63. Alena

63

ALENA

A lena liked having people around her when she was having her babies. It was a joyous occasion, especially for people who didn't get to celebrate births often, and she liked to share her blessings.

It got a little crowded with her mother and Kian there, but she was glad Orion managed to catch them in the parking lot before they left for the keep.

If they had left earlier and had been at the keep when Orion called, her mother wouldn't have made it in time to see the baby born, and she would have regretted it dearly.

Her mother had witnessed all her babies coming into the world, and this last one shouldn't be any different.

Hopefully, it wouldn't be the last, but Alena didn't want to be greedy and anger the Fates who had been so incredibly generous with her.

Also, Orion seemed much calmer now that Annani was there, and Alena hoped her mother wasn't thralling him to take the edge off.

He was probably glad to have someone with plenty of experience helping Alena.

"Breathe." Annani clasped Alena's hand as another contraction hit her hard. "In and out, slow and steady."

"Syssi and Amanda are on their way," Kian said, his face pinched with unnecessary worry. "They're coming from the university, but they'll be here as soon as possible."

Alena laughed, the sound strained and a little breathless. "They probably won't make it," she managed, shaking her head. "This baby is coming out fast."

"Not necessarily," Merlin said as he entered the room. "Your contractions are coming every two minutes, but that doesn't mean the baby will come flying out. It could still be a couple of hours yet."

Alena shook her head. "Wanna bet?"

Merlin chuckled. "Save your energy for pushing," he advised, his voice warm with affection. "I'll give you all a few minutes, and then I need everyone out for a little bit to check how things are progressing." He winked at Alena before stepping out of the room.

As she settled onto the bed, resting between contractions, she glanced at her mate, whose pale face was drawn with worry. He looked like he was about to be sick.

"Hey." She reached for his hand and gave it a gentle tug. "There is absolutely no reason to worry. I'm a demigoddess, remember? Nothing is going to happen to me."

"I know, but I can't stand seeing you in pain. It's killing me. And then I worry about the baby. He's not going to be born immortal even though we are both demigods, and if something goes wrong, all of our powers combined might not be able to save him."

He was wrong about that, but she couldn't tell him what her mother's blood could do, or his father's. If the baby was in trouble, Fates forbid, a small donation from either would bring him back.

That wasn't guaranteed, though. If the baby was stillborn, even a god's blood could not bring him back.

Kian leaned against the wall, holding his phone. "Did you find out the baby's gender and didn't tell anyone?"

"We didn't." Alena winced as another contraction started. "Sari convinced me that statistically it was more likely that I would have a boy this time, so we started referring to the baby as he."

As the pain took her breath away, she couldn't talk anymore; holding on to Orion's hand and panting was all she could do.

When the contraction subsided, Kian was not in the room, and Merlin was back.

"I can give you all kinds of things for the pain, from mild relief to an epidural."

Orion looked at her with hope, but Alena shook her head. "I've delivered thirteen children with nothing to ease the way. I'll do no less for my fourteenth."

Merlin nodded. "I had a feeling that you would say that." He turned to Orion. "I don't mind if you stay, and naturally, the Clan Mother can stay as well, but I need to check the opening."

When Orion swallowed audibly, Alena patted his hand. "Wait outside with Kian, sweetheart. Maybe get some coffee from the café."

He shook his head. "I'm not leaving your side."

"The baby is not coming out yet, and you'll just be in the waiting room. Go."

Her mother pushed to her feet. "Come on, Orion. Let us give Alena some privacy."

When he stood up, she threaded her arm through his. "So, did you two come up with a list of names?" She looked over her shoulder at Alena and winked.

She sent her mother an air kiss.

Merlin smoothed a hand over his long beard as the door closed behind the two. "Maybe the Clan Mother shouldn't have left. Do you want me to call Hildegard to be in here while I perform the examination?"

Alena rolled her eyes. "Don't be silly, Merlin. Just do it."

She could have reminded him that he was her great-grandson, but there was a chance that it would make him even more uncomfortable.