"So... you feel alright now?", Eric asked as Ariel gave a small nod. "If in terms of before and screaming and being in pain... yes... but... like before today? No.", she shook her head.
Eric kissed her on the forehead, "I'm right here, my little mermaid...you must be exhausted...You heard Triton, you have to rest.", and Ariel looked at him, "You won't leave the bed?".
"Love, until I need the bathroom, I won't leave the bed...Please rest. Look, the twins are kicking and they're safe, and Max is right here.", Eric reassured her as he rubbed her belly, relieved to feel steady kicks, a sign that the twins are active.
Ariel nodded as she took a deep breath. "Okay.", she nodded. She could only hope that maybe her father was fast enough to save all three of them... but in her mind, she had to mentally start preparing for the scenario that she might lose one if not the worst case, both of them. She prayed so much that maybe that this tragedy would never happen as she started to feel herself drifting to sleep in Eric's embrace once more.
And so, the next two months and some seemed to creep slowly over the couple as Eric and Ariel was both hopeful yet scared, having so much support from the entire palace as Ariel spent half of her waking days in bed, with the rest of the days just wandering around the palace, needing exercise, a soft breeze of the sea, and of course, keeping company with Eric when he's not busy with royal work...
It was frustrating for Ariel, but she had to think first about her children, and to her relief, the growth of the twins improved greatly with plenty of food, beverages, and rest, after being checked triple-fold, of course. Like Carlotta said, the palace became vigilant, even with the magical shield protecting the palace. One can never be too sure.
Of course, Ariel can feel the irregularities within the twins if anything's wrong since she somehow got more sensitive since the...poison scare. Melody and Tazio are feeling quite heavy, but Tazio, he feels a bit lighter, and Melody gets excited, having hiccups when she feels that her mother is in the bath, but Tazio, he gets moody when it comes to bedtime, almost like he doesn't want to go to sleep at times.
Of course, dread hung over the expectant parents almost at every moment: both having the fear of if the poison truly may have doomed the children to dying at birth or infancy as well as that despite the searching, there was no sign of the assassin. Almost like a wraith; in one moment, gone the next without a trace of being around.
Even Triton tried to search under the seas as well, as the trident knows the scent of the new dark magic, but unfortunately, Cetus saw that coming, and made a fake, different copy of his dark magic, leading Triton on a wild goose chase, and of course, he grew frustrated to not find the assassin who nearly killed his baby girl, his grandchildren.
The big day of the twins' arrival came on a warm, windy day, and it all started in the library where Ariel was resting, reading a book, with Max dozing near the door, poised to hear footsteps easily enough, and of course, ready to pick up the scent if it's good or bad. He took his job seriously, guarding Ariel while Eric was busy on royal work.
Ariel rubbed her belly once again; like she tended to do a lot now when it was fairly close to the twins being due any day now. She was certain that Melody probably would be alright with how hard she kicked and moved, but Tazio just didn't have the same drive as his sister, which greatly concerned and filled Ariel with dread of what might come, looking more and more likely by the day.
With a deep sigh, Ariel read her book as she rubbed her belly, feeling aches on her back and hips, and she was grateful for the massage this morning by Eric, but she might need to ask for another one again.
She hummed softly as she kept reading before hearing a muffled annoyed squawk, and she glanced to see one of the songbirds fighting the wind with a piece of bread in its beak, and she chuckled softly, "I feel bad for those birds, so windy out there...The waves must be crashing wildly by now. At least we're warm and safe in here, little ones.", as she rubbed her belly again before feeling two kicks, one hard, and one sharp, and then she felt the back of her skirts get wet.
Ariel's eyes widened at what just happened. Carlotta had informed her of what to expect after all, but Ariel was hesitant for a second until she felt some serious abdominal pain. It was a sure-fire sign that the twins were ready.
Ariel groaned in pain as she closed her eyes and heard a worried bark from Max who came up to her, woken up from his dozing, and Ariel spoke, "Today's the day, Max...They're coming. Get Carlotta. Fetch her.", taking deep breaths as the book dropped on the couch.
Max barked determinedly, and licked her hand before running to the door, nosing it open, and went to sniff out Carlotta, and hopefully, his master.
Ariel rubbed her belly again. "Just slow down, you two... at least wait until we're ready.", Ariel whispered as she was just wanting to be fully prepared with Carlotta and the doctor, and Eric with her, before she would feel comfortable enough to give birth.
The twins heard their mother's voice, and yet they are trying to slow down, but her body wouldn't listen as Ariel took deep breaths from the convulsions of pain, as the contractions hasn't arrived yet, but she knew that one of the twins would be coming soon as one of the water bags clearly had broken.
"Ariel!", Eric quickly ran in before getting right up next to her. "Max was barking like crazy, what happened?", he asked, looking concerned. "The twins are coming.", Ariel gave him a small smile.
