The Perfect Gift

Story by Saphire Avindar on SoFurry

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The Perfect Gift

Scene one:

Smiling, he pulled her into their bedroom. Upon entering, she was assailed by the wonderful smell of incense and scented candles that permeated the air.

"Oh my, quite the romantic aren't we?" Saphire said, beaming at him.

Shrugging and giving her a mischievous grin, Axle replied, "What can I say? You bring it out in me. Happy Solstice my love." He kissed her softly and with the swiftness of a cheetah, scooped her up and laid her down on the bead, sliding in next to her. Saphire laughed at his enthusiasm and snuggled closer to him. Running the tips of her claws up and down his chest lightly, kissing and nipping at his neck.

Wrapping her tail around his she said, "Same to you babe. I love you always." She nuzzled his neck and snuggled closer. She was almost overwhelmed by her feelings. The amount of love she felt for him filled her to overflowing, to the point that tears spilled out of her eyes.

Kissing the tears off her cheeks, Axle laughed and said, "What's wrong my love?"

Saphire laughed and shook her head. All she could manage to say was, "I love you," in a rough, husky voice. Axle laughed once and then Saphire had him. She kissed him long and hard, trying to convey everything she felt for him in that single kiss. She pulled him closer, wrapping herself around him.

He could feel her need for him coursing through their bond. His own need washing through him so powerfully, that plus her assault left him breathless and gasping.

Scene Two:

Growling deep in his chest, he grabbed Saphire by her waist and flipped her over. Rolling over on top of her he grabbed her wrists, pinning her down. He nipped her neck and shoulders as he rubbed his growing erection up and down her heat, making her moan with anticipation. Releasing her wrists, he began running his claws lightly down her chest, keeping her legs pinned but revealing her hot, wet sheath. She shivered as he slowly worked his way down, tracing the patterns of her scales with the tips of his claws. When he reached her hips, he traced the grooves of her hip bones, slowly moving towards her legs. He briefly brushed against her hot sheath with his dancing fingers, and then traced her inner thigh lightly with one hand as he teased her clit with the other.

She yipped a little when he flipped her over, surprised by his sudden ferocity. She wrapped her arms around him, gasping as she felt hip nip at her, and growing hot and wet as he teased her with his growing erecting. The anticipation was almost too much for her. Groaning with pleasure, she slid her claws down his back, burying her fingers in his soft fur. Gasping, her breathing sped up when he began tracing the contours of her chest and stomach. The more he touched her, the more she shook with anticipation. By the time he reached her clit, she was vibrating with pleasure. When he started to tease her clit, she couldn't contain herself anymore; she let out a low moan and started panting. With each touch, her tension built, her hot sheath getting more and more damp. She opened her eyes to look into his and reached down and grabbed him. As she began stroking him, he groaned and moved his fingers to her wet sheath and started moving them in and out. Saphire sped her hand up and began moving her hips in motion with his hand, arching her back as she began to climax. Axle smiled and added another finger to his prodding. Saphire then let go of him and moaned loudly, arching her back as she exploded all over his hand, climaxing and calling his name.

Feeling her hot wetness explode onto his hand, Axle's own tension and anticipation became too much for him. Grabbing her wrists once again, he pinned her to the bed and plunged his pulsing erection into her, stretching her tightness around him. They both gasped when he did this. Trembling, Axle began to thrust, in and out, their breathing growing more and more ragged as they both began building towards a climax. Being inside her was like feeling heaven. Her tightness fit him perfectly and when he was inside her it was like they were more one person instead of two. She started moaning again and thrusting against him more vigorously. Hearing her pleasure sent shivers through his core. He let out a moan of his own as her sheath tightened around him and he felt her wetness explode on him, signaling another climax of hers. He moaned louder then, moving faster and deeper, driving himself toward his own climax.

Saphire cried out in pleasure when Axle thrust into her. She moved her hips in time with his, squeezing around him. She arched her back as she climaxed again, screaming this time and ending in a growl. She looked up at him with feral eyes, and bit his shoulder, struggling under his strong grasp.

He knew the instant she shifted. Her wrists became taught and her hands became fists. When she growled and bit him, he moaned in ecstasy, but kept her in his grip. Smiling inwardly, he growled back at her, pinning her down harder and fitting his teeth around her throat in warning. She had always been a fighter. Feeling his own climax coming, he growled deeper and clamped down on her shoulder as he thrust himself into her faster than ever.

