Chapter 26

Some months later

Killian's neck felt as stiff as a board. Even before he opened his eyes, he knew moving would hurt. He had fallen asleep on the chair again. It was the only way Kiara would allow him to stay in the room, not that Killian wanted to climb into bed with that psychopath taking over his girl's mind.

Moving his toes first, Killian slowly stretched his legs and then upper body before taking in a deep breath and slowly opening his eyes. The artificial sunlight came in through the window and lit up the room like an aquarium. It was a silent morning. Kiara had broken the small bird box weeks ago that imitated bird calls. Now Pandora's box was as silent as a ghost town.

As Killian's eyes opened, his gaze made it's way over to the girl laying on the bed. His heart beat started to rise as he looked at her swollen belly before his eyes traveled up to her beautiful eyes....beautiful brown eyes.

Killian immediately began to sit up as he noticed the color of Kiara's eyes. His chest tightened and his body moved faster than he could process his thoughts.

"Kia," Killian said breathlessly as he kneeled beside the bed. His hand moved up and touched the edge of her face gently.

Kiara flinched from his touch and screwed her eyes shut.

"No, no, no," Killian began to panic. "No, Kia. Please, listen. Please don't do that."

As his words filled the space between them, Kiara's eyes opened once more.

"Take your hand off of me before I break it off of you," Kiara said with her eyes shimmering a brilliant gold.

Killian's jaw clenched as he pulled his hand back. He had no desire to feel Kiara's warm skin chill under his fingers as the demon took her over once more.

This has been a dance they have been perfecting for months now. Just when he would least expect it, Killian would look up and find Kiara's brown eyes on him. He would run to her. But the faster he tried to get to her, the quicker she hid behind the psychopath. She was always just within his reach, but slipping away everytime.

"Killian, you need to take a step back," Kiara said, rising from the bed. "You're crowding me."

Reluctantly, Killian rose to his feet and took a step back. He held out his hand and Kiara took it as she slowly climbed out of bed. The white dress she wore fell over her round belly as she huffed uncomfortably.

"I can't wait for this girl to be out of me!" she groaned in anger.

"Then maybe you should let Kiara experience carrying her first child," Killian said bitterly.

"First child?" Kiara laughed. "As if there will be any other. Only child, Killian....just like you."

"Then let her be here!"

"Mmmm...." Kiara tilted her head to one side. "No."

Killian's hands balled into fists. He shut his eyes and took in a deep breath. But right as he was about to open his eyes once more, he felt Kiara take a step closer and run her hand through his messy hair.

"Curls," she said, taking a lock and letting it wrap around her finger. "Lila will have your curls."

Killian held his breath. He didn't want to open his eyes and see those gold ones looking back at him. If he tried hard enough, he could almost imagine it was Kiara playing with his hair.

But the imagination never worked...

"Gemma will be here in a few," Killian said, taking a step back and opening his eyes.

"Don't you people ever get bored!" Kiara rolled her eyes. "We've been doing this for months. I'm sure Gem has better things to do then to come here every single day."

"And we will keep doing it until you let Kiara go."

"Let her go?" Kiara laughed. "Baby bird, I can't let Kiara go. We are one!"

"No, you're not," Killian said firmly.

"Whatever," Kiara shrugged as she turned on her heels and headed towards the bathroom.

Killian stood in his spot with the girl's words swirling around in his mind.

We are one, we are one, we are one....

Killian refused to believe her. He knew better than to think Kiara was gone forever. All those moments when he would find her stealing a glimpse at him or at her parents was all the proof he needed to know that he couldn't give up. He would get Kiara back....at all cost.

After several minutes, just as Killian was about to head downstairs to call Gemma in, he heard Kiara gasp inside the bathroom. The sound sent chills down his back as he rushed forward to hear a little whimper.

"Kiara?" Killian knocked on the door.

Kiara gasped once more.

