"I just got so used to warm winters since living here, I almost forgot about the cold of Romania at times.", Mira said as she held her hands forward to warm them from the heat a bit before rubbing on her belly.
Tazio sat next to her, smiling, kissing her cheek, wrapping his arm around her, "You're sure feeling warm...Dad's office was getting a tad chilly...We wrapped up the last of the duties for the day before he went off to join Mom...".
Mira giggled, "Oh, you're just seeking some warmth, my beloved...And Italian winters isn't always the same...Your father said once that there was the Deep Freeze back in 1709 when he was a child.".
"I've heard that story. It was fairly tough, caught many by surprise for sure. A few tragically did freeze because of just how sudden and brutal it was.", Tazio sighed. "Thankfully, this one, according to him, doesn't feel as harsh.".
Mira glanced at him, "I know that look...Is something wrong?", and Tazio sighed deeply, "Melody visited earlier...turns out that Grandfather isn't doing too well...She told us that he's only hanging on to see our children since in a way, his trident technically saved me twice which was his in the first place before Attina took over, that is...I am starting to feel anxious that Mother wouldn't handle the news...and well...she and Father...I am shocked that they have lived this long as humans...since merpeople live far longer than humans...almost 55 years for Father...".
"Humans can certainly live quite long, some into their 90s… so your parents aren't due to leave us for still some time.". Mira said before she sighed. "But… I'm sorry to hear that about Triton… he… he really has done so much for this family…".
Tazio nodded heavily, "He truly has. But honestly, I couldn't blame him...After all, Grandmother, and Sebastian is waiting for him, along with others of his past, I'm sure...", with a soft exhale.
Mira kissed his cheek, "And his legacy lives on in Ariel and his other daughters, and in all his grandchildren including you and the others, and now, within Primrose, and our children... He has truly lived a full life, Tazio. Remember that night in that inn as we were leaving Romania? That wise old man?".
Tazio nodded, "I do.", and Mira smiled, "He sure had a lot of advice...And his phrase...The circle of life...Everyone and everything have a purpose; one is born, grows, lives, and dies...And we are all connected in the circle of life.".
"Doesn't that ring so true?", Tazio said as they then started to hear the bells from the nearby cathedral. "Sounds like the Father is certainly working today.", Mira whispered as she gently rubbed her belly, feeling the twins kick once more, though their kicks were slightly off as neither of them usually kicked at the same time.
"Hope he's not too cold, it gets fairly chilly in that place, it's one of the oldest buildings in the city, even older than this palace.", Tazio pointed out as he ran his hands on Mira's belly.
Mira smiled softly, "I give him a prayer to finish his work well.", listening to the bells ringing before she suddenly felt it...that familiar feeling of her birth canal being pressed against a baby's head, and then groaned softly.
Tazio looked at her in concern, "Mira?", and Mira spoke softly, "Labor's starting.", before gasping from a mild contraction.
Tazio took a deep breath as he quickly got up. "Just had to happen on this cold day, huh...?", he said mostly to himself. "Okay, let's get you ready then. Come on...". He helped Mira up as he started to call out for help.
Mira smiled lovingly at Tazio as she held on to him, walking carefully, "I'm glad you'll be with me this time, my beloved...You don't have to endure waiting for me no longer...", and Tazio smiled at her, "I'm sure glad that Father changed the rules in this palace.", as Mira breathed deeply, groaning from the pressure on her hips.
Some of the staff ran on to get the doctor and all as Tazio helped her along to the birthing room a few minutes later just as Mira cried out in pain from a stronger contraction, and Tazio looked at her urgently, "We're almost in the room. Did either water bag break yet?".
Mira shook her head, "No, not yet.", taking deep breaths as Tazio took her to the birthing bed, helping her sit down on the birthing bed, resting back on the pillows against the headboard.
"At least this time you'll be here with me.", Mira smiled as Tazio nodded. "Still doesn't make me any less nervous though.", he pointed out as she nodded. At least he would be with her this time around and that was all that she wanted. That and to safely give birth to two healthy twins.
Mira breathed deeply through the next contraction a few minutes later, with Tazio helping tie her hair back as Carlotta came in with Ariel, with Carlotta grumbling, "Of all the days that the doctor is out around town, on house calls!", and Tazio exhaled, "But this is a royal emergency!".
Ariel reassured him, "We're here, son, and besides, we have both been through this before with Esmeralda. I can just as well help deliver a baby or two as I have been a mother four times over!", with a determined nod.
Carlotta nodded, "Queen Ariel is right. Just be by her side, Prince Tazio...Now, let's get you out of the skirts, Princess Mira.", and soon, Mira was out of her skirts just as she cried out in pain from a sudden fierce contraction, feeling the first bag break, water soaking her thighs, "Water broke!".
Ariel nodded, "Good, good, let's see how far you are.", leaning in to look, and sighed, "Barely close to being halfway dilated...I guess your babies are too used to the warmth, not that I blame them today.".
