April 23rd – 1475 AD
Five-year-old Aleksei Nikolayev was nervous. Very nervous. This was probably the tensest and nerve-wracking moment in his short life of five years.
His mother – his dearest Mama – was in a room locked from the inside. Not alone of course. Maria Alexandrovna - the renowned midwife of their village – was in there with her and also few other women he didn't know the names of.
His Papa had told him not to worry, that Maria Alexandrovna knows what she's doing. She'll take good care of Mama. And once it was over, Mama would be fine.
And Aleksei believed his Papa. Papa won't lie to him. Both Mama and the little guest would be perfectly fine.
At least that is what he wanted to believe. But the painful screams and groans that sharply cut through the air even from behind those closed doors were equally painful to listen to. Especially when he knew that those screams belonged to his Mama.
Aleksei loved both his Mama and Papa very much. But like any other child, his bond with his mother was deeper. And as much as happy he was for the arrival of a new guest in their family, he was also afraid for his Mama. He had only one Mama and he couldn't lose her.
Even a five-year-old child had an idea that something very bad can happen to his mother if things don't turn out well.
XXX-XXX
Two hours. Tatiana Nikolayeva has been in labor for almost two hours now. Her voice was already hoarse and burning from her constant screams for the past two hours. And her body hurt so much as if she was being split apart little by little.
Childbirth was not a new concept to her. She has a son – her precious little Aleksei – whom she carried and gave birth to about five years ago. It had also been painful, yes. But that pain seemed to be no match to the pain she was currently feeling.
Her chest heaved with each breath she took in – and how it hurt to even breathe! Her white gown was soaked in both sweat and blood. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead only to be wiped down by the handmaiden standing beside her bed. Her lower lip was bitten hard in a failed attempt to stop another pained scream escape her mouth.
"Just a little more, dear! I can see the head. Push harder, Tatiana!" Maria encouraged excitedly from the edge of the bed.
And harder she pushed. With all the last bit of strength she had, Tatiana pushed.
"AHHHHHHHH!"
Two cries echoed together throughout the room, mixing into one sound. One of a woman in excruciating pain and the other of a newborn. However, the woman's voice faded away after a few moments leaving the only echoing scream to be of the newborn.
Completely spent, Tatiana laid in the bed as limp as a corpse. The only sign of her being alive was the slight rise and fall of her chest. Two handmaidens that were standing on both sides of her bed rushed towards her. Tatiana had completed her duty. Now she needed the proper rest and care to recover.
While the mother was being treated and cared, Maria started her duty of preparing the wailing newborn in her arms for the rest of the world.
"What a beautiful little darling!" Maria cooed at the babe in her arms as she cleaned the blood and fluid from the babe's body.
After scrubbing and wiping the newborn clean, she wrapped the babe in a double-layered baby blanket.
"Maria Alexandrovna, may I...hold her?" Tatiana whispered faintly. Due to the handmaidens' intense care, she had finally regained a little strength to speak.
"Of course, dear. Tasha, hold your mistress up." The elder midwife instructed one of the handmaidens to help Tatiana sit up.
Once Tatiana was seated in a comfortable position, Maria carefully passed the now quietened newborn in the arms of her mother.
Tatiana was amazed. For the small babe in her arms, her daughter was beautiful.
A small tuft of soft coal-black hair sat atop her head. Slightly red pinkish skin, small button nose, soft round cheeks, and oh!
A pair of eyes of the color of the finest and brightest jade was looking back at her.
And for a moment, Tatiana was deep lost in those mystically beautiful jade eyes. Only the elder midwife's voice brought her back to reality.
"Beautiful little dove, isn't she? I'm sure both Ivan Mikhailovich and Aleksei Ivanov would be very proud and amazed as we are." Maria smiled warmly at the mother-daughter duo.
Tatiana couldn't help but agree. "I am very sure they will. Especially Aleksei. He was dying to meet his little sibling."
Maria broadened her smile. "Then we shouldn't make them wait anymore. I will go to tell them the good news."
"Please do. And my earnest thanks for everything you've done today, Maria Alexandrovna." Tatiana said gratefully.
