Page 72 of Alien Protector's Stars
Ah-Lanah turns, her head laying on her folded forearms. I brush her hair from her sweaty skin and lean down to murmur, "you are doing so well, my star. This will be over soon."
"Liar," she huffs. "This is going on forever."
I continue stroking her hair and rubbing her back as she sways her hips, trying to ease her body's pains. I look to Tessa for guidance, but all she does is smile, like the terrifying low wailing noise my mate makes are perfectly normal.
There are many back rubs, groans of pain and cursing when my mate finally says she feels the need to push. That is when the low wails become screams, each one ripping at my heart.
"This cannot be right!" I snap at Tessa who is patting my female's shoulder and making quiet cooing noises. "Why is she in so much pain? It has lasted too long."
"This is just how it happens," Tessa shrugs her shoulder and I can't help but think that this 'giving birth' is a cruel trick played upon females by the Goddesses. Why do they have to suffer so? I'm going insane just standing here watching her. I would gladly take her place. "Try giving her something to bite down on. That might help a little with the pain."
"What should I give?"
Tessa smirks, rubbing at Ah-Lanah's back as she pants her way through the end of one of her horrid 'con-tractions'. "How about your tail?"
"My tail?" I gulp. "You want her to bite on my tail?"
She shrugs again. "It might help."
Ah-Lanah moans between us and the sound is more animal than anything I have heard coming from this little human female.
Tentatively, I offer up my tail. I would do anything if it will ease her suffering - even if it means her tearing chunks out of my own body with her teeth.
***
Some long moments later, the cave is filled with the wailing of a different kind - a kind that fills my heart with joy instead of fear and anguish. The youngling is here. My mate's youngling.My youngling.
A daughter.
I have a daughter.
And she istiny.
I cannot stop looking at the small, wrinkled wonder as she shrieks and writhes, waving her miniature balled up fists like she's angry to be leaving her mother's belly. My Ah-Lanah calms her by offering a teat to our daughter's mouth and I watch with fascination.
"You are amazing," I hear myself say. The cave is quiet now that the youngling's bawling is silenced and I realize belatedly that everyone else has left to give us some privacy after the birth.
Ah-Lanah looks up at me with a smile. "Come here," she says, beckoning me closer. I sit on the pool's ledge with them both and once our tiny daughter has had her fill of my mate’s nourishment, Ah-Lanah looks to me again. "Wanna hold her?"
A wave of panic like no other sweeps over me. "But... she is so small and I'm-"
"Her daddy," she says, handing me the now sleeping tiny being. "Her father," she says, clarifying. "If you want to be."
"I-"
I stare down at the vulnerable little thing in my arms. The fierce need to protect her, care for her, love her, surging through my veins. "I do not know how to be a father."
"And I don't know how to be a mom," my Ah-Lanah says beside me, leaning over to smooth a hand over her daughters head and cheek. "We'll figure it out together. If you want."
My purr starts to rumble in my chest. "I would like that.Very much."
For a while, we both just stare at the new little life my female had created with her body. I feel so many things all at once. Gratitude, awe, and love as I make my silent vow that I will always protect my females, my family. No harm will come to them. Ever.
"I guess we should invite the others back up here and introduce her properly," Ah-Lanah murmurs, yawning.
"Not yet," I say, not ready to let the rest of the world in as I continue to stare down at little- "What... what will you name her?"
"What willwename her."
I turn to my female and smile. "I do not know any female names," I confess. "Let's call her Ah-Lanah. It is my favorite."
My mate laughs. "No. Let's... let's call herNova... it means 'a bright new star'."
A whoosh of breath leaves me as I stare down at our daughter - ourNova. "Yes," I tell my mate, wrapping my free arm around her shoulder and pulling her in close, loving the way she rests her heavy head on me. "That is perfect."
And we stay like that for a long while; just a Protector and his precious stars.
THE END
