It was hot, so hot. The bed beneath her felt like a pit of burning coals. Hell itself seemed like it would bring relief. Sweat was beading across her forehead as strands of silk hair stuck to her. She wiped the back of her hand over her forehead and took a deep breath of the thick, humid air into her lungs. She sat up and began to cough. Her throat dry, dryer than the Sahara on its worst day. Braylin reached for the bottle of water on her nightstand and guzzled down the room temperature liquid. The moon still high in the sky and shining through their bedroom window. The sobering sounds of her sleeping husband beside her snoring in a perfect melody echoed through the room. she yawned and set the empty bottle down then curled back up beside Lok to sleep.
Hours could have passed, who knows, and the heat began to overcome her again. her hand cradling her abdomen where their little baby slept inside her as a sharp pain shot up her left side. Braylin opened her eyes to find herself not in her bed anymore. Her husband not beside her. She sat up and let her eyes adjust to the bright orange, red and blue flames flickering in a circle around her. Screeching howls and cackles on the opposite side of the fire. Only red and black glowing eyes visible throughout the shadows. "What the f.." She stopped midsentence as she mumbled under her breath. Where was she and how in the hell had she gotten there. A loud scream in the distance followed by a sharp pain straight through to her back. Braylin cried out, but her voice seemed to have been taken from her.
The dryness in her throat made her airways tight. Unable to scream, Brays eyes widened seeing a gigantic shadow creeping closer to her. She wanted to run, but her feet felt as if they were cemented into the ground. Her hands were weighted to her sides unable to move. The darkness crept closer and finally stood directly in front of her. Its boney finger pointed and made contact with her swollen stomach. In the distance she could hear foreign whispers. Chanting from the small creatures lurking on the outside of the fire. Braylin fought against the dead weight of her body as her stomach fluttered and the child inside her was awoken. She was unaware of the Shadows intentions, but she didn′t want to wait around to find out. More chants. But calm, soothing, almost lullaby type chants. Her stomach tightened and became very warm. It wasn′t a painful heat, but she became uncomfortable.
"Who are you?" She managed to whisper. The shadow came closer to her. She was expecting to see evil. To see a darkness that would hurt her, even kill her. Instead, raven hair blew in a sudden breeze that put the fire circle out. Kind eyes now met hers and she began to make out a face under the veil of black. A woman. Strong cheek bones, dark eyes and rose colored lips. Braylin wasn′t sure who this woman was or why she was there or what she wanted with her child. Soft whispers came from the womans mouth. Her palm now resting against Braylins stomach while it tightened painfully. A language Bray had never heard was repeated over and over. Warm tears filled her eyes and spilled over and ran down her cheeks. Pain began to increase throughout her stomach and her lower back. The figure of the woman in front of her lowered to whisper to her unborn child. Odd, she thought, but couldn′t speak again. Where was she? Where was Lok when she needed him? Her hand reached for the crystal heart pendant around her neck as she tried to will herself home again.
The shadow woman grinned as another sharp pain spiked through Brays lower stomach. A sudden rush of wetness as the sweat dripped from her forehead. The figure leaned into whisper into Braylins ear. "Wake up, My child, it is time." Bray took in a few deep breaths looking at this figure of a woman before she faded into the shadows. It looked as if her mother in law was right there with her , but it couldn′t have been. Another swift pain shot straight down her stomach as she felt a gush then intense pain all over. Her eyes sprung open and she was back in her bed with her sleeping teddy bear beside her. The sun was coming up and shining through the window. "Just a dream..." She whispered to herself as she caressed her hand over her stomach. Just then, another sharp pain and she gasped. Braylin then realized her water had just broke and that the dream was more than just that. But right now she needed to wake her husband and get help quickly as the pain increased and she didn′t know how much longer she had."LOVEBUG! Baby, you need to wake up.. Hurry love.. my water broke.. get your mom.. the baby.. OUCH!!" she grit her teeth while shaking her husbands shoulder to wake him from his slumber.
* Adrianna heard the news. Her best friend and partner in crime was having the baby. Being a demon she knew that she could be anywhere quickly. She had felt her symptoms and hoping she wasn′t late. Lok her brother. She was more worried about as well. Knowing their mother was probably on her way already. She knew that this would be truly an amazing site to see. The baby was finally here. She had looked around and shimmered to her best friends bed side. She didn′t need an invite to be there. " Bray I′m here. Where is he at? " She asked excitedly. She knew that she had a lot of spoiling to do once the baby was born. She felt every pain she was having.
" L....Lok brother are you still alive. You better not faint. " She looked around for her brother. She knew that this was his first child. She wanted to be there and see the look on his face. Kneeling down at Braylins bedside and held her hand. " Get towels and cool water now. " She told the servants knowing that she had been there before but lost the baby. She was going to be there for her best friend. Being the baby is half demon. It was going to be tough for a human to give birth to. She was a bit worried for her as well. But this will be the day for them. A new Orcus in the family. *
Lok was likewise in a dream world, reliving childhood memories. The sound of his wifey’s voice broke through as she called out in pain and urgency. Instantly, Lok became awake. At first he thought he had pee’d the bed, it was all soaking wet … but the words sunk in … Bray’s water had broke. Embarrassment turned to excitement as Lok rolled out of bed and dashed around the room, looking for his cell phone. He found it on the bureau.
