Time to Meet Our Little One

Writers: Devin, Suzee
Date Posted: 7th April 2019

Characters: Pierka, Z'ku
Description: The birth of Pierka and Z'ku's new baby.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 14 of Turn 9
Notes: Follows "An Unexpected Turn of Events"

Pierka

Z'ku

~*~

Once Pierka was settled on one of the cots, Z'ku took her hand. "Here
we are again," he said as the healer checked her over.

Silain smiled at the pair. "Looks like your water broke," he said.
"How far apart are the contractions."

Pierka smiled back at Z'ku and squeezed his fingers. "A couple of
minutes," she said.

Z'ku brushed a strand of hair from her face. "You're doing wonderfully."
He was still nervous but he thought of how they'd soon have another
child. He didn't love Kazom any less for not being his blood, but
planning this baby with Pierka made it special in a different way.
Expanding their family because they wanted to.

She smiled up and him and tried not to crush his fingers. "Of all the
times," she just shook her head."

"We're a little bit early this time," Silain smiled. "That's not
uncommon, and this one should go faster than the first." He cupped her
abdomen to feel the position of the baby. "Yes, it's in position. You
should do just fine," he smiled and left the room.

"Is it just me or would you really like to punch him right about now,"
she groaned and began to squeeze again as another contraction ripped
through her.

Z'ku winced as she compressed his fingers. He could hardly imagine the
pain she was going through to bring their child into the world.

}:This is a lot of effort for one egg,:{ Xemroth said.

Pierka had done this before so it was no great mystery going in yet
she hadn't quite been prepared for the intensity. Maybe she'd
forgotten more than she remembered but soon she was with the rhythm
and working with the contractions instead of against them. She turned
on her side after one of them and asked Z'ku, "Can you rub my lower
back?"

"Of course." Z'ku pressed a hand against her and began circling with
gentle pressure. "Here?" He wished there was a way to take on some of
her pain so she didn't have to bare it all, but all he could do was
make things a little easier for her.

That helped her so much that she was almost comfortable again and able
to deal with the next contraction and the next one after that. They
seemed to come faster and closer together. And for the next couple of
hours the healer kept coming in to check on them and finally began
getting everything ready for the delivery.

"Alright," Silain smiled at the pair. "I think you're almost there."

Z'ku had almost forgotten how long this process could be. He was
tired, and he knew it must be much worse for Pierka so he didn't dare
complain. And the hardest part was still ahead of them. Z'ku dabbed
sweat from his weyrmate's brow. "Almost time to meet our little one."

She'd repositioned as the healer directed and between the contractions
closed her eyes but smiled and squeezed his fingers lightly.

Silain was ready at the foot of the bed and reached up under the
drape. "Yes," he said. "The baby's crowning. On the next contraction,
I want you to push."

She took a few deep breaths and then she curled to push as hard as she could.

The baby slid free in one contraction and Silain caught the baby in
one fluid motion. "I said push not throw," he chuckled "It's a boy,"
he added a moment later. Then he handed the baby to an apprentice who
bundled him onto his side on his mother's stomach.

"Oh." Z'ku's heart clenched with wonder. "He's beautiful." He leaned
down for a closer look at his son and kissed Pierka's cheek. Their new
baby looked so precious and fragile and miraculous.

Xemroth crooned his happiness as he watched the scene through his rider's eyes.

Pierka's eyes glistened as she stroked the moistured darkened hair. She
put a finger into the tiny palm and watched as the tiny finger wrapped
around it. She smiled up at Z'ku. "Oh yes he is," she whispered.

Liddith added her croon to that of Xemroth's adding how proud she was
of her lifemate.

Z'ku gently touched his newborn son's head, amazed at how much love he
could feel.

"What do you think of Kupier for his name," she asked tentatively. "He
just looks like a Kupier to me."

"Kupier." Z'ku tried the name out. They'd discussed name possibilities
but hadn't made a decision yet. "I like it."

"I'll have him back in a moment," the assistant said as she took their
son to be washed and swaddled. and sure enough, Pierka had a moment to
caress the side of Z'ku's face before her son was placed into her arms
again and he gave a tiny baby grunt/sigh and began searching with his
mouth.

She moved the covers and put him to her breast then her eyes widened
as he latched on. "Oh my."

"Eager, huh?"

She couldn't help the twinkle, "I think he got that from you."

"The appetite? Or how much I enjoy your breasts?" He laughed.

"Both," she grinned. All the work and pain forgotten in the joy of the
new bundle in her arms.

Last updated on the April 12th 2019

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Time to Meet Our Little One