Eric's eyes widened in surprise, "It's time?", and Ariel nodded before groaning in pain, taking deep breaths, and before Eric could start to panic, Carlotta came in, "Ah, I see. Let's get you to the birthing room, Ariel, and Eric, relax, I have gone through this with your mother and you, young man, so don't stress Ariel out, just hold her hand, assist her as we go on, alright?".
Eric obeyed her, not going to argue with her, and helped Ariel to get up, holding her hand as Carlotta took her other hand on the opposite side, and headed out of the library, into the hallway, heading for the birthing room.
"Is the doctor on his way?", Eric asked as Carlotta nodded. "I had Grimsby send for him; he's probably in town at the moment though or else he'd be here right now.", she said.
Eric sighed deeply, and Ariel reassured him, "Don't worry, Eric. Since I'm the queen, he will get here fast...", before crying out in pain from the sudden first contraction, nearly collapsing, but luckily, was secured firmly in place by Eric and Carlotta.
"I know, I know...", Eric sighed as he was extremely nervous about the whole situation. "Eric, just keep holding her until we can lay her down.", Carlotta ordered as Eric nodded. He was going to do everything he could to make sure that Ariel could get through this as best as she could.
With steady pacing, between pauses for Ariel to catch her breath as the twins are heavy on her back, they finally made it to the birthing room, with Ariel crying out in pain from the second contraction, and Carlotta replied, "Seven minutes long between contractions...So, not too long for the first child to come.", as she and Eric assisted Ariel to lay down on the birthing bed.
Ariel panted, taking deep breaths, "That's good, right?", and Carlotta nodded, "At least two hours or less, which I am surprised about as normal women takes several hours, yet then again, you were a mermaid in the first place.".
"I have to ask, is it more painful to give birth as a mermaid or less?", Eric asked. He then rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean, obviously not you personally, but what about mermaids, you know?".
Ariel exhaled, "Yes and no. As I told you, mermaids give birth to eggs after carrying them for 8 months, and the eggs hatch after a month...It's less painful if a mermaid's floating in the water or on the surface, but it's more painful if a mermaid's resting on the shore or at least on the sand underwater.".
"Wow, that explains a lot since the water makes it easier and shorter in the length of labor, yes?", Carlotta asked, and Ariel nodded, "Yeah. Pretty much.", before taking a deep breath as she rubbed her belly, convulsing hard.
Eric smoothed her hair back, murmuring, "I'm right here, Ariel.", and Ariel gave him an appreciative smile, "I know.", before crying out in pain from another contraction, clenching into his hand, and Eric only gritted his teeth.
And so, when Ariel was able to relax between contractions, Carlotta changed the skirts, covering her with a sheet, with her long-sleeved shirt stripped away to reveal her tank top as her breasts was remarkably bigger than before, less constricted with a tank top than a bra these days.
The doctor arrived, clearing his throat as he saw Eric, "Sire, you cannot be here. No husbands allowed.", and Eric narrowed his eyes at him, "I am not leaving my wife alone, and besides, I have seen Ariel often in a state of undressing. So, don't ever dare think of forcing me out!".
"Please, doctor, I need him!", Ariel pleaded before crying out in pain from another contraction, and Carlotta gasped, "That one was much closer now. If you cannot perform your job, doctor, with the king in attendance as Ariel's husband, I'll gladly do the job! After all, I was one of the attending ladies during Queen Serena's time of childbirth.", referring to Eric's mother.
The doctor relented as he sighed, "As you wish, sire. But if you'll please, let me do my work.".
"Gladly.", Eric said as he moved out of the way, still holding Ariel's hand. "I'm right here next to you, Ariel, I'm not going away.", Eric assured her.
Ariel warmly smiled at him before crying out in pain at another contraction as Carlotta spoke, "That's two minutes apart, doctor!", as the doctor nodded, taking a look, "Yes, you're right, she's almost all dilated, two more inches to go. Breathe, madame, it's not time yet to push even if it feels like it.".
Ariel nodded as she kept taking deep breaths. "You're doing fine.", Carlotta assured her. "Eric's mother had it way worse, believe me.".
Ariel chuckled, whimpering and panting quietly as she breathed deeply, with Eric brushing her hair back, kissing her on the cheek, "You're strong and heck, so stubborn, my love. Our babies are coming into a world of wonder, a world of incredible things.".
"Oh, Eric...I'm scared...", Ariel murmured, and Eric smiled softly, "Hey, I'm scared too, but we can be brave together, Ariel. We are going to be parents today, and that's a gift.", squeezing her hand softly with a nod to her belly.
Ariel smiled, feeling a bit better as she breathed deeply before crying out in pain at another contraction, and the doctor looked again, "Good! You're all dilated, Queen Ariel! When you feel another contraction coming, push.".
Ariel did as she was ordered; upon feeling the next contraction, she pushed. She gave a loud cry as she felt certainly something moving through her. "Just keep it up, Ariel... it'll be over before you know it!", Eric exclaimed.
