Chapter 13
The pang is sharp and Vala knows. She remembers the last time so she struggles out of her chair and goes to find Cam. He's out playing catch with Tyler. He sees her waddling over to the porch and he waves and smiles before under-handing the ball back to their son. She watches, leaning on the porch banister for a moment, while they toss a few more. The next cramp makes her cringe.
Then he's there. His hands gripping her biceps and turning her to go back inside. "Did you call her?"
"No-"
"Why not? Tyler! Come on in!" The little boy is right on their heels when he settles Vala onto the couch.
"I was coming to tell you first." She rolls her eyes at him. "Get me the phone I'll call Anna." She was so wonderful last time they decided to ask her if she was willing to help with a home birth. Anna had been more than willing and had actually convinced the SGC to pay for her midwife classes claiming that it was needed knowledge. She'd made such a great argument that they'd given in.
"I'll call her." He fumbles with his phone. "Do you need anything?" He's nervous. He didn't have any time with her before Adria was born and most of the time she was in pain with Tyler he was oblivious.
"I need you to call Anna." Vala looks past him at Tyler who's rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet, obviously nervous about how his parents are acting. "Baby boy, come to momma." He rushes over and snuggles next to her on the couch. "You ready to have a baby sister?"
"Can I trade for a brudder once she's out?" She takes his hand and places it on her belly. His eyes widen as a contraction rolls over her.
"I think daddy and I would like to keep this one. If that's alright with you?" She kisses his head as he ponders it.
"I 'spose." He still looks unconvinced. "Will you still love me as much when there is a new baby?"
"Of course!" Vala hugs him tightly. "I love all my children more then I can say."
"I can cuddle too?"
"You better cuddle with me still." This makes his face light up with a smile.
Cam comes back in from phoning Anna about Vala's labor. The woman did a lot to calm him. She was going to come out in a little while. His wife and son are snuggled together on the couch in a picture of perfection.
"Anna is on her way." He sits on the other side of his wife and puts his hand on her belly as well. "Should I go get Adria from school?" It's only nine am. She won't be home for hours. They both wanted them to be there to witness the birth. A family occasion, bonding with their newest sibling, making the experience more involving of everyone. It's one of the reasons Vala wanted it at home.
She looks at the clock and then her stomach. "Could your mother get her? She'll want to be here for right after anyway." She doesn't want Cam to leave her. She's done this twice before but she's still afraid. Still feels like she needs him next to her. In a few hours she suspects that will change as the real pain starts. Now she wants the comfort of his presence.
"I'll call her."
The next hour passes with no change, to Cam's surprise. He's not sure what he's expecting... he remembers Tyler's birth but also had no idea she was in labor half the time, and it seems like a whirlwind in retrospect, since Adria had been going through surgery at the same time.
Cam checks to make sure they have everything they'll need. He's checked for the same supplies at least half a dozen times but he has to stop trying to fight the need to just make sure.
When he's not doing that, he's trying to occupy Tyler. It becomes easier once Frank and Wendy get there with Adria. Adria claims that she intends to stay with Vala but within thirty minutes she's gotten bored and gone to play with Frank and Tyler in the living room. Their playroom has been successfully transformed into a nursery, though the baby will sleep in the room with Cam and Vala for a while.
"Darling?" Vala calls out, her voice tight. "Can you get me some more water?"
Cam realizes the bottle beside her is empty and scurries to go refill it. Wendy and Vala are talking low when he gets back and he can see tears shining in both of their eyes. "Am I interrupting something?"
Vala look at him and smiles so widely. He honestly has no idea what his mother has just said to her, but whatever it was, it seems to have made Vala happy.
"No, come here," Vala says, holding her hand out.
He offers to the water but she shakes her head, so he sits down on the bed beside her. He scoots in close and puts his arm around her, kissing the top of her head. "How long?"
"Few minutes in between now," she says.
"I don't think this will take too much longer," Anna chimes in. "She's doing good."
"Of course she is," Cam says. "She's an old pro at it by now."
Vala laughs. "I don't think you ever quite become an 'old pro' when it comes to squeezing another life form out of your body."
Cam winces, but Anna and Wendy just laugh.
"You sure you want to stay in here for this?" Anna asks.
"Yeah, I'm sure." He wants to say that he's been there when all of his children were born. It isn't technically true with Adria; he wasn't in the room, but at least he was on the same ship, and he was there right after. He thinks that should still count. Vala agrees.
