Chapter twelve

Cooper

Time really flies when you're having fun. I never really thought anything about that saying but these last few months have been fun and gods, we all prepared for this day but I didn't realize it would come so soon.

It feels like just yesterday we were all sitting in this hotel room fucking Dorian over and over and over again. Now, Martin and I are sitting on the edge of the bed, watching our mate pace back and forth while groaning in pain. His hands rub at his extended belly which is no doubt contracting again with the noises he's making.

I wish there was something I could do to help, but instead I'm here, ready to do exactly as Dorian wants at any given moment. He's in pain right now but soon enough, our baby will be born and it will have all been worth it.

In the last few weeks we've finished up another case. This one was so much easier than the last thankfully. Just a lost shifter. He couldn't have been more than 5 years old but because he was scared and lost, he was stuck in his shifter form. Normally, that wouldn't be harmful enough to warrant any worry, but the little guy was a dragon shifter and he wouldn't stop using his fire breath to scare people away.

Once we found him and brought him into our care he quickly shifted back to his human skin. He made fast friends with JJ which helped keep him from being too afraid until we could find his parents. I'm big enough to admit that that reunion brought tears to my eyes.

I've also already been talking to Ronny about tracking devices for all the kids just in case of emergencies just like this.

"Fuck," Dorian murmurs, leaning against the wall as he breathes through the pain.

"You're doing great," I tell him. "Soon enough this will all be over."

"Of course I'm doing great," he grits out. "I'm fucking awesome."

"You really are," Martin says, standing up and walking past Dorian and heading into the bathroom. As much as we wish to help, Dorian has asked us not to touch him. Apparently everything going on is overwhelming and our touch would make it worse and we're happy to respect those wishes.

I can hear the bath running and I can tell that's just what Dorian needs. He always feels the best when he's in water.

"Star better get here soon," Dorian says, his body hunching over himself as the contraction fades. "They're coming faster. I can feel it's almost time."

"She'll be here," I tell him. "Do you want anything, baby? Maybe some more ice?"

"That would be perfect. Thank you, Cooper."

"No problem. I love you and wanna make sure you're taken care of." Dorian gives me a soft smile. As I go to walk past him, he grabs my waist and tugs me close. I touch his belly gently, in wonder that our baby is in there and about to be born.

Dorian kisses my lips gently before pulling back. "Thank you. I love you too."

I quickly step out of our room, walking down the hall in search of the ice machine. After getting a bucketful, I head back, stopping when a familiar head of snow white hair appears.

"Hi, Star!"

"I was just coming to find your room," she says with a wide smile, her streak a brilliant purple color today. She's a midwife who has helped Axel and Zander both give birth. Apparently she just travels around the nation, helping as many couples as she possibly can.

Her job is almost as chaotic as ours.

"Right this way," I tell her, holding out my elbow for her to take. She slides her hand into the crook of my arm, giving me a little squeeze. She gives me a look, one that makes me shiver slightly at how seeing it is, like she's gauging my very soul.

The look fades away before I can comment on it.

"Are you excited to meet your little one?"

"Very much so," I tell her seriously. "I have the usual first dad worries, like being a good dad and keeping enough time for both the baby and my partners, but I have a feeling this is one of those things you just have to dive in with both feet and do the best you can."

"I have a feeling you've read enough books to give you an edge though," she says with a knowing smile. She's not wrong. I've been reading baby books nonstop since Dorian admitted he was pregnant. I have a feeling some of these things won't be quite so helpful with a siren baby but surely some of these tips must apply.

"You'll be fine, deary," Star says, patting my arm. I open the hotel door for her and step inside. Dorian lets out a long groan.

"Thank fuck," he calls out. "Come bring me my ice."

I chuckle as I bring Star with me into the bathroom. "I've brought ice and I've also brought you a Star."

"You couldn't have had better timing," he murmurs as Martin carefully puts Dorian's long, blue hair into a bun on the top of his head for him. "I can feel the baby coming."

"I tend to have pretty good timing, yes," Star murmurs, giving me a wink before pushing her way towards the tub.

I step over to Martin, taking his hand in my own. With Dorian not wanting us to touch him, we have nothing to do but wait and watch as he does all the work.

