"Phck! There! Right-there-Nines!" Gavin gasped and whimpered as he looked up at Nines, who smirked as he rocked into that spot again. Gavin tugged uselessly at the hands Nines held pinned above his head with one of his. The other hand was hooked beneath his knee, holding his injured leg captive over his hip. Gavin moaned again as Nines continued rolling his hips. Each rock stroked and teased over that spot, and Gavin felt like he was going to burst. He tightened the grip he had on Nines' hips, trying to pull him closer.

"Are you nearly ready?" Nines purred as he leaned a little lower, balancing all of his weight on his left arm. It was a good thing it had healed up over the past few months. It certainly didn't seem to give him any trouble as he held him down. Gavin whined his helpless agreement as Nines' cock slipped back and forth, caressing his walls. The agreement only seemed to make Nines more relentless as he bucked his hips. The duvet pooled at his waist as he quickened his pace, enjoying the mewling cries that fled Gavin's lips.

"Phck, please! Nines-Nines!" His voice was high, as it usually was when he begged. Nines swooped in to seal his mewling lips, continuing his onslaught. He was close. He was so fucking close. Any minute he was going to burst. He could already feel his cock throbbing and dripping on his pelvis, bouncing with each snap of Nines' hips. "Phu-Nn!" He was almost melting into the mattress at this point. His skin was hot and damp with sweat, barely even touched by the spring breeze from the open windows cooling him off. He eagerly attacked Nines' lips, teasing his tongue and nipping the soft flesh.

"Gavin!" He jerked in shock and came with a startled moan as his bedroom door was thrown open. Nines seemed just as startled, though somewhat amused as he watched Gavin stutter and spill between them.

"Phck! Eli!" The mortified yell was enough to have Elijah stepping out and closing the door. Gavin whined as he felt Nines push deeper and finally spill himself, burying his mortified face in his damp shoulder. "I swear, it's phcking contagious!" Nines chuckled at the complaint as he drew back and kissed his forehead. There was an insistent knock before the door was thrown open again and Elijah stepped inside looking panicked and flustered. "Well? What's so important you needed to barge in here at...six fifteen in the phcking morning?" Gavin couldn't believe it as he looked at the wall clock. It didn't feel that early.

"It's starting! Gavin, it's starting!" He didn't even need to ask what at this point. They'd been waiting for days. Chloe's due date had been and gone already, and the midwife he been growing concerned. She was certainly ready to burst. Her stomach had swelled to almost twice its usual size. Hank and Elijah had been coddling her endlessly, refusing to let her lift a finger for anything. Nines and Gavin were out of the bed in an instant, hastily cleaning up and dressing for the day as Elijah paced in their bedroom, unsure what to do with himself.

"What do you know so far?" Gavin asked as they hurried down the hall towards the room Elijah now shared with Chloe. Hank was already waiting outside in a chair. The door was shut, and not to be opened until it was over.

"She started feeling contractions a little over an hour ago." That wasn't long in the grand scheme of things. She could be like that for hours. Regardless, he wanted to be there to support his brother anyway. "Do you think she's alright? What if she needs me? What if something goes wrong? Shouldn't I be in there?" Elijah asked worriedly as he paced the hall. He was walking so fast Gavin was pretty sure he'd trip if he tried to keep up. He stood by the wall instead, leaning back and using his cane for extra support.

"She'll be fine! The midwife is in there, other nurses are on standby, and if she needs a doctor, you and Nines are right here!" Elijah started biting his thumbnail, an old stress tick from when they were children. It was rare to see it these days, and usually only happened if he was trying to solve a particularly tricky problem. They all winced as a pained cry filled the bedroom. The sound almost had Elijah bursting in, but Nines laid a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Chloe is in good hands." Childbirth was a delicate time. It was best handled by women, where possible. He was quite sure Chloe wouldn't want to be seen in such a state. Flushed and sweaty, half naked, splitting open at the seams, weak and in pain. That wasn't even taking into account the accompanying bodily functions from all the pushing and straining. Elijah slowly nodded his understanding, but his tired eyes darted to the door more than once. It was hard to listen to his wife crying in pain and not be there. The pained cries quieted, but no one came out. Clearly, she hadn't birthed the child yet.

