Maura had been on bedrest for six weeks now, and was waiting for Elara to get there to check on the Havoc babies. Their movements had slowed some, but Elara had told her that was normal as they ran out of room. Magdalane had been to see her twice in the past week, sensing something, she thought. Maura turned over to try and shift babies into a more comfortable position, Aric moving closer to her try to help her.
"Still having back pain, honey?" he asked her. She nodded as his warm hands began to gently knead the strained muscles. He stopped for a second and she looked over her shoulder at him. "Do you feel that?" he asked her.
"Of course I feel it, it's great," she told him.
"No, sweetie, not my hands, the muscle contractions," he answered her, his eyes widening. "You're in labor, that's why your back hurts!"
He jumped up and ran to see where Elara was. She would be delivering the twins, with holo support if needed from Carrick Station. Aric knew that the station was standing by for the twins' birth, because he'd checked with them at least once every day.
"Dorne, get here now! Maura's in labor!" Aric shouted over the holo when Elara picked up. The medic smiled at him, telling him she was close and would be there momentarily. She also told the lieutenant not to panic, and to get Maura up and walking downstairs. The women had already discussed this part of the birth, Maura wanted to be moving as much as possible.
Aric helped his wife down the stairs, one step at a time. Other than the back ache, Maura wasn't in real pain yet, and Magdalane would be here to help with that. Well, she would be when he called her, Aric thought. Maura went out to the back patio to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, strolling around under the trees, while Aric called both sisters.
Magdalane had been to see Maura just a few days ago, but even then it was apparent to her that Maura couldn't possibly hold the twins inside much longer. She'd begun clearing her backlog of reports so that she would be ready to assist in the birth, and when she got Aric's call she was ready to go. Felix grabbed their bag with clothes and assorted baby things, and headed for the shuttle. He wasn't the pilot Miriah was, but he could get them from orbit to the planet. Magdalane squeezed his hand, excited to be a part of the twin's arrival. Felix smiled back at her. He had no idea what was coming, that Magdalane would have to take at least a part of Maura's visceral pain herself. Mags hadn't told him, not wanting to worry him, figuring she'd be able to mask most of it. The shuttle shot out of the bay toward Dantooine.
Miriah was in the training room, stretching through a yoga workout. She'd just gone through three yoga poses when her handsome husband joined her, a thoughtful look on his face. She didn't ask, but continued her workout, holding a plank pose and breathing deeply. When she moved into warrior pose, his thoughtful look changed to admiration, he knew he was stronger in some ways but had to admit she was stronger in others.
She moved to warrior two pose, perfectly balanced, and pulled her leg higher behind her. He inhaled sharply when she stretched her head back and touched her toe to her pony tail, "How the void do you do that?"
She shrugged, "Balance and flexibility, must have skills to fight. Come here, I'll help you."
He backed away, hands held up, "No, thanks, I'd hurt myself for sure. Besides, I can think of more fun ways to work out."
She laughed as she danced out of his reach, moving to his left, and when he turned to grab her she vaulted over his shoulder in an acrobatic move he'd not seen her use before, and moved out of his field of vision. When he spun to locate her, she was just standing there, looking at him, a sly smile on her face, her eyes calling to him. He moved to her, and she pulled him down to the mat, her hands untying his hair, her mouth on his hungrily. They'd progressed to getting skin on skin contact when the holo started beeping.
"Damn, why does that always happen?" she asked. They ignored it, until it started again a few seconds later. Corso sighed, and leaned around the doorway to see if he could determine who it was without actually letting go of his wife or answering the call. He bolted up from the mat when he realized who it was. "It's Aric and Maura's house, " he told Miriah.
She scrambled up and put her shirt back on, then ran to the hit the receive button. "Hey, Aric, everything okay?"
The Cathar had to snicker when he saw her all mussed, Corso in the background looking sheepish. "Hate to interrupt, but thought you'd want to know that Maura's in labor."
"We'll be there in a few minutes," she told him, not waiting for his response before running to find shoes and grab some things out of the kitchen. Corso looked closely at Aric, and asked him, "You holding up okay, dad? She's doing well so far?"
Aric grinned at him, "All is good, or will be when the family is here. See you guys shortly."
Marua had made one tour of the back yard when she started to feel the contractions pick up. She saw Elara arrive, and made her way to the house before the next contraction had her stopping to breathe through it. I've probably been in labor since I woke up at three this morning with the back pain, she thought. It's eleven now, so seven hours, Elara will want to know.
The medic agreed with her observation and did a scan. "The babies are fine, you're moving quickly though, Maura. Do you want some pain relief before your sister arrives?"
"Absolutely not," Maura replied, "no drugs." She gritted her teeth as the next wave broke over her, breathing in time with the pulsing pain. Aric stroked her back, a worried look on his face. "I'm okay, this is normal," she told him. "Besides, I hear one of the sisters now."
