[JP] Cmdr. Lael Rosek-Skyfire, Lt. Cmdrs. Chythar Skyfire & Jansen Orrey, & Lt. JG Renaie Shortrith: Welcome to the World, Little Ones Pt. 1
Lael Rosek-Skyfire
((Rosek-Skyfire Quarters, Amity Outpost))
(( Time Index: 240302.10))
Lael stood at the counter in their quarters, a PADD balanced lightly in one hand as she skimmed through the latest duty rotations for Amity. The familiar rhythm of reviewing schedules usually helped her focus, but a tightening low in her abdomen made her pause mid-scroll. Her brow furrowed slightly as she lowered the PADD and rested her free hand against the counter, drawing in a slow breath while she waited for the sensation to pass.
She managed to bite back an Esperanto expletive as a particularly powerful jolt raced through her abdomen.
It wasn’t the first time it had happened. Over the past few days she had been feeling Braxton-Hicks contractions often enough that she had stopped reacting immediately. Each time she had thought perhaps this was it, that things were finally starting, and each time the contractions had faded again within an hour. A false start. Another reminder that the body had its own timetable.
A few seconds later, the tightness eased again.
Lael exhaled quietly, her hand drifting to rest over her stomach as she considered it. The pattern felt familiar, but there was something about this one that held her attention a little longer. She turned her head toward the other room where her husband was and called out.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::voice tense and strained, but loud:: Chythar?
Although Chythar had been somewhat preoccupied with the small toddler, he made his way back into the room.
C. Skyfire: Yes, love.
When he stepped into the room, Lael leaned one hip against the counter and regarded him thoughtfully.
Rosek-Skyfire: Before you ask, no, I am not entirely certain.
A hint of irritation found its way into her voice, whether from pain or annoyance, she wasn’t sure.
C. Skyfire: I wasn’t about to…
Rosek-Skyfire: ::grunts:: This feels different. Real.
C. Skyfire: Ah, I see. Okay.
She was in the middle of rolling her eyes when, almost on cue, the tightening returned, a little stronger this time. She drew in a slow breath and rested her hand lightly over her abdomen, waiting it out.
As she was about to reach for his hand, she felt a trickle, like water, running down the insides of her legs. When it slowed, she looked back up at him. A small, knowing smile touched her lips.
Rosek-Skyfire: I think ::smiles wanly:: we should probably start making our way toward Sickbay.
C. Skyfire: Okay. Let me get Kadain’s backpack leash.
He disappeared from view to pick up the backpack, which Kadain had named Cuddles, fastened it to the young one’s back, and then returned, the leash hiding the child from his mother’s eyes for a moment.
Oh, that damned leash. But she was in too much pain to argue. She gripped the nearby counter as if her life depended on it, waiting.
When he returned, he took her hand in his free one, and the trio headed to sickbay.
(( Timeskip -- Sickbay))
Jansen smiled as he returned to the first stop on what had been the whistle-stop tour of the Medical Center, the central receiving area. This late in the afternoon the holographic receptionist was in place mirroring the species of those who stepped up for help and information.
They had been through the Antaak Wing and the emergency response center of Amity as well as the surgery center. After that is was an easy swing to the Counseling Care center and then the Bashir Wing where the examination rooms were located. With the side door located behind the nurses station leading to the Crusher Wing, where the CMO and the CCO as well as the other doctors kept nominal offices it was a simple walk back to the receiving room.
Orrey: And that is everything. Now we do have a clinic up on the mezzanine that is just like the Bashir wing of the hospital down here. It also has two auxiliary sickbays much closer to those on a ship for trauma response before we can get people down here.
Renaie smiled, thankful for the tour.
Shortrith: Looks like the Amity is decked out medically, wherever anything arises.
Orrey: So what do you think of our little outfit?
Shortrith: It's quite cool. It makes sense that an Outpost of this size has this big of a medical facility.
Orrey: We have to be ready for everything. From Vidiians to Hirogen, to Changelings posing as junior officers…Trenvonn..Paaking Paak.::he chuckled and started to continue when the nearby console on the desk alerted with an impending arrival.:: Wonderful… Care to lend a hand?