They remained outside the door for over two hours. Hank allowed Gavin to sit, knowing he'd be finding it hard with his prosthetic. Gavin hated to admit weakness, but he was grateful for the gesture as he sat down and stretched out his leg to take the weight off. Nines remained at his side with a hand on his shoulder, right by the door lest Elijah try to go in again. A nurse stepped out briefly to get some water and fresh towels, but she shook her head apologetically. Not yet. Elijah continued to pace, arms folded as he stared at the floor and worried. Hank walked with him for a while, quietly reassuring him and patting his shoulder.

"Why don't you get some air? I'll wait here and call if anything happens," Hank offered as he noticed the restless tension getting worse. Gavin pushed himself to his feet with thanks and hobbled over to clap a hand on Elijah's shoulder. He looked back questioningly as Nines remained where he was. It seemed he intended to keep Hank company.

"Come on, Eli. Let's do as he says. We'll just go out back for a while." Gavin had to admit Elijah looked absolutely drained. He'd probably been awake with Chloe most of the night. She hadn't been sleeping well the past few weeks. The weight in her stomach had been uncomfortable. She'd complained endlessly about back pain, knee pain, swollen feet, tender breasts, and a horribly bloated feeling in her stomach. There wasn't a single position that had been comfortable for sleeping. She'd barely settled for five minutes. She'd tossed and turned, heaving herself over with helpless whines. It had kept Elijah awake as he'd helped with gentle hands and run his fingers through her hair. "Nines will come for us if anything happens." He didn't even give him a chance to interrupt.

"I...I guess it couldn't hurt..." Elijah was clearly reluctant to leave. He was the father. Surely it was his job to wait right there in the event Chloe needed him. His gaze lingered on the closed door as Gavin pulled his sleeve and limped his way towards the stairs. Late morning was approaching, which meant Allen was awake. They passed him in the dining hall, eating breakfast with Jeffery and a couple of others with wounds similar to his own. He wasn't wearing them, but he'd finally been allowed to start training with prosthetics since his burns were healing up nicely. They'd probably never heal completely, but they were about as good as they were going to get.

"So, what do you think? Girl or boy?" Gavin asked as they walked down the patio steps to the garden. The day was fresh, but not cold. The scent of spring had returned, carrying pollen on the breeze. Luckily, grass season wasn't quite there yet. That was always the worst for Gavin. It made his eyes itch and stream. The question seemed to perk Elijah up a little as they walked along the flowerbeds. It was something he and Chloe had pondered over for many nights. She seemed convinced it would be a girl.

"I think it might be a boy, but Chloe has other ideas." Gavin huffed as they walked. It figured he and Chloe would disagree. "I wouldn't mind, of course." Of course not, anything so long as it's healthy. Gavin could agree with that sentiment. Sure, a boy would probably have it easier, being able to earn money and live a pretty independent life, but any girl would be lucky to have Elijah as a father. With her dowery, she'd be one of the most sought-after young women in town. She'd have the best pick of suitors, and Elijah would surely to help her choose wisely. Hell, by then he might even have a guy lined up to take over the business!

"That would be nice, right? Having a little Chloe running around." Elijah chuckled at the thought. It was unlikely the child would be quite so blonde as Chloe. Whether it was his or Connor's, they were both dark brunette. It was highly likely the child would share that or end up with a pale brown shade. He'd tried to picture them more than once, but it was always difficult, and he didn't want to get his hopes up by settling on a preconception. Reality would never live up to idealised expectations. "What about names? Got any in mind?"

"A few, but we wanted to wait until the birth to make the final choice." He couldn't help the feeling that they'd know upon meeting them which name was best. Excitement bubbled in the pit of his stomach, despite the fear and anxiety. It would happen within the day. He was going to be a father! It was unbelievable! He'd never given it much thought before. Being so focused on his work, he'd let his love life fall to the wayside until Gavin gave him the kick he needed. He couldn't imagine life without Chloe. It was hard to believe that she'd considered leaving him. He couldn't deny that he'd felt a sting of betrayal at first, upon realising what was happening with Connor. Gavin's words had been hard to hear. He'd made it clear whose fault it was without ever openly telling him.

