Fuzzy: Down Time. Yr 4716 (New year)
(Co-written with Domitius' player)
It was not uncommon for twins to arrive early. Nearly half were born near the thirty sixth week, almost a month before the standard forty weeks of a single child. It had been no surprise to Alisa when her labor had begun early; she had been prepared it might well be the case. She was in her thirty seventh week, her contractions still rhythmic, far apart and of short duration. There was time yet, before it began in earnest. She had been advised that with twins she could be in labor twenty hours or more before they were born. The Pharasman midwife they’d retained to see her through was on call, nearby, but her services weren’t as yet needed.
Alisa had cherished carrying this pair of lives inside her; made with the man she loved more than anyone else in the world. Nevertheless this last month of pregnancy had been hell. Feeling as though her belly might pop, the skin of her stomach stretched tightly, the maternity garments no longer fitting well.
The back pain, exhaustion, soreness, heartburn...
Ugh. A labor of love, to be certain. But not for the faint of heart! Her eyes strayed to a vase of striking white, lavender and blue starchain blossoms. She wasn't certain where they'd come from at this time of year. But she’d mentioned something to Domitius about how she wished the room had some flowers, and they had appeared. Starchains were significant: the first time she and Dom had said 'I love you' they had been walking near a river bank with a patch of starchains.
Footsteps, out in the hall beyond. She knew those steps, like she knew so many small and precious details about that man. Alisa smiled from where she lay on the bed, as her husband entered.
"Hello to you, m'Lord Domitius. So. Want to place any bets? Is it going to be two boys? Two girls? One of each?"
Entering the room Dom smiled at his wife, "Hello to you Lady Alisa, I hope our little ones aren't being too boisterous just yet." he sat on the edge of the bed and laid a hand gently upon Alisa's belly. "Boys, definitely at least one." he answered as he felt a push against his hand. "How are you feeling Ali, any closer?" there was a hint of nervousness in his voice as he asked.
His impending fatherhood had him nervous like nothing he had experienced before, facing down undead, goblins or giant beasts he could take but this was a new feeling for him.
She placed her hand on Dom's and smiled, "Plenty of activity, these past few weeks, that's for sure. I won't be surprised if these two come out grappling. We're still in the early stages, yet. I think it's going to be a long night, and likely morning as well. But I'm ready. Beyond wanting to cradle both these precious lives in my arms, you've no idea how bad I want to be normal size, again," she jested. "Or at least much nearer to it."
She smiled once more. "We've come so far, since the day we met at Iomedae's shrine. Before then, I had thought marriage and motherhood would be after I'd finished a long list of goals, in Acavna's name. If at all. This was a diversion I did not expect -- but one for which I remain grateful. I know this will bring challenges, and work -- but I can't wait to see them, hear them, and discover who they are."
"So, have you had Hargrym craft miniature Aldori dueling swords, yet?" she added with a wink.
Domitius chuckled at his wifes jest, "No dear one, Hargrym is a skilled mason but he and metal don't have that sort of relationship. I may have said something to Rikka though about proper training swords, for when they are older of course... I was five when I got my first sword, and five and a day when I has it taken off me for chasing my sisters nurse and calling her a dragon." he grinned impishly at the memory.
"As for this distraction as you put it Acavna has two shrines in the area which if I'm not mistaken is infinitely more than when you arrived, so perhaps this is a blessing for a job well done. You do have some capable acolytes don't you to look after the shrines or are you going to agree to a wet nurse?"
"Aye - that they do not," Alisa said as regards Hargrym and metal, rolling her eyes a little, "You know, pregnant women do experience a slight loss of memory, sometimes," then smiling "You must have looked so cute with your training blade - though I doubt that poor nurse would agree! Around that same age, I was dreaming of riding a dragon, and incinerating the awful woman who became my step-mother." She too smiled impishly, then paused to shift her position. The babies were moving during this early part of the labor. She didn't mind that; it was assurance they were doing well...
She nodded as to the pair of shrines. "It is a start. A presence beyond a lone, roving priestess, at least." Once he mentioned the acolytes, and the wet nurse, Alisa's eyes moved briefly toward her holy symbol, where it had been hung upon the wall. And then back to those of Domitius, to state resolutely:
"No, darling husband, no wet nurse. The acolytes are capable enough to handle their responsibilities. And leave me free to be the attentive mother I have pledged I will be."
Dom nodded in acquiescence, it was strange to him not having a wet nurse but he wasn't going to force the point. "OK my love, I won't push you into something you don't want to do but the offer is there if you change your mind." he paused and looked around the room spotting the flowers he gave the smallest of nods to himself. That was one less favour owed he thought seeing the flowers in bloom and thankful he had befriended Zel when he had the chance, the Thylacine hadn't worked out but this seemed better in many ways.
"It smells nice in here, reminds me of summer days by the river." Dom said innocently "I hope it's not tickling that cute little nose of yours."
* * * * * *
Contrary to what a 'Sister of the Moon' might have anticipated, Alisa's birthing time came just after dawn. Though of course these two new lives were scions of Solanus -- the solar themed house their mother had wedded into, and now regarded foremost as her family.
Somel complications were more commonplace in the birthing of twins. But gods, fortune, fate or some mix had smiled, and let the new family skirt most of those.
Most, yet not quite all.
After both infants had emerged -- visibly healthy, and gently stimulated to breathe by rubbing their backs (Pharasman midwives knew better than to spank, which was excessive as well as unnecessary) -- it became apparent Alisa was suffering a hemorrhage; the heavy blood loss that could occur after giving birth. Again the capability of Pharasman midwives came into play -- the lead of whom was a divine adept, as well as a savvy herbalist. Where poultices and physicianing were inadequate, incantation filled the gap.
Alisa's head grew light during her travail, but her spirit was swept up at this very first sight of hers and Domitius' children. A boy and girl, who names she lovingly intoned upon seeing them, and being informed of the sex:
"Rufus," and then: "Laetitia."
Those two had been hers and Dom's favorites. And had been suggested by Domitius, in fact, after Alisa had spent nearly a month overthinking choices, and driving herself crazy with it. She had loved both those choices as soon as Dom had uttered them, and was now much pleased that both could be bestowed.
Alisa was left weak but stable, and able to cradle both swaddled newborns in her arms, bask in the glow of their angelic faces. Able to see, hear, smell what she’d before only been able to feel within. Two pairs of clear blue eyes regarded a world that was new, fresh, and unknown.
And...was it merely the light? Or were Laetitia's more truly lavender...like those of her Elvish grandmother? That gave Alisa pause for a barest moment. Before she smiled beatifically, hoping that Domitius found their children every bit as perfect as she did.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:19, Sat 31 July 2021.
