Labour Pains (Part 2)

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 28th July 2008

Characters: Fog, Eliste
Description: Eliste gives birth while Fog watches and the baby gets a name.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 11, day 14 of Turn 4

"Here." The assistant stepped forward and thrust a small bucket into
his hands. "Use this to pour the water over her. That will help her
feel better too."

The midwife turned away, coughing, though the sound seemed to be
hinding something like a laugh. From the tub, Eliste made an
announcement, her words louder than necessary for she was in the
middle of a contraction "I feel pressure!"

Fog almost dropped the bucket at her exclamation. But managed to catch
it before it fell to the floor. He filled it and poured it slowly
over Eliste's back, watching the water slide over her shoulders he
averted his eyes to what was before him. "Do you still want me to do
this?" he asked her quietly.

Eliste's answer was the reach up and pull him down, covering his mouth
with a kiss. It didn't last long as another contraction on the very
heels of the one that had just passed sliced through her and she cried
out against him. She released him to turn over and get back on her
hands and knees, evidently that position more comfortable for - at
least, as much as one could be in the middle of labour.

"When you need to push, push." The midwife crouched down beside
Eliste, his voice gentle and soothing. "Listen to your body, it knows
what to do."

"Okay..." Eliste's voice sounded strained, as if she were trying not
to cry. Then her face screwed up as she began to push in time with
the contraction.

Her action had caught him by surprise, but her immediate return to the
labour increased his awareness of just what was required. His hands
released the bucket, and he reached out and slowly began massaging her
back as the healer had shown him earlier. Back and forth his hands
moved across her taught skin, he could feel the contractions hit her
body, every muscle tensing as she breathed and pushed hard against the
contraction. He looked down for an instant, then wished he hadn't as
he saw the bulge beginning to appear as the baby moved further towards
its birth.

Eliste cried out as she felt the burning sensation and she knew that
she was close, so very close to being done. She pushed again and the
midwife reached down into the water. "There's the head. One more
push and it should be out."

The woman grunted, then moaned as she pushed again and that time the
face emerged. Beneath the water, eyes peered up at midwife and at
Fog, eyes very much like his or her mother's.

"Oh Eliste!" tears sprung to Fog's eyes, "The baby - OUR baby - its
almost here!" he couldn't contain his happiness or amazement at the
whole experience, "Oh Eli! You're doing so well.. One more push
sweetling and the baby'll be here. I love you, sweetheart." his words
babbled out in his excitement; his hands smoothed soothingly over her
back.

Eliste made no recognisable answer. Instead she cried out again and
pushed. The head pushed out further and the midwife reached down once
more to help with the shoulders. Another push and the shoulders were
out. "Last one Eliste!" The midwife encouraged, looking to his
patient. "Last one!"

Fog's face was awash with tears as the little one emerged from the
security of its mothers womb. "Oh Eli, you're doing so well. One
more?" he was no longer aware or embarrassed by her nakedness, instead
too enthralled by the whole birth process.

With another long moan Eliste gave another push, another cry and the
baby shot out. For the last time, the midwife reached into the water
and pulled out the baby. "A boy!" He announced. The woman who had
disappeared reappeared once more and handed a bulb to the midwife. He
sucked out the baby's nose and mouth and the child let out a cry.
Eliste turned over and the midwife lay the child upon her belly.

"Once the cord stops pulsing, we'll have it cut." He looked to Fog.
"Would you like to do the honours?"

"Oh shards no!" he shook his head, not taking his eyes from the small
bundle Eliste had cradled in her arms. "He's beautiful." Fog said,
his voice sounding as awed as he felt. He reached out and touched the
babe's head, then leaned in and kissed Eliste softly on the forehead.
"He's really ours, isn't he?" he asked, quietly.

Eliste smiled, then closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of the warm
water lapping at her and the child, the touch of the baby against her
skin. Her baby. Fog's baby. Not Helvar's, but Fog's. He would
never be Helvar's.

After a few moments, the midwife cut the cord and helped Eliste to
birth the placenta. The assistant brought in towels and wiped the
baby off, then held him out to Fog. "If you'll take the child while I
help her out..." The midwife explained, extending a hand to the
rather tired mother.

"Me? Yes!" Fog's smile split his face as he took his new son into his
arms for the first time. "He has your eyes..." he said to Eliste as
he followed her and the healer back into the sleeping room. "He's a
fine boy, isn't he?" he asked of no one in particular.

"He is indeed." The midwife agreed. He took up some of the towels and
under Eliste's instructions, found her clothing while she dried off.
Then he helped her get dressed and into bed. In his arms, the child
stared up at Fog, his mouth opening and closing almost like a fish.

"Oh Eli, the girls are going to love him. I can't wait for them to
arrive back here to see you both." he beamed up at her, his whole face
wreathed in smiles.

"May I have him?" Eliste asked softly, her arms stretched to receive
him. He needed to nurse, she recognised the signs. Inwardly, she
rejoiced while outwardly...she was oh so very tired. Her hands shook
as she held them out to Fog, but the smile upon her lips belied the
joy that was in her heart. Their baby. Their son.

"Oh yes, sorry." he was apologetic as he gently laid the babe in her
arms. He didn't even flinch or turn away as she began to feed the
infant, so rapt was he in the vision of the two of them together.

Eliste gazed down at the child as he suckled, her finger gently
stroking his tiny cheek. His eyes were wide open and he stared up at
her as he fed. After a moment, Eliste spoke softly, "Follen."

"Yes?" Fog replied, a little puzzled at her reference to his real name.
He dragged his eyes from the babe to her face.

Eliste looked away from her child to smile at Fog. "I want to name him
Follen."

"Fol-," the word caught in his throat, "You do?" his eyes misted, and
he smiled lovingly down on her and the babe. "He truly is my son,
isn't he?" he asked quietly, almost an awed whisper.

"Yes. Your son." Not Helvar's. Never Helvar's. He'd never set sight
on the child if she could help it. Eliste reached out, her fingers
curling around Fog's. "Our son."

Last updated on the July 28th 2008

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Labour Pains (Part 2)