"So, I guess we just wait then?", Tazio asked as Ariel nodded, "I'm afraid so... but hopefully that'll give us some time before the doctor finally shows up. If they don't come now, that'll give us time.".
And so, an hour passed, with Mira crying out in pain from the occasional contraction, as Carlotta left and returned with rags, towels, and glasses of water, with Tazio gently wiping every little speck of sweat, holding her hand, his heart clenching every time at the cries of pain, but knew that it was part of her body telling her that she's in labor...Yet he hated it, hated to see her in pain, but childbirth was and has always been painful since the start of everything eons ago.
Then Mira felt the urge to push, and told Ariel who leaned in to look, and when she looked back out, she smiled, "You're all dilated. Okay, you know the routine, Mira.", and Mira nodded, and upon a contraction, she pushed, groaning, and grunting, crying out in pain, clenching hard with her hand in Tazio's hand.
Tazio grimaced in pain, but ignored it as best as he could, reassuring her, kissing her cheek, "You can do this, Mira...You got this.", as Mira breathed shakily, moaning in pain as she pushed, and this continued for over 30 minutes before she gave out a loud shout of pain as Ariel called out, "It's crowning! It's coming!", before giving a gasp in surprise, "Oh, by Poseidon! Mira, Tazio, it got the exact shade of my hair!".
Tazio laughed heartily, "Did you hear that, Mira? Our baby is a redhead! Like me, Mom, and Arcadia!", with tears streaming down his cheeks.
Mira gave a small smile before the pain hit once again and she squeezed his hand tightly once more. "Come on, Mira... just a few more good pushes, you're almost there!", Tazio shouted as Mira nodded and did as she was told. After a few more agonizing minutes, the baby was freed after one last push as Ariel caught the baby.
Carlotta handed her the towel as Ariel quickly cleaned the baby, patting its back firmly, and then the baby gave out a loud, fierce wail, and Ariel smiled tenderly and happily as she cradled the baby, looking at Tazio and Mira, "Say hello to your beautiful daughter.", as Carlotta quickly cut the cord, keeping the belly button clip.
Ariel scooted over slightly to hand the newborn girl into Mira's arms, and Mira's tears fell in joy and love, smiling radiantly, "Hello, little one..", as Tazio leaned in over her shoulder, giving out a little sob of happiness.
Their baby girl truly has Ariel's shade in her lush curls on her head, having green eyes and her skin, not quite darker than Tazio's skin tone, but lighter than Mira's skin tone, having Mira's nose and Tazio's smile as she whimpered and snuffled, snuggling closer into her bundled towel.
"Oh, Mira, she's perfect...", Tazio whispered reverently in awe and love over the sight of his daughter, and Mira smiled, kissing his cheek, and Tazio smiled back, wiping her tears away.
Mira and Tazio then heard the distant bells again, and the baby girl gurgled, blinking at the sound of music within the bells, and Mira breathed softly, "Risa...I want to name her Risa.".
"Risa... that's so perfect for her.", Tazio whispered as he kissed the baby girl's forehead before the baby gave a happy gurgle. "Well, I certainly think she l-".
"Ah!", Mira quickly cried out in pain as Tazio quickly helped move Risa away. "I think her brother's coming now...".
Ariel spoke, "Breathe, Mira. The second water bag hasn't broken yet.", and Mira sighed deeply as she replied, "Waiting once more, huh?".
Ariel smiled sympathetically, "Unfortunately, yes.", as Mira nodded, breathing deeply from the convulsions of her belly, and narrowed her eyes, "Tazio, might as well to feed Risa.", and as if Risa heard her, she gave out a hungry cry.
Tazio nodded, and Carlotta helped remove her undershirt and bra as Tazio adjusted Risa into her mama's arms, suckling immediately. The distraction seemed to help Mira better from the pain of the occasional contractions.
This lasted for a half hour when a knock came, with Arcadia's voice excitedly calling out, and Ariel got up to open the door some, "Arcadia, what has gotten into you?".
Arcadia had a wide smile, "Open the drapes! It's snowing! Lightly, that is, but it's snowing!", almost jumping in joy. "Sure that's a good idea?", Tazio called out. "We've got newborns here with one on the way still.".
"Just for a few moments, at least, you don't get to see this very often!", Arcadia was practically giddy with excitement. "We don't have to open the window, just move the drapes off to the sides.", Ariel nodded, and Carlotta went to the window, moving the drapes to the sides, revealing the glass, and beyond, it's snowing for real.
Mira smiled, "Just like home.", before crying out in pain at a fierce contraction, feeling the water break at last, "Water broke! I think our son wants to see the snow!".
"He better hurry then because I don't know if it'll last long.", Arcadia chuckled as Tazio shook his head. "Don't try to strain or anything, Mira... don't feel like you're needing to rush.", he told her.
"Tazio, I've given birth to three children already, I think I know what to do.", Mira obviously had quite the fire at the moment there.
