Our conversation was cut short as liquid filled the thick cloth I was wearing between my legs. This was not urine and it meant the time was almost here. My water had broken.


    The rest of my family appeared at my side, dressed and ready for the day. Others were waking up now, so it made sense they’d gotten ready. From the sounds the camp was making everyone was waking up.


    “Women and Healers,” Christof said, “if that is what Ciara wants we should take her to the infirmary…”


    “What is a c-section?” Kein asked taking Bane’s ce and steading me.


    I had been thinking the word and wondering if I needed one. On Earth I’d watched shows and seen programs about twin births. The women there sometimes got a c-section, because a twin delivery could be dangerous. I remembered the line on the stomach of one of my friends from such a surgery. I wondered if after this delivery I would have a simr line.


    “We won’t like it if they have to cut you,” Damien stated looking troubled.


    My memories concerned my Husbands. Damien’s face was held in a deep scowl and his arms were crossed. They’d seen my memories and were not pleased with what they’d learned. Cutting out the babies seemed wrong to them, dangerous and wrong.


    “It is done if the child is in trouble,” I assured Damien.


    We paced a few steps more before the family decision was made. Bane scooped me up in his arms and strode purposefully toward the infirmary. My men wanted a birth in our home, but my anxiety would not allow it. As the family member with the strongest opinion, they bowed to my wishes.


    I wanted to birth these girls with Healers present. I also wanted there to be someone there that knew about births. In the infirmaryy many women and the Healers were always there. This delivery would happen there.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    Damien and his Brothers couldn’t stop being proud and happy as we made our way to the infirmary. Whoever we passed, my men made a point to tell them what was happening. By the time we’d made it to the infirmary, I was sure the entire camp was aware today would be the birth of Kein’s offspring.


    Rhane and his Brothers met us at the entrance to the infirmary and seemed confused by our presence. Women on Pateria birthed their young in their caves and men were rarely present. It was considered a rare honor for a male to witness a birth. Even in mated groups, the women still kept the births private. That’s just how it always was.


    “That is not how Ciara’s Earth tradition handles birth,” Damien told the Healers firmly. “She wants to be near Healers, as well as, other women. There is much that can go wrong in a birth and my Brothers and I are uneducated.”


    Damien was right, that was what I wanted and the reason why, but it didn’t make sense to anyone present. Therge room was silent watching our interaction. They’d never seen a woman want a birth with Healers present. I started to feel foolishing here.


    Tosu approached limping heavily and my apprehension melted.


    “There is a b by the far wall, Rhane,” Tosu said pointing. “Ciara couldy there. I would be happy to be near. My former family and I learned much about human child birthing.”


    A family of men I didn’t know approached from the side. They were Healers, from the stains on their smocks and the instruments they carried. The family appeared shy and uncertain. Their eyes darted from me to Damien several times, before addressing him.


    “I am Casgar, rescued from the Barnaspound,” the lead Brother pronounced with some trepidation. “Our Mistress made us learn about human child birthing, so we could help her human ves. We could assist your…”


    Casgar wasn’t sure what to call me, but he obviously thought I was a ve. The concept was offensive here. I saw Rhane and his Brothers stiffen causing Casgar to cringe. The lead Healers were about to give Casgar’s family a lecture when Damien interrupted. I wanted Casgar and his family around. It was my desire they not be scared off. We could deal with the ve or free issueter.


    “Thank you, cousin,” Damien stated politely and with a smile.


    Damien approached the other man and sped his shoulder in a friendly gesture. Casgar flinched, but rxed as he watched Damien’s face remain rxed. My Husband tried to look as non threatening as he could.


    “This is our mate,” Damien continued sounding calm, “we would be grateful for your assistance-”


    I missed the rest of Damien’sments and the ride to my b was a blur. Another, stronger, contraction had startled me and taken my breath. I was panting through it when Rose appeared in my field of vision.


    My friend’s face was a rapid disy of emotions from happiness to concern. She had grabbed a wet cloth and dabbed my forehead in a motherly gesture. Gritting my teeth at the pain I found her hand and squeezed tightly.


    The wall in front of my b was not decorated, but if you stared hard at it, you could see detail. I started to count the lines of rock to distract myself. The thick ck of the Paterian stone was interrupted by thin lines of dark red and thicker lines of shiny blue. Small chunks of ore could be seen glittering in the rock as well. If I squinted hard it looked like the night sky.


    “Breathe, Ciara,” Rose said calmly as the contraction passed, “you are safe and the babies will be well. You will have all the support you need. The camp feels honored to share this with you, they are grateful you are giving them more life.”


    As Christof crawled behind me to support my back. I looked around and realized the infirmary was bing crowded. Men from all over the camp hade down to see this.


    “Children of T’vailk heritage, and we are here to see it!” a family said as they settled on the ground behind the b.


    “An honor cousin!” another intoned giving a friendly salute our way.


    “We are grateful to share this with your family, Ciara,” a man from my left said as he sat with his Brothers.