Bucky replied, "Breathe, Rekki, take deep breaths. It's going to be okay.", before shouting at a palace guard, "I'm taking Rebecca to her and Dazis's room, you go get Sweet or one of his folks, and you tell the other guards to do a runner to get Dazis and Audrey, now!", using his lieutenant voice.
The guard nodded and headed off. "Shoot, I didn't think it was already going to be so soon...", Bucky said as Rebecca teared up. "I know, I must have lost track of time or something!", she sobbed.
Bucky replied, "It's going to be okay, Rebecca. If my niece was being this active already, it would mean that she is not in trouble, just that she'd possibly be a healthy preemie at that, though I would be wrong.", as Rebecca took deep breaths, praying, "I hope you're right...".
It took some minutes as Rebecca gasped and cried out in pain from the occasional contraction, holding on to Bucky's shoulders and such, supported by his prosthetic before they made it to Rebecca and Dazis's bedroom, making it to the bed, and just as Bucky was helping Rebecca to rest and lay back against the pillows, Jerika came in, "Got the news that you're in labor, Rebecca. May I have your permission to check?".
Grateful for a woman to show up, and a wonderful grandmotherly-figure midwife at that, Rebecca nodded, "Yes! Please...", as she moaned loudly in pain, as Bucky busied himself with fluffing the pillows firmly and tucking her hair back in her ponytail.
Jerika immediately tucked a blanket over Rebecca's legs as she carefully took off the skirt and underwear, looking, and replying, "You're just a couple of notches over halfway dilated, Rebecca. Has the water bag broken yet?".
Rebecca shook her head, "No, it hadn't broken yet.", as she moaned again in pain, and Jerika nodded, "Right. Bucky, you go straight to the kitchens and grab some food and juice as it's going to be a while, and Rebecca needs her strength and energy for this, and if you see Audrey on the way, tell her to get warm towels and water. I'll stay right here with Rebecca, and besides, if we know Dazis, he's bound to get here fast.".
"Okay...", Bucky nodded. "I swear, if Dazis isn't here in the next five seconds...", lightly grumbling. "You'll do nothing to him!", Rebecca shouted. "He'll be here!".
"Alright, alright...", Bucky said. "I swear though, no idea where he could go but if he runs out...", he whispered under his breath.
Rebecca replied, "Don't you dare fool me, James Barnes! I know that look! Now get out and do what Jerika told you to do!", her hormones firing up with a scary glare at him.
Bucky gulped, "Yes, ma'am!", running out of the room, realizing that he's pushing her buttons, especially when she's a redhead. Jerika smirked at Rebecca, "Atta girl.".
Rebecca replied, "Thank you.", with a smug smile before moaning in pain from another contraction, and Jerika replied, "Deep breaths, Rebecca...Let's see if she's already positioning herself properly to be headfirst.", using her new crystal that she and Moses had received hours after Gabriella's birth as it was clear that their son is staying forever with Nola and their children, and after talking and all, the elderly couple knew they are to permanently live here in Atlantis which is far better than the surface, with no racism slurs or bigotry issues which was a dream for them, for the people is so kind and welcoming.
Heck, they are being called Elder Healer Jerika and Moses respectively, with their son now being Co-Head Healer Joshua, which is a whole lot of respect and honor in those titles, as Jerika and Moses are learning so much of Atlantean techniques in healing and medicine.
Jerika blew warm air and pressed her crystal, scanning the baby bump as she pushed the shirt up, "Okay, looks like she is partially turning around to tuck herself under the cord, which is good as she's reserving her energy while she's floating in her sleep, not quite pressing on your hips, but she's positioned properly to be into headfirst. Smart girl there.", with a chuckle.
Rebecca smiled in relief, hearing that, "Thank goodness...", before she heard a shout in surprise with a thud from a basket of laundry, with the familiar voice of Dazis, "Sorry, Zuku! I'm in a hurry here! My mate's going to have a baby!", clearly hinting that he accidentally surprised one of the palace laundry maids, yet he is in elation and panic.
Dazis ran into the room as Rebecca's heart skipped a beat. At least he was here. "Rebecca!", Dazis cried as he ran over to her and quickly took her hand and squeezed it, "I'm so sorry for not being here sooner!".
Rebecca gave a smile, "It's okay...I sent you to grab some muscle smoother lotion...Were you on the way back?", and Dazis looked apologetic, "I was in the process of talking on trade prospects for some of the lotions like fixing a bit of the roof or something when I got the news...I practically ran all the way...", as he looked a bit windblown with the hair and all, as he slowed down his panting.
"I can see that...Thank you, Dazis...", Rebecca kissed his cheek before moaning in pain from another contraction, taking deep breaths, as Dazis caressed her strands back, "I'm here, Becca...Please tell me that she doesn't have to wait too long, Jerika.", noticing Jerika at last.
"No, not too long. She is almost between halfway and 3/4 dilated, and it would take a while, Dazis.", Jerika explained, and Dazis looked a bit relieved, nodding.