She lessened her struggle when she felt his teeth, growling softly between gasps. She felt him thicken, stretching her even more as he furiously thrust into her. Screaming in her own ecstasy she began to whimper from the intensity of her building tension.

They climaxed together, her pulling him deep within her as he exploded, releasing his hot seed into her. Collapsing, they both lay there, panting and cuddling. Axle whispered in her ear, "I love you forever. I am yours for life."

She whispered back, "As I am yours, I love you too."

Scene Three:

Saphire woke up to the warm sun shining across her body. She was wrapped up in Axle's arms...and they were both dozing in the warm morning sunlight. Stretching catlike, she got up, used the bathroom, and stepped into the warm, steaming shower. As she stood there, soaking in the warmth and washing the sweat and grime from her limbs, she realized that her cycle was not following the proper timeline. She had a distinct feeling that things were about to majorly change. After her shower she walked over to the cupboard and pulled the little white box out of the drawer. Standing there, looking at the test she was about to take, her stomach did a flip. 'Is it possible?' she though. 'Can the two of us, really have children?' Smiling to herself, she ripped open the package. "Well, I guess I'll find out soon," she whispered. Taking a deep breath, she took the test, and waited. She paced the bathroom, waiting for the test to mature.

"Are you ok in there hon?" Axle called through the door.

Startled, Saphire replied, "I'm fine hon, I'll be out in a few minutes."

"Ok, I'll be in the room. I love you." Axle called.

"I love you too babe." Saphire called back. With butterflies in her stomach, Saphire picked up the upside-down test, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, flipped the test over, and looked down. Her head began to spin, sitting there, in her claws, was a little innocent pink plus sign that would change her world forever. Who knew that a dragon and part bionic cheetah could have cubs together? Slightly dizzy, she sat down on the toilet, her head spinning. "I can hardly believe this"...she whispered. Suddenly, a warm glow began in her gut and started to spread through her, bringing a broad smile to her lips. Hiding the test in her palm, she left the bathroom and entered their bedroom, still smiling. She walked up behind him and slid her free hand down his back and up his chest, sliding in next to him and nuzzling his ear. "Good morning my love," she whispered in his ear.

Turning over, he saw the grin on her face and said, "Well good morning, you sure are happy this morning my love." He smiled at her and snuggled her back.

"I think you are gonna be too my love," she said, almost unable to contain her excitement.

"Oh is that right?" He said, smiling and raising an eyebrow at her.

Sitting up and pulling him with her, she grinned and said, "Yep, I have something for you. Close your eyes and put out your paw."

He looked at her curiously for a moment, then shrugged and did as she asked. After a few seconds, she put something small and thin into his paw and his fist closed instinctively around it. His heart leapt into his throat, this thing felt familiar, he knew the shape. Swallowing, he opened his eyes and looked down at his paw. Sitting there, was the little white stick with the pink plus sign on it, the little white stick that would change him forever. Tears of joy overflowed as he looked up at her smiling face. "Could it be true?" he choked out.

Smiling at him, she cupped his face, wiping his tears away with her fingers. "We can't be 100% until we see the doctor, but I am two weeks late." Both grinning they hugged and lay back, cuddling. Saphire sighed and snuggled closer, placing her hand on top of Axle's which was now on her belly.

About a month and a half later:

"Saphire and Axle?" the nurse called from the hallway door. Saphire and Axle got up and followed her into their doctor's exam room. Smiling, Saphire said, "A little nauseous today, but otherwise ok."

"That is to be expected, here, take this into the bathroom and fill it to the line please; the doctor will be in shortly." She handed Saphire a small clear cup and left the room, closing the door behind her. "I'll be right back hon." Saphire left, used the bathroom, handed the cup to the nurse, and went back into the room. She sat on the exam table and talked quietly with Axle, as they waited for the doctor. About ten minutes later, the doctor came in smiling.

"Hello Axle, Saphire, how are we today?"

"Fine, thanks."

"Why don't you lie back and we'll get started. Judging from what we found out last time, you should be at about 8 weeks right?" The doctor asked, snapping on a pair of exam gloves.

Lying back slowly Saphire confirmed, "That's right."

