A Bit Soon (1/2)

Writers: Devin, Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 6th September 2021

Characters: Timassa, Garion, D'hol, Sockita
Description: Twins!
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 10, day 28 of Turn 10
Notes: 1 of 2

Timassa

Garion

D'hol

Her back was killing her as she took Garion's help to sit up. "That
didn't used to be so hard," she quipped.

"You weren't carrying two other people strapped to you then either,"
Garion smiled and helped as she got her feet under her and went behind
the screen. "I'd like to see you again in a week if you haven't had
them," he added as he made some notes.

"Um," she said and pushed the curtain back. She stared at the floor
that she could see. "I think my water broke." The warm gush ran down
her legs and she looked just a bit scared. "Isn't it a bit soon?"

"No," Garion said in a reassuring voice. "Back on the bed. You're
going to be fine," he said as he reached for her. Then he called out
for assistance.

}: Saryolth's eggs are hatching. :{ Yumath's voice broke through
D'hol's concentration as his wing banked to flame in formation.

D'hol jerked in his straps. She wasn't due yet she had two more weeks;
worry suddenly ate at him, distracting him enough to force him to call
on F'lin to take over. Yumath sent a quick message and banked away
from the wing, landing swiftly by the Infirmary. D'hol didn't wait for
him to dip, sliding down with a jarring landing that made his knees
twinge and ache. He didn't let that stop him as he rushed past
Healers, ignoring them as they dodged aside.

He felt sick to his stomach with anxiety, his heart pounding and face
feeling pale as he slipped into the examination room. Still in his
flight leathers and smelling faintly of char, he moved to stand near
Timassa, looking down at her with a taut expression. "Saryolth told
Yumath. Are you alright?"

Timassa's face lit when she saw D'hol and she reached for his hand

"You have plenty of time to go wash Weyrleader," Garion said in a
severe tone. "I don't want char in here during a birth. She's fine for
now. Go clean up and bring Sockita if you can."

"Please?" Timassa asked, then sucked in a surprised breath as a
contraction began.

"Settle down," Garion said more kindly to Timassa, "Breathe," he said
and began to demonstrate the way they'd practiced.

The scowl that D'hol leveled at the Healer was eased by the grasp of
slender fingers in his own. The request calmed the sharp words that
had been about to erupt from worried, anxious lips. He exhaled and
inclined his head in acquiescence; bending quickly to brush his lips
over Timassa's brow, he murmured a quiet answer. "I'll be right
back."

The moment he reached his weyr, he called out. "She's gone into
labor, Sockita. Give me a moment to wash up and I'll fly us both back
down." He didn't wait for a response, instead choosing to strip off
his flight leathers before making his way to take a quick bath.

Sockita was waiting for him near the ledge entrance when he emerged.
"Remember that our role is to support her. Excitement is good, but try
not to be anxious." She was a little nervous herself, well aware of
the dangers of giving birth, especially with twins, but she needed to
project calm assurance.

It was next to impossible for him _not_ to be anxious as he tugged on
his shirt and ran a hand through his damp hair. But he nodded, trying
to keep his expression even; unfortunately, the stress and worry
showed around the lines of his mouth, even as Yumath deposited them
both back near the infirmary. As he helped Sockita down, he could only
steel himself for the very worst. "I'll try."

She nodded. "Do your best." She headed inside and when she reached
Timassa she went straight to her daughter and gripped her hand. "I'm
here, love." She kissed the top of her head and smiled. This wasn't
going to be easy, but everything would be fine in the end.

Garion nodded to the woman who came into the room with his patient.
Obviously related and welcome he smiled. "You must be her mother," he
said. "I'm Garion. She's doing well and the babies seem fine."

Timassa squeezed her mother's hand gently and took a deep breath.
"Thanks momma," she breathed as she felt another contraction coming.
She didn't even realize she'd not called Sockita 'momma' in turns. "Is
D'hol alright?"

"I'm fine." D'hol replied as he stepped in and took his place at
Timassa's other side. His eyes went to Timassa's face, watching for
any unusual signs of strain or pain.

"I'm glad to hear everything is going well, Healer Garion," Sockita
said, but she was really saying it for Timassa and D'hol's benefit.
"I'm Sockita, and as you guessed correctly, this is my daughter."

She reached for D'hol's hand and closed her eyes, nodding and taking a
deep breath as the next contraction built. She breathed deeply and
regularly like her mother had taught her trying to work with the
contraction rather than fighting against it.

"Well met Sockita," he nodded and then watched Timassa for a few moments.
"Looking good," Garion said as she worked with the contraction.
"They're closer together. I want to examine you as soon as this one is
over. I'll need you to scoot down."

D'hol held her hand, tensing only slightly as he watched her breathe
through the contraction. Garion's reassurance only slightly soothed
the nerves that threatened to put him on edge and made him queasy.
Instead of barking at the man for more information, he brushed a hand
over Timassa's brow, his touch gentle.

"You're doing good, dear," Sockita told her.

When the contraction eased, Timassa scooted awkwardly down the bed as
the healer examined her. She certainly didn't like the feeling and
squeezed her mothers hand while she made a face. In the back of her
mind she could feel Saryolth crooning encouragement to her.

Garion probed for a few moments and withdrew with a serious look. "It
appears the first baby is breech, but you're well dilated. I think
we'll be fine. It's fairly normal for the first twin. We can try and
deliver normally or I can perform surgery." He looked at the
Weyrleader. "I've performed several of them and it may be the safest
course." He stood and moved to the door. "Why don't you talk about it
and I'll prepare my staff."

"Can you not turn the baby without trying surgery?" D'hol objected,
instantly alarmed at the thought of surgery.

Garion stopped at the door and nodded. "I can try but while its very
successful in singles, it's less so in twins. Either way I need some
assistance. I'll be right back."

D'hol turned to Timassa, his shoulders tense as he tried not to
squeeze her hand too roughly. "What do you want to do?"

Her eyes were wide as she looked up at him. She was a dragonrider and
pain didn't faze her. She knew she could handle it. She blinked and
then lifted her chin. "What did you do last time?"

D'hol's face turned a little pale beneath his tan. "Wylra gave birth."

Timassa nodded knowing there were four lives resting on her decision.
She looked up at her mother. "Let's trust the healer," she said. "He's
done it before." She looked back at D'hol. "We have to trust him."

He wasn't able to bring himself to object; Timassa had to be able to
be comfortable with her decision. He looked up at Sockita, hoping for
her input.

"Surgery it is then." Sockita squeezed her daughter's hand. There was
always a risk of something going wrong, or infection, but the healer
had experience and seemed confident.

Garion returned a moment later followed by two journeymen and several
apprentices carrying gear. They spread out and began unloading
equipment and draping the furniture in clean drapes. He knew the ways
of the Hold better than those of the Weyr so he looked to the
Weyrleader first. "Have you reached a decision?"

"She's decided on the surgery." Burying his fear was difficult, but he
managed to control his facial expressions and any outward indicator of
concern. Instead, he simply held Timassa's hand and took slow, deep
breaths.

Sockita held back a glare when the healer asked D'hol instead of
Timassa. This healer had better know his stuff or Sockita would have
his hide for it.

Garion nodded and signaled the apprentices to begin preparing the
green rider. "This part isn't going to be easy for you," he said to
D'hol and Sockita. "If you wish you can step out of the room until
we're done. It should take about a candlemark."

Last updated on the October 1st 2021

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A Bit Soon (1/2)