Page 18 of A Hatchling for Valentine’s

Chapter Six

The egg jerked again, and Kellan held his breath as he stared at it. Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. It’s been almost two months since I laid the egg. Why hasn’t our baby hatched yet?

For the past week, the egg had moved al the time, but no cracks—not even the tiniest hairline of one. When Dr. Arthur had done his last exam, he’d said the egg hadn’t grown anymore since the end of January, and that while the heartbeat of the baby was strong, he couldn’t understand why the beginning stages of hatching hadn’t begun yet. He’d mused that the wolf part of the baby might not understand how to break out of the shell to be born. However, there wasn’t a way to know for sure.

Dr. Arthur had made one thing clear, however. Despite the dangers of transporting the egg to the hospital, he believed they’d have no other choice if the baby hadn’t arrived by the day after Valentine’s Day. At least at Vale General, they could do an ultrasound and if the baby appeared fully formed, they could crack the egg open in a controlled medical environment.

Kellan petted the shell, talking to their baby and pleading with him or her to come out soon, that their daddies wanted to see and hold them so much. Having the egg hatch outside the nest and in someplace other than where it had been laid went against Kellan’s swan sensibilities. He and his rotten brother had been born where they’d been laid in their nests, in one of the many homes they’d resided in during their nomadic upbringing. He knew from the other swans in the herd that they’d all been born in their nests too.

Where’s Vic? Why is he taking so long?

He didn’t want to be irritated with his mate, but he’d been on edge all week worrying about the egg. He’d even snapped at Vic one time, accusing him of not caring about their hatchling-to-be because he was so calm about everything. Boy, had he been ashamed when Vic had explained that he’d been trying to keep Kellan from worrying. It turned out Vic was as nervous about everything as Kellan was.

Kellan trailed a finger along the shell, from the tip of the blunted top down to the approximately one foot in diameter base. The egg seemed to jiggle in response to his touch. Kellan smiled. The baby is fine. He or she is just a stubborn wolf like their father. Kellan jerked upright, squinting his eyes. Is that…?

He gasped then turned up the brightness of the nightstand lamp. He stared at a tiny line at the very top of the egg, so thin that he tried to brush it away, assuming that it must be one of Vic’s brown hairs.

But it couldn’t be brushed away. It was a crack.

Kellan leaped from the bed and began jumping around the room. What do I do? What do I do? His heart raced and he grabbed his cell phone, the one Vic had bought him right after he’d laid the egg. Vic. I have to call Vic. But Vic would ask why he hadn’t called Dr. Arthur first. Right. Dr. Arthur.

Kellan found the doctor’s number in his contacts and tapped the button to call him. The number rang then it rang some more. And still more. Dr. Arthur’s voicemail answered, and Kellan wanted to hurl his phone against the wall. Instead, he left a message that was so garbled and frantic, Kellan doubted anyone would be able to understand one word. That’s all right. He’ll see who called and figure it out.

He rushed to the side of the bed again and got as close to the crack as he could without pressing his nose to the shell. Is it bigger? Was it there earlier and I didn’t notice?

Frustration bubbled over and he did the only thing he could think of. He called everyone he knew, starting with 911 then Vic.

* * * *

Vic sat in his truck outside of the Creatures of Comfort, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. He’d already bought some new bath products and candles for Kellan that Flora had suggested he might enjoy. The romantic day he’d hoped to have with Kellan for their first Valentine’s Day celebration didn’t seem as though it would pan out. Somehow, he’d assumed the baby would have already arrived. His idea had been to have Dora stay with their newborn while they went to a fancy restaurant with live music and dancing, after which Vic would present Kellan with the custom-made platinum ring for their wedding.

I could give him the ring anyway, at home.

The egg was so overdue to hatch that neither one of them had left it alone for a single moment. No more wrapping their unborn baby in a blanket then sharing a bath or meal. No lovemaking. One of them kept watch over their hatching-to-be night and day, and many times it would be them both lying on the bed with the egg between them.

The day was drawing to a close and he gazed up at the sky. Twilight had descended and soon, the moon would rise, a pink cast covering it that would eventually turn blood red once midnight had passed and Valentine’s Day officially arrived. The special moon was part of the Vale Valley magic, visible only to those who lived within the borders of the small town, a symbol of love to mark the special day.

Vic’s mind was made up. They would share a meal at home, drink champagne and toast their love right there at their bedside where the egg lay safely tucked into the nest. It didn’t matter where he gave Kellan the ring. His sweet swan would be thrilled no matter what.

Vic put the truck in gear and was about to back out of the parking space when his cell went off. He noted that it was Kellan calling. I’m sure he’s wondering what’s taken me so long.

He’d barely answered when Kellan’s excited shout burst from the phone.

“Hurry, Vic! The egg has started to crack!”

The phone flew from his hand, his tires squealing as the truck lurched backward before he jetted down the street toward home.

He couldn’t even remember whether he’d responded to Kellan or hung up.

Our baby. Our baby is almost here!

* * * *

Avi and his medical team had arrived before Dr. Arthur, and Kellan assumed Vic was on his way too. He wasn’t sure. After Vic had answered all he’d heard was a yell and a loud clunk which he assumed was Vic’s phone slamming against something.

But regardless, it seemed as if half the town of Vale Valley was in the parking lot and surrounding their cabin. Avi stuck his head in the bedroom, since Kellan hadn’t left the egg alone for one second. He’d had to shout for the fire department to let themselves in.

“Kellan? My uncle said he’s on his way. I guess your phone has been busy. Also, there’s a little cutie out here, says his name is Sean. He’s very worried about you and the egg.”