The hazy red sun called upon southern New Hampshire early on this day, consistent with its duty for this point in the season. It was the height of summer, and New England was in the throes of a classic summer heat wave.
The heat arrived on the heels of the departure of a rainstorm that overstayed its welcome, the heat doing its part to chase the summer storms up into the Canadian Maritimes. As a result, the heat laid claim to the entire eastern seaboard as its temporary serfdom, blanketing the region in sweltering conditions.
It was Wednesday, 11 July, and llhaesa counted off her forty-first week of pregnancy three days before with just a hint of exasperation. Her pregnancy to this point proved nondescript; bouts of morning sickness early on that fortunately faded away after a relatively short amount of time, followed by an expanding body that she tolerated well. Through much of the pregnancy, llhaesa and M’traliel toured North America and in fact, the world, playing eighty-one shows to better than tremendous acclaim.
Llhaesa slept in on this humid and oppressive morning; at least the air conditioning in the home kept things comfortably cool throughout. After rising, her first task post bathroom visit had become ritualistic, at least since she returned from touring: she usually headed for the pool and spent a half hour swimming.
On the days Jahrae was present, as was the case today, she would join llhaesa in the pool for her morning swim. Both were water bugs, Jahrae raised by parents with a love of the ocean and sailing, while llhaesa was a relative latecomer, introduced to the complex pleasures of sea interaction by Jahrae.
Rising around eight am, three hours later than her usual fare for this time of year, llhaesa’s mood was cheerful: the contractions she thought were of a dream were real, and it was about time.
Not bothering to share this welcome development with Jahrae and Ronnie quite yet, she prepared for immersion in the pool by pulling on shorts and a tee shirt.
Even at 8:15 in the morning, the air felt stifling, and llhaesa wasted no time in diving into the deep end of their fifteen metre by seven-metre pool. The water felt almost a decadent pleasure, one sufficiently enticing to lure her into an all day stay – if other matters harboured no plans to encroach upon her craved indulgence.
Jahrae joined llhaesa fifteen minutes later; the contrast between the two physically was now quite startling, though Llhaesa had gained only 14.5 kilograms from start of pregnancy until now. The contrast was not one of weight; it was one of shape enhanced by contoured clothing that llhaesa eschewed.
Jahrae wore an orange one-piece bathing suit on this day, and llhaesa decided Jahrae’s understated and conservative choice warranted a hug on some unwritten-but-yet-appreciated-within-her-mind-in-the-moment principle.
An hour later, out of the pool and casually conversing over breakfast, llhaesa shared how contractions started earlier in the day.
Jahrae went pale on the news, feeling an imminence that was absent in llhaesa. “What? You wait until after you swim and we are eating breakfast to share this with me?”
“Yes, after all, there is no rush, we are not going anywhere.”
“I know that, but still…”
“Jahrae, I remain quite intact and the contractions are not to a point where further action is necessary.”
“I need to let Ronnie and Elsrensia know!”
“Very well, but may we finish breakfast first?”
Jahrae shrugged, preferring to act immediately to the choice of sitting and attempting casual conversation now. “You are unbelievable, ‘essa!”
“Why? Have I said something that is not to be believed? Do you doubt the contractions?”
“Hardly, given you are now overdue.”
“I felt overdue when my innie went outie. Now, well…all in due time.”
“All in due time?” That was a bad pun, ‘essa!”
“It was no pun, it is how I feel.” Llhaesa winced a bit saying this, though she maintained a brave front for Jahrae, but it failed to go unnoticed.
“I think it is time to call.” Jahrae pronounced, rising to fetch her mobile. She had taken only three steps before llhaesa asked her to refrain for the moment.
“Please let me finish breakfast before calling in the troops.”
“Very well, then.” Jahrae returned to her seat, obviously preferring to act, and it showed via nervousness, as she picked up and then dropped her fork on the edge of the plate of French Toast in front of her, resulting in a clinking sound of metal striking china.
