Labour

Paedyn

My eyes fly open to a sharp pain in my stomach. I glance at the clock. 3 am.  Just perfect. Suddenly, a trickle of water runs down my leg.

"Kai," I say urgently. His eyes flutter open.

"Yeah," he says groggily.

"I think I'm in labour," I respond. He bolts upright.

"What?!" he exclaims. "Are you sure?"

"Does it look like I'm faking it?" I grit through my teeth as I grip the sheets more tightly.

Kai

Paedyn is in labor. This is real. This is happening. Right now. She groans, leaning into me, and my panic doubles.

"I need the healer."

"Right. Yes. The healer." I lunge toward the door, then hesitate. "But what if—what if something happens while I'm gone?"

She gives me a look. "Kai, if you don't move, something is definitely going to happen."

I nod and sprint down the hall, nearly colliding with Kitt, who was making out with Bitchy Blair.

"She's in labor!" I gasp.

Kitt blinks. "Right now?"

"No, I just thought I'd bring it up for fun—YES, RIGHT NOW!"

I run back to our chambers. Paedyn is standing now, leaning on the bedpost, her face pale and sweaty. She exhales through clenched teeth. "Took you long enough." I place a hand on her back, and gently guide her to the birthing chamber where the healer is waiting. I lower her into a tub of lukewarm water.

Paedyn

Pain rips through my abdomen.

"You're doing so well, darling," Kai whispers. The next contraction slams into me like a wave.

"I can't," my voice is shaking. "I can't–" Tears slip down my face. No. I can't. My body is too weak, too exhausted—

But then Kai lifts my hand to his lips, his breath warm against my knuckles. "Paedyn," he murmurs, voice rough. "You've fought battles. You've survived the Trials. You can do this." I take a breath.

And I push.

A scream tears from my throat as my body locks up. The pain is worse than before, burning, stretching, and breaking me apart.

Kai

A cry fills the room. Paedyn gasps and leans back. The healer lifts a small, squirming bundle into the air, and gently places him into Paedyn's arms.

"Do you... want to hold him?"

My breath catches.

I don't trust myself to answer, so I just nod. I gently take him from her arms. He presses a hand against my shirt and my heart almost explodes.

"What should we name him?" she asks softly.

I can't take my eyes off him. "You choose."

She tilts her head. "That's a lot of responsibility."

I glance at her, smirking just a little. "You literally just had a baby. I think you can handle it."

She snorts, shaking her head, but then she looks down at him, thoughtful. She strokes his cheek, her expression turning soft.

And when she speaks again, her voice is barely above a whisper.

"Adrian."

hey guyssss this is the first chapter of the morning! i hope you like it! i felt like adrian was a fitting name cuz it was sorta similar to adena. if yk what i mean?

mwah