Wendy gives her hand a squeeze before getting up. "I'll go send the children up." She stops by her son and hugs him. "I want to know the moment she's out."
"Yeah mom, I know." He's grateful for parents that care that much.
"You're gonna do great, my dear," She waves to Vala as she exits.
"You ready to get in the tub?" The master bath has a nice size tub, something that Vala's always appreciated, but when she went out to learn all she could about home birthing she was even happier with their accommodations.
Vala struggles to move off the bed, Cam's arms tugging until another contraction hits and she clenches and he waits. They both breathe through it and as soon as it's over he's hauled her to her feet. Anna steps out of the room, giving them a moment alone to prepare. She'll stop the children when they come up and have them wait until Cam and Vala call her back in.
He lets her pace around, it's helping her pain a bit, or at least she seems a little less taut. They've had the bath ready for a bit so he drains some of it and adds new hot water. When the temperature is good and it's an acceptable depth he walks back over to her.
"You ready to do this?" He's stroking her biceps as another painful contraction takes her. "Hey, baby, it's alright. Breathe with me." He coaches her like he's done this a thousand times. This one seems more powerful, more true. "That didn't look very comfortable."
"I felt her... She moved. I think it's time." Vala's holding up her arms and he pulls off the night shirt that she's wearing. He practically lifts her into the tub and she floats a bit on her back before getting into a squatting position. Cam motions her around so he can reach her back and he starts rubbing right above her hips along her spine. He can tell she's looser. Things have changed since a few days ago - heck since this morning.
"You're amazing, Vala." She tries to say something back but a contraction takes over. Her palms find purchase on the side and she grips while Cam massages her all the way through it. "Almost time?"
"Yeah, I feel her right there, ready to break through... I think I want to push soon." She's done this herself once before and she's not afraid to do it again but she'd rather not take chances. "Can you get everyone?" She twists around and pulls him in for a kiss first. His face is dampened by her hands and her thumb wipes away a droplet as he stands to go collect the cavalry.
She's just starting another contraction when her two children rush in.
"Mommy!" Tyler stops and is stock still. He looks like he's going to burst into tears. "Daddy, mommy is hurtin'!" Cam's right behind him and tugging him to his chest.
"That's right, it does hurt. But mommy is very brave and now we're all here to help her." Cam resumes his position next to her. Anna steps over to check Vala while Adria and Tyler stay back a little ways until she's through the contraction.
Anna pulls her hand out of the water. A smile on her face. "You can push anytime."
"It felt like I could... I just like to make sure." She thanks Anna who recedes to the corner, sitting on the toilet. She's there if she's needed but she doesn't want to interfere in the process if she isn't. Vala looks at Adria and Tyler. "You two come here." She can feel that it's going to be soon. "I want you to know that no matter what I scream or yell or rant about that this is a beautiful thing. Babies are wonderful and I want nothing more for you both to have lots of them-"
"Not until you're thirty, at least, though." Cam chimes in, pointedly glaring at Adria.
Vala just rolls her eyes. "Your father is rig-" A contraction interrupts her and Cam is right there. She pushes against it this time. The pain is working for her now. She can feel the tiny body within her twisting and moving into the birth canal. It's not enough for a lot of progress though and the rippling dies off. She pants for a bit trying to catch her breath. Cam's hands are soothing her back and she opens her eyes and both children are now kneeling beside the tub and reaching out to offer their hands. She grips them and kisses each one. "See what happens when you try to say your father wasn't wrong?"
Adria and Tyler giggle. Happy that their mother is still able to joke. "Not thirty?" Adria asks.
"Maybe twenty-five." Vala winks. "Daddy is just a wee bit overprotective of his very beautiful daughter."
"Soon to be daughters." Cam adds. He can see the line across her forehead and knows that another one is about to hit her. He helps her brace and she pushes as it rolls over her. "Push baby, that's it." He's coaching her and soon both Tyler and Adria are adding more encouraging words as well. They seem to understand that the best things in life aren't pain free.
"Time for a sister?" Tyler asks and tries to see into the water.
"Soon, buddy." Cam tries to help the little boy while still concentrating on Vala. She's not yelling much just using all her strength to help her baby make an entrance.
Anna pops over for a minute after the contraction ceases and she feels between her legs. "The heads right there. Almost done, Vala." She nods to her as her muscles begin to protest the life inside her again.
