***Genie POV***
Sara and I stood by the cribs for a long while, just looking. Just feeling all the emotions swirling around the room. My Dad and Martha had just left. Greg and Peter were looking at something on the laptop, and Molly was doing something in the kitchen.
It all still felt surreal. One of those babies was mine, ours. I amended. Smiling inwardly at the proud look plastered all over Sapphire's face.
''Are you ready, Gra.... Gennie?''. Greg had spoken softly, but I had heard him, of course. I also knew what he was asking. And I honestly didn't know the answer. I felt Sara hug me tighter, I clung on to it like she was my own life preserver.
''We will be with you every step of the way, Gen. You don't have to do this alone, unless you want to, that is?'' The inquiry in Sara's voice snapped me out of the daze I was in.
''Thank you so much. For everything. But I think this is something I should do alone''. The smile on my face faltered a little as I looked around the room and realised I would have to carry Baby Girl to the hospital wing. As I didn't have a pram or pushchair yet, Greg kindly offered the use of Bastian's pram, but Molly shut down that idea when she admonished Greg, telling him a baby's pram is only to be used by the baby it was bought for. Greg looked a little taken aback at first, then relaxed his shoulders and held up his hands in defeat.
"Okay then, what if I walk with you to see Jonas?" I will carry the baby, people will think it's Bastian, I will push out my Beta aura and make sure no one comes up to us. Many she-wolves do this for about two weeks after giving birth. To ensure the baby is safe''. Greg looked pleased with himself for coming up with the compromise. I just nodded my head and murmured ''that could work''.
Ten minutes later, Greg, myself and Baby Girl were walking towards the hospital. A few wolves shouted congratulations to Greg, they didn't know about me, of course. And I was relieved in a way. Jonas was the only person to meet this precious bundle being held tenderly in Greg's arms.
I smiled at him and placed my hand on his arm, no words were needed.
When we got to the entrance of the hospital, I opened the door for Greg and the baby, and hoped no one would be around. I wanted this to be a private thing.
Greg carefully handed me the baby and told me he would be just outside if I needed anything. I felt him squeeze my shoulder gently, then he walked out, leaving me and the baby, with Jonas laying in the bed.
'Sapphire, please contact Jax and let him know what has happened. Do this before I make the introductions' I felt Sapphire roll her eyes at what I said, but nevertheless she did as I asked.
While Sapphire and Jax conversed, I got lost again in the beautiful baby in my arms. She was perfect. And my heart thudded with love for this tiny cub.
I heard Sapphire say Jax knows everything, and is currently bouncing around thrilled beyond belief at the news they have a cub. I took a deep breath and laid the baby down so I could unwrap her, and then I undressed her. Still not sure what to do. It was a little tricky getting the sleep suit of her, but I managed to do it.
I picked up my daughter and began talking in a low gentle tone. After I had given Jonas a brief rundown on how all this had occurred and the part Sara and Greg had played in it, I finally laid the little body on her father's chest. The baby didn't squirm, didn't cry and didn't fuss. She just seemed to settle in, knowing that she was with her daddy, and that no harm would come to her.
That thought brought tears to my eyes as I wondered how much of her young life would be without her father's guidance. I stroked Jonas's cheek, 'I love you, come back to us''. It wasn't a plea, or a prayer. It was exactly as it was. I gently rubbed the baby's back before picking her up.
only to find I couldn't pick her up, as there was a masculine hand holding her close to Jonas's chest. I gave an audible gasp that had Greg running into the room to make sure everything was okay.
I could only stare down at my mate and watch him caress the baby's cheek softly. He opened his eyes and looked straight at me, which sent an electric bolt straight through me. Jonas smiled up at me and said ''Let me hold her for a little longer, please''.
Greg was too stunned to move, and I think I was in the same shock as I looked from Jonas to the Baby and back again. I said, somewhat feebly ''You're awake! HOW?''. I admit my voice sounded slightly hysterical, so I tried to calm myself down. But the familiar smile on my mates lips was not helping. When my brain clicked into place, I rushed forward and enclosed both man and babe in a tight hug.
