Earth's Children
Summary: The parents of Harper tell their tale of life and love in Post-Commonwealth Earth.
Author: Luna Sealeaf
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Again, I do not own any Andromeda characters, so don't sue me, etc. etc...
"I have often heard Nietzscheans brag about their love, as a species, for their children. But how many of their children brag about their love for their parents?"
-Queen Urthra Nadeer, 'Conversations with Foreign Dignitaries' CY 8693
Episode Eight
Years later, Evan and I would sometimes talk about how happy we were; back in those peaceful days of Dunwich. Of course, there was little point to such conversations. We couldn't change the past, nor could we go back in time, no matter how much we might wish to. But in those days my thoughts were not filled with bitter regrets; no, my mind was almost constantly with the child I carried...
"What about Connor?"
"No,"
"Patrick's a good name,"
"Evan," I whirled around, trying to keep my face and voice calm. "I already told you, we are not discussing names until the baby is born."
"But that's impractical Josephine! We ought to at least narrow the choices down,"
"I can't name something, or someone, until I've seen them. I'm sorry Evan. Give it up."
"Fine, fine..." With a sulky air Evan walked ahead of me, hands in pockets and kicking at stones along the path. I sighed and couldn't resist rolling my eyes. How could I even think of having a child, when my hands were already full taking care of one big baby?
For two months now, ever since I had told Evan the good news, he'd been pestering me about names, asking me whether I thought it was a boy or a girl, going on about the things he'd teach it...basically driving me to distraction. I didn't have time to sit around and daydream about being a mother, there was too much work to do. Winter was halfway over and our food supplies were beginning to dwindle. The two little ones, Siobhan and Declan, didn't eat much, but they were still two extra mouths to feed. Thus the expedition I was on now, with Evan, searching for anything edible that could be found here in the forest.
It'd be nice if I weren't the only pregnant woman around here who still had enough wits about her to do something useful. Orla, a few months ahead of me, had spent most of her time sighing and talking to anyone who'd listen about how happy she was that she was going to be a mother. My little brother only encouraged her, running around in circles like a chicken with its head cut off anytime she requested something.
Lately I had found myself irritated at a lot. Something Evan, in his oh-so-keen observations, hadn't failed to notice. He'd learned quickly enough to not disturb or argue with me. Liam was the only one who I could stand to be around for long periods of time. For that I envied Lughna; at least her husband wouldn't shirk his chores by staring at the ground and muttering under his breath.
"Evan, I swear I'll name our child Quigley –boy or girl- if you don't start helping me look for food and stop sulking," He winced, turned and gave me one of his pitiful looks.
"You wouldn't!" He said accusingly, and I noticed a hint of panic.
"So help me I will!" We glared at each other for a few minutes, before collapsing into laughter, neither exactly sure what we were talking about any longer. I walked over to him, hands held out, and smiled pleasantly while he clasped my hands. He opened his mouth to say something, when a sharp pain in my stomach made me gasp out loud and fall to my knees.
"Josephine! What's wrong?" In an instant Evan was kneeling in front of me, gripping my shoulders. I saw dots as another sharp pain ran through me. I tried to answer, but words were beyond my capability at the moment, and instead I collapsed against him.
I suppose Evan must have carried me back to the house, but the next thing I remember is hearing voices.
"I don't know what to do,"
"Maybe we should get someone from the village,"
"Let's wait and see if she wakes up on her own,"
"Gods, do something! We can't just sit here!"
"Be patient Evan, she's breathing normally, I don't think she's dying,"
Slowly I opened my eyes; colors and shapes were hovering around me, but slowly they focused into people. Devin, Orla, Evan, and Liam were standing around me anxiously.
"Josephine, can you hear me?" Liam asked in a clear voice, saying each word slowly.
"Yes," I tried to sit up, but didn't have the strength. "I, I collapsed,"
"Do you know what's wrong?" Orla asked anxiously. "Was it the baby?"
Carefully I shook my head. The pain I'd felt earlier seemed to have moved to my head, and thoughts were taking a long time to connect.
"It's impossible; it's only been two, maybe three, months. The child isn't fully formed yet," I tried to explain. Other words were said, but I was overcome with sleepiness and soon drifted off again.
