Today's The Day

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 22nd July 2008

Characters: Fog, Eliste
Description: Fog meets Eliste in the morning and she tells him she has gone into labour.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 11, day 14 of Turn 4
Notes: Nettleweed Dock

The contractions had started in the wee hours of the morning. They
were enough to wake Eliste, but not enough to keep her awake. She
knew, though, that these were not the practise contractions that had
plagued her so often as of late. They were different, felt different.
She waited a while and eventually drifted back to sleep. It was just
after dawn when the contractions woke her once more and this time she
couldn't sleep through them. They were still not severe enough for
her to feel the need to call the healer, but they were harsh enough to
keep her from sleeping. So, instead, Eliste rose, dressed, and made
her way out to the garden. She didn't want to wake up Fog just yet, it
was so early. She'd wait a while. Then, after he came, she'd send for
the healer.

He had every intention that morning of hunting down Marilea and her new
husband and paying her out for the condition he had found Eliste in.
She wouldn't tell him anything of what had been said between the two
women, but her agitation had been enough of a concern for him to want
to find out exactly what had happened when his ex-wife had come to
call. He stretched in his bed, it was strange to wake up to a still
bunk, not a softly rolling one. He stood and dressed quickly, he
really wanted to call in and see how Eliste was doing before he headed
out this morning. A quick wash and he would be on his way.

He found her in the garden, not surprising since it was one of her
favourite places to be - either that, or down by the river. She was
sitting upon the bench, eyes closed, head tilted upward as if she were
soaking in the rays of the morning sun. She seemed to feel his
presence, for though he didn't make a sound, her eyes opened when he
drew to the edge and she smiled to him. "Good morning."

"How are you feeling this morning?" he asked, still concerned that she
would be agitated. "You look a little strained..." he knelt beside
her, his hands resting on her shoulders before he dropped a soft kiss
on her lips.

"I'm well." Eliste's expression relaxed and her smile brightened.
"Today's the day, I think."

"Today's, the day?" he asked, his face creasing in puzzlement, before a
light dawned, "You mean....?" his eyes travelled down to her stomach,
and he rested a hand lightly on the top of her belly. He could feel a
hardening below his hand, and realised she was receiving a mild
contraction. "Do you want me to get you a healer now?" he asked,
rising to his feet as if in a dream.

"It's early." Eliste admitted with a soft laugh. "The midwife would
be hanging around with nothing to do. He'd probably go to sleep out
of boredom."

"Well... you let me know as soon as... well when you think you'll..."
he flustered. "I was hopeless when Tahna and Linli were born, as you
can probably tell." he laughed self consciously.

"It's okay." Eliste reached up to take his hand. "Do you want to be
there?"

"Where?" he looked around the garden slightly confused.

The young woman laughed softly, but it was one of amusement, not
cruelty. "At the birth. Do you want to be there? You don't have to
be."

"You _want_ me there?" he asked, incredulously. "With you...?"

"Only if you want to be." Elisted flushed and looked down. The
midwife had asked her earlier if there was anyone she'd like to have
with her, to support her during the labour. Nettleweed's midwife
seemed to have a much more positive look on things than the one she'd
had with Varel. When she had been asked the question, Fog had been the
only one to come to mind.

"I.... I don't know how much use I'll be - but," he hesitated again, a
wide smile appearing on his face, "but I'd love to." he hugged her
gently. "I... I'll do my best to be a good companion and helper for
you." he whispered.

"I love you." The words came just before another contraction, this one
a little stronger than the previous. Eliste didn't say a word or make
a sound, but closed her eyes and leaned into Fog. It didn't last long
at all.

"I still don't have any names." She stated softly after the
contraction had passed.

"Well don't look at me for names, I didn't name either of the girls.
Mari-" he hesitated, loathe to bring up the other woman's name, but
realising it would only make things worse if he stopped now, "Marilea
didn't ever like my suggestions." he finished lamely. He stood up,
and pulled her to him, "I think we should get you back to your room."

"Perhaps. They're getting closer." And more intense. Eliste allowed
him to guide her and she reached up to stroke his cheek. "Today we'll
have a baby."

"We will, won't we." he leaned down and brushed a kiss across her
forehead. "Do you have a preference for a girl or a boy?" he asked, it
was funny, he hadn't thought to ask before now. Maybe with the way
things were with Helvar, she would hope to have a girl so she wouldn't
be reminded of the child's heritage. He didn't mind which. He loved
both of his girls, but a boy would be nice as well - even one that
wasn't his natural son.

"I want a healthy baby." There was no hesitation in the answer
whatsoever. Eliste didn't care what gender and she could never hold
the child's parentage against him. The baby was hers and that was all
that mattered. Hers...and Fog's, even if not by blood.

"A healthy baby would be a good thing." he nodded, "So the sooner we
get you back ot your quarters the better."

"All right." Eliste agreed, though she knew it would be some time
before the baby was actually born. Labour wasn't always a fast
process - and it certainly wasn't an easy one.

Last updated on the July 24th 2008

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Today's The Day