Chapter 24: Birth

Anna and Kratos were trying to run through the Ymir Forest. Anna was preparing to have her baby. She was late a few days from her due date.

Scorcha the Midwife was friends with Kratos. She was a beautiful elf with blue hair. She had suggested, "Since Anna possessed the strongest water in the world. She better try running or rigorous activity. Or she was going to have to break it."

Anna was attempting to jog through the forest. This isn't as graceful as it seems, when you have to carry around a watermelon… Anna started to slow down from a jog to a slow walk. She was completely out of breath.

Kratos was with Anna. He was checking on her progress. He frowned at Anna and questioned, "Honey… You're out of shape?"

After all that physical activity, Anna was panting like a dog. She angrily replied, "You don't have to carry around all I do."

Anna managed to reach it to the Memorial of Origin without breaking her water. She was so exhausted she had to sit. She sat at the edge of the Stone Memorial.

Kratos sat beside her and frowned in concern. He questioned, "I think Scorcha's going to have to break your water?"

Anna sighed and irritation replied, "No… I've got to do this on my on."

After that, Anna tried to stand. This wasn't easy. The weight of the baby was pushing her down. She slowly stood. Then she did stretching and bending exercises. She walked around the statue ten times. After that, she did more exercises. Finally, she felt a tear below. A rush of fluid came out in between her legs. She opened her mouth in shook, "Gah…It worked."

Kratos nervously fingered through his hair and questioned, "I guess she's was right? Do you want me to fly you back?"

Anna put her hand over her engorged stomach and replied, "My water just broke… I'm not feeling any contractions…"

Kratos crossed his arms and questioned, "I bet in five minutes you will?"

Anna took her hand away from her stomach and replied, "Ahh… What's the use in flying back now? I want to walk and enjoy the fresh air."

Kratos frowned at Anna's stubbornness. Then he put his hand over his forehead and questioned, "You aren't having it in the woods?"

Anna lovingly glanced at Kratos and replied, "If it gets that bad, I'll cry for you to fly me back."

Kratos nodded his head and stated, "It's a deal…"

Anna managed to get a quarter of a mile into the Forest. Then just like Kratos predicted the worst cramps in the world set in. Anna had to stop and rest at a tall tree. She put her hand over stomach and let out a moan, "I think all the cramps I missed are coming back to haunt me? Oh… This sucks… What I wouldn't give to be in your shoes? Men are so dam lucky?"

Kratos smiled at Anna and questioned, "So... You're saying you want a sex change? I love you the way you are?"

Anna angrily rolled her eyes in pain…

Kratos concernedly questioned, "I think it's time to get you back to Scorcha?"

Anna nodded in pain… It was hard to speak when the worst cramps of the century took control of her body.

Kratos pulled out his Angel Wings. He walked over to Anna. She was still panting in pain with her arms against a tree. She turned and faced him. As Kratos bent down and gently picked her up. Anna tightly wrapped her arms around his neck. She was preparing for take off. Kratos fluttered his wings a few times to get enough momentum. Before they knew it, they were soaring in the air like a bird.

As they were flying, Kratos managed to question, "How're you doing?"

Anna was thankful they diminished some while they were flying. She kissed Kratos on the cheek. Then she replied, "The contractions let up a bit. It comes in painful waves. I'm not feeling it like I was."

Kratos thoughtfully questioned, "Good… We're almost there?"

Kratos slowly brought Anna down to land. They landed at a private elf cottage. This cottage was deep in the Ymir Woods. The cottage was brown like all the elf homes. It had a nice sized front porch.

Kratos still had his wings out. He carried Anna through the front door of the cottage. Like a gentlemen.

Scorcha the mid-wife was standing inside the front room of the cottage.

The front room was a multipurpose room. On one side, there was a kitchen with running water. There was a table with four comfortable chairs around it. On the other side was a waiting room. With many comfortable chairs pushed against the wall. There was a door that led to a hallway. That housed two separate rooms with beds. Upstairs there was a large bathroom with a large tub. There were also three rooms upstairs.

Scorcha smiled at they're return. Then she questioned, "Any Luck?"

Kratos carried Anna in his arms, with his Wings out.