In the end, no one had any idea what was wrong with me. My greatest fear was that somehow whatever was causing these pains would injure the child. The others ordered me to rest, and I wasn't allowed to be alone. So while Evan went out with Devin and Liam to work (I believe they were attempting to build furniture to have something to trade with in the village) Lughna would bring the two kids and keep me company while doing her own chores. Even Orla was on her feet, despite the fact that she could give birth practically at any time. I managed to escape the small room for a breath of fresh air a few times, disliking this confinement. Still, my niece and nephew, now going on two, helped to distract me from my boredom immensely. It didn't cease to surprise me that these two children, unrelated to me by blood, could mean so much to me. To be sure they were adorable; they had their father's dark blue eyes and their mother's gold-red hair, and smiles to melt ones heart. They would certainly be spoiled, if they weren't already, as they grew older.
A month passed in this idle winter, all of us waiting for spring. The pains still came regularly, but I didn't pass out again, and my child seemed to remain healthy. Evan was constantly worrying over my health, despite my reassurances to him. I admit that I was scared too, but since there wasn't anything anyone could do, I tried not to think about it.
And then one night, just as the crickets had returned and we were celebrating the coming of spring, Orla went into labor. Liam and Evan were in the village at the time, so it was up to Devin and Lughna to assist her inside. It was a good thing I wasn't nearly as far along as Orla, or else I wouldn't have been able to assist her. For the first few hours things went smoothly –although I doubt poor Orla would agree with that- Lughna and I shooed Devin outside while we prepared the room, giving him Siobhan and Declan to keep an eye on.
"Whatever happens, make sure my baby's all right," Orla gasped, sweat already starting to form on her face. Lughna, too preoccupied with starting a fire didn't hear her, but I patted Orla on the arm in an attempt to comfort her.
"Don't be ridiculous, you're going to be fine, both of you," I smiled and she nodded, gripping my arm for a moment. For a second I did feel panicked; Orla had become as close as any sister to me, to lose her was unthinkable. Before such thoughts could take hold I banished them from my mind and instead concentrated on what had to be done.
Nearly an hour later there was a commotion outside and the door opened. I was about to snap at whomever it was, but before I could the person –Evan, began to speak.
"Quick we gotta get everyone into hiding!" His eyes were wild with fear and before I could even think of a reply Liam and Devin trampled inside as well.
"Slavers are raiding the village, they could come here any time, and we have to hide." Liam ordered as Devin moved to help carry his poor wife.
"We can't just move her, she's giving birth!" I argued, there words not making any sense to me. No one listened; Devin scooped Orla up and went outside, Lughna already having run out to collect her two children, and Evan quickly took me by the arm and started to lead me outside.
"Where can we hide?" Lughna was struggling to remain calm, clutching each child to her side as she questioned Liam.
"The food cellar!" I answered suddenly. Liam nodded and we quickly began to head for the fields. In an effort to keep our food hidden from scavenging animals, we had built a cellar into one of the hills. As long as we took care to cover the door, there was no way to tell that it wasn't just a mound of grass and dirt. In any case, it was our best chance.
No one spoke as we crowded inside, Orla doing her best to stifle her moans, as Evan and Liam adjusted the bushes outside to block the view of the door. They slipped in with little disturbance and we prepared for a very long night.
"Are you sure they'll even come here?" Devin asked softly, caressing Orla's hair. Leaning over him, Evan clutched her hand in sympathy.
"There's no way of telling, but we can't be too careful," Liam replied.
"They could have picked a better night," I muttered. "Well move over, this baby isn't going to wait for the Nietzscheans to leave before it's born!" We pushed the boys up front to give Lughna and me more room with Orla. The twins had fallen asleep; Siobhan in Liam's lap, Declan in Evan's, so the only source of unwanted noise would come from Orla herself. Orla's pain was hard on us all; though strong, she was also the sweetest one of us, always putting others before her own needs. As Evan's twin sister, and Liam's younger one, as well as Devin's wife, the worry between them for her well-being was almost a tangible thing.
