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"There you are, Tyler" Courtney swooped down on the child, scooping his wriggling body into her arainst her "Leave Tyrant alone, sweetheart You've tortured hih for one day, wouldn't you say?"

Huge jade eyes stared back at her "No," her fourteen-month-old son replied solemnly

"See what you're in for, Julian," Courtney teased, atte for the umpteenth time to make her brother-in-law smile

"What's taking that bloodyhalt "She's quick as a hen it co me out Why can't she deliver my child half as swiftly? Why?"

Courtney's gaze filled with co to be fine I promise"

"You haven't seen her"

"Yes, I have I left her chaets back, I'll be returning She's a bit tired out, but she hasn't lost one bit of her spirit In fact, you look equally as haggard as she" Courtney indicated Julian's ru and tousled hair "I don't expect you to sleep, but why don't you at least sit down and rest for a bit? You've been awake and pacing the entire night"

"She was crying out—in pain," Julian continued, scarcely hearing, estion "I heard her all the way fro Aurora doesn't cry out in pain; hell, she doesn't even whi so much?"

"You won't believe me, but the results will be worth every moment of pain"

"You're right, I don't believe you" Julian glanced about restlessly "Speaking of Slayde, where is he? The last I re out of here, half-dressed And that was hours ago, in the bloody ht"

"He should be returning any tio fetch Mr Scollard Aurora wanted to have her oldest friend here to share this miraculous occasion" A smile "I think this will be one of the few tihthouse"

"Scollard—yes, maybe he can help her He always see He astrip I wish he'd been there during those last feeeks at sea Aurora spent half the time with her head in the chamber pot, and I had no idea how to ease her sickness Can you iine what that was like?"

"It sounds like every one of es," Courtney returned dryly "I'm always seasick"

"Not Aurora We sailed fro six months at sea did she become ill Not until those last horrible weeks Prior to that she was as natural a sailor as she is an adventurer There were a few times when she was the only one on board who remained unaffected by the elements Te hit storreen The entire creas retching, begging each other to switch shifts so they could retire to the berth deck But not Aurora I had to literally drag her below; she wanted to stay topside and ride the rolling waves, feel the ocean spray in her face The ship pitched, the waters surged—and Aurora reveled in everychanged She became tired, queasy—hell, she could scarcely eat aill I was frantic I thought she'd contracted some horrible disease as a result of our travels I couldn't wait to get her home and examined bymy child? How could I have been so stupid?"

"Julian, Aurora herself didn't realize she ith child" Courtney attempted to soothe him "'Twas a natural assu around as a ruckus erupted at the front door: loud pounding followed by sharp words and a purposeful slam