Tammy couldn’t help but stare over Slade’s shoulder.

Dr. Harris grabbed a suction bulb to clear the baby’s mouth. Trisha had stopped pushing and panted hard.

Tammy couldn’t look away from what was taking place.

A nurse handed over a small towel next that the doctor took, shoving it out of sight, maybe under the baby or Trisha.

“Push, Trisha. I know you’re tired but I need one strong push from you to clear his shoulders.”

Trisha gasped in air and tensed as she pushed. A scream tore from her as the baby slid out of her body to land in Dr. Harris’ waiting hands. The doctor lifted the baby up. Tammy stared at what should have been a tiny preemie but instead seemed to be a full-term baby.

Dr. Harris cradled the baby’s upper body against his arm and chest, his palm holding the baby’s bottom and used the towel to gently rub the baby’s torso and face. A newborn scream rent the air. Tammy nearly collapsed from relief at the wonderful sound. One of the nurses leaned in to clamp the umbilical cord and cut it. He assisted in delivering the afterbirth and cleaning Trisha up after the delivery.

The baby wailed and wiggled inside the doctor’s hold. He actually appeared healthy and normal-sized, if not a little bigger, than a full term baby. The doctor accepted another towel from one of the nurses to rub the baby dry. The baby stopped crying but he continued to wiggle and kick his chubby legs. Dr. Harris grinned as he wrapped the baby in a blanket, securing him papoose style.

“He looks great, guys.” Dr. Harris laughed, grinning widely. “A bsolutely healthy. His color is perfect, he’s breathing like a champ, ten fingers and toes, and he’s strong.”

Trisha grinned while Slade absolutely beamed with happiness. He hesitated and then held out his hands. Dr.

Harris leaned up and transferred the wiggling baby to Slade. Slade’s large hands cupped the baby gently and he lowered it into Trisha’s waiting arms. They both held the baby together, smiling and staring in wonder at the newborn.

Dr. Harris tore off his gloves, grinned, and high-fived the nurse closest to him. “YES!”

Laughter erupted from all three. Dr. Harris climbed off the mattress and stood. Tammy watched in shock as the doctor bear-hugged both of the nurses who had assisted him. They turned then, watching Trisha and Slade with the baby. A ll three of them seemed over-the-top happy.

“We have our first healthy New Species baby!” Dr.

Harris laughed. “Congratulations, Trisha and Slade. He’s beautiful.”

Slade smiled, grinning at the doctor. “Thank you, Harris.”

The doctor nodded. Trisha suddenly reached up with her free hand, gripped Slade’s hair at the base of his neck, and dragged his face down to hers. She kissed him soundly on the mouth.

“I love you so much, lollypop.”

He laughed as he kissed her again. “I love you too, sweet thing. Our son is a miracle. A gift. Thank you.”

Tammy let their words and actions sink in until it hit her as if she’d been slapped. She gaped at Trisha and Slade, the big New Species man with the sandy-brown, blond-streaked hair. Trisha had just given birth to Slade’s baby.

Tammy’s gaze flew to the baby, realizing he was the first New Species baby. That’s what Dr. Harris said .

Trisha had been only five months pregnant. The baby was huge and obviously had been born healthy. Her gaze locked on the tiny features of the baby that she could see from her position in the corner. She realized his little scrunched-up face wasn’t totally human. His nose looked too flat, too wide, and she’d never seen a baby with cheekbones that prominent before. Babies had pudgy, rounded cheeks but this baby different.

Trisha didn’t have a boyfriend somewhere else. Slade was her boyfriend. He always remained with her. A lways.

They kissed again, laughing. That’s how Trisha knew it was possible for human women to get pregnant by New Species. Tammy pieced it together quickly. Trisha knew because Slade had gotten her pregnant. Not only that, but a baby fathered by a New Species could be born at five months into a pregnancy.

Tammy leaned against the wall, needed the support to stay on her feet, and watched the couple bond as a family. The love between Trisha and Slade, their joy at having a healthy son, made her ache a little. They were incredibly happy and it showed. She bit her lip as her full focus fixed on the baby. She’d always loved holding them when her friends had them and had always wanted to one day become a mother.

I could have that with Valiant if I got pregnant by him. That could be us one day. The thought shocked her.

* * * * *

Valiant couldn’t help but grin when he walked into his bedroom. Tammy sat on the bed with pillows stacked behind her back, watching television, but her gaze met his as he closed the door softly. He’d just returned home to find his new living quarters a mass of activity.

He dropped his bag of clothes on the floor by the door he’d closed. Trisha had given birth to Slade’s child, it had gone well, and security was about to remove them from the suite to relocate the new family to the medical center. He’d seen the baby and it had brought pure joy to his heart.

“He’s perfect. Did you see him?”

She nodded.

She seemed pale to him and he frowned, some of his happiness fleeing. “They said you know the truth. A re you angry with me for not telling you that Slade was the father of Trisha’s child? I wasn’t allowed to share that information. I’m sorry. It wasn’t my secret to tell.”

“It’s not that.”

He paused, needed a shower after running around in the woods, but he wanted to know what was wrong. He approached the bed and stood at the end of it. “You are angry with me for not telling you that Slade was the father.”

“I’m not. Really. I’ve been sitting here doing a lot of thinking. I get why I wasn’t told. I still wouldn’t know who the father of her baby is if she hadn’t gone into labor in our living room, right?”

“I won’t lie to you. No. Probably not.”

“I saw him.”

“Slade? He never leaves Trisha side or if he has to, he doesn’t go far.”

“The baby.” She licked her lips. “He looks just like his father. I mean, it’s hard to tell when they are newborns but he’s got the features.”

“Slade is his father. He’s the first New Species baby born.”

“There’s a lot of people in the world who aren’t going to be happy when they find out about that baby.”

Valiant’s entire body tensed. “A re you going to tell them?” The pain of possible betrayal tore through him.

“No!” She frowned and glared at him. “I just meant I understand why I wasn’t told. I get it. Trisha and her baby are going to be in danger if those hate groups and fruitcakes find out. Men like the ones who kidnapped me would come after her and the baby. Or worse. They’d just want to kill them outright.”

He could breathe again now that he knew she’d keep the baby a secret. “Yes. It’s our worst fear and why very few know about Forest.”

“Forest?”

He smiled. “It’s what they have named the baby.

Forest Slade North.”

“I like it.” She smiled.

“He was conceived in the forest.”

Tammy laughed. “Seriously?”

“Yes. Trisha insisted on the name and Slade agreed.

He liked it.”

“They really love each other. I saw them together.

They are so happy about the baby.”

“They are.” He tilted his head, watching her, trying to guess what bothered her. “What is wrong with that?”

She suddenly moved and crawled toward him over the mattress. Valiant’s heart raced and his gaze traveled over her body. His cock instantly hardened as he watched the sexy way she stalked closer to him. She stopped inches from the end of the bed, her gaze held his, and she smiled.

“It made me feel a little jealous.”