The next chapter is posted!
WARNING: Graphic Sequence of Childbirth in this chapter.
Enjoy :)
The months on the ship seem to drag by at times.
And as Thea stated long ago when they first came aboard, Setg-in at times had to deal with her up and down moods that came with being pregnant.
There were even times, he thought her crazy. She'd be fine and happy one minute. Then the next, she'd be bawling her eyes out because being cooped up on the ship was getting to her.
Setg-in felt bad whenever this happened.
This is why, he did make a couple stops on other worlds here and there on the way to their main destination. If not to stretch their legs. Even the young warrior will admit, he didn't like being on a ship for months on end without landing somewhere.
The worlds he did stop at, he made sure they were oxygen based and not so dangerous.
He also knew they would be worlds that most Arbitrators wouldn't think to look for them. Because most bad bloods tend to go to hunting worlds where there is dangerous game.
The planets he had in mind that he ended up taking her to, were not exactly hunting preserves. He knows this because he has been to them before and hardly ever encountered anything very dangerous from the animal inhabitants there.
And as Thea's pregnancy progressed over the months, it got pretty exciting to see their unborn child doing so well.
Every time she went through the scanners in the med room, it showed the child was still growing and developing at a healthy rate and still had a very strong heartbeat.
The negative affects Thea really had during the months, is feeling more tired than usual. But otherwise, she was hanging in there. She also did her very best to keep herself healthy, making sure she ate enough and drank a lot of water.
She also tried her best to keep herself active as well.
Whenever Setg-in took her to new worlds, it was very exciting for her. Most humans could ever dream to see such new worlds in their lifetime.
And he took her to see some very amazing views. Some so beautiful, she still wishes she had her iPhone or a camera to take pictures.
The warrior was thankful that the trip so far was going smoothly, and they haven't hit any trouble. He hopes it will stay that way until they get to Planet So'las within the next month.
He will admit though, that he is getting quite nervous.
Because Thea was near the tail end of her pregnancy right now and could be giving birth at any time. This meant he had to keep a close eye on his mate.
At the moment, they were hanging out in this small lounging area on a very comfortable piece of furniture that closely resembled a couch. It was against a back wall and had a beautiful wide-open view of space in front of them. With a window that stretched from the ceiling all the way down to the floor.
"Do you really think...they will accept us?" Thea asks.
After all this time, she still worries that the yautja of this clan may find a reason to reject them. A small part of her also worries that they may kill them.
Setg-in gives her a soft smile and rest his large hand over hers, that is currently resting on her protruding stomach.
Lately, their baby has been very active and moving about. The young hunter has felt it too, because there were plenty of times, he placed his hands on her growing belly and felt a hit or kick beneath his palms or some other flurry of movement.
In most cases, the males of his kind never really get to experience something as intimate as this. The males and females generally come together to mate.
But the males don't usually tend to stick around throughout their mate's pregnancy. Though they have gone and visited their sucklings and pups from time to time between hunts.
He felt privileged to be able to experience this pregnancy with Thea.
"They won't. We'll be fine. So, don't worry so much. Just remember, that no matter what, I'll take care of you both." Setg-in promised her.
Thea gave him a small smile and leaned more into his side.
"I know, and so far, you have been doing a great job of it. I feel like if you weren't here, I'd be a hell of a lot more nervous and scared in regard to the pregnancy and birth." She said.
The young woman was also getting antsy, because she knew it could be anytime now.
At least they were able to make preparations in the meantime. Setg-in went out on one of the worlds and hunted this beast he knew had extremely soft fur.
He used their pelts to make a small makeshift bed for the infant for when they come.
He also made sure they had plenty of food and procured extra pelts to make clothing for themselves. And while the clothing was pretty cool, Thea often wishes she could've had her own clothes again.
But they along with the house and everything else within it was completely obliterated by the bomb.
It brought her back to wondering what some of her friends were doing. No doubt, they probably thought her dead. There were also times her mind drifted back to her mom.
She knew the woman for the most part never seemed to give a shit about her. But still often wonders if she was mourning for the loss of her daughter or if she simply moved on.
Thea recalls all the times her mother had either indirectly or directly commented that she never wanted her or kids for that matter.
The young woman felt the only parent that really loved her was her father. She even wonders how he would feel about everything that has happened if he were alive.
She likes to think, he would be happy she found someone special to share her life with.
So many thoughts and an array of emotions coursed through her. That she didn't know what to think at the moment. Because a lot of the thoughts appeared all jumbled together.
Setg-in noticed Thea had a faraway look in her eyes as she peered out the large window in front of them.
"Thea, you ok?" He asks, as he gently rubs her shoulder and upper arm in a comforting motion.
It was like she was just snapped out of a trance, when her gaze snapped to his.
"What? Oh yea, I'm ok." She replied.
The young hunter gave her somewhat of a skeptical look though. Thea could see it too that he didn't fully believe her.
