The Dragon Family (Lochguard Highland Dragons 5)

Finally, Layla looked to each of them in turn. "It's time. When the next contraction comes, push for me, Holly."

The recently arrived nurse, Logan, stood to the side waiting. Fraser wanted to shout for him to do something.

His dragon sighed. Logan is one of the best nurses on L

ochguard. He wouldn't be standing still if there was anything else that needed to be done right this second.

Holly gripped his hand so hard it felt as if she'd break his bones, and every other thought fled his mind. His mate needed him.

Never taking her gaze from her task, Layla said, "There's the first head. You're doing brilliantly, Holly. Keep it up."

Some females might curse and lash out, but his brave, strong lass merely went through the next few contractions like a champ, pushing when asked and stopping when needed.

Eventually, a small cry filled the room and Layla held up a tiny, red-haired bairn. "You have a daughter."

Since dragon-shifters waited until the birth to find out the genders, Fraser murmured, "A daughter." He kissed Holly's forehead. "A daughter, honey."

"A ginger-haired MacKenzie menace, I'm sure," she murmured with love in her voice.

Even when exhausted and in pain, his love found a way to tease.

Layla handed his daughter off to Logan. "I want to get both of them delivered, and then you can hold them. We'll take a short break and then try again, aye?"

As he watched Logan tend to the wee bairn, it finally hit Fraser that he was now a dad.

And all he could think about was everything that could go wrong or harm his daughter.

His dragon huffed. Logan won't hurt her.

Holly's weak voice garnered his attention. "Fraser, help me with the next one, aye? I've been exhausted before, but this is a new level. I need your strength, and then you can glower at anyone who looks at our daughter."

His strong mate rarely asked for help, which meant she needed it.

He kissed the back of her hand. "I'm here for you, honey. Always."

She smiled. "I love you."

Layla's voice interrupted his reply. "The second bairn is behaving and is in position. With any luck, he or she will take after Holly's temperament and not make a scene coming into the world."

Fraser growled, but Holly squeezed his hand. "Not now, Fraser."

He somehow managed to murmur support and kiss his mate until Layla said, "Right, then let's try again."

Holly repeated her silent, brave performance, barely murmuring a peep of pain during the process.

But deep down, he knew it had to be painful. He'd just have to pamper her for as long as she wanted, even if it were for years, to make up for childbirth.

Soon, a second small cry filled the room, and Layla grinned as she held up another red-haired lass. "Twin daughters. I almost think it's a punishment of sorts, for what you and Fergus put your mum through, Fraser."

"Two daughters," he echoed.

"Identical I'd say, at first glance." She waited for Logan to clip the umbilical cord before taking her over to the infant check station. "Logan, take the first bairn to meet her parents, and I'll check this one."

Fraser laid his cheek against Holly's, never taking his gaze from the wee bundle in Logan's arms. He came and placed their daughter in Holly's arms.

The wee, wrinkled face was one of the most beautiful things he'd ever seen.

His dragon huffed. She's like a hairless rat.