BIRTH OF MIYU
by Enkeli
Chapter 9
"By the gods!" Joe exclaimed. "You said you won't be due for a couple of weeks."
"No time for that now, Joe!" Chaos remarked. He quickly carried Enkeli in his arms and hurried to the hospital wing of the Haven. To Enkeli he added, "everything will be fine, Enkeli. I promise you, everything will be alright."
As Chaos rushed towards the hospital wing, everyone else was following behind. Enkeli was crying out in pain.
"Call Celestine and Cutie!" Joe announced to the other guardians who were with them. "Send them to the hospital wing immediately."
One of them followed calling out to the two Guardians Joe requested. Everyone there was worried for Enkeli. This was the first time in their lives that they would actually get to experience a guardian being born to Midgard. Most of them came from other worlds and some were citizens of Midgard that were favoured by Praetor and were given passage to godhood. It was really rare for a guardian to bring a child into the world and much to the anticipation of everyone; Enkeli's child will be the first of their generation.
They finally entered the hospital wing, Chaos still carrying Enkeli who was already cringing in pain. Cutie and Celestine were already waiting for them inside getting ready for the delivery. Chaos placed Enkeli on the bed and held her hands as he kept on chanting over and over that everything will be alright. Outside, Joe started to push everyone out the door to give the two goddesses space as they help Enkeli with her labour.
"I need you to go outside, Chaos," Celestine said as she tried to pry his hands off from Enkeli. "You're more worried than the mother-to-be."
"I can't leave her, Celestine," he answered, his hand still holding his beloved, not wanting to lose her for a second time.
Pain was clearly seen in Enkeli's face now. She was also holding Chaos hand so tight that the knuckles on her hands were turning white, still Chaos kept silent and endured the pain. The last thing she wanted was for Chaos to leave her side, but knowing Celestine, she wouldn't allow him to stay even is she asked. As Celestine tried to pry their hands away, both Enkeli and Chaos looked at each other and tried not to let go. Each one tried desperately to hold on, but Celestine was more determined.
"She'll be here when you get back," she assured him, finally done prying their hands off each other. "Right now, you're more of a distraction to her than help."
Celestine started to push Chaos out the door.
"But she needs me here," Chaos countered, still not leaving Enkeli's side as he attempted to hold onto her hand again. "Look, she's in so much pain. I can't leave her not knowing what might happen to her."
Celestine gave a nod to Cutie who walked towards Chaos before he took hold of Enkeli hands once more and was forcing him out of the room. But Chaos resisted.
"Chaos," Cutie said calmly. "Don't worry about Enkeli. She's strong. I'm sure she can handle this. You shouldn't be worried so much about her. What you need to think about is how to tell Phage that the wedding is off."
Chaos staggered for a moment and looked at Celestine, who was now helping Enkeli get comfortable despite the pain, and attempted to make a rebuttal but stopped. He couldn't stand seeing Enkeli in so much pain but Celestine was right, he's more of a distraction than help. And Cutie reminded him of another problem, how to tell Phage that he wanted to get back together with Enkeli. Reluctantly, Chaos let himself be ushered by Cutie out of the hospital wing. Before the door closed behind him, he and Enkeli locked gazes. With one final look trying to reassure her that he would never leave her, Chaos left the room.
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As the door closed behind him, Chaos found himself being swarmed by all the Guardians asking about the well-being of Enkeli and her baby.
"Please, there is no need for concern!" He called out, trying to get everyone to settle down. "Enkeli is still in labour, and Celestine is doing her best to get her through this ordeal. Everything will be fine."
Much rejoicing came afterwards, as Chaos tried to squeeze out of the crowd. As he slowly approached the hallway towards Phage's quarters, she came into view walking towards his direction. Chaos noticed that Phage was a little uneasy. Twice he saw her stopped, walked to the other direction to stop again and proceeded to walk towards him. Finally, she heard her call out, "Chaos, we need to talk."
Chaos slowly approached her, trying to get his mind organized. By only looking at Phage's actions, he could see that she was upset about something. He just hoped that she wouldn't be too upset about what he was about to say.
Chaos finally reached the spot where Phage was standing and he noticed that she was as nervous as he was upon the encounter. There was an uncomfortable silence between the both of them until finally Phage said, "I think this belongs to you."
