Every time a child is born
Indigestion had been plaguing her for hours. Every time Cassie thought it had begun to abate, it came back with a vengeance, and as she paced in the kitchen her back was beginning to hurt too. “Stephen, would you bring me a pain potion and some digestives?” she asked as she sank onto a chair at the breakfast table. Cassie liked to think she’d weathered the pregnancy aches and discomfort fairly well, but tonight there was a distinct whine to her voice. Everything hurt.
Stephen’s brow furrowed in concern as he set the biscuits he’d pilfered back down on the counter. “Maybe you should lie down for a while, Cass,” he said, opening the medicine cabinet to pull out the requested bottle of pain potion. Measuring out the Healer’s prescribed dosage, he came around the expansive kitchen island and sat down next to his wife at the table. He passed the pain killers to her and continued, “Do you want me to call Healer Larson?”
“No, I’ll be alright. I just wish my body would decide to be ill or not ill. This back and forth is intolerable.” She took the potion and swallowed it greatfully. Stretching backward, Cassie pressed her fists into the small of her back. “I just ache and burn and ugh. Then it stops and I think it’s done but a few minutes later I’m right back where I started.”
“Maybe we should make you an appointment with that massage therapist Lisa recommended.” He didn’t remember all the details, but he thought the blonde had said something about the woman’s ‘miracle work’ during her last month when she’d been expecting Noah.
The tension in her torso eased and Cassie sighed loudly, her hands slowly uncurling from their clench. “Maybe. I don’t know what is going on with me today. It seems to have passed for the moment though. I’ll take the respite while it lasts. This has been going on for hours and I think it’s getting worse.” Leaning into Stephen’s side, the blonde allowed herself to give in to a full pout. She hated feeling sick.
Stephen didn’t like his wife being in pain, especially this late in her pregnancy. He would never admit it, but he’d read those mamby-pamby pregnancy books -- kept them in a locked drawer at his desk. His mind raced with all the possibilities of what could go wrong.
“I really think you should take a lie-down, maybe try for a kip,” he suggested, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Could make you feel better.”
Nodding against his shoulder, Cassie let her husband help her up from her chair. They’d only gone a few steps when the pain returned, making her double over. Were it not for Stephen’s strong hands, she might have fallen to the floor when the tension triggered a strange popping sensation and fluid rushed down her legs.
“Cassie? What’s wrong?” Her sudden stop and sharp cry of pain made his heart skip a few beats. “What is it, love?”
“I... I think...” Her eyes closed as a wave of pain washed over her, the tightness in her lower back spreading all the way to her belly this time and her teeth dug into her lip as a whimper rose from her throat. “My water broke.”
At first, Stephen’s mind didn’t register her words. And then it hit him like a bludger. “What? It’s too early -- you’re not due for two more weeks.” The baby wasn’t coming. It wasn’t time!
Raising pain-filled eyes to her husband, Cassie retorted, “Tell that to the mess on the floor. I’m pretty sure the baby’s decided now is a good time.” The child was going to be difficult. That was obvious already. Didn’t she have a calendar in there?
“Okay, okay, okay, this is okay.” This was not okay -- the bloody baby was on the bloody way. “Your bag, where did you leave your hospital bag?”
“I didn’t pack a bag. I’m not supposed to be having a baby yet!” She’d read all the books. Mira had helped her make lists to prepare. She just hadn’t actually done the packing of the bag yet. And now she couldn’t remember if she was supposed to go to the hospital right away or wait until the contractions were closer together or if the water breaking made a difference in those guidelines. “I’m totally unprepared for this, Stephen.”
No bag? The books said have the bag ready a month in advance. Why was there no bag ready?
“That’s alright, we’ll have Mira come back and pack you a bag,” he said in a soothing tone, trying to calm the panic that was quickly rising to the forefront. “Is there anything you have to have right now before we go?”
Cassie leaned into his side, her eyes wide and a little fearful as she peered up at him. “I just need you.” A new wave of pain had her breathing heavily. “And massive amounts of pain potion.”
Stephen nodded and drew her closer, his free hand pulling out his wand. “Alright love, hold on.” Oh fuck, they were having a baby. What the hell had they gotten themselves into?
With a ‘crack!,’ they Disapperated for the hospital.
