The Lion’s Mate

“You sound like you’re the expert on cross species,” Mark remarked without taking his eyes off his daughter.

“I trained specifically to treat cross species children,” the nurse told him. “I take care of all babies, but I sure do love those cross species babies.”

Mark looked at the nurse and grinned like the new father he was. “Can you bring her close to the glass? Just for a minute? I want to see her face.”

“Of course.” She leaned in close. “You do know that cross species babies are born with a human body but facial features of the creature he or she will shift into?”

“Yes. I’ve done some research.” Mark had returned his gaze to the baby. “Is she also covered with fur?”

“Fur?” Annie asked, shocked.

The nurse laughed softly as she put her finger to her lips. “Not so loud, please. Yes, she has fur.”

Annie stared through the window, her eyes narrowed. “Wow,” she whispered.

The nurse disappeared into the NICU. Mark and Annie watched as she gathered little Chloe into her arms and carried her to the window. She parted the blankets swaddled around her so they could see her face.

Mark gasped when his daughter’s face came into view. “She’s beautiful,” he breathed. He put his hand against the window as if to touch her through the glass.

Annie put her arm around his waist as a tear slipped down her cheek and over her smiling lips. “I’m so absolutely in love.”

“Me too.”

Chloe’s little fists began to flail about; she was angry because she wasn’t under her lamp. She opened her eyes and looked around with an alertness neither Mark not Annie expected; they both gasped and giggled when she met their eyes. Chloe, with her golden eyes and peach fuzz tan fur, watched them for a moment. Then she opened her perfect little mouth and let out a roar of anger. Mark and Annie saw the nurse laugh and talk to Chloe with a smile on her face. She turned away and put Chloe back under her lamp, where she quieted immediately and fell asleep.

The nurse returned. “Well?”

“Words escape me,” Mark said.

“She roared!” Annie exclaimed.

“Isn’t she amazing?” the nurse asked.

“That’s a good word,” Mark replied with a laugh.

“Come on, I’ll take you to Leah. She’ll be glad to see you.”

“Has she seen Chloe?”

“Briefly. When she’s ready, one of us will wheel her down in a wheelchair to see her again.”

“Ok, thanks.”

They returned the way they’d come, but only made two turns before they reached Leah’s room. Her name was on a plague outside the door. Quietly, Mark and Annie slipped inside the room after saying thank you and good bye to the nurse. Leah opened her eyes slowly when she heard them.

“Did you see her?” she asked Mark, who clasped her hand and lifted it to his lips.

“I did, Leah. She’s miraculous.”

Leah chuckled, grimaced, and sighed. “C sections hurt.”

Annie giggled. “What kind of drugs did they give her?”

 “Something good,” Mark said with a smile. He brushed Leah’s hair off her forehead. “Are you ok, my love?”
“Don’t call me that, weirdo,” Leah murmured, a ghost of a smile on her face. “I’m fine. How’s Chloe? I only saw her for a minute.”

“She’s beautiful.” A knock sounded on the door, and a young man poked his head in. Mark rose. “Hi. Can I help you?”

“I’m Dr. Fargham, cross species specialist,” the young man said, affecting a bow.

“You’re a doctor?” Annie asked before she could stop herself. She put her hand to her mouth. “I’m sorry. You just look so young.”

“Good genes,” Dr. Fargham said. He pointed at the jeans he was wearing and winked. “I always look ten years younger when I wear these.” Mark stared at him for a second, then guffawed loudly before remembering he was supposed to be quiet. Dr. Fargham smiled at him. “At last someone who gets my jokes.”

Mark laughed more quietly. “I enjoy a good pun.”

“Who doesn’t?” He turned to Leah. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine. How’s my daughter?” Leah asked.

“She is fine. As I’m sure you know, she has a respiratory infection, which isn’t all that uncommon in cross species babies. She’ll stay in the NICU for two days, three at most, and then you’ll be free to take her home.”

Leah breathed a sigh of relief as a tear rolled down her cheek. “Thank God. I was so scared.”

“I don’t blame you,” Dr. Fargham said. “For the next couple of days, you need to rest, though. A cross species baby, like shifter babies, grows at a faster rate than human babies for the first two months. A survival thing, I’m sure.”

“I’ve done some research. She’ll be able to crawl by the time she’s six months, right? Human babies can’t do that,” Mark commented.

“That’s right,” the doctor replied. “Watch out, Mom. You’ll be a busy lady.”

Leah laughed quietly. “I’m looking forward to it. When will they bring her back in here?”

Dr. Fargham shook his head. “Chloe has to stay in the NICU tonight and tomorrow. But in the morning, we’ll take you down there to see her.”

“I can’t see her until tomorrow?” Leah whined.

Mark took her hand. “You need to sleep, babe. You can barely keep your eyes open.” Leah mumbled something under her breath. “What was that, babe?”

“I said pick me up and take me down there now.”

“Leah,” Dr. Fargham said, “I know you’re eager to be with your daughter, but trust me, you need to rest. She’s going to be quite a handful more quickly than you expect.”

Leah pouted but relented, although when she spoke she sounded like a spoiled child. “Yeah, ok.”

Dr. Fargham chuckled and looked at Mark. “You’ll have your hands full tonight. Let me know if you need anything, Leah. I’ll be with Chloe most of the night.”

“Thank you doctor,” Mark said.

Leah frowned at him. “I really want to see her.”

Mark shook his head. “I know, baby, but you have to rest. First thing, I’ll find a wheelchair myself and push you down there.”

“Will I get to hold her?” Although she was still talking, she was fading fast. Her eyes were barely open.

Mark smiled and played with her hair until her eyes closed. “Yes, baby, I’m sure you’ll be able to.”

“Good,” she mumbled as she slipped into sleep.

Annie had been silent through the discussion. Now she stepped forward with a grin on her face. “Poor Leah. She’s going to be pissed she didn’t get her way.”

Mark chuckled quietly. “Yeah, you’re probably right. But she’ll get over it.”

“Sure she will. As soon as she gets to hold that precious baby.” Annie leaned over and kissed Leah’s forehead. “So on Chloe’s little sign on her bassinet it said she was born just after midnight.”

“I saw that. It’s what, two now?”

“Yeah, I think so. You know what that means?”

Mark looked at her, confused. “No. What?”

“Chloe and I have the same birthday.” Annie grinned at him.

“That’s fantastic! We’ll have a big celebration every year,” Mark said.

“Of course we will!” Annie grabbed her bag off the chair near Leah’s bed. “I’m heading home. Are you staying here?”

“I am.”

“Ok, I’ll be back in the morning,” Annie said. “Good night.”

“Good night. Be careful.” Mark returned his attention to Leah. He watched her sleep for half an hour before his eyes began to droop. He was determined; this woman would be his wife. He loved her beyond measure, and he knew she loved him too. He just had to convince her. His last thought was a picture of her in a wedding gown, holding their daughter and smiling at him.