And then it was not like Kellan's birth at all. Ewan saw the look on the midwife's face change as she felt along the side of Storm's swollen belly. As customary as he was to being around blood, he knew without any doubt or questioning that it was too much.
Still he was helpless as he had been the duration of the labor. It was not his world's custom to have the husband present during a birth. Backward some may have thought, but how many souls want to stand there and see someone they love in agony with no remedy to hand? Still, Storm had wanted him there, as she had wanted him there before, and he was.
Until that moment. "I need to call in aid, and it would be best if you left the room now."
Room for them to move and act without constantly going around him or dealing with his anxious looks as Storm went ashen. There was nothing to be said. The people caring for his wife and child knew their role and the importance of the two people to him. No threats or promises need to be spoken. Ewan simply nodded and gave Storm's limp hand one more squeeze before stepping swiftly out of the room as he sensed more than saw the arrival of other Elementals.
The wait outside was a maze of tolerable and intolerable. Whichever way his mind turned in thoughts his emotions followed in a torrent. Of course it would take, he considered, but he would hear things were well soon. At the next moment, he was convinced it was taking too long. The boards of their hallway were holding up rather well for his constant striding.
Then the door opened and the midwife exited holding a still bundle wrapped snug in its blanket.
"The baby did not cry." It was all Ewan could think to say as the woman crossed those few steps to him.
"Nay, she did not," she seemed as puzzled by that as Ewan, and yet the frown turned to a smile, "but she's a well and contented little thing with the sweetest dimples ever seen."
A girl. Their little girl. Ewan collected the little snoozing bundle close to his chest, his arms as safe and sure for the treasure as a tree.
"I need to return." The midwife was smiling even if abrupt in her turn. Her step through the doors showed a hurried scene and soft words as the others worked on Storm.
Ewan would not let him get trapped in the maze of doubt and uncertainty again though it swept and swirled in the back of his mind. He looked down at the wrinkled forehead and blue-lidded, closed eyes of his daughter and smiled. "Mama will hold you soon, little love." A promise to himself and to her. "Welcome home."
Still he was helpless as he had been the duration of the labor. It was not his world's custom to have the husband present during a birth. Backward some may have thought, but how many souls want to stand there and see someone they love in agony with no remedy to hand? Still, Storm had wanted him there, as she had wanted him there before, and he was.
Until that moment. "I need to call in aid, and it would be best if you left the room now."
Room for them to move and act without constantly going around him or dealing with his anxious looks as Storm went ashen. There was nothing to be said. The people caring for his wife and child knew their role and the importance of the two people to him. No threats or promises need to be spoken. Ewan simply nodded and gave Storm's limp hand one more squeeze before stepping swiftly out of the room as he sensed more than saw the arrival of other Elementals.
The wait outside was a maze of tolerable and intolerable. Whichever way his mind turned in thoughts his emotions followed in a torrent. Of course it would take, he considered, but he would hear things were well soon. At the next moment, he was convinced it was taking too long. The boards of their hallway were holding up rather well for his constant striding.
Then the door opened and the midwife exited holding a still bundle wrapped snug in its blanket.
"The baby did not cry." It was all Ewan could think to say as the woman crossed those few steps to him.
"Nay, she did not," she seemed as puzzled by that as Ewan, and yet the frown turned to a smile, "but she's a well and contented little thing with the sweetest dimples ever seen."
A girl. Their little girl. Ewan collected the little snoozing bundle close to his chest, his arms as safe and sure for the treasure as a tree.
"I need to return." The midwife was smiling even if abrupt in her turn. Her step through the doors showed a hurried scene and soft words as the others worked on Storm.
Ewan would not let him get trapped in the maze of doubt and uncertainty again though it swept and swirled in the back of his mind. He looked down at the wrinkled forehead and blue-lidded, closed eyes of his daughter and smiled. "Mama will hold you soon, little love." A promise to himself and to her. "Welcome home."