Engraved in Flesh

Without You

All she had to help her remember how he looked like was a photo she took with him. That was the only physical and visual thing she had left of Mook. It had felt like an eternity since she last saw him. She yearned for him to be by her side, especially at a time like this. Above all else, she prayed that he was alive and well wherever he was.

On a good note, Xena had finally introduced Aru to her soulmate a few months earlier. His name was Zhang, and he was just as strange as Xena. At the first encounter, he seemed like a perfectly normal and sane person. Oh how they were all wrong. He was the only one that could fluently join in on the jokes and games Xena would create, something that took Aru a while to do. He and Xena seemed to be two parts of a puzzle that fit perfectly into each other. Aru couldn't help but feel pure joy for them.

"Baby, are you okay? You're looking pale."

Aru snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of the concern in her mother's voice. She gave her mother a smile to reassure her before getting up. Well, attempting to get up. She was close to the due date, and she was getting tired of having to struggle with her belly. She tried to keep a positive mindset though. Mook would want her to be positive.

"I'm fine, mom. I was jus thinking how great it is that the baby is due in Spring. It's such a lovely season, isn't it?"

She heard her mother stifle a laugh before softly chuckling.

"Yes, it's a wonderful season, my love."

Aru put a hand on her stomach on instinct as she headed towards the back porch. She let out a relieved sigh as she sat down. She smiled as she enjoyed the fresh air and blue skies. It was still morning, but noon was coming soon. This meant that Xena, Susu, Rose, and the boys were coming over soon to help with preparing lunch. Aru felt herself tearing up and laughed, causing a tear to roll down her cheek. How could she not have the urge to cry? She was surrounded by so many loving people who were willing to do so much to help her. Even Zhang was willing to help, and he didn't know her that well. Mook would have loved it.

Her heart still aches. When Mook had left, she felt as if her heart had been snatched away. She felt lost and scared for every day. She didn't want to be around without him. She didn't know what to do with herself. Now, she stays strong for the baby and it's future.

Speaking of the baby, Aru was stressing out big time. She had a temporary bed and simple things for the baby, but what was she going to name the precious child? She didn't realize how stressful naming a child could really be until she was farther along in the pregnancy. How did her parents figure her name? What about her brother's name? How were they confident that these were the names they wanted their children to go by?!

"Aru! Everyone is here to help with lunch!"

"Alright! Coming mother!"

Aru sat for a few more minutes to take in the flowers and fresh air. She then struggled to her feet and stretched up. Then, she froze.

She became stiff and scared. Hesitating, she finally brought herself to look down.

The floor was suddenly wet.

She began to tremble as a million emotions and thoughts began to flood her body and mind. She couldn't bring herself to move. She felt as if she didn't even remember how to move or breath. She had been trying to prepare herself for this moment for months, but now she didn't know what to do. She's played the scenario hundreds of times a day, but all that preparation immediately left her mind. Then, reality hit her.

Contractions were a level of discomfort that she had never felt before. She held her stomach and yelped out a groan. She heard the back door open, followed by the voice of Levi.

"Aru, are you okay?"

She mumbled words to him, but he couldn't understand what she was saying. Finally he got close enough to hear her.

"Water broke..."

She heard him gasp out in shock before freaking out as well. Maybe Levi wasn't her best option in figuring out what to do now. As he began to rant about what to do, Aru decided she had enough. Grabbing him by the arm, she yanked him down to her level with strength she never thought she had. In a low and pained voice, she told him her single demand.

"Levi, hospital. Now."

"Right!"

Aru felt Levi pick her up and race into the house. Before she could chastise him about being gentle, the contraction pains started up again. Everyone broke into a frenzied mess when Levi yelled out the next set of words.

"Aru's giving birth!"

She then demanded to be put into the hands of professionals who wouldn't kill her by mistake. Just like that, everyone in the house left quickly for the nearby hospital. When they arrived, she was quickly rushed from the arms of friends and family into the arms of staff.

Now was not the time to panic. Aru, however, couldn't help but do so. As they set her on the bed and rushed to get ready, she began to doubt what kind of mother she would be. Could she really provide the support and protection that this child needed? Could she provide the perfect future for it? Here anxious thoughts were stopped when an unimaginable pain shot up from below. She wasn't able to focus on anyone or anything anymore. She only turned her head to look at her mother when she grabbed her hand. Her mother mumbled encouraging and soothing words. As the pain became more intense, Aru tightened her grip and shut her eyes. Only a single thought flooded her mind:

The baby was coming.