Page 31 of Arthur

“Are you certain? That contraction felt powerful.”

I smiled at Arthur. “I am. I’ve been timing them, and they’re not yet consistent. When that happens, we’ll let Costas know. Until then, there is nothing that can be done except wait.” I knew that wasn’t what Arthur wanted to hear. He was more than ready for our son to be here, but there was nothing that could be done. Babies came when they were ready, and we had to be patient until then.

“How is Miles doing? Do you know?”

That worked. Arthur’s expression went from one of concern to pleasure. “I saw Costas earlier. He looked well. He said the triplets were doing amazing for the fact that there were three. Miles is a natural, but I expected nothing less.” There was a knock on the door, and Arthur’s look told me he wasn’t expecting anyone. “Are you anticipating someone?” he asked.

“No. I haven’t yet told anyone I was having contractions except for you. I’m due though, so it’s possible that someone in the coven is dropping by to check on me.”

Arthur nodded as he stood to check who was at the door. He returned moments later with his fathers trailing behind him. I couldn’t help but smile. It took a bit of effort, but I was able to stand finally so I could greet them. They had always been amazing to me. From the beginning, both had been welcoming as well as loving. They had both been full of helpful adviceabout being mated, and Edison had been a valuable source of information about being a pregnant warlock.

“Hi, Dad,” I said, hugging Edison. I looked over at Wallace and then gave him a hug as well.

“How are you feeling?” Edison asked.

“Good. The contractions have started, and although they can get a little intense every once in a while, they’re still not consistent.”

Edison nodded. He seemed anxious, which had me wondering if there was something to be concerned about.

“Is everything all right, Father?”

Edison looked from me to Arthur, then back to me. “Yes. There are going to be many babies in the coven soon. Grant is in the beginnings of labor, and now you.”

I smiled. That was good news. Grant was overdue, and the fact that he was finally in labor was a positive thing. “Then perhaps their second born and our fourth will share birthdates.” That didn’t bother me in the slightest. But when I looked up at Edison, the worry on his face seemed to have increased.

“What is it?” I asked, becoming concerned myself. I looked over at Arthur, who also appeared to finally be uneasy.

“Nothing, except that Constantine might not be here to deliver your baby. It is possible that he will be with Grant,” Edison said.

I felt a flash moment of panic before it calmed. “No. He’ll…” I thought about everything. Costas had newborns himself. Three. They were our great-grandchildren even. And now he was busy delivering Grant’s baby. My contractions weren’t intense yet, nor were they consistent, so I wasn’t too concerned. “It’s fine,” I said as I turned to go back to my position where I’d been on the sofa. When I did though, there was a sudden sharp pain in my lower stomach that was accompanied by a sudden gush of fluid.I grabbed my stomach and moaned through the contraction. “Oh,” I groaned out.

“Arthur, help him to the bedroom. We might have to deliver the baby,” Edison said.

“What? No. Costas has done all of the care so far, and he should deliver the baby,” I said. Arthur wasn’t having it though. He swept me up into his arms, and then in a blink, we were in the bedroom, and Arthur was just as carefully placing me on the bed. “We need Costas, Arthur. He should deliver the baby. William delivered the other three; we need Costas for this one.” I took a deep breath. I knew I wasn’t exactly being rational, but it felt wrong that Costas might not be the one to welcome our newest addition to the family.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Arthur said. “Are you all right for me to go and see where he is?”

I nodded before glancing toward the foot of the bed. Edison was standing there, and I knew that, if nothing else, Dad wouldn’t allow anything to happen to me or the baby.

“I’ll be back in just a moment. Hold tight there, and trust in Father if you should need his assistance.” Arthur leaned down, gave me a quick kiss on the forehead before he stood, and then was gone.

I looked at Edison and tried to grin, but another contraction had taken over my body, and my stomach was definitely cramping down, ready to bring our baby into the world. “Is everything going to be all right?” I asked as I breathed through the contraction.

“It is,” Edison said seconds before Arthur reappeared. It was the man that was with him, though, that I was most relieved to see.

“Oh, thank fates. Constantine, I want you to deliver our baby. Every single one of our children has been delivered by your family line. I don’t want to tempt fate otherwise,” I managed tomoan out before grabbing my stomach as another contraction hit. If I’d not been staring at Costas so closely, I would have missed the look he sent Edison.

“I’m not offended, and he’s right. Your grandfather delivered all three of their children.”

Costas looked back at me. “I just always assumed that Edison would deliver the baby,” Costas said.

“No, I had thought you would,” I said. I tried to relax, but the contractions were really starting to hurt, and that made it difficult to focus.

“Very well. If you’re sure,” Costas said.

“Yes. Positive.”

Costas looked to both Arthur and then Edison. I wasn’t sure what that was about, and maybe I was being incredibly unfair about all of this, but I wanted Costas. I had always just assumed it would be him.