Anna glanced at Scorcha, and managed to reply, "Finally, it broke..."

Scorcha smiled at Anna. Then she patted her on the shoulder and questioned, "That's great… I thought I was going to have to do it?"

Anna weakly questioned, "The contractions keep getting harder? I'm not sure if I'll be able to tolerate it?"

Scorcha replied, "That's the normal response for a first time Mother. Can you feel the head yet?"

Anna replied, "With each painful contraction… I'm starting to feel the head."

Scorcha narrowed her eyes at Kratos and questioned, "How're you holding up?"

Kratos looked confused. Then he questioned, "Me?"

Scorcha smiled at Kratos and questioned, "You aren't having a break down are you?"

Kratos gazed at her and replied, "No… That was when I first found out."

Scorcha smiled and questioned, "Good… Why don't you carry her to the back room? I need to examine her progress."

Kratos replied, "That I can do…"

Kratos carried Anna down the narrow hallway. There were two rooms. He took her to the room on the right. It had a full bed with a dresser and a nightstand. Kratos brought Anna to the bed. He sat her down on the edge. After that, he concealed his Wings…

Scorcha searched through the drawers of a chest. She pulled out a white nightgown and handed it to Anna. She stated, "Put this on…"

Anna nodded her head… Then she slowly undressed. She put the white nightgown over her head. It concealed her top and went to her knees.

Kratos took her clothes and left the room with them...

Scorcha glanced at Anna and questioned, "Why don't you lie down? I need to cheek your progress… I also need to see if the head is positioned right?"

Anna blushed and replied, "There's no modesty whatsoever…"

Anna managed to climb herself in bed. She sprawled out her legs as far as they would go.

Scorcha smiled at Anna. Then she hovered over Anna's stomach. She soothingly stated, "Remember, it's all for the best…"

After that, Scorcha placed her hands on Anna's stomach. She wasn't being gentile in the slightest. She smiled at her and questioned, "Good News… The head's in the right direction?"

Anna sighed in relief and relied," Thank goodness…"

Scorcha questioned, "Now, I need to see how far along you are? When the head's out that's when you'll need to push?"

Anna thoughtfully questioned, "Er… Really?"

Scorcha replied, "It saves your strength till the end."

Anna said, "I see…"

After that, Scorcha examined in between Anna legs. She questioned, "You're only two centimeters?"

Anna frowned at the results and questioned, "That's it… What am I suppose to do till then?"

Scorcha glanced at her and replied, "I hate to be the bringer of bad news. First babies are slow. You're bodies not used to it. It could take a few hours or at the most two days."

Anna opened her mouth in shock and questioned, "Two days… I'll be dead?"

Scorcha smiled at Anna and replied, "You're a strong girl… You can handle it."

Anna nervously questioned, "What am I supposed to do while I wait in agony?"

Scorcha replied, "You could take a nap…"

Anna shook her head and questioned, "No way?"

Scorcha managed to suggest, "Or…You could take a nice… relaxing… hot bath?"

Anna frowned in thought and questioned, "That won't hut it?"

Scorcha smiled at her and replied, "No… Warm baths are soothing to birthing Mothers."

Anna nodded her head and questioned, "Maybe, I'll try it?"

Just then, Kratos came back in the room and asked, "What did I miss?"

Anna smiled at Kratos and replied, "You're back…"

Scorcha glanced at Kratos and questioned, "The head's in the right position… However, Anna's only a couple of centimeters. It could take as little as two hours and as long as two days for the head to come's through?"

Kratos frowned over the news. Then he replied, "I certainly hope she isn't in agony that long."

Scorcha nodded at him and questioned, "I'll try my best… With this being her first it will take longer?"

Kratos nodded his head…

Anna thoughtfully gazed at him and said, "I've decided since it will be awhile. I'm going to take a hot bath. She said, "Warm water is supposed to be relaxing to birthing mothers."'

Kratos glanced at her and questioned, "Do whatever makes you comfortable?"

Scorcha stated, "I'll go upstairs and get the warm bath water drawled. I'll call you when it's ready."

Anna thoughtfully replied, "That's fine…"

Scorcha left the room to turn on the hot bath water.

