Chapter 59 - The Birth
Marcus and Astra were sound asleep in their house. Astra started to turn over when she realized that she was all wet. ‘What happened? Did I pee myself?’. Suddenly, she felt her abdomen spasm. She knew now what was happening. “Marcus! Marcus! Wake up. My water broke.” Marcus didn’t stir. Astra began shaking him. “Marcus, wake up. I’m in labor” She pushed Marcus harder. “What’s wrong Astra” he mumbled in his sleep. “Marcus, I’m in labor. We’re going to have a baby.” Marcus rolled over and yawned, rubbing his eyes. It finally dawned on him what she had said. He sat up quickly turning towards her. “Are you OK?” “No, I’m not OK. I’m in labor. Go get my mom!” Marcus got up and rushed out to get Jalen. Astra laid back and began caressing her stomach. “Calm down little one.” Astra connected with Chaos. “I’m in labor now so I’m connecting with you.” Chaos swiftly sat up in his bed. “You're in labor?” Astra thought to herself ‘Is this a man thing that they can’t comprehend what labor means?’ “Yes, it just began.” She had another contraction. “Oh by the gods, that’s painful.”
Jalen and Marcus rushed in. “Astra, when did the contractions start?” Jalen asked. Astra replied just as another contraction started. “Just a few moments ago. Just after my water broke.” She had a pained look on her face. Marcus kneeled down beside her, smoothing her hair back and murmuring how much he loved her. “Here comes another one.” She grimaced then lay back down. “I didn’t think they were supposed to be so close together.” Astra caressed her abdomen trying to calm the baby down. “Here’s another one and I feel like pushing.” Astra gritted her teeth. “This is as painful as the branding.” she said while squeezing Marcus’s hand. Jalen moved the blanket up. “Astra, I can see the baby's head. Push with your next contraction.” “OK, here comes another one.” Astra grabbed her belly and her hands started to glow. The glow became brighter and traveled up her arms and into her belly. She pushed as hard as she could and the newborn slid out into the waiting hands of Jalen. The glow still surrounded the baby then was absorbed into the newborn. Marcus handed Jalen the warm water he had prepared. Jalen held the baby while washing off her little body. She handed her to Marcus who was holding the drying linen. He looked down at her as he wrapped her up. “She’s beautiful, Astra.” He held her while Jalen helped Astra get more comfortable. Marcus laid the baby in Astra’s arms. Astra smiled and looked down at the baby that she had created with her two mates. Just then the baby opened her eyes. They were lavender! “Mom, her eyes are lavender just like ours.” She was so elated. “Chaos, can you see her? Isn’t she gorgeous?” Chaos had been watching attentively. “Yes, but where is my essence?” Suddenly, the baby started crying loudly and they all looked at her in amazement. Her body had turned red and black just like Chaos. “Ah, there it is.” He said with a big grin.
What name will the Gods give her? Will she be accepted by the village? Will she pass her Becoming a Woman Ceremony?
Find out in the next series about the life the Astra’s daughter.