Killian's hand wrapped around the doorknob as he pushed with his shoulder and opened the door. His gaze landed on Kiara standing by the sink, gripping the edge with her hands as her knuckles turned white. Her brown eyes watered and filled with fear as she looked up at the boy who had walked into the room.

"What's wrong?" Killian felt his acid in his stomach churn as the fear in Kiara's eyes intensified. "Kia....I'm not going to hurt you."

Kiara slowly looked down at the floor. Killian followed her gaze to find a small puddle of water right between her legs. A trickle slid down the sides of her legs, soaking the thin dress as her hands began to shake.

"I got you," Killian took a long stride forward and hooked his arm around Kiara. He felt her immediately lean all her weight against him as he slowly walked her out of the bathroom and sat her down on the edge of the bed.

"Are you okay?" Killian took her face in between his hands. "I'm going to call Posey and Tobias."

Kiara began to panic. She looked around the room as her broken heart began to shatter. At that moment, her eyes were crystal clear. Killian could read every thought running through her head as her hand held her belly and tears began to rise up. She did not want to give birth inside Pandora's box...

And so, history repeats itself....

Kiara shut her eyes as her breathing labored.

"Kia," Killian kneeled in front of her. "Look at me, look at me. We're not going to have Lila here. Okay? That's not going to happen."

Kiara didn't say anything as her tears betrayed her. She began to weep as Killian opened his mind-link and called to Posey and Tobias. He held her hand and rubbed circles with his thumb as his other hand found its way to her lower back and soothed her.

Killian wished Kiara would open her eyes and look at him. He wished he could take her face into his hands and kiss her lips. He wished he could share this moment with her without the dark clouds over their head.

After a few short minutes, the door to Pandora's box opened and Tobias walked in with Posey right behind him. They ran up the stairs to the second floor and they found Kiara sitting on the bed with Killian kneeling in front of her. Together they stepped into the room and Kiara opened her eyes.

"Kiara," Posey's eyes watered as she looked at the warm brown of her daughter's eyes. She hurried forward and sank into the seat beside the girl and began to kiss her forehead. "Don't worry, baby. You're going to be okay. We already called Maksim and Ella. The doctors at the palace are all ready."

Tobias gazed at his daughter and wished she would say something. Her big brown eyes were full of fear and worry as they bounced around from Killian to Posey. She was hesitant to speak but her lips would move ever so slightly as if she wanted to say something. As Tobias stood watching, a dark twisted feeling began to blossom in the pit of his stomach...

"Kiara..." he called to her, taking a step into the room.

Kiara looked up at her father as a tear rolled down her eyes.

"Kiara," Tobias kneeled beside her and took her hand. "Say something...."

Kiara's lip trembled. She looked at her mother and then back at her father.

"Say something, please," Tobias begged, bringing her small hands up to his lips and pressing a kiss.

"What's wrong?" Killian asked, looking at Tobias.

Tobias lowered his head as if to compose himself.

"Tobias..." Posey began to panic. "What? What is it?"

"She can't speak," Tobias said.

"What?" Posey asked in confusion.

"She can't speak," Tobias said again, lifting his head. "Look at her. The magic...."

Killian felt the ever present knife twist in his chest. He turned his blue eyes to Kiara as she began to cry heavily.

"Kia..." Killian took her face into his hands and wiped her tears.

Kiara opened her mouth but no sound came out.

"It won't let her speak to us," Tobias said, defeated.

"Call Clare," Posey told her husband. "Call Zeus. Call whoever you have to."

"Persephone..."

"Killian, take Kiara to the hospital," Posey shook her head. "Tobias, go get Clare."

Everyone started to move at once. Killian helped Kiara up and carried her down the stairs. Posey quickly packed a bag full of clothes and rushed back to the house to grab the bag she had prepared for the baby. Tobias helped Killian bring Kiara out of Pandora's box and portaled them right away to the hospital.

In a matter of minutes, Kiara was changed into a hospital gown and hooked up to a bunch of different monitors displaying Lila's heartbeat. She watched the doctors with paranoid eyes as they prepped her. Killian stood right beside her holding her hand and showering her with small kisses on top of her head as Clare and Tobias spoke outside with Gemma.

