Epilogue | Seven months later

Epilogue

Seven months later

Taryn jolted awake, her lower back aching and her bladder urgently needing release. She shifted in bed, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through her abdomen. But she pushed through it and got to her feet, determined to make it to the bathroom.

The walk across their spacious bedroom felt like a marathon as Taryn struggled with the discomfort of pregnancy. She cursed herself for agreeing to get pregnant so soon after bonding with Losax, especially since on Naar, pregnancies only lasted six months due to their time difference with Earth. And because of Losax’s half-alien genes, their baby was larger than average of what was expected for a human child.

But despite the physical challenges and fears of giving birth to an alien-hybrid child, Taryn couldn’t wait to meet her little one. She had been eagerly anticipating this moment ever since she and Losax had returned from their honeymoon and she had turned off her birth control implant.

Now, a week away from being six months into her pregnancy, Taryn was well-known among the people of Naar as the first true mate match between an Earth woman and a Synthari male. Three other Earth women had also found mates on Naar, but they were not true matches like Taryn and Losax. Mara and Olivia were still searching for potential mates while anxiously awaiting the arrival of their niece or nephew.

After Taryn emptied her bladder, she waddled toward the sink, took a deep breath and splashed cool water on her face, trying to calm herself down. But then she felt liquid trickling down her thighs. At first, she thought she peed herself because her bladder hadn’t been completely empty—a common occurrence due to the position of the baby—but then she realized what was really happening. She was in labor.

Panic set in as Taryn tried to process what was happening. This was her first child with her huge alien husband, and the thought of giving birth to a child with extraterrestrial genes only added to her nerves.

But she couldn’t afford to freak out. She needed to wake Losax and prepare for their baby’s arrival. Taking deep breaths, Taryn quickly made her way back to their bedroom.

As she approached the bed, she noticed Losax sleeping soundly, his large chest rising and falling with each breath. She hesitated for a moment, taking in the sight of her husband. She felt grateful for his presence and the strength he brought to her life.

She gently placed her hand on his arm and shook him awake. “Losax, wake up. It’s time,” she whispered, her voice filled with urgency.

Losax stirred, his eyes opening slowly at first, then widening as he took in Taryn’s distressed expression. He sat up quickly, his concern evident.

“Are you in labor?” he asked as he sat up quickly, concern etched on his face.

She nodded through gritted teeth, another contraction taking hold of her body. “Yes, it just started. And I may have left a mess on aisle two,” she added with a small laugh.

At his puzzled look, she clarified, “My water broke in the bathroom.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll activate the cleaning bot,” he stated. His expression shifted from concern to determination, and he sprang into action. “I’ll get everything ready,” he said, rising from the bed.

Taryn watched as he moved around the room in a blur of activity, gathering supplies for the birthing room. Despite the pain, she smiled at his eagerness to support her.

As Losax returned to her side, he tried to lift her but Taryn stopped him with a stern gaze. “Don’t even think about it,” she warned. “I’m not in the mood for you to play Losax the Barbarian right now.”

He chuckled, clearly amused by her defiance. “You know I’ll take care of you,” he replied before stepping closer. “I won’t drop you. Just let me help.”

Taryn relented, realizing she needed his assistance despite her independent nature. “Fine,” she conceded. “But be careful. I’m carrying precious cargo.”

Neither she nor Losax knew the gender of their child, wanting to avoid added pressure. And with their resources, it would be easy to prepare for a boy or girl once the baby arrived.

Losax gently carried her into the birthing room, and Taryn’s anxiety began to ease as she saw everything set up according to her wishes. The birthing pool was filled and ready for her, and she felt grateful for its soothing warmth.

But as the reality of labor hit her, so did a wave of nerves. She couldn’t believe this was happening, especially without any healers present. But she took deep breaths, focusing on Losax’s comforting presence by her side.

He helped her into the water and stayed close, applying waterproof pain patches to her back when needed. Taryn leaned on him during contractions, finding strength in his constant support.

