A month and a half had passed since Sonea's disastrous attempt at being an Ichani for the training of the Guild's Magicians and she was incredibly tired, uncomfortable, and completely ready for the baby to arrive.
Since the incident, she had been put on strict bed rest for a week with minimal exercise after that for the remainder of her pregnancy. At first she had been glad that she didn't have to walk around the Guild grounds due to the fact that everyone now knew about her pregnancy and she didn't want everyone staring at her.
Now, she was just glad she didn't have to walk far at all because despite being able to heal away the pain in her back and ankles, the baby was very active and heavy which caused her to waddle everywhere.
Akkarin had been wonderful. Sonea had insisted that she keep up with her studies until the baby was born so he had collected books for her from the Magician's library, and had her most used books printed or rewritten so that she could have her own copies. He also helped her walk around the garden when the sun was shining, and had given her massages when the day had been particularly strenuous.
For the past few days she had been having preparatory contractions, which Vinara assured her were pretty common for women in the last few weeks of pregnancy, but they had just made her more uncomfortable than usual.
With two weeks left until her due date, Jonna, Ranel, and her cousins were set to move into one of the other apartments tomorrow so that Jonna would be here to help with the birth and the care of the baby for the first few weeks. All the required furniture had been moved in and everything was tidy and clean.
Sonea was looking forward to having her family close by again, even if it was only for a month or two. She hadn't been able to see them for such a long period of time since before she threw that stone at Fergun. She was especially looking forward to spending some time getting to know her cousins, whom she had only seen on occasion since they were born, and for Akkarin to get to know her family as well.
It was currently early morning and Akkarin was getting ready to go and interview a few Guild Magicians over in the Magician's library since his book on black magic instruction was now complete.
'What have you got planned today, Sonea?' He asked, looking over at her as she lay in bed watching him put on his robes. 'Nothing too strenuous I hope.'
'Once I manage to get up I'll probably make sure everything is in order next door, then come back and do some research on fungal infections and how to cure them both with and without magical healing.'
He smiles his half smile, a teasing glint in his eyes. 'Sounds interesting.'
Sonea chucked a pillow at him. 'It is interesting! It is a very common infection among the dwells, so understanding how it spreads can be effective in teaching them how to avoid getting numerous infections.'
'I stand corrected,' he replied, placing the pillow back on the bed and gently kissing her on the forehead. 'I love you, Sonea. You are so incredibly smart and you care so much for everyone. I can't wait to see what direction you steer the Guild in. They won't know what's hit them.'
Sonea laughed. 'With the extra recruitment from the city, the Guild is going to be changing no matter what I do. However, I really hope that whatever I do will be good for both the Guild and the city.'
'Well, I know you're already making great strides in both areas. Now,' he gently placed a hand on Sonea's protruding stomach and leaned in close to it, 'you be good for your mother today, little one. No kicking or wiggling too much. Let her have some peace, okay?'
Sonea winced as a body part moved under Akkarin's hand. 'I really hope that was acknowledgment and not defiance. They've been so active recently that I would love a break, but I don't think that's going to happen.'
'You'll be okay, Sonea. Just a couple more weeks and I'll be able to help you have some peace when you need it. I love you.'
'I love you, too.' She smiled before gently pushing at the centre of his chest. 'Now, don't you need to go? You'll be late otherwise.'
'You're right, I do need to go, but I'll be back for lunch and then I have more meetings this afternoon as well.' Akkarin leaned over and gave her a kiss. 'See you in a couple of hours.'
With a smile, a wave, and a swish of robes, Akkarin left the bedroom and a click of the door signified that he left the apartment not long after.
It took Sonea most of the morning to settle down to do her research. Partially because moving around was slow and uncomfortable, but mostly because her baby would not stop moving and was causing all kinds of pain.
When Akkarin arrived back at the apartment, she had only been able to work for half an hour much to her annoyance.
'I can't wait for this baby to arrive,' she mumbled into his chest as he hugged her before he left for his afternoon meetings. 'Mostly because I want to meet him or her, but partially because I am so uncomfortable that I want to throw things around.'
'Do you want me to stay here? I can cancel my appointments if you want me to, just say the word. They will understand.'
'No, it's okay. You go and get your testimonies, I'll probably take a nap for a couple of hours if our little one settles down long enough for me to fall asleep.'
'If you're sure,' Akkarin replies, a concerned frown on his face.
'I'm definitely sure. There's no point in you staying if I'm just going to lie in bed. You might as well make the most of the time you have to get the testimonies before the baby arrives.'
'Okay then,' he kisses the top of her head. 'I'll see you at dinner. I'll check in between meetings, but if you need anything then call to me and I'll be here as quick as I can.'
'I will.'
With a kiss and a smile, Akkarin left the apartment and Sonea made her way to bed and tried to make herself as comfortable as possible. Despite the baby pressing painfully into her back, her exhaustion pulled her into sleep quicker than she had anticipated.