Llhaesa bemusedly looked at her partner, and decided to try and ratchet down the tense atmosphere. “Jahrae, nothing is imminent such that you need worry so. Relax and enjoy your breakfast. Nature will summon us as things progress.
You are such a sweetie, but please know I know you stand with and will be there for me throughout this process, as you have been right along.”
Jahrae looked at llhaesa and smiled, knowing she was not as tense as llhaesa thought. “I really am ok, llhaesa, other than making certain I do my part properly.”
“You are. And by the way, the French Toast is delicious, but I am especially fond of the asparagus and artichoke hearts with Hollandaise sauce.”
“Thank you, ‘essa. Given your love of sauces, you married the right woman, though Hollandaise is a rather basic sauce to prepare.”
“No matter, it strikes directly at a craving, and you have earned your goddess title this morning!
By the way, when you finally do delve into the various phone calls you wish to make, please make certain to call Susan Woodward. I really wish to do a Reiki session prior to full on labour.”
“I will make certain to call her over – and I will call the White House to let everyone there know as well.”
“Make certain that no one shoos the girls – or Casey for that matter – out of the room. I wish each to be witness to a live birth. When Serada was born, Ronnie and I intended for Addison to be present, but as things got hectic, Dottie came in and took Addison out of the room.
That annoyed Ronnie and me, but we never said anything; there wasn’t much we could do about it after the fact.”
“I will guard their right to be there, and will make certain no one attempts to remove any of the three.”
Llhaesa finished every morsel of food on her plate, and while she was tempted to tease Jahrae for more, given what likely lay ahead of her, she demurred. Rising from the breakfast barstool, she strode off for the shower, and re-emerged downstairs a half hour later, casually informing Jahrae that her amniotic sac broke as she stepped in the shower. “I believe it is time to make those calls, Jahrae.”
Jahrae moved into action, finally able to assist and do something useful. Within moments, she had Elsrensia on her mobile, followed in close succession by several others.
The remainder of the day proved a blur in llhaesa’s memory. Things happened at what seemed to be three times normal speed. Ronnie, Elsrensia, and the girls arrived almost immediately, having to walk but 200 feet to reach the other home.
In succession, Saehressa and Casey, Anita, Susan Woodward, and M’traliel and Khahishra appeared, all gathering to welcome and celebrate a new child into the world.
Dottie, Vicki, David and their children were driving down from Lake Sorensen, while Chsensera and Jesnsera were halfway around the world, but informed Jahrae they were leaving immediately for Henna in Mmurha, the sister craft to Chekresu, and named after the first permanent settlement on the Kosserha continent on Arrhazon.
Llhaesa decided to make use of their bedroom as the birthing room, given it was spacious, allowed for placement of a pad and birthing ball on the floor, on which she intended to give birth in a semi- crawl position. Llhaesa wished for her immediate family to be with her, especially the children, for whom this would be a priceless experience.
Elsrensia conducted a private examination, and decided they were hours from delivery.
With this reprieve, she, Jahrae, and Ronnie reviewed the class teachings, with Jahrae to act as coach, Ronnie in an assistant’s role.
Llhaesa wished to swim again, but Elsrensia nixed this idea, what with the amniotic sac ruptured. “Sorry, ‘essa, but too high a risk of bacterial infection.”
Instead, llhaesa organised those present into a choir, doing parodies of various songs suggested by those present. The lyrics were surreal, yet llhaesa’s voice gave each of these songs instant credibility. The improvised lyrics were bizarre, laden with double entendres and puns, with llhaesa creating lyrics as she sang.
Slowly, the remaining guests trickled in and laughed at the antics of the singing group, until shorter interval contractions called llhaesa’s attention back to the reality of the day.
This prompted another examination by Elsrensia as llhaesa lay upon her bed; Elsrensia pronounced llhaesa fully dilated, and llhaesa advised her body was naturally trying to push the child out.
