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Alastor's POV

I took the baby back from Ariel, realizing how tired she must be.

I held the tiny baby in my arms, staring down into her big green eyes. They looked just like her mammas...save for the little red flecks in them that I'm just assuming came from me.

I slowly smiled, looking back to Ariel.

She was looking up at me with a half lidded gaze, the softest smile on her lips.

I smiled back at her, until I noticed how shallow her breathing was. Her lips looked discolored and her skin was pale, a lot paler than usual.

"Doctor..." I said worriedly, "doctor she looks really pale..." I said, panic striking my chest.

This got the doctors attention and I couldn't tear my eyes from my gorgeous doe. Her eyes were focused on me, but she looked lethargic. The look in her eyes was far away...like she wasn't even there.

"Ariel..." I said, holding our baby close to me.

She didn't respond.

A cold panic struck straight through my heart as I looked to the doctor quickly.

She scrambled over and tried to move me but I wouldn't budge. She smartly gave up on that.

I barely registered anything they were saying, watching in dismay as Ariel's eyes glazed over.

"Ariel!" I let out, my voice straining as the baby in my arms started to cry. Tears burned the back of my eyes as a nurse quickly took the baby from me.

I pushed Ariel's ears back, and brushed my fingers over her face. She's cold.

"DOCTOR!" My voice was trembling and suddenly there were arms all over me, dragging me out of the room.

I snarled and pulled against them, tears overflowing and falling down my face hot and fast.

"Let go of me! Let go of me! Ariel!" I screamed, a sob escaping my throat. The loud crying of our baby could be heard and I felt like being sick.

No... no this isn't happening...

"Sedate him!" One of the nurses shouted.

And then I felt a prick in my neck and the world faded away.

**

I blinked slowly. The dark room around me looked unfamiliar.

Then my eyes snapped wide open and I shot forward in bed, trying to get up. I was surprised when my wrists yanked me back, and I glanced down to see they were chained to the bed.

I tugged at the metal chains, growling lowly.

When I get out of these I'm burning this hospital down with the staff inside.

I yanked once more on the chains, seeing if I could break them. They didn't budge, and I growled again, wondering what these could possibly be made of.

"Titanium reinforced with steel alloy."

My head snapped in the direction of the light female voice. In the dim corner of the hospital room Mai was sitting in a chair, her arms crossed over her chest.

The threads in her eyes glowed softly, and I tilted my head at her.

"Maizebeth, what is the meaning of this."

My voice was low and guttural. I'm growing impatient, I want to see my wif— well. She's not my wife yet...

I need to fix that.

As soon as I break these wretched chains.

I yanked against them once more, snarling when they refused to give.

Mai sighed, "Al, just relax. You're not going anywhere anytime soon. The hospital called me since I was one of the only numbers saved in your ancient flip phone, and I came as soon as they told me what's happening."

I narrowed my eyes on her, "and what exactly is going on?"

The question held so much weight behind it. Ariel...on the bed...dying...

My eyes widened, the sneer on my face involuntarily dropping into a relaxed frown, "Maizebeth, where is Ariel...?"

Mai's eyes flicked to the side.

She sighed again.

"She's um...Al she...she..."

I grit my teeth, tears pooling in my eyes, "no she's not...Maizebeth no she's not, no..."

Her eyes widened, "Al, no...oh my god, she's not dead...sorry, I phrased that really bad..."

The tightness in my chest unwound and I let out a heavy and relieved sigh. Then my eyes narrowed and I looked back to the necromancer across the room.

"Why am I chained to this bed? Where is my baby? Where is Ariel?"

Mai stood up, walking over to me. She sat on the edge of the bed next to me, showing how much she trusts I won't rip her in half with my teeth.

Bold of her.

Because I'm thinking about it.

She sighed, "you're chained to the bed because you terrify the hospital staff," she started, "Ariel is..." she pulled in a shaking breath, shaking her head slightly, "...in critical condition..."

My eyes widened.

"Well then let me go see her! Unchain me right now, Maizebeth or I swear—"

"You swear what, Al?" She said, exasperated. My mouth shut and I blinked at her. She shook her head, her bottom lip trembling slightly.