She reached over her left hand and took off the ring that Chaos gave her. Phage reached out to Chaos' hand and placed the ring on his palm, then added, "I've been thinking. I don't think I'm ready to be married yet."
Upon hearing this, Chaos was both relieved and confused. He was happy that he wouldn't be the one to break off the engagement but was wondering why Phage suddenly changed her mind when a week ago, she was very happy and excited that they were getting married.
"I realized that I don't want to be tied down yet," Phage continued, not looking up to face him. "There is so many things that I still need to do and if I marry you now, I know that I won't be able to do it anymore. So, I thought it would be best for us not to get married. I'm really sorry, Chaos. I hope you will not think ill of me."
With that, Chaos gave a small smile. He tilted her head to face him and gently kissed her cheek. He could have just left it like that but Phage needs to know that Enkeli's baby was his especially now that she's giving birth. She has the right to know and Chaos owed to Phage to find out from him first.
"I will never think ill of you, Phage," he replied. "But you don't need to say sorry. You only felt that it was the right thing to do. I'm the one who has to say sorry to you because if you didn't break the engagement the way you bravely did, I was the one who will ask for it. And unlike you, I feel that you won't be able to forgive me with what I am about to say."
"Chaos?" Phage said. "What's wrong?"
Chaos took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. It's now or never.
"I'm really sorry, Phage," Chaos started, trying to get the words out before his nerves fail him. "But even if you didn't approach me first, I would have had to break off the engagement as well. Enkeli is giving birth right now and I'm the father."
"Enkeli's back?" Phage asked in surprise. She was glad to hear that the person that she considered a sister came back after her long absence, but it also sunk in the reason why she came back.
"Enkeli is carrying your child?" She continued to say after the first shock was done. "How can that be? She left Midgard almost 8 months ago. You don't mean – "
"Before she left, something happened to us," he answered, not willing to face Phage. "I didn't know she was pregnant when she left or I wouldn't have – "
But he couldn't finish. He already felt bad breaking off the engagement to someone whom he cared for though he knew that he wouldn't be able to love as much as he loved Enkeli. But Phage was there for him and he felt like betraying her while they were talking. Tears started to fall in his eyes as fear came over him. He was afraid of Phage's reaction, afraid of what she might think.
"You would have waited for Enkeli's return," Phage concluded in a soft voice so unlike her. There wasn't any hint of accusation in them though, just clearly stating facts.
Chaos could only nod an answer. The commotion of Enkeli's birthing was being heard around them but it didn't matter to Chaos. Even if he didn't truly love Phage, he still cared about her, and knowing that he could hurt her because of this revelation really pained him. He couldn't look at Enkeli's "sister". All he could do was look down in shame.
But Phage smiled and gave Chaos a loving embrace shocking him. She said, "I'm so happy for you and Enkeli! Truly I am! There is no cause for sorrow now, dear. You're going to be a father! You don't need to apologize. I understand completely. And this is the happiest moment of my life! I'm going to be an aunt!"
Phage let go of Chaos and held him at arms length. Chaos searched Phage's eyes on how she truly felt about their situation, and true enough he saw true happiness within the dark orbs.
"You're not mad?" He asked tentatively.
"Mad?" Phage answered, taken aback. "Why should I be mad? A child is being born today. After so many years since Enkeli's birth, we have a child whose blood is an indication of his birthright. A guardian even before he is born, it's a wonderful thing. And who better to be their parents than you and Enkeli."
She paused and gave Chaos another heartfelt embrace. Then she started chatting animatedly like her old jolly self, "Our engagement was never meant to be. The signs were there but I just never listened to them until now. You and Enkeli are meant to be. So, the wedding will continue…but it's not me who will be the bride but Enkeli. And I'll arrange everything myself. It will be perfect, Chaos. A dream wedding for my sister."
"Thank you, Phage," was all Chaos could reply. "I honestly don't know what to say."
"You don't need to say anything," she answered, her voice slowly rising with glee. "Like I said, this was meant to be. And now, I need to be busy with the wedding preparations. I'm sure there are still some things that need changing. And the wedding gown, it needs to be altered. The altar needs to be redesigned…"
Phage dolled on and on about Chaos and Enkeli's wedding that she left Chaos standing there looking more confused than before. At least I don't have a problem about our engagement anymore, Chaos thought with a small sigh. Now I need to focus on Enkeli and our baby.
With that, he went back to the hospital wing to await the arrival of his baby.