She sighs, "Just wondering what some of my friends are doing. How they may be taking my disappearance. I don't really have many close friends. Always had more acquaintances than anything. But there were a couple good friends. And I feel, they are the ones I will miss the most."
"I understand. Leaving ones, you care about behind is always the hardest thing to do. And it always leaves a lasting effect on the individual." He told her.
All the conversations they had, he never really talked all that much about his family, the ones he left behind when he was labeled a bad blood.
She never really inquired about it, thinking given his circumstances, it could be a very sensitive topic for him. But now, she felt like she needed to ask, if not to know more about where he came from.
"Do you, miss your family and friends?" She asks.
Setg-in was silent for a moment, before answering.
"Some of them I do miss. Though there were a few of them that felt like I brought this all on myself with the mistakes I made. And because of this, they didn't argue when I was labeled.
I had a lot of siblings. But there were hardly any I was close with. Many were much older, and I was the youngest. As we grew into adults, none of us really saw each other much.
Though I guess I did have a couple brothers I was fairly close with. They were at the hearing with the Elders and were some of the only ones who were unhappy when they passed verdict labeling me a bad blood and stripping me of my status." He said.
He paused mid conversation before choosing his next words.
"I will admit, seeing my mother there really got to me. The look of sorrow and pain on her face, still haunts me to this day. And I never even got a chance to tell her how sorry I was, before I had to run.
And even though I never got much of a chance to see them much, there are also times I missed my two children. I can only hope they grow to become good, strong warriors. And don't make the same mistakes I did.
Because a life on the run as a bad blood, is no life at all. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemies." Setg-in admitted.
The whole speech definitely struck a chord with her.
Thea could see why it would be difficult to talk of. Because it obviously still pained him. Her hunter really has been through hell and back the last two to three years he has been running from the law and bad bloods.
She swallowed down a lump and reached up, caressing his face.
"I'm really sorry, Set. Truly I am." Thea said, with tears pricking the corner of her eyes.
He placed a hand over hers.
"Don't be. It's the past now. And no one can change it. All I can do now, is look ahead. And honestly, I'm looking forward to what the future holds. A future I can spend with my beautiful mate and the new family she is giving me." The young hunter said.
This brought a smile to Thea's face.
Yes, she was looking forward to this future too with him. It was a new chapter in life for both of them. One they held hope on getting better once they reach the clan next month.
She opened her mouth to say something. But a gasp ended up leaving her instead of words. Her hands automatically went to her swollen stomach.
Thea felt an off sensation somewhere down below and then felt a rush of liquid pooling between her thighs and leaking out onto the pelt covered couch. Setg-in noted it too.
"Thea?" He questions.
She let out a shaky breath and slowly turned her bright blue gaze to him.
"It's time. The baby will be coming soon." She told him.
Within moments of that sentence leaving her mouth, he quickly and carefully scooped her up and raced down to the med room.
On the way there, her first contraction hit her, and she groaned in pain. This made him speed up more, so he'd get there sooner.
He made it there a couple minutes later and placed her on the metal table and activated the scanner. It lit up and started moving up and down her body above her. And will give him an idea of the baby's position.
Setg-in sighed in relief when he noticed the baby was in position and wasn't breached or sideways. He also noted she appeared to be around five centimeters dilated.
That meant they still had some time before she hits full labor and dilation.
"So far, so good. The baby is in the right position for delivery and you're around five centimeters dilated. Right now, all we can do is wait." He told her.
"And they looked ok? Not distressed or anything right?" She still asked, concerned and a little worried.
He ran a hand through her long brown locks.
"Baby is fine. In the meantime, I'll take you back to our bedroom." He replied, giving her reassurance that everything was fine.
Setg-in grabbed a couple supplies he would need, before helping her down from the table.
He wanted to carry her again, but Thea insisted she could walk and wished to walk back to their quarters. It didn't stop him from walking very close to her with his free hand on her back though, just in case. She also kept a hand on him for stability too.
They only stopped once on the way back when another contraction hit her.
Then afterwards, they finally made it back to their room. Setg-in led her to the large bed and made her comfortable among the pelts. Then he set the supplies he would need for later aside.
"Do you need anything at the moment?" He asked.
"Some water would be nice, thanks." She replied.
He nodded and went to grab some water for her down in the kitchen area, which was only down the hall from their room.
Setg-in brought it back to the room and gave it to her. Thea took the offered cup and drank some water, before handing it back to him. He then placed it on a nearby table.
The young hunter then got into the bed next to her and stayed by her side.
The next few hours really tugged at him. With each minute that went by, Thea was getting more uncomfortable and feeling more in pain as the contractions got stronger and closer together.
Every now and then, he'd squeeze some medical gel on his fingers. Then he'd carefully insert a finger inside of her opening to check dilation periodically. She was getting very close.
Her moans of pain started turning into sobs. And it had him wishing he could do more for her to help ease the pain. But unfortunately, they didn't have that kind of pain blocker on board this ship.
So, Thea had to endure each raw contraction and would have to give birth all natural without some kind of epidural for the pain that still has yet to come.