"Since he's doing all this work," I whisper to Martin, "you and I should take the brunt of everything once the baby is here. I don't want our mate to change a single diaper if we can help it."

"I was thinking the same thing. Baby wakes up at night, we'll get them. They're crabby? We'll walk with them outside so Dorian can rest. They're hungry, we get the bottle."

I squeeze Martin's hand, loving this side of him. Watching him step into fatherhood has somehow made me fall even more in love with him.

"Alright, go ahead and push," Star murmurs. "I'm here to guide you but I can tell you've got this all on your own. Follow your body's signals."

Dorian gives a nod, his brows furrowing as he bears down. Martin and I hold our breath. Waiting.

It doesn't take long after that. Dorian gives one last groan, pushing through the pain before the whole room goes still. He dips his hands into the water, pulling out the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.

They have his scales and blue hair.

"Oh my gods," Martin and I gasp in unison, staring with wide eyes at our baby.

Star leans against the lip of the tub, taking our baby in with a soft smile. She looks over at us. "She's beautiful. Congratulations dads."

Martin and I quickly fall to our knees at the side of the tub. "Can I touch you, baby?"

Dorian nods, his eyes taking in our baby still. Martin puts his hand on the back of Dorian's neck, his thumb rubbing against his sweaty skin as I run my hand over our baby's wet back.

"She's so perfect, Dorian. You did such a good job bringing her into the world. I'm so proud of you."

Dorian swallows, his glistening eyes turning towards me. He gives me a shaky smile, all the adrenaline starting to fade. I can see him starting to flag. My sweet, sweet siren. "Thank you," he whispers, "both of you. That must have been hard to watch."

"It wasn't," Martin says right away, soothing Dorian's worry away. "It was inspiring to watch. You were brilliant."

Star hands me a towel and I turn towards Dorian. Without needing to say a word, he passes me our baby. I wrap her up in the towel, holding her against my chest. She's so small and fragile that it scares me a little bit. I can feel my heart rearranging, making room for her right next to her daddies and the rest of the crew.

Martin carefully helps Dorian out of the bath, drying him off before lifting him up into his big, strong arms and carrying him into the bedroom. He tucks Dorian into bed and my chest clenches, watching just how gentle Martin is with him.

I lay our daughter onto the bed, carefully slipping her into a diaper before handing her over to Martin so he can hold her for the first time. She looks even smaller in his hands.

I sit beside Dorian in the bed and he leans his head against my shoulder. "I love you both so much," he whispers, kissing my shoulder.

"We love you too, baby."

"Do you boys have a name for this little one?" Star asks, coming into the bedroom after having cleaned out the tub for us. I'm so glad she's here to make everything that much smoother. She hands Martin a bottle and I watch as he gives our daughter her first meal.

Dorian clears his throat. "Lana. It means calm waters which I think is fitting. Things were chaotic before she was here. And her middle name will be Dee, after my sister."

"That's beautiful, dear," Star says, reaching over and taking Dorian's hand. "She's so proud of you, Dorian."

"I like to think so," he says softly, "now that she's at peace."

"She is at peace, watching over you and your family."

"Thank you," he whispers back.

I kiss the side of Dorian's head, holding him tight. Martin comes and sits on the other side of Dorian, holding Lana in his big hands. We all look at her, taking her in with her pretty scales, light blue hair, and giant eyes. She's such a little reflection of Dorian.

"I texted everyone to let them know. I told them we needed the night to ourselves and we'd be back at the campgrounds tomorrow with her."

Dorian nods along, letting out a giant yawn. I pet his hair. "Why don't you get some sleep, sweetheart? You worked your ass off today."

"Okay," he says without any fit, scooting down into the bed and immediately passing out. I chuckle, turning towards Martin.

"You can take the first shift and then once you get tired you can wake me up?"

"Perfect," he says, leaning over Dorian and kissing me. I lay down with Dorian and fall asleep quickly, knowing this is just the start to our story. We have so many beautiful milestones to look forward to ahead of us. I can't wait to make each one special with my mates and now my daughter. Lady Fate might be onto something with her matching and timing.