Quantum Entanglement: Howzer and Aurelia

37. Not As Planned

[Trigger Warning: graphic birth trauma and infant loss... sorry for spoilers but I want to be sensitive around such a painful topic. Feel free to skip this chapter to avoid the details; the next chapter will have a brief recap at the start so you won't miss anything.]

Aurelia woke with a start, bewildered as she regained consciousness from a deep sleep, which was exceedingly rare these days. She was soaking wet from the waist down, and as she rolled to her feet, feeling the cold air against her wet skin, she suspected what had happened. It was a little over a week early, though... Anticipation and fear danced with each other in her chest as she pulled on some dry, loose clothes and fetched a small bag from underneath her bunk. 

She slipped out into the hallway and cringed as she knocked on the door, hoping the sound wouldn't reach the few other occupants of the floor. Hearing nothing on the other side, she knocked again, taking a deep breath as she felt her abdomen harden suddenly. It was gentle yet undeniable, and she felt a bit of trepidation at the realization that she couldn't relax it even if she tried. It passed after a moment, and she gave one last tap on the door, unsure how long she should keep at it. To her relief, however, it whooshed open, revealing Lennox squinting at her with his curly hair in a rumpled mess. He wore only sleep shorts and socks, and in any other scenario this would have been cause for more attention, but there were more pressing matters at hand.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" he asked, stepping forward as he recognized her. 

"My water broke," she said, "It's ten days early. What does that mean?"

"Probably that someone is ready to come out... Although if you don't have contractions, it could still be days or weeks."

"I think I just had a little one..."

"Okay, here... Come in and lay down, see if they subside."

"I can go back to my room," Aurelia offered.

"It's fine. I'll sleep on the floor," Lennox consoled, and she couldn't deny that it sounded far better to not be alone. Especially if the option involved someone with medical knowledge. She nodded, stepping inside, and as the door slid closed behind her, she looked around at an identical compartment to her own. The bed was a small platform with a cushion, sized for one person, and there was a small desk that doubled as a table, a single chair, a dresser, and a closet. Lennox pulled the rumpled comforter aside, standing next to the bed with it in his arms as she gently lowered herself onto the thin mattress, shushing her protests as he gingerly tucked the fluffy blanket around her shoulders. She still wasn't feeling anything else and was beginning to feel sheepish that she'd woken him up at what may be a false alarm. 

He pulled a thin blanket from the closet and tossed the chair cushion onto the floor next to the bed, then disappeared below her as he laid flat on his back with the sorry excuse for a blanket draped over himself. "Let me know what's going on up there," he called quietly. 

"Okay. I can just come back later if--"

"Sssshhhh. Try to get some sleep."

But sleep was not to be had, by either of them. Aurelia forced her eyes closed, trying to slip back into slumber but finding it impossible due to her intense focus on every bodily sensation. Unbeknownst to her, Lennox stared at the ceiling from the floor below, calm and steady as he was in any medical situation, but unable to quiet the racing thoughts in his mind. 

A few more minutes passed, though it felt like an eternity, and Aurelia noticed the clenching feeling again. It was as though her entire midsection was turning into a rock, and she pushed the covers back to look down, catching sight of its contorted tightness in the dim light. The oval shape within was more distinct as it remained stiff for a moment, then it slowly released, and she let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding.