Page 62 of Pleasure and Mane
Quinn glanced around the room through her own tears and found she wasn't alone in her emotional response. Henry had pulled out his handkerchief and was dabbing at his eyes unabashedly. Bertram was crying openly, his massive frame shaking with the force of meeting his daughter. And Caius—her strong, commanding Alpha—had tears streaming down his face as he stared at his niece with wonder.
"Welcome to the world, little one," Quinn whispered, checking the baby's vitals with practiced hands. "Born on Valentine's Day to a family who's going to love you beyond measure."
The baby opened her eyes—the same brilliant blue as her uncle's—and seemed to focus on Quinn's face with an intensity that was purely Haider.
Three hours later, the recovery room radiated the warm glow of new family bliss. Lavinia lay propped against soft pillows as she cradled baby Leona against her chest. The infant was swaddled in a pink blanket, her tiny fist curled around her mother's finger with surprising strength. Bertram sat on the edge of the bed, his massive frame somehow gentle as he traced one finger along his daughter's perfect cheek.
Quinn stood beside Caius, his arm wrapped around her waist as they watched the perfect family scene unfold. The sight of her mate's protective stance and the raw emotion in his blue eyes as he gazed at his niece made her heart flutter with possibilities she hadn't dared voice yet.
A sharp knock interrupted the peaceful moment, followed by the distinctive click of designer heels on polished floors.
"Well, well," came a familiar voice dripping with satisfaction. "Look what Valentine's Day delivered to the Haider family."
Gerri Wilder swept into the room like a perfectly coiffed whirlwind, her white bob immaculate and her petite frame draped in a stunning red designer suit that screamed expensive. Her arms were laden with beautifully wrapped packages in shades of pink and gold.
"Gerri!" Lavinia's face lit up with genuine joy. "How did you know it happened today?"
"Please, darling." Gerri's eyes sparkled as she approached the bed. "I make it my business to know when my success stories have big moments. Besides, this fierce little lioness was always destined to arrive on love's biggest holiday."
She placed the gifts on the bedside table, then leaned down to peer at baby Leona with the expertise of someone who'd seen countless miraculous arrivals.
"Just as I expected," Gerri declared with satisfaction. "She's going to be a heartbreaker, just like her mama. And those eyes—pure Haider intensity, even at three hours old."
Quinn felt Caius's grip tighten around her waist, his Alpha instincts responding to the praise of his bloodline.
"Gerri," Henry said warmly, moving to embrace the diminutive woman. "You always did have impeccable timing."
"Speaking of timing," Gerri's golden gaze swept between Quinn and Caius with laser-like focus. "I need to steal this happy couple for just a moment. Official business, you understand."
Before either could protest, Gerri had somehow maneuvered them out of the recovery room and into the hallway with the efficiency of a woman accustomed to getting her way.
"Look at you two," she said, her voice filled with genuine warmth as she studied their joined hands and the obvious contentment radiating between them. "Six months of watching the most powerful Alpha in the region turn into an absolute puddle around his mate, and you're still giving me chills with that connection."
Caius's chest puffed with characteristic Alpha pride. "Your hundred percent success rate remains intact, Gerri. Quinn's everything I never knew I needed."
Quinn blinked in confusion, looking between her mate and the petite woman who was glowing with satisfaction. "Wait—you're a matchmaker? Nobody mentioned you were a matchmaker."
"Oops." Gerri's laugh tinkled like wind chimes. "Did I forget to mention I own the Paranormal Dating Agency when I met you at that charity dinner? My apologies, dear. I was rather focused on the whole 'meeting a mysterious stranger' approach back then."
Of course she was.Quinn felt pieces clicking into place with clarity. The convenient timing, the perfect job opportunity, and the way Gerri had seemed to know exactly what would draw Quinn to Leon...
"You orchestrated everything," Quinn breathed, though her tone held more admiration than accusation. "The job, the timing, bringing me here—it was all planned."
"Planned is such a limiting word," Gerri said with a dismissive wave. "I prefer 'divinely inspired coincidence.'"
Quinn exchanged a look with Caius, whose eyes held the same mixture of gratitude and amazement she felt coursing through her veins. Despite the manipulation—or perhaps because of its perfect results—she couldn't summon even a whisper of anger.
"Well, your meddling worked out perfectly," Quinn admitted, leaning into Caius's solid warmth. "I wouldn't change how we met for anything."
Gerri's smile turned absolutely radiant. "Which brings me to my next topic of conversation."
Her golden eyes fixed on Quinn with an intensity that made Quinn's breathing falter.No. There's no way she could possibly know...
"I think another celebration is in order," Gerri continued with a knowing wink. "After all, little Leona is going to need a cousin to play with soon."
Quinn's eyes widened in shock as her hand instinctively pressed to her stomach. She'd only confirmed her suspicions three days ago with a home test, and hadn't even told Caius yet...
"What?" Caius's voice was a low growl of Alpha intensity as his gaze snapped between the two women. "Quinn?"
