Chapter Thirty-two

 

Bolting into the house, Doc was met by Bernard, who stood in his path. “Sir, stop. Your wives told me to take you to the study.”

 

“But—”

 

“A birth is no place for a man, Doc,” Lia said, stepping into the hall. “We have Posy, and the midwife is on the way. Let us handle this. If needed, we’ll call for you.”

 

“No!” Doc said firmly. “I want to be there when my daughter is born. I want to hold Fiala’s hand and soothe her.”

 

Lia’s soft smile was full of love. “Let him pass, Bernard. I thank you, but my husband can be quite forceful when needed.”

 

The butler stepped aside, glad to be removed from the confrontation. “As you wish, ma’am.”

 

Greta caught up to Doc, having paused behind him to hear the exchange. “I wonder if Otto will try the same now?”

 

“Take care of my father-in-law, Bernard. Thank you,” Doc said as he walked quickly to Lia’s side. “Where is she?”

 

“In the nursery we have set up,” Lia said, taking his hand. “I’ll lead you. It’ll be hours before she actually delivers.”

 

“You were going to use Posy to heal her during labor?” Doc asked as they headed down the hall.

 

“Yes. She can heal just fine, and with a midwife to assist, it should be simple. It’ll also be good for her later when the Oresmelter clan is having their boom of children.”

 

“I’ll help, as well, or at least watch while the healing is done,” Greta added. “Learning to do so now would be best for everyone.”

 

Making it up to the nursery, Fiala was stripped and barely covered by a sheet. The only people in the room were his family and friends, but it did make things a little crowded. Daf was sitting next to Fiala, holding her hand, and Posy was on the other side, resting a glowing green hand on Fiala’s elbow.

 

“Uh… what is that?” Doc asked in confusion.

 

“The birthing chair?” Sophia asked. “It’s used for women giving birth.”

 

Doc stared at the horseshoe-shaped chair with a reclined back that Fiala was sitting on. The seat being open made sense, especially if she was going to deliver the child sitting up like she was. “Never seen one… I’m used to women mostly laying down with their legs up in stirrups.”

 

“In stirrups?” Lia asked with confusion.

 

“It’s a long topic, and not important,” Doc said.

 

“Doc, why are you here?” Ayla asked in surprise.

 

“It might not be what men do here— hell, it wasn’t always common where I’m from— but I want to be here for this,” Doc said. “Daf, do you mind?”

 

“Just hold her hand and be ready for her to squeeze as the contractions come. It’ll be hours, maybe even a full day, before the child arrives,” Daf said, moving so he could take the stool she’d been using.

 

Fiala was sweating, but she gave Doc a trembling smile. “It’ll be okay, Doc.”

 

“I know. This is a special moment, and I want to be here to share it with you and our family.”

 

“Some men find it hard to be intimate with their wives if they are here during,” Lia said. “I’ve seen it with the tribe.”

 

“That won’t be a problem for me,” Doc murmured. He pulled out his handkerchief to dab at Fiala’s forehead. “I’ll always love my wives. I know that it’s best for there to be some time before we can have sex again. Even with magical healing, it would be safest.”

 

Fiala nodded as her brow contracted and she squeezed his hand. “Sad… You’ll have to come back and visit again… when Sonya is ready to give birth…” Her words were strained, as a contraction had just finished.

 

“I’ll do my damnedest to make sure I can,” Doc murmured.

 

“I have the hot water and clean cloths,” Olka said, coming into the room. “There’s more water heating to boil right now.”

 

Doc was surprised at that. With his talk to Daf about cleanliness in the kitchen, he wasn’t expecting anything like that now. He was glad for it, but it felt a bit jarring.

 

“If we don’t use hot water and clean cloths, the child and mother have a greater chance of growing sick afterward,” Greta said softly. “I lost a dear friend a month after she gave birth because of that. Even with precautions, it isn’t a guarantee, but it helps.”

 

“And we can help more,” Posy said with a smile. “Can’t we, Doc?”

 

“We sure can, Posy,” Doc nodded. “Having a healer on hand who can help repair damage and stop infections will prevent most of the problems.” He lapsed into silence and checked on the baby. It wasn’t tangled in the umbilical cord or any other horror story that he could think of. “We’ll keep monitoring all the way through. Headfirst is best and causes fewer complications, but even a breach— where the child comes out less optimally— we can help with.”

 

The women in the room smiled at him. Doc was taking this seriously, and his old life gave him the knowledge to help make this easier.

 

Sonya went to stand behind Doc, rubbing his shoulders. “I understand if things prevent you from coming back for me, but I’m happy to hear you’ll try. All of us are grateful that you want to be part of these moments with us.”

 

The others agreed, even Fiala, though another contraction hit her.

 

Doc silently vowed to be back for Sonya’s baby, plus any other children his wives had. Life was going to be chaotic and messy with the church hunting him, but he would do his best.