He wiped her forehead with a cool towel and whispered words of encouragement in her ear. She appreciated his care and love, but couldn’t shake off the uneasiness about not having healers present.

Looking up at Losax with worry in her eyes, Taryn asked, “Where are the healers? Why haven’t they arrived yet?”

“There won’t be any healers,” he explained, his voice gentle. “It’s my responsibility to see to the birth of our child as the father.”

Her heart raced as she processed his words. The thought of him handling the birth on his own frightened her, and she expressed her concerns. “You can’t be serious! This is dangerous! We need someone who knows what they’re doing!”

Losax placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his gaze filled with love. “I’ve been involved in your entire pregnancy,” he said, reminding her. “I’ve participated in every exam with the healers. I know your body, and I’ve been with you every step of the way. This moment is why. Trust me, Taryn.”

Her eyes searched his, finding the depth of his conviction and love. She realized he was right—he had been there for her throughout the entire pregnancy, ensuring her safety and well-being.

“What if something goes wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing will go amiss,” he reassured. “However, I have a medical capsule on standby if we need it. It is equipped to keep you and our child stable until a healer arrives if things are dire. But again, we won’t need it. Everything is going to be fine.”

Taryn took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing mind. “Okay,” she agreed, her voice softening. “I trust you to keep us safe.”

“Thank you.”

As Taryn’s labor progressed rapidly, she found strength in Losax’s presence by her side. His steady demeanor helped her focus on her breathing and manage the pain with techniques they had practiced together. He remained vigilant, applying pain patches and offering her sips of water to stay hydrated.

The birthing pool provided some relief, but Taryn’s contractions grew more intense. She clung to Losax for support as he guided her through each contraction, his encouraging words and soothing touch giving her a sense of security. Despite his reassurances, Taryn couldn’t shake off her worries about the absence of medical professionals and the speed of her labor.

But Losax remained calm and confident, having studied everything they needed to know for this moment. As the time for delivery approached, Taryn leaned on him for support both physically and mentally. With his strong arms around her, she braced herself for each contraction.

Through it all, Losax never left her side, tending to her needs and providing comfort and encouragement.

With one final push, Taryn let out a cry as their child entered the world. Tears streamed down her face as Losax placed their child on her chest. His expression was filled with joy and pride as he met Taryn’s gaze.

“We have a daughter!” He exclaimed, his voice filled with wonder.

Taryn’s heart swelled with love and emotion as she looked down at their newborn daughter’s perfect face. Her eyes blinked open, revealing a pair of deep purple eyes just like her father’s.

Tears of joy mingled with their daughter’s first cries as Taryn held her close. This was the moment they had been waiting for, and it was worth every moment of pain and uncertainty.

Taryn cradled their daughter in her arms, marveling at the miracle of new life. Losax wrapped his strong arms around them both, creating a sense of warmth and protection.

His voice was filled with emotion as he spoke. “She’s beautiful, Noctis,” he said, gazing at their daughter with tenderness. “You did well. I’m so proud of you.”

Taryn nodded, her adoration for their child and for Losax shining in her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice trembling with gratitude and love. “Thank you for being here with me.”

He smiled, his expression filled with adoration. “It was my honor,” he replied sincerely. “You and our daughter mean everything to me.”

As Taryn held their daughter close, a wave of fulfillment and contentment washed over her.

He gently wiped away Taryn’s tears, his touch tender and loving. “You did it, Noctis,” he said proudly. “Our family is complete.”

Taryn’s exhaustion faded away as she looked down at their precious daughter, feeling overwhelmed with joy and relief at her birth. In this moment, surrounded by the warmth and love of Losax and their newborn, Taryn knew she would cherish this memory forever.

As Losax leaned in to kiss Taryn sweetly, she closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of triumph and love they had achieved together. They may face new challenges as a family, but Taryn had no doubt that they would overcome them together.

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