By mid-afternoon, Birdie and Macy were in the hospital room with Kiara. They held her hand and cried with her as she tried to pour her heart out to them. But she couldn't form a single sound. All she could do was make those small little whimpers of pain that chipped away at Killian's sanity.

Soon after Birdie and Macy arrived, Kiara started to have her first contractions. She gripped Killian's hands painfully as he held her, telling her how much he loved her. Birdie spent a few minutes healing Kiara to make the pain easier but she was only a young jinn. Once she was tired out, Thea stepped in before Hayden appeared and took over.

"You're going to be okay," Hayden said, looking at Kiara as she stared up at him with those big brown eyes. "We're not going to let anything happen to you."

"Are you allowed to eat?" Birdie asked, leaning over her brother's shoulder.

Kiara shook her head.

"You can give her some water," Killian said, motioning towards the water cup on the side table.

Birdie quickly walked around and grabbed the cup. She was about to help Kiara take a sip when the door to the room opened and a nurse walked in with a large bouquet of yellow roses.

"Killian?" the nurse looked at the boy. "This was delivered for you."

"What?" Killian asked in confusion.

He watched the nurse sit the flowers down on the table by the door before she walked back out. As Birdie pushed him aside to help Kiara have water, Kiara slowly let go of his hand. Killian took the opportunity to walk over to the flowers and pull off the small card that was sticking out from between the roses.

To my dear son,

This day will change you forever. You will be a wonderful father. Thank you for making me a grandmother. I can not wait to meet our little bird and bring her home.

With love,

Azazel.

A toxic rage strong enough to wipe out a whole city exploded in Killian's chest. If it wasn't for Kiara sitting just a few feet away from him, he would have set the roses on fire. But he couldn't. She would want to know why he had done so and he didn't have the heart to tell her his mother was still fucking up their lives.

"Killian," Hayden appeared beside the boy.

Killian took in a deep breath and held up the hard for Hayden. He watched as Hayden's eyes darkened and a deep frown formed in his lips.

"She's hiding," Killian said. "Tobias and I have been looking for her. But she keeps moving from one place to another."

"You need to focus on Kiara right now," Hayden said. "Give me this. Let me see what I can do."

"If you find her, cut her head off for me," Killian handed Hayden the card and turned on his heels.

He walked back to Kiara as Birdie held the girl's hand and Thea hovered around trying to make her comfortable. His gaze locked with her and for the first time in months, a small slither of happiness blossomed inside of his chest as Kiara held out her hand for him.

"Want me to get you a pen and paper?" Birdie asked. "You can write down what you need."

Kiara nodded her head. Macy moved closer and wiped off some of the sweat that had gathered on the girl's forehead.

"You're like the little mermaid," she said, hearing a small smile from Kiara.

For the rest of the day the hospital room buzzed around with visitors and doctors. Posey and Tobias stayed by their daughter as Killian held her hand the whole way through. Around mind-night, when the doctor finally urged Kiara to start pushing, the room filled with anxiety and excitement.

Kiara buried her face in the crook of Killian's shoulder as she bit down on her lip and pushed with all her fight. Posey held her daughter's other hand and began to chant a small prayer under her breath.

"I love you," Killian said to Kiara over and over as she grew paler and paler in his arms. He held her tightly as she dug her nails into his forearm and pushed.

"Come on, Kiara," the doctor said as she encouraged the girl.

"She's getting too tired," one of the nurses said. "She's going to pass out."

"Hayden," Killian looked over his shoulder. "Birdie, go call Hayden."

Birdie ran out of the room and dragged her brother inside. Hayden wasted no time in rushing over to Kiara and taking her hand from Posey. Killian looked up at him and gave him a nod to show his gratitude as Hayden began to heal Kiara.

"She's almost here," the doctor announced. "Just a bit more, keep going, keeping going, aaaaaaand....that it!"

