Page 67 of Eternity's Mark

He clamped off and cut the umbilical then eased the wiggly infant into his mother’s care. “It appears those birthing classes were of use, after all.”

“It would seem so,” Isla said while peering down at the baby with a loving gaze. Soft white swaddling magically appeared around the child. His mother would use whatever magic necessary to ensure the wee one had everything they needed.

“Taggart! Hurry!” Hannah’s knuckles whitened as she gripped the bed post tighter. She squatted lower, straining and breathing hard.

He crouched down behind her and pushed her cotton nightgown up out of the way. With a hand rubbing the small of her back, he waited. “Push, m’love. Ye gave me a fine daughter. Now introduce me to our next bairn.”

“Soon,” she said with her head buried between her outstretched arms. A groan escaped her. “In fact, now!”

His son tumbled into his arms just as Esme burst into the room.

“We have a son!” Taggart laughed while rising to show the babe to Hannah. “Look, my dearest one. We have a healthy son, too.”

“That explains the echo. With the heartbeat.” Still breathing hard, she touched a finger to the crying infant’s chubby red cheek. “I don’t believe you’re quite as loud as your sister.” She wrinkled her nose as a mess plopped into the floor between her feet. “I think that was the placenta. It appears I can lie down now.”

“Dr. Brimleyton is here,” Septamus announced from the bedroom door on the other side of the screen. “And do I hear two cries?”

“Aye.” Taggart held his son in one arm and helped his beloved wife return to the bed. “A daughter and a son, Septamus. Ye best bebrushing up on your tutoring. In a few years, these two shall need schooling.”

“Merlin’s beard,” the ancient Draecna grumbled, but gladness and pride echoed in his tone.

“And tell the doctor to wait,” Taggart said. He sat on the edge of the bed beside Hannah. “I wish a word with my wife first.”

“Then we shall give this new family their privacy,” Isla said. She handed Hannah the fussy little girl. “I believe she is already hungry.” With a nod at Esme, she turned to go. “Come Esme. I wish to have a word with the doctor before I allow him anywhere near my grandchildren.”

Esme gazed wistfully at both infants, then nodded. “Yes. I wish a word with him too. We must ensure he is suitable.”

Taggart chuckled as the two Draecna females left the room. “Heaven help that poor man.” He leaned forward and kissed Hannah’s damp forehead, then smiled down into her eyes. “Two babies?”

“I promise I thought it was only one big one.” She put her daughter to her breast then held out a hand for her son. “I am sure he is hungry, too. Help place him?”

“Gladly, m’love.” More happiness and pride than he ever thought possible made his chest swell. “Look at them both. Apparently, coming into this world gives ye quite the appetite.”

“Our babies.” Relief colored her tone as she looked up and gave him a weary smile. “And they seem fine.”

“That is because they are, my dear one.” He cupped her cheek, almost choking on the emotions storming through him. “Words fall short of all I wish to tell ye right now,” he whispered. “The words I love ye seem too simple for all I feel.”

“I know.” She closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. “I feel the same.” The eternal mark that named her his mate for all time flared dark along her throat and down her chest. “I love you even more.”

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