by Jessica Snow
"True, then again they tend to blend in the other twenty-nine days of the month a bit better than you, Ed," Melanie replied. It was a habit she and Edward had fallen into, calling him by his shortened version of his name. No other person in the Clan did it, including Kimberly, but Edward, who normally hated it (and would have strenuously protested being called Eddie) didn't seem to mind. "I don't think I ever saw a restaurant staff look more frightened than when Keith took us to that Thai buffet three weeks ago."
Edward laughed, reaching over to assist Melanie with a wedge-shaped pillow she used when she wanted to sit up, which still left her at a very shallow angle. "Yeah, that one guy totally flipped. I think he freaked out more when Keith started talking to him in Thai. Did you know he knew that?"
"Nope, but it hasn't come up before. I've sort of gotten used to being surprised around our here. Just the other day I was trying to get the swing arm for my computer working when...." Melanie said, before freezing.
"Before you what?" Edward, who had turned around to get a glass of water, asked. He turned back, looking back at Melanie. "Mel?"
"It's time," Melanie said, looking up at Edward. "Call them."
"Time for..... oh," Edward said, realization dawning on him. "Are you sure?"
“Trust me, I’m sure. Get them. Fast. My link isn’t working for some reason.”
Edward nodded, then closed his eyes. "Hold on, I've never done it this way before," he said. "Not in words, anyway."
Kim!
Just a moment, doing my last set of ring gymnastics.
Edward shook his head. Can't wait. The baby's coming!
Edward could feel the thump as Kimberly let go of the gymnastic rings in the new Lockwood facility in the basement of Keith's office building, and tumbled to the mat. What?
The baby is coming. Your nephew. Melanie just told me. Can you get Keith?
Yes. Call the doctor, get the ambulance there. We'll meet you at the clinic.
Okay. Don't worry, I'll take care of them. Get Keith there, I love you.
Love you too.
Edward opened his eyes and looked down at Melanie, smiling in triumph. "That was pretty cool. Kinda like a phone call, but even easier."
"Congrats," Melanie said, struggling to sit up and failing. "Now get me out of this bed before my water breaks."
Edward lifted Melanie up in his arms and carried her to the living room, where he set her on her feet. "I'm calling the doctor right now. Kim said she'd get Keith and they'd meet us at the clinic. Lean on my arm if you need help."
"We're installing a voice dialing system in here when Kim gets pregnant," Melanie griped as her legs trembled. Even though the contractions were still far apart, she was so off balance from the huge bulge in her stomach that she swayed dangerously. Reaching out, she rested her hands on Edward's left side while he grabbed the phone off the kitchen counter. Thankfully, the doctor was on speed dial.
"Yes, doctor? It's Edward Stormstout. Yes, yes, greetings to you too. Doc? Shut up, please. The baby's coming. Yes, we're at the penthouse. Contractions? Hold on."
He turned to Melanie, trying to remain calm. "Doc wants to know how far apart the contractions are."
"Tell him they just started, so maybe ten minutes or so. The baby knows, though, he's ready to come out."
"Gotcha." Edward turned back to the phone. "She says it just started, but the baby is telling her he's ready to come out. Okay, okay. Right, we'll be ready. Thanks."
Edward hung up the phone and turned back to Melanie. "He said to let you relax on the sofa if you can and to get your delivery bag. Where is it?"
"By the front door, don't worry it's all packed. It's the purple bag, easy to spot when they get here. Do they want me to go downstairs?" Melanie asked.
Shaking his head, Edward helped Melanie totter to the sofa area. "No, they're sending an ambulance with a full gurney."
Another contraction swept over her, her belly tightening to iron hardness before relaxing.
Reaching the sofa, Edward helped her down before kneeling in front of her on the carpet. "Isn't this a bit fast?" he asked, worried.
Breathing deep and starting the rhythm that she'd learned in her practice with Akiko during the few days she'd been in town (the woman had experience, after all), she shook her head. "Hybrid babies are often a bit fast if the mother is human, at least that’s what they told me."
“Have you and Keith decided on a name?" Edward asked, trying to distract Melanie from the feeling in her stomach. "You know, Beowulf is a good name. It means Bee Wolf or Bear in Old Anglo-Saxon."
