Chapter Thirteen
A week later, Gina still hadn’t been able to talk with Finn. Every time she made an appointment, something came up. He’d actually spent the last two days down with Clan Stonefire, planning some kind of top secret mission.
And every day that passed only made her fall a little more for Fergus.
Even now, he stood next to the hospital bed and held her hand as Dr. Innes performed an ultrasoun
d. Her dragonman had insisted on staying and the look of awe on his face as he stared at the picture on the screen would stay with Gina always. Given the chance, she knew Fergus would treat her son as his own. And Gina wanted to give him the chance.
That settled it. After her appointment was over, Gina would track down Finn and tie him to a chair if need be. Arabella might even help her since Gina and Arabella had been spending a lot of time together to plan the triplets’ room. The dragonwoman was slowly opening up to her. And given Arabella’s past and former hatred of humans, it was quite a feat according to Fergus.
Fergus squeezed her hand and she smiled up at him as he asked, “Are you okay, lass? You had a faraway look in your eyes.”
“I’ll tell you once the appointment is over.” She looked down at Dr. Innes. He was tall, about forty, and nearly as protective as Fergus when it came to her son. Since Dr. Innes had lost his mate and baby during a delivery over a decade ago, Gina at least understood his concern.
Still, she forced herself to ask, “Is everything still well?”
Dr. Innes nodded. “Aye. Your son’s heartbeat is strong and he’s nearly in position for the delivery. He should be along any time now.”
“But that’s a few weeks early, isn’t it?”
“It is, but dragon-shifter babies usually arrive a little early for human mothers.” Dr. Innes flicked his gaze to Fergus and back to Gina. “I’m sure you’re aware of the risks.”
Gina nodded. “I’ve had a week to absorb all that you and Holly have told me.” She shrugged. “There’s really not much else I can do but sit and wait.”
Dr. Innes’ voice was quiet when he answered, “It’s not a light matter, Gina. The risk is real.”
Fergus growled. “Between you and Holly, Gina will be fine. Scaring her will only raise her blood pressure. After what happened with Evie Marshall down on Stonefire, I don’t want to risk anything with Gina.”
Gina tugged on Fergus’s hand and he met her gaze. “Evie had preeclampsia. So far, all of my tests have come back normal.”
Fergus grunted. “It could still happen. There aren’t always symptoms.”
Gina sighed. “You could be hit by a bolt of lightning tomorrow. Does that mean you’re going to stay locked inside a lightning cage for the rest of your life?”
Fergus shook his head. “Don’t be daft, lass. Of course not. But the odds of being hit by lightning are much better than a human dying when bearing a dragon-shifter’s child.”
Dr. Innes placed the ultrasound equipment on a side tray and stood up. “How about we stop talking about odds and focus on Gina and the bairn? Gina, lass, I know you’re not going to like it, but I need someone to be with you at all times. I don’t want you alone when your labor begins.”
Fergus straightened his shoulders. “I can work from home. I’ll watch over her.”
Dr. Innes answered before Gina could. “Good. I’ll probably have Holly spend some time at the old Sinclair place as well.”
Gina sighed. “I don’t get a say in this, do I?”
“No,” both men answered at the same time.
“I swear you guys have been rehearsing behind my back. Are we done now?”
The doctor smiled. “Aye, we’re done. Both you and the bairn are healthy. The next time I see you, it might be when you’re in labor.”
Gina placed a hand on her stomach. “I’m both anxious and afraid. And not because of the danger. I can’t believe I’m going to have to do this without drugs.”
Fergus brushed her brow. “I know, lass. But it could hurt the bairn if you have them.”
She met Fergus’s gaze again. “Considering how stubborn dragon-shifters are, I would expect them to fight it and just come out fine on the other side.”
Dr. Innes snorted. “Just give your son a few years. He’ll think his stubbornness can solve everything.”