Kiara let out a heart wrenching sound as Lila's little cry filled the room. Killian looked up with tears in his eyes as a nurse wrapped the little baby in a white cloth and held her out for Kiara.

Everything in the room disappeared around Killian. He could not see anyone or hear anyone else. All his attention focused on Kiara and Lila as the new mother and baby embraced for the very first time. Killian's heart swelled up with so many emotions that he couldn't hold them all in. He began to cry as he heard Lila.

Once she was somewhat content with showering Lila with kisses, Kiara looked up and her gaze met with Killian. Through the broken pieces of her heart, Kiara felt a rush of emotions that she couldn't identify. She held out her hand for him and secured Lila in the other arm.

As if snapping out of a dream, Killian took a small step forward. He leaned over and kissed Kiara's forehead as his eyes fell on his daughter for the very first time.

"Oh my god," Killian gave a laugh through his tears. "She's beautiful."

Kiara smiled as she took his arm and slowly handed Lila over to him.

"She's perfect," Killian said, moving aside the blanket slightly to get a closer look at those tiny red lips and small button nose. "Hi, my love. Hi, baby. I love you. I'm your dad."

Hayden smiled as he continued to heal Kiara from where he stood beside her bed. He watched Posey take a step forward and rush to her granddaughter as Tobias rushed to his daughter.

"I got her," Hayden informed the god of the Underworld as he kissed Kiara's cheek and smoothed back her hair.

"Tobias!" Posey cried. "Look at her! She's perfect!"

As Tobias walked over to Killian and Lila, Posey moved to Kiara. She pulled the girl into her arms and kissed her cheeks as she told her how much she loved her.

"Killian," Hayden looked to the boy who was in awe of the baby in his arms. "Stop hogging her. Bring her here. I want to see."

Kiara laughed and wiped the tears in her eyes. She watched Killian walk over to the bed once more and lower Lila just enough to show her tiny face to Hayden. The half jinn smiled as he looked from Kiara to Killian.

"Congratulations to you two."

_______________________________

Thanks to Hayden, Kiara's recovery time was cut in half. Within a matter of hours, she was feeling much better. Killian watched her hold Lila and gently play with her little baby as she forgot about the whole world around her. When the nurses came to take Lila to the newborn's ward so the new mother could get some sleep, Kiara refused.

"It's okay," Posey said. "We'll all be here. The baby is fine."

The nurse hesitated for just a few seconds before nodding and walking back out of the room. Posey knew how Kiara was feeling. When she had Kiara, she too didn't want to be apart from her baby. Plus, it was good to see hints of their daughter coming back after months of dealing with the golden eye monster.

The morning and day was filled with excitement as Birdie, Macy, and Thea came back to visit the baby. They gushed over the small baby doll under the new mother and father's watchful eyes. Killian sat beside Kiara and held her hand as they watched their friends pass around their baby.

"Hayden, do you want to hold her?" Thea asked, looking up at the half jinn hovering by the door.

"Do you know how to hold a baby?" Birdie looked up skeptically.

"No, I might drop her," Hayden rolled his eyes as he walked over to Thea.

"Hayden," Killian frowned.

"I'm kidding, dude," Hayden looked over his shoulder. "Relax. I know how to hold a baby."

Thea laughed as she slowly handed Lila over to the half jinn. She watched him take a seat beside her and bounce Lila once and then stop immediately as if he was scared to shake her too much. Thea threw her head back and laughed.

"Are you laughing at me?" Hayden chuckled looking at the blonde.

"You are so focused," Thea laughed. "Relax, calm down. You'll be fine."

"Take her back," Hayden held Lila out.

"No, thank you," Thea teasingly moved back.

"Thea," Hayden pleaded. "Please."

"Give her to me," Birdie jumped in between the two. She took Lila from her brother and walked over to Kiara. "Here you go."

