When the time came, the doctors wanted everyone out except the father. Tiger insisted that Zander stay, and Kendrick and Addie. He was adamant about them witnessing the birth.
Kendrick thought he knew why. Tiger was alone in the world, one of the few tiger Shifters in existence. He had no family, no clan, coming from nothing.
Tiger and Kendrick shared genetic material from somewhere in the distant past, which made Kendrick the closest thing to Tiger’s clan. Kendrick was also Guardian, who could send the cub to dust if necessary. Kendrick prayed and prayed to the Goddess that wouldn’t happen.
Why Tiger wanted Addison as well, he wasn’t as clear. Except, Tiger just liked her.
Carly liked her too. She said, “Sorry I can’t get up and say hey more politely, but I’m a little busy.”
Addison gave Carly her warm laugh. “We’ll get to know each other later. You’re going to have to tell me what to expect living with a tiger.”
“You bet,” Carly said, then her contractions came, and she had other things on her mind.
The cub was born as the sun rose. A heavily tinted window gave out into the dawn sky, the sun’s rays flooding the room as the cub came forth.
Addison’s hand in Kendrick’s squeezed hard. Kendrick held his breath while the doctors cleared the cub’s lungs and cut the cord, and he opened his mouth and screamed his displeasure at being yanked into the cold world.
Carly laughed wearily, exhausted but with a smile on her face.
Tiger stood as one stunned. He looked down at the baby laid on Carly’s chest, her hand coming up to cradle it as it took its first meal.
“Do you want to hold him?” Carly asked Tiger after a time.
Tiger stood still for another few seconds, then he made himself take the last step to the bed and lay his hand on the child’s back.
The three of them shared a moment of completeness, Tiger’s huge hand on the tiny cub, Carly looking up at him in absolute trust.
Tiger then took a breath and lifted the cub into his hands. The little guy had streaks of orange in his very black hair, and he stared at Tiger with belligerent golden eyes.
Tiger’s hands dwarfed the cub’s body. When he turned to face the others, Kendrick saw tears in the big man’s eyes.
Tiger’s voice was perfectly strong as he lifted the cub to Kendrick, Addie, and Zander. “Behold, my cub!”
The word roared through the room and down the hall. The triumph on Tiger’s face competed with joy. The Shifters outside cheered, as did Carly’s family and friends. Addie said, “He’s beautiful, Tiger.”
Tiger’s son, in human form for now—he’d start shifting when he was about three—gazed down upon his new friends and family, then screwed up his face, opened his mouth, and roared.
* * *
The sun was well up by the time Kendrick and Addison wandered into the parking lot, heading for the white pickup that waited at the end of the row. Addison leaned into Kendrick and wiped her eyes.
“I’m so tired. But that was worth it.”
“Then why are you crying?” Kendrick asked, his voice gentle. He’d probably never understand human women but he intended to try for a long time.
“Because it’s so beautiful,” Addison said. “I always cry when babies are born.”
Kendrick laughed. He needed to laugh, needed the cleansing of his soul. He drew Addison into his arms and hung on.
“I love you so much Addison Price.”
“I love you too, Kendrick. Thanks for coming to my diner.”
“Hey.” Kendrick leaned down and kissed her lips. “You serve a mean piece of pie.”