The lightning cracked open the sky, and Sarah could have sworn the quickly fading light was a dream. It was the stormy season before the weather would finally start to calm and warm up for summer. It was late, or rather very early in the morning, and Sarah supposed she could take a quick nap before Kaim and Lirum decided it was time to start breakfast.
Just as she was collecting her papers and putting them aside neatly on her otherwise very messy desk, there was another roar of thunder.
The door behind her banged open and a small child found her way into her mother's lap.
"Lirum! It's too early for you to be up!" Sarah was trying to get the four year old off of her lap, but her little arms gripped the older woman's own like steel. Sarah melted at the sight of her young daughter's face twisted in terror, finally allowing the small child to grip onto her skirt.
"Momma, I can't!" Sarah heard the soft cry in her daughter's voice and instantly started to rub her back. "I can't seep."
She wrapped Lirum into a hug. When another thunderclap sounded, the little girl practically jumped out of her skin. Tiny tears streamed down her face, and Sarah couldn't stop herself from saying, "Okay, okay. Let's go down by the fire. The sound is a little more muffled in the den."
Sarah carried the crying girl into the hallway and down the steps, to the right of the entrance hall, and finally to one of the rooms snuggled into the hallway. Without any windows, the sounds of the raging storm seemed to die away. Sarah, using one hand to hold the small girl, used her other to drag the rocking chair from the corner, nearer to the dying embers of the fireplace. She rocked her little girl until the last of her sobs quieted.
"Papa is a heavy sleeper." Sarah said this more to herself. For being a man of war, Kaim sure didn't give up on his beauty rest. She thought it might be because if anyone were to sneak up on them he'd be faster, even in sleep. That and he couldn't exactly die.
Lirum giggled. "I went to your room first and he was snoring loud! Louder than the thunder outside!"
Sarah sighed, but a smile still tugged onto her lips. "Well, that's your father."
Lirum leaned into her. Her eyes were drooping, but every distant peal of thunder, however quieted, still jolted her awake.
Sarah rocked into a rhythm, and started to sing. "Things come and go, but soon they'll disappear into dusk…"
The song was something she once heard a very long time ago. Almost too long ago. She probably mixed up the words and lost the meaning somewhere along the way, but she couldn't ever forget the melody. It stuck with her, even when the words faded and reshaped themselves.
Soon Lirum's eyes were staying closed. "I know it, I feel it, you're heading straight home back to me, now." Just as she was singing the last of the verse the door slowly opened. Kaim leaned against the doorframe watching as his daughter snuggled deeper into Sarah's robe. He motioned to lift her up, but Sarah shook her head.
"I'll rock a little while longer. Just to make sure."
. . .
The nervousness that always came with a new child was starting to set into Kaim. In just a few short weeks there would be a baby in their house, and he was beginning to grow restless. Every morning he woke with another chore to add to his list of things needed done around the house.
All the rooms needed deep cleaned. The staircase was creaking—and wouldn't that wake up a new baby? The windows needed shined, and some needed curtains. The flower bed needed weeding. The nursery wasn't painted. Sarah still needed to pick a color of paint for the nursery. He needed to travel to Saman, as much as he hated leaving Sarah so close to time, to pick up the nursery paint—that still wasn't picked out—and other last minute supplies they forgot they needed.
And why is it that he couldn't get the house in order like he wanted it to? An almost jittering panic was starting to set in.
And then there was Sarah. Calmly washing the breakfast dishes humming a little to herself while her husband sat contemplating how fast he could run to Saman without overdoing it. It wouldn't do to overwork himself—or die—right before the baby was to get here.
He observed as she set the last dish in the strainer and took a cloth to wipe up the water that fell onto the counter. Kaim turned his full attention to his wife, willing the worries and panicked feelings leave him for a moment. Sarah's stomach bumped the counter and she concentrated on her tiptoes to reach for the last of the water left from the washing. Kaim watched her face ease into satisfaction of her finished job, before she was thinking about the next.