 

~*~*~

 

A couple of hours passed with the group chatting with each other and Fiala before the midwife showed up. The older deer bestial woman gave them a smile when she entered the room, led in by Bernard.

 

“It’s finally time? Oh, sir? Uh… are you going to attend?”

 

“Yes, ma’am,” Doc said. “I’ll be healing my wife and our child through this. Posy and Greta will be assisting with that.” He motioned with his head to Posy and Greta, who sat on Fiala’s other side, their hands resting on her arm.

 

“We’re learning how to best assist during a birth,” Greta said.

 

“And I have to make sure my little sister is safe,” Posy added.

 

“Oh, I didn’t think Holyday—” the midwife stammered. Her eyes went to Daf, her deer ears twitching atop her head.

 

“No!” Daf laughed. “Posy just thinks of him as her father. He isn’t her actual father.”

 

“Sorry,” Posy murmured. “He’s still my Poppa.”

 

Lia shifted over to touch Posy’s hair. “We all know, and think of you as our daughter, Posy.”

 

She beamed while keeping her head lowered. “Thank you, Lia.”

 

Fiala let out a grunt as another contraction hit her.

 

“They’ve been getting stronger and closer together,” Doc said.

 

“That’s good. I’m Polly, sir and ma’ams. I’ve been a midwife for twenty years. With a faith healer beside us, this will be the easiest birth I’ve been to.” She took a stool and set it right in front of Fiala. Pausing, she looked at the room. “You all will see parts of her you normally shouldn’t if you stay.”

 

“Most of us have seen her fully nude many times,” Ayla said. “Posy, Daf, and Greta are the only ones in here who haven’t. Ladies?”

 

All three said they’d be fine.

 

“It’s okay,” Fiala panted. “Goodness, this is a lot harder than I thought it’d be…”

 

Doc blotted her head with a clean cloth. “Women are, by far, stronger than men. No man could endure this half as well as any of you do.”

 

“Most men would take objection to that, Doc,” Lia smirked. “You’re right, but that doesn’t usually matter.”

 

“Doc,” Fiala said, turning her head to look directly at him, “her name will be Suzanna, after my mother.”

 

“That sounds lovely, dear,” Doc murmured, kissing her forehead. “Honoring your mother is a good thing to do.”

 

~*~*~

 

It was still hours later before the real push came. Even then, it was on the short side for how long it took, and much shorter for a first-time mother. Doc led Posy and Greta in how to monitor Fiala and the baby. Most of them snuck off to get food while they waited; Doc was the only one who refused to leave at all.

 

When Suzanna finally came into the world, it was in the evening. Polly was efficient in helping pull her free. The child was quickly cleaned once she began to cry, showing them a healthy set of lungs. With years of practice, Polly had the umbilical cord cut, then passed the baby to Fiala, who cuddled her to her bare breasts.

 

“Hello, Suzanna… welcome to the family,” Fiala cooed.

 

“I need you to gently push again,” Polly told the new mother. “We have to get the placenta out or you’ll get sick.”

 

“Yes,” Fiala murmured. She was exhausted, but she pushed to do what she’d been told.

 

Doc smiled down at his wife and new baby girl with a bright smile. Little cat ears dotted the top of Suzanna’s head, clearly marking her as Fiala’s child. Leaning in, he kissed Fiala’s head and then, as gently as he could, Suzanna’s. “Welcome home, baby girl…”

 

The others all started to file over one by one to welcome the new life into the world. Doc was finally able to be convinced to go clean up and eat something while the others stayed with Fiala.

 

Charles had a meal waiting for him, congratulating him on being a father. As Doc ate, Otto came into the room, taking a seat.

 

“How’s it feel?” Otto asked.

 

“Unreal… I’m terrified for her,” Doc admitted, looking up from his food.

 

“Every father feels that way,” Otto said softly. “Yours will know love and comfort while having people around to safeguard her from enemies. What you do is for everyone, but now, even more so, for her.”

 

Setting down his fork, Doc took a moment to gather his thoughts. “If… if they ever hurt her…”

 

“Then war will come,” Otto said. “I know. Do you remember my anger at you?”

 

“Yeah… Sonya had set her sights, and you were angry and upset.”

 

“If you’d hurt her, I would’ve come for you, regardless of who you are. That’s what a father should do if they love their children. Now step back from it… trust in your friends, allies, and family to keep her safe while you’re not here. You know they’ll do everything in their power for her.”

 

Covering his face, Doc took a few deep breaths. “I know, just as I know that I should leave now… and I will. Just not for a bit yet. A week, maybe two… then it’ll get too dangerous to stay.”

 

“We’ll be staying in the city. We’ll go with you to Deep Gulch, as will Posy and Daf. Until then, we’ll visit every day to celebrate another bright light brought into the world.”

 

Wiping his face, Doc picked his fork back up. “What advice can you give me?”

 

“Be patient, be loving, and be ready to defend her when she’s reached her majority and pines for a nameless stranger.”

 

Doc laughed and went back to eating, his heart a little lighter.