RCW:: Post Gather Labour

Posted on Sat Apr 26th, 2025 @ 8:33pm by Jr Journeyman Terliyn & Apprentice Talomin
Edited on on Sat Apr 26th, 2025 @ 8:50pm

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M2 D29

Talomin sat Lea on her feet once they were back at the Weyr. The little girl took off for their room while Talomin took his time so he did not drop any of the things they had brought back.

“Mommy!” Lea called.

Terliyn had been dozing on her bed after false labour pains and jumped awake at the small voice calling. “In our bed bedroom baby.” She called knowing there would be no way she would be able to get up to greet them so they could come snuggle with her.

Lea smiled and ran towards the bedroom. Talomin took a moment to take his boots off before following his rambunctious daughter. “Hey love, how are you feeling?” He whispered.

Terilyn smiled as the little girl climbed up onto the bed and snuggled against her as quick as possible. It was hard to believe that Lea was 3 turns old or that she was still small enough to curl herself in against her the way she was doing. “Sore.” She admitted gently. “But what have you 2 been up to, hmm? You smell of smoke and bubblies.” She grinned wrapping her around Terrilyn the little girl as she slowly sat up.

Talomin hated seeing Terliyn like this but he knew it would not be much longer. “Oh, just exploring,” he answered. “Lea picked you out some bubblies,” he said, holding up the pies. “Got to talk to ones I haven't seen in a while and Lea got to learn new games.”

“Well bubblies will certainly get me off this bed with a little help.” She hinted awkwardly and then grinned. She felt huge which she really was not she was just round being nine months pregnant. “You will have to show me the games soon when I can play properly after this little one comes along Lea.”

Talomin set the bubblies down before he moved to help his wife up. “Help we can provide,” he assured, going gently.

“Yay!” Lea grinned. she had loved the games.

Terilyn squeezed his hands as he supported her up. Lea pushed too to help which made the healer blush a little. “Ehh getting me off the bed turned into a family project.” She giggled finally. “This baby is going to be big I can tell already. You were so tiny Lea.” Terilyn knew the girl was so tiny thanks to all the trauma her mother had been through but still it was a big change.

Talomin laughed as they got Terliyn to her feet. “Everything as a family,” he teased her. He nodded. Lea was certainly tiny but thankfully very healthy. Lea just smiled brightly at her mother. “Hopefully that little one comes soon then.”

“Otherwise, I am not getting them out.” She laughed a little but as a healer she knew what could happen. But she was more worried about her mental health after the baby was born as she had struggled so much after Lea was born.

Talomin shuttered at the thought. “Ooh don't put that worry in my head please,” he commented, helping her over to the table. he did not want to think about anything bad happening to Terliyn ever again.

Terilyn looked embarrassed for a moment before she shook her head. “Sorry.” She laughed. “Mummy was being silly teasing Daddy and she shouldn’t do that.” She squeezed his arm as she sat heavily in the chair and winced as the sensation across her stomach.

“Mommy no tease Daddy,” Lea laughed. Of course, the little girl did not understand why not.

Talomin caught her wince. “You, okay?”

“Twinge.” She said rubbing the spot catching his eyes and offered a pointed look. “You do not get out of not giving me a bubbly because of a twinge.” She said to soften the realisation that it was slowly starting finally.

He frowned slightly, not liking it. “Should I be concerned yet?” He asked gently, setting a bubbly in front of her. “I am not about to keep food from a pregnant woman. Not if I value my life,” he grinned.

“Not yet.” She assured as Lea tried to climb up onto her lap Terilyn looked a little confused about where she was going to curl so she moved against her bump. “Good man.” She laughed a little trying to be okay for Lea as the little girl looked so happy snuggled against her.

Talomin nodded. He would trust her word on that. A smile touched his lips as he watched their daughter. She seemed very happy and content.

Terilyn smiled and started on the small bubbly pie enjoying the crust more than anything else. It was perfectly sweet and exactly what she needed. “You guys choose the best pies.” She declared smiling.

“Lea picked it out all by herself. She said she knew just what mommy needed,” Talomin smiled. The little girl has been adamant about picking the bubblies herself.

“That’s our girl,” the healer said, biting her lip a little as a wave of pain went through her making her freeze mid bite. Lea glanced at her mother as she felt her bump harden against her.

“Mummy?” She wondered looking at Terilyn.

“Baby is coming.” She admitted. “Not soon but by tomorrow,”

“By tomorrow?” Talomin repeated. “What do I need to do?” He asked. He wanted to make sure they were all prepared for it this time. And this time he was going to be there with her.

“Don't panic and make sure that there is a healer around.” She knew she could talk someone through it but she would like someone with a little bit of experience just in case she was so large. “My bag is packed and already at the infirmary.” The only thing that needed to be done was get Terilyn there in one piece and find someone to have Lea.

“Everyone is at the gather.” Lea said giggling as her mother’s stomach went hard against her cheek.

Talomin nodded. “I'll try my best.” The healer part he could handle. The not panicking he was not so sure about. “They are,” he agreed with Lea. “They'll all be back later.”

Terilyn hoped they were all back but you never know Thalia and Nikolai were not expected back on duty until tomorrow. “It will be fine. I have plenty of time but you, my love might have to go to the crèche at some point.” She admitted stroking her hair from her face.

Talomin hated this. He wanted to do more and he worried that Terliyn was not telling him something. “Are you sure you’re, okay?” ?”

Lea did not look phased by having to go to the crèche. She would have preferred to have gone with Kiyna and Auntie Lenya but it was not so bad especially if it was just to sleep. “Mmmhmm.” The woman assured smiling at him. She would tell him if things progressed quicker than expected.

Talomin nodded. He would not push but that did not mean he was not worried. “Okay. How is the bubbly? Need a drink?” He offered, needing to do something.

“Bubbly is the best bubbly I have ever had. You 2 did so well picking the best.” She assured swallowing the bite she had taken. “I would love some water or juice baby.” She would have gotten it herself but Lea was comfortable and it would be a lot of work to move them both.

“Lea is a very good helper.” He kissed Terliyn's head as he stepped around her to get her the juice. He soon returned and set the mug on the table by the bubbly.

The healer smiled at his kiss. They were in such a better place this time but she still worried as she felt the wave ebbing away and her body relaxing again. She had no way to count to keep track but it was not overly painful just uncomfortable and she remembered this stage from last time as lasting awhile. “Thank you.”

“Going to help with the baby.” Lea assured making Terliyn smile and brush a kiss to her head.

“I'm sure you’ll be a big help, Lea,” Talomin smiled. He was glad so far things were going a whole lot better than they had for Lea's birth .

“I will. Daddy will need help looking after mummy and baby.” She said grinning at her dad as Terliyn watched smiling as the connection between them.

“How did I get so lucky to have two amazing people looking after me?” She wondered settling back in the chair to finish eating the bubbly.

“That I will, baby girl.” He had no doubt Lea would keep him straight. “Well, guess we just love you,” he grinned at Terilyn. her.

“Back at you both.” She said watching as Lea grew a little quieter and snuggled in. “She will be asleep in a little bit. You have knackered her out.”

Talomin chuckled a bit. “She was bouncing all over the place. I have no doubt she will sleep well.” It had been fun to watch their daughter interact with everyone.

“I am glad you had time together and she was so happy.” The healer was not even sad to miss it. She knew they needed time together without her and she had enjoyed the Weyr being so quiet and having lunch with some Weyrlings. It had given her a chance to catch up on admin, and baby sure all the stuff was prepared for the baby too.

“It was nice. We missed you but Lea had fun pointing out what bubblies to get you.” He was sure she had appreciated the quiet for a bit, too.

Terliyn had no doubt the girl had fun. “She is such a kind girl. Full to the brim with goodness.” She whispered looking down at the little girl squished against her stomach with bubbly pie on her cheek and possibly in her hair but that was a problem for another day. She stroked her face looking at her wonderingly.

“I couldn't agree more.” Despite everything in the past Lea had turned out good. Better than good really. Talomin could not have loved the little girl any more than he did.

“Thank you for being the goodness in her life.” She whispered not looking up from the little girl's face, still searching for the same thing she always did. “Goodness and bubbly pie supplier.” She added smiling.

“I think that was both of us, love,” Talomin said gently. He would not trade the little girl for anything. She was his daughter, no matter what anyone said. “Think I can handle that.”

She looked up at him finally. “But what if… what if this baby confirms it?” She whispered as she felt another wave started to build in her stomach making her uncomfortable again.

Talomin frowned a bit. “Terli,” he said softly, kneeling by her side. “Lea is my daughter,” he assured his wife. “No matter what. I do not care about anything.” That was never going to change in his opinion. He loved Lea.

“I know she is but…” Her words stopped as she took in his expression. It made her fall silent and nibble on her lips trying to think of the words to explain. She stayed silent as she gripped the table with her free hand till the uncomfortable sensation left. “It has been bothering me. I keep thinking it is why I have not gone into labour till now.”

Talomin tried to follow her reasoning. “You’re scared because it might prove that Lea isn't my daughter?” He asked gently. “Love, that does not matter to me. I will not treat either of them differently and Anious is gone. He cannot hurt us anymore.”

“How do we know that? No one knows if he is dead or alive.” She wondered before she bowed her head a little looking at the girl snoring softly. “I am scared.” She admitted.

He blew out a soft breath as he moved to hug her shoulders. “Even if he's not, he'd be foolish to try anything now,” he answered softly. “And I know you're scared, but no matter what I'm here and I am never leaving.”

Terliyn glanced at him, confused as he moved to hug her from behind, wrapping his arms around her shoulders, before she relaxed. She nodded and leaned her head back against him, breathing deeply as it started to get a little more uncomfortable. “You are mine and I am yours.” She whispered.

“Always,” he whispered. “And little Lea will always be loved. As will the little one that needs to stop making mommy feel so miserable.” He hoped that Terliyn felt better. He did not want her worrying about anything.

“They want to come out.” She whispered. “Finally.” She added, relieved that Nikolai and Thalia were not going to force the subject but she was scared as neither was at the Weyr right now. He knew it could be candlemarks yet, but the unknown when she knew labour this time was making her anxious.

“Hey,” he soothed, sensing her tension. “Do you need me to do anything? I am sure I can find a firelizard to send a message if you think it is needed.” He wanted her calm and ready for whatever happened.

“Not yet. But I am concerned.” She admitted, slowly twisting a little to look at him. “I do not actually know if anyone will be back in time. I am the only Weyrhealer right now, other than 2 apprentices.” She said, revealing her other worries.

Talomin did not like the sound of that at all. “Then I am sending them a note. At least that way they will be prepared.” He was not taking any chances.

Terliyn awkwardly tried to move to sit up from the huh but it was impossible with Lea on her front and Talomin holding her from behind. “But…” she felt her insides twist and finally nodded. “But tell them the pains are far apart.” She requested. “And can you get Lea into bed before you go find a firelizard?”

Talomin nodded. “I can do that.” He moved around and carefully lifted Lea into his arms, still surprised by how tiny she was. He carried her into her room and made sure she was safely tucked in before returning to Terliyn. “You know one of us should really see about getting a firelizard egg,” he commented.

“Been saying that for turns.” She smiled at him. They had said this several times over the turns together but had never had the opportunity, it would have made things so much easier but it was finding a nest at the right time. “Maybe soon.” She laughed a little as she slowly stood up front he dining table wanting to pace a little bit.

Talomin was going to make sure they got one this time. There had been too many times they had needed one. “You going to be okay for a few minutes?’ He asked worriedly.

“Yeah. I am just going to pace a little and see how I feel.” She assured him leaning up to touch his cheek. “Stop worrying Tal. If it comes to it there will be women of the lower cavern to help.” Not everyone would have gone to the gather.

“Not till you and the baby are safe,” he told her. He would always worry. He did smile though before slipping out to find a firelizard that could deliver the message.