She waddled over to where he sat at the table and made to sit down. For the past month she had to eat her meals sideways in her seat because she wasn't able to fit or reach the table comfortably when she sat normally. She blew out a little sigh, and Kaim watched with affection as she rubbed the very top of her belly.
"I was thinking yellow. Not too bright, but a nice yellow," she said, looking at him. "I'm sorry I didn't think of it sooner, but it doesn't take too long to get to Saman. Don't worry."
Kaim sighed. He wasn't annoyed at Sarah—how could he be?—more like the situation he was left in. "You say that but you never know when a baby will decided to arrive."
Sarah smiled. "I can say with certainty that it's not going to be in the next two days."
Kaim shook his head. No one could say that with certainty. He was reminded of one of the last children he had all those years ago. His mother had said something along those lines and that night the little boy surprised them both. "Sarah."
"Just some paint, and extra nappies, and…chocolate?" She sighed. "I shouldn't be having cravings so late into this but that's all I want. Dark chocolate."
"Those three things shouldn't slow me down," Kaim lifted himself from the chair a little regretfully. Sarah tried to get up, but after the struggle he decided to just come around to her instead. He wrapped her in a hug and she gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I'll be back before you know it."
"I'll be here! Most likely still at this table right where you left me." Sarah smiled.
. . .
Two weeks before the baby arrived, Sarah thought about how the baby felt like it was moving into a different position. It took her a little while, and some painful moments and shifting, to realize that maybe the baby was just preparing for delivery. The thought sent her aflutter, and she found it hard to contain her excitement. The baby could be coming any day now, and she couldn't wait to hold them in her arms! She made the mistake of telling Kaim.
"Maybe you should rest."
"Sarah, don't do that. I can do it."
"Put your feet up. Sorry. But really. You should put your feet up."
"How do you feel?"
"That looked like it hurt, is it time? I'm going to Tosca!"
"Kaim!" Sarah swatted at her husband who was turning for the door. He placed his hand over hers where it rested on his arm. She sighed. Hasn't he done this before? Why was he so nervous? "I'm fine! I'm fine!" She turned her own palm so it was against his and squeezed his hand, but that didn't seem to reassure him. He still looked like he wanted one foot out the door. "Help me up."
She distracted him by having him do little things around the house. Cleaning the windows, rearranging the furniture in the nursery, sweeping out the kitchen, and all of this distracted him until he seemed to forget about her comment altogether.
.
One week before, Sarah had a meltdown.
She was writing sitting sideways in her chair. Ming Numara, the immortal Queen, had finally wrote her a letter talking about the last time they met at the Tower of Mirrors. It wasn't a particularly good meeting. The memory brought on a frown. It took the royal immortal a long time to send this letter, and Sarah was hoping it would have been a little more positive.
I cannot seem to shake the feeling that this Gongora person is planning something truly sinister. What good could come of him breaking the mirrors? I wonder how our lives will change. Will time catch up to us in a mere minute? I need to do more research. Do forgive me, I know you are just moments away from having a child, and I do not want to make you worry without cause. Please write back to me when the child is born, for I am very excited for you and Kaim! I'm sure this baby will let you forget about what is going on in the world for a moment.
Sarah set the paper down with a sigh. I knew I shouldn't have mentioned Gongora in the last letter! she thought to herself. She tried to push away the feelings that formed at the memory of their last meeting. There were no pleasant thoughts of Gongora; the man gave her chills. He wanted to destroy their one connection to get back home. What could that possibly mean to them? What if he succeeded?
She rubbed the side of her belly. The baby twitched at the sudden change in Sarah's mood. She could feel the restlessness, and it wasn't easing her worry. Her heartbeat picked up speed, and she was suddenly breathing very deeply. It was like Ming's words were finally catching up to her. What if he closed off, or broke the mirror? Would that mean they would start aging just like the mortals around them? Could they die?