“We did pick a name,” Melanie said, continuing her breathing. "Jay Rudolph Waldwyck. And we did keep the German naming. It means Swift Wolf."
"Oh, the Clan's going to like that," Edward said. "They’re definitely going to like that one."
"So..." Melanie said in between breaths, "when is it Kimberly's turn?"
Edward shrugged, “who knows? We’re not exactly trying, but if it happens, that’d be wonderful. There's never been a Bear and Lycan hybrid before."
"Hmmm," Melanie said contemplatively, "a Bear and Lycan hybrid? Hopefully as strong as Daddy and as fast as Mommy."
"And hopefully as good looking as Mommy too," Edward said with a laugh. "As for smarts, well, I think all parents hope their child is smart. You and Keith have played that game, haven't you?"
Before Melanie could answer, another contraction hit, and she grimaced as the glassy wave of pain rolled through her belly. "I thought they said ten minutes?"
The elevator dinged, and the ambulance crew came in. Both Lycans, they hurried over to Melanie, their gurney behind them.
"Ask and you shall receive," Edward said. He slipped his arms underneath Melanie's hips and shoulders and lifted her easily, carrying her up the two steps to the gurney. Setting her down gently, he looked at the medics. "Okay guys, let's roll."
"Don't forget the bag," Melanie said, causing Edward to smile.
"I won't."
* * *
"I can’t believe that they won't let me in the delivery room," Kimberly griped three hours later in the waiting room of the clinic. She paced back and forth in the middle of the room, her tennis shoes squeaking as she spun on her heel at the end of each lap. "I'm the Clan Alpha Female and her Sister for blood's sake!"
Edward, who had crammed himself onto a vastly undersized bench next to an older television that was currently playing a DVD of Little House On The Prairie, shrugged. "The doctors said that only Keith is allowed in the delivery room. I got a glance before you two arrived and they shooed, I can see why. It's very tiny. Your clinic might be well equipped, but you put it into a space smaller than normal. Lycans don't need doctors all that often."
"Still..." Kimberly said, making another lap, her heel squeaking again. "When it's our turn, I'm having the baby at the Manor. I don't care if we have to fly the damn doctors up on a helicopter."
"Of course, my love," Edward said, a mantra he had picked up once he saw how agitated Kim was. "I'm sure Melanie is fine. You can Link with Keith still, right?"
"Bleh, it's not the same. I want to be there, you know? I want to see, and to hold her hand," Kimberly said, throwing her arms down and to Edward looking for all the world like she was getting ready to throw a tantrum. He got out of his chair and came over, taking her hands before hugging his Mate.
"I know. Me too. We'll be there for the next one, and our own for sure," he said. "Come on, let's watch some TV. If you don't, you're going to blow out the heel on your shoes before it's all said and done."
Kimberly sighed and sat down next to Edward. "Okay. This would be a lot better if they weren't playing something that came out when I was still in diapers, though."
"Oh, I don't know, it is kind of peaceful," Edward replied. "I mean, the mountains, the forest, and the constant corn bread all the time looks kind of nice."
"You just like the corn bread," Kimberly joked in reply. "And maybe that three-pound trout Laura just pulled out o
f the pond."
"That is a good looking trout," Edward admitted. He was about to say more when the doors to the delivery room opened, and a nurse came out.
"Lady Lockwood, Lord Stormstout? You can come in now," she said, smiling. She held the door open as Kimberly and Edward approached, both of them suddenly slow and cautious, not wanting to disturb those inside.
"Come on in guys, you don't need to worry, he's just fine," Keith said, his figure diffused behind the white curtain. The nurse pulled it back, showing an exhausted looking yet elated Melanie with Keith seated beside her. Nestled in Melanie's left arm, in between her and Keith, was a tiny white bundle, with a shock of dirty blonde hair coming out of the top.
"Say hello to your nephew, dear Sister," Melanie said, pulling back the blanket.
Kimberly's heart melted as she looked at the tiny pink face, with his mother's nose but his father's strong chin. His eyes were squinted shut, so she couldn't see that, but by all accounts, Jay was a beautiful little boy.
