Page 132 of Fractured Empire

“Yes,” Katya decides quickly this time. “That, please.” Glancing up at me, she gives me a pleading look. “Go with her. Keep her safe so I can stay here without freaking out that she isn’t in my arms.”

“Of course, my love.”

Things happen pretty quickly from then on. The afterbirth comes easily for my wife, no pain and only some slight discomfort as she passes it. Our baby girl is placed back into her arms wrapped in a pink swaddle, and the nurses were able to weigh her and check her vitals before rinsing her off. There were no concerns with her small checkup and the news is relieving for both me and Katya to hear.

“She’s six pounds exactly,” I report once Katya has gotten more comfortable, our little girl snuggled right on her chest. “A tiny little thing, but mighty.”

“Perfect,” my wife declares, gently pressing her lips to our daughter’s forehead. “She has the wispiest blonde hair, I wonder if it’s going to fall out.”

“It’ll grow back if it does,” I assure her, squeezing her hand in mine. “You did so fucking good, baby. I know I told you about a hundred times while you were going through it but I was too stunned to repeat it when you finished. I’m in awe of you, Katya. I love you so fucking much.”

Fresh tears squeeze out the side of her eyes and she licks her dry lips. “I couldn’t have done it without you. You made me feel so strong, being here with me for every second of it. Even when I yelled at that poor nurse to get her fucking hands off me. She was just trying to help, why’d I do that?”

Her lip juts out and she pouts, disapproving of her behavior.

Chuckling quietly, I shake my head. “Baby, I promise you she didn’t mind. She’s probably been cussed at way worse by laboring mothers. She was plotting your forehead with cold water when a contraction started, you just got overwhelmed.”

Still looking dissatisfied, she harrumphs. “Okay, fine, but we have to send her a gift basket to apologize.”

“We can send her three gift baskets if it’ll make you feel better.”

“Yeah, okay.” She perks up, looking back down at our sweet girl who’s beginning to scrunch up her face like she might fuss. “I can’t believe she’s finally here. I’ve been feeling her inside me for so long and now she’s just here. I think she might need to try some milk.”

Katya looks a bit unsure as she raises the point, looking at me for a confirmation.

“She’ll want a little bit within the first hour, so you can definitely try if you think it’s time,” I say with a nod. “Do you want the nurses to help?”

“Maybe just one?”

“You got it, my love.”

Twenty minutes later, Katya’s first time breastfeeding has been completed. It was a little bit of a learning process to get her latched, but the anatomy was compatible and my wife’s supply came in without trouble. We think we’re going to do breast milk and formula, but it all depends on how well things go as we get further along into the process. Newborn days can be grueling in the beginning, and it helps that we have plenty of support around.

“She did so good.” Her praise is whispered, staying quiet as our baby girl falls asleep post-feeding. The nurse has left us again, but will be back to check on us soon, making sure to stay close by in case we have questions.

“You made that happen, baby,” I tell her fiercely. “You created a whole fucking life with nothing but your body and then you fed her from your body too. Look at how healthy she is, all because of you.” I can’t help but marvel at the miracle that my wife is. Growing a whole damn person in their bodies like some kind of magical creature. Women as a species are too good for this world. “How are you feeling? Do you want to eat anything? You said you were hungry at hour twelve.” Nearly seven hours ago.

“Ugh, food would be so nice.” She sighs, almost moaning as she thinks about it. “I want to get cleaned up a little bit before we bring the boys in, though. Can you put her in the little bassinet and hand me my bag? I miss them but Bastian will probably freak out if he comes in here and finds me all pale and clammy.”

Good idea.

I think she looks stellar, like a fucking warrior queen, but Bastian worries so much for her and neither of us want him to be frightened for any reason.

Getting refreshed doesn’t take long with my help, and soon, she’s ready for visitors. Just the bare minimum, of course. I refuse to let my big-ass family swarm us on day one, only an hour after she’s pushed a whole baby out of her vagina. They can come by when she’s well rested, well fed, and comfortable enough to see more than a few people.

My dad leads our boys into the room, each of them holding one of his hands until they spot their mother and take off running.

“Mommy,” Leo whisper-shouts, likely watching his volume because my father told him to. “You have a baby? You all done now?”

Katya’s mother laughs at his question, dabbing the corner of her eyes with a tissue as she comes into the room behind my father.

Helping Bastian and Leo up onto her bed so they don’t accidentally hurt her, I watch with pride as they hug her as carefully and as slowly as kids their age can possibly manage.

“I did have a baby,” she finally answers, breathing them both in. “You two have a tiny baby sister now.”

“So we go home now?” Leo asks excitedly.

Smiling at his enthusiasm, Katya kisses his head before replying. “No, sweet boy, not yet. Mommy and Baby Sister have to stay here for a couple days just to make sure we stay happy and healthy for now. Remember Daddy told you that having a baby is very tiring for Mommy? And hard work for the little baby too?”