“I’ll call Mom right now!”, he shouted as he punched in his Mom’s number and spoke rushed, “Mom, mom! It’s me Lok. You have to come here now! Bray’s water broke. Yeah it’s time! Hurry!!” He listened to her for a while, nodding his head with his ear pressed to the phone. “Dilation … centimeters. Ok Mom … “
His sister appeared out of nowhere. Lok screamed like a schoolgirl and ran to the bathroom, “I’m still in my underwear!!!! SIS! Don’t you know how to knock!!!?” He shut the bathroom door. A few seconds later, he exited the bathroom, wearing a pair of cutoff shorts over his skivvies. Adrianna was already getting towels and water.
“Mom says I have to check how much Bray is dilated. She says I have to uh …” Lok held up 2 fingers and made a motion to Bray’s crotch. He inhaled a deep breath and let out, “Here we go!” Feeling under the wet sheets, Lok stuck his fingers into Braylin’s baby hole. His face wore intense concentration and he grinned impishly at her. “She’s 6 centimeters dilated. Mom says that’s active labor. Our baby will be ready to come out when she’s 10 centimeters dilated. “
Lok removed his fingers and wiped them dry on his shorts. He picked up the phone and texted his Mom with the information. Waited a few minutes and nodded, “She’s on her way over. She says to keep Bray comfortable and relaxed. I’m supposed to time her contractions. “
He pulled up a chair beside his sister and wifey; his wristwatch held in his hands, and his eyes glued to it. “Ok Sunshine, when you feel a contraction, let me know.”
“It’s time”, her son had said. Nyghtwolfe gave him some quick advice before she‘d arrive to assist with the delivery. She walked to the basement shelf containing jars of herbal remedies and chose fresh dried Alfalfa leaves to brew a tea with. Livestock owners know that Alfalfa is a natural milk stimulating supplement, which they feed to their goats and cows. It’s safe for human consumption and also during pregnancy. Alfalfa is rich in chlorophyll and vitamin K, a nutrient necessary for blood clotting. In the last trimester of pregnancy, alfalfa can decrease postpartum bleeding or the chance of hemorrhaging. The seeds can be sprouted to add to salads and sandwiches. The leaves and flowers make a mild tasting, nutritious tea that stimulates the appetite and aids digestion. With the jar tucked in a basket, Nyghtwolfe set off for her son and daughter-in-law’s cottage.
She didn’t bother knocking at the door, but let herself in. Setting down the basket on the kitchen counter, she began boiling water to make the tea. In the other room, she could hear the voices of her son Lok and daughter Adrianna. In the background, she could also head Braylin’s quiet moans of discomfort. She was in the early stages of labor. “I’m here”, Nyghtwolfe said as she brought in the cup of alfalfa tea and set it down on the night table to cool off.
“How far apart are her contractions?”, she asked with a smile at her son, proud that he was not panicking and actually was following her advice.
Braylin wasn't sure she was ready for all this. Not yet. Pain was something she was not liking at the moment. She gave her darling husband a hasty glare while his manly fingers intruded to check her progress. Her stomach was insanely tight while she did her best to breath calmly for their baby. She knew screaming and writhing would only cause stress to their bundle and she wanted to give the baby the best start in life possible.
Breath in. Breath out. Count; one, two, three, four, five. Her eyes focused on Lok and his surprisingly calm demeanour. Her legs bent at the knees while pressure built and the urge to push became more prominent. Her hand swept over her forehead wiping the sweat away before she rested her head back as the latest contraction eased. She offered a small smile to Adrianna then looked back to Lok before her eyes closed to rest.
The soft sound of her mother in laws voice calmed Braylin. She knew that her vision of her husband blindly delivering their baby alone wouldn't ring true. Nyghtwolfe was a wise woman and Bray knew no harm would come to the baby now and that the delivery would come along just fine.
Her hands clenched over her stomach again in pain as she looked up to Nyghtwolfe with pain in her eyes. Breath in. Breath out. Another contraction. She looked to Lok to give an accurate time to his mom. If Bray had to guess, they felt like they were non stop every other second. She reached for her husbands hand and squeezed tightly while the contraction was in full force.
* Adrianna seen her brother lok and chuckled. *" Little brother it's not like I haven't seen anything before. Mother use to make me change your diapers. Remember im way older than you. " Closing her eyes seeing what her brother was doing. She didn't wanna see that part of her best friend. She knew she had to make sure that the servants were doing their job that she brought with her. " Now. Fresh linen my mother will need them. I also need fresh water as well. Her body is sapping up all of the water in the bowl. " Watching her servant getting all the stuff she needed. Looking towards Braylin. " How are you holding up?"
She looked concerned for her best friend. She knew once this child was born she would be busy. Their child is the youngest in a very long time for the Orcus family. Surprisingly her brother is the first in a long time. She chuckled watching him knowing he was happy. Which made her happy as well. " Lok damn it go put some clothes on. " She laughed a bit. She knew her brother would soon faint when he seen the blood. " Lok. When mother gets prepared. You need to stand over here by me. It's not gonna be pretty when that baby pops out. " Chuckling once more. She knew that this was going to be long for Braylin.
Carrying a demon child. She knew that this lil demon would give her hell litterly. Giving birth to part demon they can be nasty. She felt for her best friend. Not knowing of the experience. She knew this would be one hell of a Kid. *
