"That's it, Soteria. Breathe easy." Artemis had one hand on Tory's forehead while she gently rubbed the other over Tory's stomach. "See how calm he is now?"
Tory nodded.
"He feels what you feel. He's trying to protect you both." Artemis looked at the others. "All of you need to leave."
Kat stood up slowly. "Mom..."
"Leave, Katra. The baby wants peace."
"We'll be downstairs," Menyara said.
Ash hesitated. "Am I to leave too?"
Artemis shook her head. "If you go, you'll always think I've done something to the child to get back at you. Stay and know that I'm not hurting him."
One by one, she pulled all the monitoring devices from Tory. Then she cupped Tory's face in her hand.
"Breathe slow and easy, then push. Not hard, but gently. Let him know that it's safe and that you want him here to be loved."
Licking her lips, Tory nodded and did what she ordered.
"Again."
After the fourth time, Artemis went to her feet. Then turned toward Ash. "Come, Acheron. Be the first to welcome your son into his new life."
She was right, he was still suspicious of her. All their centuries together, the only thing he'd ever been able to count on was her willingness to hurt him anyway she could.
But he did as she said. He went to Tory and with one more push, his son slid into his hands.
For a full minute, he couldn't breathe as he stared at the tiniest, most perfect creature he'd ever seen in his life.
"Is it a smurf?" Tory asked.
Ash laughed. Since he was blue in his natural god skin, Tory had been joking with him that she wasn't having a baby, but rather a smurf. Artemis cut and sealed the cord, then took the baby and woke him.
He let loose a wail that would have shamed Simi.
Artemis wrapped him in a blanket, then took him to Tory. "Meet your son, Soteria."
Tory stared in wonder at the tiny baby who, even now, looked just like her husband. He was perfect in every way. From the top of his head that was covered with blond fuzz to the bottom of his itsy bitsy toes.
Artemis started to move away.
Tory took her hand to stop her. Her emotions swelled inside, choking her. "Thank you, Artemis. Thank you."
Artemis smiled at her. "I hope he brings you as much happiness and pride as Katra has always brought me."
Ash came closer. "Thank you, Artie."
She inclined her head to him, then moved to leave.
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
She paused at Ash's question. "What?"
"Your payment."
Artemis shook her head. "The happiness on your face when first you touched him was enough. I only wish you'd been there when your daughter was born, but that was my fault. I've had a lifetime of joy, hugs and love from her and you missed all of that because of my stupidity and fear. His life is my gift to both of you. Let's hope the future is much kinder to all of us than the past has been." And then she was gone.