Ariel, at the doctor's instructions, took deep breaths, and pushed on every contraction, crying out, with Carlotta wiping her forehead, with Eric holding tight into her hand, kissing the fingers reassuringly, and this continued for a half hour before Ariel shouted in pain when she felt her vagina stretching out to fit something peeking through.
"The baby's coming headfirst, good!", the doctor called out, and Eric sobbed happily, "You hear that, Ariel! Our first baby's coming!", with Ariel gasping and taking deep breaths as she paused momentarily.
Carlotta patted her shoulder, "Breathe, and then push, honey.", and Ariel nodded, and upon feeling a sharp contraction, she then pushed, grunting, shouting in pain, feeling her baby's head coming through, as the doctor reached in to hold the head as it emerged out of the vagina, turning it to the side.
"Head's out, Queen Ariel! Now, here comes the hard part, the shoulders. Sire, help her brace. And Queen Ariel, it might be easier with your legs folded in as extra support. Carlotta, prepare the towels in hand.", the doctor replied, and ordered.
"This is going to hurt, but I promise you, this will be it for a bit.", the doctor said as Ariel nodded and took one last push before she finally felt the pressure letting up when she finally felt her baby fully out. "She's fully out!", Eric shouted.
With the doctor giving Melody to Carlotta, cleaning her quickly, patting her back, Melody gave out her first breath of life, wailing loudly, shivering and squirming.
Ariel sobbed happily, hearing her daughter, with Eric smiling so tearfully, as Carlotta loosely bundled Melody, smiling warmly, "Here's your daughter.", placing her in Ariel's arms as Melody's wails settled, crying loudly.
"Shh, shhh, it's okay, Melody...Look at you...You look like your daddy.", Ariel whispered in love and awe, her heart overflowing with joy, seeing the few curly tufts of hair, in inky black, along with her skin tone similar to Eric.
"She looks like you too...She got your nose and smile...", Eric sobbed softly as he reveled in the sight of his daughter, "Hello, Melody.", as Melody became quieter, her soft cries filling the air, scrunching her nose as she attempted to open her eyes, and then succeeded as she looked up at her parents, her eyes a mirror of her mother's eyes...
Eric exhaled, "Oh! Ariel, she got your eyes! Yes, Melody, it's us, your mama and daddy.", with a beaming smile as Ariel smiled tearfully, "You're so perfect...Our baby girl...", kissing Melody on the forehead so lovingly before her belly convulsed with a contraction, suddenly feeling water breaking out of her, signaling that Tazio is next.
Ariel groaned as the doctor looked down. "I think the son is now coming.", the doctor said. "Okay, just hang on, Ariel. Let me take care of Melody, I'm right here with you though.", Eric told her.
Ariel panted, nodding as she took deep breaths, passing Melody into Eric's arms, and Melody cried out as Eric shushed her gently, "I know, I know, but your mother needs to push your twin brother out, and then you will be back in her arms soon enough, okay?', kissing her on the temple, and Melody snuffled with a gurgle.
The doctor nodded, "You're still all dilated, good. Carlotta, give her some water.", and Carlotta nodded, grabbing a cup of water from the table nearby, and Ariel drank some, and looked at the doctor who smiled at her, "Push on contractions, Queen Ariel.".
Ariel breathed deeply, and on the next contraction, she pushed, and this repeated for the next 20 minutes before she finally felt her son's head peeking out as she shouted out in pain, and the doctor called out, "I see his head! Breathe and push!".
"Thank goodness...", Carlotta sighed as she continued to help Ariel. "Just hold on a bit longer, Ariel... you've almost got him out.". Ariel took a few more deep breaths as she was just trying to finish this and hopefully Tazio would be alright...
She pushed, shouting in pain as her son's head came through her vagina, and the doctor grabbed ahold, turning his head over to the side gently as Ariel braced herself, and then shouted as she pushed again, grunting to get the shoulders out, and finally felt the pressure leave her as the doctor called out, "I got him!".
He cleaned him, patting his back, and Tazio gave out, not a wail, but a weak cry, trying to wail like his twin sister, but got moaning coughs in turn. Ariel's heart froze, "No, no, Tazio!", and the doctor sighed deeply with a solemn look, "He is weak...".
Ariel looked fierce like a bear, "Don't ever dare say what I think you're saying! Please, I want him!", with a sob, and the doctor exhaled, walking over to Ariel to place Tazio in her arms.
"Oh, Tazio...Please fight...You have the heart of a king...just like your grandfather and father.", Ariel sobbed with tears falling, and Tazio's coughs seemed to settle easier as he realized that he's in his mother's arms, and he gave a cry as he opened his eyes, an ice blue with signs of green speckles which would change into teal or possibly bi-colored later on, but there's film at the corner of his eyes, showing blindness, thanks to the sickness caused by the poison.
He got his grandmother's dark red hair, and his skin is sickly pale, with few spots of healthy tan skin, having Eric's nose and dimples, with a slightly masculine version of Ariel's smile.