The Birth of Sirius

Chapter 4

The walk back to the house felt longer than it should have, every step a struggle for Orion as his body protested with sharp waves of discomfort. Articus kept a steady hand on his son’s arm, supporting him with a quiet strength that only a father could offer. The contractions had eased slightly, but Orion’s face remained tense, his brow furrowed with worry and pain. His breath was shallow, every movement causing the tightness in his back to flare up again.

When they finally stepped inside the cool kitchen, the soft clatter of their shoes on the stone floor was the only sound breaking the stillness. Articus guided Orion to a chair at the large oak table, easing him down gently before quickly fetching a glass of water.

“Here, drink this,” Articus said quietly, handing the glass to Orion, his eyes filled with concern. “It’ll help calm you down.”

Orion took the glass with shaking hands, his fingers trembling as he raised it to his lips. He took a small sip, feeling the cool water slide down his throat, but it did little to ease the growing anxiety that gripped his chest. He set the glass down on the table with a soft clink and closed his eyes, leaning back in the chair. For a moment, silence filled the room.

“I can’t do this, Dad,” Orion whispered suddenly, his voice cracking under the weight of his fear. His eyes were still closed, but his breathing had quickened, shallow and uneven. “I don’t know if I’m ready.”

Articus’s heart tightened at his son’s words. He had always known Orion to be strong, capable of handling anything life threw at him, but here, in this quiet moment, he saw his son’s vulnerability. Articus pulled a chair closer and sat down beside him, his hand resting on Orion’s knee.

“Orion, look at me,” Articus said softly. Orion slowly opened his eyes, blinking against the dim light of the kitchen. “It’s alright to be scared. This is a big moment, and it’s overwhelming. But you’re not alone in this. You have me, and the healer will be here soon. We’ll get through this together.”

Orion’s gaze dropped to the table, his fingers tracing the grain of the wood. “I just… I don’t know what to expect. What if something goes wrong? What if—”

“Stop,” Articus interrupted gently, but firmly. “You’ve done everything right. You’ve prepared for this, and you’re stronger than you think. We’re going to take this one step at a time, okay? Nothing’s going to happen without us being ready for it.”

Orion nodded, though the knot of fear in his chest didn’t fully unravel. His mind was spinning, flooded with what-ifs and worries about the coming labor, about the baby, about his own body and whether it could handle what was coming. He swallowed hard and bit his lip, trying to keep himself together.

The sound of a knock at the front door broke the silence, and Articus rose quickly, his face momentarily relaxing in relief. “That must be the healer.”

He left the kitchen, and Orion sat alone for a brief moment, staring down at his hands. His fingers were pale from gripping the edge of the table too tightly. He could hear muffled voices from the front room—his father speaking to the healer, calm and composed as always.

Moments later, Articus returned with the healer, Mitchell Jones, a middle-aged wizard with kind, wise eyes and a soft demeanor. He carried a small bag of supplies and offered Orion a reassuring smile as he entered the room.

“Orion,” Mitchell said warmly, “I hear we’ve had a bit of a scare.”

Orion nodded, feeling a mix of embarrassment and relief as the healer approached. “It’s just… the pain, it was so bad. I thought…” His voice trailed off, unsure of how to explain the fear that had taken hold of him.

Mitchell gestured for Orion to sit back comfortably in the chair as he began to check his pulse and gently placed his hand on Orion’s belly. “It’s alright. It’s very common to have practice contractions, especially in the last trimester. What you experienced are likely Braxton Hicks contractions.”

Orion frowned slightly. He had read about them, of course, but in the moment, the pain had felt so real, so intense, that he was convinced it had been the start of labor. “But it hurt so much,” he said, his voice soft, tinged with uncertainty.

“They can be painful,” Mitchell agreed, his voice calm and soothing as he examined Orion’s belly, feeling the gentle rise and fall of the baby’s movements. “But they’re not the same as labor contractions. Braxton Hicks are your body’s way of preparing for the real thing. They’re more irregular and usually don’t get progressively stronger or closer together.”

Mitchell took out his wand and performed a quick diagnostic spell, a soft glow surrounding Orion’s abdomen as the healer studied the results. “The baby is in a good position, and everything looks healthy. You’re not in labor just yet, but your body is definitely getting ready for it. These contractions will come and go for the next few weeks, but they’re nothing to worry about.”

Orion let out a slow breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. The relief was immediate, but there was still a trace of fear lingering in the back of his mind. “So, it’s just… practice?”

“Exactly,” Mitchell said, giving him a kind smile. “Your body is practicing for the big day. It’s completely normal. But if the contractions become more regular or stronger, or if your water breaks, that’s when you’ll know it’s time to call me.”

Articus, who had been standing nearby, exhaled softly, his worry easing as he heard the healer’s reassurances. He stepped closer to Orion, placing a hand on his son’s shoulder, offering silent support.

Mitchell packed up his things, but before he left, he turned to Orion one last time. “If you feel anything unusual, don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s always better to be safe.”

Orion nodded gratefully, still feeling the aftereffects of his scare but comforted by the healer’s words. “Thank you, Mitchell.”

Once the healer had left, the house fell quiet again. Articus took the seat beside Orion, his eyes filled with a father’s unwavering love. “You see? Everything’s alright. It’s just your body getting ready. We’ve got time.”

Orion nodded, though his fear hadn’t fully disappeared. “I just… I felt so helpless for a moment. Like I wasn’t ready for any of this.”

Articus leaned in, squeezing his son’s hand gently. “You’re going to be an incredible father, Orion. And when the time comes, you’ll know exactly what to do. You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to be there, like you always have been.”

Orion looked up at his father, his eyes glassy with emotion. “Thank you, Dad. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Articus smiled, his grip firm but gentle. “You’ll never have to find out. We’re in this together, Orion. Always.”

Orion let out a shaky breath, feeling the warmth of his father’s words settle around him like a protective shield. Despite the fear and the uncertainty, he knew he wasn’t alone. As long as Articus was by his side, he could face whatever lay ahead—practice contractions, real labor, and everything in between.