Anna gazed at Kratos and questioned, "I'm glad you're here?"

Kratos walked to the edge of Anna's bed. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek and questioned, "Where else would I be?"

Scorcha managed to yell from upstairs. She questioned, "The waters hot! Bring her upstairs?"

Kratos concernedly asked, "Anna… Can you walk?"

Anna frowned in irritation and replied, "Lying down sucks… I'd rather walk and get my legs going."

Kratos smiled and stated, "I see…"

Anna slowly turned around and shoved her legs in front of her. Kratos was in front of her. She gripped him for support. She stood up for a moment. It was then, she realized how weak and off balance she was?

Kratos let Anna lean on him for support. Slowly, they walked out of the room and down the hall. There were steps leading up to the bathroom and extra rooms.

When they reached the stairs, Anna grabbed her stomach and hysterically questioned, "Two days of this?"

Kratos wrapped his strong arms around Anna and replied, "You're strong..."

There were tears in Anna's eyes when she stated, "Not that strong…"

Kratos compassionately picked Anna up and carried her up the stairs. There was an open door to the bathroom. Scorcha was standing in front of the bath tub.

When Scorcha spotted them, she smiled encouragingly and said, "It's nice and warm… The water's supposed to relax you."

Kratos set Anna down in front of the tub...

Anna stuck her hands in the warm water. Then she questioned, "It's hot... Should I take off my clothes?"

Scorcha smiled and replied, "You don't have to… I can get a different one."

Anna smiled in relief and questioned, "You're nice… I'm always cold anyway?"

Kratos smiled and replied, "That's true..."

Anna gazed at Kratos and questioned, "Can't you help me in? I don't want to slip?"

Anna took Kratos's hand, as he guided her into the tub.

Anna slowly sat down in the warm bath water. She smiled and replied, "This is great… The water's soothing."

Kratos smiled and questioned, "Good… I hope it makes the contractions easier?"

Anna sighed and replied, "Me too…"

Scorcha smiled at Anna and questioned, "You'll be fine?"

Scorcha turned her attention away from Anna and thoughtfully questioned, "Kratos… I need to speak with you?"

Kratos thoughtfully nodded his head...

Scorcha questioned, "Come with me?"

They both walked out of the bathroom and down the stairs. They ended up in the front waiting room.

Scorcha thoughtfully gazed at Kratos in concern and questioned, "I think you need a break?"

Kratos nervously wiped the sweet that was in his eyes. He replied, "I'll admit this is getting to me more than I thought..."

Scorcha stated, "You need to consider your own sanity… Go walk outside."

Kratos let out a breath and questioned, "You're right... But… How much longer?"

Scorcha did a calculating frown. Then she replied, "I'm not sure… Maybe morning."

Kratos glanced at the clock on the mantel and sighed. He questioned, "It's already morning?"

Scorcha smiled and replied, "Go walk… I'll have hot tea when you return."

Kratos thoughtfully questioned, "A little break won't hurt?"

Kratos opened the front door to get some fresh air. It was a clear night. He walked around the front porch breathing fresh air. It was then he heard and saw a man with brown slightly graying hair. A middle aged and very pregnant woman was with him painting and screaming…

She managed to yell and question, "Emery….I can feel the head! I'm not sure we're going to make it?"

Emery managed to reply, "Emily… We made it."

Emily sighed and questioned, "Thank the Goddess… I thought I was going to have in the woods?"

Emery curiously glanced at Kratos on the front porch step. He managed to question," This is Scorcha's place isn't it?"

Kratos crossed his arms and questioned, "Yes, it is… You're Wife's in labor?"

Emery nervously laughed and replied, "Yes… This is her seventh. They arrive fast."

Kratos compassionately stated, "I see... Scorcha's inside."

Emery smiled at Kratos's kindness and questioned, "Thanks… Are you waiting too?"

Kratos smiled and replied, "Yeah… This is my first."

Emery brought out his hand to sake Kratos's hand. He thoughtfully stated, "My name's Emery… I like you... We'll be friends."

Emily angrily glared at her husband… Then she questioned, "How can you sit there moving that mouth of yours? It's nearly impossible for me not to push!"

