She would just have to fight a little while longer for her little dragon baby.
Pain started in her back and she braced herself. “Another contraction is coming.”
Bram squeezed her hand at the same time as Sid repositioned herself between Evie’s legs. “As soon as it starts, push, Evie.”
The pain moved from her back to her lower belly and then it felt as if someone had reached inside her uterus and twisted.
Screaming helped her as she pushed with everything she had.
As parts of her stretched, she crushed Bram’s hands in hers. The baby needed to come out. He or she just had to.
Sid’s voice cut through the air. “The head is out. Come on, Evie. Push a little harder.”
She wanted to tell Sid to try pushing a melon out of her vagina, but Bram kissed her cheek and she looked into his eyes. The love and strength she saw there gave her a little rush. Drawing on every iota of strength she had, Evie leaned her head back and pushed.
Something finally slipped free and a second later, Evie heard a baby’s cry. Tears filled her eyes. Her baby was alive.
Sid shouted, “It’s a girl,” and Bram kissed her gently. “I told you it was a girl.”
But Holly’s voice prevented Evie from saying anything. “Dr. Sid.”
Something beeped on the monitor. Evie asked, “Is it my baby girl? What’s wrong?”
Sid handed off the baby to Holly and looked Evie directly into the eye. “Your baby is perfectly healthy. But, Evie, your blood pressure is spiking. With the baby out, I need to start a new course of treatment straight away. I’m sorry, but holding your baby is going to have to wait.”
Bram growled out, “Then start the bloody treatment Sid. You’re wasting time.”
Evie looked to Bram and was about to tell him to go greet their daughter, but in the next second, Evie lost control of her body as she fell into a seizure.
~~~
The instant Evie’s eyes rolled to the back of her head and she started convulsing, Bram’s stomach dropped. “Evie.”
Sid and her nurse jumped into action. As Sid issued orders and the nurse pushed something into Evie’s IV, Bram kept his grip on his mate’s hand. He drew on every bit of dominance he possessed and whispered, “You stay alive, Evie. Don’t you even think of leaving me.”
Sid moved to his side of the bed. “Move, Bram. Get out of the way.”
While his beast snarled at the order, Bram forced himself to let go of Evie’s hand and move back.
His dragon spoke up. We should be with our mate. Why did you move?
Sid knows what she’s doing. She has the power to save Evie. We don’t.
His beast fell silent and Bram watched as Sid and her male nurse talked about things he didn’t understand. The second Evie stopped convulsing, he let out a breath. Surely that would be the end of it.
The monitor stopped beeping its warning, but Evie didn’t wake up. Bram clenched his fingers and asked, “What’s going on, Sid? Tell me.”
Sid nodded at the nurse and turned toward him. “Evie’s developed eclampsia, brought on mostly by the dragon-shifter hormones in her blood. I need to watch her closely and focus on bringing her vitals back to normal.”
He stared at a motionless Evie. She was breathing, but her face was pale. “Just tell me straight up if I should be worried or not.”
Sid gripped his shoulder. “Between Holly and me, Evie has the best chance she would have anywhere in the UK.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“I don’t do platitudes, Bram. You know that. It’s more likely she’ll be fine than not, but I can’t say with certainty everything will be rosy. I’m going to keep her in an induced coma for the next twenty-four hours while I try to bring down her blood pressure and lower the dragon-shifter hormones in her system. The best thing you can do right now is spend time with your daughter.”
Bram debated staying at Evie’s side, but his dragon spoke up. She’s right. Our daughter is alone and a lot more helpless. Sid needs time to take care of our mate. Let’s take care of our child and then we can spend time with Evie. Our mate would expect us to look after our young.
Taking the five steps to Evie’s bed, he leaned down and kissed Evie’s lips. “I’m going to check on our daughter and be right back, love. I know how you wish your parents had been around more. I’ll make sure our wee one knows she’s loved from day one.”
Evie’s silence cut him to the bone. But then his daughter cried, and Bram forced himself to leave Evie’s side.
Holly was just wrapping the wee one in a green blanket as Bram stopped next to her. Looking down, his daughter’s eyes were closed while she cried. His dragon’s instinct kicked in to take care of the baby, but Bram ignored his dragon to ask, “Can I hold her?”
