TUS NUA - ch 56

TUS NUA – ch 56

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

Alistar thought of turning off the scrying mirror and yet, he was mesmerized at the strength and bravado of the young woman they welcomed into their family.

“It’s a wonder she doesn’t just give up and cry herself into a coma.” Then he heard Morena speak. “Jules, you’re doing fine. Five centimeters. Have another sip of water.” Mia lifted the cup of ice water to Jules’ lips.

Mickey, Jules’ husband, looked pleadingly at his great aunt. “Aintin, can you offer some more relief?”

Morena agreed. “Yes, Finola. A bit more won’t hurt.”

Fiola approached Jules and placed the palm of her left hand on Jules’ swollen belly. As she gently moved her hand in a circle, she said,

“Easy does it, little one.

Gently now and it will be done.”

She paused and looked at the clock on the mantle and nodded.

“I’ll leave you be and let you rest.

The time is nigh for you to crest.

You’ll come with a howl, then laugh joyfully.

This I wish for you; so, mote it be.”

Leaning closer, she kissed Jule’s forehead and whispered. “Right on time, mo ghra.”

Mickey asked his wife, “Jules, can I have my hand back for a few seconds? I’d like to get some circulation back in it.”

Jules laughed and agreed. “Guess I did squeeze pretty hard, didn’t I?”

“Oh, Jules, honey. How I wish you didn’t have to go through this. It hurts me to see you hurt so much.”

That brought on another burst of laughter. “You’re hurting? Oh, Mickey, mo ghra, how I wish you could take some of this pain away but it’s all part of life, now isn’t it. Go by the fire and warm your hand, then please refill my cup with ice water.”

He hurried, not wanting to leave his wife’s side for too long.

Time crept on and all Jules uttered was a strong grunt now and then. “I feel so much pressure but most of the pain is gone. Mom, what’s wrong? I’m so itchy. It feels like a colony of ants is crawling inside me. What’s happening?”

Morena examined her and smiled. “Sweetheart, there is absolutely not one thing wrong. What you’re feeling, although not very common, isn’t really all that rare, either. You’re now nine centimeters. The next time your pressure comes, with it will be your pain. That’s when you’ll need to push and push hard! Are you ready for this?”

As Mickey wiped the sweat from her brow, she looked into his eyes, and her heart melted all over again. Without taking her glance from his face, she said, “Yes, I’ve never been more ready. Baby Itt? We’re ready whenever you are.”

It didn’t take long. Thirty minutes later, when the clock on the mantle read ten minutes after eleven, the pain came. “Push, Jules. Baby Itt is almost here. Push!”

All the while, back at Tus Nua, even though Alistar’s heart was full of love and pride for his niece-in-law, it still cracked a bit with every painful grunt and scream. “Damn, it, Finola! Why do you let her suffer when you can spell the pain away?”

She read his mind and answered quickly, “Dearest Alistar. Without the pain of giving birth, a mother could very easily take the joy of motherhood for granted. Motherhood is filled with pains, sorrows, and joys and she must learn that from the very beginning. Jules understands this and was prepared to endure the process. Just close your eyes, concentrate on her, and bring her love and joy. Believe me, dear cousin, she’ll feel it.”

Although he still didn’t understand it, he accepted the wisdom of his cousin and lowered his head. “Dearest Jules. You came to us as a frightened young woman who felt lost and without family. We loved you from the second we saw you and when Mickey asked you to be his wife, you made our family complete. I want nothing but the best for you and your little one. I wish you, well, I would love to wish you a pain-free childbirth, but I realize that isn’t possible, so I’ll just wish you whatever ease is allowed. God and Goddess speed the process, my beautiful niece.”

He hadn’t realized that a few tears slipped from his eyes, but when he did, he heard Finola chuckle. “Oh Alistar, you’re such a softie.” He smiled and said aloud, “When Baby Itt makes Itt’s presence known, I’ll be there faster than you can say my name.”

She knew that to be true.

Finola looked at Morena and whispered, “Morena, it’s time.”

Morena stood at the foot of the bed and raised the light blanket. “Mia, get the warm water and clean towels. Mickey, hope you’re ready. Jules? When I say ‘three’, you push like you’ve never pushed before. Ready? One, two,” then she shouted “THREE!”

And just like that Baby Itt came howling into the world. Mickey cut the cord and Morena placed the baby on Jules’ belly. When Baby Itt looked at Jules’ face, they heard a child’s laughter.

“Laughter? Mom, is that normal? Baby Itt isn’t even five minutes old yet.”

Morena didn’t know what to say except, “Honey, meet your son!”

As Mickey wrapped his arms around his wife, he asked, “Jules, mo ghra. Are you sure this is what you want?”

With all the love she felt, she looked at him and said, “Yes, let’s do it now!”

He laughed. “Jules, I think it would be more fitting if you told her.”

Jules sat a little straighter in the bed and said, “Aintin? Come meet your new great, great nephew, Finn Diehl.”

Finola, while being a witch, knew what they had in mind, never showed it. Instead, allowed a tear to roll down her cheek. “Oh Finn! After my beloved husband who left us too soon. Jules, Mickey, you’ve made me happier than I’ve been in years.”

Jules handed the baby to Finola and said, “Finn, meet your Aintin.”

Finola turned slightly to hide her next actions, and as she did so, took the small pin from the collar of her shirt. Using that she softly pricked the ring finger of the baby, then did the same to her own finger. Merging their blood droplets, she whispered, “Blood of your body and blood of mine, our DNA mixes and merges our line. You’ll be human like your maam but a witch like me. So, the God and Goddess allow; so, mote it be.”

Then she gently kissed the tiny pinprick, sealing the tiny hole, and handed Finn back to his unsuspecting mother just as Alistar appeared in the doorway with a very large bouquet of flowers and a teddy bear.

Everyone in the room laughed when they realized he brought the human gifts for Jules.