Renaie let out a loose chuckle, smirking as they nodded.
Shortrith: Sure.
((Medical Center, Mezzanine Level))
The contractions were coming slightly closer together now, indicating that this DEFINITELY wasn't Braxton Hicks.
Showtime.
Maddy had been informed while they were enroute and would be here soon to keep an eye on Kadain in the waiting room, leaving Chythar free to attend to her in the delivery room. Which was good, because she didn't want to do this alone. As tough as she was, she did still battle anxiety, especially in the face of the unknown.
On duty, she was experienced and knew what to do if things went south. On duty, she accepted what could happen. On duty, she was in control.
This, though, was something different. She had control of nothing and didn't know what kind of complications or pain would arise.
She grasped Chythar’s hand tighter, drawing on the comfort of his mental presence, a persistent low hum in her mind. For a moment, it overshadowed the uncertainty. As long as he was with her, all was right with the universe.
Another contraction hit as they approached the check in area and she breathed through it.
Receptionist: ::smiles:: Finally time, Mrs. Skyfire?
Rosek-Skyfire: ::grits her teeth:: If this isn't labor, I might just insist these squatters be evicted anyway. They're long overdue.
The receptionist nodded and tapped commands hurried into the console
Receptionist: You're all checked in. I assume you know where to go.
At that precise moment, Maddy appeared behind them, taking Kadain’s leash from her dad.
M. Skyfire: Is it for real this time?
It was hard to be objective with something like this for Chythar, though he knew rfom previous experience that these were the sort of familiar mental sensat ions he picked up when Kadain was born. So, professionalism be damned in this instance.
C. Skyfire: Yes.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::grunts:: If someone asks me that again, I might just– ::muffles a scream::
K. Skyfire: ::brow furrows:: What wrong, Mama?
M. Skyfire: ::to Kadain:: The babies in her tummy are ready to come out.
K. Skyfire: ::eyes wide:: It hurt?
Rosek-Skyfire: ::smiles wanly:: Just a little. But I'll be okay.
C. Skyfire: Take a breath, love. Relax.
It took every ounce of self control Lael possessed to only glare at him and not squeeze his hand just a touch too tightly.
Rosek-Skyfire: ~ Relax? You try relaxing when you have two tiny humans the size of bowling balls pressing down on your– ~
Chythar gave a slight wince as she squeezed his hand. He was fully prepared to have it broken.
The thought was cut off by another contraction and she gritted her teeth against the pain.
M. Skyfire: ::turns to her dad:: I've got him. ::jerks her head toward her brother:: Take care of mom.
C. Skyfire: Thank you, darling. I will. ::to Lael:: Come along, Lael. Take a breath.
Sweat caused Lael’s dark hair to stick to her forehead, the room suddenly feeling very hot. Oh, how she longed for a cool dip in the Astraeus’s on board pool–
Rosek-Skyfire: ::breathily:: Chythar– ::gasps:: I love you. But shut up.
C. Skyfire: ~Yes, dear. I’ll shut up.~
Yes, the classes and her previous experience with childbirth told her that he was right. However, she was more than fine with letting go of control and just letting her body do the work. At this rate, she’d be fortunate if she didn’t end up delivering right here for anyone walking in to see.
Due to his conflict of interest, he wasn’t allowed to be a doctor in this scenario. He continued holding her hand, offering up a smile.
At that precise moment, a nurse stepped into the main area with a hover chair. Much as she hated the damn things, it meant she wouldn’t have to contemplate baby steps between contractions.
Once she was seated, comfortable, and had successfully fought off another contraction, the nurse led them back to the private suite they’d booked.
—-
Lieutenant Commander Chythar Skyfire, MD
Medical Researcher
Amity Outpost
O239002CS0
&
Lieutenant JG Renaie Shortrith, MD
Counsellor/Medical Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
They/Them (Player and character)
A240204RS3
&
Commander Lael Rosek-Skyfire
Chief Operations Officer
Amity Outpost
I238110RH0
&
Jansen Orrey M.D., M.Sc.
Chief Medical Officer
Amity Outpost
O238506JO0