With a smile, Holly gently lifted the baby and placed her in Bram’s arms. Gently rocking back and forth, his daughter eventually stopped crying. He kissed her on the nose and whispered, “Welcome to the world, Eleanor Rose. I’m your daddy and I’m going to take care of you. Your mum needs to rest, or she’d be right here with me.” He kissed Eleanor’s little nose again. “We’re not the only ones who have been waiting, though. As soon as I can manage it, you need to say hello to your older brother.”
Holly’s gentle voice filled his ear. “I can fetch Murray and bring him here whenever you want. I don’t want the others to come in just yet with Evie until she’s stable, but with the extra nurse in the room, I can spare five minutes to get Murray. Having both of your children together might help.”
Bram managed to tear his eyes away from his daughter to look over at Evie. “The only thing that will help is having Evie back. But as a father, I need to be strong for my children. Bring Murray. He needs to meet his little sister.”
With a nod, Holly told Sid what she was doing and left. Bram hugged wee Eleanor tighter against his body and breathed in her baby scent. He only hoped Evie could also cuddle their daughter before much longer.
Chapter Five
Evie felt as if she were drifting in the middle of an empty, black space. She couldn’t move, but every once in a while she heard a low rumbling voice that sounded like Bram’s. She wanted to ask him where he was, but every time she tried, she couldn’t make her mouth form words.
It was so bloody frustrating for a woman used to demanding the truth.
After who the hell knew how long, a soft warmth touched her cheek and a scent of freshly laundered clothes and a comforting scent she couldn’t name, mixed with Bram’s, drifted into her nose.
Then a soft, wet something pressed against her cheek before Bram’s voice filled her ear. “Evie Marie, wake up. The medication should be wearing off and your daughter is anxious to meet you.” She tried to make her mouth work and failed. Bram’s spoke again. “I saw your brows move, Evie. Come on, love, wake up.”
She wanted to say she was trying, but couldn’t get it out. Bram’s warm, firm lips kissed hers and he murmured, “Don’t wake up. That’s an order and I expect you to follow it to the letter. Do you hear me?”
Oh, she heard him. And Evie wanted to kick him in the bollocks if he kept it up.
Bram’s chuckle rolled over her. “That’s my lass. Prove me wrong. Come on, now, I dare you.”
No matter how much she tried, Evie couldn’t open her eyes. It was frustrating being able to hear everything and do nothing.
She searched her mind for ideas, but soon, a baby’s cry pierced the air. It shot straight to her heart. Her baby needed her.
The warmth from her cheek disappeared and she ached to cry out, “No.” Instead, she mustered every bit of her stubbornness. Surely she could open her eyes a few millimeters. Eyelids weighed next to nothing.
Open, damn it. I want to see my baby.
Millimeter by millimeter, she moved her eyelids until the light hit them. She cried out and promptly closed her eyes again.
In the next instant, Bram’s hand was on her cheek. “Evie, love, are you in pain? Holly, come check on her. Please.
”
Bram’s touch vanished as another set of smaller, softer hands took her pulse. Then her right eye was open and the light hit again. However, this time, she could make out Holly’s dark-haired form above her. Evie whispered, “Too bright.”
Holly released her eyelid. “Right, then can you try to answer my questions? Either say ‘yes’ or if it’s too difficult, wiggle your fingers of your left hand.”
Concentrating, Evie tried to make her mouth work again. But after a few seconds of trying, she gave up and wiggled her fingers.
Holly’s voice filled the room again. “Good. If you’re in pain, wiggle your left hand again.”
At this rate, she’d never see, let alone hold her daughter. Tired of the nonverbal form of communication, Evie growled and finally forced her mouth to work. “No pain.”
Her daughter started crying again and Evie decided enough was enough. It was time to meet her baby.
Slowly blinking her eyes, Evie withstood the split second shock of light and continued blinking until her eyes adjusted. Her throat was dry and scratchy, but she didn’t want to waste time asking for water. “Bram, where’s our baby?”