Emery sheepishly smiled at his Wife and replied, "Sorry Dear..."

After that, Emery come over to his Wife and assisted her inside...

Scorcha gazed at the Women in recognition and questioned, "Oh Emily? You weren't due for another three weeks?"

In irritation, Emily replied," I know… But, my water broke a few hours ago. I can feel the head. I just want to push it out?"

Scorcha frowned in thought and questioned, "Oh Dear? I'm going to have to put you in the room across the way?"

Emily and Scorcha walked to the empty birthing room. It was across from Anna's room.

Emery took a seat in a comfortable waiting chair. Then he smiled at Kratos and questioned, "Busy night?"

Kratos took a seat across from Emery. He sighed and questioned, "It sure has been an eventful night… When things can't get any worse they do?"

Emery thoughtfully replied, "First babies are slow… When Emily had her first one, it took a day. Being her seventh one, it will take twenty minutes at the most…"

Kratos sheepishly questioned, "How do you mange six children?"

Emery sheepishly replied, "We manage them just fine… My Wife is very good with children… She knows how to discipline better than me? At home, we have six of the silliest girls in the World. I'm completely surrounded by females. I just want a Son to go fishing with and to carry my name?"

Kratos frowned in interest because he was secretly hoping for a girl? Mithos wouldn't care and Kratos could love her with out being concerned? He questioned, "Six girls would be something?"

Emery sighed in defeat and replied, "It's the idea I can't get a Son out of my head."

Kratos thoughtfully smiled at Emery's predicament and stated, "I guess that's a legitimate reason…"

Emery thoughtfully asked, "What about you?"

To his horror, Kratos was starting to picture a boy playing baseball. He frowned in thought and questioned, "Me?"

Emery smiled at Kratos's daftness and questioned, "Yeah you?"

Kratos sheepishly replied, "Oh... I'm hoping for a girl."

Emery frowned in disgust at Kratos's answer. Then he questioned, "I don't believe that? Trust me, girls are completely useless. You want a Son."

It was then Kratos realized a girl was the wrong thing? He nervously laughed and replied "I guess I won't have a choice… I just hope it's healthy."

Just then, a tiny Infant let out a cry that it was out in the world?

Kratos frowned in shock over the cry he heard? Then he questioned, "No way!"

Just then, Scorcha came to the front room with the bloody infant. She glanced at Emery and questioned, "I'm so… sorry… It's another girl?"

Emery angrily frowned at his new infant daughter and replied, "Not another girl. This is so unfair. Seven silly girls…"

Scorcha thoughtfully glanced at Kratos and questioned, "Kratos… Can you get me a hot bucket of water? I need to clean them up?"

Kratos got up from the chair and got the water for Scorcha. He managed to question, "How's Anna?"

Scorcha replied, "She's more than halfway. It won't be long. After I clean Emily, Anna will be ready."

Kratos smiled in relief and replied, "Really… Thanks..."

Kratos handed the bucket of water to Scorcha. She took it and then left with the bloody infant.

Scorcha cleaned up the baby and Emily. She dressed her in a pink crocheted hat and a pink outfit. She was tightly wrapped in a pink blanket. She brought the infant out and questioned, "Now, Emery… Remember, all babies are Special… This is your last one. Your wife can't have anymore?"

Emery let out a sigh and replied, "It figures. She's getting older. How much does Vanessa weight?"

Scorcha replied, "She weighs 6 pounds 2 ounces."

Emery smiled and questioned," I see... Let me hold her then?"

Scorcha handed the Daughter to her new Father.

Emery gazed at his daughter from head to toe. He smiled at her and said, "You're healthy. Let's visit your Mother."

Emery carefully carried his new daughter to Emily's room.

Scorcha glanced at Kratos and stated, "Anna's out of the tub and in her room. She's ready to push."

Kratos glanced at the clock on the mantel. It was seven in the morning. He questioned, "Really?"

Scorcha replied, "I think it's best if you stay out. Birth's a bloody mess."

Kratos concernedly frowned and said, "I know… I just want to help."