The door creaked open. Kaim was holding his to-do-before-baby list. "The garden is ready and weeded, and I just need to…set up—" Kaim stopped. Sarah looked up at him, wild eyes and breathing fast. One hand held the fabric of her blouse in a white knuckled grasp, and the other was fisted on her desk. She could see that Kaim was rushing to conclusions, but before he could even ask if the baby was on its way, she was speaking.
"What if we…die and our baby is all alo…alo…alone?" Sarah couldn't stop the flow of tears.
Kaim tilted his head. "Sarah, we're immortal—"
"But if Gongora breaks the mirror, oh gods above." Sarah covered her mouth, a shuttering wail trying to escape her lips.
Kaim's arms were around her in no time. He pulled her face into the crook of his neck and used his other hand to rub her back. Sarah buried her face into his shirt and let out her cry. Kaim's embrace tightened as much as he could with the baby in-between them. "Don't worry. Don't worry. It's not going to get that far."
Sarah knew it was pointless to argue. Why keep herself in this state? Besides, she had more than herself to think about. She nodded and sniffled and pulled on the back of Kaim's shirt. He brushed a hand through her hair and held her close.
. . .
Kaim woke up with a start at Sarah's sudden gasping. It wasn't loud or shrieking, but it was full of emotion. He turned on the lamp beside the bed and turned to her. He grew anxious when he saw that she was curled into herself and shaking. "Sarah?" he asked, almost afraid to touch her. When he did finally set a gentle hand on her shoulder, she let out a sob she was holding in. Kaim shoved the panicked feeling down further into his chest before he pushed hair away from her face. Her teary eyes met his own. "What's wrong?"
"He was there! And the baby!" She bit down on her lip and shoved her face into the pillow.
Kaim felt relief that it was only just a dream; a continuation of her earlier panic. He scooted down into the blankets and lightly tugged her arms away from her until he could curl his own around her. "It was just a dream, Sarah."
"It was just a dream," he heard her repeat. She took a shaky and unsure breath. "Just a dream, Sarah."
Kaim used his free hand to wipe away a few stray tears. She sniffled and then grew quiet. "Did you want to talk about it?"
Sarah shook her head. "Not now, no."
He understood and stayed awake until her breathing even out. He couldn't help but to think back upon his second meeting with the golden-haired wizard, a bitter memory coming forth.
.
Kaim woke up with a splitting headache. The light of the room danced behind his eyelids and he dared himself to open them again.
The queasiness that was brought to his attention could only come from a spell, and it wasn't often that anyone could cast one over him. He tried to think through the pain that was assaulting his head and vision. What happened?
Gongora. He remembered the magician. It was only their second face to face meeting, in this world. It wasn't pleasant. Aren't we supposed to go home?
Seth. She was yelling—remembering that made Kaim's head and stomach swim. The immortal pirate traveled all the way here, leaving her son and dear friend to run her ship, only to have the plan go wrong because one person decided to stay.
Ming. The Numaran Queen. She was not sure about leaving her people, but she was willing to answer the call to the mirrors. Sarah was excited to see her again, but—
Sarah! Kaim jerked up, scrambling to his knees and looking around him. His wife lay a few feet away from him, motionless. With a dry swallow he crawled over to her sleeping form. "Sarah," he choked out. "Wake up."
Why was everything coming out so slowly? Weren't they immortal? He glanced around to the bright mirrors in front of them. He could feel something familiar coming from them, something that felt like he had experienced before. The tugging feeling wasn't unpleasant, but he found that he still wanted to run as far away from here as possible. Looking at the light made his stomach flop again. He tried shaking Sarah. "Please wake up."
Sarah twitched, one eye opening. There was a moan and she curled onto her side. "I feel horrible."
"What the hell!" Kaim squinted to his side. Seth was sitting up, sword in one hand, the other shielding her eyes from the light that came from the other side of the room. "Where's Gongora?"
