Labor of Love Read online

  Darla stood frozen, looking at him with so much love and heartache her emotions threatened to crush him.

  He shifted back, standing to capture her face in his hands. “My lovely girl, why are you crying?” His thumbs wiped away her tears as he brought his lips to hers for a tender kiss.

  She responded, exactly as she always had, as if they belonged together, but doubt warred with the relief. A thousand questions threatened to tear him apart, and not a single one would leave his lips.

  Her laugh was choked as she brought one of his hands to her tight and hard belly. Then a kick nearly knocked his hand away. A smile pulled at his lips.

  “Mine?” he whispered, tears filling his eyes.

  A sob broke free as she nodded. “I’m sorry. I was scared. I didn’t know what to do.”

  “Why? Baby, what is it? What is going on? Why are you frightened?”

  “What if he’s inside her? What if that monster hijacked our little one?”

  “Oh sweetheart, I will always be there for you. No matter what. We can figure it out.”

  Her voice was filled with agony. “By the time I was ready to come back I found out I was pregnant. I knew you wouldn’t…”

  Before she could finish her ridiculous argument, he leaned in and took her mouth in a kiss to show her, better than words could, what he still felt.

  * * * *

  Tomahawk’s lips captured her tongue, sucking gently. He groaned against her mouth as he pressed his body against hers, winding his arms around her.

  His love was still there, his passion, everything she’d denied herself until she had answers about what exactly their child would become. And now he was here, holding her as if he worried she might walk away again.

  Breaking the kiss, Darla caressed his face. “How do I make it up to you?”

  “Don’t leave me again. Ask everyone back in Edenton. I’m a grump without you, a royal party pooper. It’s not the same. I need you. You’re a part of me, a big part.”

  Her abdomen knotted up again, harder than before. Her breath caught but she pulled air in through her nose and pushed it out through her mouth, forcing herself to relax.

  His hands caressed over her cramping belly, gently kneading, bringing relief so great, she melted into him.

  Until she remembered her mother pleading with her to enjoy the night. As the contraction subsided, she leaned back, her brow cocked. “How did you get here?”

  “I walked from the hotel,” he answered lightly.

  “How did you know I would be here?”

  He leaned back with a cocky smile. “Funny thing about that. I got this strange note the other day, with a plane ticket and reservations for the Hotel Monteleon.”

  “Mother.” Her eyes drifted to the sky as she shook her head, but she couldn’t resist a smile “She’s been begging me to at least call you.”

  “Doesn’t matter who sent me. The note said I’d find answers. You before me, not sending me away, is much better. I don’t care who brought me here, I would have come if I had any idea of where you were.”

  “Really?” she whispered.

  He nodded, his eyes sliding away. “I couldn’t resist. I tried to track you, but you were too far gone. You asked for time, and I attempted to give it to you. I gave you long enough for your trail to go cold.”

  “I’m sorry. I wanted to come back, but what if she’s a monster like Izackarus?”

  “She’s ours?” he asked again, softly.

  Darla nodded and his smile gave her confidence she hadn’t felt since she left. “Just ours.”

  “I’m positive there is no taint remaining. And if it helps, Amethyst wiped him out completely. There is no trace of him left anywhere. Not even in you. I can’t feel his presence at all.”

  “You felt him before?”

  “Not since Amethyst healed you. I promise, Darla, there is nothing left of the shadow fae. You are you, and the baby is ours. No taint from that bastard will spoil our future.” He rubbed his hand over her belly again with a smile.

  “But the things he whispered through my head, the things he made me do. I can’t forget the nightmares.”

  “Let me try to help with that. I won’t guarantee it will be perfect, but I promise to do my best to chase the memories away.”

  “Oh, Tom, why did I ever run?”

  “You were scared, and I didn’t chase after you fast enough. I thought at first, maybe I wasn’t enough, that I asked too late.”

  A startled laugh escaped. “You still want to marry me?”