Scorcha smiled at Kratos and questioned, "After the baby arrives I want you to hold him until Anna's ready?"

Kratos nervously questioned, "HIM?"

Scorcha put her hand over her mouth. She laughed and replied, "Sorry... We'll have to wait and see."

After that, Scorcha heard an ear curling scream. It was coming from Anna's room. She smiled and stated, "That's my cue…"

After that, Scorcha disappeared into Anna's room.

When Scorcha didn't return, Kratos could hear everything that was going on in the room. All the agonizing screams managed to wretch his ancient heart? When he thought the pain wasn't going to end. He nearly believed they were dead. Out of the blue, he heard a high pitched cry of an infant?

When Kratos finally heard it, he gasped in complete shook. The wait was at last over. That brought him a sense of comfort and anxiety at the same time.

Scorcha came out the room with the bloody infant. It was wrapped in white terrycloth. She stated,"He's got fluid in his noise. I need to clean it."

Kratos stood there in shock. He managed to shake his head and question, "He?"

Scorcha put the bloody brown haired infant on the table. She quickly got a clean wash cloth and wiped the fluid from his nostrils.

He let out a howl in protest to the idea…

Kratos glanced at his Son for the first time and questioned, "Those are strong lungs?"

Scorcha smiled in relief and replied, "Thank goodness… He's breathing… He's perfect... Now, I need to wash him. After I dress him, you're holding him? Anna needs attention…"

Kratos frowned in concern and asked, "She isn't dead?"

Scorcha smiled and replied, "I suppose you heard everything. She'll be okay. But, she's lost a lot of blood. She'll probably be weak and may be weepy for the first month."

Kratos frowned and questioned, "Weepy? I certainly hope not?"

Scorcha smiled and questioned, "Well... I thought I better warn you Post Partum Depression is common among new Mothers?"

Kratos replied, "Thanks for the info..."

Scorcha gave the brown haired baby a bath. When he was finally free of the grime from birth, he looked squeaky clean. Scorcha towel dried him and placed him in a scale… She smiled and questioned, "He weights six pounds… What are you going to name him?"

Kratos sheepishly glanced at his Son and replied, "I don't know… I thought Angelia. But, he'll be made fun of for life if I call him that. That's my Wife's choice."

Scorcha smiled at the healthy boy and touched his nose. She questioned, "Yeah… Angelia's no name for a tough guy like this?"

Kratos frowned in concern and questioned, "Tough guy?"

After that, Scorcha picked him up from the scale. Then she placed him on the table. She dressed him in a tiny diaper. A tiny blue button up romper was used to keep him warm. Anna had knitted him a blue hat and booties. They were put on him to keep him warm. After he was dressed like a King, Scorcha got a blue blanket that was knitted by Anna. She wrapped the tiny boy like a mummy. So there was no way he would be cold…

Scorcha handed Kratos the tiny bundle. She smiled at him and questioned, "Here's your Son?"

Kratos reluctantly took the tiny infant from her. He held him like he might break? He gasped and replied, "He's so light… He'll probably cry with me holding him."

Kratos supported his Son's tiny little head with his strong arms. The boy's brown eyes squinted open. He gazed at his Father for the first time. He didn't fuss at all. He snuggled closer to Kratos. He was trying to get warm.

Kratos curiously gazed at his supposed Son. He noticed the brown hair was similar to Anna's. When he noticed a tiny spike in front of his head, he opened his mouth and gasped… He possessed the same wild hair of his Father? He questioned, "There's no denying it? You're my Son?"

Just then, the boy in his arms opened his mouth and did a toothless baby yawn. Then he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Kratos was memorized by how calm his son was? Then he managed to question to himself. "Will I be able to protect him?"

Just then, Emery came out the room. He gazed at the boy in Kratos's arms and smiled, "Wow… I figured… He's looks a lot like you. They're nothing more Special than a Father Son Relationship?"

Kratos gazed at his sleeping Son in his arms. This was better than the girl he imagined? He smiled and replied, "I think you're right..."

Just then, Scorcha came out. She glanced at Kratos and questioned, "Anna's ready to see both of you?"

Kratos stood up with his sleeping Son. He didn't want to drop him as they strolled to Anna's room.