The only thing Setg-in could think to do, was continue to hold her and purr to her. He would also talk to her, trying to distract her. She would talk back to ease her growing nerves.
Then a particularly strong contraction hit her, and her body became taut as she let out a long, pained cry.
He gently withdrew his arms from her. Then he reached for the small tube of gel next to him on the bed. He squeezed out some more onto his fingers. Then he reached down over her belly and carefully inserted his finger inside of her again.
His eyes widened briefly, before his gaze shifted back up to her.
"It's time." He told her.
Thea let of a couple sobs as some tears rolled down her cheeks.
She was already exhausted and in a lot of pain from the contractions that wracked her body for the better part of the last several hours. She was also quite scared, now that it was finally time to deliver.
Setg-in reached up with his other hand and gently cupped her cheek, brushing his thumb over her tearstained cheek.
"It will be ok, Thea. Just remember your breathing. I'll be right here with you. And when you're ready, I need you to push." He instructed.
She let out a couple slow breaths, before nodding.
He got a couple of the tools he would need ready and placed the pelt he will wrap the baby in off to the side. Then he carefully removed her lower coverings and put those aside as well.
Then he lightly pushed her thighs open.
Once another contraction hit, Thea grits her teeth and pushed down. A moan that turned into a yell left her lips as she felt the baby slowly inch down the birth canal.
With each push, her cries grew louder.
But she was making progress. With each push, he could see the child's head slowly crowing as it was being pushed out of her. Already he could see they had a soft head of dark hair as it was being pushed through her opening.
They already had an idea of what the child looks like. The scanners in the med room acted like a high-end x-ray, showing what the baby looked like. He knew its head and facial features were more human than anything. No signs of mandibles or a large cranium present.
Another cry that turned into a scream left Thea as she bore down and pushed once more.
Setg-in sat back and watched as more of their child slipped out of her. It was both horrifying and somewhat interesting to experience at the same time. But he was also nervous for his mate.
He could see her energy was being sapped with each push.
"I can't! I just can't! It's too much!" She sobbed.
"You can do this. You're strong. Don't give up." He coaxed her.
But her whole body was alive with excruciating pain, and it felt like she was being torn in half.
Still through all that pain, Thea knew she had to keep doing. Her baby depended on her to do so. And she wanted more than anything to see them and hold them.
Thea white knuckled the pelts beneath her. She arched her back and lurched forward with a yell.
He watched as the infant's small shoulders gradually popped out with that push. And he knew once the shoulders were out, it would be a little easier pushing. Though, he will admit, it was quite a sight, the baby was covered in blood and some continued to leak from her entrance that was stretching to let the baby pass through.
"The shoulders are out, Thea. A couple more big pushes should do it." Setg-in told her.
She took a few deep shaky breaths to gather her bearings.
Then squeezed her eyes shut and gritted her teeth. Before bearing down on another push. Another pained yell left her as more of the child slipped out. By now, Setg-in had a hand beneath part of its tiny body that was already all the way out.
Thea then quickly sat up, gripping her knees and screamed as she pushed down with all her might.
That's when she felt it flow out of her and felt a huge feeling of relief once it was all the way out. The young woman collapsed back onto the pelts huffing and puffing.
Then she heard the first tiny whimpers of their baby.
Setg-in looked down in awe at the tiny infant in his hands. So tiny, it could easily fit in one of his large hands alone. He carefully wiped the blood off of them and used an instrument to sheer off and cauterize the umbilical cord, before wrapping them in the soft pelt to get them warmed up.
Then he carefully handed the infant over to Thea.
He helped her sit up slightly as he handed the baby over to her. She gently took the squirmy little child and held them close. Tears flowed from her eyes as she gazed down at her baby.
"Is it a boy or girl?" She asks, while keeping her gaze on the infant.
They wanted to be surprised and didn't bother checking the gender on the scanners.
"It's a little girl." He said, with a smile.
Thea smiled down at her newborn daughter. Then leaned in and kissed her little forehead.
Her face looked human, as did the shape of her head. She even had a soft head of black hair. Her skin was a greenish shade like her father with some black striping down the sides and cream-colored front.
She also had black claws on her hands and feet.
The baby opened her eyes briefly, and they saw bright blue eyes behind the lids as they fluttered a few times, before closing again. She truly was a beautiful child who was a perfect blend of both of them.
"Are you still ok with the name, Tara?" Thea asks, her gaze still on the baby in her arms.
Setg-in lightly brushed a couple of his fingers over the infant's soft cheek.
"Yes, I like it. I think it suits her." He said, his gaze was also on their little one.
Tara let out a small yawn and nuzzled her cheek into her mother's chest for warmth and comfort.
They sat there a little longer recuperating, before Setg-in cleaned up the after birth and helped Thea get more comfortable. It wasn't much longer before she too fell asleep, completely drained from the birth.
He joined his little family back on the bed after washing up and watched over them as they slept.
Until Next Time ;)
