Jon paced back and forth outside the bedroom, brows furrowed up in worry. Daenerys cried out in pain once more, wrenching his heart. He found it hard to resist the urge to burst into the room to be by her side. The past nine months had been one of deep connection between them, the news of an expected child bringing them closer together. Jon was excited, but nervous as well. He wasn't sure if he would be a good father, having being raised a bastard. He decided that he would try his best to be as good a father as Eddard Stark was to him.
Daenerys screamed in agony once again, her labored breathing carrying all through the halls. Jon, growing ever more anxious, started toward the door, but stopped when Maester Samwell swung open the door.
Maester Sam stopped and smiled at Jon, his small chain link jingling.
"How goes it?" Jon asked nervously.
"Fine, I suppose. There's a good deal of blood, however," Daenerys interrupted with a piercing wail. "Don't worry, that's normal. A few more pushes and it'll all be over."
Jon frowned. "And just how many women have you seen give birth?"
"Not many. Two really. But Grand Maester Silas says that the pain is normal and it ends right when the baby comes."
Jon and Sam stood for a moment and noticed a sudden hush in the next room. Then came the loud crying of a newborn baby. Jon's heart raced as he pushed open the door to find Grand Maester Silas holding a wailing, pink baby boy. A sweat covered Daenerys smiled at Jon and a look of absolute joy spread across her face as she was handed their child. Jon smiled too, overjoyed at the squirming child. He only got a glimpse of its face before the handmaidens took it away to be cleaned. Dany smiled at him and he bent down to kiss her. He sat by her side, clutching her hand in anticipation.
"It's a boy," Dany said, still slightly out of breath. "What should we call him?"
Jon thought for a moment. "Always thought Eddard or Rickard was a good name."
Dany scoffed. "For a Northerner, yes, but he is a Targaryen, the blood of the dragon. He needs a worthy name."
"You're not going to name him Aegon are you?"
"No. That name is old and tired. He needs a name that is newer, that has a decent reputation."
"Good. I've always thought those type of names were a bit tacky."
"Are you calling my name tacky?" Daenerys snapped.
Jon was caught off guard. "Uh, what? No, your names not tacky, I just…"
Daenerys laughed at his discomfort, remembering how awkward he'd been when they first met. Jon sighed with relief at not having upset her. Sam entered the room holding the baby wrapped in blankets. He smiled at the both of them, handing it to Dany.
"It's a healthy baby boy."
Dany gently cradled their newborn son, tears of joy welling up in her eyes. Jon felt tears too, but he didn't want to cry in front of Sam and the Grand Maester. The baby was a tiny little thing, eyes barely open and tiny hands reaching up and grabbing the air. He opened his eyes and cooed at Daenerys and Jon. Sam still stood at the foot of the bed, seemingly waiting for something.
"Well," Sam began, still grinning widely. "What are you going to name him?"
"We don't know yet." Jon answered.
Grand Maester Silas stepped forward, his long chain jingling. "May I make a suggestion, Your Grace? Your family has a long tradition of High Valyrian names. One such as Aerion, Daemon, Maegor, Baelor, or even Rhaegar might prove suitable."
Dany frowned. "The last child I bore was named after my brother and he was stillborn. I want him to have good fortune in life."
"He will Your Grace. Rhaegar was well loved by all and a skilled warrior. Naming your son after his uncle will honor his memory."
"Jon? What do you think?" Dany asked.
Jon stroked his beard. He was still getting used to the idea of Rhaegar being his father and Dany his aunt. In fact, he tried not to think about it all, especially not when they were making love. "Rhaegar II Targaryen. I think it has a nice ring to it."
Young Rhaegar seemed to coo in agreement. The bells of the Red Keep began to ring, signaling a royal birth. Dany handed the baby to Jon, clearly exhausted from labor.
"Here. I need to rest for a moment. Screaming takes its toll." Jon cradled baby Rhaegar in his arms, gently rocking him. He smiled a toothless smile at Jon, waving his clenched fists in the air. Jon noticed that his eyes were the same color as Dany's. The peach fuzz on his tiny head suggested his hair might be the signature Targaryen silver/gold. Jon smiled back at the baby, warmth and pride filling his heart. He hoped with all his heart and prayed to both the Seven and the Old Gods that he would be a good father and raise a good prince.