Shifted Fate by Alicia S.Rivers

Alannah shook, the exhaustion catching up with her. “Is he okay?” Her eyes were half closed as she panted, but it didn’t stop her from opening her arms.

My mom handed the baby boy to Wendy, who took him into the bathroom to clean him up. “Wendy will be right back with him, but we aren’t finished here, Alannah.” She waited until Alannah nodded before she went back under the blanket. “We might have a little wait while the next baby gets ready to come out. You let me know when you feel the need to push again, okay?” Alannah breathed out, and nodded, still too tired to say anything.

“Ainsley?” Wendy called from the bathroom. “Can you come here?”

My mom pulled back and stood up, cleaning her hands as she went. She caught my eye, and I nodded once, letting her know I would watch over the woman in my arms as she took care of her baby. Alannah pushed up weakly. “What’s wrong with my baby?”

My mom patted her knee. “I’ll check on him. Worry about the little girl in your stomach.” Then she walked out of the room. We all heard the whispered conversation from the bathroom.

“Amy…” Alannah’s fear scented the room. “My baby is going to be okay, right?” She panted for a few seconds before another scream hit.

“Are you okay?” I leaned over to see her face clearly.

She clutched at her stomach as she smiled. “Seems like I won’t get much of a break. She is raring to follow her brother.” She gritted her teeth as she grunted with another contraction.

My mother and Wendy walked out of the bathroom, both a little paler than before. My mom got back down. “You sound about ready. Let me look, and then we can start pushing again. Okay?” Alannah just nodded.

started to worry. Nix came out of the trees. Go to Wendy. She has something to

going to check on your pup. Move over.” I nodded towards

and with a tight smile she handed him to me. “Here.” She slid the baby into my arms, and without drawing attention to it, she

I could stop it, and all eyes snapped to

wrong?” Ternen’s voice

face. “Nothing is wrong. Ten fingers.” I moved the towel and quickly counted. “Ten toes.” I smiled down at this precious baby with his trembling lip, and I walked over

another contraction hit, but her focus was on me as I shuffled back onto the bed. “I want

“And you will as soon as your daughter is born. That way you don’t have to worry about being in active labor, you can focus on them both, and bond with them.” I slid next to her and tilted

and Alannah leaned closer, forgetting the pain in the moment so they could

voice was soft.

She puled back, and I watched as they both

What’s that?”

soft pink skin of Taryn’s shoulder was marked

I touched the blessing, and it seemed to glow with my