*~*~*~*~*
It had to be getting close to dawn, but there was still very little in the way of light visible out the window of Cassie’s private room. The nurse had taken her baby to wash up, something that had both relief and anxiety running through the new mother. Relief that she was not quite responsible for the tiny life she’d so recently brought into the world and anxiety because some strange emotion had come over her that made the thought of being separated from their daughter nearly intolerable.
“They should be back soon, right? There’s not that much to wash. She’s tiny,” Cassie asked for the third time. She was tired and emotional and she wanted her baby.
“They’ve only been gone for two minutes, love,” Stephen said, just as tired -- albeit in a different way -- than his wife. Over the past ten hours, his life had changed. He’d heard his wife call him names and threaten him with punishments that would make the most hardened of men cringe, and she’d nearly ground the bones of his fingers to dust with her grip. But in the end, it’d all been worth it. His little girl -- already perfect, with ten fingers, ten toes, and a tuft of blonde hair -- was here.
He was a father.
Cassie nodded, a sudden yawn making it difficult to speak. Her body ached, though it was a duller, deeper feeling than the sharp pains of labor, but the fatigue she felt overwhelmed the pain. They called it labor for a very good reason. She’d never worked so hard in her life.
Scooting to one side of her narrow hospital bed, she patted the mattress beside her. “Lay down with me for a bit? It’s been a long night.” If she couldn’t hold her baby just yet, being held by her husband was the best option available and he’d been up all night too. A rest would do them both good.
Gently as to not jostle her, Stephen perched down on the bed next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “I’m fine for a while,” he said softly, brushing a kiss over her damp brow. “Why don’t you get a few minutes rest before the nurse comes back?”
“Not just yet. I’ll wait for them to bring the baby back. Maddy.” It was the first time she’d referred to their daughter by name since she’d come into the world. It was so strange to think of her as a real person now. Part of her and part of Stephen. They’d made her and she was theirs. They were a family. Cassie sniffled and wiped her eyes. “I’m a mummy,” she said in awe. “We have a daughter now.”
“Ten fingers and ten toes,” he said softly, “last I counted. I’ll have to double check when she gets back, make sure she isn’t missing any. Just in case.” His lips curled at her little huff, and his arm pulled her closer.
“That’s your job. You count her little fingers and toes. I’ll take care of the feedings.” Cassie snuggled into Stephen’s side. As his warmth surrounded her, her eyes grew heavy and despite her earlier declaration it wasn’t long before her breathing became deep and even. It had been a very long night, after all.
Stephen chuckled softly when his wife dozed off into a dead weight against his side. “That was quick,” he breathed.
A soft knock at the door pulled his gaze up, and he waved the nurse in. He could manage a newborn, at least for a few moments while her mother got a few minutes rest. Gingerly, he maneuvered Cassie so that she was still resting comfortably but that his arm was no longer around her shoulders. He needed both hands to cradle his baby girl.
The nurse set the bundle of pink blankets, showing him once more how to support her head. She backed out as quietly as she came, leaving as silently as she’d arrived.
He gazed down at the tiny face, the little swarth of skin shown between fuzzy pink blanket and her matching hat. “Hello, princess,” he said softly, brushing a finger over her little button nose. “I’m Daddy, the authority on all things.”
Two very blue eyes blinked up at him, large in such a small face, and her mouth opened slightly as his finger trailed nearby. When no food was offered, a shaky newborn cry filled the air.
Cassie awoke with a start, concern etched in her features. “The baby!” she exclaimed, struggling to sit up. “What’s the matter with the baby?”
“Shhh, she’s fine,” Stephen said, comforting both the frantic mother and her displeased child. He shifted towards her, angling Madeline so Cassie could see her better. “I didn’t want to wake you, but I think our princess is hungry.”
“Oh.” Gingerly the new mother took her baby. She’d been anxious to have Maddy in her arms and know she was safe and healthy. She’d made the decision to breastfeed some time ago. It was best for her daughter and passed on the antibodies that would help keep her from catching illnesses. Still, the mechanics of it were all new. Shifting her gown, it took a few minutes to get the tiny girl settled and everything where it belonged, but finally the infant quieted, content and comforted. Cassie brushed the downy hair and her mouth curved into a soft smile. Eyes shifting to her husband, she gave a little sniffle. “I think we might be able to do this.”
