Sohalia
Your little hand's wrapped around my finger And it's so quiet in the world tonight
There was a moment - a brief moment, admittedly, but a moment all the same - when Soh wondered if she was simply too weak to endure this, if she was going to fail her daughter before the baby ever even arrived. Women had been giving birth for eons, and surely, surely they had been more capable than she to withstand the excruciating pain. She'd felt pain before, after all; she'd nearly died on more than one occasion. But this was something else altogether: a rolling, seizing pain that she barely had time to brace for before the next onslaught was upon her. Maybe that was what made it so much harder - that she knew what was coming and was powerless to stop it. All she could do was breathe through it.
At least she had Zavien, who lunged back to her side the moment she whimpered and offered what little comfort he could. And as soon as that contraction had passed, she was swept carefully into Zavien's arms and they were out the door, companions fleeing ahead of them, distressed and hurried. For Soh's part, she slipped her arms around her boyfriend's neck, doing her best to breathe as they hurtled through the dark streets towards the hospital and trying not to whimper at the jarring motion of each step.
In between contractions, she simply breathed, nestling against Zavien's chest, appreciating how safe she felt tucked in his arms. If he had her, then nothing bad could happen. This was simply something she had to get through in order to meet their daughter. And if Zavien could stay calm throughout all this, then surely she could push through for him and for Reva.
By the time they reached the hospital, Soh had begun counting her contractions. As they burst through the doors, Soh had to imagine that they made an entertaining sight: Zavien in his underwear, carrying his very pregnant girlfriend, surely looking far more panicked than the situation called for. And, indeed, the hospital staff seemed unbothered (although they moved quickly and efficiently, having been forewarned of their arrival by Sol and Anani).
Despite the seeming urgency of the situation, they still had to check Soh in, and she answered a few quick questions as they were ushered down the hallway and into a private room. Yes, she'd been laboring for over an hour. Her contractions were three minutes apart and lasting about a minute. Yes, her water had broken about twenty minutes before. With hospital staff directing them, Soh was deposited onto a bed, given a brief examination, and it was announced that she was close; the baby wasn't yet crowning, but her body was otherwise ready. All they could do, for now, was wait.
Most of the staff dispersed, leaving a single nurse in her room to keep an eye on her, reassuring the couple that all seemed to be progressing as it should. Each contraction was painful and seemingly neverending, but between them, as Soh caught her breath, she did her best to alleviate any anxiety for Zavien. Keeping an insistent hold on his hand, as much for him as for herself, she smiled at him. Now that they were where they were supposed to be, most of her panic had subsided, and she was much more at ease with the whole process. If something went wrong, they were prepared. And, fortunately, nothing seemed to be going wrong.
"We'll get to meet her soon," she said once, slightly breathless still as she recovered. "Are you excited?"
At least she had Zavien, who lunged back to her side the moment she whimpered and offered what little comfort he could. And as soon as that contraction had passed, she was swept carefully into Zavien's arms and they were out the door, companions fleeing ahead of them, distressed and hurried. For Soh's part, she slipped her arms around her boyfriend's neck, doing her best to breathe as they hurtled through the dark streets towards the hospital and trying not to whimper at the jarring motion of each step.
In between contractions, she simply breathed, nestling against Zavien's chest, appreciating how safe she felt tucked in his arms. If he had her, then nothing bad could happen. This was simply something she had to get through in order to meet their daughter. And if Zavien could stay calm throughout all this, then surely she could push through for him and for Reva.
By the time they reached the hospital, Soh had begun counting her contractions. As they burst through the doors, Soh had to imagine that they made an entertaining sight: Zavien in his underwear, carrying his very pregnant girlfriend, surely looking far more panicked than the situation called for. And, indeed, the hospital staff seemed unbothered (although they moved quickly and efficiently, having been forewarned of their arrival by Sol and Anani).
Despite the seeming urgency of the situation, they still had to check Soh in, and she answered a few quick questions as they were ushered down the hallway and into a private room. Yes, she'd been laboring for over an hour. Her contractions were three minutes apart and lasting about a minute. Yes, her water had broken about twenty minutes before. With hospital staff directing them, Soh was deposited onto a bed, given a brief examination, and it was announced that she was close; the baby wasn't yet crowning, but her body was otherwise ready. All they could do, for now, was wait.
Most of the staff dispersed, leaving a single nurse in her room to keep an eye on her, reassuring the couple that all seemed to be progressing as it should. Each contraction was painful and seemingly neverending, but between them, as Soh caught her breath, she did her best to alleviate any anxiety for Zavien. Keeping an insistent hold on his hand, as much for him as for herself, she smiled at him. Now that they were where they were supposed to be, most of her panic had subsided, and she was much more at ease with the whole process. If something went wrong, they were prepared. And, fortunately, nothing seemed to be going wrong.
"We'll get to meet her soon," she said once, slightly breathless still as she recovered. "Are you excited?"
Your little eyelids flutter 'cause you're dreamin' So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
