Well, except for how the DDA kept Lachlan in limbo about whether he could work for them again or not.
But she pushed that worry aside. It should be a day to celebrate, and nothing else.
The second they walked into the surgery's waiting room, they were greeted by about twenty people from the MacAllister family. The sight warmed her heart. Even though her mother was only related to them through her former mate, they still considered her one of their own.
Grandpa Archie headed in their direction, but they were saved by Holly MacKenzie—the human was a part-time nurse—walking out to them with a smile on her face. "Your mum had a wee girl. Both are well, and Sylvia's children can see them both now." Protests erupted, but Holly gave what Cat thought was her stern nurse's look. "Only her children, born or through mating. We can't overwhelm her, aye?"
Mutters died down as Lachlan and Cat joined her four other siblings. Once they were all together, Holly motioned for them to follow.
Connor was the first to speak as they walked. "Cat's having a girl, and now Mum? Isn't that quite the coincidence?"
Holly spoke. "I have a theory about that, actually."
Connor asked, "Which is?"
The human nurse shrugged. "From all the pairings I can think of, it seems when the father is human and the mother is a dragon-shifter, the probability of them having a girl is extremely high."
Emma blurted, "But you had two girls, and it's the other way around."
Holly answered, "Aye, but that happens sometimes, even with two dragon-shifters reproducing. But when you look at the hard data, what I say about human fathers and dragon mothers makes sense. I'm surprised no one noticed it before."
Cat couldn't bear to mention that it was a recent phenomenon where dragon clan leaders allowed human males to mate with dragon females. For most of their recorded history, the dragon males had refused to share them with humans.
Oh, the males could take humans, but not the other way around.
But regardless, if Holly was correct, her mother's lover had a higher chance of being a human than a dragon-shifter. Not a guarantee, but it would make more sense about her not wanting to reach out to him or let him know about the surprise bairn.
After all, dragon-shifters always had to live with a dragon clan, which would include her mother's newest child. And maybe it was impossible for the male to leave where he was to move to Lochguard.
Holly might even know if the father was human but couldn't say outright because of confidentiality agreements.
However, Holly stopped in front of a door and smiled, garnering Cat's full attention. "I know it's a lot to ask anyone on Lochguard, but try to be a wee bit calmer than normal, aye? Since your mum's older this time around, it took a lot out of her. Try to keep it brief."
They all bobbed their heads and entered the room.
Her mum lay in the bed, cuddling a wee bundle in her arms, somehow looking happier than Cat had seen her in a while.
Her mother noticed them and motioned them closer with her head. "Come see your sister." As soon as they all gathered around the bed, she pulled back the blanket to showcase a wee thing with lots of dark red hair. "Say hello to Sophie Rose."
Cat traced her sister's soft cheek. "Hello, Sophie."
As everyone took their turn admiring her, Cat watched her mum closely. She looked tired, aye, and held her newest daughter protectively. And while she did seem happy most of the time, Cat caught flashes of sadness—or was it regret?—in her mum's eyes when she thought no one was looking.
Maybe she wished the father was here after all.
Her dragon spoke up. We should find out more about him. I think she wants to see him again.
Aye, I think so too. But there's not much I can do. She won't say a word about him. And I don't think even Ian and Emma could find him with so little information.
Her dragon sighed and fell quiet.
As if sensing her sadness, Lachlan wrapped his arms around her from behind and placed his hands over her ever-growing belly. He murmured for her ears only, "We'll all help her, lass. And maybe drop a few hints about how we can help find the father if she wants. Otherwise, love will have to be enough. It helps more than anything else. I should know."
As she leaned against her mate's back and rested her head against his shoulder, she nodded.
Lachlan had tried to hide away from the world and had become miserable from it. All Cat and her siblings could do was ensure they loved their mum and new sister, and hoped it was enough to keep her from hiding from them or falling into depression again.
Just knowing that Lachlan would always be there, love her, and stand by her side no matter what, suddenly made everything easier.
She never would've guessed that the punctual, overly organized, cool DDA employee would've ever become the warm, loving, supportive male at her back.
Love had truly transformed him. She had to hope love would also help her mother through it all too.
Although as Lachlan held her a wee bit tighter, Cat sighed and took a second to revel in her mate's warmth. Together, they could accomplish anything.
And she couldn't ask for more than that.
Epilogue
Four Months Later
As Lachlan held his wee daughter, Felicity, for the first time, a jumble of emotions all fought for control.
Happiness. Love. Fear. Protectiveness. Uncertainty.
He'd known his daughter for mere minutes, but he knew without a shadow of a doubt that he'd lay down his life for her.
No one would ever hurt her, if he could help it.
And as she squirmed a wee bit before settling down again, he couldn't comprehend how any father would want to hurt their child.
Kissing her forehead, he lingered a second before murmuring, "I love you, Felicity. Daddy is going to spoil you rotten. Just wait and see."
Cat's tired snort garnered his attention. As he maneuvered Felicity into one arm, he took one of Cat's hands with his other. "What?"
"Everyone thought you'd been the strict one and me the laid-back one, but I told them they were wrong. You're going to give her whatever she wants, and I'll have to step in. I should've bet money with Connor and Ian and made a wee fortune."
Sitting next to her, he gently squeezed Cat's hand. "I'll spoil her, but there will be rules, of course."
She raised her brows. "The way you've been staring at her, as if she were the most precious thing in the world, it makes me doubt you can say no to her."
"You're precious to me, too, but who was the one who had to make sure you rested and took it easy all these months?"
She sighed. "Bedrest is the absolute worst, even with the artbook project to help fill up the time. And as much as I'm happy our daughter is here, I must admit just below that is how happy I am that I can walk without everyone thinking I'd break."
He kissed her forehead. "You're strong, lass. Of course you are. But not everyone survives a bomb blast, aye? It was better to be careful than not."
She leaned against him and traced their daughter's cheek. "I know. I'm sorry for being so cranky. Especially with all the new duties you've been dealing with from the DDA the last couple of months."