“What are you doing out here?” Fredo asked. “Get in there.”

“She kicked me out, told me she hated me, and suggested I not return without an apology,” I grumbled.

He coughed, usually a sign he was hiding a chuckle. “So, apologize to your wife. She’s in labor. Stop being so sensitive.”

I held up my misshapen hand. “I was actually hoping for a moment to heal. I’m pretty sure it’s broken.”

This time, he didn’t even try. Fredo burst out laughing. When he finished, he strode over to the fridge pressed a cup against the ice dispenser, and then passed me a container full of ice chips. “Here’s a peace offering. Go be with her or you’ll never forgive yourself for missing the birth of your first child. And if I know my niece, she’ll never forgive you either.

“Fine,” I mumbled as I trudged back toward our bedroom. Then I stopped and addressed him once more. “She can really hold a grudge.”

“Yes, well, she was made for you. Go take care of her so she has nothing to hold a grudge about, okay?” He crossed his arms over his chest and tapped his foot a few times while he waited.

I waved over my shoulder and tiptoed back to the bedroom. Opening the door a few inches, I stuck the cup through and shook it a little. “I come bearing gifts,” I announced.

“Where’ve you been?” Peri murmured. “It’s almost time to push.”

“Ah, the resting phase.” I tentatively stepped into the room. Nothing was thrown at my head, which was an awesome sign. I glanced at the floor. The picture frame was shattered on the floor. “This can be replaced.” I shrugged.

“I’m sorry, dragon,” she whispered. “I don’t do well with pain.”

“I hear you. And I felt you.” I held out my hand, flexed it, and winced.

“Hold me?” Peri batted her eyelashes at me.

I grinned. “That’s the woman I know and love.” I confidently strode across the room and climbed into bed with her.

“There’s the man who impregnated me the first time we had sex and robbed us of the newlywed phase.” Peri grinned and I shrank back. “Don’t worry. As soon as this labor is over, I won’t even care. I’ve heard it’s love at first sight.” She shrugged.

“That’s how it was for me and you.” I kissed the end of her nose.

“Liar,” she muttered as she rolled onto her side and backed against me.

I was at a loss for words. Thankfully, there was a knock on the door. Fredo peeked in and I heaved a sigh of relief as I waved him in.

“Peri, can I get you something?” he asked quietly.

She shook her head. “I’m good now. Thank you.”

Fifteen minutes later, however, was an entirely different story. Tears streamed down her face. “Why didn’t I get an epidural?”

“Because you said you wanted to do this naturally. You said you were afraid of the damage it could do to our child, which will be the first dragon witch in the history of the world.” I repeated nearly verbatim what she’d said the last six weeks of the pregnancy, every time we’d gone over her birth plan. Then I made the mistake of reaching over to the nightstand and holding up the paper I was quoting from.

“Really?” She glared at me.

Suddenly, the paper burst into flames. “You’ve never done that before, cupcake,” I murmured. “Testing out a new power?” I dropped it into the metal trash can and watched it burn out on its own.

“Maybe. Or it could be the baby. I called a cousin. She said it’s not uncommon for the mother to exhibit some of her baby’s powers.” Peri panted a little and grabbed my hand.

“Push,” the midwife urged.

I started to peek around the sheet draped over Peri’s lap, but she yanked me back. “What? I’m excited. This is our first baby,” I reminded her.

“North of the equator. We agreed. It’s in the birth plan.” She narrowed her eyes at me.

“You burned the birth plan,” I grumbled as I pointed to the smoldering basket.

“You’re pushing it, dragon.” Her anger melted and she whimpered instead.

Seeing her pain and how weak she’d grown, I sat her up, slid behind her, and let her rest against my chest while using my bent knees on either side of her for pushing leverage.

Looking up at me, Peri whispered, “Thank you.”

“We’re in this together, my love.” I wrapped my arms around her chest and kissed her shoulder. “Time to meet our son.”

She nodded while inhaling deeply. Pulling her legs back, Peri held onto me with all her might and pushed as hard as she could.

“Once more, and the head will be out. He’ll slide right out after that.” The midwife smiled encouragingly.

“You can do this, love. You’re amazing.” I reached up and smoothed back the hair that had escaped her ponytail.

“Okay.” She scrunched up her face, squeezed my hands, and growled while pushing out our child. When she finished, Peri fell back against me. Her eyes were closed and beads of sweat had broken out above her brow and her lip. I quickly dabbed at it.

“You did it,” the midwife announced. Seconds later, she lifted up our baby and her eyes widened. After wrapping the baby, she laid our little bundle on Peri’s chest.

I marveled over the delicate features on our child’s face. “Shall we go with a family name, cupcake? We never really decided.”

“I wouldn’t advise it,” the midwife murmured.

“Why not?” Peri asked, concerned.

“Well, your baby…is a girl.”

* * *