  He nodded as a big goofy smile stretched across his lips. “Very much.”

  She held up her hand where the ring still sat. “I couldn’t bring myself to take it off. Even when I thought you might hate me until the day I died.”

  “I’ll never hate you,” he promised.

  “I should have known,” she whispered.

  “Doesn’t matter now, Darla. I have you in my arms, and we’ve both learned our lesson. I’m not letting you go.”

  “And neither am I,” she answered with a smile.

  “We should dance.” he whispered conspiratorially. He gave a covert look around and added, “Before someone wonders how I got in.”

  Darla’s brow lifted. “Got in? How, dare I ask?”

  “I followed a couple in. The woman had a hawk on her shoulder, and a chimp was following the man.” He gave her a sheepish shrug. “I joined their entourage.”

  A laugh escaped her lips. “That’s why you found me as a panther?”

  “I couldn’t get an invite to the event, so I had to get creative.”

  “Hmm, well then, we should dance. My invitation said plus one. I suppose that would be you.”

  “That certainly comes in handy.” He held out his hand, and led her back to the dance floor. Holding her close, he waltzed her through the crowd. “Sorry, I suppose I should learn some other dances for you.”

  She bit her lip for a second before answering, “I prefer horizontal dances. We make quite the pair where that’s concerned.” Looking away coyly, her tongue swept across her bottom lip.

  His hand slid around her waist to cup her belly and their baby. “This little girl is a surprise, but one I’m very happy with. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.” His sincerity pulled at her heart, filling her with regret.

  At least, she had him back. “Not your fault, Tom. I’m sorry I panicked and stayed away.”

  “No more apologies. Let’s make a deal. We’ll agree to disagree on who to blame, and prevent having to worry about it happening again by sticking together through thick and thin.”

  “I love you, Tom, always have.”

  “Since the moment I saw you, you were mine,” he murmured, drawing her close. “I’m never letting you go.”

  Chapter 5

  Dawn Skies watched her daughter’s reunion with the one man who completed her. The weight of Darla’s decision seemed to evaporate as Tomahawk twirled her across the floor. A true smile brightened her face.

  “Aww, they are so good together.” She smiled over at Jasper Broussard. “Thank you for providing his opening, and helping me set them up.”

  He dipped his head, a smirk on his face. “It was well worth seeing a panther shift into a human. Though I am disappointed no one batted an eye at our entrance.”

  “It was impressive. Thank you again, and you can count on me if you ever need anything.”

  “Enjoy your evening, Mrs. Skies.” He wandered off.

  Dawn turned back to see her daughter stop dancing while Tomahawk rubbed her belly.

  Will they have another joyous event this night?

  * * * *

  Tom never imagined everything in his life could be righted so easily. Later, they could talk about what she went through, but not until she was ready. Right now, the only thing that mattered was her smiling, in his arms, and their baby growing healthy and strong.

  Tomahawk could feel her presence. He was having a little girl, and his brother already had a lit
tle boy. Perfect cousin playmates. Then there was Adam’s little girl, and before long Fallon was having her twins. Edenton was going to have plenty of babies running around in no time.

  Darla stopped mid-dance, her breath catching as her fingers clutched him. He felt her stomach tighten up, rock hard. Her eyes rounded in fright.

  “Hey, just breathe,” Tomahawk cooed, rubbing her belly.

  Her head dipped in a nod but a ragged groan escaped. “These are real… not Braxton Hicks,” she panted.

  “Come on, breathe. Take a deep breath, and let it out slowly.”

  She followed his direction and some of her tension seemed to slide away as she leaned into him.

  Once it was over, she quietly said, “Need to sit.”

  He wrapped his arm around her, and walked her back to a chair. “Thirsty?”

  She nodded.

  “Stay here, I’m going to grab you something to drink.”

  Fear flitted through her eyes. “Okay.”

