Chapter 34

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Sure enough, Miss Renee' and Brid arrived within the next hour, and had as a precaution, brought everything they needed for the labour and birth. The women had an uncanny knack for predicting the onset of labour and hadn't been wrong yet. Word traveled quickly this time and everyone was excited. Unlike last time, Breen would have many here for him that he had cared for when he was younger, and that gave him an additional warm feeling.

He looked up, as Brid helped him into the familiar Muggle gown and helped settle him on the pillows, to see Severus standing nervously in the corner, wide-eyed, watching all the flurried preparations. He hid a smirk as he saw Ailey enter the room slowly, using a cane. She walked right up to Severus.

"Cahlm yerself mahn! 'Tis only eh birth! Breen wi' be fine. He did well wi' Eileen an' he wi' ag'in wi' tha wee bairns. Now, off wi' ye! Go sit wi' Breen an' help him thrugh tha pains. They aer yer bairn, aft'r all! Brid wi' show ye, an' Ah'm here es well!"

She gave the tall wizard a shove toward the bed, before making herself comfortable in a large upholstered chair near the window, out of the way. He turned and gave her an odd look before walking across the room to sit in a chair next to the bed. He looked down to see Breen snickering, clearly amused. Evidently he had witnessed Ailey's style of mothering.

'Severus had clearly met his match and life would certainly get very interesting--and explosive--if those too continued to spend any time around each other.' Breen thought to himself, as another contraction crawled uncomfortably over his abdomen, tightening down enough to make him catch his breath.

Severus had opened his mouth to make a snarky comment on Breen's reaction to Ailey's treatment of him, but the words died on his lips when he saw the smile disappear into a strained expression, as Breen closed his eyes and tried to breath slowly. Feeling a small warm hand on his arm, he turned to see Brid standing there. She leaned down a bit, keeping her voice low, so as not to disturb Breen's concentration.

"Breen kens what ta do jus' fine. Wha' he needs es fer ye ta encourag' him thrugh tha contract'ns an' ta help him be es comfortable es possible. Ah wi' help ye es time progresses." She smiled and patted him on the shoulder before going back to the preparations.

He leaned in and placed a hand on Breen's blanket-covered thigh, and began to rub gently, letting the younger man know he was there to support and help him. Watching him closely, he was able to study Breen, without the younger man knowing, as he kept his eyes closed frequently between the contractions in an attempt to maintain calm and rest. Severus felt the occasional pat or squeeze on his hand to let him know his presence was acknowledged and appreciated.

Breen had changed, in innumerable ways, in the last ten years. It was obvious, that escaping his unwanted fame, had been the beginning of a real life for him. He'd found a measure of happiness here, with a new identity and a new life. There was a quiet confidence now, and a sense of security, Severus had never sensed when he'd still been the boy, Harry.

But the most startling to Severus, had been the physical changes. Where Quidditch and training for the Final Battle had honed Breen's body, working with the horses had clearly refined it. Even with the additional weight of the pregnancy on his frame, it was still easily visible how the steely muscles moved under the skin. His facial features had lost their adolescent softness and his profile was chiseled now, below the healthy glow of many hours spent outdoors, working with his beloved horses.

He was still quite small in stature, standing a mere 165 cm tall, with a lighter frame than was usual for a young man. But, Severus had been made aware many years ago of the shameful way those Muggles had raised him, causing his growth to be hampered.

The glasses had long ago disappeared, leaving those large verdant eyes very much visible, and the hair! All that lovely, long, wavy, thick hair! It was no longer wild, but still gave the sense that it could be, if given half a chance. He vaguely remembered the dream he'd had of finding himself abed with a very naked and aroused Breen. All that dark, lovely hair draped over Breen's body, as he had straddled Severus. He thought back over the dreams he'd been having for so long, and they all seemed so clear now. He shook his head. Now, was not the time for such thoughts!

His attention was snapped back to the present, when he heard Breen moan. He looked over to see Breen's brows furrowed and him worrying his lower lip between his teeth. Footsteps approached.

