KIRA - TWO WEEKS LATER
Zedd's been keeping me company while I put the nursery together these last two weeks. He's kind of been ordered to stay away from work, as his roller coaster emotions are making it nearly impossible for him to maintain and stay on track. I think it's been good for him, although I now definitely know way more than I ever needed to know about his and Tommy's relationship. I mean, I really didn't need to know that the kitchen table can apparently support both of their weight. Nor was I too interested in learning that when Zedd isn't getting his way all it really takes to persuade his husband to give in is paying a bit of extra attention to a certain spot on his neck. However that all really and truly pales in comparison to learning that they apparently haven't been intimate in a while. Man did I have to work hard to try and reassure him after that little conversation. He was so sure that Tommy didn't find him attractive anymore. I know that Hayley went through something similar in the late stages of her pregnancy and I ended up calling her and making her talk him through it - especially after his whole 'how would you know, you've never been through this' retort, through tears no less.
"What's wrong?" Looking at me curiously as he places the last of the stuffed animals on a shelf, I realize I've apparently gotten lost in my thoughts once more.
"Nothing, just wondering what Tommy's doing."
"Very likely still working on some contracts with Dar." Suddenly looking upset, he shakes his head. "I shouldn't have yelled at him this morning."
Recalling how Tommy had earlier offered to make Zedd some toast, which had somehow resulted in his husband throwing the toaster at him in response, I try my best to be cool about the matter, especially given the fact Tommy did little more than simply dodge the appliance and offer him cereal instead.
"He didn't seem too fazed by it" I remind him calmly.
"Maybe, but I still –" Suddenly, Zedd grunts and bends over, clearly uncomfortable.
"Kick you again?"
He shakes his head. "No" he gasps out. "This is different."
I take a subtle glance at my watch and keep count in my head until he relaxes. Pina told me that he'll still go into labor pains to signify that the baby is ready and needs to be removed. Also informing me that it's apparently similar enough to human female labor pains that we will be able to differentiate between that and his normal aches and pains. Technically, he's not due for two more weeks, but she also said that if he goes earlier, it would be fine with no danger to him or the baby.
Once the pain he's in eases, he continues. "I don't think I can handle much more of this."
"You're doing great, and besides it won't be much longer now." Probably way shorter then you even know if you keep having pains like you just did. "Besides, Tommy knows it's not your fault, just maybe try not to throw anymore household appliances at him, yeah?"
"It's not just that." At my questioning look he continues miserably. "It's bad enough that I keep doing things like that to him, but add in the fact we still haven't mated in almost three weeks-" Oh lord I can't have this conversation again.
"Zedd, Hayley told you it's normal for couples to-"
Ignoring me now, he continues in much the same manner he had the last time this topic came up. "We never went longer than three days before now! The last time we even came close to this length of time was before we were even wed and that's because he was in the hospital." Well maybe if you didn't throw toasters at him and tell him not to touch you…
"Zedd, I really don't think-"
"Plus I look like a cow!"
"You don't -"
"Not to mention I can't even dress decently!"
"Zedd I really- wait what?"
Gesturing to himself in frustration, I take in his rather laid back outfit. True it's not his leather pants and silk shirts that I'm used to seeing him in, however the black workout pants and black t-shirt proclaiming 'Anarchy!' in red letters does seem to fit.
Knowing I'll probably regret it, I however go ahead and ask. "What's wrong with what you're wearing?"
"These stupid sweatpants and t-shirts are all that fit and I only have them because Thomas got them for me and I yelled at him for that too." He shakes his head. "I really don't know how he puts up with me sometimes."
"He loves you, Zedd. Love helps people put up with a lot, especially when they know it's not how their loved ones normally behave." I know he catches something in my tone when he looks at me curiously. I stand up and grab a package of crib sheets. "I think you should have these on the crib first."
"Kira?"
"Yes?" I open the package and pull out the sheet, shaking it open. He gently takes it from me.
"That'll wait a minute. What's wrong?"
I paste a smile on my face and look at him. "Why, nothing, Zedd. Just, you know, thinking about things."
For a moment, he sounds like the Zedd I met years ago. "Don't lie to me, child. I've been able to tell the difference between truth and lies long before your grandparents were born."
I remember something I'd said to him the first time we'd met. "Why do I get the feeling that you and the truth are barely passing acquaintances?"
"More often than not" he answers, telling me that he remembers as well. "Although we do see a lot more of each other these days. Now stop trying - poorly, I might add - to distract me."