Risa, sensing that her mama needs to focus on her brother, finally finished her meal, giving out a burp, and Arcadia, closing the door immediately behind her, cooed, "Can I hold the baby, seeing the snow?".
Tazio gently took Risa out of Mira's arms, and smiled, "Meet your niece, Risa.", handing her over to Arcadia's arms, as he then focused on supporting Mira.
Arcadia's smile grew, "Look at you. You got Mom's hair color. Wanna see the snow?", and Risa gurgled happily as she got adjusted easier to see the soft falling snow outside the closed glass window.
Mira asked urgently, "Am I still all dilated?", and Ariel nodded, "You sure are. Push when you're ready.".
Mira took a deep breath as she started to push, but obviously it was going to still take a while for her son to finally start peaking his head at some point. Mira was now sort of regretting the fact that she had to give birth to twins since before she only had to give birth to one child at a time and she was already fairly exhausted. Ariel, of course, was helping her through since she obviously had the experience of doing it.
Ariel patted her knees, "You're doing fine, Mira. Breathe.", and Mira panted heavily as she pushed repeatedly yet her son's taking longer than Risa did.
It took almost two hours before Ariel started to see some progress, "You're opening!", before widening her eyes, "Oh, Poseidon! Carlotta!". Carlotta scooted to take a look, and gasped, "Goodness gracious! He's breech!".
"What's wrong!? Tell me what's wrong!", Mira stared to panic as Tazio held her hand. "Please tell me you can fix this!", Tazio shouted.
Ariel asked urgently, "Couldn't we push him back in and turn him around?", and Carlotta shook her head, "No, that's too dangerous, and Mira's already exhausted.", before replying, "But I know a better way.".
She commanded Tazio, "Hold her up as we need her to stand up in a squat, have her face you, you support her, talk to her. Gravity usually works.".
"Are you sure?", Tazio asked as Carlotta nodded. "It's the best choice we've got if we want to save the two of them.", she said as Tazio nodded and went back over to Mira.
Mira looked scared and exhausted, "I don't want to lose him!", with a sob, as Tazio helped her get up, and kissed her on the nose to grab her attention, "Look at me. I don't want to lose you, either of you. I'm not going anywhere. I am right here. You can do this.".
Mira cried, "But I'm scared, Tazio...I'm so tired.", and Tazio kissed her on the lips, "You can hold to me...I love you, and our son's love is waiting to be filled with our help. Look, if I pretend to push with you, could you feel ready to give birth? If you want this to be the last one ever, then our son will be our final child, deal?".
Mira nodded; feeling fairly sure despite what he was saying that it was up to them, she was feeling sure that even if they changed their mind, their son would be the last one. Tazio quickly helped her get into a proper position. "Listen, I know this is going to feel terrible like nothing before, but it's the best way, I just need you to be strong for this family, okay?", Tazio asked as he kissed her cheek.
Mira gave a small smile to him, grateful to have him here for this, and Carlotta called out, "Push!", and upon a contraction, she pushed, feeling Tazio following her, as she cried out in pain, her hands clenched into his shoulders.
Agony filled her as tears filled her eyes, but she tried to stay strong despite the exhaustion, and Ariel called out, "That's it, Mira!", as Mira heaved deeply, shouting in pain as she felt her son's buttocks coming out, and kept pushing upon every grunt and shout of pain, nearly deafening Tazio as he pretended to push with her, anxious and worried inwardly.
"You're almost there, the shoulders are almost out!", Carlotta announced, and Tazio kissed Mira on the temple, "You hear that? Almost done, Mira, and then you got our son!".
Mira whimpered and leaned her head against his chest as she took a deep breath, and screamed out in pain as she pushed two more times, and heard Ariel's voice, "I got him!". Mira smiled exhaustedly and saw black as she became faint from overexertion and some blood loss.
Tazio was unaware of that for the moment, as he was watching Ariel holding his new son in her arms as the baby began to cry, proving that he, at least, had quite the drive of life and that he would hopefully be alright; his birth was just a bit messier than his twin's. Of course, Tazio soon realized something was wrong as he felt Mira beginning to slouch in his arms before he looked to see that her eyes were closed.
"Mira... Mira!", Tazio cried. Tazio's heart clenched as he went to listen to her heart, sobbing, "Please don't leave me, Mira!", hearing the sound of her heart, and his heart unclenched a tiny bit, as Carlotta gasped, "Oh, my! Lay her down, Tazio! She needs some medicine. I pray the doctor's back by now!", fleeing from the room.
Tazio cried as he carried her down to the bed, whispering, "Please, you can't do this to me...not now...Risa and our son needs you...Poseidon, he is truly a mix of us...He got your skin color, his eyes are unforgettable...one of them got light blue while the other got dark green...he got my nose and your beautiful smile...His hair, it's ashy brown...Did you say that your grandfather had that exact shade?", taking her hand, kissing it.