Page 113 of Her Orc Protector

For a moment, everyone stared at the brownie in surprise. She glared back, hands on her hips. "Well? Move!"

It broke the tension. Dora laughed, Uldrek grinned despite his worry, and even Gruha looked impressed.

"Listen to the brownie," I said, summoning a smile through the building pressure. "She knows what she's doing."

As Leilan led Ellie from the room with promises of special cake waiting in the kitchen, Uldrek took his place behind me on the bed. His body was solid and warm against my back, his arms strong around me. I leaned into him, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my spine.

"I've got you," he murmured against my hair. "I've got you."

The next hour blurred into a landscape of sensation—pain building and receding like waves, the cool cloth on my forehead, Dora's steady encouragement, Gruha's calm instructions. Through it all, Uldrek remained my anchor, his body supporting mine, his voice a constant reassurance in my ear.

When the final push came, I bore down with everything I had, Uldrek's arms bracing me. There was a moment of searing pressure, and then—release. A tiny, indignant cry filled the room.

"A boy," Gruha announced, her voice uncharacteristically soft. "Strong lungs on this one."

She placed him on my chest, this small, wet, furious creature who had been part of me and was now his own being. His skin was a pale green, his face scrunched in protest, and a downy cap of dark hair covered his head. I counted his fingers and toes, marveling at their impossible perfection.

"Look at him," I whispered, hardly aware of the tears streaming down my face. "Uldrek, look."

I felt more than saw Uldrek peer over my shoulder, his breath catching. One large, green hand reached out tentatively to touch the baby's head, so gently it was barely a touch at all.

"He's... perfect," he said, his voice rough with emotion.

The baby's cries softened as I cradled him against me. His eyes, still unfocused, seemed to search for something. When they found my face, he grew quieter still, his tiny brow furrowed in concentration.

"Hello, little one," I murmured. "Welcome to the world. We've been waiting for you."

Time seemed to stand still as we studied each other, this new person and I. Around us, I was dimly aware of Gruha directing the cleanup, of Dora exclaiming over the baby's miniature features, of Hobbie fussing with blankets and insisting the window be closed against drafts. But the center of my universe had narrowed to the weight in my arms and the solid presence of Uldrek behind me.

After everything was cleaned and settled, after the excitement had died down and the helpers had retreated to give us privacy, I shifted to look at Uldrek properly for the first time since the birth.

His face was open, vulnerable in a way I rarely saw—a mixture of wonder, fear, and fierce protectiveness that made my heart squeeze. He was watching our son with an expression I recognized from the first time he'd held Ellie—cautious reverence, as if he couldn't quite believe he was allowed this much joy.

"Do you want to hold him?" I asked.

Uldrek nodded, carefully sliding out from behind me and moving to sit beside us on the bed. I placed the swaddled bundle in his arms, watching him adjust his hold with exquisite care. His large hands, capable of such force in battle, cradled our son as if he were made of the most delicate glass.

"We should name him," I said softly.

We'd discussed names during the pregnancy but hadn't settled on one, wanting to meet him first. Now, looking at his small face, I thought I knew.

"Torrin," I whispered. It was an old name from northern Alderwilde, meaning "thunder." Strong but not harsh. A name with presence.

Uldrek tried it out, his voice a low rumble. "Torrin." He nodded, a slow smile spreading across his face. "It suits him."

There was a soft tap at the door, and Leilan peeked in, Ellie's eager face visible just below her waist. "Someone is very anxious to meet her brother," she said apologetically. "We tried to wait, but..."

"Bring her in," I said, smiling. "It's time for introductions."

Ellie approached the bed with unusual caution, her eyes wide as she spotted the bundle in Uldrek's arms. Leilan lifted her onto the bed, and she crawled toward us slowly, her flower crown now significantly more crooked.

"Baby?" she whispered.

"Yes," Uldrek said, shifting so she could see better. "This is your brother, Torrin."

Ellie studied him solemnly. "He's small."

"He'll grow," Uldrek assured her. "Just like you did."

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