Page 3 of Banishing Regrets

“Just as long as it doesn’t turn me into a fucking dragon right now. I don’t want to give birth in that form,” Selene grunted. Another contraction hit her, and Jane watched patiently as the slender brunette bore down, desperate to push the child from her body. “Argh,” she screamed. “Brayden we are never having sex again.”

Emma laughed. “I said that to Scott. It only lasted a few weeks, though.”

“Not fucking happening.” Selene panted a few more times while Brayden’s face turned as white as a sheet at the threat.

Jane remembered saying the same thing to Heath, but even though baby Brayden’s head had been big, her resolve didn’t last long after his birth either.

“It’s coming,” Emma announced, and Selene pushed down hard again.

All of a sudden, the sound of a baby crying filled the room.

Jane felt the tears prick at the corner of her eyes. She was a grandmother and not even forty yet. Where had her life gone?

She felt the magic that had surged inside her since the day Heath died, but she suppressed it. She’d told no one she experienced it, not even Kas, and she confided everything in him. It was her secret. It was like Heath had died, but he lived on inside her, and she welcomed that feeling. She didn’t know what the magic allowed her to do, because she’d never explored it. All she knew was it existed.

“It’s a boy,” Emma announced happily and placed the baby onto Selene’s chest.

Tears filled both Brayden’s and Selene’s eyes. They stared down at the new life in the room.

“So you’re the one who’s been causing your mommy lots of trouble.” Brayden stroked his son’s head, and the baby stopped crying and purred. It was like the baby sensed Brayden was his father, and that was the noise he needed to make for his daddy.

Tears streamed down Jane’s cheeks. The sight before her was beyond beautiful.

“Mommy’s going to enjoy not changing into a random creature anymore,” Selene added and moved the baby so he could suckle at her breast.

“Daddy’s going to enjoy being able to run without being brought back home, because someone is threatening Mommy.” Brayden leaned forward and kissed the top of the baby’s head.

All of a sudden, Jane’s son was changing into his snow leopard form, and when she looked, the baby had turned green with Wicca markings.

“Maybe not.” Emma laughed as Brayden shifted himself back to human form, and the baby returned to his original color.

“I’m so glad we had the birth here,” Selene sighed heavily.

With Brayden back in human form, he cut the baby’s umbilical cord and took their son from Selene. Emma dealt with the aftermath of the birth and helped the exhausted multi-shifter from the bed so she could shower. After his son had been wrapped in blankets, Brayden held him in his arms. Jane made her way over to them.

“He’s perfect! Congratulations.” Jane kissed her son on the cheek.

“Thank you.” Brayden was still emotional—she could tell from the quiver in his voice. “I can’t believe I’m a father.”

“You’ll be an amazing one.” Jane gently placed her hand inside the blanket, the baby was swaddled in, and taking hold of one of his little hands, she wrapped her fingers around it.

“I’m scared, Mom. What if I don’t know what to do?” Brayden continued to look at his son.

“You will. It will all come naturally to you, That’s the type of person you are. Stop worrying. Enjoy every moment of your time with him.”

“I will.” Brayden looked up and held his son out to her. “Here, you need a cuddle as well, Grandma. You’re the only grandparent he has, so he's going to rely on you a lot.”

“Heaven help him.” Jane practically snatched the little bundle of joy into her arms. She’d been desperate to hold him since his first cry. He was so light. She’d forgotten how fragile a newborn felt.

“Have you and Selene decided on a name yet?”

Brayden reached out and touched his son on the head while Jane held him.

“We have. If it’s all right with you, we want to call him Heath,” Brayden replied.

Jane felt her legs go weak at the knees. She sat down quickly in a nearby chair to keep her grandson safe.

“I love it.” She sniffed back her tears.

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