Chapter 107
Iris
ONE YEAR LATER
"Maria, are the sweets ready?" I shouted, standing before the edge of the baluster.
Gradel and I had planned a family reunion and I couldn't wait for everyone we considered family to start trooping in. Devin had gotten a mate about three months back and I kept wondering how he got her pregnant in less than two months.
I'd so tease him about it once he comes around. Hazel and Hegar had been on sabbatical leave for a while so I had to plead with Hegar to release her since I was nearing at the time of delivery.
I was both excited and filled with panic and I honestly couldn't understand how I managed both extreme emotions. Gradel kept reassuring me that I wouldn't encounter any issues, but after hearing stories of women who faced several complications, his words would just fall on deaf ears.
"Watch it, princess," A firm grip stopped me from tripping over when I swirled around without looking.
I smiled and fiddled with his stubble. "Thank you for always being my knight in shining armor. Why won't I be carefree when I know that you'll be there to save me all the time?" I joked.
He heaved a sigh of relief, steered me away from the banister and led me to one of the sofas, gently forcing me to sit. My lips parted and I wanted to argue but he tilted his head to the side.
"No, just sit back and rest. You are the Luna and anything concerning this reunion can be arranged at your beck and call. Why do you have to put yourself under so much undue pressure?" He lamented.
I massaged my forehead and leaned on the backrest. "Am I permitted to say that I'm a sucker for perfection?"
He shook his head in resignation and strode over to the table. Simultaneously, the front door opened widely with Devin ushering his mate in.
She was a beautiful woman with dark chestnut hair and scanty freckles that spread over her nose. I stood up immediately and welcomed them warmly.
"I hope that bugger didn't cause you any distress on your journey to this place?" I grinned, referring to Devin who feigned a frown.
She exchanged glances with him and smiled. "Nah, he didn't. I put him in his place,"
"Go girl." I cheered her on, "These men need to be put in their places sometimes,"
The chattering increased when Hegar and Hazel walked in. The men formed their circle, talking about what I didn't give a hoot about while Hazel kept scrutinizing my body to be sure that I was physically fine.
"Where did you disappear to by the way? Didn't we plan to organize this party together?" I nagged, pouting my lips.
These days I'd get unnecessarily emotional. I found myself crying for things that didn't really matter. I couldn't forget how I burst into tears when I saw how enlarged my nose and feet had become.
So I secretly vowed that I wouldn't get pregnant again. I'd rather adopt.
"I'm sorry, but I had wifely duties to perform," She wiggled her brows and a naughty smirk appeared at the crook of her lips.
I rolled my eyes and headed to the table, my mouth watering at the delicacies we had prepared.
Gradel picked up a champagne flute and a spoon. He struck it thrice to get our attention after we had settled on our chairs and the living room where we were hosting the party fell silent.
"We are gathered here today not just for the family reunion, but to celebrate the birthday of the most important person in my life,"
I slapped my cheeks and exhaled. Did I add that I'd become very forgetful? How could I have forgotten about my birthday?
Devin raised his hand, "Are you trying to say that I'm the second most important person in my life?" He whined.
"You're not even important," Gradel fired with a bored tone.
He clutched onto his chest, pretending to be in pain. "Wow, am I your twin? I'd have to visit Mom's grave after this to confirm. Why do you have to treat me this way?" He bickered and we all burst into laughter.
I lived for these moments.
The bickering, the heated exchange of words that came from a place of love, the oneness amongst us and I couldn't have it any other way.
"Don't worry, you know I love you very much that's why I found you worthy to invite you here," Gradel added more insult to his wound. "Anyway, I'd love the most gorgeous, resilient and powerful woman in the world to get to her feet so that we can sing the special song that we composed for her,"
I rubbed my palms in anticipation, smiling brightly, but then a cold liquid burst out from between my thighs and I felt slight relief in my abdomen.
However, the pain returned in full force, a dull ache tugging hard at my abdomen, causing me to crash onto the chair behind me. The music stopped abruptly and all attention was fixed on me.
"Honey, I think my water just broke," I forced out through gritted teeth.
"Your water broke? Is the baby coming?" He panicked.
I nodded, feeling some contractions around my back and lower stomach region. Suddenly, the temperature of the room increased and the only thing I wanted to do was to take off my clothes.
"Get the midwives, right now." He ordered with a high-pitched tone and immediately, I was lifted from my chair.
He snaked his arm around my waist, holding me tenderly while I leaned on him for support. We managed to make it into our bedroom and he helped me to lay on the bed.
"Just be patient, I've sent for the midwives. They'll be here soon, meanwhile, is there anything I can do to make you feel better?" He requested.
I moistened my lips with a tired sigh. "Nothing. Just stay here with me,"
Some minutes later, my clothes were being ripped off my body and I was covered with a cloth that I couldn't identify its color. The pain increased with each passing minute and I feared that I might pass out from the overwhelming painful sensation.
"Greetings, Luna," The oldest midwife smiled at me and held my hand. "You don't have to be scared of anything. Just follow my lead, alright?" Her voice was soft and gentle.
"Yes... tell me, what should I do?"
"Take in a deep breath and once again, don't panic,"
It was beginning to sound like a rhyme so I listened to her and began to take deep breaths intermittently until I was asked to push. My eyes closed and I grabbed the sheets tightly, pushing with all my might while trying not to scream out my lungs as conserving my energy was very important.
"You can do this, Luna. We're going again," She commanded.
My breaths came in quick pants and I drew in a deep breath and mustered more energy to push again. A clap and then a loud cry reverberated in the air and deep relief settled on me.
I forced my eyes open and looked around to find a baby-my baby in the arms of the midwife.
"Congratulations, Alpha, Luna. It's a girl," She beamed at me.
Tears of joy cascaded down my cheeks while they placed her on my chest. She was so tiny but she was the fruit of the love I shared with the man I was fated to.
Gradel hovered over me and kissed me lightly on the lips, his eyes blazing with triumph and pride.
"I'm so proud of you, love. Thank you for giving me this precious gift," He croaked.
I had a lot of things to say but my body was closing up with the need to rest so I managed to nod. "We'll name her Elion," I whispered into his ears and allowed sleep to claim me.
THE END