20. Patrick

Chapter 20

Patrick

I loved children, and I was thankful for the ability to provide them to Arthur. We'd been blessed with children four and a half times now. Well, with the way I was feeling, that was most likely about to be five. As a warlock mated to another warlock, my gestational period was only four and a half months. That was short compared to others. And certainly shorter when compared to that of humans. But when that four-month mark came last week, I was over my pregnancy. This one had been quite different than my previous ones. I had sickness the first few weeks—that wasn't different. But this time, I was not only always exhausted, but it didn't take much to have me a sobbing mess. I had never been this emotional before in my life. Arthur found it endearing. I thought it was annoying and hoped it toned down some once the pregnancy was over.

But there was unquestionably a light at the end of my journey. I'd been experiencing contractions since the middle of the night, and I was convinced our newest family addition would be here before lunchtime. Granted, that was only a couple of hours from now, but the contractions had been steady, and they had only increased in intensity over the last hour.

Arthur and I had discussed it, and he had gone to Montana to fetch Wallace. Edison wouldn't be able to get away until this evening, but Wallace didn't have such commitments with the council—one didn't tell the fates that you couldn't make a planned meeting. Wallace, though, was more than willing to help out with Edric. In doing that, Arthur would be able to focus on me and the baby.

I had been a bit restless, and when walking hadn't felt quite right, I'd sat on the couch. That might have been a mistake, though, because it could be a chore to try and get off it. When a lot more effort than it should have taken, I stood. Immediately, my back was happier as I was now on my feet. I had thought sitting would have eased some of the ache, but it had only irritated it. Almost immediately after standing, I was hit with another contraction—this one stronger and longer than any previous ones. After a moment, it eased, and I decided it was probably time to head toward Constantine's office. This baby was coming sooner than later.

"Arthur?" I called out through our bond. I needed my One. It would only take him seconds to return to me, but I was becoming anxious.

"I'm here. Dad will pick up Edric from classes later, and I'm on my way to Costas's office to grab him. Do you need me immediately?"

Another wave of tightness and pain hit, and this time, I called out and grabbed my stomach.

"Yes," I said with a groan through our bond. My waters broke seconds later, followed by another wave of pain. This one was much sharper and unlike any I'd ever experienced in any previous pregnancy.

Arthur suddenly appeared by my side, and then I felt myself being moved. It was difficult to register much through the pain, but Arthur was here, and that in itself was a huge relief.

"It really hurts!" I shouted out as another contraction hit.

"He's earlier than I expected, but it's not too early."

I gasped at Costas's voice. I looked for him, locating the doctor walking into our bedroom.

"Costas," I said, another wave of searing pain hitting.

"I'm here," he told me. "Would I be anywhere else when my coven master's One is about to give birth? Especially when they also happen to be my grandparents in a still-odd way." I smiled, which I knew was exactly Costas's plan. He was trying to distract me. "Here comes the relief you need."

I watched, still fascinated by the bright green glow that was Constantine's magic. When it moved over my protruding stomach, I felt a sense of weightlessness and sighed in relief.

"That's what we like to hear," Constantine said.

Arthur sat beside me, near my shoulder, and when he grabbed my hand, I held on to his tightly and looked up at him.

"Are you ready?" I asked. I wasn't sure I was, but I knew I was over being pregnant.

"I'm more than ready. And although you are currently having doubts, you won't once our newest son is here." Arthur wrapped his other hand around my head and rubbed his fingers on my cheek before he ran his thumb down my nose. "I love you, Patrick. I have since before you were mine, most likely, and this life we've built is one I never envisioned but wouldn't trade for anything." Arthur leaned down and kissed me on the forehead.

"I'm here," Miles said as he burst into the room. "You know, it really is unfair that you just disappear on me, Costas. I'm supposed to be your nurse and assistant."

Arthur and I both looked at our grandson as he stood there with his hands on his hips while he glared at the doctor.

"I'm sorry, Miles. Arthur simply said Patrick was in labor and the baby was coming immediately."

I looked up at Arthur in question. He shrugged. "Your contractions were pretty strong, love."

"The baby is ready to be born and quite impatient. Are the two of you ready?" Costas asked.

"Yes," I said, still looking up at Arthur. He was here with me, and really, that was all I needed. I knew Arthur could deliver the baby if absolutely necessary, but we were fortunate to have Costas in the coven.

"We're more than ready," Arthur added. He, too, kept his eyes locked with mine, and when the weightlessness became more and I was suddenly floating down a lazy river, I knew it wouldn't be long before we'd hear our baby crying.

