Chapter fifteen

Axel

The last few months have gone by in what feels like a flash. One moment, I'm answering a call from Dakota and the next, I'm impatiently waiting for my baby to be born. It's incredible how fast Lady Fate moves when she brings two people together.

I'm so thankful she's brought Jeff into my life. I can't imagine going back to how things were before he was here. I wasn't necessarily lonely. But I longed for what I have now. I longed to be loved and cared for. I longed for adventure and trying new things. What's more adventurous and new than traveling with a bunch of hunters?

Jeff's been glued to my side ever since I was kidnapped. I don't blame him. His poor instincts must be going into overdrive the closer I get to delivering this baby. I wake up from nightmares once in a while, dreaming about what would have happened if Jeff hadn't arrived when he did, but mostly, I've adjusted just fine. Life is filled with people who choose to be evil, but I can't control them. All I can do is trust our crew, and trust that we're better prepared in the future.

"Do you really think this is gonna work?"

I nod my head seriously as I continue to walk. I've been doing everything I can think of to help this baby get out of me. Spicy blood, orgasms, nipple stimulation-- though that last one apparently isn't going to work because it's Jeff's nipples I've mostly been playing with. In my defense, see point number two.

"It's gonna work. This baby is coming today. I can just feel it."

Ronny hums. "If you say so."

"I do. Trust me." Being a vampire means I don't really sweat, but walking up and down this street over and over is leaving all my limbs tired. My right leg is up on the curb while my left foot is on the street. I'd read online this was a great way to get things going and at this point, I'm willing to try anything.

"I thought you were enjoying being pregnant."

"I was. But now I'm over it. I'm tired and sore and huge. I want this baby out of me so Jeff can carry them and give me a break."

Ronny snorts in amusement, walking right next to me and making sure I'm okay. Cooper sits in front of my apartment, a beer resting next to him and a book in his lap. I know the other guys are just upstairs in my apartment, waiting for me to come inside. Joke's on them, I'm not going up there until it's time. I will out-stubborn this child.

I look up at my window, finding Jeff there watching us. I give him a giant wave before going back to walking.

I turn around and start walking in the opposite direction, switching which foot is up on the curb. I see someone walking towards me and I put my hands in the front of my hoodie, pulling it forward to help hide my stomach as best as I can. Ronny's body language changes, being more on alert. My stomach warms, knowing all of these guys love and care about me and the baby. I love them all too.

"Oh. Hi Star!"

The woman walking towards me is a short, older woman that Dakota introduced me to. He promised that she was an amazing midwife and would help take care of me during my pregnancy. True to his words, she's been wonderful. I recognize her a distance away because of her stark white hair that has the littlest streak of dark purple in it.

"Hello," she calls out, a wide smile gracing her lips as she walks over to us. Ronny relaxes beside me, recognizing who this is. "It seems I'm a little early."

"What do you mean?" Ronny asks just before I freeze.

"Fuck," I blurt out, looking down and watching as wetness spread across my pants.

"Never mind. I'm right on time."

Ronny and Star quickly usher me upstairs to my apartment. Jeff quickly stands up, rushing over to me. "Did you pee yourself?"

"No," I say right away, narrowing my eyes at him. "My water broke! I wouldn't pee myself, Jeff!"

"I hear that's normal," Martin says with a chuckle. "Nothing to be ashamed of, Axel."

"Fuck you, Martin."

Pain lances through my middle, making me pause and breathe through it. Jeff is by my side right away, holding onto me. I tuck my face against his chest, letting his scent soothe some of the pain away. Knowing my mate is here with me, knowing that Star is here to help puts some of my worries to rest. I'm okay. I can do this with them by my side.

Star and Jeff take me to my bedroom. Jeff carefully helps me out of my wet clothes as Star strips my bed, getting everything ready. My chest warms, realizing just how well cared for I am. I used to be alone and now I'm surrounded by people who love me. Lady Fate has blessed me beyond what I knew to wish for.

"How did you know I would need you?"

Star raises her brow, giving me a small smile. Something about this woman makes me feel small, like she's all knowing. Yet, I feel completely safe in her presence.

"Call it intuition," she finally says, "or maybe Dakota mentioned you were ready to use any means necessary to get this baby out."

Another cramp goes through my middle, making my stomach tense up. I grit my teeth until it's over. "I've gotten my wish," I say with a long sigh.

Jeff kisses the side of my head. "You've got this, baby. You're so strong and our baby is almost here."

I tug Jeff into our bed, putting him against the headboard. Then I arrange myself so I'm up on my knees, holding onto his shoulders in front of me. I bury my face against his throat, letting his scent ground me as I experience my contractions. He keeps me grounded, keeps me relaxed.

"You're doing amazing," Star tells me, guiding me through labor, helping me read the instincts of getting this baby out of me.

I'm not sure how long we sit there before I feel a pressure below my waist. "Okay," I murmur, my brows wrinkled, "I think it's time."

"Take a deep breath and bare down," Star tells me.

I bite Jeff's shoulder and he sucks in a sharp breath. His arms go around my back, holding me as I push. "You can do this. Just a little more, baby."

I can feel the moment our baby slides free and my eyes prickle with emotion. If I was able to cry I know I would be shedding tears right now. Relief so deep it threatens to be my undo washes over me and I let out a broken noise. I pull away from Jeff's shoulder to look at him, the emotions I'm feeling mirror in his eyes.

"You did it," he tells me proudly. "You fucking did it, Axel. You've given me everything."

Jeff helps me to rearrange and Star hands me my baby. She is beautiful. She has dark hair just like Jeff and has my nose. I love her so much.

Star hands me a bottle and I didn't even realize she had one ready. I bring it to my baby's lips, watching as she sucks greedily straight away.

"It's jarring," Jeff says softly, "seeing her drink from a blood bottle."

I snort. "She's a vampire, what else would she drink."

"No, no. It makes sense. Just kinda weird to see still," he says, nuzzling against the side of my head. Newborns don't need much so our baby is quickly full. I pull the bottle away, bringing her up against my chest.

"Have you thought of her name?"

"Lily," I tell Star with a wide smile.

"That's beautiful. Very fitting."

"Thank you," Jeff says softly. He kisses my head. I look into his eyes, finding nothing but unabashed love there.

"Here," I whisper, handing Jeff his daughter for the first time. The way he holds her with such tender care fills me with warmth. I am so lucky that Lady Fate saw this man fit to be my mate. He's everything I need in my life. I give him stability and he gives me adventure. We fit.

"I love you so much," Jeff tells me. "Thank you so much, Axel."

"You have nothing to thank me for. I'm just doing my best to be the best mate I can be."

"You're that and so much more."

When our lips meet, everything else falls away until it's just me and my true mate sharing a tender moment. And in the next moment, Star is clearing her throat. If I was capable of blushing I know I would be bright red right now.

She gives the two of us a tender smile, like a mother gives her children. I'm not sure I could be happier than I am right now. That is, until the rest of the crew come in here to meet Lily.