Chapter 25. The Past, Present, & Mate

(Angeline POV)

"Push Angeline! Push !" I gripped the sheets and gave one last push with a strained scream.

The pressure and pain in my lower half eased a little as I leaned back against the pillow.

My legs were still up and blood was everywhere on the sheets. My eyes were dim from the loss of energy, but I couldn't close my eyes until I knew my baby was safe.

I looked across the room to see a nurse walking over to me with a pink blanket bundle in her hand.

"Congratulations, It's a girl."

The nurse smiled at me and --

***

"Wake up my butterfly we have a lot to do today," Leviticus said as he frantically shook me.

I slowly opened my eyes and closed them as a few tears seeped out.

I sniffled a little bit and placed my face into my hands.

I sobbed and sobbed and sobbed. Leviticus wrapped his arms around me and I wrapped my arms tighter around him and sobbed harder.

After a few minutes, my sobs silenced and I looked up at Leviticus. There were no words to describe the pain I was feeling.

I missed my baby girl so much.

He gave me a kiss on the forehead and said he would give me a minute to get dressed.

I placed my hand over my heart and let out an exasperated breath and headed into the bathroom to get ready.

(Paradise POV)

"No, Emrick I am fine. I probably just have the stomach flu, okay."

I smiled and rubbed his head as he laid down beside me and kissed my cheek.

"Go! Go!" I shouted and giggled at the same time.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" I laughed again and responded to Emrick with a laugh.

"Emrick it's just two hours. I'll be fine."

He placed his hands in his pocket and walked to the door.

"Em will be here any second, I'll be back before you know it." I nodded and flipped the channels on the tv.

"Hey babes," Em said as she flopped down on the bed.

"Hey, girl." I said as I turned to 'true blood'.

"Ya hungry?" She asked and I immediately said 'yes'.

"Okay. I'll be right back." I nodded, blew her a kiss, and turned my attention to Sookie and Bill making love on the tv.

A few minutes later there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," I said. Esmerelda, Emrick's mother stuck her head in the door and smiled.

She was carrying fruit, a piece of meat, and orange juice on a silver tray.

"What's all this?" I asked as I pushed myself up and leaned my back on the headboard.

"Emrick said you were sick and not feeling good so I thought you would like some things that'll make you feel better."

I smiled as she placed the tray on my lap.

I told Emerald to give us some time together so she went into town. I nodded my head and popped a strawberry into my mouth.

She placed her hand on my hand.

"Paradise, I understand how you're feeling. Trust me I do. I was once a human in your shoes being told that I was the mate of a vampire King. It's tuff, I know. Some nights I would cry, other nights I would lock myself up, but then I realized that I was very important to the kingdom and the people.

A king can not run his palace with balance without his queen. This kingdom cannot function without you, Emrick can't do it without you. We all need you."

With that, she dapped her glossy eyes and walked out of the room, but not before taking the empty tray and kissing me on the forehead. I nodded and rolled over. I closed my eyes and welcomed the darkness.

(Emerald POV)

I slowly walked down each aisle of the book store, admiring every cover and how it was so different from each other.

I let out a sad strain and let my thoughts take over. Everyone in the house has a mate except for me.

I see how happy my brothers are now with their mates and I want that kind of happiness too. I -

"Excuse me miss." A beautiful blonde headed guy said.

I snapped out of my thoughts quickly.

"Yes?" I said as I patted my hair and ran my hands over my dress.

"I noticed that you were staring at that book, and I was letting him know that you could check it out." He smiled and chuckled.

"Oh. Why yes, of course." I picked up the book and kept rambling not knowing that a few more books fell.

"Let me help you with that." He said as he bent down in front of me.

"No, no, it's perfectly fine. I have it." I said while avoiding eye contact with him. We both reached for the same book and sparks shot through my body.

I believe I stopped breathing because the guy cupped my chin and lifted my face to meet his eyes. In those gray eyes, my whole life with him flashed by.

Then and only then was I able to say that four-letter word ...

"Mate."