I felt nothing except some movement. The entire time, Arthur kept his eyes on mine, and although I heard Costas and Miles talking to each other, it wasn't until Miles awwed, and that was followed by a loud cry moments later, that I finally let out the breath I'd been holding.

Arthur seemed to go out of focus, and when I blinked, I realized that I was once again crying.

"Congratulations," Costas said. "As you already knew, it's a boy."

I laughed a bit, and when I finally moved my eyes away from Arthur's face, I looked down the bed to see Miles holding our newest addition. Our grandson was not only fawning over the baby in his arms, but you could tell he was in nurse mode. He carefully set the baby and the towel that was around him down on the bed and then started doing something. I couldn't be certain from where I was, but I knew that Miles would never hurt a baby.

"Just a bit more," Costas said. "The placenta was partly in the way, which was most likely why your contractions seemed more intense this time."

"Is that bad?" I asked.

"No. I just sliced through it, which means it was a bit messier this time. I normally would have magically moved it, but I was more concerned with getting the baby out since it seemed so urgent this time. It's all good and well though." Constantine pointed to the bed beside my hip. "Everything is here that should be, and after I get it cleaned out, I'll close your incision and then relax the blocker."

I looked back up at Arthur, who was still staring down at me. I smiled.

"Hi."

"How are you? Emotional? I can get you tissues. It's all right if you cry, you know. This is an emotional time."

"This time especially since you two have once more made a gorgeous baby," Miles said. "Not that I'm not grateful, because I am. But seriously, this baby is so beautiful. Here," Miles said to Arthur. "Hold your son so you can show Grandpa and I can help Costas." Miles expertly handed Arthur our son, and when he moved to where I could see the baby, I smiled. Bright blue eyes stared back at me, and immediately, I wondered if they would stay blue like mine or if they would turn greenish like Arthur's. His hair was nonexistent, which most likely meant he would end up with my hair color.

"Miles is right," I said. I reached up and touched the soft cheek of our newest baby. "He's beautiful."

"He wasn't given any other choice." I looked up at Arthur. "You're his daddy, and you are the most beautiful man I've ever seen. I cannot believe the gift that you are, still, to this day."

I didn't even try to stop the tears. I simply let them fall because Arthur was the most loving and amazing man, and when he said things like that, there was no stopping them. I heard a sigh, most likely coming from Miles, but I couldn't make out what he said next. It didn't matter too much though. Arthur was sitting there, holding our newborn, and that was all I needed at the moment.

Arthur smiled at me, but when he turned his head, I noticed that Costas was saying something. Arthur stood, moved a step away, and then Costas was fixing my pillows for me.

"You know the drill," Costas told me. "But I'll say it anyway. No walking until you absolutely can feel both legs. Let Arthur dote on you, and if you need anything from me, I'm not far."

I took the tissues that Costas suddenly held in front of me. I first wiped my eyes and then blew my nose. The pillows were adjusted behind me, and then Costas was speaking again. I stared at him while he talked to Arthur, but I couldn't seem to make out what was being said. I wasn't too worried about it though. My emotions were high at the moment.

They walked away, Costas and Miles talking to one another quietly as they left our bedroom. I stared after them for a moment before the bed dipped beside me again. "Do you want to hold him?"

I heard that perfectly and held out my arms. I absolutely wanted to hold our new son. When Arthur passed him to me, I snuggled him close and couldn't resist running a finger down his tiny little nose. "Hello, little Brooks. I'm your daddy, and I'm so happy you've decided to make your appearance." Those perfect little lips opened, his mouth making a lopsided oval as he yawned, and then he closed his eyes. I looked up at Arthur and smiled when I found him chuckling. "I guess I'm boring," I said.

"Never. But I know you're not being serious."

He was right. I wasn't.

"I love him so much already. How is that possible?" I asked.

"Just the same as with the others. They're part me and part you. We both wanted as many children as we were blessed with, and now we've been gifted a fifth child. It makes perfect sense that you love him. You've carried him for just over four months, and you've already had time for a bond to form between the two of you." Arthur reached out and cupped my cheek. "I'd be worried if you weren't already in love with him."

I sighed before looking back down at our baby. He was fast asleep, and I wondered what it was like to be born. Being in the dark, then suddenly being pulled to a loud, cold, bright place. No wonder they cried and then immediately went to sleep. That was more than enough to overload anyone's senses and cause them to shut down.