Nodding, the doctor began by examining Saphire's stomach, she felt her belly, pushed to feel the firmness, and measured its size. "Hmmm, you seem to be gaining quickly," the doctor pulled out a small device used for finding fetal heart beats and began to use it on Saphire's belly. Out of the speaker, came a fast 'thumpa, thumpa, thumpa, thumpa.' But it sounded strange, like it was too fast or there was multiple beats. The doctor smiled. "Hmmm, well, I think we may have more than one here, let's get the ultrasound machine out and see ok?"

Saphire and Axle were beaming, "Sounds good to me," Axle said, laughing a little at Saphire's joyous expression.

The doctor had Saphire put her feet up into the stirrups and slide to the end of the bed so she could insert the ultrasound device into her vagina to get a better look at the uterus. She flipped the machine on and inserted the wand into Saphire. "Well, there we go. I see one, two, three babies growing in there." The doctor pointed to three different spots on the screen.

"Three?" Saphire said breathlessly. Looking at the screen, she saw three distinct tiny figures, and she giggled just a little, mostly out of shock. She looked over at Axle, who was still standing there silent, staring at the screen, laughing she said, "Are you ok love?"

Still in a bit of shock he said, "Yea, just trying to wrap my head around the fact that we are about to go from two to five in a few short months....it's a little much to digest, give me a sec..." He stood there a moment, in disbelief. 'Three? Whoa, now things are really gonna be interesting...' Realizing they are still looking at him and seeing Saphire's worried expression, he suddenly felt amazing. Letting a large smile spread across his face he laughed and kissed her saying, "This is amazing my love! I can't wait to meet each and every one of them, I love you."

Smiling just as wide, she nuzzled him affectionately, "I love you too hon, I'm glad you feel that way." The doctor finished the exam and cleaned Saphire up saying, "Ok, all done, I will print you a picture ok?" Saphire smiled and said, "Ok great, thank you doctor." When the doctor left, Saphire finished cleaning herself up and said, "Are you ok with this hon? You seemed a bit worried back there..."

Laughing a little he said, "I'm fine hon, it just took me by surprise that's all, I had to wrap my head around it, you would be hard pressed to find a guy that was happier than I am right now." He came closer to her and kissed her softly, "You are the most gorgeous woman alive," he put his hand on her swollen stomach, "and you are carrying the most precious, perfect babies in the whole world, how could I be any happier?"

Smiling, she put her hand over his and kissed him back, "Thank you love, you are the best man I have ever known, and I am the luckiest dragon alive." At that moment, the doctor came back in with a box of a few months' worth of prenatal vitamins and a copy of the ultrasound photo. "Ok, here is your photo, and I have brought you some vitamins that I want you to start taking once a day ok?" Saphire nodded. "And I have made an appointment for you for next month, the same time, ok?" Saphire smiled, "Ok, that sounds great, thank you doctor." Saphire and Axle got up and left the clinic, got in their car, and decided to go to lunch to celebrate.

Scene Four:

About eight months later:

Saphire stopped a moment and stretched back, her hands on the small of her back to support her enormous belly. Now about nine and a half months pregnant, her triplets are really starting to weigh on her. "I'm glad we decided to only go to the close one, I don't think I can walk much further hon."

Axle smiled as he watched her. He was so happy at that moment that he thought his heart would burst. "I know hon, we are almost there." He put her arm around his shoulder and helped to support her while they walked a little bit further to their picnic spot and their favorite tree.

Saphire leaned against the tree while Axle laid out the blanket and food, rubbing her belly and wincing a few times as her babies kicked at her a bit. When he was done, he came over and helped her down so she was sitting as comfortable as possible. He sat down next to her and they ate lunch under their tree, looking out over the lake. Afterwards Saphire said, "Can you help me up hon? My legs are cramping up sitting here." Smiling at her he stood up and with strength that did not equal his physique slipped his arm under Saphire's and lifted her up to her feet. Stretching, she rubbed the small of her back again and said, "Thank you love, that is much better." Wincing, she bent over a little bit, rubbing her side.

"Are you ok hun? What happened?" Axle asked, reaching for her with a worried expression.

"I'm fine, they are just getting feisty, that time it was a kidney shot." She turned and smiled at him, still rubbing her side. "I'm ok, I promise."

Relieved, he smiled back at her and leaned against the tree with his arms open. "Come here, let's just relax and watch the water a bit."