“I think we might,” he echoed softly. His gaze found hers, and he reached up to cup her cheek. “I think we might, too.”
SUMMARY: Stephen and Cassie welcome Madeline into the world.
Stephen’s brow furrowed in concern as he set the biscuits he’d pilfered back down on the counter. “Maybe you should lie down for a while, Cass,” he said, opening the medicine cabinet to pull out the requested bottle of pain potion. Measuring out the Healer’s prescribed dosage, he came around the expansive kitchen island and sat down next to his wife at the table. He passed the pain killers to her and continued, “Do you want me to call Healer Larson?”
“No, I’ll be alright. I just wish my body would decide to be ill or not ill. This back and forth is intolerable.” She took the potion and swallowed it greatfully. Stretching backward, Cassie pressed her fists into the small of her back. “I just ache and burn and ugh. Then it stops and I think it’s done but a few minutes later I’m right back where I started.”
“Maybe we should make you an appointment with that massage therapist Lisa recommended.” He didn’t remember all the details, but he thought the blonde had said something about the woman’s ‘miracle work’ during her last month when she’d been expecting Noah.
The tension in her torso eased and Cassie sighed loudly, her hands slowly uncurling from their clench. “Maybe. I don’t know what is going on with me today. It seems to have passed for the moment though. I’ll take the respite while it lasts. This has been going on for hours and I think it’s getting worse.” Leaning into Stephen’s side, the blonde allowed herself to give in to a full pout. She hated feeling sick.
Stephen didn’t like his wife being in pain, especially this late in her pregnancy. He would never admit it, but he’d read those mamby-pamby pregnancy books -- kept them in a locked drawer at his desk. His mind raced with all the possibilities of what could go wrong.
“I really think you should take a lie-down, maybe try for a kip,” he suggested, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Could make you feel better.”
Nodding against his shoulder, Cassie let her husband help her up from her chair. They’d only gone a few steps when the pain returned, making her double over. Were it not for Stephen’s strong hands, she might have fallen to the floor when the tension triggered a strange popping sensation and fluid rushed down her legs.
“Cassie? What’s wrong?” Her sudden stop and sharp cry of pain made his heart skip a few beats. “What is it, love?”
“I... I think...” Her eyes closed as a wave of pain washed over her, the tightness in her lower back spreading all the way to her belly this time and her teeth dug into her lip as a whimper rose from her throat. “My water broke.”
At first, Stephen’s mind didn’t register her words. And then it hit him like a bludger. “What? It’s too early -- you’re not due for two more weeks.” The baby wasn’t coming. It wasn’t time!
Raising pain-filled eyes to her husband, Cassie retorted, “Tell that to the mess on the floor. I’m pretty sure the baby’s decided now is a good time.” The child was going to be difficult. That was obvious already. Didn’t she have a calendar in there?
“Okay, okay, okay, this is okay.” This was not okay -- the bloody baby was on the bloody way. “Your bag, where did you leave your hospital bag?”
“I didn’t pack a bag. I’m not supposed to be having a baby yet!” She’d read all the books. Mira had helped her make lists to prepare. She just hadn’t actually done the packing of the bag yet. And now she couldn’t remember if she was supposed to go to the hospital right away or wait until the contractions were closer together or if the water breaking made a difference in those guidelines. “I’m totally unprepared for this, Stephen.”
No bag? The books said have the bag ready a month in advance. Why was there no bag ready?
“That’s alright, we’ll have Mira come back and pack you a bag,” he said in a soothing tone, trying to calm the panic that was quickly rising to the forefront. “Is there anything you have to have right now before we go?”
Cassie leaned into his side, her eyes wide and a little fearful as she peered up at him. “I just need you.” A new wave of pain had her breathing heavily. “And massive amounts of pain potion.”
Stephen nodded and drew her closer, his free hand pulling out his wand. “Alright love, hold on.” Oh fuck, they were having a baby. What the hell had they gotten themselves into?
With a ‘crack!,’ they Disapperated for the hospital.
*~*~*~*~*
It had to be getting close to dawn, but there was still very little in the way of light visible out the window of Cassie’s private room. The nurse had taken her baby to wash up, something that had both relief and anxiety running through the new mother. Relief that she was not quite responsible for the tiny life she’d so recently brought into the world and anxiety because some strange emotion had come over her that made the thought of being separated from their daughter nearly intolerable.
