Forever Luna

aelia

noun ~ meaning the warmth of the sun

NOVA

"What are we-oh, shit!" Kate gasped.

My eyes flashed open, locking onto Phoenix's face. He was smiling softly, his amber eyes a happy hue. The golden colour warped with black, and my eyebrows furrowed as I bore down low again. My hands curled around his, squeezing his palm as a shrill cry left my lips. The familiar ring of fire burned at my core, and I barked out a sharp crying plea as my entire body screamed for mercy.

It was like I was being set on fire and snapped in half all at once.

The longest five seconds of my life I spent burning in those flames as they cremated my organs and then...

"That's the head!"

I exhaled sharply, feeling the contraction and fire subside. "The fire is out?"

Kate laughed softly. "Yes."

I glanced down at her, my eyes blurry through pained tears. Although I couldn't see entirely, I knew she was holding the head and wiping the baby's nose.

Sweat dripped down my face, and an ache started in my chest as Phoenix wiped it away with a cool cloth. It that reminded me of my last birth, with my twin by my side. Sorrow built in my heart, tears burning in my eyes. Cel stirred, reassuring me it was all okay.

'Pollux wouldn't want you to chicken out.' She scorned playfully.

"Don't worry about the pause." Kate reassured me. "When the next one comes, they'll be out in a push."

"You got this," Phoenix murmured.

"Alpha, get ready." Kate warned, her spare hand on my lower stomach. "It's now or never."

"Go." I whispered, despite my heart's ache.

His eyes widened, glancing at me and the baby. "But-

"I know you want to deliver them." My voice was soft, and yet full of nervous anticipation. "Do it, before I change my mind."

"My love..." He drifted.

The tightening came again, and Kate warned him from afar. My eyes fluttered closed as the clamps closed down on my spine. I felt Phoenix's hand slip from mine, but he didn't remove them from my body. The bond flared as he eased my pain, taking most of it for himself. I knew he was strong, but the sudden lack of serious pain was alarming enough to distract me from my objective.

"Push, Nova!" Kate demanded.

'Push!' Cel chided, giving me her energy.

And so, I did. I felt the rush wash over me, my entire body alight with adrenaline.

With my chin to my chest, I grit my teeth and pushed through the contraction that I could no longer feel. It was a mere dull ache in my abdomen, pushing down on my spine and pelvis, and stretching my muscles until they could stretch no more, until suddenly...

Peace.

The radio static that came with the rush of adrenaline had my eyes shoot open at the loss of my surroundings.

Phoenix was grinning, holding the tiny, bloodied creature in his hands. Kate was fast to run her fingers over its face, checking them over before nodding.

I exhaled, staring wide-eyed at Phoenix as he carefully came around the side of the bed. My gaze locked onto the thing in his hands, its body the size of both of his hands.