Page 43 of His Human Rebel
I knew labor was going to happen in the middle of the rainy season. Yes, I was going to have my baby on Tarvos in a Hyrrokin med lab. It’s not like my due date was a surprise. I went into labor right about when predicted. But knowing it was coming soon and having labor pains hit me hard while the building was shaking with wind, thunder and lightning are two different things.
And of course, my water broke in the middle of the living room.
What a mess.
I look over at my husband, who is tapping on a glass screen that scrolls with the Hyrrokin language, which thankfully I’m able to read.
Rake is so handsome.
When I first met him, over six months ago, he was driving to pick me up on the platform to the transporter station and I thought he was terrifying. And now he’s my beloved husband. At first I thought the black horns bursting out on the top of his forehead, the white fangs and the barbed tail were horrific attributes but now I consider them powerful and striking.
I can tell that he’s older than most of the other males I’ve met because of the crinkles at the corner of his dark eyes. I never thought I’d marry someone twelve years older than me, but I think it makes him calmer and more mature.
I basically proposed to him and we walked to the tiny courthouse in Fire Creek, where Erid officiated our vows. That was when I decided I would be giving birth, not on New Earth, but on Tarvos, in the middle of their rainy season. I went in with eyes wide open.
But I am very lucky that there's a med lab right here. I'm sure other pregnant Hyrrokin on the planet probably can't leave their domicile during the storm, and they're doing this naturally. There's nothing wrong with natural childbirth, which has been happening since the dawn of time, and there are still women to this day all over the four sectors, from all species, who prefer that over modern technology, but I'm not one of those women. I'm a wimp. I can't handle the pain, so the fact that there is a med lab right here that I know is going to have the best pain relievers that money can buy is an amazing gift.
The storms rage outside, but inside the room, it's just him and I and the hum of the equipment. Soft music plays in the background, but even that can't mute the squeak of windows and beams.
I’m doing my best to not remember the storm we had to get through to arrive here and to focus on Rake’s complete trust in the construction of this building.
And I'm here with my new husband, Rake Flagstone, who is treating this labor and delivery as if this son is his. He's amazing and has been since the moment we met and doesn’t seem bothered by the fact that I’ve grown huge and can now barely get around.
I calmly think of all these thoughts because the pain relievers have held steady all these hours and I'm chilling on the med lab bed, waiting to be fully dilatated and ready to push—as if I'm having my nails done or something.
“Now it's like I'm at a day spa. All I need is a glass of champagne. Well, not that I’ve ever had champagne because that’s only made on the original planet, but I’ve heard that it’s supposed to be for special occasions.”
Rake laughs. “I'm happy you think this is special because the med lab is providing me with an updated health plan. The med bot says you need surgery.”
“Holy crap. Is that why this is taking so long?”
Gray smoke puffs from his red nostrils. “Yes, I’m also receiving a message from your human doctor who has conferred with our med lab and the doctor agrees it’s necessary. It’s a procedure called a C section.”
“An emergency C section?” I take his hand. “Don't worry, I’ve heard of this. It’s sort of common amongst humans.”
He hands the tablet over to me so I can look at the messages. “Is this really necessary?”
“Remember, my doctor said that this is one of the things that could happen. I've had friends who have had to have this done. My mom had to have a C section when she had me. It just means that I’m not progressing like I should and instead of me having the baby where I push it out, they're doing the surgery and will take it out.”
He winces. “Yes, this is how it sometimes happens with the animals we raise.”
I hand the tablet back to him. “I’m ready. Let’s see our baby.”
Rake is there with me and sits by my head. He washed up carefully and wears a mask over his face and is dressed in special surgery clothes and there's a blue film over his hands.
This med lab has a med bot who has been very kind. It mainly seems to say words and phrases that were downloaded by my human doctor.
This is the first fully human birth on Tarvos. I learned that the first human to have a half human, half Hyrrokin baby on Tarvos was Riley Anderson. That was documented at least and as a result all the med labs on Tarvos were able to upgrade with human attributes. So since then, The Hyrrokin medical community understand humans much better, but a fully human birth is new, and they consider me an interesting test subject.
The human Obstetrician we hired from New Earth is one of the best. She's wonderful, and helps me long distance, she also works for our military and is used to intergalactic tech. This is the first civilian birth she has assisted.
The surgery shield covers my whole body at first, to get me prepped and then uncovers my head and shoulders. I am awake throughout the whole procedure, and feel no pain, just tugging.
In a short amount of time, robot arms hold my baby aloft. I hear the cries of the baby and tears immediately form in my eyes, and I look up and see an expression of wonder on Rake's harsh face. He leaves my side and the med bot gives him the ability to cut the umbilical cord.
I have to admit, I was worried he would be disgusted by the appearance of a human baby without horns, claws, or tail and no red skin. Our son will never have the ability to flash Flame.
Rake holds the baby and gazes down at him with wonder and joy. And then he brings the bundled baby close to me, and puts his tiny face, right next to mine, and then I kiss my baby. Tears are stream down my face, because to me, he looks perfect.