Bucky knew he would never doubt Rebecca again after he saw Dazis comforting her and all when he returned with a tray of food and juice, a bit after Audrey came in with warm towels and water, and Rebecca was relieved to be distracted by eating and having a bit of exercise, using the bathroom and talking, lasting for 2 hours and a half before she cried out softly in pain as the contractions suddenly became more painful, with the water bag breaking, "Oh, my gods!", as Dazis held her hand, "It's okay...Breathe...".
Jerika checked, and replied, "You're at 3/4 dilated, Rebecca! Couldn't be much longer now.", with a nod, and Rebecca groaned softly in relief yet frustration, "I wish she would come sooner!".
Dazis murmured lovingly to her, "I know, but you're a first-time mom. It's not easy, but I'm right here, and so is Bucky and Audrey and Jerika...You're not alone...", as Bucky sat on the other side of the bed, nodding, "He's right. You're a strong woman. Hell, you're not that awkward teenager anymore, you blossomed into a mature woman that I'm proud to call as my sister.".
"Thanks...", Rebecca sniffled before she groaned with pain again. "Damn it all...", Bucky said; wishing he could take much of the pain from her there. Audrey replied, "Bucky...", with a raised eyebrow, and Bucky nodded, "I know, I know, take it in hand as we go.".
Rebecca groaned and cried out softly in pain from the slowly increasing contractions as she breathed and clenched both Dazis's hands and Bucky's prosthetic hand, laboring for an hour and 45 minutes before she loudly cried in pain as the contractions suddenly became intense in both pace and strength.
Jerika checked, and laughed, "You're all dilated! Steady, Rebecca, breathe and push upon the next contraction!", and Dazis replied, "You hear that, Becca, we're almost there!", with a wide, relieved smile.
Rebecca gave a small, happy smile at her mate, and then took a deep breath, and pushed on the next contraction, crying loud in pain, almost breaking Dazis's bones, yet not breaking Bucky's prosthetic hand, though they can feel the pain, gritting their teeth.
It lasted for an hour before Rebecca can feel burning at her nether regions of her vagina, "Is she coming?!", screaming in pain, and Jerika looked, "Yes, she's starting to crown! Oh, my!".
Dazis and Rebecca looked at her, "What's wrong?", worry clenching at their hearts, and Jerika looked up at them, "I don't know how, but you two becoming mates must have done something because I'm seeing a little white hair through the goop so far.", as it was standing out among Rebecca's ginger body hair.
"What?!", Rebecca exclaimed as she felt a real shot of pain go through her. "No, no! Don't get too excited!", Jerika told her. "Don't make too many movements or we risk danger for you or the baby...", Jerika warned as Rebecca tried to calm herself as best as she could.
Dazis brushed her freed ginger red hair back, soaked and such, "Breathe, slow, deep breaths.", as he was stunned by hearing Jerika's revelation, but he knew he had to calm his mate down, "We'll see if she's right about the baby, but you need to take it easy right now...I can't lose you or her.".
Rebecca nodded, taking deep, slow breaths, and on another contraction, she pushed steadily, shouting in pain, with Jerika encouraging, "That's it, steady now!", as she commanded Audrey, "Get the bowl and the towels closer to me!".
Audrey nodded, pushing the tray of the bowl of warm water and the warm towels closer to Jerika and the birthing area, and it lasted for 30 minutes before Jerika announced, "Head's out, push for the shoulders, Rebecca!".
Rebecca looked scared as she knew the shoulders are the hardest and scariest part, and Dazis kissed her temple, "Hey, look at me, you can do this...", and Rebecca whispered, "Can you hold me?", with tears falling.
Dazis looked at Jerika who nodded, "Alright, but don't move her much, just go behind her or at least be close to her side with your arms around her in a way of support. Is that clear?".
Dazis nodded, "Of course.". He moved before he wrapped himself around her. "I'm here, Rebecca... I'm here...", he whispered to her as she sniffled and smiled.
Rebecca took to hold his hand as his other hand rubbed her side and took Bucky's flesh hand now in her other hand, and with a deep breath, on the next contraction, she pushed, shouting in pain, grunting as she felt the painful stretching of her nether regions.
It lasted for 15 minutes before Jerika announced, "That's it, one more good push, and she will be out!", and Rebecca set her legs firmly as she breathed and then pushed, crying out in pain and then panted, almost landing back against Dazis's chest in exhaustion.
30 seconds later, a hearty, loud wail of a newborn pierced the air, and Rebecca sobbed in relief, "She's okay...She's okay, Dazis!", seeing Jerika cleaning and swaddling the baby loosely as the little girl shivered and wiggled, crying.
Jerika then handed the little baby to the couple, smiling warmly, "She's all healthy, full term to boot...There you go.", as Rebecca cried happily, "Oh, Dazis, she's like both of us...", with an amazed sob.
Indeed, the baby girl has a little shock of snow-white hair with ginger red natural highlight tips at the ends, having Rebecca's dark blue eyes with a silver of bright blue in them, with Dazis's dark skin, and Rebecca's nose.
"I don't believe it...", Dazis whispered, "She...", as he was almost speechless, stunned by the little one's looks. "She has both of us...", Rebecca repeated. "I don't know how, but I don't see any other trace of anyone other than us on her...", with awe and joy.