Smiling, she walked over to him, gave him a kiss, and turned around and leaned against him, allowing him to put his hands around her waist and rest them on her belly, massaging it in small circles. She put her hands on top of his and sighed contentedly. They both laughed as three small kicks hit their hands from different spots. For a while, they stand there, content to watch the day and relax. Then, Saphire started feeling a strange sensation in her stomach, a day or two before she had noticed that most of the weight of her pregnancy had dropped down and though the weight was easier, it put more pressure on her hips. Now, it felt like something was actually pushing down on her hips, then the pain came. It was short and kind of blunt, but it was strong, and it hit practically her entire abdomen. Doubling over, she almost collapsed into his arms.

"Saphire, what's wrong?" Instantly alert, he caught her and lowered her slowly to the ground.

As fast as it had come, it was gone. Realizing what it was, Saphire immediately looked at her watch and made note of the time. "I think it's time to go home babe, and call the doula. It's time to meet our cubs, at least within a day or two."

Understanding instantly, he helped her up and leaned her against the tree. "Can you wait here a minute while I gather things up and put them away?" She nodded and said, "I'm fine hon, they are normally a few hours apart to start. Go ahead, I will wait here." He nodded and began to clean up the picnic stuff and ran it out to the car. Then he came back and helped her to the car as well. On the way home, Saphire called the doula and explained the situation, "Hi Jen, it's Saphire.......Yea, I'm fine, the contractions have started......only one so far, it happened about 10 minutes ago, haven't had another one yet.......we were at the park but are almost home now..........ok, I'll see you soon." She turned to Axle and said, "Ok, Jen said not to worry, we have a lot of time yet, and to go home and relax and make sure to use the restroom, she said no more solid food now till after the babies are born." At this he looked at her curiously. "It's because she doesn't want me to have to push anything out down there, even bowel movements; that can cause other problems."

"I see," he said nodding at her. As they pulled into their driveway, his mind was oddly calm. He was watching her carefully, ready to catch her if another contraction hit. They got into the house and he helped her to their bedroom. He changed the cotton sheets they had on the bed to the pre cleaned sheets and the plastic under sheet they had selected for their home birth. Just as he was helping her into the bed, Jen walked in, they had given her a key in case there was an emergency and one of them couldn't get to the door.

