Survival

#31 Destiny

Five had just returned from a shopping trip when he popped into a nearby shop to pick up a few things. He didn't like leaving Lila alone, especially since she was in the hospital and her due date was only a week away, but he needed to buy a few things to cook the dinner she was craving.

He went to the bedroom where Lila had been when he left. The apartment was uncharacteristically quiet, so he figured she was asleep. But when he looked into the room, Lila wasn't there.

"Love?" he called into the silence, but got no answer.

He finally went to the patio and their greenhouse. Lila went there often, and since he saw her keys and cellphone on the table, he knew she hadn't left the apartment. He had already prepared a speech about Lila promising to rest, but as soon as he saw her in the greenhouse, his heart skipped a beat.

Lila was leaning against a support column, her heart pounding, breathing deeply. "Five," she gasped as a sudden jolt of pain rippled through her body. "You're coming as if on cue..."

For a moment, Five looked absolutely mortified.

Lila looked up at him, her eyes full of both energy and concern. "My water broke. Our little Five will be here sooner, it seems."

"Oh God, Lila..." he breathed, immediately walking over to her, hugging her gently as she leaned against him. "Come on, I'll take you to the hospital right now."

But Lila shook her head in disapproval. "No... no time for that."

"What do you mean?"

"I want to give birth here."

Five blinked in surprise, his mind working at full speed. "Here? In the greenhouse?"

"Yeah," she breathed, "I feel fine here. I don't want to go to the hospital." She gulped. "It's good here. And you're here with me. We can do this together, right? Like so many other challenges..." There was determination in her gaze, but she also sought reassurance in his.

"Yeah, we can do this." He sounded a little dazed, unable to believe this was actually happening.

He didn't want to force her into anything, though he would have preferred someone more professional at the birth, and for it to happen in a more sterile place. On the other hand, after their years on the subway, and the fact that they themselves had been born in completely random places, it didn't strike him as such a crazy idea. And there was always the possibility that he would use his abilities to get her to the hospital if needed. But he knew this wasn't as new to Lila as it was to him. He trusted her judgment.

"What do you need me to do?"

"Get a blanket... water... some towels..."

"Okay."

While Lila was transitioning between contractions, Five quickly tried to get everything ready and flashed back and forth between their apartment and the greenhouse so he wouldn't have to linger on the stairs. He also grabbed some pillows to prepare at least a somewhat comfortable place for her. And a few other things that might come in handy.

The atmosphere in the greenhouse was unexpectedly peaceful. Light filtered through the glass walls, reflecting off the green leaves and colorful flowers, creating a magical backdrop. Lila loved this place, and although she hadn't planned anything like this, she couldn't imagine a better place to bring their child into the world. As if it were meant to be.

Lila lay on the blanket, her eyes closed, feeling the contractions grip her abdomen.

"Okay, now take a deep breath and try to relax." Five held her hand as he spoke, watching the contractions grow stronger. "You're amazing, the strongest crazy lady I've ever known." He tried to distract her a little.