When Kratos first saw Anna, he was shocked how pale and exhausted she looked. He was surprised she had enough energy to smile?

Anna lovingly gazed at the tiny infant. She questioned, "Aww…Isn't he cute? I knew he was worth it? Let me hold him?"

Kratos handed the sleeping boy to his Mother. He leaned down and kissed Anna on the cheek. He smiled at her and replied, "I'll admit he is the cutest baby I've ever seen… We out did ourselves."

Just then, he opened his weak eyes and let out a little fuss? Being in someone else's arms scared him? Anna gently rocked him back and forth and stated, "There… there… Lloyd. It's ok."

Kratos curiously gazed at his Son and questioned, "Lloyd?"

Anna replied, "We agreed if it was a girl you would pick. Since, this is a boy you said I could pick."

Kratos questioned, "We did agree to that... My mind is blank on boy names?"

Anna smiled to herself, when she gently touched the new spikes that were forming in the infant boy's brown hair. She smiled and relied, "It's better than Angelia…"

Kratos gazed at his Wife and questioned, "You're right... But, I'm not sure if Mithos will approve? He hated the Zetes Warriors. I noticed he's got your stubborn little noise too?"

Anna thoughtfully touched her Son's nose. She snickered to herself and replied, "You've got me… There's no denying it. He's ours."

Kratos smiled at Anna and questioned, "From what little I saw of him? He's healthy."

Scorcha frowned in irritation at the couple. Then she questioned, "Hey you two? I need a legal name?"

Kratos frowned in defeat and replied, "Lloyd is fine..."

Anna lovingly gazed at Kratos and questioned, "That's why I love you?"

Just then, Lloyd started to impatiently cry and fuss in Anna's arms…

Scorcha gazed at Anna and replied, "He's hungry... That's what's wrong with him?"

Anna turned crimson and questioned, "Oh… Lord?"

Kratos curiously gazed at his Wife and questioned, "You want me to leave don't you?"

Anna nodded her head and replied, "Please…"

Kratos left the room to let Anna bound with their Son. As he walked out of the room he quickly noticed a man wearing a black outfit. He wore a black hooded clock to conceal his face.

The man slowly removed the black clock. He had long blue hair in a pony-tail.

Kratos frowned in recognition and questioned, "Yuan? You startled me?"

Yuan thoughtfully questioned, "I heard that Anna went into labor today?"

Kratos crossed his arms and replied, "Yeah… She did."

Yuan questioned, "Is it a boy or a girl?"

Kratos sheepishly replied, "It's… Well… We have… a Son."

Yuan smiled at Kratos and questioned, "It figures… I didn't believe that girl business for one second? Congratulations on being the first?"

Kratos smiled at Yuan and replied, "I only hope I'll be able to be a good Father."

Yuan smiled and questioned, "You'll do fine... What did you name you're Son?"

Kratos replied, "His name is Lloyd…"

Yuan frowned for a moment.

Kratos questioned, "Is there something wrong with that name?"

Yuan frowned and replied, "It's alright to me. But, I'm not sure if Mithos will go for it?"

Kratos put his hand over his forehead and he stated, "You're right."

Yuan smiled and questioned, "Speaking of Mithos?"

Kratos frowned and questioned, "What?"

Yuan replied, "He's in Hima seeing how things in the village are doing."

Kratos frowned and questioned, "Really? But, Anna just had Lloyd… She's too weak to travel."

Yuan replied, "I know… Actually, if you stay here you're safe. I would stay away from the village until Mithos leaves."

Kratos frowned and questioned, "When will that be?"

Yuan replied, "I don't know. It could be awhile. There discussing heavy issues."

Kratos sighed and stated, "I see..."

Yuan smiled and questioned "I thought I would be nice and warn you?"

Kratos smiled and relied, "Thanks Old Friend. Do you want to see him?"

Yuan frowned in horror and questioned, "No… I'll pass. I've never held an infant before?"

Kratos smiled and replied, "Neither did I till now... It's easy."

Yuan glanced at Kratos and questioned, "I would like to see him when he's a little older?"

Kratos gazed at him and replied, "I understand…"