I would prepare everything needed for a delivery and lay it out, there was little doubt that Aponi had been in labor for a very long time and her time was nearer than even she realized, there was no time to consider getting her out of the water and elsewhere for the delivery. So, I did what any woman would do, stepped right into the water.
It would not be the first time that my boots and clothing have been soaked nor will it be the last, but still that heavy feeling is sometimes a bit irritating. I examined her and found her to be closer than even I thought she would be, if ever a woman was at a hundred percent effacement and completely dilated, it would have to be hands down Aponi. She filled me in on how long she had been in pain. Well, nothing to do now but let nature take its course.
When it was right I had her bear down and push as hard as she could, she tried not to cry out in pain or curse. I told her right up front, if you feel that you have to say it, then say it, if you want to scream rant and rave do it, no one will think less of you, this is the one time in life where you can say what you want and not be held accountable for it. A man only has to look once to know, that it is a pain that is by far one of the worst to endure but yet it is the most rewarding, all they have to do it try to pull their upper lip over their head and then they will have a slight inkling of what a woman goes thru. It is called labor for a reason.
I think she was afraid to say something off color, but as the pain got worse, a few very colorful phrases did pass her lips I think she shocked her mate. Women do tend to change during labor into something not known to them, I wonder why, but it did not last.. Soon the baby slipped from her into the gentle embrace of the water, as I lifted the squirming bundle, first thing I noticed was... he was one huge baby no wonder I had to cut her a bit and to.. it was most definitely a boy. His cries were like music in the air. Teng had the honor of cutting the cord and then I handed him his son, just as I cleaned her up and stitched her up. I heard Kaeli, arriving, she was both a mother and grandmother in a very short span of time. It was good to see their wagons be filled with joy and happiness.
I did not linger long as I needed to prepare for the journey I must take. As I left I could hear my boots go squish, squish, squish with each step I took. I am sure I was like a wrinkled dried piece of fruit. Once I returned to the wagon, I took care of the after birth, just as I have always done for the women of the tribe. It would nourish the plains, it was something sacred ,and it was an offering made to the skies, a thank you for the new life allowed to be brought to the tribe, and for the well being of the mother and baby. Having a baby could be dangerous and for each one allowed to survive I am thankful for.
Then I headed to my wagons and changed out of the wet clothing, good skies, my leathers stuck to my skin as if glued, making them hard to get off, if Garyx was here he would have made great fun and jokes of it and helped me get them off. The thought made me laugh a bit but also brought a deep pain to my heart, I felt the warm trail of tears on my cheeks, I don't want to cry, I hate crying. Its a weakness I rarely indulge in.
But I can't help it, the pain is to much for me. I lay down on his side of the furs and hold one of his leather jerkins close to me inhaling his scent. I cant stop the slow trickle of tears that slip from my eyes to dampen the furs. There is only silence in my wagons to mingle with the sorrow.
Life is given... and so to must be life taken .
It will not be long before I will have to leave.... it will not be long before soon everyone will know.
Right now only I know. When all know I am not so sure I can handle it. I should be used to death.
But it is never easier, it only gets harder. And this one.. This is by far the hardest. For this one I loved the deepest. What happens when he takes his last breath and the bond is severed?
It would not be the first time that my boots and clothing have been soaked nor will it be the last, but still that heavy feeling is sometimes a bit irritating. I examined her and found her to be closer than even I thought she would be, if ever a woman was at a hundred percent effacement and completely dilated, it would have to be hands down Aponi. She filled me in on how long she had been in pain. Well, nothing to do now but let nature take its course.
When it was right I had her bear down and push as hard as she could, she tried not to cry out in pain or curse. I told her right up front, if you feel that you have to say it, then say it, if you want to scream rant and rave do it, no one will think less of you, this is the one time in life where you can say what you want and not be held accountable for it. A man only has to look once to know, that it is a pain that is by far one of the worst to endure but yet it is the most rewarding, all they have to do it try to pull their upper lip over their head and then they will have a slight inkling of what a woman goes thru. It is called labor for a reason.
I think she was afraid to say something off color, but as the pain got worse, a few very colorful phrases did pass her lips I think she shocked her mate. Women do tend to change during labor into something not known to them, I wonder why, but it did not last.. Soon the baby slipped from her into the gentle embrace of the water, as I lifted the squirming bundle, first thing I noticed was... he was one huge baby no wonder I had to cut her a bit and to.. it was most definitely a boy. His cries were like music in the air. Teng had the honor of cutting the cord and then I handed him his son, just as I cleaned her up and stitched her up. I heard Kaeli, arriving, she was both a mother and grandmother in a very short span of time. It was good to see their wagons be filled with joy and happiness.
I did not linger long as I needed to prepare for the journey I must take. As I left I could hear my boots go squish, squish, squish with each step I took. I am sure I was like a wrinkled dried piece of fruit. Once I returned to the wagon, I took care of the after birth, just as I have always done for the women of the tribe. It would nourish the plains, it was something sacred ,and it was an offering made to the skies, a thank you for the new life allowed to be brought to the tribe, and for the well being of the mother and baby. Having a baby could be dangerous and for each one allowed to survive I am thankful for.
Then I headed to my wagons and changed out of the wet clothing, good skies, my leathers stuck to my skin as if glued, making them hard to get off, if Garyx was here he would have made great fun and jokes of it and helped me get them off. The thought made me laugh a bit but also brought a deep pain to my heart, I felt the warm trail of tears on my cheeks, I don't want to cry, I hate crying. Its a weakness I rarely indulge in.
But I can't help it, the pain is to much for me. I lay down on his side of the furs and hold one of his leather jerkins close to me inhaling his scent. I cant stop the slow trickle of tears that slip from my eyes to dampen the furs. There is only silence in my wagons to mingle with the sorrow.
Life is given... and so to must be life taken .
It will not be long before I will have to leave.... it will not be long before soon everyone will know.
Right now only I know. When all know I am not so sure I can handle it. I should be used to death.
But it is never easier, it only gets harder. And this one.. This is by far the hardest. For this one I loved the deepest. What happens when he takes his last breath and the bond is severed?