My tears of joy were flowing freely now, and I kissed Jonas gently on the lips. I placed my forehead against his, then asked how, again. I pulled back from our embrace so Jonas could talk. You could see Greg was on tender hooks to tell every pack member their alpha had woken up, but I asked him not to say anything until Dr Julia had examined him. Greg nodded, then asked if he could tell his family. Jonas nodded before I could, so Greg sped off without a backwards glance.
chuckling at his best friend and beta, Jonas kissed the baby's head. Taking in a deep breath, savouring all those little scents that make up the amazing baby smell.
Jonas sat up and wrapped the baby to his bare chest with his hospital blanket. When he was done, he grabbed my hands and brought them to his lips. He kissed each one softly, then held them to his face.
''I was so lost, so lost. I couldn't find my way back to you. Please believe me when I say I tried everything I could to return to you. I just didn't know how''. I gripped his hands in mine, trying to convey that everything was okay now that he is awake. I could tell he understood.
''I still don't know how you managed to wake up now. Do you know how you returned to us?" The question fell from my lips, and I admonished myself for pushing too hard. He had, only a few minutes ago, woken from his coma. We didn't even know what had made the coma last as long as it did. I apologised to Jonas and asked him to forgive me. ''I'm so happy you are back, back in my arms'' As I said this, I wrapped my husband and my daughter in a tight embrace. I felt Jonas sigh, so I pulled back a bit and searched his face for an answer.
***Jonas POV***
I am so sick of this fucking darkness, so sick of the putrid smell and the distant voices of the people I loved, with no way of getting to them.
I felt like I had been in this prison for years with no way out. I kept going around in circles, trying to find the exit. At first, when I first fell into the hell hole and realised I was all alone, without Jax for the first time since receiving the gift of him.
I was truly lost. I had never felt more alone. I would ask the moon goddess for help, but she ignored me. I begged and pleaded with her to send Jax back to me, but my words fell on deaf ears.
Every once in a while, I would think I heard Gennie. That I heard her voice, but every time I tried to lock onto it, it simply fell through my fingers. like sand through a sieve. I was getting frustrated. And genuinely wondered if I was indeed going crazy.
I lost count of the days I stayed within the dark, solitary place. I wasn't even sure I was sleeping. It must have been around the fifty day mark when I felt Jax for the first time since I was imprisoned. He was very weak, but he was here. I was so elated. I ask that he try to get a message to Sapphire, he did manage it, just. But the effort nearly whipped him out, so I didn't ask again.
Over time, I felt the wolf regain his strength and power. It was a humbling experience, knowing that without this strong beautiful beast, I would be nothing. When Jax was ready, we tried to push ourselves to the edge of the darkness in the hope we could anchor on to Gennie. But every time we were close enough to try, Jax would say, "It's not the right time".
I would lash out on these occasions, accuse the Moon Godess of keeping me away from my pack, from her daughter. I was desperate to see and touch my mate. When Jax was able to contact Sapphire easily, it helped calm me down. Jax would always relay images from Sapphire, and I clung to everyone like a dying man would cling onto life.
One day, it all changed, the darkness held a spot of light. Dim at first, but everyday it would get brighter. Everyday, Jax and myself would approach the light and try to figure out why it had appeared and what we were supposed to do with it.
Today, the moon Goddess finally spoke to me. Well, lectured me more like. Selene went on to say she trusted me with a special gift. And that I had better be up for the job, because shit was about to become serious with the vampires. I needed to be ready. I pointed out to the Goddess that I couldn't do jack shit from here, wherever here was. Her response was simple.
Follow the light.
Shrugging my shoulders, that's exactly what I did. I followed the light. After a while, I noticed Jax was no longer beside me. He was back where he belonged, and attached to the core of me. The closer I got to the bright light, the more confused I got. The images flashing through my mind didn't make any sense. Until they did. I started to feel love, from Gennie, My Mom, Greg and Sara. The more I felt their love the brighter the light became.
This went on for the longest time. Images would swirl around me, Jax was brilliant in that he could sort through them so they made sense. When the last day of darkness came, I could feel it before I saw it. Something wondrous had happened, and I needed to be back with my mate. enough of the self-inflicted darkness.
Enough.
I heard the words that came from Jax. But I didn't believe at first. Jax allowed me to link directly with Sapphire, and in turn she allowed me to look through her eyes at the miracle I had been presented with. It was only when I felt the little body lift from mine that I could move. I placed my hand on the baby's back and simply asked Gennie to leave her with me for a moment.
That was all it took. Contact with our little miracle. What eventually woke me up was holding my little girl. My little Evie.