Page 74 of Draco Family Duet

He coughed, usually a sign he was hiding a chuckle. “So, apologize to your wife. She’s in labor. Stop being sosensitive.”

I held up my misshapen hand. “I was actually hoping for a moment to heal. I’m pretty sure it’sbroken.”

This time, he didn’t even try. Fredo burst out laughing. When he finished, he strode over to the fridge pressed a cup against the ice dispenser, and then passed me a container full of ice chips. “Here’s a peace offering. Go be with her or you’ll never forgive yourself for missing the birth of your first child. And if I know my niece, she’ll never forgive youeither.

“Fine,” I mumbled as I trudged back toward our bedroom. Then I stopped and addressed him once more. “She can really hold agrudge.”

“Yes, well, she was made for you. Go take care of her so she has nothing to hold a grudge about, okay?” He crossed his arms over his chest and tapped his foot a few times while hewaited.

I waved over my shoulder and tiptoed back to the bedroom. Opening the door a few inches, I stuck the cup through and shook it a little. “I come bearing gifts,” Iannounced.

“Where’ve you been?” Peri murmured. “It’s almost time topush.”

“Ah, the resting phase.” I tentatively stepped into the room. Nothing was thrown at my head, which was an awesome sign. I glanced at the floor. The picture frame was shattered on the floor. “This can be replaced.” Ishrugged.

“I’m sorry, dragon,” she whispered. “I don’t do well withpain.”

“I hear you. And I felt you.” I held out my hand, flexed it, andwinced.

“Hold me?” Peri batted her eyelashes atme.

I grinned. “That’s the woman I know and love.” I confidently strode across the room and climbed into bed withher.

“There’s the man who impregnated me the first time we had sex and robbed us of the newlywed phase.” Peri grinned and I shrank back. “Don’t worry. As soon as this labor is over, I won’t even care. I’ve heard it’s love at first sight.” Sheshrugged.

“That’s how it was for me and you.” I kissed the end of hernose.

“Liar,” she muttered as she rolled onto her side and backed againstme.

I was at a loss for words. Thankfully, there was a knock on the door. Fredo peeked in and I heaved a sigh of relief as I waved himin.

“Peri, can I get you something?” he askedquietly.

She shook her head. “I’m good now. Thankyou.”

Fifteen minutes later, however, was an entirely different story. Tears streamed down her face. “Why didn’t I get anepidural?”

“Because you said you wanted to do this naturally. You said you were afraid of the damage it could do to our child, which will be the first dragon witch in the history of the world.” I repeated nearly verbatim what she’d said the last six weeks of the pregnancy, every time we’d gone over her birth plan. Then I made the mistake of reaching over to the nightstand and holding up the paper I was quotingfrom.

“Really?” She glared atme.

Suddenly, the paper burst into flames. “You’ve never done that before, cupcake,” I murmured. “Testing out a new power?” I dropped it into the metal trash can and watched it burn out on itsown.

“Maybe. Or it could be the baby. I called a cousin. She said it’s not uncommon for the mother to exhibit some of her baby’s powers.” Peri panted a little and grabbed myhand.

“Push,” the midwifeurged.

I started to peek around the sheet draped over Peri’s lap, but she yanked me back. “What? I’m excited. This is our first baby,” I remindedher.

“North of the equator. We agreed. It’s in the birth plan.” She narrowed her eyes atme.

“You burned the birth plan,” I grumbled as I pointed to the smolderingbasket.

“You’re pushing it, dragon.” Her anger melted and she whimperedinstead.

Seeing her pain and how weak she’d grown, I sat her up, slid behind her, and let her rest against my chest while using my bent knees on either side of her for pushingleverage.

Looking up at me, Peri whispered, “Thankyou.”

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