Hearing The Heartbeat

Writers: AL, Suzee
Date Posted: 22nd May 2011

Characters: Zathris, Benani
Description: Zathris and Benani visit the healer and get a surprise.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 2, day 2 of Turn 6

Zathris

Benani

Zathris didn't often take time out of the day for matters. Lunch was
often eaten in his office and he worked through it, though on occasion
he might go to the Tavern or slip out to join his wife during that
time. But usually, he was in his office from morning til the evening
- or out and about taking care of issues.

However, his wife was pregnant. And that, he felt, required a bit of
flexibility he might not have otherwise allowed himself. He was
determined to be a part of the pregnancy. After all, he had the easy
job while she the hard one. So when it came time to go to the
healer's for checkups, he was going to make sure he was available.

He had joined Benani at the women's solar and from there he walked
with her to the healer's, holding her hand in his. He glanced down at
the beauty that was his wife and smiled. "Feeling okay today?"

She was excited by the prospect and was beginning to feel like she
should talk to everyone she knew about pregnancy just to get an idea
of what to expect. Zathris, who was normally so busy with Hold
business had taken time out to escort her. Benani was happier than
she'd been in a long time. "Yes," she answered with a smile. "Most of
the morning sickness seems to be over."

"That is a good thing." It rather ruined the mornings when she had to
rush to the privy and take care of busy. Made snuggling rather
awkward, that was for certain. "I hate seeing you miserable." And
there was that too.

She chuckled, having seen the little evidences of his own reactions to
her bouts. But in reality he'd been nothing but supportive. "I'm just
very glad that's over" she said. "One of the healers told me that it
could last the entire pregnancy and I wasn't happy with that prospect
at all."

"I'm glad that's not the case. It's rare to have it for the entire
pregnancy, though not unheard of." To be honest, Zathris glanced over
at his wife, his hold on her hand tightening. He was going to make
sure that he was with her whenever she went to the healers.

She smiled and squeezed his hand as they neared the healers. She knew
he was taking time out of his busy day and appreciated it more than
she could say. Entering the healers door she found they were all ready
and waiting for her with a private examination area.

The healer indicated that Benani should get onto the table. "No need
to get undressed this time." He stated with a chuckle. "Though I'll
need to pull your dress up to listen against the belly." From a small
chest he withdrew a coverlet to offer her some semblance of privacy
when he did so.

Zathris helped Benani onto the table, then stepped back. "You think
you can hear anything?" He asked curious.

"Oh, well, if she's as far along as we think, I might." He grinned
and waited for Benani to pull up her skirt so he could cover her a
little.

This part made her a little nervous. She knew it was normal and
natural but... She bit her lips and raised her skirt to her knees and
lay down. She reached for her husbands hand.

Zathris chuckled and reached out to slide her hand in his, curling his
finger bout hers. He didn't say a word, simply sat there and let the
healer do his work. He had to admit, though, privacy was sort of
thrown out the window when it came to getting pregnant and having
checkups.

The healer took out a cone that was attached to some tubing and a
smaller cone at the other end. The larger of the two he gently placed
upon the Lady's stomach, the other against his ear. He let it sit a
moment, then moved it around, his face unreadable.

She almost froze in place while the cold thing moved back and forth
across her stomach. She turned and smiled at Zathris then back to
watch the healer. His eyebrows lifted and he stopped the sweep and
started tilting it back and forth in place.

"Interesting." The healer muttered, but quickly gave them both a
smile before they thought anything was wrong. Soon he was sweeping it
again, but this time back and forth between two particular spots.
"Well now, isn't that something?"

"What?" Zathris asked, brow furrowing.

Benani's eyebrows rose, her "What?" coming almost at the same time as Zathris'.

"Well My Lady." he smiled "Your babies seem to be quite healthy."

Zathris was very glad to hear that, yet he sensed there was more. "But..." He waved his free hand, silent encouragement for the healer to finish and then it dawned on him what the man had actually _said_. Plural.

"Well, I hear two heartbeats." The healer finally stated with a soft chuckle.

"Babies?" she said "Oh," her hands rose to her face. "They run in my
family but... twins?"

"I believe so." The healer put the device back to the Lady holder's
belly, shifting in between those two spots again. "Yes, I do believe
so. There are two heartbeats there." He chuckled. "Two wherries
with one stone."

She was still a little stunned and kicking herself for not thinking of
the possibility. Her brothers had them after all. Her eyes wide open
with wonder her grin slowly spread. "Well then, does that change my
due date?" she asked the first question that popped into her head.

"Possibly. Twins often come early, but not always." The healer
palpitated her abdomen, his hands firm, but gentle. "It explains why
you're rather large for how far along we thought you were." He hummed
softly to himself. "I'll have to do a more thorough examination now
that I know we've got two in there!"

Zathris didn't say a word for a moment. Twins? Really? "Two?" Yes, he was a
little slow. "Are you sure?"

The healer chuckled. "Aye. Quite sure now - there are two distinct
and very healthy heartbeats in there."

"A more thorough exam? Do you need to do that now or should I come
back?" Benani was feeling a bit overwhelmed with the prospect of not
one but two babies.

"Whatever you are comfortable with my lady. If we do it now, it will
save you a trip back here." The healer arched an eyebrow.

"Let's just do it now. Doesn't make any sense to not since you're
already here." Zathris encouraged, his smile growing wider as the
reality sit in. A father...twice over!

She forced a smile and nod for the others but trembled a bit inside.
She felt better with Zathris right here watching but it was still very
difficult to accepted another person touching her there. She knew she
would have to relax though there was going to be a lot of this
involved in having a baby, no two babies.

Last updated on the May 23rd 2011

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Hearing The Heartbeat