Bram looked to Holly and the Scottish woman nodded. “Her vitals are much better. As long as Evie’s not lying about the pain, you can have a few minutes whilst I fetch Dr. Sid.” Holly looked down at her with stern eyes. “You are telling the truth, aren’t you?”
Evie’s voice was faint as she answered, “I’m sore between my legs, but nowhere else.”
“Right, then I’ll fetch Dr. Sid.”
Holly left and Evie moved her gaze to the bright purple bundle in Bram’s arms. “Can I see her?”
Bram smiled. “Evie Marie Marshall, I’d like for you to meet Eleanor Spidey-sense Moore-Llewellyn.”
She frowned. “What?”
Bram winked. “Kidding. Say hello to Eleanor Rose.”
He then lowered the bundle and held it right next to her.
As she studied the pink, wrinkly child, tears filled Evie’s eyes. “We have a daughter.”
Bram kept the baby resting on the bed next to her while he crouched down. “We do, Evie, we do. And she’s been anxious to meet everyone, but I said no until you had a chance to see her.”
Evie tried to lift her arms, but she was weak. “Can you bring her closer? I want to kiss her.”
Bram gently moved Eleanor until she was right next to Evie’s face. Once their daughter was situated, Bram moved his free hand to Evie’s head and brushed the hair from her face.
Between Bram’s gentle touch and the soft weight of her daughter next to her, tears rolled down the sides of Evie’s cheeks.
Bram stilled his fingers. His voice was gentle as he asked, “What’s wrong, love? Everything will be all right now. Sid said you’re past any danger.”
She sniffed, turned her head slightly and kissed her daughter’s head. Then she murmured, “I’m just happy to be here in this moment.” She kissed Eleanor again and looked back to Bram’s gaze. “But what about Murray? He should be here, too.”
Stroking her hair, Bram answered, “He was here earlier. But Mel and Tristan have been looking after him. From all their reports, wee Murray’s been having a brilliant time with Jack and Annabel. So much so, he might not want to come home.”
The door opened. Sid walked in with Holly right behind her. Sid glanced at the monitors before moving to Evie’s other side. “It’s good to have you back, Evie. I hate to tear you away from your first meeting with your daughter, but I really should do a thorough exam now that you’re conscious.”
Evie wanted to hug Eleanor close and never let her go. But the rational side of her brain knew she wasn’t any good to anyone if she wasn’t healthy. Kissing her daughter’s soft fuzz of dark hair one more time, she answered, “Of course. You saved my life, Sid. I owe you nothing less than cooperation.”
The corner of Sid’s mouth ticked up. “I’m going to remind you of that in the future.” Sid looked to Bram. “Take Eleanor and wait outside. I can’t have Evie tensing or stressing if the baby cries.” Bram opened his mouth to say something, but Sid cut him off. “No excuses. There are a few clan members outside waiting to talk with you, anyway. Kai’s been doing the best he can, but politics and smooth-talking things over isn’t exactly his forte. Not even Jane’s influence has helped with that.”
Evie looked up at his mate. “Go, Bram. The sooner I get healthy, the sooner I can go home and we can all be a family.”
Bram kissed her one last time. “I love you, Evie.”
“I love you, too.”
Bram waved Eleanor’s little hand goodbye and then her dragonman was gone. The room was emptier without Bram and Eleanor, but she would see them soon enough.
Looking to Sid, Evie asked, “How long will I need to stay in this hospital bed?”
Sid placed her fingers on Evie’s wrist to take her pulse. A short time later, she answered, “That depends on if your blood pressure drops and remains stable or not. Regardless, you can start feeding your daughter soon. The harmful drugs should be out of your system by now.”
Evie attempted to sit up. After Sid helped, she succeeded. “Thank you, Sid, for saving my life.”
Sid waved a hand in dismissal. “I only did my job. Besides, it’s not entirely altruistic on my part. Bram would have my head if anything ever happened to you.”
Studying Sid’s face, Evie realized how little she actually knew Stonefire’s head doctor. Did she want her own children? Did she fancy anyone? What did she do for fun? Evie had no idea. Rumors about Sid’s dragon being silent had been confirmed by Bram, but that wasn’t any reason to give up hope on love. Evie had seen Sid’s longing glances at some of the couples when Sid had thought no one else was looking, so she knew the doctor yearned for someone.