"Almost done kids. Let's help mom out." Cam helps Vala lean back into the water but she can't brace, the tub is too large. Cam understands what she needs and he tugs off his shirts and jeans and gets in behind her. Clothed in only his boxers he holds her where she can put her feet against the wall.
The contraction is over before she can get ready, but she knows next time, next round there will probably be a baby. Her hand reaches up behind her and strokes Cam's ear. He knew exactly what to do. Exactly what she required. The swelling inside her chest almost outweighs the constant pain she's feeling. She can feel him peppering kisses along her hair, his hands are under her thighs massaging them, ready to help hold her body where she needs it. The break isn't long to linger in the lovely feelings soon enough the pain takes over again.
"Push, honey, you can do it. Let's have a baby." He feels her trying, really trying. Everything seems in slow motion. Both children are looking on in awe as the head of their sister appears. Cam moves one hand to help hold her knee, Vala's legs are shaking in effort. "Almost there baby." It doesn't appear that she hears him, but she bears down, just a little more. Then the rest of the baby is coming.
"Grab your baby, Vala." Anna murmurs.
When she doesn't seem to hear Cam says it too. "The baby, Vala, grab her. Reach down and bring her up here."
It's as if something jolts her as her hands scramble between her thighs and she pulls the newborn up onto her chest. "She's here."
Adria and Tyler are right there, reaching out to touch the new baby. Anna is checking her over and she gets the umbilical cord tied. Cam tells her to let Adria and Tyler help cut it. This delights them, being able to do something so important. After it's cut the little one starts to wail.
"Hey little girl, shhhhh, momma's here. Momma's here." Vala kisses her wet head.
Cam sees the little naked body shivering and he lets Vala drop down deeper into the water to submerge the baby a bit. That seems to quiet her.
"You did so good, sweetheart." Cam knows that Anna needs the child to do all the important weights and measures and birth certificate things but he's so glad that she gives them this time.
Vala's eyes shut and exhaustion sweeps over her. She leans back against Cam, who keeps his arms around her to give her something solid to lean back against. "You're amazing," he whispers in her ear.
Vala smiles, eyes half shut, but unable to stop looking at her newborn girl. "No, she is."
"Mommy, she's gross," Tyler says, not sounding all that pleased with his new sibling.
Anna laughs. "Here, let me clean her up and get all the paperwork taken care of." Anna reaches down and gently takes the baby from Vala. "Cam can help you into the bed, if you're ready."
Vala takes a breath and then nods. "Yes, I want to get out of the water."
"Adria, would you like to help me?" Anna asks. "You too, Tyler."
Both kids go over to her, where she has a small basin of water ready to wash the baby off and then clean the ink off of her feet once she has the paperwork done.
Anna has Adria sit down. They've practiced this already and Adria is practically vibrating with pride and excitement as Anna places the baby in her arms.
"Name?" She asks Cam and Vala.
Vala looks at Cam, smiling. "Lyra Summer Mitchell."
"Lyra... got it." Anna fills in the birth certificate, smiling. "Lovely name."
She takes Lyra back from Adria. Tyler is whining that he wants to hold her too, but they've practiced this as well. "Go sit beside your Mom, okay?"
He runs into the bedroom just as Cam has gotten Vala settled. Cam lifts Tyler up onto the bed, kissing the top of his head. "I'm gonna go get my folks."
As he's walking out the door, he turns and looks again at them, Vala with her arm around Tyler, who has Lyra placed on his lap. He is very careful to support her head just like they practiced with him over and over, and then looks up at Vala to make sure he's doing it all right. She smiles widely at him and he grins back. "Mommy, she still looks funny, though."
Cam laughs and heads downstairs. Wendy and Frank are both standing there, along with Sam, Daniel, and Teal'c, who have just arrived. Cam's smile tells them all they need to know. "We've got a daughter."
Wendy's crying happily and even Frank's eyes are a little bit glossy. SG-1 stays in the living room, not wanting to crowd Vala in her bedroom, but Cam promises to bring the baby out as soon as they've had a little bit of family time. Besides, SG-1 has brought presents, and Cam knows that Vala will want those.
Vala has Lyra this time he walks in, Tyler's moment of holding her having ended. "Daddy's turn again," Cam announces, sitting on the other side of Vala. Adria is in front of her, legs crossed on the bed. She's explaining to Tyler what the umbilical stump is and he's pretty sure that Tyler doesn't understand a word she's saying, but it doesn't seem to bother her any.
