Voluptuous Vindication (28 page)

Stunned, Ian handed it over.

“Oh, god,” Vincent cried out. “I see its head, but I don't know what to do.” His eyes narrowed on Sara and Anna. “You're women. You have to know how to deliver babies.”

Arch, who had been seated at the opposite end of the long table, stood up with a sigh. Dropping his napkin down, he walked over to where Vincent stood in a panic.

“Do I have to do everything around here?” He asked, his hands on his hips.

None of them had an answer for him.

Shaking his head, he leaned over to stare down at Scarlett. “Do you want me to help you birth the baby? I won't do anything you don't want. Just say the word.”

“Please, Arch,” she whimpered between contractions. Another one started, her tone raising in pitch. “Since apparently the only thing Vincent knows how to do is make them.”

Arch nodded, moving back to give orders. “Shayne, I need hot water, towels, and soap. I'll also need some washcloths. Bring it back in here, and then the women can help me.”

Shayne ran for the door.

Arch turned his head and looked at Vincent. “As for you, move around the table to the other side and comfort your wife. Try not to piss her off anymore than you already have. If you do, I can't guarantee that she won't geld you.”

Jeremiah belched before saying, “Excuse me.”

Arch glared at him and rolled his eyes, “Jeremiah, take the damned pie and get the hell out of here. Ian, go with him and make sure he doesn't come back in for more food.”

Ian stood up, pulling Sara to him. “Are you okay with this?”

Sara nodded, leaning up to kiss his cheek. “I'm fine,” she reassured him. “In fact, this will give me practice. Just remember, we'll be doing this twice.”

Ian's heart stuttered. He couldn't imagine his sweet, gentle angel threatening to cut his shaft off. When it was over, he was speaking to Arch. There had to be something that would numb the pain for an immortal, and thus, saving his own manhood.

Scarlett screamed on the table, her upper body arching up in pain. Vincent looked as if he would pass out at anytime, his dark eyes wide and miserable. Ian leaned forward and pecked Sara on the lips, desperate to escape.

Jeremiah stood up, holding another pie with a fork buried in it. “Hey, Ian. Do you think you could grab that platter of appetizers?”

Ian rolled his eyes, picking it up. How Jeremiah could eat at that moment was beyond him, but he was willing to do anything to rush him along.

“
Let's go,” he said to Jeremiah, his tone leaving no room for argument.

* * * * *

Ian sat on the couch in one of the dens, holding his face in his hands as he leaned over his knees. The room was full of Endurers, all of them awaiting news about the baby. Even Peter and Kim had rejoined them, surprised to discover that Scarlett was in labor.

Sara was in there, seeing every painful detail of childbirth. Despite her reassurances, Ian felt frozen with fear. Was the experience enough to fill his innocent angel with terror over her own impending labor? It had sure scared the hell out of him. 

As if his thoughts had brought her to him, Sara stepped into the room. Ian raised his head, his face ravaged with worry. She walked over to him, sitting down on the couch.

“How's Scarlett and the baby?” Kim asked. “Is everything okay?”

“They are fine,” Sara reassured everyone in the room. “They have a healthy baby boy.”

The Endurers cheered, the mood in the den lightening considerably. Cigars were lit as brandy was passed around. Sara wrapped her arms around him and leaned her head against his chest.

“Are you okay?” Ian asked hoarsely, his body tense as he waited for her response.

“I'm just fine,” she replied, her voice sounding unconcerned. “Well, maybe I'm a little tired. It wore me out, and I wasn't even the one doing the work.”

“What about our babies?” He forced himself to ask, despite the dread churning in his gut. “Are you afraid of your labor now?”

“No, my love,” Sara replied, raising her hands up to cup his face. “I've known all along that childbirth isn't an easy experience, I just hadn't seen a live demonstration before. Yes, it was painful for Scarlett, but you ought to see her now. She's already forgotten the pain, and I guarantee she believes it was worth every moment.”

Ian sighed, relieved as he pulled her back to his chest. “And Vincent? Is he still Vincent, or should I now refer to him as Vinicia?”

Sara chuckled. “No, Scarlett didn't end up gelding him. When I left them, she was nursing the baby. He's awfully cute. I think everything was instantly forgiven as soon as she held him.”

Ian nuzzled the top of her head, his heart bursting with love and pride. He couldn't wait until the moment they held their own offspring. It was mind-boggling, just knowing by the next Christmas he would be a father.

“You're amazing, Sara. Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

Sara kissed his chest. “I could definitely use a reminder.”

He pulled her tight. “I love you, Angel. I just wish you could read my mind and my heart to see how much.”

“I don't need to read your mind or heart to know, Ian. I see it everyday by the way you treat me. Some might call my banishment to earth a punishment, but they would be wrong. Being here with you has been a blessing, a blessing so great that it is beyond compare. I love you, Ian. Now and forever.”

They kissed, oblivious to the noise and excitement all around them.

Arch walked in, the Endurers bursting into cheers. Someone handed him a glass a brandy, while another handed him the entire bottle. Arch sank down into the closest empty chair, holding the glass up. “To the Endurers, both present and future. There's never a dull moment when you're around!”