Eight and a half months pregnant and I looked like I'd swallowed a planet.
Couldn't see my feet, couldn't tie my shoes, couldn't even roll over in bed without Regulus helping like I was made of glass.
He had the palace on full lockdown "just in case" mode: medical team on 24-hour standby, helicopter on the roof with engines hot, blood bank stocked with my type.
I thought we had two more weeks.
Then one night I just wanted spicy noodles at 1 a.m. because cravings don't care about dignity.
One bite in and BAM.
Pain like someone stabbed me in the spine with a hot poker.
Bowl smashed on the floor.
"Regulus…"
He was peeling grapes for me (don't ask). Grapes went flying.
His face went white as paper.
"Water broke???"
I looked down. Yep. Pants soaked.
He screamed.
Actual scream.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHH SHE'S IN LABOR!!! HELICOPTER!!! GET THE HELICOPTER!!! MEDICAL TEAM MOVE MOVE MOVE!!!"
The whole palace exploded.
Guards running. Maids screaming. Doctors tripping over each other.
Regulus scooped me up like I weighed nothing and sprinted.
He's yelling the whole time:
"OXYGEN! PAIN MEDS! BLOOD BAGS! MY WIFE IS HAVING BABIES RIGHT NOW!!!"
I'm in agony but still have to calm him down between contractions.
"Breathe, you idiot, I'm not dying—"
"SHUT UP YOU'RE IN LABOR LISTEN TO ME!!!"
The twins woke up and came running with their blankets.
"Mommy making babies???"
"I wanna see!!!"
Regulus, still running with me in his arms: "STAY HOME DADDY'S TAKING MOMMY TO HOSPITAL!!!"
Aiden: "Drive safe Daddy don't drop Mommy!!"
Aurora: "I wanna come I'm big sister now!!!"
Helicopter's already spinning on the roof.
He straps me in, jumps into the pilot seat (because of course he can fly the damn thing), and we lift off.
He's on the radio losing his mind:
"ALL AIR TRAFFIC CLEAR THE SKIES THE QUEEN IS IN LABOR REPEAT THE QUEEN IS IN LABOR ANYONE IN MY WAY GETS SHOT DOWN!!!"
The entire city below us goes nuts.
Every traffic light turns green on the main roads.
Police cars screaming with sirens.
Radio announcement on every channel:
"EMERGENCY BROADCAST: QUEEN IN LABOR ALL VEHICLES CLEAR THE ROUTE OR FACE EXECUTION!!!"
I'm having another contraction and still laughing through the pain.
"You're… insane…"
He's sweating bullets flying the chopper with one hand, holding my hand with the other.
"I'm not losing you or these babies, not today."
We land on the hospital roof in six minutes flat.
Whole top floor cleared.
Fifty doctors waiting like it's a royal wedding.
They wheel me in.
Regulus tries to follow into the delivery room.
Nurse blocks him.
"Sir, policy—"
"POLICY MY ASS THAT'S MY WIFE!!!"
They let him in.
Inside it's chaos.
I'm screaming.
He's crying harder than me, holding my hand like he's the one giving birth.
"YOU'RE DOING AMAZING BABY I LOVE YOU YOU'RE SO STRONG!!!"
Contraction hits.
"THIS IS YOUR FAULT YOU AND YOUR SUPER SPERM!!!"
"I KNOW I'M SORRY I'LL GET A VASECTOMY AFTER THIS I SWEAR!!!"
Doctor: "I can see the head! PUSH!"
I push.
First cry.
Boy. Damon.
Five minutes of hell later.
Girl. Luna.
Both silver hair already showing, tiny fists waving like they're ready to fight the world.
Doctor wraps them up, hands them to Regulus.
He takes one look and just… breaks.
Big bad Lycan King sobbing holding his newborns.
"They're so small… oh my god they're perfect…"
I'm exhausted, sweaty, crying too.
"Give… give them here…"
He places both babies on my chest.
Skin to skin.
They stop crying instantly.
Damon grabs my finger with his whole tiny hand.
Luna makes the cutest little squeak.
Regulus kneels by the bed, forehead on my hand, tears dripping.
"Thank you… thank you for giving me everything…"
I smile through the tears.
"Shut up and kiss me, idiot."
He does.
Outside the window the sun's coming up.
Our family of six is finally complete.
And yeah, the city stayed on lockdown for another three hours because Regulus forgot to tell anyone we were okay.