Chapter Four: Cassandra
Calla took in a deep breath, trying to still the pain in her abdomen. It was agonizing. She was only seven months. This…
The girl stood and walked down the hall. Her vision swirled.
"Calla!"
The girl looked up and relief flooded her eyes.
"Cavin."
The King wrapped his arms around her and she let her weight shift against her husband. Cavin lifted her into his arms and carried her to set her on a chair. She was gasping but then that pain ceased. Most of her strength felt zapped.
"Calla? Are you alright?"
"I.. I'm alright."
Cavin bit his lower lip, "Are you sure?"
Calla nodded and kissed her husband's cheek, "I'm fine, really. Just need to rest a little."
Cavin seemed unconvinced but nodded,
"If you're sure."
"I'm okay. I'll rest up and then go see the Gummies maybe they've got some herbs I can use."
Cavin nodded. "Okay…'
"Your Majesty, Your Highness?"
The two turned as Sir Tuxford appeared in the doorway. He walked in and said gently,
"The kingdom is waiting for the announcement you plan to make."
The two nodded and stood.
Cavin turned to his wife, "Calla? Are you sure you can.."
"If I have a little help, I'll be fine."
Cavin nodded and let her lean against him. Moving in this way, the two made their way out to the balcony to address the kingdom.
* * *
Calla rubbed her temples as she walked through the forest towards Gummi glen. Her people were so stubborn. They told simply that only when the gummies proved they were trustworthy would they accept them as allies but not before.
"Calla?"
The girl looked up as she saw a small Gummi girl, maybe Cubbi's age. She was a hot pink shade with short hair to her chin, wavy. She wore black slacks, knee high brown boots and a baggy white t-shirt.
"It is Calla right? I just know what I hear."
Calla smiled, "Queen Calla at your service, sweetie."
"Name's Tavi."
Calla almost said more but a swift pain shot through her stomach and she sank to the ground,
"Calla?"
Calla could barely hear it, barely hear her. The pain blinded her ears. The next things she knew she was looking up in Grammi's eyes. Someone else wiped the sweat from her forehead. Turning her eyes, she saw Zummi. She was lying on a bed.
"What…what happened?"
"Yes, what happened Bonni?"
The violet haired Gummi turned and said, "Contractions."
Calla sat up, "But I'm only seven months. Maybe eight…maybe!"
Bonni smiled, "Sweetie, there's no reason for panic yet. Just relax."
"Does Cavin…"
"Cubbi went to get him."
Calla nodded. Grammi pressed her back down, "Rest."
Calla sighed and closed her eyes again. The pain began to dull but she felt the child within her turn, stir. It kicked her once as if to say,
"Lemme out!"
* * *
Buddi bit his lower lip and walked back to Sunni. She looked at him with pitying eyes.
"We.. we musta dozed off."
Buddi nodded. He knew he was in for it now. If he knew Ursa, she was storming over here right now, most likely with Gritty with her. Gritty followed Ursa in her decisions. He'd yell at him too, although not as much as Ursa. Still it wasn't something he was looking forward to.
"Buddi?"
"Yeah, Sunni?"
"I…I'm, sorry you're gonna get in trouble."
Buddi smiled. 'I'm used to it."
'But-"
"BUDDI!"
Buddi winced, "Ursa, definitely Ursa. Gritty too, I can hear him."
"Buddi?"
"Sun-" Buddi began. Sunni silenced him by giving him a kiss on the lips. Buddi gasped as she pulled away and said,
"I'm sorry Buddi."
Buddi stepped out into the hallway.
"Buddi!"
Ursa came around the corner. Gritty wasn't far behind her.
"What were you thinking? Gum's sake, I said be home by ten!"
"Let me explain-"
A rushing Gummi towards the kitchen interrupted them. Buddi called after her,
"Hey what's the rush?"
"Calla's water broke!"
* * *
"Hang in there, sweetie."
Calla squeezed Grammi's hand hard as she tried to pull in air. Grammi and Cavin were the only two guests in the room. The advantage to having a lot of gummies around was that several of them were trained physicians.
"But Grammi, Cavin, it's too early. I…urg!"
She let out a scream of pain and squeezed Cavin's hand harder than she ever had. Her husband let no wince come to his face, merely took the pain and stroked his wife's forehead. She sighed in pain. Looking at the few doctors around her, she was grateful beyond comprehension that she'd met the gummies.
"Okay sweetie you can take a break."
Calla leaned back. She had been in labor for two hours but it felt like two days. Her pulse was racing, and she was in so much pain she just prayed for it to be over with.
"Calla, dear?" Grammi's gentle voice pierced her thoughts. "Calla dear, you need to relax, your pulse is too fast."
"I'll.. I'll try."
Cavin rubbed her hand gently.
The nurse Gummi at Calla's feet was light forest green with black hair in curls that she had bound back. Her name was Merci. She smiled at the human girl that all the gummies in the glen had grown to love. Both her and her husband,
"Push again honey, I think the child's ready to come out."
"About time," Calla hissed. She pushed, pushed as if her life depended on it. By the heavens, all she wanted was the pain to end to be over with. Then as she first heard a wailing everything went black for her.
"Calla?"
Grammi gestured Cavin aside and laid her head on Calla's chest.
"She's not breathing!"
* * *
"But Ursa-"
"No buts, move it!"
Ursa smacked Buddi's backside once, hard. The cub yelped involuntarily. Rubbing his bottom he protested, "I'm fourteen, aren't I a little big for that?"
Ursa glared at him, "You'll never outgrow discipline."
"I didn't do anything!"
Ursa glared at him again. Her eyes were burning. Buddi lowered his head, "I can explain really."
"You can explain it on the way home and while you're doing all the chores I have for you."
"Aw…" the cub stopped, "can't I see what Calla has first?"
"No!"
"But-"
"She's a human! You stay away!"
Ursa grabbed the cub's arm and tugged him away.
"Don't push my temper."
* * *
"Calla!"
Grammi held Cavin back. The baby's cries were loud in the silent chamber. Finally after what seemed like ages, Calla took a shaky breath. Cavin raced to her side,
"Calla!"
The queen opened her eyes weakly. She felt weak beyond description yet she forced herself to hug her husband.
"Cavin, our baby?"
Cavin looked at Merci. Merci did a swift examination.
"you're lucky, Queen Calla. You lost quite a bit of blood. I've managed to stop it. But I would advise very healthy eating the next few days. You'll need to build your strength back up. I was almost afraid I wouldn't get you breathing again."
Calla sighed, "Can I see my baby?"
Merci smiled, "It's a girl. She's very small but other than that seems healthy although I would want to keep an eye on her for a few days."
Calla and Cavin nodded. Calla held her arms out, even as weak as she was. Cavin smiled,
"Let us see our daughter."
Merci smiled and handed the queen a small bundle. Grammi and Merci departed. Grammi could see the 'darling' later.
Calla's heart was pounding. She had never thought she could feel so much joy, such pride. Btu as she held this small girl in her arms, her daughter, the daughter she and Cavin had created, pride overwhelmed her.
"She's perfect."
The girl had a small physical form and a tuff of brown hair atop her head but her eyes shone with her mother's glimmer. Cavin grasped his daughter's small hand,
"She's gorgeous, just like her mother."
Calla smiled. "Her name…"
The two looked at one another and said in unison the only name that fit:
"Cassandra."