"It was my duty, Tatiana Vladimirovna. I accept your gratitude. Now please excuse me. I have to give your husband and son the good news." With that, the elder midwife excused herself and left the room.
XXX-XXX
Maria came back a little later, followed by Tatiana's son.
As soon as Aleksei saw his Mama he immediately ran up to her, hastily climbing on the huge bed he scooted closer to Tatiana.
"Mama! You're not sick anymore! Are you feeling better now? I was very worried about you, Mama!" The five-year-old started rambling off his concern to his mother one after one.
Tatiana smiled fondly at her son. "Thank you for your concern, Aleksei. I am feeling much better now. However, aren't you going to ask how your little sister is?"
"Sister?" The five-year-olds eyes grew as big as saucers. "The little guest is my sister, Mama?" Excitement bubbled in his voice.
Tatiana nodded, her smile growing bigger. "Yes, dear. You are now an elder brother of your little sister."
"Can I see her Mama?" He asked eagerly.
"Of course. Come a little closer."
Aleksei scooted closer to his mother's side and peered into her chest at the face of the tiny guest of their family, his little sister.
Tatiana smiled at the amazed look on her son's face at the sight of his little sister. It seemed like the little babe has also captured her elder brother's heart in just one glance, just as she did to her mother.
Surprisingly the newborn stared back at the awed eyes of her older brother, steadily holding the gaze for a few seconds.
Then suddenly, she yawned loudly and closed her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering on her cheek. As if she was preparing to take a nap.
Aleksei giggled at the cuteness of the tiny creature. "She looks so... so..." The five-year-old couldn't find the right word to describe her.
"Precious?" Tatiana helped.
His eyes lit up. "Yes! She looks so precious! Mama, my little sister is the most beautiful babe in the world!"
"Now now, Aleksei. Aren't you being the perfect bragging older brother to your sister?" A deep amused voice sounded from behind the mother-children trio.
As if by magic, Aleksei straightened up his slouched back and looked up to the owner of the voice.
"Papa!"
Tatiana looked up at her husband, an equally amused smile gracing her lips. "Husband. I was wondering when you would make your presence known."
Ivan Nikolayev let out a hearty laugh. "My earnest apologies, Wife. Truth to be told, the sight of all three of you together was too beautiful in my eyes. How could I dare to spoil the moment?"
Tatiana laughed in response. "But no matter what, that sight can never be perfect without you, Husband. Come and take a look at this beautiful babe, our daughter."
Ivan grinned and came closer to the edge of the bed.
And for the third time of the day, Tatiana smiled in pride. It seems like she is going to make it a habit of taking enjoyment by looking at the amazing faces people would make at the sight of her daughter.
"She is perfect, my love," Ivan whispered with awe.
Tatiana looked back at the sleeping babe. "She is, isn't she? Such a beautiful little dove."
Ivan caressed the babe's soft cheek with the knuckle of his hand, an adoring look in his eyes. "Thank you, my love. For gifting me with this happiness."
Aleksei had been fidgeting in his place since his father came in. Now he couldn't stay quiet anymore. "I apologise for interrupting you, Papa and Mama. But what are we going to call her?" The five-year-old asked.
"Mhm. That is a good question. What are you going to name her, Husband?" Tatiana asked curiously.
Ivan retracted his hand and smiled. "I already have a perfect name for our little dove."
"Really? What is it, Papa?!" Aleksei asked excitedly.
Ivan looked down at his sleeping daughter, his smile broadening.
"Nikita Ivanovna Nikolayeva, welcome to the world."
XXX-XXX
A/N: So the idea of this story has been in my head for the past few months. But I didn't get any time to write it down. But today I felt like just letting the words flow and well... Here it is! A brand new story just for you guys!
The structure of this story is going to be different than other TVD SI/OC fics. Updates might not be regular. But don't worry. I'm not going to drop this anytime soon. Also, note that this is going to be long and by long I mean looooong and slow-paced. So buckle up and sit tight. I hope you guys will support this story throughout the whole journey.
And do let me know if you liked this chapter or not. It's just the prologue but still, I'd love to know your thoughts on this. All reviews and criticisms are accepted.
Have a great day. Stay safe and healthy.
-Umihebi no Miko