Epilogue

Rayan

"Are you sure you want a home birth?" Vince stood at the foot of the blow-up pool in the middle of our living room, brow furrowed. "Wouldn't it be safer to deliver in an actual hospital? You know, where doctors, nurses, and medical equipment are available in an emergency."

"We've already discussed this, babe." I closed my eyes and tried to relax through another contraction. "Meadow is here to assist me, and the hospital is close enough if we need to go. But people have had babies since the start of time, and my body will know what to do."

"And you are sure about the water birth?" Vince crouched next to me and nodded to the inflatable pool I was sitting in. "The baby won't drown in there?"

I caught myself before I let a laugh erupt. My alpha was just being concerned. But seriously? Drown in a bathing pool. "No, Vince. It will be fine. Besides, you need to remember that I'm a merman. There is a good chance this child will be, too. That's why this type of birth is important. If our children inherit the shifting gene, they will feel natural in the water, and it will soothe their transition into the world."

"I'm sorry." Vince closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "I just want everyone safe, and I hate not having control of the situation."

"Get used to not being in control." I brushed a lock of hair out of his eyes. "From what I hear, parenthood is a mixture of going with the flow and following the demands of a small child."

"I love you."

"I love you too. Now, can you calm down and sit next to me? These contractions are getting harsher, and I need a hand to break—I mean to hold."

Vince kissed my knuckles. "You are amazing, and I can't wait to meet our son."

"Our son? What if it's a daughter? Don't tell me you are one of those fathers?" I held his gaze and waited for his response.

"I will love any children we have. Female or male. Alpha or omega. Shifter or non-shifter. I just want a healthy and happy child. Now, stop giving me shit about poor word choice and tell me if there is anything else you need me to do for you to soothe the birth process."

"You are doing exactly what you need to, alpha."

Another contraction rippled through my body. I used to think I would have a dozen babies if I ever found my mate. Now I was leaning toward this little one being an only child.

"How are you feeling, Rayan?" My midwife, Meadow, returned to the living room and handed me a cup of hot tea. "Here, take this. It's a special blend with a touch of magic that will quicken the process, lessen the discomfort, and give you enough energy to get through the delivery."

"Is that safe for the baby?" Vince squinted his eyes at the cup. "I heard that omegas shouldn't eat or drink during labor."

"That is something many doctors say, and sometimes that is the correct decision. But all the herbs I have used in this tincture are safe for the parent and the child. While the teakettle is hot, I will get you some of my calming mixture. Calm alpha means calm omega and baby, but a nervous alpha only makes things anxious."

Meadow left us alone again, and I pulled my alpha's face down to kiss him. "You need to settle your nerves. I trust Meadow, and I trust my body. Can you trust me?"

"I do. I will try to relax. Maybe that tea will help me. I've never used much magic, but I can see how sometimes a touch of it can make life easier and better."

"Here you go." Meadow returned just as another contraction struck. "Let me check your omega line. I didn't think there was much time between those last two."

"There is more pressure now."

"Oh yeah, there will be." Meadow examined my progress. "I think our little one is ready to make their appearance now. Are you ready, Papa?"

"Let's do this." I gripped Vince's hand tighter. "I want to stop feeling like my body is being torn apart."

"Holding the baby in our arms would just be a bonus." Meadow winked. "Okay, Daddies. Let's do this."

My mind blocked out the rest of the delivery, perhaps to fool me into having several more mini-Vinces. But what I remembered next is the massive amount of unconditional love that swamped my heart when I heard my son cry for the first time.

"Congratulations. Do you have a name for your son?" Meadow laid the naked baby directly on my chest for skin-to-skin contact.

"Ryver." I felt the sting of tears in my eyes as I took in the sight of my firstborn. "He's a Ryver."

"He is incredible." Vince's lips tilted as he stared at the child in my arms. Looking up at my eyes, he leaned over and kissed me. "You are incredible."

"Thank you." I looked down at our son. "He is perfect."

"You did a good job, Papa." Meadow checked my omega line. "Everything seems to be healing up already. I will get a couple of towels to clean you two off and let you guys have a while alone as a family."

Meadow left the room, but I hardly noticed. I was too caught up in the moment. This was my life, and I loved every moment of it. Closing my eyes, I let my magic out and tested to see if Ryver would have a shifted form like me or if Vince's family curse still held firm.

"I can feel the shifter in Ryver," I whispered to my mate. "I think Astrid's spell worked after all."

After Vince decided to stay in Mystic Beach, Astrid and I researched how to reverse the hex that cursed his and Val's family. With the help of the local coven, we performed a spell but had yet to see proof that it had worked. Ryver just proved it had.

"Although I wish I could have gotten a shifted form, I am beyond happy to know that our children will have that ability."

"Me too." I kissed Vince and held Ryver closer. "Maybe one day you will, too."

"Maybe." Vince laughed. "But I've already been blessed with so much, I don't know if I could hope for even more."

"I love you, alpha."

"I love you, omega. Always."

***