Chapter 49 New Beginnings-old Wounds

• Damon - POV
• The infirmary buzzed with activity as injured soldiers filled every corner, leaving the doctors with their hands full. I cradled an unconscious Stella in my arms, desperately urging a doctor to prioritise her over the soldiers. My anxiety made me pace back and forth. Julie and Dexter, visibly worn out and bandaged, stood nearby. From the emergency room, a painful moan echoed—the doctors and nurses were working frantically to save Stella. Every sound of her pain tightened the grip around my heart.
• “Stella is strong; she’ll get through this,” Julie reassured me. I nodded, though worry still gnawed at me. Dexter handed me a towel to cover my exposed body, which I wrapped around myself. Then, hearing another sharp cry from Stella, I couldn’t stand it any longer walked into the emergency room. The doctors and nurses didn’t stop me; they seemed to understand my need to be there. Stella was conscious but in tremendous pain, giving birth. I stayed close, gently brushing her arm, though she clasped my hand with a grip so strong it felt like she might break my bones. But that didn’t matter—if she needed to squeeze the life out of me, I’d endure it, just to be by her side.