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Because of the visions Anna had had when she had brought Wulfric back to life, she had not given the birth of their first child many thoughts. She knew that it would hurt, but since she had seen the child with them in the future and knew that they would grow old together, she did not fear for her child’s life or her own as many women giving birth normally would.
But when the birth had lasted for more than two days and the midwife still said that there was a long way to go, Anna began to fear that she could not bear it. She was balanced on all fours in the bed, resting her head on the mattress, holding on to the edge of it and squeezing it tightly every time there was a contraction.
“I can’t do this,” she whispered into the mattress.
“What?” Maria said and held her head closer to her, almost resting it on the mattress next to Anna’s.
“I can’t do this,” Anna whispered.
At that time a new contraction started, and Maria and the midwife jammed their thumbs into the small of Anna’s back trying to relieve the pain.
It had taken them six years to conceive. Only because Anna felt certain that they would have three children had she been able to keep hoping. Especially after she had miscarried first once two years ago, then again six months later.
“Sure, you can,” Maria said as if they had not just been interrupted. “What did you imagine? You married one of the biggest men at court, of course his child is going to be enormous.”
Anna smiled briefly.
“Will you get him, please?” she pleaded.
She could tell that Maria was looking at the midwife, as if silently asking for approval.
“Maria, get him now,” Anna said.
Maria left and Wulfric entered only a moment later. His face seemed to be almost grey with concern.
“What’s going on? Why is it taking so long?” he said, and Anna could hear the worry in his voice.
“It’s your fault,” Anna said out of breath as she could feel another contraction coming. “Since you’re so tall of course your child is gigantic.... Press your thumbs into my back!” she interrupted herself.
She had closed her eyes and did not know whether Wulfric instinctively knew what she meant, or he was shown by the midwife but a few seconds later she felt his thumbs into the small of her back.
“Harder,” she moaned. “As hard as you can.”
She could feel that Wulfric used all his strength, and it gave her a much greater sense of relief than when Maria and the midwife had done it. Wulfric stayed with her during the last hours of the birth. The midwife tried to get him to leave when Anna was ready to push the baby out.
“I’ve been to battle,” Wulfric said sternly. “I can assure you, that I’ve seen more blood than this.”
He held onto her firmly as she sat in the birthing chair. Anna felt like the baby was as much pulled out by Maria and the midwife as pushed by her. Finally, after she had been helped back to the bed, the midwife appeared with a screaming child that was covered in blood and birthing custard.
“It’s a boy,” she exclaimed. “The biggest I’ve ever delivered, I have to say.”
Anna watched Wulfric’s face and saw the same look of pride and love as in her vision when he looked at her. He leaned forward and kissed her. The midwife placed the child, that had been briefly wrapped in a piece of linen in Anna’s arms.
Anna looked at the child. Even though everyone said that he was large, he looked tiny to her. Wulfric sat next to her on the bed, gently stroking the child’s cheek with his index finger.
“I can’t believe that you have to go through this twice more,” he whispered.
Anna looked at him with surprise in her face; she had never told him of the visions.
Wulfric smiled shyly and looked at the child instead of her.
“After I’d been stabbed, I dreamt of our future. We’re going to have another son and a daughter,” he said in a tone of voice that told Anna that he was afraid that she was going to make fun of him. The exact same way she would have said it if she had ever dared to tell him.
“I know,” Anna said gently. Wulfric looked her in the eyes with a look of both relief and surprise. “I saw the same thing.”
She leaned forward a bit and kissed him.
“I can’t wait to meet them, although I’m glad that it’ll be another couple of years before the next one arrives,” she said as she looked at their son who was already asleep in her arms.
Wulfric laughed.