I will never forget that long, tiring night. Cramped for space, Lughna and I were elbow to elbow, while Orla gritted her teeth and muffled her cries as much as she could. The men stayed as silent as they could, huddling by the door and listening for any sounds not belonging to the usual ones of night. Soaked with sweat, and feeling the usual exhaustion that came with extremely tense situations, I forced myself to stay focused for Orla's sake. In comparison, it was an easier birth, physically, than Lughna's had been, much shorter if nothing else, and after only maybe five hours, at most, of labor, Orla gave birth to a baby boy. The door was opened just a crack to let in fresh air as we attempted to get Orla and her child situated. We hadn't thought to grab supplies, and Devin bravely ducked out before we could stop him, returning a few minutes later with clean clothes, water, and even some of my medicinal herbs. Although I scolded him for his recklessness, I was also proud of my brother. Lughna wrapped the squalling baby in a blanket and handed him to Devin, who stared at the tiny child with utter amazement.
Trivial matters such as names or congratulations had to wait until morning. By the time the sun had risen, we were all so desperate for open space, that I think we would have braved slavers just to leave that cellar. One by one everyone stumbled into the morning light, Evan holding me upright tightly, for after the stress of last night's events I was feeling very weak. We all headed for our beds, Lughna going to help Orla, deciding that after a few hours of sleep we could meet again to look at the new baby.
Although concerned for my health; he insisted I looked pale and that there were dark circles under my eyes, I refused Evan's plea to remain at home and rest in order to go and see my nephew. Our nephew actually; the baby was related to both of us. Orla brought the baby outside, so we wouldn't have to crowd into the small house to see it. We all sat or stood in the center of our small family compound, looking down at Devin and Orla's son. When it was my turn to hold him I could almost feel my heart wrench; here was the child of my only brother, whom I had practically raised by myself. It was definitely a touching a moment.
"His name is Brendan, Brendan Lahey," Orla announced proudly, a smile lighting up her face as well as Devin's.
"What, no middle name?" I asked in mild surprise. Orla shrugged,
"I never had a use for one," She answered.
"So what do you think of your son, Devin James Lahey?" I teased my brother. He leaned over Orla's shoulder to trace his son's cheek with one finger.
"I think he's a miracle," he replied. We laughed, and I felt Evan slip an arm around my shoulder, no doubt already counting down the days until I too gave birth. The twins ran around, laughing and shrieking happily, not really understanding what was going on, even though Lughna told them they might look at their cousin.
Despite our joy at Brendan's arrival, other matters didn't escape our attention for long. Why had slavers attacked Dunwich? Or rather, why now? At least 30 people had been taken from last night's raid. Devin and I were as dumbfounded as the others when we heard the news.
"I don't get it, there have never been slave raids here," Devin said as Liam reported the information.
"Devin's right, they've always used the people up at the camps," I added, seeing the doubtful looks cross the others' faces.
"Well, I guess you can never have too many slaves," Liam said darkly. We were silent, not knowing what to say. This would certainly affect, probably even change, our lives, but we didn't know what we could do about it. In the end, it was Lughna who finally suggested building underground chambers, three separate ones, that only we would be able to find. If slavers came out this far from the village and found our houses and field empty, they would (hopefully) assume we'd run into the woods. It was a good plan, as well as the only one, so we spent the next few weeks digging and building.
The recent turmoil didn't help my own health, and the pains I'd been experiencing increased. Still, seeing Brendan, and of course the twins, had me looking forward to the day I could hold my own child in my arms. Evan was excited too, but I think seeing Orla's birth had him fearing a little more for me. I wasn't as petite as Lughna, but I was shorter than Orla, and these mysterious pains scared him as much as they scared me.
The day after our cellar was finished and we'd tested it, Evan suggested he and I go for a walk. It was the middle of summer and after a hard day of work in the heat; we all liked to take turns going out into the cooler evenings. Still cautious about Nietzscheans attacking, we didn't plan on going to the village, or very far into the woods, for that matter. Since I was (roughly) seven months pregnant, the others encouraged me to stay at home and rest, but I wasn't about to pass up the chance on getting to go somewhere outside that wasn't the immediate pathways between our three homes.
"Josephine, be careful," Orla held Brendan in her arms tightly and was giving me a worried look. Usually her constant worrying over me was annoying, but seeing how earnest she looked, I smiled warmly and gave her a light hug.