“They should be back soon, right? There’s not that much to wash. She’s tiny,” Cassie asked for the third time. She was tired and emotional and she wanted her baby.
“They’ve only been gone for two minutes, love,” Stephen said, just as tired -- albeit in a different way -- than his wife. Over the past ten hours, his life had changed. He’d heard his wife call him names and threaten him with punishments that would make the most hardened of men cringe, and she’d nearly ground the bones of his fingers to dust with her grip. But in the end, it’d all been worth it. His little girl -- already perfect, with ten fingers, ten toes, and a tuft of blonde hair -- was here.
He was a father.
Cassie nodded, a sudden yawn making it difficult to speak. Her body ached, though it was a duller, deeper feeling than the sharp pains of labor, but the fatigue she felt overwhelmed the pain. They called it labor for a very good reason. She’d never worked so hard in her life.
Scooting to one side of her narrow hospital bed, she patted the mattress beside her. “Lay down with me for a bit? It’s been a long night.” If she couldn’t hold her baby just yet, being held by her husband was the best option available and he’d been up all night too. A rest would do them both good.
Gently as to not jostle her, Stephen perched down on the bed next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “I’m fine for a while,” he said softly, brushing a kiss over her damp brow. “Why don’t you get a few minutes rest before the nurse comes back?”
“Not just yet. I’ll wait for them to bring the baby back. Maddy.” It was the first time she’d referred to their daughter by name since she’d come into the world. It was so strange to think of her as a real person now. Part of her and part of Stephen. They’d made her and she was theirs. They were a family. Cassie sniffled and wiped her eyes. “I’m a mummy,” she said in awe. “We have a daughter now.”
“Ten fingers and ten toes,” he said softly, “last I counted. I’ll have to double check when she gets back, make sure she isn’t missing any. Just in case.” His lips curled at her little huff, and his arm pulled her closer.
“That’s your job. You count her little fingers and toes. I’ll take care of the feedings.” Cassie snuggled into Stephen’s side. As his warmth surrounded her, her eyes grew heavy and despite her earlier declaration it wasn’t long before her breathing became deep and even. It had been a very long night, after all.
Stephen chuckled softly when his wife dozed off into a dead weight against his side. “That was quick,” he breathed.
A soft knock at the door pulled his gaze up, and he waved the nurse in. He could manage a newborn, at least for a few moments while her mother got a few minutes rest. Gingerly, he maneuvered Cassie so that she was still resting comfortably but that his arm was no longer around her shoulders. He needed both hands to cradle his baby girl.
The nurse set the bundle of pink blankets, showing him once more how to support her head. She backed out as quietly as she came, leaving as silently as she’d arrived.
He gazed down at the tiny face, the little swarth of skin shown between fuzzy pink blanket and her matching hat. “Hello, princess,” he said softly, brushing a finger over her little button nose. “I’m Daddy, the authority on all things.”
Two very blue eyes blinked up at him, large in such a small face, and her mouth opened slightly as his finger trailed nearby. When no food was offered, a shaky newborn cry filled the air.
Cassie awoke with a start, concern etched in her features. “The baby!” she exclaimed, struggling to sit up. “What’s the matter with the baby?”
“Shhh, she’s fine,” Stephen said, comforting both the frantic mother and her displeased child. He shifted towards her, angling Madeline so Cassie could see her better. “I didn’t want to wake you, but I think our princess is hungry.”
“Oh.” Gingerly the new mother took her baby. She’d been anxious to have Maddy in her arms and know she was safe and healthy. She’d made the decision to breastfeed some time ago. It was best for her daughter and passed on the antibodies that would help keep her from catching illnesses. Still, the mechanics of it were all new. Shifting her gown, it took a few minutes to get the tiny girl settled and everything where it belonged, but finally the infant quieted, content and comforted. Cassie brushed the downy hair and her mouth curved into a soft smile. Eyes shifting to her husband, she gave a little sniffle. “I think we might be able to do this.”
“I think we might,” he echoed softly. His gaze found hers, and he reached up to cup her cheek. “I think we might, too.”
SUMMARY: Stephen and Cassie welcome Madeline into the world.