Kiara smiled as she looked down at her daughter's face. She would never get over the feeling of holding Lila and feeling a blissful peace come over her. Kiara knew there was nothing in this world she wouldn't do for the little girl. And the look in Killian's eyes as he sat beside her told her he was feeling the same exact way.

"I love you," Killian looked up and locked his gaze with Kiara.

Kiara felt her heart begin to burn and twist with a bunch of confusing emotions. She looked away before her eyes watered and focused on Lila. She knew there was a whole mountain of issues she needed to work through with Killian and her parents but she did not want to face it all just yet. She wanted a few more moments with her baby.

And what's what she got.

Kiara held Lila the whole day. Everyone was elated to see her smiling and basking in her new role as a mother. By the time night fell and Posey took Lila to put her down for sleep, Kiara was fighting to keep her eyes open.

"Kia," Killian rubbed her cheek with his thumb. "Go to sleep. I'll be right here Lila and Posey."

Kiara shook her head.

"You need to sleep," Killian frowned. "Hayden healed you but you still need time."

Kiara wanted to say something but then she remembered she couldn't. She was fearful of going back to sleep and waking up to find her stuck somewhere in the back of her mind. Normally, she would have welcomed the opportunity of not having to deal with any heartache. But now with Lila....Kiara never wanted to miss a moment.

Despite her struggles to stay up, Kiara's eyes slowly began to close from exhaustion. She felt Killian hold her hand as he lowered his head beside her from the chair he sat on. Across the room, Posey curled up on the other sofa as Lila's little crib was placed beside her. The little hums of the machines in the room, along with the hushed voices of the hospital staff outside her doors lulled everyone to sleep for a few minutes before Lila would wake up again.

Even in her sleep, Kiara's heart yearned for Lila. she couldn't wait to open her eyes and see her sweet baby. But as the minutes passed and Kiara did start to stir awake from her slumber, she quickly realized she wasn't in the hospital room...

With a jolt of fear, Kiara sat up on the floor she had been laying on. Her eyes immediately fell on the couple asleep on the sofa in front of her, completely unaware of the unexpected visitor they were hosting.

Kiara jumped up to her feet and looked around frantically. Her eyes moved over the small apartment as her ears began to pick up the distant sound of rain.

Wanting to get out, Kiara began to move away from the couple. Her feet stumbled silently out of the living room as she tried to calm her mind enough to open a portal.

She did not want to take a life right now. She did not want to touch Lila with blood in her hands.

Kiara ran a hand through her hair as the sound of the rain intensified. Her ears began to ring as the pattering raindrops grew louder and louder in her head.

Kiara looked down the hall to the room where the sound came from. Her feet began to move towards the closed door. She felt that familiar tug in her chest as if something or someone was grounding her to the apartment. She couldn't leave. There was someone here who's name had appeared on her loom.

With her hand shaking, Kiara turned the door knob and pushed it open. She peered into the dark room with the rain sounds and low rumbling thunder. Silently, she took a step into the room and let the door close beside her.

Kiara slowly took in a deep breath as her eyes landed on the very familiar face sleeping on the bed. Her hands turned cold and her feet began to turn to ice as she gazed down at the round face and dark lashes.

Nora.

"Kiara," a voice spoke up from somewhere in the room.

Kiara jumped as she whirled around to find Hayden stepping out from the shadows in the corner. His eyes were hard as rocks and his mouth was set into a grim thin line.

"What are you doing here?" Hayden asked.

Kiara felt the air in the room shift. The small molecules began to heat up and dance with dangerous excitement as Hayden pinned Kiara with his eyes.

"You need to leave," Hayden said. "Now."

Kiara's eyes moved to Nora on the bed.

"Don't look at her!" Hayden said through his teeth. "Please..."

Kiara's breathing began to rise. She took a small step back and collided with a hard body. Gasping, she turned to find Killian standing behind her.

"Hayden mind-linked me," he said slowly with a small frown. "Come....let's leave."

Kiara looked over her shoulder once more.

"Lila is awake," Killian said, gaining her attention back. "She's waiting for you." 

What do you think all this means?