"Look, Zedd, we really don't need another moody person in the castle. Now's not the time to talk about it and I won't. Leave it alone." I really don't want to have this discussion. In fact, it was one of the driving factors in coming here.
He's about to say something else when he winces in pain again. "Hells, child, what are you doing in there? There is no room for flips!"
"The baby seems awfully active today. Maybe we should have Pina take a quick look."
I can tell the moment protest dies and changes to agreement. "Let's go."
Twenty minutes later, I'm flying through the halls of the castle. A quick tap on a door and I enter without waiting for permission. I catch the tail end of what Tommy's saying. "-don't know, Mara."
He looks up at me. "It's time. Now."
He pales instantly. "No! He's not due for two more weeks!"
Mara's voice comes from the screen, laughter in it. "Babies come when they decide, Tommy, not by a calendar. We'll be there as soon as we can."
Tommy nods and disconnects quickly, rising and hurrying from the room. I tell him, "Pina says she'll have to put him out to take the baby out, but he wanted to wait for you."
Somehow, I'm not surprised when he curses and begins running. "Idiot."
We both slide into the infirmary, Dar already here helping Pina gather and prep what's needed. Tommy instantly goes to Zedd's side and takes his hand as he presses a kiss to Zedd's forehead. "I'm here, mate."
Zedd's just finished another round of pain, by the way he's tensed. "Kira figured out what was happening and got me to Pina" he gasps out.
"We're going to owe her until we're dead" he smiles. "Thanks Kira - again."
Still trying to catch my breath, I answer, "You all need freaking keepers. I'm just saying."
Thomas pulls Zedd into his arms and hugs him. "Hang on, Zedd. It'll be over before you know it."
Before he can respond, Pina steps up very businesslike. "Here we go, Zedd." Swiftly, she injects him with something. It's not long before Tommy lies him down on the bed with one last kiss and then backs away. Pina and I talked about this on the way here from Earth and I know what she thinks she'll need me to do so I get myself and my area ready. If I hadn't come when I did, Mara would have probably been here by now and she'd be doing what I have the honor of doing.
Tommy is pacing in the far corner as Dar and Pina work. I wait anxiously, although I do my best to appear calm for Tommy. God knows he's anxious and nervous enough for all of us. Suddenly, Pina says, "Kira."
Quickly, I take the bundle from her and get to work. Clear nose and mouth, wipe the face.. "Come on, sweetheart. Your daddy is going to go crazy if he doesn't hear from you in a minute" I murmur.
"Kira?" Oh god he's going to come apart in a minute…
"Hang on, Tommy." Abruptly, the baby's eyes snap open and it sucks in a breath, looking far too startled to cry. "Well, hello, little one."
As fast as I can I finish cleaning up the baby, dress and wrap it tightly before lifting the tiny bundle into my arms. I cross the room. "Hey, Tommy. Say hello to your daughter."
Carefully, he takes her from me. She looks at him with wide purple eyes, but still doesn't cry. I look at him and oh my - as my mother would say - he's smitten. She has just totally and completely stolen a HUGE chunk of his heart. This will be the most spoiled child in the entire universe, I swear. "Oh wow" he says, breathlessly.
Gently, I press him into a nearby rocking chair, put here specifically for this moment. I leave daddy and daughter to bond while I go to make her a bottle. She's going to be hungry soon.
SOMETIME LATER
I wake up with a start, realizing that what woke me is Zedd coming around from the sedative. Silently, I get him a drink. After a quick couple of swallows, he speaks, "The baby?"
I don't get to answer him as Tommy does, softly. "She's beautiful, Zedd." My former mentor looks up at his mate. "You do good work, kalleimat. She has your eyes. Well, your original ones anyway." After Pina and Dar were done caring for Zedd, and considering the size the incision had to be he definitely needed some care, they'd finally explained to me that Zedd – well most of his family really - had purple eyes and the reason that his are black now is because of the dark power he'd held for so many centuries.
"Really?" Sounding incredibly relieved for some reason, he tries to sit up, only to not quite make it thanks to the painkillers Pina gave him after all was said and done. "So she's…she's okay then?"
"She's perfect" Tommy assures him as he gets out of the chair and brings their daughter over to him so he can see for himself. I leave the new little family in peace, knowing that Pina and Dar are there if needed. I slip out of the room and head for my bed. Once curled up, I let go my tears, relieved that everything's turned out all right.
