Chapter 361 Chapter 361
When he turned to check on Terah, he saw she had already noticed another person coming in. She walked, with slow steps toward Rae, a look of wonder on her face. It was good she liked children, he thought, especially considering the entire clan would eventually look to her to bring more into it.
Raelyn held her swollen abdomen with one hand as she accepted her mate’s other hand. Malachi leaned down and kissed her on the cheek and said something quietly to her.
When Terah stopped and looked across the room at him, Konner moved to go stand with her. He wasn’t sure what the look on her face meant and that worried him, that she wasn’t easy to read, and very unpredictable.
“Terah, this is my mate, Raelyn.” Malachi smiled down at her.
Raelyn smiled, then wiped at her cheek. “Ignore me, I’m emotional about everything lately.”
“It’s hard work creating life.” Terah told her in a soft voice, then she smiled and motioned to her belly, “can I touch?” Her face lit up with joy, “I love little ones.”
Rae nodded and swatted another tear off her cheek.
Terah reached over and lightly touched the rounded stomach. Then she dropped to her knees in front of her and leaned her face closer. Konner was a step from taking her elbow and helping her back to her feet when she started to hum, her mouth close to Raelyn’s stomach. It was almost the same as the song she’d used on the hurt girl at the campground, but a few notes were altered.
Konner looked around to see all in the room could hear the song and the gobsmacked looks on their faces said it all. They affirmed the wonder he’d felt himself when she’d first done it. There was something about her, something from her mother, or clan, he wasn’t sure, but he had to know.
Terah stopped and smiled up at Raelyn as she leaned in and put her ear against her stomach and did it again.
Konner checked to see Rae had no problem with what Terah was doing. She smiled up at Malachi and looked happier than he’d seen in months.
When Terah stopped, she leaned back on her heels, “they are very happy in their mother’s loving body.” She dropped her hand away and stood up. “Thank you for letting me do that.” She shrugged, “some of the women I was with said that always helped them feel better when their little ones were close.”
Raelyn nodded; her eyes filled with tears again.
“I’m sorry, did you say they were happy, as in more than one?” Nolyn came over and looked from Terah to Raelyn’s belly.
“Yes. There’s two of them.” Terah clasped her hands in front of her throat and smiled at Raelyn, “you are so lucky.”
Raelyn flipped her long red hair back from her face and looked up at Malachi. “Two?”
Malachi dropped to his knees in front of her and placed his ear against her belly. Everyone watched him.
“You need to sing to them,” Terah said softly.
Malachi’s brow creased as he looked at her.
“Like this.” Terah leaned over so her mouth was closer to the pregnant belly again. She hummed a few of the notes, then motioned to Malachi, who placed his ear against his mate’s protruding womb once more.
Konner watched his eyes widen and knew that whatever Terah was doing, the babies inside were responding.
“Oh my god.” Malachi dropped back onto his heels and looked up at his mate. “I can hear them. Two very distinctive vibrations.”
Raelyn put both hands on her stomach now. “I don’t know if I can do two.” She gave Konner a panicked look. “One is hard enough to get here alive.”
“I don’t understand.” Terah straightened and looked at Raelyn.
Malachi got to his feet and hugged his upset mate against his chest. “It’s rare to carry the baby to term and often things don’t go well during the birth.”
Terah spun around and looked at Konner, a terrified look on her face. “You need to call Shaelan, she will help.”
Konner looked from Terah to Malachi, his expression was just saying to do something. Raelyn was clinging to him. Losing one child was hard, if she lost two, she would never survive it. Nodding, he pulled out his phone. “I’ll see what Calum has to say.” He realized he didn’t have his number, He glanced around at everyone, “we’d have to bring Calum and his mate here,” he gave Rae a quick look, “she can’t travel.”
“She’s very good.” Terah nodded and smiled at Raelyn, “I don’t think I would have lived if it weren’t for her.”
“I say we forego voting and ceremony and just do it, call her,” Olanna said looking around at the adults. “
Konner glanced around to see all of them nodding. He turned to Reeves, “go let Auntie know what is happening.” He motioned with his hand around the room, “we’ll meet back here for dinner, I’m sure Terah would like to clean up and rest.” He held his phone up, “I’ll get in touch with Calum.”
“Calum Dante?” Reeves clarified.
“Yes.”
Reeves nodded, “I hear he’s like some kind of superman in the Alliance.”
Konner smirked, “he’s the man you always want on your side, and his mate,” he turned to Malachi, “is a brilliant healer that we could use right now.”
Malachi looked down at Raelyn.
“Please get her here.” She whispered.
Malachi scooped her up into his arms like she weighed nothing. “We’ll be back for dinner.” He kissed Raelyn’s forehead, “you need to go float in the pool and take some of that weight off your spine.”
Lillee ran over and all but leaped into Terah’s arms. “Thank you. If it weren’t for you, we would never know.” She leaned back and wiped her hands over her eyes, “you need to teach me how to sing like that.”
Terah had a shocked look on her face. “Of course, all of our kind should sing.”
“I have to go see if mom needs anything, I’ll see you at dinner.” She released her and bolted out the door.