"He's so tiny!" she remarked, reaching out with her hand. She stopped until Melanie nodded her assent. Reaching forward, Kimberly took the infant's hand in her finger, pleased when he reached out and pulled on her index finger strongly. "Nice grip there, little guy."
"He's beautiful," Edward said quietly, coming around to stand next to Kimberly. "Amazing."
"I'm just happy he came as fast as he did," Melanie said as she picked up Jay and handed him to Keith. The tiny baby looked barely larger than his father's hand, and Keith held him carefully in his arms, staring down at his son. "You may call him tiny Kim, but it certainly didn't feel that way coming out."
Kimberly nodded and looked at her Sister. She noticed for the first time that Melanie's face was very pale, and there was an IV line running into her left wrist. "How are you doing, Mel?"
"Exhausted mostly," Melanie replied. "Jay didn't come as easily as the doctors had hoped. Nothing permanent, just we're going to have to be careful. Next one might need to come out another way. Seems I'm not able to handle twelve-pound babies too comfortably."
"Twelve pounds?" Edward said, surprised. He looked at Jay, who was nestling comfortably against his father, and whistled in appreciation. “He’s as big as I was.”
"More likely twelve kilograms," Melanie said quietly, before laughing. "Or maybe you just had one hell of a growth spurt?"
"Pretty much. Aklark children tend to be normal sized until we're about five or six. Then we really shoot up."
Keith groaned. "Noted. Five years after you two have a baby, make sure to triple the Lockwood investments in farming, or else your child eats us out of the house and home."
Kimberly waved off the joking men and turned her attention to Melanie. You seriously are all right?
Yeah. It hurt like hell, but I'm okay. The IV is just a precaution, mostly a glucose and antibiotic drip. The doc said I had a bit more blood in my afterbirth than he wanted, but it's stopped. I'll be in here for a day or two, then you'll have me back at home.
Is there anything I can do?
Melanie shook her head then stopped, and nodded. Yeah. About a week from now, I'm going to want to start getting back in shape. Think you mind helping out?
Try and stop me. But you have to make me a promise.
What's that?
When it's my turn, you do the same for me?
Deal.
The two women turned their attention to their Mates, watching in good humor as both men stood next to each other, their heads almost touching, entranced by the tiny little miracle in their arms. Keith had opened up the blanket a little more, and Edward was reaching down, stroking Jay's cheek. "I've been around for a few decades now," Edward said quietly, smiling as Jay turned his face and rubbed his cheek against the massive fingertip, "and I've seen newborns before, but’s a lot different when he's in your own family."
"I agree," Keith said quietly. "I love you, little Jay."
Jay turned his face to his father and smiled momentarily before his face screwed up, and he started to cry. Melanie chuckled and held out her arms. "I agree, Jay. Daddy is very good at holding you, but you're hungry and sleepy. I think Mommy works best for that."
"You look tired too," Edward said. "Would you like to get some sleep?"
"Maybe a bit," Melanie said. "You guys don't have to go, though. It's nice having my family here."
Keith, Edward, and Kimberly sat quietly, and within ten minutes both mother and baby had fallen asleep, Jay nestled against his mother's left breast, listening to her heartbeat. The nurse, who until then had been a ghost in the background, came forward. "I'm sorry Lord Lockwood, but it really would be best if you let Lady Melanie sleep a while. I suggest you go get some dinner, it's past seven in the evening."
Keith nodded and stood up, gathering Edward and Kimberly with him. "So where are we getting food?"
"Delivery," Kimberly replied almost instantaneously. "We're staying here for the next few hours at least. I just want to make sure she's okay."
"I can do that," Edward said. "But I could use a stretch. Would you guys mind if I ran down the street to get something from the fried chicken place down the block instead?"
Keith nodded and pulled out his cash clip. "You need any money?"
Edward patted his pockets and shook his head. "Nah, I'm good. I figure I have enough for forty pieces with sides. We'll be good."
Keith chuckled. "Forty pieces. I might need to increase our agricultural investments faster than just for your child, Edward."