Elijah had first seen them together one afternoon while working in his office. He thought little of it at first. Chloe often spent time with patients and guests on the estate. The difference was that he started seeing too much of them. Almost every day, they'd meet in the gardens to walk together. Over time, it became obvious that a closeness had developed between the two. Those smitten smiles and gentle touches were difficult to mistake for anything else. Upon seeing Connor duck down to kiss her, he'd dropped his head and refused to look. He'd seen enough to know Chloe hadn't pushed him away. He wasn't foolish. One thing would inevitably lead to another, but Chloe was his fiancé. He'd always been so sure she'd never leave. Why would she? He loved her and had enough money to provide for her. Gavin had reminded him she needed more than that. A flower couldn't bloom with water alone, it needed sunshine and warmth. It was obvious that Connor could provide her with that.

It was strange that he didn't feel any ill will towards Connor. He'd been relieved when he left, of course. It gave him the chance to redeem himself and remind Chloe why she'd agreed to marry him. Despite being glad he was gone, he'd never wished death upon him. Not for an instant. If anything, he would have been curious to know him better. He'd only met the twins briefly during their visit, being busy with his patients. He liked Nines a great deal, and from what he'd heard, Connor had a similar temperament. Perhaps they might have been friends one day, bound by their mutual love of one woman.

In light of these feelings, Elijah had said a few silent prayers for Connor. He didn't consider himself wholly religious, but old habits die hard, and his mother had always taken them to church on Sunday. During his prayers, he silently gave his assurances that he held no ill will towards him, and that no trespass or betrayal had been made. He felt it was his duty to make a promise. A promise he would love and cherish Chloe enough for both of them, and that this child would be his own, no matter the circumstances. He would treat Nines as a brother and Hank as a father, and do everything he could to make all of their lives better.

He could tell Gavin was getting tired after a while. The steps taken on his right leg became slower, making him limp heavily. They chose a sunny spot and sat. Hank had been right. The fresh air was doing wonders for his mood. He couldn't say he wasn't worried, but he was nowhere near as panicked as before. The air was good for Gavin as well. He was never one for being cooped up inside. Never had been. It was almost like they were boys again, sitting outside the school at lunchtime. Gavin leaned back on his hands with his legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles, while Elijah sat cross-legged and picked at odd bits of grass to pass the time.

The sky had already started to darken as they made their way inside, and Elijah couldn't help but worry again. It would soon be time for dinner. Twelve hours since it had started. Hank and Nines were still outside the door when they returned, and the sound of Chloe's pained cries could still be heard. They rose and fell like a cresting wave, likely following the flow of the contractions. Upon asking, he found that the midwife had come out to reassure them that everything was going well, but it just wasn't quite time yet.

They knew when it truly started. Chloe's cries were far louder. She almost shrieked in agony, the shrill sound cutting Elijah to the core. He stood beside Gavin's chair and gripped his shirt sleeve tightly, tugging in a silent request for comfort. Gavin took his hand and squeezed it, staring at the door in wordless horror. It sounded like she was being murdered in there! Hank stepped forward and laid a hand on Elijah's shoulder in support. He remembered this. It was almost worse than the hours of waiting. With a final cry, the screaming stopped. Elijah looked at Hank anxiously. Is that it? Is it over?

"Where's the father? You can come in now," the midwife said cheerfully as she opened the door and looked around. Elijah swallowed hard, keeping a tight grip on Gavin's shirt. Alright, guess I'm going, too...Gavin got to his feet and guided Elijah across to the open door. Elijah was stiff and anxious as he stepped inside the dimly lit room. The curtains had been closed to give the room a little more peace and privacy. Gavin stopped just inside the doorway, staying back as Elijah approached the bed.

