Mana was awoken by a familiar cry. Walking over to the little prince's crib, she lifted him up, shooshing. She was able to distinguish between all the cries he had at this point, it was as if they had their own language. Latching him on with ease, she walked out to the patio in the room she was sharing with Atem and their newborn. She looked out over her moonlit kingdom, smiling.
The wetnurses always offered to take him for the night so she could sleep. She had only let them do that a few times in the early days when he cried constantly. She could not fathom not being within an arm's reach of him. When he was first born he barely left her chest, as if he was still attached to her. She felt no peace while he was still inside her, not a moment of relief until she heard him crying.
It had been a long road to decide to have a child. She had gone to Isis before the pregnancy after her miscarriage.
"Mana, my necklace is showing me a healthy baby boy walking around the palace and you, holding his hand." Isis stated, touching her necklace.
Mana took a deep breath in. It had been years since she became queen, and the decision to have babies weighed heavily on her. It was of all eyes were on her belly, waiting to see if it began to swell.
When she realized she was pregnant, the only person she told was Atem and Mae. She had returned to the palace to see Mana through this pregnancy. The first few weeks were brutal, everyday she woke not bleeding a reassurance. When she began to feel the baby move, it touched her in a way she wasn't prepared for. The more she grew attached to the growing baby, the more anxiety she felt riddled with. If she lost him, she knew she would never recover.
During the later part of her pregnancy she tried to keep her belly hidden. If she lost another potential prince, she worried that Egypt would hate her. Atem told her so many times to not worry, that he would protect her always. She still was riddled with fear up until he was born.
That day came suddenly. Mana and Atem we're walking out in the private courtyard. Mana suddenly stopped, moving her hand to her stomach. "It's starting to hurt more than the usual tightening."
"Is it… starting?" Atem trying to hide his nerves.
"I think maybe so." She walked a few minutes longer and stopped again, breathing through a painful contraction. "Get Mae." She said calmly.
Mana labored in a room surrounded by midwives and helpers. Men were not allowed in but that did not keep Atem from impatiently waiting outside, annoying any person who came out for more information. All throughout the pregnancy, he had to remain stoic to keep Mana strong. If he showed one ounce of worry, it would break the foundation her strength was built on. Now, it seemed he was letting all his true anxiety show.
It had been hours and Atem was growing worried.
"It'll be some time now your highness, the first babies always take the longest." Said a helper with a small smile. "She is doing well." He could hear Mana moaning loudly.
"Are you sure?" He asked skeptically. He had never been around a laboring woman.
"Yes, your highness. She is managing well." Just then Mana letting out something between a growl and a yell. The helper quickly closed the door.
"My pharaoh, I have been present for many a royal births and can attest that this is in fact, very normal." Shimon spoke. He too had been waiting with Atem, the only other person on the council aware of Mana's pregnancy.
Another loud growl mixed with a yell or a grunt came through the door. A helper came out from the room, dashing past Atem and Shimon. "Sounds like she is close." Shimon said with a nod.
"How do you know?" Atem whipped around.
"Oh, I'm no midwife but I've been present for many births. That sound she makes sounds like she's pushing." Shimon nodded again.
Another animal like sound pierced from the room. "Yep, won't be long now." Shimon gave a small laugh.
The assistant walked back through the door, holding towels and blankets and a pale of warm water. "Pardon me your highness." She said softly. As she opened the door Atem creaked his neck to get a view but it was shut with force in his face.
"Really, it is no place for you to watch this." Shimon chuckled.
"Isis said he'll be healthy, and Mana too. Right?" His heart was pounding in his chest. He was elated for the birth, but dreading it all at once.
Shimon nodded. "It's normal to be anxious, your father was too for your birth."
He could hear Mae coaching Mana on the other side of the door. "That's it's Mana you have it! Push hard hard hard! Beautiful work!" Mana let out a huge sigh. "We can see the top of his head with that push!" Mae joyfully announced.
Atem felt dizzy.
"Sit down your highness, often times fathers faint during this part." Shimon instructed. Atem did not listen, he didn't even hear his words.
Atem listened for 15 more minutes of Mae's voice coaching Mana. "That's it right there you have this! One more push and he's here!" Atem began to pace back and forth.
"You have to let me in Shimon!" He said yelled.
"It's not up to me your highness." Shimon replied sternly.
Another primal sound blared from behind the door. "Push Mana go go yes! Here he comes! Reach down and grab your baby!" Mana let out something between a yelp and a cry.
"Oh congratulations Mana!" Mae's voice rang out joyfully over the sound of the newborn vigorously crying.
Atem could not hold back any longer, he busted through the door and fell at Mana's side. The newborn, pink and vigorous and still attached to his cord. The assistant was drying him off, only causing him to cry louder. Atem sat in shock, looking between Mana and the small child laying on her chest. Mana was crying "He's alive!"
"Of course. He is perfect!" Mae exclaimed. "You did it!"
Atem kissed Mana on her sweaty forehead. "I love you so much."
Shimon stood from behind the door and closed his eyes. A tear came down his cheek and he gave a small smile. He motioned to a guard. "Announce that a new prince has been born."