"Ah, I do believe it is time to see how you are progressing, Breen." Miss Renee' smiled pleasantly at Severus, as she waited for the current contraction to subside. "When the contraction has abated, Severus, if you would please, help him move so I may examine him. Brid will assist you from this side of the bed."

He stood, and leaned down, as Brid appeared at Breen's other side. He spoke in a low calm voice. "Come, Breen. Miss Renee' needs to see how you and the babies are coming along."

Breen nodded, and worked with him and with Brid to slid down and get into position. When Renee' began to manually palpitate Breen's abdomen, Severus looked at her oddly. She noticed his expression and chuckled.

"When a parent is labouring, we must keep magic to a minimum, or it may interfere with the progress. The body has it's own magic governing the birthing process and we don't want that disrupted, unless it is absolutely necessary."

"Ah." Severus replied. "Understandable."

She went back to her examination, intent to complete it before the next contraction began. When Breen whimpered a bit in discomfort, she tried to sooth him.

"I'm sorry Breen. I know this is uncomfortable but I am almost finished, and then you can find a more comfortable position again." He nodded.

Once Breen was situated again and Renee' had washed her hands, she came back and sat on the corner of the bed, looking back and forth between her patient and the babies' father.

"Breen, you are about two thirds of the way dilated, but I am a bit concerned. The babies are not quite fully in the proper position for the birthing, and I am not sure at this point why."

Breen opened his eyes fully and stared at his healer, as Ailey rose and limped over to sit on the other corner of the bed, and Brid stood behind Renee'.

Severus shifted nervously in his seat. "If there is need of any specialized potions, I will be able to obtain them for you."

"Thank you, Severus. I try my best to be prepared for every eventuality and already have all possible potions on hand just in case they are needed."

He smiled approvingly at her and Breen squeezed his hand. "I told you she was the best."

"What can be done then?" Severus asked, clearly concerned.

"There are several techniques I use successfully. Some are very old , tried and true, Wizarding methods, and others are ones I have borrowed from Muggle Midwifery and Doulas. I have a few combinations that are very successful in a situation such as this. It will require movement on your part, Breen. Do you think you can manage that?"

Concern shadowed Breen's face, but it was quickly replaced with determination. This hadn't been necessary when he'd had Eileen, but it didn't matter. "I'll do whatever I must to bring my sons into the world, safely." He looked over at Severus. "Our sons." He added.

"Good. Then let's get to it, shall we?"

Severus leaned forward and stood. "Is there anything I can do to assist?

Renee's eyes danced with mirth. "Oh my, yes. I daresay, by the time you meet your sons, you will be every bit as weary as Breen."

As a testament to her long history of dealing with birthing parents and their mates, her expression didn't waver, when Severus raised an elegant eyebrow at her in inquiry. Ailey chuckled from where she sat. She remembered well, Iain with their children's births, and herself after Eileen's birth more than four years before.

"I suggest you change into looser, more casual clothing, Severus. You will thank me later."
She turned and went to a small table in the corner, sat, and began writing in a file; no doubt recording Breen's current condition, progress, and her recommendations.

"Go ahead, Severus. I will be fine." Breen squeezed his hand and let go.

Ailey appeared beside the bed. "Off wi' ye now! Ah'll stay wi' him till ye return. Go! She made a shooing motion when the tall wizard didn't move fast enough for her liking. Severus gave her a slight frown, and glanced once more at Breen before striding from the room.

Ailey sat carefully on the edge of the bed, letting her cane drop to the floor, and leaned over to place kisses on each of Breen's cheeks and one on his forehead, then reached down to gently caress the swell of the babies.

Och! He's eh firey one, tha' profess'r o' yers! Seems ta be ver'a protectiv'." Her expression showed her approval.

"Yes, he is. But, you haven't seen anything yet! All the students at the school scattered whenever he appeared--most feared his ire." Breen sighed. "Though when we were students, noone knew it was mostly a 'mask' he wore, because he was a spy for the Light. I didn't find out until my Seventh Year, but even compared to then, he has changed so mu--ooh!"

