Caged

Epilogue.

One year later

"Luna! Please, you have to push now. It's time! We can't wait any longer." The healer urged me as she stood at my feet.

Her wide eyes were filled with concern and worry as she quickly flashed her gaze down in front of her before pulling back up quickly to my own. I knew it was time. I could feel it. I was fighting the urge with every ounce of my body. Fighting every instinct I had to keep this baby alive.

"Luna, if you don't push now, we're going to lose him. Please, I know you can do it." She said, her voice smoothing into a coaxing tone as she settled into her seat in front of me.

I groaned as another sharp pain shot through my lower back and wrapped around my entire abdomen, as if I was being pulled apart from the inside out. I felt a comforting hand grip my shoulder and pull me up slightly as a body settled behind me. I looked up to see Ivy's hard eyes staring down at me. "Lili, I know you're worried, but you can do this. We're going to help you, but you have to push. Everett wouldn't want you to hold back. He'd want you to do what's best for you and his baby. Come on honey. We can do this." She said, and as quickly as she'd said, I felt another familiar hand grip my opposite shoulder as the body attached to it settled in behind me as well. Avery's large blue eyes stared down into mine and I could feel them both urging me to let them help me.

I released a loud growl as another pulse of white hot heat coursed through my stomach. I finally nodded, breathless as the two girls pushed me up to steady me. "Ok Luna, push on three for me. One big push ok?" The healer said as her assistants scurried around behind her to ready the table beside her with fresh towels and tools.

"One."

I took a deep breath. He should be here. He should be here helping me get through this. But he's not. I'm alone. I know I have Ivy and Avery here, but I was alone. My mate couldn't be here with me and our child, and my heart stalled with sadness as I waited for the count.

"Two."

I let a single tear drop down my cheek as I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what was sure to be a painful delivery. The entire pregnancy had been unexpected and complicated, but I wouldn't have traded a single moment for the world. Rhett and I had been able to create a miracle, and I would do everything I could to protect that, even if he couldn't be with me to see it.

"Three!" She said firmly, preparing herself between my knees.

I pulled myself forward, pushing hard as I felt Ivy and Avery supporting my back and pushing with their own strength against me. I screamed out in pain as searing pain wracked my body so hard that it took my breath away. I finally gasped hard for a breath as I slumped back against the two girls holding me up as the healer nodded her head in triumph.

"Good Luna. Come on, we've got to do it again. Give me another good push ok? Come on!"

I tried to catch my breath and braced myself, feeling the girls pushing with me as I forced my body to shove once more, letting out a shrieking scream of pain as I once against lost my breath and collapsed back against the girls.

"You're doing so great Lili. Asher just linked me. They're on their way. They're coming. You can do this ok? Do it for Rhett." Ivy said firmly as she squeezed my shoulder.

My heart swelled and I felt my body finally ready for one more push. I could do this. I could do this for him. I'd deliver this child safely. Our child. I braced myself and pushed one more good time, feeling a shooting pain course through me followed by a sudden release as the healer pulled the baby the rest of the way out. I released a hard breath as I fell back against the girls as they moved over to give me room to lie back against the bed.