At that moment, another contraction hit Saphire. She started her controlled breathing and lay back on the pillows, relaxing her jaw and trying to avoid tensing up. She closed her eyes and sighed as the contraction passed and she was once again relaxed. She opened her eyes and looked at her watch. "About 45 minutes Jen." Jen was a tall slender Red Husky. She came over and examined Saphire and felt her belly. Well, you are about 4 centimeters dilated and 50% effaced. I'll hook up the monitors now ok? We are probably gonna be here for the rest of the night and good amount of the next day, so try to get some rest." Saphire relaxed back into the pillows and tried to nap a bit while Jen moved around the room, setting things up. She strapped a heart monitor to Saphire and a fetal monitor to her stomach and instantly they heard the rapid heartbeats of the three cubs. She also brought in the tub, towels, medicines, and various other tools for in case there was a problem. About 40 minutes later, Saphire's water broke, triggering another contraction that woke Saphire, she breathed heavily as Axle held her hand and rubbed her back. Lying on her side seemed to help everything, so they stayed in that position for most of the night. The next day, was slow going. About 16 hours after her first contraction, Saphire had moved to having contractions every 6 minutes and was dilated to 8 and 80% effaced. This time, when the contraction hit, it was stronger than any of the others had been before. She cried out just a little and hunched over, squeezing Axle's hand as the contraction hit, breathing hard she forced herself to relax back onto the bed. "Hmmmm, I think it's time we saw just what positions your babies are in, it looks like we won't be here too much longer." She turned on the ultrasound machine and got out the ultrasonic gel. She spread the gel onto Saphire's belly and placed the wand over it. She looked around a bit and said, "Well, baby one is in position and ready to go," she pointed to the cub that was head down in Saphire's hips, "baby two is facing the right way at least, face up and head down," she pointed at the cub to the upper right of the bottom one, "and the last one is head down, but so is his face, we will have to be careful with that one, and he is a bit higher up, so I think he will be last, he may turn by then, but we will see," she pointed to the last baby. "At least they are all head down, so we won't have to worry about any breech babies." Saphire smiled at the monitor and gasped, as another very strong contraction hit her. After about another few hours, Saphire's contractions had gotten to only about a minute apart. When Jen checked her again, she was fully dilated and effaced. "Ok Saphire, it's time to meet your babies, let me help you into the tub and then we will start pushing." Axle and Jen both lifted Saphire up and mostly carried her to the tub that was now filled with warm, steamy water. Slowly, they lowered her into it as another very strong contraction hit her, it felt like the cubs were trying to claw their way out of her. "Ok Saphire, with the next one we are gonna start pushing ok?" As the next contraction hit, Saphire nodded and pushed down as hard and Jen counted to ten. When the contraction was over, Saphire slumped back into Axle's arms. The next contraction hit 45 seconds later and Saphire bore down again. taking a deep breath right before. "Ok, good Saphire, I can see the top of the head, and I see ears, looks like cheetah ears." Smiling, Saphire breathed hard, relaxing for a moment until the next contraction hit 30 seconds after the last one ended. With this one, Saphire pushed as hard as she could, crying out as she did, and she felt the stretching as she passed the head. "Ok Saph, the head is out, stop pushing for a minute." Saphire collapsed into Axle's arms as Jen suctioned out the babies nose and mouth. "Ok, no chord, so we are doing ok so far. Here we go mom, one more push should do it for this one. Ready, push!" Saphire sucked in a huge breath, and pushed as hard as she could, crying out again as she passed the rest of the baby. "It's a beautiful baby girl!" Saphire slumped back, breathing hard as she heard her daughter cry for the first time, laughing and crying at the same time. Smiling she said, "Dad, would you like to cut the cord?" Jen handed a pair of medical scissors to Axle and pointed to a spot that she had clamped off. Grinning, Axle took the scissors and cut his daughter's chord. To Saphire she said, "Ok, one more quick push and we should have the afterbirth out, then you can rest for a few minutes." Saphire inhaled and pushed down, passing the first afterbirth. When she was finished, Saphire buried her muzzle in Axle's neck panting. She heard him say laughing, "Welcome to the family, little Álainna." Giving her one of the girl names they had agreed on, meaning beautiful in Irish. Jen came over and handed the cub to Saphire, "Say hello to your mama little one," she said smiling. Saphire took her and smiled down at her not saying anything, just cooing and rocking her. She handed the baby to Axle and rested for a moment, waiting for the next one.

Axle was breathless; he couldn't believe that they had made such a beautiful thing together. He held his daughter and rocked her nuzzling her and rocking her. She had perfect beautiful eyes like her mother's and his coloring as a cheetah cub. She stared up at him with wide, curious eyes and cooed, grasping his finger. She had him right then, he didn't know how he could love someone so much so fast, but he did. Hearing Saphire gasp, he quickly wrapped the baby, gave her a pacifier and put her into one of the cradles they had set up nearby.

She was smiling, watching Axle hold their daughter when the next one hit a few minutes later, this one more painful than the last. She gasped and grabbed onto Jen's arms for support while Axle put the baby in a cradle. A few moments later he was back behind her, holding her and messaging her belly, supporting her back. Crying out in pain, Saphire let go of Jen and grabbed hold of Axle's legs, hearing him suck in a quick breath when her claws sink in, but he didn't move or otherwise show any discomfort, he would do anything for her, and she knew it. Breathing steadily, she let the contraction pass and Jen already had the ultrasound machine on her, making sure the next baby was in position for the next birthing. "Ok, it looks like baby number two has moved into position in the birth canal, and what is better, it looks like baby 3 has turned and is now facing up!" Saphire had a brief moment of relief before the next contraction hit her, and with this one, Jen told her to push, and she bore down with all of her strength, panting and sweating from the effort. When the contraction was over, Jen said, "Ok mom, the second baby is starting to crown, and this time, I see nubs on a scaly head." Laughing breathlessly Saphire relaxes for a moment, catching her breath before pushing a second time as yet another contraction hits her. Letting out a cry, she felt the baby's head pass. "Ok Saph, the head is out, relax for a moment." Jen cleaned the baby's mouth and nose out and said, "Oops, we got a chord around the neck, but don't worry, I've fixed it and the baby is fine, but it's time to push again so we can get the baby out." Nodding, Saphire inhaled and pushed down again, whining in pain as she passed the rest of the second baby. Collapsing back yet again, she heard a low, scratchy cry as Jen said, "It's a boy, and a dragon! Cut the cord here Axle," pointing at the place she had clamped off on the chord. Jen turned away a moment and cleaned and suctioned the baby and swaddled him in a soft blanket, the baby screeching the whole time. Laughing, Saphire said, "Come come now Xavian, its ok my darling." At the sound of her voice, Xavian stopped crying and looked around, startled. Laughing Jen handed the little dragon to Saphire, "That is a cool name, what does it mean?" Rocking Xavian softly, Saphire answered, "We took it from name Xavier, which means bright." "Cool, ok Saph, can't relax quite yet, time for the afterbirth. Ready, push!" Jen said, messaging Saphire's belly a bit. Saphire pushed hard one more time and passed the afterbirth. Exhausted, Saphire handed Xavian to Axle, and lay back, resting.