  “I’ll be right back.” He kissed her head and walked the short distance to the bar, still within her sight.

  She started to relax as he walked back. He handed her the glass and she took a sip of the juice.

  “I think I need some fresh air,” she suggested.

  “I saw the perfect place outside. Quiet, isolated, peaceful. Come on.”

  Without argument, she let Tom guide her to the spot he’d found earlier while wandering through the jungle-like gardens full of palms and vines.

  If it weren’t for the ridiculous ice sculptures in all their glory, they could pretend to be lost out in the wilderness under the stars.

  Chapter 6

  As they reached a bench, another contraction hit Darla hard. She doubled over, putting her hands on the cool wrought iron trellis, and tried to breathe.

  Tomahawk moved behind her, his hands massaging her lower back, right where she needed it the most. Relief flooded through her.

  “How do you know exactly what I need?” she whimpered.

  His laugh was light. “My mother was a midwife and healer. I watched enough childbirths to learn a few tricks.”

  “Really?” she asked as her body relaxed. She couldn’t even begin to imagine.

  “Don’t laugh. It’s true. Both Dakota and I helped more times than I can count. If need be, I could deliver our little one.” He paused, actually froze.

  Darla turned around to find a proud smile on his lips, his dark eyes twinkling behind his mask.

  “Actually,” he murmured, “I like the sound of that.”

  As always, he wiped away all the doubt, all the fear, and warmed her to her core. She opened her mouth but no words would come.

  Smiling, he leaned in and gave her a slow, loving kiss.

  “No more questioning the past,” he told her gently. “From now on, we’ll live every day to smile.”

  She nodded, finally looking at his outfit. Her eyes widened in surprise as she turned her attention to her own gown. They matched perfectly. “My mother…” she sighed, shaking her head in amusement.

  “I owe the woman a huge thank you for planning this, though I would have taken you however I found you.” He glanced down at his own costume. “She went above and beyond.” Tomahawk chuckled. “I never would have found anything resembling this get-up, and I didn’t realize there was a theme until I saw the sea of red and gold outfits on all the guests.”

  Darla smiled sheepishly, “Probably a good thing she set it up. I never would have come if she hadn’t basically begged me to take her place.”

  “Why is it, in all the years we’ve been together, you never introduced me to your mother?” he asked gently.

  She shrugged sheepishly. “She’s something else. I guess I didn’t really believe what she was until I got to know you. That sounds bad, doesn’t it?”

  Tom frowned thoughtfully. “What do you mean?”

  “I suppose I never understood what a mystic was. I still don’t, to be honest.”

  “A mystic isn’t that different from what I am, Darla. It’s a broad term, meaning a lot of different things, but she likely has some psychic abilities, or even magic. In fact, that would explain why your instincts are so accurate.”

  She half-laughed. “Then why didn’t I run from Izackarus? If my instincts were so accurate, I should have ran.”

  “You saw someone in trouble and stopped to help. That’s what you always do. It’s what makes you such a wonderful nurse, and will make you a fantastic mom.”

  “I hope so,” she squeaked as she felt a gush rush down her legs. Her eyes went wide.

  “Oh no, no, no, oh no,” she panted as she stared down at her now soaked dress.

  Tom nudged her chin up and captured her gaze. “We have a couple choices, Darla. I can deliver our baby, or we can get you to a hospital. Either way, it looks like we’ll meet our little girl soon.”

  Her hands clutched Tomahawk again, as her whole body tightened, this contraction cording through her. Breathing deep and forcing herself to relax each muscle helped, but she knew her labor was going to be fast.

  Tomahawk guided her down to the bench, taking her hands. “I’ve got you,” he cooed. “I’m right here, and we can do this.”

  Darla nodded, looking up into his eyes. He was everything and more. She had full confidence in him.

  “Did you pick a name yet?” he asked, his hands massaging her belly and lower back.

  “No.” She crumpled back against the seat. “I was so afraid, I didn’t know what to pick for a name.”