“There is no need to exert extra effort, ‘essa. Let your body do the work. From the sounds of it, we can get you on your hands and knees now.”
Llhaesa lowered herself to the floor, while Ronnie brought and held the birthing ball, of which llhaesa grab hold as if her most precious possession.
Llhaesa was wearing nothing but an oversized white tee shirt. Even with the air conditioning, she was sweating. Saehressa entered the bedroom at that point, accompanied by Jahrae, and she quickly and gently hugged llhaesa, adding a kiss on her forehead for additional support.
Ronnie soon joined them, followed by Addison, Serada, and Casey, who suddenly looked quite queasy and uncomfortable upon seeing llhaesa in her birthing state of undress. Ronnie spotted his unease, and nonchalantly made her way to the boy, whispering words designed to build his confidence and easy his discomfort.
The next contraction enhanced llhaesa’s sweating, and Ronnie softly swabbed the sweat away and applied a cool, moistened towel to llhaesa’s neck. Jahrae focused on her own breathing so that she could be a breathing partner for llhaesa, setting a rhythmic and calming pace as she verbally encouraged.
In a momentary break, llhaesa muttered, “Was this your idea, Jahrae?” llhaesa teased.
“I do believe you volunteered for the honour, my love.”
Instead of replying, llhaesa stifled a wince as the next contraction claimed her attention.
“Pant, ‘essa…good… good… good… you are doing great! Now blow out…” Jahrae was getting into her coach routine. “Now rock, gently…”
The next contraction came quickly, and Jahrae again ably encouraged and guided llhaesa, who screamed out once, twice, and less forcefully a third time, responding to Jahrae. Ronnie continued with cool towels, daubing her forehead and face.
“Relax, ‘essa, relax. Con-cen-trate… re-lax… good, good…”
Watching, the three children were engrossed, but also wincing as llhaesa screamed. None of the three said a word, much to Saehressa’s amusement. She stood careful watch over her charges, her attention shifting from llhaesa and back, ascertaining the three were not in danger of fainting.
“I see the crown of the baby’s head,” Elsrensia casually called out, her words carrying different purpose to each in the room. At this point, llhaesa cried out, Jahrae coached, Elsrensia informed, while Ronnie assisted, the four working as if a professional team. With the next contraction, the shoulders appeared
“Serry, Casey, look! I can see her!” Addison called out, now fully engaged and excited.
“I see her too!” Serry agreed, as Addison’s attention diverted as she watched Casey slump to the floor. Saehressa squatted down to check on him, but he landed rather gently, and she was not worried. Her attention shifted back to llhaesa.
With one final push, llhaesa’s body expelled the child. There was still the placenta to go, but the room erupted in cheers and excitement. Elsrensia called Jahrae over to cut the umbilical cord, while Ronnie took over and saw to cleaning up Ahrella, while Jahrae returned to comfort llhaesa.
“Goddess of Arrhazon, what a workout, J’har!” llhaesa exclaimed, her voice reflecting the exhausted exhilaration that permeated the whole of her being.
An hour later, llhaesa lay upon their bed, holding Ahrella T’srha in her arms, enticing the infant to breast feed. Officially weighed in at 4.8 kilograms and measured at 54 centimetres, she proved an adorable baby.
Jahrae, Ronnie, and Elsrensia were in the room, effectively a team of four parents to this child, but they sat in chairs off to the side. Serry and Addie were on each side llhaesa, ogling and admiring their new sibling, while they affectionately and gently rested their head on llhaesa, keeping the actual weight on the pillows behind them.
None of the adults in the room ever envisioned they would form a family one day. There were so many improbabilities and almost-impossibilities: individuals across fifty-one light years of distance forming a family; an egg fertilised without the need for sperm; and a husband and father of two who turned out to be no husband at all and was now the mother of their youngest child. Add to this a partner who never ever truly gave up on the possibility her love was still alive.
This was their family, and none there would have it any other way.