"We just need Edric here. He should come meet his brother."

Arthur chuckled. "You obviously weren't hearing us when we were talking. Costas and Miles are going to bring him here. Edric will most likely be running through the doorway any moment."

I smiled. Yes, I wanted all of our children here to meet their baby brother, but three of them didn't even live in this state and had families of their own. They would come as they could, that much was certain, but for now, having our two youngest with us was more than enough.

I heard Edric before I saw him, and when he excitedly came through the doorway, it was only Wallace's hold on our son's hand that most likely kept him from running and diving onto the bed.

"Now, remember what I've told ye."

Edric looked up at Wallace and nodded. "Be quiet and gentle because he's a wee bairn and we have to make sure we donna scare him," Edric said. I looked at Arthur, and we both snorted before we couldn't hold it in any longer and started laughing.

"They're being loud, Grandpa," Edric said once they had arrived beside us.

"You are adorable, Edric," I told him. "And when you try to copy your grandpa's accent, it's precious." I tilted my head to the right. "Come to the other side and have Grandpa put you up on the bed. You can see baby Brooks better from there," I said.

Edric's eyes lit up, and when Wallace lifted Edric, laughter filled the room. This made my heart full. I had an amazing fated One, and together, we'd had five healthy sons. With Arthur came a loving family and now a wonderful coven family. I couldn't ask for more.

Edric crawled over to me, and when he sat on his knees beside me, he smiled at me when I looked his way.

"He's so tiny," Edric said.

I nodded. "Yes. But if he was big like you, he wouldn't have fit into my stomach."

Edric made a face. "True." Edric sat on his behind and crossed his legs in front of him, his knees pressing against my thigh. "He'll grow though, right? And we can build blocks together."

"Someday. Your blocks are going to be too small for him for years still. But we can get big ones for the two of you when Brooks is old enough." That was years off, but Edric seemed to accept that.

"I'm glad he's here. I was tired of waiting for him." Edric looked right at me. "It seemed like you were pregnant forever, Daddy. Do babies always take so long to get here?"

I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Dragons have to carry their babies for six months instead of four and a half," Arthur told him. That had Edric's eyes widening.

"That's forever."

We all chuckled. It wasn't, really. But when you were eight, it definitely seemed like it.

"Would you like to hold him?" I asked.

Edric looked as if he were thinking entirely too hard for someone his age. "No. I'm glad he's here now. But can I go back to class? I want to tell everyone my baby brother is here, and if I wait until tomorrow, they'll already know, and I want to be the one to share the news."

"Of course you can," I told him. I quickly glanced at Arthur, who looked as if he wanted to argue. There was no point though. If Edric wanted to go back to class, that was where he needed to be.

"I'll take ye. Then I'll pick ye up when class is finished," Wallace said.

"Cool." Edric got up on his knees again, leaned down, and kissed Brooks on the top of his head before he kissed me on the cheek. "Love you, Daddy."

"I love you too," I told him. Edric moved, and after he kissed Arthur, he jumped toward Wallace, and the pair left the bedroom. I watched them go, and once we were alone again, I looked back at Arthur.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"I am." I glanced down at our sleeping newborn and wondered how long he would be out. "You should hold him," I said, shifting the baby so I could pass him off to Arthur.

"Only if you want to nap. Otherwise, no, you should hold him. You're the one who spent all the time and work making him."

I snorted. "Fine. I'll hold him. But can you get some pizza? I'm suddenly hungry, and pizza sounds amazing."

Arthur chuckled as he stood. "Pizza it is. And, of course, brownies for dessert because you just gave birth, and you deserve anything you want."

"Good. Then you can hold the baby while I eat."

Arthur stopped, turned back at me, and I winked at him. I had just managed a way to get him to take the baby without him being able to argue. Sure, I could put Brooks down on the bed or have Arthur place him in his crib that we'd brought into the bedroom. Arthur wouldn't do either though. For the next few days, I would argue with him over and over while trying to get him to hold the baby as well. But my One was stubborn. He would completely melt when holding the baby, but he always held off so I could have time with them. Not this time. Arthur would hold Brooks just as much as I did. After all, it was only fair.

I lifted my arms, and after giving Brooks a quick kiss on the top of his head, I handed the baby to my One. I watched, my heart ready to burst as the sexy man who had been mine for so long completely melted at the sight of our newborn. I truly had been blessed.

Looking for a family tree? I have added one for Arthur and Patrick's branch of Edison's family. You can find it here .