Axle looked down at his son, who had his eyes exactly but otherwise looked almost exactly like his mother, and was once again, breathless. His heart had grown once again, now triple the size it was before, the space already full of love for this tiny dragon. "My son...." Axle whispered to him, nuzzling him and laying him down in the cradle next to his sister. He turned around and went back to his position, messaging Saphire's belly and nuzzling her, trying to help her relax, knowing that her ordeal was not yet over.

Snuggling into Axle, Saphire finally had a small chance to rest. The two babies were napping in their cradles and her contractions had slowed a bit too about 5 minutes apart again. Feeling the gel and wand on her stomach again she looked up at Jen expectantly. "Ok, it looks like baby three has moved into the birth canal, but it is going to be a little bit before he is ready for pushing, so why don't we move you over to the bed next to us, and you can bond with your first two while I change the water. Saphire allowed Axle to lead her over to the bed, just before she got in; her third water sac broke, spilling fluid all over the floor, Axle, and Saphire. Breathing in she cried out a bit and bent over, putting her head on Axle's chest, opening her hips and trying to take some pressure off as a big contraction hits her. She clung to Axles shoulder for a few minutes, waiting for the contraction to pass. After it does, Axle grabs a towel from the table next to the bed, cleaned Saphire off, laid a fresh towel on the bed where she was going to lay, and helped her into bed. Axle brought her Xavian and Álainna and placed them in her arms. Before he pulled away he whispered in her ear, "You are the most beautiful woman alive, I love you." He kissed her and went to help Jen with the tub. Smiling, she sighed back into the bed, and cuddled her two babies, allowing them to feed from her nipples on her chest that were full with milk. About 4 minutes later, another contraction hit Saphire, and she panted in the controlled manner that Jen had taught her, hugging her babies lightly for comfort, their suckling helped her pain a bit to her surprise.

Axle finished cleaning up the area around the bed and himself and went over to help Jen empty the tub and pour some fresh water in it. The whole time, his mind was oddly calm, and quiet, he felt happier then he could ever remember feeling. The only thing that could possibly make this better is if he could endure the pain for her. When the tub was done, he went over to the bed and changed the now soaked towel she was laying on, and then he sat down next to her and cuddled with her and their cubs. After a couple more contractions, Saphire asked him, "I think you better put them back in their cribs, I think the last one is getting ready to finally show up." He took them from her as another one hit her, he could tell this one was intense without the sped up beeping on the monitor attached to her belly, he could see it in her face, and in her eyes. His own abdomen cramped with sympathy for her. He put the babies down, and helped her back into the tub. It had only been 10 minutes since the other two were born, and her contractions were speeding up and growing in intensity quickly.

Saphire moaned as another contraction hit her, just a little over a minute from the last. She grabbed Axles hands and breathed through it as Jen checked the ultrasound. "Ok, it looks like he is in position, and ready, you ready to finish this Saphire?" Jen asked smiling. Saphire only nodded since she had been hit with another contraction. Axle sat in the tub behind her again and looking at Saphire she said, "Ok, he is crowning Saphire, push!" Saphire inhaled deeply, and pushed with all her might, crying out as the head passed. "Ok, good Saph, we are almost done, one more good push should do it." Jen said as she quickly cleaned the baby's mouth and nose. Saphire too tired to do anything else, grunted and inhaled again, preparing for the next push. As the contraction hit, Saphire pushed down hard, almost screaming this time, as she stretched so much, she almost tore. An amazing sense of emptiness and relief suddenly spread over her as the baby was finally all the way out. Axle cut the cord as Jen said, "We have another boy, mixed this time." Panting, Saphire whispered, "Iontach..." and collapsed into Axle's arms, almost passing out.