"Not here, I am guessing." Ming was getting up, not seeming fazed at all about the momentary sleep. Kaim remembered that she herself was a spellcaster, one of the best around. Maybe she didn't need anything to help from waking up from the magic sleep. Kaim thought her lucky as he pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to get his head to stop pounding. "Something seems off."
Kaim watched as Ming made her way closer to the mirrors. Sarah finally uncurled herself and rubbed her eyes under her glasses. She was squinting at the queen and the mirrors trying to adjust to the room again. "I can feel the change!" she exclaimed with a wince. Kaim guessed she wasn't feeling all too well herself. He rubbed the space between her shoulder blades. "Do you, Ming?"
The queen nodded. She stopped a few feet from the towering devices that connected the two worlds. With one hand she rubbed the air in front of her. Kaim watched as a ripple of blue light moved away from Ming. "A wall?"
Sarah was up at that, taking staggered steps towards the queen. "I don't know much about these mirrors but I do know about this kind of magic!" Kaim watched the two women converse for a moment, before getting up and going to his angry blue-haired friend.
Seth accepted his hand and looped her sword through her belt. She rubbed calloused palms on her eyes before blinking back up at Kaim. "I feel like a thousand tiny needles have all pinpointed into my skull."
Kaim made a noise of agreement. "Gongora is scheming something."
"That bastard is gonna pay for putting me to sleep!" Seth screeched. Kaim winced, head throbbing. "Sorry."
"We can't go back." Sarah and Ming walked over to them. Sarah reached up and enveloped Kaim's face with her palms. He felt the soothing spell erase the traces of pain away from his head. Ming was doing the same for Seth, though it couldn't erase the scowl from her face. Ming continued, "Sarah found a message in the wall."
"We need all five of us before that wall will come down." Sarah was adjusting her glasses and looking back behind her. "That is a wall without any chinks in the armor. We can't take it down with any hits and it has an unlimited amount of energy coming from that world." She looked back over to them. "We're not going anywhere unless we convince Gongora to come with us."
"And who knows where he has gone to," Kaim finished with a sigh. This was getting more complicated than he could have ever imagined.
. . .
It started at about mid-day. Sarah was on her way down the steps when she felt the first twinge of a contraction. She rubbed her back. She didn't feel the need to tell Kaim just yet, especially since that one wasn't even bad. For all she knew it would be another day before anything came of it. She took note of the time anyway and continued down the steps.
Twenty-five minutes later, another happened just as she was taking a sip of water. She waited it out and looked at the clock again.
The next one happened five minutes later, and she almost panicked but knew there couldn't be any way the baby would be coming that fast. "Besides it didn't really hurt. You're okay, Sarah." She just needed a pep talk.
Thirty minutes later and the cramping started along with the twinge in her lower back. Nothing too bad, it hardly felt like the kinds of cramping she would get with her monthlies. "I don't need to tell Kaim yet." She picked up the book she was reading, but not before noting the time.
It was nearing three o'clock when Sarah had to actually stop what she was doing and concentrate on breathing through a contraction. It didn't last long, but the increase in pressure finally put Sarah in Find Kaim mode. She wobbled through the lower level of the house, and managed to totter up the steps before finding him in the library taking a cat nap at their window bench. She smiled at the nice little picture he made before she knew she would have to wake him up. She prepared herself for the inevitable Panic Mode Kaim.
The gentle shake woke him up. Kaim smiled lazily up at her, stretching limbs out. "Hey."
"Hey," Sarah said back. She took a little breath in, and as she was breathing out she said, "contractions have started."
Panic Mode Kaim was alert and ready to go. "When."
"Noonish."
"What time is it now?"
"Three."
"Sarah!" He jumped to his feet, placing firm hands on her upper arms. "Sarah. That's three hours ago. How are you? How are they? The contractions, I mean, are they painful? How many minutes apart?"
"They aren't bad!" She gently pulled her arms from his, and put her hands on his face. "They are twenty minutes apart still. The pressure is getting a little bit more intense."
