Jade

JADE

A nother contraction hits, and this time I know I can’t ignore them any longer. I’ve been tossing and turning in bed, running through things in my head over and over.

I can’t believe it of Drekkan. He didn’t take the power transformer. He had no need to. He was enjoying the celebrations. I know him well enough, I’m sure I know him well enough, to be able to tell if he wasn’t having fun.

Drekkan wears his heart on his sleeve in a way even he doesn’t understand. He wants so badly to be a grouch, and then he laughs when I tickle him under his left arm where his scales are soft, and his entire face lights up.

Or we stop in the marketplace because I’ve seen something for the baby, and he’s all serious until it’s in his hands and then his face is filled with wonder.

My big, bad, grumpy Christmas dragon.

I refuse to believe he’d do anything to hurt the inhabitants of Kitchik, I just won’t believe it. But at the same time, where is he when I need him?

A contraction spears through me, and it’s like I’m being ripped open. I groan out loud this time, unable to stop myself. I need Drekkan, and I need to get to the medical center because this baby IS coming, no matter how much I wish I could hold on.

With the most recent contraction receding, I get to the comm unit on the wall in the kitchen and put in a call to the medical center who tells me they’ll send some transport. I don’t have to wait long until there’s a chime at the door and I’m in the hands of two Bosszanto medics who are all seriousness whereas Qrow is never serious. They help me into their hover transport and I’m at the center in no time.

“I need you to find Qrow, Qrow Riverside?” I ask one of the orderlies as I’m escorted through to where Blynda is waiting for me.

“So, it’s time?” She beams. I have no idea why she’s happy given I’m about to give birth to god knows what.

I hope she’s ready for tentacles.

“It’s time.” I clutch at my stomach. “And I need Drekkan.”

“He is your mate?” Blynda asks.

“He is,” I say firmly. “He might not be the father, biologically, but he is this baby’s father as far as I’m concerned. I don’t care what he’s done, I want him here, with me. Oh!”

This contraction is much stronger and much more painful than the rest. It sears through me like a knife.

“Find Drekkan,” Blynda says to one of the medics. “Urgently. This female needs her mate.”