She Goes with Her Father. Thirty-two and Thirty-three

Aruna and Denar spent more and more time needing to rest as their pregnancies progressed. Denar was slowly admitting to herself that this was not like her other pregnancys. She did not want to concern Aruna with her worries but felt she should say something. Aruna's nausia subsided after the second moon, her exaustion however became increasingly worse. Denar satisfied herself by just chiding Aruna to take it slow. Peta was wishing that Ozo would hurry back with his mother, she knew it should take two moons and a few more days to get there and back but she was worried about these women.

Before the second moon was half way through her celestial cycle Mira appeared on the horizon riding double with Ren while Ozo rode with the baggage a few paces behind. Both men were urging their camels on. Mira had packed her herbs, she had not expected to need them so soon. She was ready to travel early the morning after the men arrived. They had left after a hurried meal provided by Denar's sisters, they worried about their sister. They wanted to be there too but not everyone could leave and their mother had more experience than any of them with birthing. They rode hard through the day and half of the night stopping only to rest the animals and drink, not to eat. They chewed dried fruits and ate cheese as they rode. Ozo, driven by his worry, insisted that it was necessary to ride hard.

The day after they arrived Denar started to have back pains. It was early for the baby. Her calculation had not yet given the child nine full moons; it had barely been eight. This concerned her but once the pains began there was nothing anyone could do to slow or stop them. She continued for a day and a half. The length of her labor worried Denar and her mother. Her third and forth child she had delivered easily in a half day or less. Mira checked her belly often not saying anything but noting the changes that were occurring and what they for told, she knew but did not want to say until it became obvious to everyone. It would not do to tempt the fates now when her hour was so near. At the end of the second day she started to feel the need to push. Peta squatted behind her and Denar stood up on the bricks. Mira was in position to catch the baby. Aruna was there to run and get anything that was needed, not that running was something she did easily these days. Mira was in position to catch the baby. Denar gave a mighty push and the top of a head could be seen.

Part Thirty-four.

She had almost caught her breath when the next wave came and she pushed again; with a teeth gritting "AUrgh" the boy child was thrust into the world. Mira handed the child to Aruna as he let out an indignant howl. She told Peta to stay where she was. No one of the women questioned her authority. After an all too short moment Denar was surprised to be called upon to push again. She was amazed at the ease with which the second twin, another boy, was born. She started to both laugh and cry at the same time. Mira sent Aruna to tell Rampa that he had two more boys. She stayed where she was, as did Peta until the placenta was past. The mother was cleaned up and given fresh sheets. The twins were put to her breast. She looked at them with wide eyes still full of tears. Aruna was moved beyond words. She had never before witnessed a birth and now she had seen twins brought into the world. She stayed by Denar to help with the babies when they were finished nursing. Denar fell asleep before they were finished, the twins slept too, they were, all three, satisfied and exhausted.

Rampa came to the birthing tent requesting admission. Mira allowed him in with a soft, "Shhhhh" and a finger to her lips. The mother's job was done, she was going to need her rest, no unnecessary sound would be tolerated and Mira was the enforcer of that law. Rampa bit his lip when he saw Denar with the two babies at her breasts. His shoulders shook as he bit his lip and sobbed silently with joy. He had been so worried about Denar and now he had two perfect, if somewhat tiny, new sons. His heart was full to bursting. He was ushered from the tent when Mira saw that his love and joy were nearing the bursting point. He left the tent dancing, deliberately, he powerfully placed each steps. Ozo saw him and came to join him. Ren, not quite understanding came and joined the two men in their dance, he was caught up in the excitement more than the celebration of the births. The three danced around the house kicking up dust, each holding the shoulder of the other in a line with Rampa in the middle. Rampa was singing at the top of his voice, a song of joy.