Magdalane couldn't stand without help, and while she'd healed herself as much as she could, she was beyond tired with the effort of holding her healing trance for Maura's labor and delivery. Felix helped her gingerly stand, and realized how depleted she was. He picked her up, despite her weak protest, and carried her up the stairs to one of the guest rooms, where Miriah had already placed a tray of food and had dimmed the lights. Mags thought she might just eat a little and then rest before going back to Maura and the babies, but once she'd eaten a few bites, she just couldn't keep her eyes open. Felix slipped off her shoes, helped her get comfortable, and sat with her until he could tell she was sleeping deeply. He'd suspected she had taken on far more than she'd said, but he knew she could do no less. He covered her with a soft blanket, kissed her cheek, and left her to rest.
Elara stopped Felix at the bottom of the stairs, worried about how exhausted Magdalane had appeared. He told her that she had eaten a little, and was sleeping, which seemed to appease the medic. They walked together into the kitchen, where Miriah had several dishes cooking, and sat at the work table, chatting.
Aric came in with two wrapped bundles. "Hey aunts and uncles, need two volunteers for baby holding, so I can help Maura get a shower. Who's up for it?"
Felix held his arms out, as did Corso, and they were promptly mesmerized by the tiny bundles. Felix held Calleigh, cooing and smiling at her. Colin started to fuss a little, and Miriah turned to help Corso, but when she saw them there, her heart skipped. Corso was standing, gently bouncing Colin in that universal comforting dance that parents everywhere just know, and the little guy settled right down. Miriah just stood there, staring at them in wonder, as Corso put Colin on his shoulder, getting a cute little burp in response.
"There we go, little man, now you can be comfortable," he chuckled to the already sleeping baby. He's a natural, she thought, amazed at how easily he handled Colin. Corso sat down and cradled the sleeping infant in one arm. Wow, I didn't think it was possible, but he's even sexier cuddling a baby, Miriah mused. Risha won't belive this.
They had dinner, Maura moving much easier than Mags at the moment, who was still out. The babies were fed and sleeping for the moment, and the adults were trying to decide how they might help out during the night. Mags and Felix weren't going anywhere, but no one would disturb Magdalane. Felix was sure he and Aric and Maura could manage, though, so Miriah and Corso went home after dinner, with clear instructions to call if help was needed. Miriah promised to come back over early to cook breakfast.
Corso was always glad to get home to the ranch, but even more so tonight, since their playtime earlier had been interrupted. He'd made Miriah drive, and had been distracting her the whole ride home, her playful swats at his roaming hands only making him find new ways to arouse her. That's never a really hard task, he thought, smiling in the dark. She'd barely gotten the speeder stopped when she jumped off and pulled him from the seat. They did manage to get to their room dressed, but that didn't last long. He pinned her under him, their clasped hands holding her while he struggled for control, giving her long, slow kisses instead of the hard, passionate ones they'd shared this morning. When she thought he'd move faster, that's when he slowed down, until she was whimpering under him. She wrapped her legs around his hips, and he gave in, not sorry at all that he'd made her wait.
Afterward as they lay together, all points touching that could touch, he traced kisses over her shoulders, and Miriah's thoughts went back to when he was holding Colin, the expression of contentment on his face. "Hey, how is it you know how to hold babies?" she asked him, sliding her hand along his muscled thigh.
"My mom used to take orphaned infants in, until a foster home could be found. I helped some," he told her. "Not much different than baby animals, really, - as long as they're full and dry, and feel safe, they're easy to care for."
"Well, it was amazing to watch, sugar. Made me feel very comfortable thinking of you with our baby, and I never thought I'd say that."
"We can start work on that project any time you like, beautiful, like now."