Tah looked shaken as he took the surgical scissors the Professor held out and with the older man’s guidance, cut the cord between the clamps, separating mom and baby. Diane took over from there, wrapping one of the towels around the baby. There would be plenty of time to clean up later. Now it was time for this perfect little baby to meet mom and dad. She held the squalling bundle out to Tah.
“Meet your daughter,” she whispered.
“A girl,” he whispered, taking her and looking as if he might pass out.
“A girl,” Abby said with awe and held her arms out for the baby.
“You said it was a boy,” Tah grunted at his wife.
Abby shrugged, her eyes glued to her daughter, but she winked at Diane when their gazes met. Had Abby known all along?
“We have a daughter,” Tah said to his mate, and Diane witnessed something she’d never expected to see.
After handing his daughter to his mate, the big man went to his knees beside the bed and lowered his head to the mattress with tears coursing down his cheeks while Abby threaded one hand through his hair. He took it and kissed her fingers before Abby brought it back to the bundle in her arms. It was such a private moment for Diane to observe. Her eyes watered, as well, and she quickly turned her attention to seeing to the afterbirth and taking care of Abby.
“Ten perfect fingers and ten perfect toes,” Abby cooed. “Aren’t you just a perfect little angel? You’re going to have glossy brown hair and big brown eyes just like your daddy. And what a grip you have. Strong like your daddy, too. She’s perfect, Tah.”
His head lifted and there was so much emotion on his face, Diane felt intrusive again.
“She’s perfect like her mother,” he whispered.
Working together with the Professor, they had Abby sutured and cleaned up, resting comfortably on clean sheets.
“I’ll leave you guys alone for a bit,” Diane said. “I’ll be back in a bit to clean your little girl up for you. It’ll take your milk a little bit to come in all the way, but you should let her suckle. There’s colostrum, which is rich in antibodies and very good for her right now.”
The Professor kissed Abby’s brow and glanced down at the little girl in her arms. “She’s beautiful,” he said. “Tah’s right, just like her mother.”
Abby squeezed his hand. “Thank you, Professor.”
He headed toward the door, taking the bagged afterbirth and cord with him.
“Thank you,” Tah said and surprised Diane by grabbing her and hugging her close. “You’ve given me the world.”
She hugged him back hard. When he released her, Abby held out her hand and Diane sat beside her for a minute, taking in the blinking eyes of the baby girl, now quiet in her mother’s arms and appearing far too attentive for a newborn.
“She’s beautiful,” Diane whispered.
“I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to bring her into this world,” Abby said.
“I’m glad,” Diane admitted. “I’m so thankful I was here to experience this with you. Now, I’m going to clean this mess up and get what we need to give your little girl her first bath.” Diane began gathering stuff. “Do you want me to tell them?”
“Tah will,” Abby answered. “They’ll have heard the baby and be waiting.”
Tah bent and kissed his mate sweetly on the lips. Diane knew how that felt now, the kiss of a mate. Then he bent and placed an even softer kiss on the baby. He reluctantly left his wife, stopping only to startle Diane once again with a kiss on top of her head. Then he walked across the room, growing more confident with each step. He threw open the door and stood there, filling the entrance.
“Well?”
Diane heard Reno demand from the hallway.
“We have a perfect baby,” Tah thundered.
“And?” Amia’s voice prompted.
“A daughter,” Tah said, and his voice was still filled with wonder. “I have a daughter.”
* * * *
Zane had his eyes on his mate’s fine looking ass and wasn’t prepared when Murphy hugged him and slapped him on the back.
“You scared the shit out of me,” Murphy admonished. “I was afraid we’d lost you for good.”
Zane hugged him back. “How’s Finn?” he asked.
“As annoying as ever,” Murphy said. “No claws yet, but his senses are on par with mine. We’ve been testing them.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Zane said with a chuckle. “Logan?” he asked.
One of the last things he’d heard before he’d been hit with the virus was that Logan had been infected, as well.
“Good,” Logan said as he and Clara came bounding down the porch stairs toward them.