Chapter Eight- New Kind of World
Briseis shut her eyes tightly as another contraction racked her body. She had been in labor for going on sixteen hours. At first, it scared her. She knew if it took to long, the child would be lost. But the midwife smiled and brushed her hair back.
"You progress at a slow pace, but it is fine. I would be concerned if the pains went from strong to weak." And they didn't. Every time it seemed another ounce of pain piled upon the waves. Within, the baby readied itself for entry, but didn't seem in a rush to get out.
She spent most of the time between contractions going through every piece of advice she was given. Most of it was pure myth, others she knew from being around her younger cousins. She focused on memories from the last year. Troy, Achilles, Phtia, her child. These things traced a distinct pattern of change for her and it took her mind off the growing pains.
The wave passed and she inhaled a deep, cleansing breath. Her hands lay on her belly, feeling her child. In a short while, everything in her life would change again. For the first time, she wasn't afraid of it. Coming to Phtia was uncertain and scary, but everything worked out for the best. The birth of their child was miraculous and she readied herself for the challenge of being a mother.
"Achilles was seen passing the sign posts a short while ago," Penelope said, entering the room. She rung out a cloth and wiped Briseis' forehead with the cold water. She could smell the traces of lavender oil for soothing her. The queen smiled down at her. "He'll be home soon."
Achilles was further ahead than the messenger and Odysseus. His horse ran at top speed, carefully rounding the steep cliff side road in front of the palace. His eyes focused as the sun finished dipping below the sea. There was light from within and he could see a few servants bustling about on the second floor.
His heart pounded in his ears. The negotiations finished two days prior and they decided to return early. Odysseus knew Achilles wanted to get back as soon as he could. They were met on the road by one of the royal messengers. Without saying anything, he knew Briseis was in labor.
He rode into the courtyard, one of the servants taking the reigns as he jumped off and jogged inside.
Briseis screamed unintentionally from the pain. It seems all the child needed was to know Achilles was near to want to enter the world. Her contractions were closer and much more powerful. Her body shook from the pain, but she forced herself to focus. Every time another shot from her center, she inhaled and held on.
"Its time, my lady," the midwife said, pushing the very loose birthing gown up over her belly. She shook her head and started to cry.
"Not yet. Please, not until he returns!" she begged to the Gods.
"Briseis!" Achilles' voice echoed through the door. He couldn't enter, but he wanted her to know he was there.
"He's late," she said through her teeth. She squeezed her eyes shut and she gripped Penelope's hand tightly.
"Men never have had or will ever have a sense of timing," her friend joked, getting a smile from her. "Are you ready to birth this child?"
She nodded to her and the mid-wife who had propped her legs open and massaged at her lower belly. The pain grew so intense, she felt she would split in two. Penelope held her up as she began to push.
"On three; one, two, three." Briseis took a deep breath and pushed down as hard as she could. Another scream escaped her lips as her bones and muscles started to shift for the child's entry. They repeated the process a few times. Each time, she felt her body shifting painfully.
Finally, the child within made started to make its way out. She cried out as the head passed between her pelvic bones, pushing them aside without much difficulty. Briseis felt as the head crowned, holding Penelope's hand so tightly, later she found she actually left bruises.
"One more push my lady!" She took another deep breath and pressed with her heart and soul. She cried with relief as the baby slipped from her body and out into the world.
A piercing cry echoed in the room. The child was unhappy with the commotion of birth, wriggling against the towel the mid wife placed him in. Once cleaned, she wrapped the child in a large blue blanket that bore the symbol of Phtia, the same one Achilles had been wrapped in when he was born. She smiled and gently placed the crying form in Briseis' arms.
"My child." Briseis cradled the baby gently in her arms tears streaking down her face. This was their baby, their child, they created this tiny being, and now it was in the free air with them. She kissed the crying form lightly on the forehead. It soothed the wailing cries, the baby slowly opening its eyes to look at her.
"Its a boy," the mid-wife said, starting to clean up around her. Briseis felt the tiny fingers of her son wrap around her index finger. She laughed lightly.
"We have a son," she said, breaking down into tears. She placed another kiss on the baby's head tears trickling down her cheeks. She turned to Penelope who nodded and took the child from her arms and over to the table for a quick wash.
Odysseus stood off to the side, watching his friend pace back and forth impatiently. He remembered back to when all of his children were born, how anxious he was. But Achilles almost made him laugh.
"Don't run yourself down, my friend. You heard a babe's cry. They are just cleaning the child now." Achilles nodded but continued to pace. Odysseus let out a soft chuckle. "You'll see this child everyday for the rest of your life. Do not be impatient."
"My wife just gave birth and you want me to be patient?" he asked sarcastically. "Why should I be?"
"Because your wife had to push for the past day to bring this child to you." They both turned as Penelope walked out of the room, cradling a bundle of blue blanket and smiling brightly. "You could at least wait for them to finish cleaning him." Achilles accepted the bundle, looking upon the face of his first-born.
"Him?" he echoed.
"Its healthy boy," Penelope said softly. Achilles looked down tothe baby in his arms. The child began to whimper lightly, little fingers flexing and stretching. He grasped a hold of his father's outstretched index finger, opening his eyes to show a brilliant sea green.
Penelope took Odysseus' hand and they walked away, leaving father and son to become acquainted.
Achilles stood for a while, just cradling his son in his arms. For the first time, he didn't know what to do. He never learned how to be a father, only a warrior; he was still learning how to be a husband. But with his new baby boy, he knew one thing: he would rather die than see him harmed. The baby yawned and curled into Achilles' arms, enjoying his warmth. He smiled down at his new-born, rocking slightly to prevent upset.
He jumped slightly at the mid wife's touch. "You can go in and see the lady now." He nodded and walked in quietly, still watching the child.
The baby fell sound asleep after he got his fill. Briseis cradled him gently in her arms, laying propped against pillows. She was beyond tired, but wanted to watch him for a bit longer.
"You know, we still have to name him," Achilles said. He crossed the room after opening the window andsat carefully next to her, arm wrapping around her shoulders.
"I thought you had a name for him," she replied, laying against him.
"Do you want to name him Neothetompolis?" She looked down and shook her head. "Then we must find him another name. What becomes of our boy with sea color for eyes?" They sat in silence for a second.
"He reminds me of someone," she said softly, thinking as she spoke. "Yes, that would be a good name."
"What?"
"Patroclus," she whispered, touching his little hands. Naturally, his fists came open and wrapped over her finger, holding as tightly as he could. She smiled down at him and looked back to Achilles.
He sat staring at her for a moment. "His eyes, they remind me of your cousins. His hair is as about the same color too," she said, touching the small flat of hair on his head. "I think that the name suits him." He looked at his son closely, noticing that his eyes and hair matched that of his late cousin.
"Well, Patroclus," Achilles said to the sleeping child. "Welcome home."
A/N: yes, I know that most babies are born with blue eyes that change over time. The eye color was important to the name so nhhhh. Also, I had no idea how to spell Achilles' real son's name, so forgiveness please.