As usual, her dreams without Akkarin nearby were full of the Ichani and visions of the Invasion. Sometimes it played out exactly as it had in real life, but sometimes her imagination took over and gave her visions of torture and death which ensured that she didn't get back to sleep once she woke up.
This was one of those times and Sonea woke with a start. The pain of the torture felt so real that she was unconsciously using power to heal the pain of the dream. Cutting the draw of power she let out cry as an intense pain rippled across her abdomen.
The pain was so intense that she couldn't move and bile rose in her throat. She covered her mouth, trying to stop herself from throwing up as the pain eased. However, it was fruitless; as soon as the pain disappeared enough to allow her to move she turned and threw up on the bedcovers.
Deciding to deal with that later, fearing she may throw up again, Sonea gently shifted herself to the edge of the bed and stood up. She was only stood for a second before she felt something change within her and liquid began to run down the inside of her legs.
Gathering up the skirts of her dress, she saw a puddle of discoloured water pooling around her feet and came to the realisation that her waters had broken.
It was too early! She wasn't meant to give birth for another two weeks! Despite what she said earlier about wanting the baby out of her, she wasn't actually ready for giving birth. She had seen and helped with a few deliveries over the past few months and she was not ready for the amount of pain that she knew was coming her way.
Sonea's knees buckled as another wave of intense pain rippled across her abdomen. The contractions were too close together. She needed... she needed someone. Anyone. Someone to help her. She gasped for breath as the pain subsided and she slumped to the floor with her back against the bed. She was in shock. She knew she was in shock. This was happening too fast for her to grasp that it was happening. She was having a baby. Right now.
—Akkarin!
—Sonea! Is everything okay?
—The baby, it's coming.
Sonea could sense his surprise, quickly followed by panic, through the mindlink.
—I'm on my way. I'll be with you soon, Sonea. Stay calm and breathe, just like Vinara taught you.
—Jonna. I need Jonna too. It's too soon. I'm scared.
—I know. But you'll be okay, Sonea, you both will. I'll call Vinara and get someone to go and get Jonna. I'll be with you very soon.
The link cut off and Sonea curled a hand around her stomach just as another contraction ripped through her body. She had never felt pain like this before.
When the pain subsided, she opened her eyes to find Takan kneeling in front of her.
'Master said that the baby is coming,' he said, holding his large hands out to her. 'Come on, my lady, let's get you up off the floor and somewhere more comfortable.'
Sonea nodded, placing her hands on Takan's large forearms as his hands encased her elbows. He helped her to her feet and led her slowly across the bedroom to the armchair by the window.
'Do you need anything?' He asked, once he had got her settled. Sonea shook her head, gently rubbing her hands over the sides of her stomach to ease the lingering pain. 'Okay, I will deal with the bedclothes. Let me know if you need anything.'
Sonea nodded, recognising the beginning of the contraction this time. She took a few slow breaths as the pain increased, and sweat beaded on her forehead as she leaned her head against the back of the chair.
By the time the contraction ceased, Takan had stripped the bed and had left to find new sheets. Sonea closed her eyes once more knowing that she needed to rest as much as possible and save her strength for pushing this child out of her.
Downstairs, she heard the front door quickly open then close and the sound of someone taking the stairs two steps at a time. The door to their apartment opened and Sonea heard Akkarin call out her name.
'I'm in the bedroom.'
In a few heartbeats, Akkarin was kneeling beside her, one hand cradling her face and the other gently rubbing her stomach.
'Akkarin,' she sighed, leaning into his hand. She could feel a little of the tension leaving her muscles as she realised she wasn't alone anymore.
'It's going to be okay, Sonea. I know this isn't what we planned, but it just means that you're only going to be uncomfortable for a little while longer before we get to meet our baby.'
'I think it's going to be sooner rather than later, my waters have already broken.'
'They have? Okay, that's okay. We'll have our little one in our arms in no time then.'
'You seem very calm,' Sonea said, looking up at her husband. 'To be completely honest, I thought you'd be panicking just a little bit.'
'Oh, I'm definitely panicking, but I've suffered through so many Meets that I've perfected my outward calm. I just didn't want to scare you.'
'I love you, Akkarin.' Sonea said, placing her hand over his on her stomach just before she noticed a contraction beginning again. 'Contraction's starting.'
Her hand curled around Akkarin's, gripping it with a strength she didn't know she had as the pressure and pain increased. She tried to keep her breathing even and controlled, just like she'd been taught, but it was incredibly difficult when it felt like a vice was being slowly tightened around her stomach.
'You're doing so well, Sonea,' Akkarin said softly. 'Vinara will be here soon, and I've sent a messenger with a carriage to go and pick up Jonna as well. You'll have everyone here that you need very soon.'
After a minute, the contraction eased and she relaxed back into the armchair, loosening her hold on Akkarin's hand.
'Sorry about your hand, is it okay?'
'It doesn't matter. You can break all the bones in both my hands if you need to. I know that that type of pain is nothing compared to what you're going through.'