"Are you going to kill me? You think I'm not worried about her, too?" She strained out, "she hemorrhaged...she lost a lot of blood, Al..."

"Her body is fighting right now...they're saying that they've never seen anything like it. Most demons don't have to worry about losing blood, but hers isn't reproducing how it's supposed to...they said it's as if she's not allowing her body to heal."

I blinked, shaking my head. I did feel bad for snapping at her, but in my defense I'm chained to a hospital bed while the only woman I've ever loved is locked away from me.

"Maizebeth I—" my entire body went rigid when she grabbed me by the shirt and yanked me forward. My eyes widened at the action, my hands frozen in the air.

She pressed her forehead into my shoulder and my irritation from her touching me without permission deflated when I realized why she'd done it.

Her shoulders started bouncing softly, quiet sobs sounding muffled from my shirt. The crease in my brows lessened, my scowl relaxing into a calm frown.

Slowly I rested my hands against her back, gently pulling her a bit closer. I'm not good at this...this kind of consolation. However, realizing her and I were currently in the same boat of emotions, I figured it's only fair I allow her to cry...and if she finds comfort in me, that's a first, but I won't push her away.

"S-she wouldn't leave us like this...would she Alastor?" Her voice sounded broken. She was clutching to my shirt, the fabric on my chest trapped in her hands.

Her words caused an ache in my chest and I ran my claws up and down her back. Ariel always does that for me when I'm upset...

"Maizebeth..." I said softly, "don't you realize who you're talking about...? Of course she wouldn't leave us..." please, my love...don't leave us.

"Not like this."

We sat together, hugging in the hospital bed. Mai's crying quieted to soft sniffles and when she finally calmed down I gently pulled her off of me, holding her by the shoulders away from me.

"There, cher...no more tears," I said, gently swiping the silver liquid falling from her glossy button eyes away.

Mai nodded, and sighed, "you're right...s-she'll be fine..."

During that moment I'd forgotten my newborn child I've yet to properly meet.

I clenched my teeth and I growled, "Maizebeth where's my baby..."

If they are holding Ariel from me for her own good...so be it.

But so help me if they are holding my fawn from me I'll strangle them with the very chains they've tied me down with.

Mai perked up then, a smile reaching her face.

She got up and walked over to a different area in the room that was closed off by a curtain.

I watched her curiously, then my eyes widened when she rounded the corner with the smallest little demon in her arms.

I felt like my breath was stolen from me as I watched her carefully walk over to me.

She looked down at the baby for a moment, then up at me, "she's perfect...perfectly healthy, and look..."

She lifted the baby to where her little bum was visible and the teeniest little puff ball of a tail was situated at her tailbone.

My heart melted, all the anger I was feeling prior momentarily dissipated. I reached out and Mai handed me my child.

My child...

I took the little demon gently. She felt so small in my hands...I suppose when you're nearly 8 feet tall that's understandable.

Already she looked bigger than when she was just born, and I tilted my head in curiosity.

She copied me.

Her little ears flipped to the side as she tilted her head as well. I smiled...a genuine smile. Her big eyes looked up at me in pure curiosity.

No fear.

"Hello, little fawn..." I said quietly, "you seem to already be growing..." I chuckled.

Mai blew a raspberry from her lips, "the kid is growing like a weed. It's only been a few hours and she's already one pound heavier than when she was born, the doctor said."

Looking down into her large, innocent eyes I found myself a bit lost. I felt a sudden wave of tears looking at her.

Looking at this little life I created. With help, of course...

Her face was round, and her skin was a tad lighter than mine, and a bit darker than Ariel's. It held a grey undertone as well. She smiled up at me and reached up with one of her little hands.

I put my finger in front of her and she immediately grasped it.

Are you proud of me, Mama...

My eyes shut, the tears that built up falling over my cheeks. I held my baby close to me in a hug of sorts, being careful with her tiny body.

I didn't care that Maizebeth was seeing me in such a way.

I finally did something good.