Chapter Thirty-three ~ Birth Of The Future

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Continuation of last chapter... (Jefferson's pov)

In a daze, I hear the rush of footsteps coming our way. Relief fills me. Two guards and a couple of the Guild's medics appear. Erika grasps my hand,  "Don't leave me... Please."

My heart feels like it just got shredded at the desperate tone in her voice. "I wouldn't dream of it." I say.

One of the medics kneels next to her. He looks really confused, "I'm afraid no one here is specialized in delivering babies. We are just here to tend wounds and such things. A real doctor will be called soon. In the meantime..." He glances at me, wondering what I will say.

"Erika..." I say gently, "Can we move you? Or would that be too much at this point?"

She groans but says nothing. She tightens up and dramatically sucks in a breath, "Contractions are too close together now, it isn't gonna be... Long."

"Better not then." I say,  "Let's just get you comfortable."

She closes her eyes. I can't help but just notice how beautiful she is even when she is drenched in sweat and her hair is sticking to her face. I wrap my arms around her, "It's gonna be okay."

A medic brings some blankets and things. "Thank you." I say, truly grateful.

I remember the flask of water I have on me. I take it from my belt and give it to her, "Here... Drink."

Meanwhile, in the Shadow Compound... (Luna's pov)
"Chris, Can you hear me?" I helplessly try and peek through the bars that are two feet above my head. The wall between our cells is solid stone. So we are locked up away in Shadow Nation. We're prisoners, just like our mother. In desperation, I slam myself against the wall. Of course, it doesn't budge, why would it? Tears spill down my face. They've been wanting to come for so long. Now that no one can see me, I let them fall. Everything is so messed up right now... I hate it! I hate everything! Why isn't Chris answering me? Why am I alone? I break down, it's been so hard with mother gone. Not that she was ever all that involved in my life recently, but still. At least she is with Jefferson. I know he won't let harm come to her. I cannot say the same for myself. Unless some miracle happens, I could be dead soon.

Suddenly a paper is slipped under the door of my cell. Eagerly, I rush over to it, as though someone might just take it back again.

I pick it up and turn it over in my hands. It is a letter. On the front, it says: from Syra.

I open it quickly, excitement filling me. Here is what it says.

Luna, don't lose hope, though it has only been a day. I am not about to let this happen. The Heir Commander wishes everyone to forget you, and what they heard. He wants to keep his order. I won't have it. As long as I am alive, I will do all in my power to start a rebellion against him. My father the Chancellor is with me. So are a few others that I have told. We are developing a plan. We will convince everyone that Erika is alive still. Once they all find out, they will not hesitate to embark on a quest to bring her back. It will not be much longer that Martinel will be exposed. We will win, Luna, we will. Just hang in there. -Syra.

I hold the letter to my chest, breathing out a sigh of relief. It's gonna be okay. It's gonna be okay.

Back to (Jefferson's pov) at the Guild.
There is a real doctor here now with knowledge of midwifery. I am so relieved. I have never seen a woman give birth before, so honestly, I am clueless as to what is going on. However, I am not stupid either, I can tell she is close. How did she go from being normal to suddenly heavy labor? I have never been so confused.

Erika is clinging to me, she is afraid. I am too, but I'm trying not to show it. Her hand claws into mine. She tenses up every other minute with incredible pain. The Doctor presses a hand on her stomach, "Okay breathe and just try and relax. You're gonna be fine okay?"

She nods, I know that isn't any consolation to her though. She isn't worried about herself, but her children.

She screams with agony, "Why... Is this happening so fast?"

"there are complications as this is triplets. They will be born quickly it seems. Don't worry, it will soon be over." the doctor says.

A couple of minutes later... I am actually freaking out. I didn't know how awful it is when someone gives birth. It sounds like she's dying. I want to be here for her, but honestly, I am almost in pain myself. The sight of her screaming and moaning... I've never seen Erika like this.

The Doctor glances at me briefly,  "Almost there, keep going Erika. You've got this."

Seconds later, his face brightens. Erika is quiet for a moment, gasping for breath. I hear a cry of a baby. My heart leaps in my chest. I squeeze her hand, "First one! You did it!"

The Doctor has caught the baby in a blanket. He hands the baby to me, seeing that Erika has still got two to go. In a daze, I accept the small bundle that is hastily slid into my arms. It cries a loud wailing cry. "Is it a boy or a girl?"  Erika asks breathlessly, her face is still tense but she's smiling.

"A boy." I say.

She grins, but her face is overtaken by pain again. She grabs my arm and screams.

Another cry joins the one that is wailing in my arms right now. My heart beats faster. "This one is a girl!" the doctor says. He hands the baby to a medic who is right next to him.

Five minutes later, the last baby is born, a boy. They hand him to Erika. I see the way her face lights up like the radiant sun. Her voice cracks, "Hello baby... It's your mommy here. You're gonna be safe."

I feel a tear run down my face, "They are beautiful aren't they?" 

She looks at me and beams, "Yes oh yes, so beautiful.

I look at the baby in my arms. He has stopped crying. Something is wrong though. "He's not breathing!" I yell.

The Doctor takes the baby from me quickly. I look to Erika frantically. Her face is white. Again, I grasp her hand.

We watch as the baby is hooked up to a portable life system that the doctor brought with him. After a moment, the baby is breathing again.

All of a sudden, more people come. They are paramedics. The doctor turns to us, "I know this isn't supposed to happen, but I'm afraid that the babies and the mother need to go to the hospital immediately."

I nod my head, "Of course."

The baby in Erika's in arms is swept away from her. She lies her head back, her chest rising and falling. They take all three babies away.

"Can you carry her?" the Doctor asks me, motioning to Erika.

She sits up, "I'm... Fine."

I remove my cape and wrap it around her, "Come, I'll help you."

I help her to her feet, "I can carry you, please let me."

She shakes her head, "I'm okay."

We try and walk, but she limps and is short of breath.

"Too bad." I say, and scoop her up in my arms.

She sighs and rest her head on my shoulder. I miss this so much, when she used to lean on me. I follow the doctor upstairs. Everyone stares at us and at me with questioning looks.

The Guild isn't very busy, but the Gyardicans who are here appear to be very confused.

Outside, I carry Erika into the transport vehicle. There isn't enough room for me to ride in it with her, so I have to leave and go on my horse.

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