A/N ok as the chapter title should suggest to you this chapter contains childbirth. I don't think it should affect those that are squeamish but I have been interested in pregnancy and childbirth for years I honestly don't know what makes someone else squeak. So if you are squeamish feel free to skip over it or maybe give it a chance and if it gets too much skip over. It's the last line your interested in anyway.

Only an epilogue to go.

Chapter Fourteen

Birth

The end of May proved to be an uncomfortable time for Darren. He was often either two hot or two cold. His small bump (he looked like a six month pregnant female) was beginning to affect his balance. Also every male in his family which had expanded to include Draco and Neville treated him like a pain of glass that was about to break at any moment.

He just really wanted to meet his son already. He could feel the child's magic grow within him and knew the time was near. He just wished it was over with already. After all there was supposed to be a lot of pain involved but hey he could handle pain it was this infernal waiting that was driving him nuts.

He didn't even have classes to distract him as soon as he turned eight months he was told to stay out of the class room. Oh his work was still sent to him but he always finished quickly and was left with a lot of down time.

He was too busy muttering himself to notice the growth at first. It wasn't until his robes grew uncomfortably tight that he realized what was happening. The baby was going to be there within twenty four hours. He knew everyone was still busy with classes and knew these things took time. He didn't bother anyone. He just went to his bedroom and took off his restraining robes. He simply stayed in his boxers for the time being.

H felt his waist line distend even more. He thanked every deity out there that he didn't have to be that big for that long. He really admired a woman's strength now knowing he had it easy comparatively. Time moved on as he felt his child fully within him for the first time. He reveled in the tiny movements barely noticing the first few twinges of pain.

The twinges grew until they felt like he had been out training the whole day forgetting to stretch before or after. As the pains grew he let his mind float over the pain. It was a meditation technique he had learned while in his relative's tender care. He was fully in tune with his body yes but that was just it. The pain became just another sensation among many as he let his mind rid the arching spasms. They were still relatively far apart being about ten minutes between peaks.

As the day wore on the pains got stronger and closer together but he still hadn't made a sound. Why should he be screaming wouldn't make the pain go away but his method made him deal with it better? Screaming also wore down a person's strength he knew he would need as much of that as possible for later.

Sometime later he felt the comforting aura of his mate. He was in the middle of a pain so couldn't answer Severus's frantic questions until it was through. When it was he made himself perfectly clear he did not want to go to the hospital wing. There was nothing Pomfrey could do to help him that Severus couldn't. He just wanted to do this with just the two of them. It seemed right to welcome the baby into the same kind of atmosphere that created it.

Severus understood although he was still worried about his love. He knew Darren loved the child more then anything he wouldn't do anything that would harm it. So he settled in to help his mate as much as possible.

He just let Darren run he show. Whatever the laboring man wanted he got. If he wanted to get up and move Severus supported him. If he wanted a back rub his mate was right there.

Darren got the guts once or twice and felt down there to feel what was happening. A passageway was opening in between his anus and his male parts. He knew this was supposed to happen from the few books on the subject he had found.

Soon the pains moved on to pulling a deep guttural groan from him at every peak. He was still riding the waves of pain but the sound released the pressure on his back as the baby came down further.

He had Severus make up a bath as he thought the warm water would do him some good. He had three pains while waiting for the tub to fill up and the groans changed a bit they now ended with a slight grunt. He just instinctively knew his son would be here soon as the pain had changed along with the sounds he made. They now had more pressure then pain to them.

When Severus finally helped him to the tub he noticed Severus had added some sweet smelling herbs to the bathroom. The steam made the oils came out he smelt Jasmine, Lavender, and Chamomile. Those scents were for strength relaxation and healing. He approved of the scents but was brought back to task by another pain.

During this pain he let his body push against the pressure. Severus caught on to what Darren was doing and undressed himself. He got into the large tub to help Darren deliver their child. At first he supported Darren's back through the pushes.

When the head crowned it burned a lot causing Darren to groan louder then normal. It also caused a rush of water to leave him; the fluid was clear with a slight pinkish tint. That was Severus's cue to switch positions. He got in front of Darren and prepared to catch his son.

The head was already crowned and he could see it had a lot of hair. He gently guided the head out as Darren pushed. Once the head was out the body turned and Severus cleaned out his son's mouth and nose. Then with one last groaning push the slippery body emerged into Severus's arms.

The child started wailing as soon as it was free. At that musical sound Darren thanked whatever deity who was listen that his son was alright. Meanwhile Severus took care of the cord and handed Darren their son.

The three of them stayed there for another hour or so. A cleaning charm took care of the soiled water. They were just bonding as a family before the others were told. Darren gave his soul mate one last searing kiss and then looked down into their sons newly opened eyes.

Now when most babies are born their eyes are blue. Well not theirs, his eyes were a mix of both. They had a startlingly green base color with veins of onyx running through the irises.

The small family finally got out of the tub. Severus dressed himself then helped Darren to dress as he was still healing from the birth. They both dressed their son in a diaper with a sky blue sleeper.

Severus finally contacted the other three members of the family. Within ten minutes everyone was in the room congratulating the new parents and ogling the baby.

Finally Voldemort asked. "Well what is my grandson's name?"

Darren looked Severus in the eyes before turning back to his father and answering, "Jaden Vanian Riddle-Snape."