Ten hours.
He was practically counting by the second now as he paced the halls; the screams were coming more frequently. She's been in there too long. Ten hours is just too long.
Of course, Jaffar was the very image of patience compared to his companion. Lord Eliwood's nails were bitten down to the stubs and he was pale and sweaty.
"I should be in there with her," he said for about the tenth time ever since the midwife had ushered him from the room. "She's in so much pain, what if something's wrong? What if she isn't strong enough after all? What if she-"
"Relax." Jaffar's hand clamped down on Eliwood's shoulder. "She will be fine," he said, trying not to think six months down the road when he would be the one biting his fingernails down to the stubs, worrying hismelf sick.
The men heard another scream, and Eliwood buried his face in his hands.
-x-
Ten hours and counting.
Nino smiled and whispered soothing words of encouragement as Ninian continued her struggle, but just looking at the pale, anguished face and hearing the cries of pain twisted her stomach into knots.
"It's okay, just a bit more," she murmured, wincing as Ninian squeezed her hand extra-hard and bore down yet again. The baby was taking its sweet time coming out, the midwives said; she could hear the concern in their voices as they talked softly amongst themselves. Her free hand absently went to her stomach, pressing against the tiny bulge.
She'd been so excited at the prospect of being a mother despite the promise of pain, but Nino had never actually seen a live birth, much less a difficult one like this.
What if it hurts this much when it's my time?
She sighed, smoothing Ninian's limp, sweat-soaked hair back from her face. Suddenly, Ninian screamed, her loudest yet. Nino herself cried out at the impact, and time seemed to stop for that fraction of a second.
-x-
It was quiet. Eliwood sat with his head bowed, praying, fearing the worst. Jaffar listened for a sound, any sound at all.
Then he heard it. A different pitch of screaming.
-x-
Exhausted, Ninian collapsed against the pillows. Tears streamed down Nino's cheeks as the baby was placed in his mother's arms; she poked her head out of the room.
"It's a boy."
The men couldn't get in there fast enough.
-x-
Hours later, Ninian and little Roy enjoyed a peaceful, well-deserved sleep. Eliwood sat by the bedside, looking every inch the proud father he was.
"So," Jaffar said. "Did what you see give you second thoughts about having children?"
Nino smiled, planting a brief kiss on her husband's lips and curling up against his side.
"I was scared," she said, "but seeing the look on Ninian's face made me believe even more it's worth the hurting." She yawned. "I hope it doesn't take as long for me, though."
Jaffar sighed. She didn't know the half of it.