He laid back, closed his eyes, and tried to relax and breath, as another contraction began. Though he tried to relax his whole body, he still grasped Ailey's hand, drawing comfort from the contact with his 'adopted' mum. She brushed the hair away from his cheek.

"Shhh... ma sweet laddie. Go wi' et. See yer bairns movin' doown insid' ye." She crooned to him, rubbing her other hand up and down his arm and his leg.

There was a light knock at the door, and Brid opened it, speaking to someone before Renee' came to her side. A moment later, the door opened further, and a familiar face appeared.

"Breen, Luv."

Ailey looked up and smiled, as she motioned for Cainnech to come sit by the bed. He moved through the room and sat, his eyes on his young lover. Silently watching Breen, he seemed to hold his breath, both worry and excitement warring in his features.

Finally, Breen blew out a cleansing breath and opened his eyes. "Cainnech!"

"Aye, Luv, et's me. Ah see tha spec'l day has fin'ly come." The big man bussed a kiss in the dark hair and sat back down. "How're ye farin'?"

"Fine, so far. They're getting harder now." Breen gave a sheepish grin. "I hope that means it won't be long."

"Ye'll be fine, laddie. Tha bairns' Da bein' haer es ah gud omen." Ailey gave Cainnech a knowing look, causing the big man's eyes to widen as he looked at Breen.

"Oh! Ah dinnae ken tha'!" Cainnech smiled at Breen, as his eyes twinkled. "Es tha' gud far ye, now, Luv?"

As the others watched, Breen's cheeks flushed pink, and he dropped his eyes self-consciously to the blanket.

"Da! Cainnech!" Eileen appeared and scampered across the room, pulling a tall slender man by the hand. "Papa! Come meet Cainnech! He took care o' me an' Da faer ye!"

Severus eyed the big muscular Scot sitting by Ailey, and his Breen. He wondered who the big man was, and what his connection to Breen was. After being pulled around the bed, they stopped so Eileen could climb on the bed, kiss her Da, then beg to be picked up by Cainnech. Severus looked up at the man. He was at least 15 cm taller and considerably broader. Severus held out his hand.

"Severus Snape. It is pleasant to make your acquaintance."

His hand was almost lost in the other man's and shaken firmly.

"Pleas'd ta mak' yer acquain'ance, Mr. Snape. Ah'm Cainnech Duchovny. Eh friend o' Breen's. Pleas' acc'pt ma bes' wishes fer ye as eh new Da! Ferst Eileen, an' now tha bairns! Ye aer indeed eh bless'd mahn!"

He hugged and kissed Eileen, before setting her on the bed. He leaned down again and kissed Breen's cheek. Seeing Breen's confused look, he stroked a finger gently down the smaller man's face then stood.

"Breen, Luv. Ah only cam' ta see tha ye aer doin' well, an' ta let ye ken tha' Ah've nae had but good from me Gift. Ah'm chuffed to see tha Goddess ha' fin'ly brought ye tageth'r. Me time o' bein' yer guardian an' protect'r is o'er. Ah will look fer ye at tha gatherin's, me mate." He turned to Severus. "Ah've watched o'er him till now. Ye're eh v'ry bless'd mahn--v'ry bless'd."

With a smile and a firm clap on the shoulder, that caused Severus to flinch, Cainnech kissed Ailey on the cheek, and strode from the room. Severus watched the big man go, confused at his words. It certainly wasn't what he'd expected. Evidently there had been a very close relationship between Breen and this Cainnech, and the Scot had just relinquished it, maintaining that he would stay in touch. Severus started to ask for an explanation, but when he looked at Breen, the young man was incommunicado, being in the midst of another contraction.

Brid hurried over. Grabbing Severus' sleeve, she started talking as she pulled him away from the bed. Breen was now resting as he waited for the next contraction. Ailey had moved to the chair by the bed.

"Com' now. Ah wi' explain ta ye wha' mus' be done ta move tha bairns. Ye're presence wi' be v'ry import'nt ta Breen."

He watched and listed intently, absorbing everything she was telling him and showing him, so he'd be able to help Breen as much as possible. He put Cainnech to the back of his mind.

Tbc...

chuffed - happy, pleased.

ken - know.