The Mermaid's Unexpected Mate

Prologue

Michael's POV:

We were fast asleep. I was dreaming about Marina, and our children. Marina just found out a couple days ago, that she was having twin girls. Oh, what a wonderful dream...

 All of a sudden, I heard a loud scream and I could feel some one shaking me. I opened my eyes slowly, to see Marina's panicked face. She was sweating profusely. "Marina? What's wrong?" I asked her, sitting up. 

 "T-th-there's something w-wrong...Th-the babies.." 

 I gasped. Something was wrong with the babies... "Don't worry, water lily. We'll get you to the hospital now. Nothing will happen." I told her firmly. She nodded painfully. It pained me to see her in so much pain and agony. 

 By the time we got downstairs, Derrick, Ambrose, mom, Henry, Leah, and Louise had come out of their rooms. 

 "What's going on, son?" my mom asked. 

 "There's something wrong with the babies. Mom, Henry, could you stay with Earwyn?" 

 "Of course, Michael." Derrick's father replied. 

 I then felt a tug on my pant leg. "Daddy, is mommy ok?" my son asked. 

 "I-I'll be fine, son.." Marina said, trying to sound confident so she wouldn't make him nervous. "We're just going...Ahh!..T-to check on your sisters.."

 "Ok, mommy." our little boy smiled at her. 

 "We'd better go. It looks like your getting worse, water lily. Derrick, get the car ready. Ambrose, give me a hand." They nodded. Ambrose helped get Marina out the door while Derrick got the car out. 

 "You'll be fine, Marina. I'm sure of it." Leah smiled and climbed in beside Louise and Marina. 

 "Kamilia, I want you to be good for mommy and daddy, ok?" Louise told her daughter. 

 "Yes, mama," the little girl replied with a nod. 

 "We'll be good too, mommy!" Jack, Leah's son, declared, his sister nodding. 

 "Good boy, Jack. We'll be back later." Ambrose said. He was sitting beside me and Derrick. Derrick drove off to the hospital. 

 After a quick examination, the doctor demanded some nurses and other doctors to come help. This time, they didn't let me come with her. I sighed as I watched my mate being taken into the E.R. I paced back and forth the entire time. 

 "Bro, your gonna wear a hole in the floor! Sit down!" Derrick told me. 

 "Michael, I'm sure Marina will be fine..Just come have a seat." Ambrose said, trying to sound reassuring. I nodded and went to sit down. 

 Finally, after what seemed like forever-

 "I agree with you, Michael. But it was only about four hours." Flame, my wolf said, unamused. 

 "Same difference!" I exclaimed. He rolled his eyes at me. 

 Well anyway, the doctor finally came in. "How is she?! How are my children?!" I exploded into a bunch of questions. 

 "Slow down, please Alpha." he put his arms up. I took a deep breath and let it out. "Your mate and one of your babies are safe." I let out  sigh of relief, but I did it too soon. "Your other child...her situation was complicated. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck, cutting off her air. And, she was facing the wrong direction." 

 My eyes were wide in worry. "Is she alright?" I asked quickly. 

 "I'm not sure, Alpha Michael. It's possible your baby might not make it through the night. We've taken her into intensive care. Luna Marina is ready to see you now..I have not given her the bad news..All she knows is that something is wrong." 

 I nodded. "Thank you, Doctor Matthews."

 I went into my mate's room. She was holding our first born daughter. She smiled when she saw me. It was a kind of sad smile. She knew something dreadfully wrong was going on. 

 "Michael, come see your daughter.." she told me. I went over, and took the baby in my arms. She was such a sweet baby girl..."What shall we call her?" Marina asked. 

 "She reminds me of Earwyn when he was a baby...How about..Aerwyna?" 

 Marina smiled. "That's perfect. My Little Aerwyna.." I smiled, hoping Marina wouldn't ask about our second child. I didn't know how I'd tell her. "Michael..The doctor hasn't let me hold our second daughter. I just know something is very wrong. Is my baby alright??" 

 I mentally face palmed myself. Great. "Water lily, she was born facing the wrong way...And the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. It cut off her air. They aren't sure if she'll last the night.." I looked at her. Tears were streaming down our faces. I held her in my arms, as she held me and Aerwyna. Our baby was crying hard, as is she knew something was really wrong with her twin sister.

*The next day*

I had spent the night in Marina's hospital room. Aerwyna had been taken by the doctor sometime last night. Marina was fast asleep. Ambrose and Leah were in the hospital room with us. Derrick and Louise went back to the pack house to inform mother and our former beta, Henry. 

 At that moment, the doctor came in. "Alpha." he greeted.

  I nodded. "How is our baby?" 

 "Your baby has made it safely through the night. Somehow, she has started breathing on her own. We think she will be alright.." 

 I could sense a but. I looked at the doctor's face, carefully. "But..?" 

 "But, there was, unfortunately, some brain damage that cannot be cured. She won't grow to normal size, or be able to speak normally either.." 

 "I see...Thank you, doctor..." I looked over at Marina. Part of me didn't want to wake her, but I knew when she did wake up, she wouldn't be happy that I didn't wake her and tell her the update immediately. So, I woke her, and my friends and told them the news. 

 "At least she's alright.." Leah said slowly. 

 "She isn't totally disabled...That's a good thing.." Ambrose remarked. They were trying to cheer us up. I suppose they were right, but mine and Marina's hearts were practically broken at the thought of our baby girl being disabled for the rest of her life. 

 Soon, a nurse brought in our second baby girl. She was sleeping peacefully. My eyes were wide. Marina gave a small gasp. Ambrose and Leah looked curiously. She had a small, silver cresent moon mark on her cheek. Marina reached out and took her in her arms. She was wonderful...So precious...Marina smiled, tears in her eyes. 

 "Don't worry, water lily. She will always be protected." I reassured her. 

 "Harmony.." she whispered. 

 "What?" I asked. 

 "That's what we'll call her. Harmony. Harmony Gracelyn." 

 I looked from Marina to my daughter. It was perfect. I smiled. "It's perfect, water lily.." I said softly.