"I think she looks like me," Adria says. "She has blue eyes like me and Mom."
"I got blue eyes too," Tyler says, pouting. He doesn't like that Adria would have something in common with their mother that he doesn't.
"Yeah, but yours look like Daddy's. Mine look like Mommy's." Adria tells him. "And so do hers."
"They might change yet," Vala says. She looks down at the baby, who has quieted her crying, looking around the room. She doesn't seem exactly happy, but Cam doesn't blame her much for that. She just left her cushy cozy world and there are a whole bunch of big people dunking her in water and passing her around.
He hands her to Wendy, who makes Cam start to take pictures.
Soon the team is bursting in arms full of gifts. Something which Adria and Tyler immediately pick up on. They bustle over and are, of course, rewarded. They get new toys and happily pull them out to show Lyra.
"Hey, guys." Vala feels tired but she doesn't want to sleep yet. She wants to show off her new baby to everyone. "Meet Lyra."
Sam is the first to reach for the little one, much to the amazement of the rest of the team. "She's gorgeous. You two must be so proud." Daniel stands over her shoulder and looks on.
Vala points out what everyone else already sees. "You two gonna have one of those soon?"
Sam turns beet red and Daniel just smiles widely. "Well..."
"You're not?" When Sam refuses to comment Vala knows. "Not gonna get married first, hmm? Tsk tsk."
"I seem to recall your first child being in your wedding." Sam fires back, not really insulted by her insinuation.
Cam kisses her head. "I made an honest woman out of her."
"You tried, valiantly Cameron. But honest and me aren't really words that go in the same sentence." She yawns and he knows that the party should end soon.
"I'll keep trying, baby." He gets up and scoops the baby out of Sam's arms. "Really?" Sam just smiles off to the side. Still no verbal confirmation.
"May I hold her?" Teal'c offers his arms to Cam. When Lyra settles in the giant Jaffa just grins. "I once wanted something like this. Once had it, but I do not envy the late night diaper changes, messy feedings and constant crying. If you need anything that doesn't involve watching this one, I would be happy to assist you Colonel Mitchell."
"Thanks, Man!" He lets Teal'c hold her for a bit longer but he can see she's starting to fuss so he takes her back and sets her with Vala.
"We're gonna go." Daniel volunteers. "There are gifts for everyone in these bags. We're gonna come check on you all in a couple days. Sleep well." Everyone groans at his sleep reference.
"Just you wait, Jackson." Cam jabs as he escorts them out of the room. Just in time for the baby to make her presence known. "Sounds like it's time for her first meal."
"Okay, children, why don't we take these presents downstairs," Wendy says. "Your mom and Lyra both probably need a rest after she eats."
Adria wants to stay but Frank puts a hand on her shoulder and gently guides her out. Vala's face is pale but she looks like she's doing okay, and she's eager to get Lyra the nutrition that she needs after her ordeal. Anna stays just long enough to make sure that Lyra latches properly and there aren't any issues there.
"Looks like you two have this under control," she says. "You have my number if you need anything."
"Thanks," Cam says. He lets her show herself out. Right now he doesn't plan on leaving Vala's side. He watches with fascination as Lyra eats. Her skin is still newborn red and splotchy and her face scrunches up with concentration as she works her mouth on Vala's nipple.
Vala winces. "I forgot how not fun this part feels until you get used to it."
Cam laughs just a little. He reaches out and strokes Lyra's cheek, her tiny little body, the newborn diaper that Anna had put on her. She looks tiny, much smaller than he remembers Tyler being as a newborn. Tyler was a sturdy baby, and Lyra looks like just a wisp.
"Are you in love already?" Vala asks. "I think I am."
"I think she had us both sucked in long before we laid eyes on her," Cam says. "She's us. We made her. We did that."
"Amazing, isn't it?" Vala sounds so happy, just like Cam feels.
Once she's done eating Cam takes her and puts her in the little sleeper set up beside their bed. He turns to Vala, who looks in desperate need of a nap herself, and he knows that she probably wants some time alone with the baby, too. Lyra might be his whole world right now, but Vala has been Lyra's world for 9 months and that's a stronger bond than he can even imagine. "Get some sleep, and we'll bring you up some food in a couple hours. Do you need anything for the pain?"
She thinks, and then shakes her head. "No, it's actually not as bad as I remembered."
Cam is happy to hear that. "Love you."
Her yawn takes over the words but he still hears the 'I love you' before closing the door behind him.