"I'll be fine; we're only going for a short walk. The fresh air and exercise will be good for me, you'll see." She didn't smile back, but gave me a slight nod.
"Where shall we go?" Evan asked in a cheerful voice as we entered the forest. I looked up at the sky, seeing clouds gather, and I gripped his hand tighter.
"Let's not go too far, it looks like it'll rain soon," He looked up as well and agreed with me. So we continued along the small path, hand in hand, smiling at each other and only talking occasionally. I decided that while we were out here, I might as well replenish my herb supply, so we began looking for the plants I needed. He and I made a game of it, (albeit an easy game, since I couldn't move quickly or bend over easily) and we didn't notice how dark it had gotten until I suggested we returned home. We could see one another easily, but making out the path was a little more difficult. Neither of us was too concerned; we hadn't gone very far out, and our moods were lightened by the promise of rain which would be a welcome relief after a week of dry, hot weather.
Just as we had started along the path, the first sharp pain began, just as it had all those months before, when it had again just been Evan and I alone in these woods. But something was different this time.
"Evan?" I cried out weakly as another pain threatened to rip me in two. At the sound of my faint voice, Evan turned and was soon at my side.
"Shh, we're almost home," He said soothingly, trying to help me walk. Another pain, worse than the ones before, and then a strange sensation between my legs. I cried out, the sound echoing through the trees, as I realized what was happening. No, I thought in a panic, it was too soon! When I didn't get back to my feet Evan became even more worried, kneeling beside me and trying to understand what was going on.
"The baby, Evan, its coming, early," I squeezed my eyes shut as pain made it difficult to think. At my words Evan gripped my hand tighter and asked in a scared voice,
"Josephine, what should I do?" Before I could try and answer him, he stood up. "I'll go get Lughna and Orla," Almost at the exact same time a peal of thunder boomed, and a second later rain began to pour down from the skies. The thought of being left alone in this dark place and in such pain filled me with a fear I've never experienced before, and I gripped at Evan's leg.
"No, don't leave me," I gasped out the words, crying openly now, terror and pain beginning to take hold of my senses.
"Ok Rose, Ok, I'm here, everything'll be fine," again he went to his knees, holding me head of the ground, and clutching my right hand. The rain was quickly turning the ground to mud and we were both soon soaking wet. Another clap of thunder, and then lightning, helped me focus enough to explain what was going to happen to Evan. I actually felt sorry for him at the moment; the pain was beginning to numb my mind, and in this strangely detached state I noticed that he looked absolutely terrified. I think I even tried to smile at him, but soon my world had narrowed to myself, pain, and the child that was trying to be born. Somehow Evan must have understood my hurried instructions to him, or perhaps he had watched us during Orla's birth, but in the end I didn't die, so he must have done something right.
While I wasn't fully conscious for much of my labor, a mercy, in my opinion, I do remember a very strange experience. For a time it felt like I was dreaming, and the images that I saw would haunt me for the rest of my life. Across my eyes they seemed to dance, or float, or something: a beautiful young woman, who at first I thought might be my future daughter since she looked a lot like Evan, but no; there were differences. She smiled and called out a name, and then was gone. Stars now; was I staring at the night sky? Then a tall man with a deep voice, firm but reassuring, strong in every sense of the word, reaching towards me, or perhaps giving an order. Other images, some too horrific to bear, others confusing but happy. The last picture was of a strange being, surely not human; shifting from purple to gold to every color in between. She was trying to tell me something; something about waking up, but I couldn't hear her very well. Then she disappeared, a brightly burning sun in her place, making me blink. For less than a second, I was looking down at myself on the ground in the rain, before opening my eyes and listening to Evan talk, first to himself, and then to me.
I never told anyone about what I saw during that labor, and when I asked Orla, she told me nothing like that had happened to her. Lughna, on the other hand, said that she too had felt an out-of-body sensation, but wouldn't go into details. They were probably just figments of my mind -driven to do strange things by my near death experience.
As Evan continued to babble in near hysteria, probably sure that I was dead or dying, the pain that had disappeared slowly returned. I screamed suddenly, startling myself and my poor husband. He was shouting at me, but the words were muffled by the rain and thunder. A few minutes later, through the daze that was engulfing me, I thought I heard a child cry. Ah, the baby's ok. That's good then...and slowly I slipped back into darkness.
