Page 24 of Hunting for Acceptance

Time really flieswhen you’re having fun. I never really thought anything about that saying but these last few months have beenfunand gods, we all prepared for this day but I didn’t realize it would comeso soon.

It feels like just yesterday we were all sitting in this hotel room fucking Dorian over and over and over again. Now, Martin and I are sitting on the edge of the bed, watching our mate pace back and forth while groaning in pain. His hands rub at his extended belly which is no doubt contracting again with the noises he’s making.

I wish there was something I could do to help, but instead I’m here, ready to do exactly as Dorian wants at any given moment. He’s in pain right now but soon enough, our baby will be born and it will have all been worth it.

In the last few weeks we’ve finished up another case. This one was so much easier than the last thankfully. Just a lost shifter. He couldn’t have been more than 5 years old but because he was scared and lost, he was stuck in his shifter form. Normally, that wouldn’t be harmful enough to warrant any worry, but the little guy was a dragon shifter and he wouldn’t stop using his fire breath to scare people away.

Once we found him and brought him into our care he quickly shifted back to his human skin. He made fast friends with JJ which helped keep him from being too afraid until we could find his parents. I’m big enough to admit that that reunion brought tears to my eyes.

I’ve also already been talking to Ronny about tracking devices for all the kids just in case of emergencies just like this.

“Fuck,” Dorian murmurs, leaning against the wall as he breathes through the pain.

“You’re doing great,” I tell him. “Soon enough this will all be over.”

“Of course I’m doing great,” he grits out. “I’m fucking awesome.”

“You really are,” Martin says, standing up and walking past Dorian and heading into the bathroom. As much as we wish to help, Dorian has asked us not to touch him. Apparently everything going on is overwhelming and our touch would make it worse and we’re happy to respect those wishes.

I can hear the bath running and I can tell that’s just what Dorian needs. He always feels the best when he’s in water.

“Star better get here soon,” Dorian says, his body hunching over himself as the contraction fades. “They’re coming faster. I can feel it’s almost time.”

“She’ll be here,” I tell him. “Do you want anything, baby? Maybe some more ice?”

“That would be perfect. Thank you, Cooper.”

“No problem. I love you and wanna make sure you’re taken care of.” Dorian gives me a soft smile. As I go to walk past him, he grabs my waist and tugs me close. I touch his belly gently, in wonder that our baby is in there and about to be born.

Dorian kisses my lips gently before pulling back. “Thank you. I love you too.”

I quickly step out of our room, walking down the hall in search of the ice machine. After getting a bucketful, I head back, stopping when a familiar head of snow white hair appears.

“Hi, Star!”

“I was just coming to find your room,” she says with a wide smile, her streak a brilliant purple color today. She’s a midwife who has helped Axel and Zander both give birth. Apparently she just travels around the nation, helping as many couples as she possibly can.

Her job is almost as chaotic as ours.

“Right this way,” I tell her, holding out my elbow for her to take. She slides her hand into the crook of my arm, giving me a little squeeze. She gives me a look, one that makes me shiver slightly at howseeingit is, like she’s gauging my very soul.

The look fades away before I can comment on it.

“Are you excited to meet your little one?”

“Very much so,” I tell her seriously. “I have the usual first dad worries, like being a good dad and keeping enough time for both the baby and my partners, but I have a feeling this is one of those things you just have to dive in with both feet and do the best you can.”

“I have a feeling you’ve read enough books to give you an edge though,” she says with a knowing smile. She’s not wrong. I’ve been reading baby books nonstop since Dorian admitted he was pregnant. I have a feeling some of these things won’t be quite so helpful with a siren baby but surely some of these tips must apply.

“You’ll be fine, deary,” Star says, patting my arm. I open the hotel door for her and step inside. Dorian lets out a long groan.

“Thank fuck,” he calls out. “Come bring me my ice.”

I chuckle as I bring Star with me into the bathroom. “I’ve brought ice and I’ve also brought you a Star.”

“You couldn’t have had better timing,” he murmurs as Martin carefully puts Dorian’s long, blue hair into a bun on the top of his head for him. “I can feel the baby coming.”

“I tend to have pretty good timing, yes,” Star murmurs, giving me a wink before pushing her way towards the tub.

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