Free Descent (A Hidden Wings Novella: Prequel) by Cameo Renae Page A

first woman said, walking towards her. “My name is Laura. I am your midwife, same as I was for your mother.”
    Alaine’s eyes widened . “My mother?”
    “Yes. I was there the day you were born, and so was Abigail. She was the one who delivered you safely to the Gray’s.” The midwife turned to her assistant who smiled.
    Alaine froze . Her brain was smoking, trying to process that information. They didn’t look too much older than she was, and they were there for her birth? Whoa. That was crazy. 
    “Hi Alaine. I’m Abigail Reed. ” The assistant headed to shake her hand, but as Alaine held out hers, another sharp pain surged through her belly. She screamed through gritted teeth, sending everyone to their places.
    “ I’d say this baby wants out,” Laura noted. She put on her gloves, while Abigail set up the baby’s area.
    Samuel came around and took Alaine by the hand.
    “It’s going to be alright, Alaine. Just breathe. Everything will be alright,” he whispered into her ear.
    It was a long few hours of labor, but after one last push, the baby was born .
    “It’s a girl!” Laura announced. She handed her over to Abigail to clean her up.
    Samuel l eaned over and wrapped Alaine in his arms. She wept and wept, and he held her tight, whispering how proud he was, and how much he loved her.
    After cleaning the baby, Abigail wrapped her in a blanket and walked her over to Samuel and Alaine.
    “Would you like to hold her?”
    Alaine lifted her arms toward the bundle and brought her to her chest. She gasped, and the tears continuously flowed down her face.
    She was perfect, and so tiny. Her little nose was so sweet, her lips were bright pink and perfectly shaped, and her little cheeks looked like they were brushed with pink blush. Her eyelids fluttered, and for a split second, she smiled.
    Alaine looked at Samuel. She could tell he was torn.
    Alaine put her nose down to her little head an d breathed in her scent. She smelled so sweet. She was sweet in every way imaginable.
    “She’s beautiful, just like he r mother,” Samuel whispered. He wrapped his arms around Alaine and the baby, and then leaned over and kissed his daughter on the cheek. She scrunched her little nose, and for a moment there was laughter. For a moment, they were a real family. But, that moment was not going to last long, and everyone in the room knew it.
    They were i nterrupted by one of the Watchers, who came to the door. He motioned for Samuel to come, and they quickly disappeared into the hall.
    Alaine could hear their murmurs echoing off the walls, but she couldn’t take her eyes off of her beautiful daughter. She studied the details of her soft face. So amazingly perfect.
    But when her heart should have been happy, it started to break when she realized she had to give her away.
    Samuel ca me back in with a deep furrow in his brow. He eyes looked concerned, but as soon as he laid them on Alaine, he smiled. “I’m sorry Alaine. We need to say goodbye.”
    “Are we in danger?”
    “No. It’s just a precaution. The Watchers spotted one of the Fallen a few miles away.”
    Laura gasped and immediately went to Alaine’s side and held out her hands to take the child. Alaine’s world suddenly became hazy. She ran this day in her mind over and over, but was still not prepared for it. This was something she could never prepare for. Her heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces.
    She glanced down at her newborn daughter through tear-filled eyes.
    This precious , sleeping, baby girl had no idea of the events going on around her; no idea she was in danger, or that her mother’s heart was breaking. She had no clue that she was going to be whisked away in a few moments to a new set of parents. 
    Alaine whispered softly in her ear. “I love you so much my precious daughter, more than every single breath I breathe, more than life itself. I’m so sorry. I wish I could keep you, but always remember that I will be here should you