My next thoughts were ones of confusion. Where was I? Was I alive or dead?
The second question was quickly answered as I felt my eyes open. It was déjà vu in every sense of the word: Again I was lying in my bed, surrounded by people. This time it wasn't just Orla, Devin, and Evan. Liam and Lughna were there was well, everyone's faces taught with worry. Not sure what I should do, I said the first thing that came to mind:
"Hello?" The others burst into laughter and Evan, tears in his eyes, gave me a fierce kiss.
"Leave off Evan; can't you see she can't breathe?" Devin said in a tone somewhere between friendly joking and serious protectiveness.
"I'm fine. What happened?" The memories all came back in a rush that hurt my head. "Where's my baby?" Orla quickly helped me to sit up before I hurt myself, and Evan was grinning now, face practically glowing.
"He's doing fine Josephine, against all the odds; it seems that you're both doing fine." Slowly I began to smile too.
"Let me see him," I had a son, the thought gleefully ran through my body. "I want to hold him," I repeated.
"All right, but you have to be careful Josephine, you're still very weak," Lughna said sternly, then ducked out of the room.
"What happened?" I asked again as she left. The others sat down around the bed, apparently having been here for awhile.
"We were worried when the two of you didn't return after the storm began. Liam and Devin went out looking for you." Orla explained.
"I can't tell you how glad I was to see them," Evan cut in, his hand now fingering a strand of my hair as though to reassure him that I was indeed alive. "I didn't have the slightest idea what to do, and I was sure you and the baby were dead."
"Well they nearly were. But Liam carried you home," –No easy task in the state I had been, I thought to myself with an amused smile- "And Devin gave his shirt to cover up the baby."
"Which you can keep, by the way," He added, grinning. I smiled and held out a hand to my brother, who took it lovingly in both of his.
"We were so relieved to find that both you and your son were alive. With any luck, he'll continue to live," Liam spoke up for the first time, smiling as well. I lay there quietly for a few moments, soaking up the wonderful feeling that was flowing through me. Lughna returned then, a bundle in her arms, and Siobhan and Declan at her side. They pounced on the bed when they saw me, and in their high, two year old voices, they exclaimed,
"Aunt Wose! Aunt Wose!" Smiling and giving me tight hugs. Neither could say my full name right, so Evan suggested they try pronouncing my middle name. While the single syllable word was easier, they were having trouble with the letter 'r'. I hugged and smiled both of them, realizing just then how much and how quickly they had grown, before turning to Lughna with open arms. Carefully she laid the bundle into my arms, and I looked down, for the first time, at my baby boy. Evan leaned over to see him, and I shifted so he could look easier.
"I bet you're wishing we'd thought up names now," he said softly. Instead, I shook my head.
"I already had names ready, I just didn't want to argue over them with you," As Evan gaped at me, I said, loud enough for the others to hear.
"First of all, small though he is, this boy will live. He has a great destiny. I will live too. Secondly, his name is Seamus Zelazny Harper." There was a moment of silence as everyone took in my words, and then the perfect, tableau-like scene was interrupted by Evan's indignant,
"Where on earth did you come up with the name 'Zelazny'?" He asked. I scowled and looked over at him.
"It was my father's middle name. It was supposed to be Devin's middle name too, but Mom wanted James instead. Do you have a problem with it?" My eyes dared him to argue, but Evan smiled meekly and instead leaned over to kiss his son's forehead.
"Welcome home Seamus Zelazny Harper. Here's your first lesson in life: never try to argue with a woman." I wanted to look annoyed, but my frown wouldn't hold. A smile cracked my face, and then laughter. Everyone else soon joined in, the sound put my mind, and heart, at ease. What I had said earlier was true; Seamus would live. I would see to that.
If only it were not such a difficult promise to keep.
Author's Note:
While I was writing this I got a really bad headache, and since it still hasn't gone away, I'm just going to post this after an automatic spelling/grammar check. Since the other option is to wait until my headache goes away and I have time to post it, I hope you'll forgive any minor mistakes in wording or spelling. I'm glad everyone's enjoying this, you reviewers are awesome! I'll have the next episode coming as soon as I can. Thanks,
Luna Sealeaf