Page 44 of Becoming Brandy

They’d deal with that later. Right now, they needed to make sure Charis was okay. And from the looks of things, she wasn’t.

Brandy crawled on the white bed, grabbing Charis’s hand gently. Her eyes snapped open. When she saw it was Brandy, she gave a weary smile.

“You’re here.”

“Of course I’m here, honey. Where else would I be?” Brandy wiped the sweat off her friend’s forehead with her sleeve.

Charis smiled and opened her mouth to speak, but her body went rigid as another wave of pain hit her. She squeezed Brandy’s hand so tightly her fingers started to tingle. Charis’s throaty moan made Han stalk beside the bed like a caged animal. Aliens darted out of the way to avoid him.

Two alien humanoids tried to remove Brandy from her position on the bed, but Charis shook her head, and they left her alone. A worried and unsure Harper appeared. Charis waved her in. She took up residence on the other side of the bed, offering silent support. Brandy knew she was a nurse, though not a labor and delivery one, but it was nice to have her all the same.

Hours passed as Brandy wiped the sweat from Charis’s brow, offered her ice chips, and rubbed her back. When it was time to deliver, she held one of Charis’s legs while Harper held the other. Charis delivered her child like a champ. The baby emerged squalling. It was alien in features—big eyes, oval head, long arms and fingers, and scaled skin—but when he opened his round eyes and stared at his mama, Charis melted. They all did.

Charis pulled the baby into her arms as Han leaned over. “It’s a boy,” Charis whispered, exhausted but amazingly happy and radiant. Han leaned down and kissed his mate’s forehead.

When Brandy flicked her gaze to Han, she was shocked to see tears in his eyes. After they cut the cord, Han picked up the little bundle and snuggled the baby close to his chest, cooing. It was so uncharacteristic and amazing to see.

His glistening eyes surveyed the room as his face exuded happiness. “I have a son.”

His gaze fell on Brandy. She grinned, happy for him. This wasn’t a time for their dispute, but his smile faded. She worried he would yell at her to leave now that the crisis was averted.

“No child should grow up without a father,” he said, locking eyes with her.

She nodded. Was he saying…

“I’ll reconsider Wrek’s offer,” Han said.

Brandy could not believe her ears. “Does this mean…”

“I’ll put a stay on the execution. We’ll renegotiate.”

Her heart leaped. “Thank you, Han. You won’t regret it.”

Han turned his attention back to his mate and baby. Brandy knew she had to be the one to deliver the good news. She gave Charis a kiss on the forehead and slipped away. She couldn’t wait to see the expressions on her men’s faces.

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