allowed to have.”
“Thank you,” I say. And seriously, this genuine apology from him is like a weight being lifted off of me. I suddenly feel lighter than air. Berg reaches down and starts massaging my feet.
“What should we name him?” I ask.
“What do you want to name him?”
“I want to name him after your father.”
“That is a good idea,” Berg rasps.
And then my water breaks.
16
Bergelmir
The best day of my life is the day my son is born.
Chloe’s water breaks all over me and she whimpers with distress. I’m not as surprised as I thought I would be. I’m ready for this. I’ve been watching her, waiting for the day she’s finally ready to birth our son. I can tell she is nearing her time because she walks slower and seems to favor her back.
She’s been upset with me and isolating herself because I broke her heart. I let her believe she wasn’t carrying her own child. I understand the enormity of that deception and to be truthful, I deserve her scorn. I’ve done my best to give her space, and time to heal. But I had to see with my own eyes that she was safe, as I always do. So I’ve watched and waited.
I scoop her in my arms and run her over to the med bay. She’d already contacted the nearest med bay in Perth that specialized in delivering offspring, planning out her delivery with them, so they were ready for her. I had also preplanned how to get her there and knew it would take me exactly ten minutes on foot.
I rush her in, yelling for them to get to work.
The doctors and nurses push me aside but I’m not to be thwarted. This is too important. I demand to remain at Chloe’s side while she’s being prepped and made comfortable and pain-free. I check my son’s vitals. And I cannot believe I’m about to be a father.
I’m right there, holding Chloe’s hand, when Buri comes into the world. Chloe is so strong through all the contractions. Finally, she grimaces and screams, making a final push and I’m able to watch this miracle of life and hear my son’s cries. I cut the umbilical cord. The baby is cleaned and placed on Chloe’s chest and she kisses his tiny head. And then my infant is swaddled and placed into my arms. I walk out into the hall so my mother and Riley can see the newest member of our family.
“Have you decided on a name yet?” Bestla asks.
“Buri Touchstone the second,” I proudly proclaim, naming my son after my father.
My mother bursts into tears.
Three days later the med bay doctors in Perth give us the all clear to leave. I order the team to bring the hover craft and I board it with my new family to return to our domicile.
“They’re letting us go so soon?” Chloe asks with apprehension. “Just like that, we can go? Don’t they understand we know nothing about caring for a new infant? All I know is what I’ve read.”
“We’ve both cared for Aegir’s babies,” I remind her. “We’re not completely lacking in skills.”
She bites her lip and tries to look brave as we leave with Buri in his carrier.
Minutes later we’ve lifted off and crossed the planet in my super stealth craft. I can see the looks of shock and awe from our neighbors as they brave the windstorm we’re creating as we land on the edge of the lake. I give the onlookers grim looks meant to keep them away. Meanwhile Chloe waves and yells out personal greetings. Our neighbors apparently know her and find her as delightful as I do? A growl rumbles in my throat. I fought tooth and claw for this human and she’s all mine. I will not share.
“Stop looking so scary,” Chloe laughs. “There’s no need for you to flash flame them. Our neighbors love us because we restored that wreck of a house and brought up the value of their domiciles. Plus, didn’t you just recently save the world, again? They’re here to wish us well and see the baby.”
A possessive growl rumbles in my throat.
We step inside of our house for the first time as a real couple. I’ve grown used to sneaking in through the window in the attic, but now I stride through the front door of my own house. This time I walk proudly with Chloe at my side and our infant in my arms. I have no need to