lily and her mate been trying to become pregnant?”
“Going on three years now,” Ceri said. “I feel a bit guilty.” She rubbed her growing bump. It was well-rounded and easy to see she was pregnant but at the same time very neat and tidy. If she didn't get too much bigger, she would probably be able to birth this child.
“You have nothing to feel guilty about,” Bay said, looking at her head-on.
“I know.” She sighed. “It’s just, here I was, not trying – heck I didn’t even know I could become pregnant ‒ and boom!”
“We dragons have potent seed.” He winked at her.
Ceri laughed. “Yeah right. So, I have some news.”
“Yes?” Bay narrowed his eyes in interest.
“Our new house is ready. We can move in at the weekend.” She made a squealing noise to show how excited she was.
“We get to finally decorate the nursery.” Bay grinned. “We’ll go shopping on Saturday.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Just then, the door opened and Lily came out, holding the test in her hand. Ceri knew what the outcome was just by looking at her facial expression. “Negative?” she asked, feeling bad for the female.
Lily nodded. “That damned single line again. I know I’m pregnant. I just know it, and yet, I won’t be able to relax until I know for sure. It’s so frustrating.”
“You said your menstruation was very light last month?”
“Yes, that’s right.” Lily nodded.
“Any other symptoms?” Ceri asked.
“No.” She shook her head. “My breasts aren’t as tender as they were.” Again, the slumping of the shoulders.
“And Stuart hasn’t been able to hear a heartbeat?”
Lily shook her head. “He presses his ear to my belly every single evening without fail and still nothing.
“I have a stethoscope, we can try that. The heartbeat is most likely still too faint for the naked ear to hear.”
“Oh, that would be great. I would really appreciate it.” Lily’s voice became animated.
“I must warn you that it is probably still too early even with a stethoscope.”
“It would be great if we could try.” Lily nodded, her ponytail bobbed.
“Okay then,” Ceri said. “Let’s go over there. You can sit on the gurney.” She opened another drawer on her desk and pulled out the stethoscope.
Lily did as she was told.
“Lie down and pull your shirt up a bit. That’s it.”
Bay stood to the side, observing. She caught his gaze. “Let me know if you need me to help with anything.” He winked at her.
“I will.” She smiled back.
Ceri put the earpieces into her ears and placed the diaphragm on Lily’s stomach. She moved the bell around, taking her time to listen. Ceri kept repositioning the diaphragm, trying again and again. Aside from the normal noises, she couldn’t hear anything.
“It’s not working, is it?” Lily sounded disappointed.
“I’m so sorry. Give it another two weeks and then we’ll know for sure. I know it’s hard to wait but—”
“Let me try,” Bay interjected.
“Um…”
“Dragons have much better hearing than vampires. Maybe I can pick up a heartbeat.” He shrugged his big shoulders.
Ceri looked at Lily who nodded. “Yes, why not. You never know.”
“Okay.” Ceri took the earpieces out and handed the stethoscope to Bay, who went through the same motions as she had earlier.
He repositioned the diaphragm several times until he finally sucked in a deep breath, standing up. He was grinning.
“And?” Ceri felt her heart beating faster. There weren’t many vampire females who were capable of giving birth to a baby. Many of those struggled to get pregnant in the first place. Any pregnancy was considered a miracle and a blessing since they were so rare.
Lily was holding her breath; her face was white and her eyes wide.
“I heard it, the unmistakable sound of a second, much softer, much faster heartbeat.”
Ceri screamed with excitement. Lily clapped a hand to her mouth. She laughed but was crying at the same time. “Are you sure?” she finally managed to get out.
“Yes, very sure.” Bay was still grinning. “Congratulations.”
“Oh my god,” Lily squealed. “I can’t believe it. I can’t!” She sat up. “I knew it! I told Stuart to come today but he didn’t want to jinx it.” She laughed some more through her tears.
“That was awesome and it’s only my first day.” Bay put his arm around her. “This was so much fun!”
“Well,” Ceri took Bay’s hand, “it looks like you might be a keeper.”
“I hope you’re not just talking about as an assistant.” He narrowed his eyes.
“I most definitely am not just talking about as an assistant.”
“Good.” Bay leaned in and kissed her.
Ceri pretended to smack him on the arm when he pulled back. “No fraternizing on the job.”
“Party pooper!” he kissed her again. When they came up for air Lily was gone and Ceri couldn’t wipe the smile from her face.
Chapter 25
“Push!” Meghan shouted.
One of the dragon shifter elders held her hand tightly. “You’re okay, sweetie,” she whispered. “You’re doing great!”
It didn’t feel like it. Ceri had been in labor for hours, more tha
n she could count. She’d been pushing for what felt like forever. Her reserves were all but drained.
“It’s a tight fit, but I know you can do this. You need to dig really deep,” her doctor urged. “You ready?” Meghan had an encouraging smile and very kind eyes. Ceri had liked the human from the moment she had met her.
Ceri tried to nod. Had to work just to make that small movement. Right now, even breathing felt like an effort.
There was a commotion at the door. “I don’t give a fuck!” It was Bay. Her mate sounded agitated. He’d been trying to gain entry for the last hour.
“Bay,” she tried to scream, but it came out as a whisper. “Bay,” she tried again.
The elder squeezed her hand. “You can do this.”
“Move or I’m going to hurt you,” Bay snarled. The door opened and then slammed shut again.
A male said something, she wasn’t sure what because another pain was searing through her. She clenched her teeth. “No!” she moaned. “I can’t. Not again!” Her throat felt dry.
“You can!” Meghan urged. “Breathe.” Her doctor began mimicking the breathing technique. Ceri did the same.
Doctor Meghan looked between her legs. “Push!” she shouted.
Instead of doing what her doctor instructed, she slumped back. Her head was pounding, her lips felt dry and chapped. Her hair clung to her damp forehead. All she wanted to do was sleep; if not for the pain, she would.
“Don’t fight the birthing pains,” the elder urged. “You need to work with them. They are your friend.”
Ceri wanted to snort. “No!” She shook her head.
“Move!” Bay yelled. There was a thudding noise of flesh on flesh, followed by a grunt and a hard bang. Then the door was flung open, knocking the wall and Bay strode into the room. “I’m here.” He gripped her hand. “I’m not going anywhere.” He growled the last, making sure everyone within hearing distance knew it.
“You should not be in—” the elder began.
“My mate needs me,” Bay growled. “I am staying!”
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