"Hello..." Chloe's voice was weak and pained as she spoke, barely more than a whisper. Elijah laid a hand on her damp head and sat on the edge of the bed, leaning down to kiss her pale forehead. Her hair was down, as it usually was for sleeping. It was messy and out of place, a sure sign she'd been tossing her head. The baby was swaddled in her arms, mouth busily suckling one of her teats.

"Hello...Are you alright?" He needed to hear her reassurance before anything else. Her crystal eyes warmed at the question as she nodded. She was pained and exhausted, but she'd survive. He smiled at the news, kissing her lips before glancing anxiously at the baby. It was a wrinkled, red thing, eyes pinched shut as it drank. He rested his hand on its head. It wasn't bald as he'd thought it might be. There were wisps of dark hair covering the surface. It was so fine and soft he thought it may fall out.

The small bundle gurgled as it drew back, having drunk its fill for the moment. Chloe seemed anxious as she rocked the baby and looked to Elijah for judgement. Elijah cooed gently as he watched, lips thinning into a small smile as the baby finally opened its eyes to look at him for the first time. A few small sounds escaped as it gazed up at him with the biggest glittering hazel eyes he'd ever seen. Chloe was hesitant as she allowed him to take the small bundle in his arms and rock it against his chest. It was perfect. From the barely noticeable cleft in its chin to the freckles dotting its pale skin.

"I'll love him." Elijah couldn't help the giddy little chuckle that escaped as he rocked the baby, especially as a small hand reached up to bat his cheek.

"Her." Elijah blinked in disbelief, breaking into an even wider smile at Chloe's weak correction.

"Her, of course! I love her already...Hello...Hello, Connie! Do you know who I am?" Chloe smiled tiredly as she watched Elijah bounce the small bundle in his arms. She'd been so worried about how he'd react, but she couldn't have hoped for more. "I'll take her to meet the others...Hank!" He was off the bed and through the door in an instant. Gavin chuckled fondly as he crossed to the bed and climbed on, sitting beside Chloe and stretching his legs out.

"How are you?" he asked with a relieved groan as he sat back. He'd been on his leg far too much that day. Chloe turned her head to give him a fatigued look.

"Really?"

"Really."

"I feel like I've just pushed a planet through my foo-foo." She glared as Gavin snorted. She would have hit him if she had the energy. Gavin turned on his side and rested a hand on her still swollen stomach. It was less swollen than before, of course, but it would take time for it to even begin to regain its former shape. She whined softly as he stroked. It was a little tender now that it was empty.

"Your foo-foo?" He'd never heard it called that before, but it was sort of cute. Less cute when he imagined Chloe having pushed a planet through it though. She nodded, glaring eyes daring him to disagree. He didn't dare. He leaned closer until he could press a small kiss to her pale cheek. "Proud of you." She gave him a weak smile of thanks as she settled. Honestly, she was proud of herself. She didn't think she'd ever put herself through that again. The pain was so intense, she swore she could have died! Surely once was enough for any woman. She didn't know how anyone could put themselves through it more than once.

"I thought I felt him here, you know...cheering me on..." Chloe murmured tiredly as she closed her eyes. Gavin huffed softly as he stroked her hair, watching as she passed out. He didn't really believe in shit like that, but if ghosts did exist, then he absolutely believed Connor would have been there. The door creaked open again and Nines stepped in. He was understandably a little teary-eyed after meeting Connie.

"How is she?" he asked as he looked down at Chloe's exhausted form. Gavin chuckled quietly as he looked over his shoulder.

"I think she'll sleep for a week!" He was extremely careful as he pushed himself up and got to his feet. Nines supported him, knowing his leg was getting sore and stiff from overuse. They headed out into the hall, where Hank was cooing the baby in his arms as Elijah looked over his shoulder with a gleeful smile. He waved him over to see as he noticed his exit. Gavin hadn't properly met her yet. Gavin smiled as he looked down at the gurgling bundle, somehow unsurprised to see the shocking hazel eyes staring back at him. I can see why he chose Connie..."She's phcking perfect."

"Of course she is! She's a Kamski." Gavin huffed at Elijah's proud declaration and Hank's gruff chuckle of agreement.