In that instant, Evie decided she would repay Sid saving her life by finding her a mate of her own. Evie needed to determine who was not only single, but also a good match. Hell, maybe she could even convince Bram to think about a human male. How she would accomplish that, Evie had no idea, but it was worth a shot.
Glad to have her mind functioning again, Evie complied with Sid’s orders during the exam. The sooner she finished, the sooner she could hold Eleanor Rose for the first time in her arms.
~~~
Bram cuddled his daughter against his chest, took a deep breath, and walked out into the waiting area.
Instead of the rag-tag bunch of clan members waiting to have their grievances heard he had expected, the room was filled with his closest friends.
Kai was the first one to reach him and squeezed his shoulder. “Congratulations, Bram.”
Jane was at his side and held out her arms. “Can I hold her?”
Bram had wanted Mel and Tristan to be the first ones to hold Eleanor, but at the longing in Jane’s voice, he couldn’t help but answer, “Of course.”
As he gently transferred the baby to Jane, the tall human cooed and stroked Eleanor’s cheek. Jane then looked to Kai. “Your turn.”
Kai frowned. “I’m not exactly a baby person.”
“Of course you are. You just don’t know it yet.” Jane moved Eleanor until she supported the baby’s head with one hand and her body with the rest. Bram itched to take his daughter back, but his dragon spoke up. Kai will not hurt our child. He lives every day to protect the clan. Allow him a minute with our baby.
If he wants a baby, he should have his own.
Judging by his female’s actions, they soon will.
Bram knew Kai and Jane were waiting to have children so both of them could focus on their careers, but his beast had a point. A minute, but no more.
Tristan appeared at his side with Jack in one arm and Bram’s son Murray in the other. “Bram.”
Murray put out his arms. “Dada.”
Unable to resist his son, Bram took Murray and bounced him in his arms. “Have you been a good lad?”
Murray nodded and Bram ruffled his son’s dark hair. Then Murray asked, “Ma
ma?”
“We’ll visit Mum in a bit. Would you like to see your sister Eleanor again?”
Murray looked over at the bundle in Kai’s arms. “Nor.” Murray pointed. “Nor.”
He chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes.” The second Bram was close enough, Murray leaned over to stare at his sister. Bram took Murray’s hand and guided it to gently brush Eleanor’s cheek. “You’re going to have to look out for her, Murray. You’re the big brother. It’s every dragonman’s job to look out for their females.”
Melanie appeared at his side with her daughter in her arms and shook her head. “Evie and I are going to have to work on your son. There are limits, you know. Tristan should know since he crossed them with Arabella.”
Tristan grunted. “She’s my sister. The day I stop wanting to protect her is the day I am no longer worthy of being her brother.”
Mel’s face softened. “There’s that hidden sweetness again.”
Before Bram could say anything, a voice he hadn’t heard in nearly a year filled the room. “Bram.”
Turning his head, Bram saw his younger brother, Bennett, along with Bram’s niece, Ava. “Bennett.”
Bram met his brother halfway and gave him a one-sided hug. Then his niece, Ava, tugged on his shirt and Bram crouched carefully with Murray in his arm to give his niece a hug, too.
Leaning back, he studied his niece’s blue eyes. “You’re nearly a grown dragonwoman.”
Ava giggled. “I’m only seven-and-three-quarters.”
“Aye, but you’re going to be as tall as me before long.” Bram stood up to smile at his brother. “I didn’t think you’d be back yet. You could’ve called.”
Bennett winked. “And ruin the surprise?”
Bram looked around for his sister-in-law. “Where’s Shauna?”
Bennett’s face turned neutral. “She’s still back in Ireland. Her mother hasn’t improved at all, but she sends her love.”
Bram’s brother had spent the last eleven months in Ireland to support his Irish mate, Shauna. Bram squeezed his brother’s shoulder. “It’s good to see you, brother.” Sid exited the door on the far side of the room and Bram slapped his brother’s shoulder one last time. “We’ll catch up later, okay? I need to speak with the doctor and make sure Evie’s okay.”
Loved by the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 6) Page 4
