The First Beat of Your Heart
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Avery, Heather
Date Posted: 21st October 2020
Characters: Saidrene, K'ran, Zehva
Description: Saidrene and K'ran go to a check-up with Zehva
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 2, day 18 of Turn 10
}:Ashareth says it's time,:{ Rogueth informed his rider.
**I know,** K'ran said. He remembered when Saidrene had told him her appointment was and had been checking the timer in the corner. Now he was happy to set aside his Wingsecond duties, and meet Saidrene outside of the Infirmary for her appointment.
He pulled her into a hug when he saw her. "Saidrene, hello."
"You ready?" she asked, going into his arms and savoring the physical contact.
"I'm nervous, and I shouldn't be. The exam isn't even on me."
Saidrene pulled back a little and smiled at him, thinking how dear and familiar the features of his face had become to her over the last couple of months. "It's not everyday you get to hear the heartbeat of your child, I think being a little nervous is okay."
"Are you nervous at all?" he asked her, slipping a hand into hers as they went inside the Infirmary building. "And who are you seeing?"
"No, I mean, I guess I'm a little nervous each visit that they'll find something wrong." She had said as much to the healers the first time she'd visited after finding out, but they had assured her that was a normal fear. "I'm seeing Zehva."
"And you like her? How have these been going?"
"I like her, she is very matter-of-fact, I think you will appreciate that." Saidrene was not a small-talker, despite her extrovert tendencies, and she liked that Zehva never forced that on her during their appointments.
He squeezed her hand again as someone approached them. "Just let me know how best to help."
An apprentice led them into one of the private exam rooms where Zehva had just finished scrubbing her hands. "Saidrene," her eyebrows lifted marginally at the presence at the greenrider's side, "Wingsecond." From the way Saidrene had talked in their first couple of appointments, Zheva had not been sure that a 'father' would ever show up at the appointments. "You know the drill," she said, handing Saidrene an open-backed gown and then drawing the curtain around the bed so that the greenrider would have privacy to change, not that Saidrene needed it, she wasn't the least bit bashful about nudity.
When she was done and laying on the examination table, Zehva gestured to Saidrene's head, "You can stand there," she directed K'ran. "How have you been feeling?" she asked Saidrene. "Morning sickness still?"
"Yes, if only it was in the morning," Saidrene cracked a little grin. "It seems to come on during the day whenever it wants. Fortunately, it doesn't last long." Just long enough to make her feel tired.
"Good." Zehva made easy conversation while the examination commenced. "The old wives' tale is that morning sickness is a sure sign that the baby is developing well." Satisfied that everything seemed normal, the healer washed her hands again and then pulled her stethoscope from around her neck and popped it into her ears. "Let's find the heartbeat," she said, setting the listening piece against the greenrider's abdomen.
Saidrene's breath caught while she watched Zehva's face, waiting for the moment when the healer found the heartbeat. She had heard sad stories from other women who had gone for their checkup and the heartbeat had never been found. It was something that worried her every time she went to an appointment.
"There it is," Zehva's eyes flicked up to Saidrene's, noting the relief there. "Would you like to hear," she asked, straightening to look at K'ran.
He had blushed a little and turned away while Saidrene changed, and stood at her head when Zehva indicated. He watched with fascination when the stethoscope came out, and then when he was asked...
"Absolutely," he said, coming forward to see.
Zehva held the flat end in place against Saidrene's stomach while transferring the earpieces over to K'ran.
He pressed them to his ears and quieted his breath, listening, seeking... it took a couple moments, but then he heard the small thud-thud. Both the healer and the greenrider could see the moment where he got it, because his face turned soft and wonderous. "oh... the baby," he murmured, transfixed.
Zehva adjusted the stethoscope over Saidrene's stomach so that the rapid heartbeat was easier to hear. Saidrene smiled as she watched K'ran's face, it was the reaction she had been hoping to see.
He listened longer, before gently handed it back to the Healer. "This is our baby. So beautiful."
"Everything seems to be progressing normally. I will see you again in a month, unless you experience any unusual discomfort or spotting." Zehva said as she put her stethoscope back around her neck and gave Saidrene's knee a squeeze.
"Thank you," Saidrene's lips tilted up at Zehva before the healer left the examination room.
"Well? Was it what you expected?" Saidrene asked K'ran as she sat up and reached for her clothing.
"I don't know what I expected. I mean, it's like when I touched the eggs for the first times and felt them move..." His eyes softened, remembering.
"When will you feel the baby move? When are the timelines? Oh, maybe I should have asked her..." He huffed out a deep breath, realizing how much he didn't know, his first instinct to _learn_ it all.
Saidrene smiled as she studied the inquisitive furrow of his brow. His intelligence and love of learning was something that she found endearing. "Come on, we can talk about it over food."
"I have nothing but free time to escort you with," he said, once she was dressed, he offered his hand.
Last updated on the November 11th 2020