"Tosca?" Sarah almost laughed. Every bump, gasp, and cry she had let out in the past two weeks had him asking this question. She finally was able to nod her head. Kaim guided her to sit down. "I'll be back with Elaine in a moment."
He rushed out of the door. Sarah looked out the window, but turned back around when she saw her husband's reflection pop back into view. "What?"
"I love you." Sarah melted at his expression. He looked excited but at the same time a little terrified. After another five seconds of him staring at her, she finally rolled her eyes.
"You're acting like it's your first time! Go! The longer you stall—" Sarah set a hand to her back and hunched over a little. Kaim jumped into action immediately, and Sarah found herself shooing his hands away. "I can talk through this and it's not bad, but Kaim don't waste time!"
. . .
Kaim practically carried the midwife all the way back to the mansion. As soon as they hit the door, he was bounding towards the steps taking two at a time to reach the library. When he pushed open the door, he found Sarah sleeping, head pressed against the window. He paused and allowed his breathing to slow, and to give time for the other woman behind him to catch up.
She didn't look to be in pain. It had been awhile since Kaim had the pleasure in welcoming a child into the world, and even longer since he had the chance to see the delivery, so he was trying to remember all the details of past experiences and what he and Sarah had discussed in their many conversations in the past months.
He walked over to her calmly. No signs of any wetness was on her clothes or around the bench she sat on. Her face wasn't contorted in pain and she wasn't griping her back or anything, even in sleep. Elaine's face popped in, and she smiled up at the worried father-to-be. "It is fine that she is resting, good actually. Let's let her sleep for a little while longer. Do you have any fruit? And we can prepare some cold water. It's good for the both of you to keep hydrated!"
Kaim reluctantly left Sarah to her snoozing and padded down the stairs. They left the door open in case Sarah needed to call out, and he led the older woman to their kitchen.
Elaine was one of a few midwives who traveled to Tosca when there was soon to be a birth happening. When Sarah first found out she was pregnant, she had sent a letter to the city of Gohtza to inform the correct offices of a new life coming to Tosca, and they had sent out a few profiles of midwives. Sarah picked Elaine. For the first six months Elaine would make the four day trip to the small village to visit her, soothing any worries Sarah couldn't voice to Kaim or didn't have answers to, and doing all of the general checkups. After six months, Elaine came to Tosca as a semi-permanent resident and aided Sarah, and a few other soon-to-be-new mothers who didn't have a midwife yet, with whatever they needed. She would stay with Kaim and Sarah for a week after the baby is born before making her way back home. For now, or at least until Sarah woke up, she was there to distract Kaim.
She instructed the nervous husband to cut an apple and a banana, arranging it as neatly as his nerves would allow, and prepare anything they might need for the impending birth. "Some towels, good scissors and a clamp, and alcohol for sterilization. On your runs to Saman, you did get those things, right?"
"Yes, ma'am." Kaim went to the little kitchen closet and pulled out a small leather bag. He showed her the contents and she hummed her approval. "Uhm. Miss—"
"Kaim, you can call me Elaine. You make an old woman blush with all your ma'am's and miss'." Elaine patted his shoulder.
"E-Elaine," he blew out a breath he was holding and finished, "am I allowed in the room during…? Have I asked before—I don't really know the customs here and the last time…well it's been a long time. I guess I should have asked sooner. I mean, it's not too late to ask—?"
"Oh, you and that long life of yours." Kaim and Sarah felt it was necessary to let Elaine in on the Tosca secret. She was a little shocked at first and didn't totally believe it, but warmed up to the idea of their never-ending lives. "I know in Gohtza the husband steers clear of the mess, but this is Tosca and you two are…unconventional, to say the least." She gave him a warm smile. "I don't mind if you're in the room so long as it doesn't hinder the process at all."