'I really don't want to hurt you though.'
'It's okay Sonea, if needed I can instantly heal any pain you may or may not cause. Don't worry about me, you're the one who's having a baby right now.'
Sonea let out a tired chuckle.
'Do you want to get into something more comfortable?'
'I think that would be a good idea.'
Akkarin helped Sonea up from the armchair and gently removed the day dress from her body. However, just as she was about to put a nightgown on, she felt the beginnings of another contraction.
'Akkarin,' she ground out before her grip on his arms tightened and she leaned into him. She pressed her forehead into the centre of his chest as the pressure began to build in her once again.
The contraction felt like it was going to last for forever, but eventually it eased and she sank onto the edge of the newly made bed.
By the time Vinara arrived Sonea had had three more contractions, each one closer together than the last.
'I have heard that the baby is eager to meet it's parents sooner than anyone was expecting,' Vinara said with a smile as a way of greeting Sonea and Akkarin when she entered their bedroom. 'How far apart are the contractions?'
'About a minute,' Sonea replied, 'they're progressing much faster than I thought they would.'
'Have your waters broken yet?'
Sonea nodded, 'They broke just before I called for Akkarin.'
'I see, you do seem to be progressing faster than the majority of first time mother's, but it's not unheard of so there's no need to worry. Why didn't you call anyone when the contractions started?'
'I thought they were preparatory contractions so I just ignored them and took a nap. Whilst I was sleeping I think my mind turned the pain of labour into torture in my dream so I was unconsciously healing the pain away whilst I was sleeping and therefore didn't wake up as they got worse. So, when I did wake up and I noticed that I had been healing myself and stopped the flow of power, but a contraction started and I realised I'd been healing my labour pains away. Then, when I stood up the change in position caused my waters to break, and that's when I called Akkarin. The contractions have been getting closer and closer together ever since.'
Sonea groaned as another contraction took hold. She held onto Akkarin once more, and Vinara started rubbing her lower back which eased a little of the discomfort.
'Alright, Sonea,' Vinara said, as the contraction ceased, 'let's check how far along you are.'
Half an hour later, Sonea was reclined against Akkarin's chest on the bed. Her knees were propped up, a thin sheen of sweat coated her entire body, and it felt like the contractions were almost continuous. She was exhausted.
'Well done, Sonea,' Jonna said, as the contraction eased up a little. 'You're doing so well, and it won't be long before you have your little Lorkin or Lorlea in your arms.'
She had arrived not long after Vinara had finished checking her, and had immediately started helping by trying to make her more comfortable and asking simple questions to distract her. One of which had been the names they had picked out.
'Don't push with the next contraction, Sonea,' Vinara said from the end of the bed, 'the baby needs to turn before you can push the shoulder's out. Do you understand?'
Sonea nodded, breathing deeply. She let her head drop back onto Akkarin's shoulder, trying to get her body to relax a little.
'I love you, Sonea,' Akkarin murmured softly just loud enough for her to hear, and gently brushed a bit of her hair out of her face. 'You are so strong and you are going to be a wonderful mother. I can't wait to meet our son or daughter in a few minutes.'
She turned her face into Akkarin's neck and moaned as another strong contraction ripped through her abdomen. Not pushing with the contraction was incredibly difficult and her moan turned into a cry of pain.
She heard Akkarin talking to her, and felt him stroking his thumb over one of her hands, but she wasn't able to make out any words over the intensity of the pain.
The contraction finally abated, but it wasn't long before Vinara spoke again.
'One more push, Sonea,' Vinara said, 'one more big push with the next contraction and your baby will be here.'
Sonea took a few deep breaths as she felt a contraction surge almost immediately, then pushed with all the energy she had left within her.
A few seconds later, she felt her baby leave her body with a rush of fluid and a squalling sound permeated the room.
Sonea's heart soared at the sound. She had a baby. A living, breathing, screaming baby.
'A boy!' Vinara smiled as she gently picked up the baby from between Sonea's legs. Dark hair, just like his father's, covered his entire head. 'Congratulations!'
A son. She had a son.
She reached out her arms, shaking with exhaustion, but she didn't care, she just wanted to hold her baby.
Vinara gently placed her son on her chest and Sonea's arms instinctively found the perfect position to hold him close. Akkarin's arms encircled the both of them as he brushed a kiss on her sweaty temple.
'I am so proud of you, Sonea, so incredibly proud.'
Now that he was settled comfortably on her chest, Lorkin ceased crying and fell asleep. Akkarin lifted a finger and brushed a knuckle down his cheek.
'He's perfect, Sonea. I can already tell he has your nose.'
Sonea smiled, 'look at his hair though, that's definitely you.'
Akkarin laughed and Sonea glanced up at her husband. He was smiling widely despite the tears in his eyes. Joy, warmth, and love gazed back at her.
'I love you, so much.' Akkarin kissed her gently. 'The both of you.'
They both looked back down at their sleeping son and the rest of the world fell away.
