Garen

Her screams filled the room as we all went into panic mode. Susan was the lone voice of reason, shouting, "Shut the hell up and get her on the bed!" Daniel and I carried her between us as she fluctuated between whimpering and screaming through her contractions. Our children seemed determined to make a grand entrance into the world. "Matthew, get me lots of towels and hot water," Susan barked to her mate. His pale face nodded as he blurred from the room. "Daniel, get her naked from the waist down. Garen, support her from behind. I need her sitting up at an angle when she begins pushing."

Neither of us hesitated, immediately following her instructions as we tried to soothe Serenity. Daniel gave up trying to remove her pants, instead just ripping them from her. A mix of blood and amniotic fluid coated the edge of the comforter as she grimaced, her nails digging into the arm I had wrapped around her. "It hurts," she whined, sweat beading on her forehead. Daniel and I exchanged a worried look. None of this was normal for a vampire birth. Most mothers didn't sweat, let alone bleed this much. Matter of fact, very little pain was involved. What Serenity was experiencing was unknown.

Matt brought the towels and water as directed. Susan took them from him, handing Daniel several towels and directing him to put them under Serenity. "Daniel, I need you to catch the baby when it drops. I need to monitor her for tearing and bleeding," she explained. "Garen, just keep her as calm and comfortable as possible." I gave a quick nod. "Okay, Ren, on the next contraction, I want you to push hard."

"You've got this, love," I whispered into her ear as she panted. She sighed, then cried out as the contraction hit. Her eyes squinted shut, hand gripping mine as she bared her teeth, pushing hard.

"Okay, stop," Susan said. "You're doing great. Another big push, okay?"

Serenity nodded as Daniel ran his hands over her legs. "You are so amazing, Ren." She gave him an eyeroll, then gritted her teeth as she began to push again. "I can see a head!" he yelled.

"Almost there," Susan echoed.

A shrill cry broke through as Daniel moved quickly, grabbing the infant and wiping him clean. Tears were running down his cheeks as he held the babe up for us to see. "Our son," he said proudly, handing him to Serenity. I helped her hold him against her chest as she kissed his head.

"Kieran," she whispered. "He has your nose and eyes," she laughed, nodding to Daniel. There was no mistaking his Asian features, a clear indicator of who his father was. She let out a whimper. "I think our second one is ready."

"That's your cue, Uncle Matt," I said, as he stepped forward to take our son. He grinned from ear to ear at his new title.

"Hey, Kieran," he cooed. "I'm your Uncle Matt. Let's get you cleaned up while Aunt Susan helps your Mama and Daddies meet your little brother or sister." Kieran gurgled at him as they walked away.

"Okay, love, time to meet our next little one," I told her, pressing kisses to her head. Daniel kissed her knees as Susan switched out the towels, pressing warm water against her legs. This time it was much quicker, only a single hard push, and our daughter entered the world. Her dark hair and deep brown eyes shone as I shed tears of my own.

"Call me crazy," Daniel chuckled, "but I think she might be your mini-me, Garen." He was right, she looked just like me with a dash of Serenity. I placed her on Serenity's chest.

"Meira," she said, looking up at me.

"I think that sounds perfect," I grinned.

****

Serenity had finally fallen asleep, and we were in the parlor, each of us holding one of the twins. Meira slept peacefully while Kieran seemed to be taking in everything. "Would you like me to draft an announcement? I'm sure the Council will want to know about the birth of the Prince and Princess," Susan smiled as she wiggled her fingers at Kieran.

Daniel sighed, "I suppose. Let's not rush, though. I think we've had enough excitement for a while."

"Yes, I quite like the idea of some quiet family time," I added. Meira yawned, stretching her tiny hand toward me, grasping my finger. She tugged it toward her mouth, her tiny lips trying to latch on. "I hate to do it, but I think we need to wake Serenity. This little one is getting hungry."

"What do you think they'll eat?" Susan asked.

I paused. "I hadn't considered it. I mean, they're a mix of vampire and elf, so it could be anything really."

"For now, I'm guessing milk," Serenity's soft voice made us startle. As if on cue, both babies began to wail. "I could sense her restlessness."

Daniel raised his eyebrow, "Sense?" She simply shrugged her shoulders and took Meira and sat down, placing her where she would latch onto her breast. Once our daughter was situated, she motioned for him to bring Kieran. In moments, both were nursing quietly.

"Ouch," Serenity muttered, looking at Kieran. "Are all vampire babies born with fangs?"

"What?" Daniel snapped. "He has fangs already?"

"Well, that or he's hiding a pair of scissors in his mouth," she muttered. "He bit me."

"What about Meira? Does she seem to have fangs?" I asked.

Her head shook, "If she does, she isn't using them." Daniel and I just watched in fascination, wondering what other surprises were in store for us.

Author's Notes:  And we've reached the end, only a small epilogue left, my lovelies.  Happy Pride!