Kaim could feel that heavy burden wash away. He had been worried that he would be shooed out of the room. He had heard horror stories of birth and death—unfortunately, having an experience in one, too—and when he wasn't allowed to be with a loved one during the whole ordeal, it about killed him. He remembered all the pacing he did, and all the twitching, and thudded heartbeats as he waited for any news. He remembered the stillness in his body when he would hear a moan or a scream tear through the many homes he shared with wives past, and the queasiness that stuck with him like a warm warning after.
The one time the baby didn't make it—Kaim shook the thought away, concentrating instead on arranging the fruit on the plate once more. Though, he couldn't shake the weariness he suddenly felt, or the way his mind lingered in sorrow for the loss.
Elaine laid a withered hand on top of his and he looked up. She was handing him her handkerchief and he didn't even realize he was crying. "I'm sorry," he said, dabbing at the wetness on his cheeks and eyes.
"There is nothing to be sorry for." She sounded almost tired, like she knew all the exact concerns he was expressing through his tears, and the gloom of it was bringing her down. "I can see you're worried, and I can't say that nothing bad could happen, but know that Sarah is strong. She is so strong and this has been a smooth road for you both."
Kaim nodded once and handed the cloth back to her.
The kitchen door slowly swung open, and Kaim found himself rushing to Sarah immediately. "Hey, you shouldn't be up."
"I needed the walk. The contractions are starting to hurt a little." She raised her head up to look at him with a little smile.
He watched as her eyes widened and her gentle hands stretched up to his face. She was smoothing away the trail left behind one last tear, but Kaim shook his head and leaned into her palm a little, leaving a kiss in the middle of it. "Don't worry about me. Are you hungry?"
Sarah tore her eyes away and looked at the little plate of fruit on the counter. She smiled and Kaim led her over to the kitchen island and sat her sideways on the stool. As he went around to grab her plate, Elaine began pushing gently on her stomach.
"Well the baby feels to be getting into position. If they are starting to intensify I imagine your waters will rush sooner rather than later." The older woman smiled and made room for Kaim to come over with the plate. "Eat what you can, and it might be good if you took a walk with Kaim outside. I will go prepare the room."
Sarah ate and they did just as she said. Kaim offered his arm, Sarah took it, and they began their slow walk around the grass outside. The fresh air seemed to be doing a little good for Sarah. He saw that she was closing her eyes and breathing in deeply as they made their laps.
"How are you feeling?"
Sarah gave Kaim's arm a little squeeze. "Fine, a little achy." She reopened her eyes and turned towards him. "What about you? May I ask what was bothering you so much back there?"
Kaim took a moment to answer. They paused their walk, and he found himself looking over to the cliffside a little away from their home. He concentrated on the faint crash of the waves against the rocks. "I was just…remembering." He turned towards her, taking his hand and tucking a loose strand of her hair back into place. "There was…one time."
He didn't want to say it. Not now. He looked down at Sarah, and grimaced when he could see that she probably knew what he was trying to say. Or at least the gist of it. He felt guilty, but a moment after it passed, and she was squeezing his arm again. "I'll be fine. You already know this, but I do happen to be an immortal."
She smiled, but Kaim couldn't quite make one himself. "I'm not exactly worried about you," he admitted.
He could see that if finally clicked with Sarah. She folded her hands into his. "I'm strong, and this has been a pretty smooth pregnancy, though I don't have much to compare it to but books and other's experiences. I do know that I'm fine. You're fine. We'll be fine! The baby, too."
It was the same words Elaine had said, but they sounded a lot more convincing coming from Sarah. Kaim leaned down, lips brushing against hers. He kissed her nose, her cheeks, and her forehead before whispering his thanks between her breathless giggles.
They continued their walk until one contraction had Sarah almost doubled over. She was trying to ask him to time it, but he couldn't hear her through her gasps. He stood still watching as she caught her breath again. "I think that lasted longer than the others?"
