The Typhoon ~Vash x OC AU~

Chapter 7: Worth It

Leilani

That was a lot.

My mind is reeling, spitting off what Luida had said at rapid speed. I can barely keep up with any of it. Vash's fertility, Greywnn's genetic coating, and my very own little snippet.

Microchimerism. The exchange of DNA from child to mother during pregnancy. In all my life, I've never heard of such a phenomenon. No one on No Man's Land has. It sounds like a science experiment or like a science fiction happening, but it isn't. It is real, and right now, I am proof of that.

Even if it is faint or temporary, there is currently plant DNA floating around in my body, and that is the very same DNA that had manifested my fever and may have been responsible for my intense morning sickness in the beginning. My very human body hadn't been fully prepared.

Eventually, I'll absorb that and digest it. Maybe. But it's all a lot to take in. What Luida had said may gnaw at me for the rest of my days, though I suppose that is dramatic. Other things will eventually outweigh this.

Eventually.

Maybe.

There is a shift in my arms and my eyes fall, settling on Greywynn. She is curled in my hold, her eyes big and still tinted by that newborn blue as her tiny fists knead at the bottle's sides. I'm holding it securely, feeding her as I smile at her.

Microchimerism or not, I don't care. Luida said it was nothing to worry about, and even if it was, I still wouldn't care. The moment my eyes landed on this little girl the day she was born, I knew there was nothing she could do that would make me love her any less. It is as if I only know how to love her.

The door slides open, and I glance up, half-expecting to see Vash, but it is Luida. As the norm, she smiles when our eyes meet. I smile back.

"Brad is finalizing the details of your and Vash's room," she says, taking long strides toward us. "And Vash has already been given Greywynn's birth certificate. He's just helping Brad now."

I pat Greywynn's back, still bottle-feeding her as I nod, "Alright. Thank you."

She stands, her focus still trained on us – on me – and I can't help but feel as if there is more she wants to say. No. There is more, but what more could there be? Unless...unless it's something bad.

Silent dread consumes me as I press, "Is there something wrong?"

She laces her fingers together and shakes her head. "No. My apologies. I don't mean to keep worrying you." She moves closer until she stands at my bedside. Her dark eyes are locked on mine as a soft smile bends her lips. "I just wanted to check on you."

I pinch my brows. "You wanted to check on me? That's kind of you, but why?"

She shrugs, "I know that what I had revealed to you was a lot to take in. Especially after not even one full day of being awake."

She's right. It was. It had been a mountain of information to take in, but I have also had to absorb way more in a single sitting before. At this point, I should be a pro at swallowing intense information.

I smooth a wild curl on Greywynn's head, replying, "You're not wrong. It had been...a lot, but I'm fine. We're all fine, and in the end, that's all that really matters."

"That is true." Her expression is soft but becomes serious. "There is one thing that I had forgotten to mention earlier. About the microchimerism and your healing, that is."

I look at her. "Oh? Is it anything concerning?"

Should I be worried? Do I need to be worried? Is there more that we need to be wary of?

Her posture remains tall as she shakes her head. "No. Not per se, though, if this all goes the way I believe it might, it may seem it."

Concern, confusion, and curiosity all swirl to life in me. "You're freaking me out. Is this something bad?"

"No," she smiles. She rests a warm palm on my forearm as she takes a seat on the stole by my bed. Her eyes bore into mine. "This has to do with the post-birth and healing process."

Ah. That's what this is about. The six – at minimum – weeks that follow a woman after she gives birth. I've heard about it. A lot happens within that time. The uterus still tries to snap back as the wound the placenta leaves behind heals, leading to heavy bleeding and cramping. It isn't pleasant but it is a part of the process.

I adjust Greywynn. "I already know a bit about it. I know it won't be the most comfortable time, but I'm not too worried."

"Well, you are right about that," she says matter-of-factly, but I can already sense there is more and I look at her. She continues. "Leilani, because of the plant DNA in your system, it is possible that it may very well speed up the healing process."

I nod, "Yeah. You had mentioned that would be a possibility."

"I know, but in terms of postpartum, it is possible that that type of healing may result in more intense symptoms."

I furrow my brows. Wasn't the healing process after birth already intense? I mean, I did just push another being from my body out of a hole that usually isn't big enough to do that. A whole lot did happen.

Luida must observe my confusion as she sighs, "The bleeding and cramps may be much more overwhelming in your case. If that happens, we plan to offer you as much help as we can."

Oh. Oh. That's what she means. I won't just be uncomfortable. I'll be miserable. That's great. I love the sound of that.

"I see," I swallow, glancing at my daughter. She looks back with big eyes. I can't help but smile at her. "Ya know what? It doesn't even matter. If that happens, then so be it. She's worth it."

And she is. Every bit of illness. Every bit of discomfort. All the fear and confusion and pain. It was all worth it because every last bit of it resulted in her.

Luida's eyes glisten in the light as the smile on her lips reaches her gaze. "Of course. But if it means anything, should this happen, you should heal much quicker than other women."

I glimpse at her, pinching my brows. "Not that it matters, but how much quicker?"

She shrugs, "It's hard to say, but if it's anything like your pregnancy was, it should at least be cut in half."

At least.

At least cut in half.

At least.

**Ello, ello lovelies! Oof. Okay. This isn't my favorite chapter. I struggled with it and eventually settled on this. I still don't like it, but it's a filler that I need to progress the story. Sorry. Hopefully the next is better. Hopefully. I'm starting to wrestle that pesky writer's funk. It's not quite writer's block, but it sure as hell makes writing a pain. To counter it I've been reading a bit more. Currently, I'm reading Honeysuckles by January Rayne (I still haven't finished I Prefer Peter because that author's writing style doesn't really click with me, but I will eventually finish it). Honeysuckles isn't bad but if ya read it, check your triggers. Always check your triggers. Well, enough of that. As always, thank y'all so, so much for all the love and support! Y'all are the absolute bestest! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross