Page 76 of Whoops-A-Mate From Outer Space
“What if there is a complication?” Eashai asked softly.
“Then we deal with it,” the doctor stated. “But I do not believe there will be one. You and your baby are both healthy. He is not in a difficult location or position for surgical birth.”
Eashai trembled under my touch. “I do not wish to be awake.”
“Ok,” I murmured. “I understand. And I’ll be right by your side.”
“Are you ready for me to call down to have them prep for you, or do you need a bit more time?” Escaluu asked.
“N-now,” Eashai replied.
“Understood. Somebody will escort both of you to the preparation area. Please follow their instructions. We should be ready for the procedure once you have changed.”
With that, the doctor strode out of the room.
Eashai turned, a position that had to be uncomfortable given his pregnant belly and the arms on the chair, and leaned against me. He shook like a leaf hanging on during a hurricane.
I shifted and wrapped my arms around him. I kissed his hair and forehead. “I’m here,” I whispered. “Everything will be ok, and soon you’ll get to meet our baby.”
He clung to me. “I am scared.”
“I know,” I murmured, then I kissed his temple. “You be scared, and I’ll be strong for both of us. We’re a team, like always.”
Another knock at the door signalled the arrival of a nurse, and a younger light orange Lalyllte who went by the rather human-sounding name of Milo strode in with a wheelchair.
Eashai had insisted on walking in, but I was glad to see the chair. I wasn’t sure if he’d be able to keep himself upright as hard as he was shaking.
“The delivery room is almost set up,” Milo stated. “Let’s get you changed.”
I blinked, then shook my head. I still wasn’t used to hearing a Lalyllte use contractions, but Milo seemed to have no problem with them—a fact I tended to forget.
I stood and helped Eashai from the regular chair to the wheelchair, then followed as Milo pushed the chair through the door. As soon as we were in the wider hallway, I fell in step beside my scared mate and took his hand.
Eashai’s grip was tight—almost painful—but I merely squeezed his fingers in return. He could be as scared as he needed. I’d support him as he braved it.
“Ok,” Milo chirped as we entered another room. “Eashai, we’re going to get you dressed and cleaned first, then Gene will need to wash his hands and wear a mask to go in.”
“I don’t need something covering my clothes?” I asked.
Milo shrugged. “We can get those things if you want, but they’re not necessary.”
“Ooook,” I replied, somewhat unsure.
He laughed. “Even hand-washing is merely an added level of safety. You’ll see a tiny band of glowing blue around the door when we go in. By now, they will have sterilized the room, and that blue will knock out anything dangerous on us. Masks areimportant so we don’t have to increase the field strength to deal with anything coming through in our breathing.”
“Oh, ok.”
He turned to Eashai, and his tone immediately shifted. “Plenty of people are scared to do this. And that’s ok. If you need something to be more comfortable or want something explained, just ask. I understand it’s hard, but I don’t know what you don’t tell me.”
Eashai swallowed and responded with a tiny nod.
“I don’t know if it’ll make you feel any better,” Milo continued, “but I’ve assisted in plenty of these, and Escaluu is the best. It’ll be over and you’ll be holding your baby before you know it.”
“I wish I could deliver naturally,” Eashai whispered. “Did I do something wrong?”
Milo squeezed his shoulder. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Some babies are just stubborn. I suggest a gentle but firm scolding once he’s had an opportunity to adjust to life outside you.”
Somehow, that little joke was enough to crack my mate’s shell of fear. A bit of color came back into his face, and the tiniest smile appeared on his lips.