Edward chuckled and left, leaving Keith and Kimberly alone in the waiting room. Kim came over and hugged her brother. "Congratulations, Keith. He really is awesome."
"You know he's as much yours as mine," Keith replied, hugging his sister back. He shuddered and let loose the fear that had been in him. "There was so much blood Kim, so much blood."
"It's okay," Kimberly replied. "Melanie's fine, we can still feel her now. Jay too, I bet. You can feel him?"
"Yeah," Keith replied, shivering as the last of his fear left him. He pulled back, and tilted his head, looking down at his sister. "Kim, is there something you want to tell me?"
Kimberly shook her head, confused. "No, why?"
Keith blinked and touched his sister's belly. "Just.... something seemed different about your Link with me. You sure you're feeling okay?"
"Yeah, just fine. Now, don't get over-excited just because your Mate just had a baby. I doubt Edward and I are in line just yet."
Keith cocked his eyebrow but nodded. "Okay. So, what's on TV?"
"Little House on the Prairie."
Keith rolled his eyes and plopped down on the seat behind him.
Chapter 46
"Congratulations on the birth of Jay," Akiko said over the video link as she adjusted her camera. "My only regret was that I could not have been there for his birth."
"You were quite busy, from what Keith tells me," Melanie replied as she held Jay in her arms. "Apparently you've made some progress on repairing the Great Rift?"
"I have," Akiko replied. "It's a tenuous bridge, but I think so. I had to go through my brother in Japan, who has trading partners in Europe. Using those connections and a few of the other traditional Thornblood allies, I’ve been able to talk to some of the Alpha Females in a few of the European houses."
"Akiko, explain this Great Rift to me please. I understand it has something to do with the American Revolution, but it would seem in all the years since then that the Rift would have healed. After all, if Britain and the USA can be allies again, why not the North American and the European Clans?"
"Houses, my Sister. Only in Scotland and Ireland to the Lycans refer to themselves as Clans. We adopted that system in America because of the strength of the Irish and Scottish Clans that settled here first. As for the Great Rift, basically it comes down to most of the European Houses were supporters of the status quo in Europe circa seventeen seventy-six. Despite the fact that North America was settled by what was more or less the leftover r
efuse of the European Houses, they thought that the Clans would support their point of view, which was Loyalist to the British Crown. When most of the Clans, including yours I might add, joined instead with the Colonials, it tipped the balance of power in favor of the Colonists. Lycan warriors slaughtered Redcoats on a massive scale, especially every time the British left their strongholds of Boston or New York. Of course, the history gives credit to Colonial sharpshooters, but most were actually Lycans."
"Okay, so I get why the British Houses might have cause for being pissed off two hundred years ago, but that doesn't explain now."
Akiko shrugged. "The American Revolution was the domino that tipped over the European system as well. The French Revolution was just the beginning. Houses that had stood powerfully in the shadows, and sometimes not in the shadows even, for hundreds of years, dating back to the time of Charlemagne or even the Caesars, found themselves destitute and hunted by the emboldened kinbushi. Losing that amount of wealth and power, and turning House against House in the wars of the upcoming century and a half was quite the blow. Add in that most of the European Houses make Clan Thornblood look like raging liberals, and you get the problem."
"Which made you the perfect person to start and heal that rift. Non-American Alpha Female originally from an Asian Clan, once considered very conservative. Impressive. So what have you been able to discern from them?"
"They’re willing to meet with Keith and Kimberly, as they see them as the leaders of this war on the American side. But they will only do it at Thornblood Hall. In the meantime, their agents within Interpol have agreed to share what information they have with you. Be glad the House in charge of Interpol infiltration and information gathering is French. Their Alpha was moved by the romance of your situation. I don’t want to repeat what some of the British and Russian Houses said about things."
"I bet," Melanie deadpanned. "But I don't care about that, I care about results. Thank you, Akiko. I’ll have Kimberly connect our systems to set up the transfer tonight. Can you have Owen Tchernova assist on your end?"
"He's already set things up," Akiko said. "He’ll send you detailed instructions, you can probably do it yourself if you want. Owen's quite good at simplifying instructions for people like me, who grew up in the non-Internet generation. You'd get along easily."
