3/15/2262
Alyen and L'Naym's Quarters
10:30 AM
L'Naym abruptly sat up.
Since entering her nest she hadn't left it. She had spent the time curled next to her lifemate while both
silently communed with their unborn. The only exception where brief breaks when Alyen either took
her to the fresher, or would fetch her water, which she partook in quick gulps. During those times he
would gently rub her back and scan her.
Dr McCoy had called periodically to check on them. He kept his questions brief and to the point which
Alyen answered just as quickly. The sound of other's voices disturbed the mother to be's concentration.
For that reason their Captain had ordered that they were not to be disturbed and even D'Ray had stayed
away. The time just before the birth was for mother and her mate alone as was the time afterwards.
Now she sat up eyes, wide but expression calm. "It's time," she whispered.
Alyen knew it was too. He could smell his lifemate's minty scent, which over the previous day had peaked
and he also noted the slight change in the skin tone around her neck. A quick scan only confirmed it.
He reached for his lifemate. "Beloved, we have to go to sickbay."
She looked at him, instinctive reluctance to leave her nest plain.
"It's alright, Beloved." He whispered. "We agreed that this is best for the baby."
Hesitantly she nodded and slowly got out of the nest.
Alyen meanwhile had pulled his comm. "Dr McCoy, it's time. I'm bringing her down now."
"All right, I'll be ready for her."
Alyen drew his lifemate closely against him as they exited their quarters. She wore only a shift but she
could have been wearing nothing and not cared. She felt only an intense inner focus to get to the place
where she could give birth. Thankfully the corridor was empty and they weren't far from a turbolift.
Sickbay
10:45 AM
"Well, it looks like a certain little someone is ready to come out."
L'Naym was beginning to sweat and her breath coming in short, pants, but her head jerked up sharply
and she stared at the doctor. He wasn't her mate. He had no place here!
A deep and guttural growl formed in her throat.
Her mate hugged her reassuringly. "It's alright, Beloved," he whispered. This is Dr McCoy. You know him.
He's a friend. He's a healer. He's here to help the baby.
"Healer?" L'Naym murmured. "Here to help…" She wavered, knowing that Dr. McCoy was a friend,
that he would never hurt her or her baby, but driven by a primal urgency deep within her.
She kept her head low, a strange sound that was half growl and half whimper escaping her throat.
"Remember, Beloved," her mate urged. "We agreed to this. Dr McCoy needs to be here to help the baby.
This has been done since the Days of Wandering. The ancient mothers knew that sometimes they would
need help. That's why birthing tents and midwifes began."
"Since the Ancient Days," L'Naym murmured. She glanced around, ancient instincts and taught knowledge
focusing. "This is the Birthing Tent. McCoy is the midwife."
McCoy's eyebrow raised but he remained silent.
Slowly L'Naym made her way over to the waiting bed. "As has been since the Ancient Days, so it is now."
With her mate's help she got onto the biobed and lay back. The Healer/Midwife drew close with his instruments.
"The contractions are definitely starting. It won't be long now."
She clasped her mate's hand tightly. *Stay with me…*
*Always, my beloved.* He held her tightly, pouring into her his strength and love. *You are mine. I am yours.
We are one.*
*We are one.*
12:00 PM
"I see the head. One more push should do the trick..."
L'Naym gave a deep, focused growl and strained...
And a small, wriggling form slid into the world and into McCoy's waiting hands.
The baby gave a single cry at the shock of the world, and waved his tiny fists as the doctor bathed him
with a damp cloth and wrapped him in a blanket.
"Clean bill of health" he announced after running some scans. "Congratulations, Mrs. L'Naym.
You've got yourself a fine, healthy baby boy."With one of his rare smiles he gently he handed her the baby.
L'Naym took her baby and held him close. The Midwife had performed his task. Now her every instinct
was screaming that he needed to leave. Now.
"Go." She swallowed and took a breath. "Please."
"Aye aye, ma'am." He smirked. "Never thought I'd be chased out of my own sick bay. I'll leave the three
of you alone."
Alyen completely ignored the doctor. He had eyes only for the newborn. He stared in wonder and amazement,
while his lifemate held their son in her arms. She raised the baby to her breast and started to nurse.
With one finger, Tuskaro gently stroked the nursing infant's damp hair. "Brown," he whispered.
L'Naym smiled. "Just like his father's."
He looked at his lifemate. *Beloved —* was all he could manage, but all of his emotions were packed
in to that single word.
She understood. *We are a family now, Beloved. We are a family.*