Magdalane and Felix strode in, Mags already sensing Maura's level of pain and infusing her with calm and energy. Felix and Aric hugged, feeling a little unneeded but wanting to stay put, be a part of this. Mags had worn casual clothes, so that she would be comfortable no matter how long the labor took. It only took one look at Maura to know she was quickly losing her ability to deal with the contractions, and Mags readied herself with a few minutes of meditation, her aura already picking up in its intensity.
Miriah and Corso arrived, and slipped quietly into the house, Miriah reaching to squeeze Felix's hand and Aric's shoulder. "Great to see you guys, but I've gotta get over there," she told them, pointing to where Maura was leaning forward against the counter. She reached her sisters, gently rubbing Maura's back. "Let me help if I can, and tell me if I get in the way," she told Magdalane. Neither sister answered her, Maura deep in a contraction and Mags taking more than half the pain, both of them breathing in rhythm. Hope Maura knows she's gonna be liking oatmeal soon, Miriah thought with a grin, thinking of her own experience with a soul link. She'd always hated Mag's favorite breakfast until Mags had to heal her with a soul link, now she actually looked forward to it. The women moved to the downstairs bedroom they'd converted into a makeshift medbay, so Elara could monitor how the labor was progressing.
The guys all looked at each other for a few seconds, then started looking for things to do to help. Miriah, not really able to contribute much to the work of labor, went instead for the comfort of the large kitchen that Maura barely used. She marshaled the guys into getting together things to feed everyone, since they'd all be there for the duration and after. After sending Corso and Felix to the market with a list, she led Aric to the living area with a tray of sandwiches and tea. He was so nervous, and kept pacing from what they were calling the labor room to the living room.
Mags and Maura were holding hands, the brilliant light of Mag's aura covering them both. Elara hovered, checking machines and her patient, fetching ice chips and marveling at Magdalane's force power. Between the contractions, now coming in 3 minute intervals, Maura tried to assure Aric, but Mags remained in a trance, no one knowing the agony she was feeling for her sister. Magdalane knew that she'd be sore for a few days but wanted to be able to do this for Maura, she'd been so stoic during this pregnancy. I'll take as much as I can stand, she thought, everything I feel she won't have to. She reached out with her mind for Felix, but didn't find him. She felt Miriah though, and called her to them without words.
"Damn it, that's just spooky…"Miriah was grumbling as she walked into the room, where she saw her sisters, Maura sweating profusely and holding onto Aric's arm, Magdalane also sweating, but appearing serene in her trance. Except for the pallor, Miriah thought, Mags looks normal. How much is she taking for Maura? Miriah thought. She held up a glass of water for Mags, who took a few sips while Miriah held her chin. "Mags," Miriah whispered, "take my hand. I sent Felix and Corso for supplies, they'll be back soon, but you can hold onto me until then." Mags took the offered hand gratefully, and felt her sister's strength being offered to her, which helped Magdalane stay on top of the intense pain. Miriah's always has been more force sensitive than she ever let on, Mags thought, and she'd run for the hills if I told her I could feel the force in her.
Elara gave her patient notice that things were about to get worse, but that the babies would be here shortly. Miriah heard the guys return, putting the supplies in the kitchen. She motioned for Felix to come to Mags, and they exchanged their duties. When Miriah put Mag's hand in Felix's, Magdalane opened her eyes and mouthed, "Thanks, sis." Miriah just winked at her, then went to join Corso, who'd started pacing out in the hallway.
Felix joined them when the pushing started, and there was no denying the physical effort required to bring life into the world. Maura felt no pain, because Magdalane was taking it all into herself, but the effort and pressure of pushing were still there. Aric never stopped speaking softly to her, encouraging her, and with a mighty yell from her mom, Calleigh was born. They heard Aric laugh, a newborn wail, and had to go to the door to see the little one. Elara wrapped her in a warm blanket and, hands full getting ready for Colin, handed the baby to Maura for a few minutes. Aric's face was totally transformed, from the military-minded tough guy, to a doting, awe-struck father. "Oh Maura, she's beautiful," he said softly, kissing his wife, tears in those cat-green eyes. Maura had a huge smile on her face, "Look at her eyes, Aric," she told him. They both laughed, but they had to hand her off, since Colin was crowning.
Miriah took her niece in her arms, amazed at how small she was. She was a beautiful baby, her fur a very light blonde, but when she opened her eyes, Miriah gasped. Calleigh was staring back at her aunt with her own silver eyes. Miriah felt Corso's arm around her shoulders, and he was looking over her shoulder at the tiny baby girl. She heard Colin's first cry, but couldn't stop staring at his sister. Elara placed the baby boy, who was an exact copy of his dad, in Maura's arms, and Aric was overcome with emotion again. Miriah placed Calleigh in her dad's arms then, and both parents, exhausted but happy, looked around the room at the family who'd been there through all of this, and felt blessed.