Our History

βιrτh.

(Νονα)

The first thing I heard after many long hours of anxiety, fear and tension was the delayed screams of my newborns. I looked up, my blinding white eyes now being accompanied with dark bags resting underneath them. I squeezed my wife's hand tightly, smiling slowly as tears began to escape, my heart swelling with relief and pride. I slowly pulled baby number one out, who had been born a few minutes earlier than the other. They felt very large and chunky, and was covered in fresh blood as I cleaned them off gently, the baby screeching and thrashing around violently, making use of their lungs. 

I then wrapped them up in a blanket made of soft silk, gently laying them down before tending to baby number two. They  seemed much smaller than baby number one, and was quite  light and thin as well. I smiled softly, noticing that their  cries were much softer than their sibling's cries. I felt two long, droopy ears flap over their big eyes, which I assumed were still closed. I chuckled softly, cleaning them off and swaddling them before putting them down gently beside their brother/sister. I would decide to check their genders later, and name them as well.

And finally, I leaned over and began to tend to my wife, who I noticed was still and quiet. I frowned in confusion. Perhaps she had passed out? The birth of the two godlings was quite stressful and long, so I could understand if she had fallen asleep. But I noticed that she was ice cold, and when I placed my hand on her chest, I could not feel her heartbeat. Her chest did not rise up and down. I could not hear her breathing. My eyes slowly widened from shock as I realized what had happened, and I stared in horror. 

This.. This cannot be happening..  

She isn't dead.

She isn't d e a d.

I began to hyperventilate, millions of thoughts spiraling through my brain at once as I heard my babies whimpering softly from my noises of distress. My hands began to shake. I felt more tears start to break out. No... No, no, no.. The newborns then suddenly cried out again, confused and scared as loud sobs slithered out of my throat. I did not understand what was happening. Every sound around me became fuzzy. I could feel my face become hot as my fingers went numb. I then slowly turned around, picking up my babies as I held them close to my chest, both of them clinging immediately with their tiny hands. I slowly tilted my head back, closing my eyes as I tried to calm myself, still overwhelmed with many, many emotions. 

Baby number one would eventually calm down, however, Baby number two would still cry. I found out a few moments later that both of them were male. Baby number two patted my chest with his little hands, whining loudly and shaking his tiny, fragile head. I tilted my head slowly, my expression completely numb. He then slowed to a stop, sitting there for a few moments with his hands still fixed on my chest. Then his frail arms fell down to his side, indicating that he had probably fallen asleep.

Or.. Died?

No.

No, my children were alive and well. Although the fear of them dying crept back into my head, the emotions replaying once more in my mind when I realized that my love had perished. She had died providing me with our children. And now I was alone, my new duty being to raise these precious gifts. I would not let my wife's death be without meaning. No matter how depressed I would become, I promised that I would watch over my children, sharing the love that I felt for their mother with them. Yes.. 

I then looked down at my sons, realizing that I had not given them their names yet. I remember discussing this situation with my wife just a few months ago.. she had many different names in mind, however, I had none. I wasn't very good at coming up with names.. but she had plenty. I remember two of the names that she had favored, two that seemed unique and whimsical. I then looked at my children, cracking a small, raw smile as I remembered the excited smile on her face when she decided what we would name our children.

Baby number one.. Baby number two..