Ithal came in and saw Diena pacing with her fists in her back.“Is the baby coming?”
“It has switched into a higher gear.Now, Ithal, you were all over the playpark.What would you like?”
Ithal gushed about it being super fun, but he wanted some parts to be harder and more accuracy challenges.Skill advancement.Plus, more nugget things to eat with fingers and a hand-washing station in the food court.
Diena chuckled.“Told yah.”She blinked when another contraction squeezed.Seven minutes.
Keska frowned.“What was that?”
“Another one.They are picking up speed, and I am going to be going in a few hours sooner than I thought.”
Keska came over and gripped Diena’s hips, squeezing them slightly.Diena blinked.“Whoa.Do that again.”
Keska smiled.“Let me know when the next contraction is hitting.”
Sorooth asked, “What was that?”
“Counterpressure.It helps her body deal with the flexing of the pelvis and takes one thing off the list.”Keska smiled.“Now we eat again.”
Diena was led back to her chair and helped to sit.Keska said, “As the only person here who has been where you are right now, just ask me, and I am your hands and feet.”
Sorooth started asking questions about what he could do to make Keska more comfortable when she was heavy.
Diena smiled.“That one’s easy.Lift her.Wrap your arms around her from behind and take the weight of the baby.They are heavy.The discomfort is unavoidable, but it can be changed to hope with a little effort.”
He smiled.“Who does it for you?”
“No one.Keska offered to make me a machine, but that was too weird even for me.”She sipped at her drink.“But since I know what it is to do it alone, if I have a partner next time, I will appreciate it a bit more.”
Ithal found the desserts, and he and Kessie carefully selected one each.
Diena smiled and accepted the carefully chosen cupcake from Kessie.The kids were chattering, and Sorooth, Kessie, and Alody were having a discussion about what could be done to make pregnancy more comfortable.Diena put her head on her fist and nodded off.
Diena woke to the soft conversations around her and sat up.Her muscles flexed, and she exhaled.That was stronger.
Keska smiled.“I can’t believe you took a nap.I was wired during labour.”
“I am in the safest place for me, surrounded by friends and family.”
Ithal smiled, and Alody gave her a soft smile.
“So, Alody, do you have questions about how I managed to get into business with Keska?”
Alody chuckled.“She explained about Avagail and Caska.So why a playpark?”
“Because there is nothing like the frustration of your body changing and needing to stretch and run and having no place to do it.This will ease the minds of parents and caregivers and give the kids more confidence.Retired peacekeepers and some agents love working with the younger ones to keep things safe.They have kids themselves and are loving the option to have something other than movies to take the kids to.”She paused as the squeeze came again.
She blinked.“That was under four minutes.Oh.Dear.I have to head to the maternity centre.Fast.”
Keska blinked.“Your water didn’t break?”
“Nope.I am so sorry, but I have to get going.I promised them that I would summon a ride the moment that I hit four minutes.”
Alody nodded.“We will meet you there.Well, Ithal and me.”
Ithal nodded.“I want to be there when the baby is with its parents.”
Sorooth inhaled.“I hadn’t thought of that part.”