Dazis spoke softly, "I think I know the other side of how...I thought I wasn't worthy to the Great Kings since I'm not a prince or anything, but they heard my wish...My wish that I was able to be the sire of this sweet girl instead of that...man...", with an awed look as he traced gently of the softly crying, gurgling baby girl's head.
Rebecca shushed gently as she whispered, kissing her daughter, no, their daughter's forehead, "It's okay...Mommy's here...and so is your daddy...You're a real daddy, Dazis...", with a happy sob as she kissed Dazis on the cheek, slightly pulling him out of his awed look.
Dazis exhaled, "I'm her daddy...Oh, I'm your daddy...", as tears fell in joy, fully realizing it now as he smiled so happily, "She's so perfect and beautiful, Becca...She's all ours...It's a miracle...a wish come true...".
Rebecca replied softly, "Is it okay if her middle name is Shaya in honor of your mother's first full name?...If it wasn't for her...I wouldn't have known you or have this miracle that the powers of the Great Kings gave us...", with a little smile as his mother's first full name was Shathilya. Her husband and others called her Taya for short.
"I think it's perfect.", Dazis said as he kissed her cheek. "Thank you for that...", he told her as she smiled, "You're welcome, I thought you would like that...".
Bucky asked, "Does that mean she's an Antares, not a Barnes?", as they looked at him, and then at each other, and Dazis replied, "Well, we would always go with Antares-Barnes for now...that is, if that's okay with you, Becca?".
Rebecca nodded, "Yes, it's good...Now, you still need a first name, young lady...", with a smile as their daughter gurgled and cooed, and Dazis smiled thoughtfully, looking through his given memories of Rebecca's life, and replied, "I like the sound of Helena as it could mean shining light, which she is...our shining light of our life...", as it sounded almost alike to Helen who was captured by Paris of Troy in his story of real history he recounted to Rebecca.
"Helena Shaya Antares-Barnes...", Rebecca replied warmly as their daughter grasped her finger, and she smiled, "It's perfect...Welcome home, Helena.", kissing her little forehead. The little girl cooed before her belly grumbled, and she whimpered hungrily as she recognized her emotion of hunger.
Rebecca smiled, "Okay, dinner's on, then...", as she felt Dazis take off part of her bra, and adjusted Helena up to her breast, almost immediately latching into the nipple, and then began to suckle, enjoying her first meal as she settled into her mommy's warmth.
"You're really hungry, huh? I don't blame you...Seven hours of labor...but all worth it...I still can't believe it, Dazis...", Rebecca whispered with tears, resting her head on Dazis's chest/shoulder as he is still behind her, barely knowing that the others left the room, leaving the newfound family alone to soak in everything for some time as now the whole drama of everything is over.
"I know, I can't believe it either...", Dazis said. "Just the sheer fact that... she's like me in some ways...", with a big, awed smile. "The Heart, right?", Rebecca asked. "That's the reason why she obviously has some of your features.".
Dazis nodded, "Yeah, the Heart must have been strong in giving me a bit of magical energy when I...I came inside you...twice...I guess that's why you woke up later than usual in the morning...The changes and everything must have happened throughout the night after we went to sleep...", with a bit of blush.
"That explains a lot, through you have to admit that I was exhausted too since those two times was literally anticipated for a long time...Thank goodness I had energy, horny energy, that is, but all the same...we did it...We erased everything of that man, and she's all ours...gods, all ours...", Rebecca gave a smug yet tearfully happy sob.
Dazis smiled, "And I have both of my girls...my new family, and I wouldn't wish for anything better than this...I love you, Rebecca Primrose Barnes, and I love you too, Helena Shaya Antares-Barnes.".
"We love you too, Dazinish Antares.", Rebecca smiled warmly as she kissed him on the lips lovingly and happily, as she kept a warm, secure hold on their suckling daughter, and after the kiss, the couple was back to watching over their daughter, soon burping and putting her to sleep in the bassinet near the bed.
Normal food was delivered to them, and Rebecca went to sleep a bit after that as she needed it as well, with Dazis happily watching over his girls, his wonderful and amazing mate, and his miraculous and special daughter.
Two weeks later, into the halfway point of 8 months along, in the middle of the night, the twins made their arrival to Nola and Joshua Sweet, with their son Jivin Daniel Sweet as the firstborn of the twins, having Joshua's baldness, with Nola's dark skin, Joshua's dark brown eyes, and Nola's nose in masculine style, taking two hours of labor, with Moses doing the delivering this time for both of the twins.
And then after another two hours of labor, their second daughter Rirra Mosi Sweet got born as the second born of the twins, having Nola's snow-white hair, with Joshua's chocolate brown skin, and to their surprise, her nose is received from Jerika's side of the family, and her eyes, they are multi-colored, with one eye dark brown with bright blue speckles like Joshua and Nola altogether, and the other eye light blue with dark blue speckles, like Nola's lost loves in Gale and Kazi who died in the wave upon Atlantis's sinking.