With a nod, the doctor went into the bathroom and washed his hands, then returned to the bedside. He took Elena’s vitals, asked a few pertinent questions, then drew back the covers to examine her.
Drake stood beside the bed, his arms crossed over his chest. He had not prayed often in his life, but he prayed now, prayed fervently for a miracle.
The doctor was still examining Elena when someone knocked at the door. Before Drake could open it, Liliana stepped into the room. She didn’t say a word, merely moved to stand on the other side of the bed.
The doctor pulled the covers over Elena, then looked at Drake. “She’s in the early stages of labor,” he confirmed. “I will need some hot water and several clean sheets.”
“I will get them,” Liliana said, and left the room.
“You may want to help her into a clean nightgown,” the doctor said.
Drake nodded. “Wait outside.”
After the doctor left, Drake pulled the covers from the bed, then undressed Elena.
She looked up at him, her eyes wide. “I’m scared.”
“I know.” He found a clean gown in one of the dresser drawers and slipped it over her head, then covered her with one of the blankets. “Samuels is one of the best doctors in the world.”
She grimaced at the onset of another contraction. “Why didn’t you free the drones when you freed the sheep?”
“I honestly did not think of it.”
“You should. It isn’t fair to keep them here. Or to keep one of the world’s best doctors imprisoned when he could be helping lots of people instead of the few who live in the Fortress.”
“Yes, wife.”
“But I’m glad he’s here now.” Elena choked back a groan. “It hurts,” she wailed, clutching her stomach. “I didn’t think it would hurt so much.”
Liliana entered the room just then, with the doctor at her heels. She carried several folded sheets; the doctor carried a basin of hot water.
“Drake,” Liliana said, dropping the sheets on the foot of the bed, “I think you should wait outside. Having a baby is women’s work.”
“No!” Elena exclaimed, grabbing one of Drake’s hands. “Stay with me!”
“Whatever you wish, wife,” he said, squeezing her hand.
With a humph, Liliana said, “Then at least get out of the way so the doctor can do his job.”
“He can work around me. I’m staying right here.”
Liliana glared at him.
Drake looked at the doctor. “Is everything all right?”
“Her labor has accelerated,” Samuels said.
Elena moaned as her contractions came harder, faster. She clung to Drake’s hand, her nails biting into his palm.
“Push,” the doctor said.
Elena squeezed Drake’s hand harder, a low groan rising in her throat as she labored to bring their child into the world.
Unable to bear seeing her in pain, Drake wrapped his mind around hers, shielding her from the worst of it with his preternatural power.
“We’re almost there,” Samuels said. “I see the head.”
Elena’s body tensed and then, taking a deep breath, she pushed as hard as she could.
“That’s right,” the doctor said. “Just one more push and you can hold your baby in your arms.”
Drake wiped the perspiration from her brow. “You can do it, sweeting,” Drake said encouragingly.
Elena stared up at him, her hand clutching his as she expelled the infant from her womb in a rush of water and blood.
“It is a girl,” Liliana murmured. “A perfectly beautiful little girl.”
Leaning down, Drake kissed Elena on the cheek, then whispered, “I love you, wife.”
She smiled up at him. “I want to see her.”
“The doctor is cleaning her up. She is beautiful,” Drake said, “but not as beautiful as her mother.”
Moments later, washed and wearing a clean gown, Elena was sitting up, her daughter cradled in her arms. “She’s so tiny.” She looked up at the doctor. “Is she all right?”
“She’s strong and healthy, her lungs are clear, her heart rate is good. I don’t foresee any problems.”
“Thank you.”
“Doctor.” At the sound of Drake’s voice, the doctor turned to face him. “You will return to your quarters until you are needed.” There was a note of command in Drake’s voice.
“Yes, Lord Drake,” he said, his voice a monotone. Bowing his head, he left the room.
Elena pressed a kiss to the baby’s brow, then smiled up at Drake. “She’s beautiful,” she murmured, running her fingers lightly over the baby’s thick black hair. “I wonder if her eyes will stay blue, like yours.” She looked up at Drake’s mother, who stood near the bed, a rapt expression on her face as she gazed at the baby. “Would you like to hold her?”
“May I?”
“Of course.”
A smile spread over Liliana’s face as she took the baby in her arms. It was, Elena thought, the first genuine smile she had ever seen on the other woman’s face.
“You beautiful little thing,” Liliana crooned. “How I wish your grandfather was here to see you.” A single scarlet tear trickled down her cheek. “He would have adored you.”
Elena glanced at Drake, astonished by the gentleness in Liliana’s voice, the love that shone in her eyes.
“Have you chosen a name for her?” Liliana asked.
“Yes,” Elena said, smothering a yawn. “Kaitlyn Liliana, after her grandmothers.”
Liliana looked at Elena, astonishment clear on her face, and then she looked at Drake. “You are going to name her . . . after me?”
He was as surprised as his mother, perhaps more so, but he managed to hide it. “You are part of the family, after all.”
“Thank you, Drake. Elena.” Blinking rapidly, Liliana handed the baby to Drake and vanished from the room.
“What was that all about?” Elena asked. “Why did she leave so suddenly?”
“I am not sure,” Drake said, “but I think you may have just found the chink in my mother’s armor.”
Elena slept most of the rest of the day. Toward evening, Andrei and Katiya came to see Elena and the baby. Elena couldn’t help feeling a little guilty that Kaitlyn was strong and healthy when Katiya’s son hadn’t survived.
“She is lovely,” Katiya said with a wistful smile. “May I hold her?”