Alarmed by her sudden weakness Axle said, "Jen...is she alright?"

Jen examined Saphire quickly and said, "Don't worry, she is just exhausted. She's had a long day, she will be alright in a few minutes. So what does Iontach mean?"

Still worried, he nodded and said, "It means great in Irish," then began to message Saphire and murmur in her ear that he loved her and that the babies were beautiful.

Saphire panted heavily, still conscious but utterly exhausted.

"Ok Saph, we are almost done, and then you can rest ok? One more push and the afterbirth is out. Come on." Jen said soothingly.

Inhaling deeply, Saphire pushed hard once, and the afterbirth was out. After that, she started relaxing a bit more and found she had a little more energy. As Jen was cleaning and swaddling Iontach, Axle cleaned her up, helped her to the bed and then handed her the baby. After cuddling for a short while and letting him suckle a bit, she handed him back to Axle and fell fast asleep.

Scene Five:

About seven months later:

Saphire inhaled deeply, breathing in the beautiful spring air. She looked over at the three beautiful cubs playing on a nearby blanket and leaned into Axle, snuggling with him while they watched the cubs explore. There were friends and family all around, Darius in the back on the grill. It was their annual spring picnic, and it was a celebration in honor of Saphire and Axle's new family. Laughing she said, "Iontach, don't tease your sister like that." The little cheetah, dragon mix looked up and smiled at Saphire, nodding bashfully.

Axle laughed and took Saphire in his arms. "Just as much of a troublemaker as you are my love."

Nipping at him Saphire said with mock surprise, "I have no idea what you are talking about." Saphire, Axle, and Darius all laughed at that and chatted while they waited for lunch to be ready.

"Come and get it!" Darius called, taking the hotdogs off the grill and putting them on a plate on the blanket.

The three kids quickly came over and sat next to Saphire, pushing and playing all the way. Laughing, Saphire gave them each a hot dog and some chips and some juice in their cups, cut everything up, and took her own hot dog. The six of them ate and talked for a while, and then when everything was done, they took the kids over to the small park that was next to their favorite picnic spot and let them run off some energy. Smiling, Saphire turned to Axle, "Well, they definitely have your energy. And my strong will."

Laughing as well Axle said, "We're in real trouble."

"Yes we are." Saphire said, snuggling into him.

Darius smiled and said, "Let's see if I can't run some of that energy out of them huh?" He went over and picked up Álainna and Xavian and with them both over his shoulder, started chasing Iontach around the playground. When he caught him he picked up all three cubs and twirled around really fast. He put them down and followed them up onto the jungle gym, chasing and laughing with them.

Saphire and Axle sat on a bench, laughing and watching the kids play. Turning to him Saphire said, "I didn't know kids could make someone so happy. But I am, and I love you."

Axle looked back at her with a joyous expression and laughed, "I don't know how I could be happier, I love you too hon." Then jokingly he said, "Maybe more kids would, but that's about it." He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist.

Saphire smiled up at him and said, "It's funny you should say that...." She gave him a wolfish smirk.

Startled, Axle looked down at her, disbelief in his eyes and his mind blank, ".....Wha....What?"

Saphire put one of Axle's hands on her belly and he noticed that it had a tiny hard lump in the lower abdomen. She smiled up at him and said, "Guess what?"

Axle looked at her and said, "Again? Are you sure?"

Saphire said, "Yep, saw Jen yesterday and she did the test."

He took Saphire in his arms, disbelief still on his face.

The End.

Characters in this story:

Saphire: Female Dragon, (main char)

Axle: Male Cheetah, (Saphire's mate)

Jen: Female Red Husky, (Doula/Midwife)

Álainna: Female Cheetah, (First of the Babies born)

Xavian: Male Dragon, (Second of the babies born)

Iontach: Male Dragon/cheetah mix, (last of the babies born)

Darius: Male Koopa, (Saphire and Axle's Friend, barbecue cook)