  “We could name her Darla.” He gave her a smile.

  Shaking her head, she almost laughed. “No. Then I’ll never know if you’re talking to me or our little one.”

  “Good point, and if it were a boy, I wouldn’t suggest my name either.”

  “I like your name,” she quipped.

  “And I like yours, but it’s the same problem,” he replied.

  “I don’t know,” she answered as her whole body constricted, bearing down. “She’s coming.”

  Tom knelt before her, completely unconcerned. “How about Annalise Raven? I remember you mentioning your grandmother and how much you loved her.”

  Tears filled her eyes as she nodded. It took an entire minute for the contraction to end. “That’s beautiful.”

  “Why did you put off picking a name? That was easy,” he teased.

  “We aren’t going to make it to the hospital,” she told him.

  Chapter 7

  Dawn walked out to the gardens, and heard a pained gasp from her daughter.

  Maybe my plan wasn’t so flawless after all.

  It took her a few moments to weave through the palm fronds, banana leaves, and well-endowed ice sculptures, but she finally came to a secluded clearing with a bench.

  She found Tomahawk before her daughter, smiling, soothing, and being the brilliant man Darla spoke so highly of. Her decision to bring them together was the right one.

  Darla was right, they weren’t making it out of the grounds to have this baby. Her daughter was about to experience a very quick and easy childbirth, much like her own.

  Hoping her presence would help, she walked into the clearing. She sat down next to her daughter and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I hope you don’t hate me,” she uttered before she could stop herself.

  Darla’s eyes widened as they locked first on Tomahawk’s, and then Dawn’s face. “Why would I hate you, Mom?” she asked.

  “I interfered when I promised I wouldn’t.”

  Darla smiled. “I’m glad you did.”

  Tomahawk grinned up at her. “Hi Mom, I’m Tom.” He held out his hand and she took it firmly. She felt nothing but love and warmth from him. Two of the things she wanted for her daughter. The other, happiness, was already on Darla’s face. Even the pain of hard contractions couldn’t erase her smile.

  “You can call me Mom, or Dawn. Either way is fine.”

  “Mom it is. Thank you, truly. I had no clue where to find my
sweet Darla, but you brought us together at the perfect time.”

  Smiling, she looked to her daughter, but directed her question at Tom. “You really ready to deliver this little one?”

  “Definitely.”

  “Thank God,” Darla groaned, her head dropping to Tom’s shoulder as her body squeezed in on itself.

  Dawn rubbed her hand up and down Darla’s back, remembering her own labor. “If it’s any consolation, I had you fast. Much like this actually. Well, minus your father’s presence.”

  Tom’s brow arched, but he kept his mouth shut as he brushed the back of his knuckles along Darla’s cheek.

  “She doesn’t talk about him,” Darla answered the unspoken question.

  “Not much to say. I thought I was in love, ah, young love.” She sighed wistfully. “Problem was, he wasn’t. He went back home and I haven’t seen him since.”

  “Did you ever tell him about me?” Darla asked softly.

  “No, love. I was worried he would want us to go to him in France, and I had no desire to move. He married soon after going back home. So I chose not to share.”

  Tom jumped in. “Would you have told me about Annalise, Darla?”

  She nodded profusely. “I needed to know she is all ours,” her words ended on a cry as she slid to the ground.

  Tom pushed her dress back and grinned. “She’s ours, all right.”

  Dawn couldn’t see his hands, and not being a huge fan of the birthing process, busied herself with Darla’s hair and rubbing soothing circles on Darla’s shoulders.

  Seconds later, Tomahawk pulled their child to his chest and covered Darla’s legs for the moment. He looked to Dawn, “I’ll need a few things, if you don’t mind.”

  Dawn patted his hand. “Someone’s coming with everything you’ll need. Don’t worry. When I noticed the contractions, I got word to staff who could at least get the basic supplies.”

  * * * *