Page 86 of Worthy Promises
“Several hours,” Noirin replied, her jaw still clenched. “They were pretty irregular at first, but they’re definitely getting stronger.Whew, lasting longer too.”
“I told her I’d take care of breakfast, but she ignored me,” Kendrick supplied.
“Okay, have you been timing them?” Saura asked.
“It’s been like five minutes since the last one,” Noirin replied.
“Great, we have plenty of time to get to the hospital. Kendrick, why don’t you go get her bag?” Saura instructed. Kendrick kissed Noirin’s flushed cheek and ran out of the kitchen without remembering to pull off his apron. “Rafe, give Henry a call and let him know that we’ll need him to feed everyone today. It’s a good thing the Gennevioses moved here this weekend. Can I get some volunteers to clean up breakfast?”
Mac stood and rolled up his sleeves. “I’ll work on the dishes.”
“Brogan, do you know who is going to the hospital with us? I’m sure you’ve already worked out security for us,” Saura commented.
Scared for his cousin, Worth felt his heart beating wildly in his chest, but Saura was at least outwardly calm.
“Yes, we worked that out weeks ago,” Brogan replied, his dark gaze still locked on Noirin.
“Can wego?” Dra’Kaedan asked, rising and shoving his chair toward the table.
“Relax,” Saura told her son. “There is no need to panic or rush. Our little drakeling is on his way, but he won’t be here in the next few minutes.”
“I’ve seen this shit on TV, and I don’t really want Noir to give birth in this fucking kitchen,” Brogan retorted. “Why is Kendrick taking so long?”
“I’m right here,” Kendrick commented as he stalked into the kitchen with a big bag made of his and Noirin’s dragonskin. He’d removed his apron and rushed to hang it up. Once he’d secured it in the pantry, he set the bag on the floor and assisted Noirin in removing her apron. “How are you feeling, Noir?”
“I’m okay, that damn contraction finally ended,” Noirin said, cupping Kendrick’s face and kissing him. “But I think I’d like to get to the hospital so I don’t have to ask Brogan to deliver our baby.”
“Oh, hell no, I’m not delivering anyone’s damn baby,” Brogan countered.
Brogan shook his head violently, and Worth chuckled. It was ridiculous. They lived with too many sorcerers for there to be any possibility of Noirin not getting to the hospital—the teleportation spell literally took seconds.
“What the fuck is so funny, Worth?” Brogan asked. “I’m serious.”
“You know I gave birth in my own castle,” Saura said. “To twins, no less.”
“In our bed,” T’Eirick added.
“Ew,” Dra’Kaedan replied, his face contorted with revulsion.
“It was a beautiful natural birth enhanced with sorcery,” Saura responded. “We were lucky. We had magic to keep things clean and to whisk away my pain. Noir, you’ll be just as comfortable, I promise.”
“Damn right,” Dra’Kaedan said, joining his mother and Noirin near the island. “But seriously, can we go to the hospital now?”
“Once Rafe is finished with his phone call,” Saura answered.
“Henry will be here within the hour,” Rafe stated as he stood. “Let’s go.”
“Everyone coming with us, get your ass over here so Noir doesn’t have to move for the teleport,” Dra’Kaedan ordered. The small contingent of D’Vaires going with Noirin and Kendrick to welcome their child to the world quickly obeyed the Grand Warlock.
After they were gone, no one in the kitchen said a word for at least a minute or two. Mac was steadily working on cleansing dishes with Idris at his side, toweling off each plate he was handed.
Zarasha broke the silence with a clap of her paws. As usual, she’d been watching television and playing with toys in the connected great room. When Saura had established control of the situation, Zarasha had entered the kitchen and was now leaning on Xakiok’s chair. “It’s going to be so exciting to havea baby in the house. Can we call Orion at school and let him know?”
“Babies take a while,” Oliver responded. “Orion may even be home from school before Noirin has her son.”
“It would be difficult for Orion to focus on his studies if he’s thinking about the new baby,” Drekkoril added.
“Then I’m glad today is Friday so Orion doesn’t mess up at school tomorrow,” Zarasha replied. “I think I’m going to be excited for weeks!”