Sarah could only nod. He led her back towards the house. As they were reaching the door, she leaned against it with her hand. Kaim could feel his heart in his throat, as he leaned down with her. "Sarah?"
"I can't tell if I just wet myself or…" She let out a little laugh.
"Elaine!" Kaim called through the door. He helped Sarah inside, careful not to hurry as they walked through the door.
The midwife made her way down the steps and nodded her head. "It's really time to get to business!"
The next few hours were a rush. As the sky grew darker and darker, Sarah became more and more restless. By the time their clock read seven, she was deep into her active labor, and Elaine informed Kaim that the baby could be making its way any moment. Kaim felt his stomach flip over, but knew it was time to support Sarah in any way he could. He held her hand, kept the sweat off her forehead and nose, kept her glasses on straight.
His wife wasn't saying much, focusing on her breathing and squeezing his hand when she needed to. Kaim could see the little twitch of relief on her face when Elaine was instructing him to become her support behind her. "It's really time?" she asked with a nervous kind of laugh. It quickly turned into a groan.
Elaine smiled and nodded. Kaim sat on his knees behind Sarah on her choice of the floor. She leaned against him, allowing her body to recline until she felt most comfortable. "It's time, it's time, it's time," she repeated, breathing in through her mouth and out through her nose. "Kaim it's time. It's here."
"I know, and you're doing beautifully." Kaim pressed a quick kiss to her ear and was rewarded with her shaky laugh. "I'm here."
"Thank you." She looked into his eyes for a moment before she was pulled back into another contraction. Kaim could feel the muscles in her back tighten and he was in awe that she was able to live through that kind of ache with only a low groan. She leaned back after and said it again, "It's time." Kaim grit his teeth and watched as the midwife got into position below them.
. . .
Kaim couldn't find his voice or the right choice of words. Moments like this left him speechless and dazed. The squirming, softly crying being was laid gently on Sarah's chest. He watched as Sarah gasped and rested her hands on their daughter.
"Daughter," Kaim whispered, finally finding something to say.
"Our." Sarah's voice broke. Kaim brushed away the sweaty hairs that clung to her temple and strung into her eyes, as Sarah tried her voice again. She took a breath in. "Our daughter."
Small bits of hair were matted to their new baby as her little voice quieted from Sarah's touch. Kaim watched in amazement as eyes blinked open and little wrinkles formed from the action. He gently moved a finger down her cheek. She was soft, and he couldn't help but to use the word 'new' to describe her, and she was so beautiful.
A tear slipped from his eyes, and then another. He let them fall as a wide smile broke out onto his face. He looked down at Sarah who was still staring down at the baby, though with her own tears to match. He bent over and kissed her face, Sarah startled at the sudden touch of his lips. He leaned his forehead against hers, whispering anything and everything he could think of to show Sarah how much he truly appreciated this gift.
After the baby was cleaned, fed, and Elaine was in her room for the rest of the night, Kaim was finally able to sit and hold his new child in peace. Sarah had tried to stay up, but exhaustion had caught back up to her, and she lay sleeping on her side. Kaim watched for a moment as the love of his never-ending life, the new mother to his little girl, snored quietly from her place on the bed. Kaim let his eyes wander down to the equally sleeping baby in his arms.
He began to wonder to himself; how many centuries had past since his last daughter was born? Could he remember that time so long ago? Was it as perfect as this? Trying to compare it felt maddening; his mind only able to think about the new life in his arms. He watched as his daughter sucked in a lip and stirred from the motion. He gently righted her lips and rocked her back into sleep. The connection created, the deep love and fierce protectiveness, was so sudden and absolute that Kaim couldn't help another round of tears that sprang to his eyes. His little girl wouldn't ever be alone. He made a vow to never leave her side, to not go off in search of adventure. His place was here, his daughter safely sleeping in his hold. "I promise, Lirum," he started in a whisper. "I promise I'll always be here for you."
Lirum cooed in her sleep as Kaim placed a kiss on the top of her head.