The Alpha's Bride

Chapter 881: Babies! (E&V) (1)

Damon and Talia reached the pack hospital to see that Meg, Kai, Sandy, and Tyler were standing in the hallway on the second floor.         

    

"What's the status?" Talia asked.     

Meg smiled and gestured toward a nearby door that was closed. "I was just about to mind-link you. Babies were born a few minutes ago. A boy and a girl. Nurses are cleaning them up, and they said we could visit them in a bit. Axel is there with Yasmin."     

Talia's heart was beating like a war drum. Babies! A boy and a girl! They were right there, behind that door.     

"What is that?" Tyler asked while peering behind Talia at Damon, who had his hands full of plastic bags. He wouldn't ask, but he picked up a delicious smell that stirred his appetite.      

Talia responded, "We got ramen for everyone."     

Kai and Tyler relieved Damon from his delicious load. Other than sealed bowls with ramen, there were plastic spoons, chopsticks, and napkins. The six people sat on the floor to eat while waiting for Doctor Travis and the nurses to finish their work.     

"Do you think we can see the babies tonight?" Talia asked before opening her mouth to accept the food that Damon was offering.     

"Why not?" Meg responded with a mouthful before Kai stuffed more food in there.     

"I don't know. What if the new family needs time to bond?"     

Meg waved like it was not a big deal.     

Sandy gestured for Tyler to pause feeding her so she could say, "They can bond at home. Now that we are here, how can we not see the babies? Besides, we will be the ones escorting them safely back home…"     

Talia wondered how long Yasmin and Axel would stay here. What if they decide to leave tomorrow? Talia read that even humans stay only twenty-four hours in the hospital (sometimes less) if the delivery didn't have complications.     

Talia realized that she didn't have proper presents. She turned to Damon. "Can we go shopping in the morning? I would like to get something for the babies." With Axel being the only child, Talia was the closest relative (other than grandparents).     

"Sure." Damon agreed immediately and resumed feeding Talia. He was glad to feel her excitement and happiness.     

Talia's previous guilt and anxiety were gone now. Damon knew that Talia blamed herself not only for Lulu's death but for Marcy's as well. If they didn't send Marcy to that shelter, she would probably be alive now. Talia also believed that if she were not Damon's mate, Marcy wouldn't be ousted like that, and Lulu wouldn't become her guard.     

In more ways than one, Talia saw herself as a catalyst for those two deaths. Damon wished for Talia to see all the good her presence brought to everyone. She needed to accept that there was no way to predict how events will unfold.     

Luckily, this news about babies was a good distraction. Damon hoped that nothing bad will happen because he wanted his kitten to be happy.     

The door of the hospital room opened, and a nurse came out while pushing a big cart with soiled towels and blankets on it.     

Doctor Travis was right behind her, and he bowed while informing them that the babies and mother were doing well, and they could go and see them, but not to make a fuss. The last comment was mostly for Meg who was bouncing on her heels from excitement.     

Talia was first to peek inside.     

Yasmin was on the hospital bed with two babies on her chest. Axel was standing next to the bed and caressing Yasmin's head while looking at Yasmin and the two babies with a gaze full of gentle love.     

Infants were tiny, with only diapers and small white hospital hats on; they were on their bellies, each covering one of Yasmin's bare breasts, reminding Talia of little pink frogs. Yasmin's bottom half was under a blanket.     

"Are you accepting visitors?" Talia asked.     

Yasmin gave her a tired smile. "Come in."     

Damon was right behind Talia, pushing a plastic bag into Axel's hands.         

    

"We got you some ramen," Talia explained, and Axel kept the bag on the side table.     

Meg, Kai, Sandy, and Tyler also entered the room, and they made a circle around the bed to stare at the babies who were lying on Yasmin without moving. The infants were sleeping.     

"How are you doing?" Sandy asked the first question.     

"Happy," Yasmin responded. "Glad that it's over and things went well."     

"Did you decide on names?" Meg asked.     

Yasmin glanced at Axel, silently telling him to take over.     

Axel cleared his throat. "The boy's name is Edgar. He is seven minutes younger than his sister, Valeria."     

"Oh, what wonderful names!" Meg squealed, and Sandy bobbed her head.     

Talia's eyes widened when she realized that Edgar was the name of Yasmin's father and Valeria… "Is that for my father?"     

Axel confirmed. "Valerian Moonrider was an impressive individual. His grandniece will wear his name with pride."     

Talia's chin trembled, and she was glad that Damon was holding her.     

"Thank you," Talia said under her breath. This was another gesture from Axel and Yasmin to confirm that they stand with Talia and don't approve of how she was treated before.      

Talia couldn't imagine how Sophia and Isaac would react when they hear about the girl's name. Would they be angry? Or feel guilty? Talia shook those thoughts away. It was not her problem.     

"They are quiet," Tyler said. "Aren't babies supposed to make noise and poop everywhere?"     

Sandy nudged him with her elbow. "They are sleeping. Besides, newborns only eat and sleep for the first week or two. After that, the fun times start."     

Meg nodded knowingly and spoke to Yasmin and Axel, "Sandy is right. You should pick a few healers from now to help you with little ones. They can watch over them for a few hours every day so you can rest properly."     

Yasmin cocked an eyebrow. "Why do I need healers when aunt Meg and aunt Sandy are right there?"     

Sandy was happy to hear that. It made her feel like they were part of a family. She glanced at Meg's belly, which was showing. "Meg's pup will join little ones. When will I get my heat?"     

"In five days," Talia blurted out, and Sandy and Tyler stared at her.     

"What?" Sandy squeaked, and Tyler swayed like his legs would give in.     

Meg waved her hand to get Sandy's attention. "Didn't you know that our Alpha has the ability to predict heat?"     

Talia laughed at Sandy's comical expression. She couldn't explain that it was Liseli who knew these things, so she focused on Yasmin. "What does the doctor say? How long do you need to stay in the hospital? Should we prepare a guest bedroom in the packhouse? That will be more comfortable than here." And more secure as here they had hospital staff and other patients nearby.     

"He said that because it's twins, we should stay an extra day…" Yasmin's voice trailed when the baby girl started moving. It was not a big movement, but she was on Yasmin's left breast, so Yasmin felt it.     

Valeria opened her mouth, and they all huddled closer to observe the cutest yawn in the world that came with a small twitch of the baby's right leg.      

"Aww…" Meg, Sandy, and Talia said in unison.