A Random Book of Randomness

Gift From an Enemy Pt 2

(I just want to put a little author's note here, describing a pregnancy using the male pronouns was really weird to write, it felt wrong in many ways, I'll never get used to it.)

It had been a few months since the Mandarian family found out that they would be getting a new member, and everyone was very excited, including the man who would bring the new child into the world.  MA was given nothing but love and support from his friends and family, and when the news of his pregnancy inevitably reached the press, the support grew exponentially, especially from the winged community.  With how rare it was to be born with wings, everyone was excited that the skies would be getting a new pair, and MA was so glad that his child would be welcomed so warmly.

One night, a good week before his due date, MA was lying in bed trying to get some sleep, it was nearly two o'clock in the morning and he hadn't gotten a wink of sleep, like something was nagging at him to stay awake.  He wasn't the only one who was restless, his dog Tank was pacing the floor near his bed, constantly whimpering and tugging on the sheets, but MA was too tired to pay attention. On the other hand, his brother was sleeping surprisingly well for once, no night terrors interrupted his or his husband's dreams, all was well for them. 

Suddenly, a loud alarm startled the couple awake, making them panic initially from thinking they were under attack by something.  Once Mandara woke up a little bit more, he realized it came from his phone, and when he turned it on he nearly dropped it.  It was the alarm that he and his brother set up, that if MA went into labor he would alert his brother that it was time, but what worried Mandara was how early it was.

The country jumped out of bed and rushed out of the room, calling to Poland to get the overnight bag. It took everything he had not to start panicking like he did during Poldara's birth, which was only made worse by the complications that could have cost the child and father their lives, Mandara prayed that his brother would not face such complications.  Slowly but surely, he and Poland got MA to the van and he made his way to the hospital, his husband staying behind to watch Poldara and call their friends.

Hours had passed since MA went into labor, Poland, Poldara, the three Slavic siblings, and the three soldiers had all arrived to support MA and welcome his child to the world.  Since no one wanted the other father to even know about the birth, much less be there for it, Mandara was the one that was allowed into the delivery room, everyone else had to wait in the waiting room.

"How much longer, Papa," Poldara asked tiredly, still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"We still don't know, honey, it's very hard and tiring to have a baby," Poland told him, "well see your Uncle MA soon, then you can meet your new baby cousin."

"I still can't believe that MA's gonna be a father," Kazakhstan said in excitement, "he's going to be great, I wonder what he's gonna name her?"

"I wonder what she's going to look like," Russia stated, "is she going to look Mandarian, or something else?"

"It doesn't matter what she looks like, all that matters is that she's MA's, not anyone else's," Belarus reminded him, "you need to lighten up about this, Rus, a new life is coming into this world, this is supposed to be a happy time, not at time for you to be leaning against the wall and brooding.  Don't bring that negativity with you when we see them."

"I'll bring my damn negativity if you bring that fucking "gift" from Ukraine," Russia spat, pointing to a pink gift box in his sister's lap, "I can't believe you didn't throw it away the moment it was sent to you."