I returned to the waiting room with bloodshot eyes. Stephon had cried himself to sleep and Falcon was stroking his dark curls as he stared tenderly at him. He raised his head and frowned at me.

"Did Dr.Reynolds return after I left?" I asked, staring at the door of the room that Asche was in.

Falcon shook his head, "I think he's doing the ultrasound."

I walked over to the glass window once more and peered out at the courtyard. I watched several birds flew about and a few employees sat down and chattered. My thoughts were painful to dive into. I couldn't grasp the epiphany that Asche lost our child. Every time I think of it, my heart ached. It's an excruciating pain that throbs so deep, it even hurts to my soul.

The silence after Falcon's comment stretched on for several minutes. Each passing minute felt like a decade to me. I needed to know if all was certainly alright. I itched to see him and my dragon was clawing in the corners of my chest to get out and go to our wounded mate.

"Brother, why don't you come and sit down. You look exhausted." Falcon patted the chair beside him.

I circled around and was about to snap at him when Dr.Reynolds stepped out of Asche's room and into the waiting room. He approached me with a notepad in his hands, readjusting his glasses on his face.

"We performed the ultrasound and I found some abnormalities." He stated, his expression concerned.

"What abnormalities?" I demanded, my brows knitting together in confusion.

He cleared with throat, "Well...it seems as if he was carrying twins. We found a strong heartbeat yet he bled profusely. What I gathered is there may have been an abnormality of the placenta or umbilical cord. Was he under severe stress?"

I glanced away guilty, clenching my teeth. Stress? He was under loads of it and I ignored the signs. From the first time he started to bleed I should have taken stricter precautions. Most of all why did I think that he would desire to reconcile with Stephon? He was still angry at me and I'm certain he was angry at himself and Stephon.

I was just pushing my aspirations and hopes onto him. To carry my child, to be with me, to stop his prostitution. When I met him he was always a carefree person. He loved his freedom, he lived life dangerously and still survived its dangers. Yet, I brought calamity his way, tempting him to play with fire.

My dragon made a rumbling sound of sorrow and curled in on himself. He was distraught. We had two beautiful babies on the way and we lost one. But there was still hope.

A weight was lifted off of my shoulders as I took this all in. They were all going to be alright.

"A lot has been going on," Falcon replied in my stead after I took a while to respond.

"I see." Dr. Reynolds mused, nodding his head in understanding. "Regardless, he must stay stress free and get enough rest. This is a rare pregnancy and his body may not adapt to the changes. So you must have him in a quiet environment. Also, make sure he eats on time and take his vitamins. He'll mostly need them. He's awake now, still a little out of it but he's fine. Would you like to see him?"

I nodded, unable to speak.

"I'll should stay out here with Stephon," Falcon suggested. "I think it will be overwhelming for him to see us all at once. I surmise he's still angry at Stephon and you of course but you are the father of his child."

"I guess so." I said with a nod and followed after Dr. Reynolds into a dimly lit room where printed curtains were drawn closed and machines beeped in the silent room.

Several were attached to Asche's body, monitoring his vitals. He laid in a reclining bed, facing away from us. As we stepped in, his head swung to the sounds of our footsteps and he stared almost absently at us.

My heart clenched and I walked over to him, taking a seat beside the bed. He continued to stare at me but he said nothing, his eyes were expressionless. It unnerved me; it was as if he lost his soul.

Dr. Reynolds discreetly excused himself and exited the room.

"Asche, I'm so sorry that this happened. I should have listened to your pleas and took a more subtle approach, but I refused to." I reached down and took his hand in mine, kissing the top of it. "Please, forgive me."

He turned his head and stared up at the ceiling, saying nothing. I feared he would ignore me but he finally said, "I lost the baby, didn't I?"

I licked my lips and continued to study his face that strangely held no emotion. He showed no anger, sorrow, or anything else. Just blankness. Did his spirit break as well?

I truly hoped not.

"Were you asleep when you were given the ultrasound? I asked, carefully.

He nodded and I closed my eyes in dread. He had no idea he was carrying my twins. My eyes fluttered open and I squeezed his hand gently. "You did, but one survived. You were carrying twins."

There was a flicker of emotion that ran across his face but as soon as it showed, it went away quickly. "Twins?"

"Yes, twins," I confirmed wistfully. "But the other one is doing fine." A touch of hope framed my voice.

"Okay." Was all he said and angled his head to stare at the pastel-colored curtains.

Did he not care about our child? Was he giving up on everything? How can he?

I released his hand and cupped his chin, tilting his face towards me. He didn't struggle or fuss with me which made my frown to deepen. Why was he behaving so nonchalantly? I'm here shaking inside when he's as calm as ever.

"Talk to me. I know you feel awful about the loss of our child. Do not shut me out because that is what you are doing now. Asche, do you know I would follow you to the ends of the earth if you left me? This display of indifference is just a facade to protect yourself. I won't hurt you. I swear that I'll make it right with you. Whatever you ask, whatever you need, I'll be there to make it possible."

He blinked several times and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down. "I didn't mean to..." He got out hoarsely, "I had no idea that being so emotionally distraught would affect me and my child. I couldn't take it all. Everything unfolded so quickly. I felt so alone, so betrayed that I couldn't think straight. You have to understand that this isn't easy for me. I don't know what to do and that I scares me!" He sobbed out, turning over and covering his face with his hands as he began to weep. It was a harrowing sound and I felt it deep down to my soul.

"Asche, baby..." I went to envelope him in hug but he flinched away and shook his head vigorously, denying my touch.

"I can't," He wailed. "I can't," He hiccuped, "I can't control myself."

My heart ached for him. I leaned over him and stroked his hair tenderly. "That's fine. I'm right here for you to catch you when you fall. We all get emotional sometimes."

"I'm unfit," He sniffed.

I paused. "What are you saying? You will be a wonderful father. Do not doubt yourself!"

"I don't think I can do this," He wiped away his tears and I held him by his shoulder and turned him over to face me, gathering him in my arms.

"Who pursues a prostitute for weeks, impregnates him and still decides to be with him nonetheless?" I smiled down at him, "A lovestruck dragonshifter who's willing to be with you against all odds. I trust my judgement with you. You are the one for me and I won't stop loving you even if you don't ever love me in return."

***