So there was a carriage waiting. I smile as he helps me in. “You do think of everything.”
I cleaned up some before we left, and now… it’s just managing the ride. The contractions aren’t too bad… perhaps the ride won’t be too bumpy? I reach into Hajime’s pocket to take out his watch. I should note, for the doctor, how far apart they are… I rest my head on Hajime’s shoulder, to wait out the ride and the next wave of pain.
She fishes for my watch and should I be surprised? It’s been a long time since… and I didn’t pay much attention then so this may as well be my first. She’s taking note, likely instructions by her doctor.
I reach for my cigarettes but decide against it. Unsure, I reach around her shoulders to draw her close. She’ll tell me if it’s the wrong thing to do -probably-.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, “Just make sure to tell me if there’s something unusual or unexpected.” Not that there’s anything I can do but perhaps pressure those who will attend to her later.
I almost wished we didn’t have the Tanuki over. Although I don’t necessarily disagree with her, Hide did and much more strongly than I anticipated. Perhaps even felt insulted that she was deemed foolish by the Tanuki but though Hide was courageous, she was also foolish. I’m surprised the Tanuki didn’t see the parallels between them. When the fake Battousai first came to Tokyo, I had reports of a girl from the Kamiya dojo going after the fake Battousai. I thought that was foolish, but at some point in Kyoto the Tanuki grew out of it. I look down at Hide and carefully move my hand gently massaging her back.
“When this child gets out, we’ll put it to kishin right away for coming so unexpectedly.” I jest to distract her a little.
He pulls me close, which helps to brace me against the carriage’s movements. Is it going faster than one usually progresses through busy Tokyo, or is it my imagination? I put his watch back, and then notice the tell-tale motion he’s making.
“Go ahead and smoke – you know they probably won’t let you once we’re there.” I smile at him. “And I’m more comfortable now, leaning against you.”
How are you feeling? Just make sure to tell me if there’s something unusual or unexpected
“Mmmm….” I think back. “This one is coming on faster than Makoto did. That time, I had sharp pains for a day before my water broke and my labor really started. Not that I think we’re going to have this one in the carriage, though.” But perhaps I’ll be spared a long labor this time. Hanako’s second and third came out fast, much faster than the first.
“And you had good timing. I did get my tanto back… but Himura-san made sure to let me know that she thought I was foolish. I tried to bring her own past into it…” I sigh. “I certainly was, and of course she’s not going to see that her husband’s master was in the wrong…” I still can’t believe he didn’t tell her.
I grab his hand, -tight-, as I’m hit with another contraction. It passes, and I remember to breathe, steadily. “But… I’m not going to dwell on her, on him. Today is a day we’ve been waiting a long time for. The clouds will always be on the horizon… but today let’s have our blue sky.” I’m certain that’s naïve, but today should be something special for us, and our family.
When this child gets out, we’ll put it to kishin right away for coming so unexpectedly.
“Oh that’s -very- nice,” I say, at the touch of his strong hand on my back, helping to ease the tension left by the contraction. “Maaa… a week and a few days early isn’t so bad. After all, they waited long enough by now!” I grin softly up at him, glad he’s trying to lighten the mood, and I know he’s worried as well.
“Go ahead and smoke – you know they probably won’t let you once we’re there.”
I shake my head. “It’s fine.” Who know’s when I’d need both hands?
“This one is coming on faster than Makoto did. That time, I had sharp pains for a day before my water broke and my labor really started. Not that I think we’re going to have this one in the carriage, though.”
“If you can keep that child in, you -should-, until we get to Kobayashi-sensei.” I say with a bit of alarm.
“And you had good timing. I did get my tanto back… but Himura-san made sure to let me know that she thought I was foolish. I tried to bring her own past into it…” I sigh. “I certainly was, and of course she’s not going to see that her husband’s master was in the wrong…”
I just hold her. I was of course listening to them and followed them outside. I just didn’t let them find me out. It doesn’t matter. He’s gone, she got her tanto back, what happened back there at the dojo -doesn’t- matter.
She grabs my hand suddenly and she contorts her face.
“Enough talking of silly things.” I hush her. I’m tempted to shout at the driver but he’s no dolt. He knows we’re having a baby and the carriage is already flying through the streets. We should be there anytime I think.
She gets her wind back and I let go of her hand and look at my watch. It’s only been a little over 10 minutes since we left.
“Maaa… a week and a few days early isn’t so bad. After all, they waited long enough by now!”
She grins up at me and I look back at her. I guess I’m starting to get more serious as I don’t match her grin. What did we agree on the other week? Yes she’ll be awake. No sleeping contraptions. There’s many who will attend to her at the hospital rather than the house…
“Just make sure you tell Kobayashi -everything-.” I say and wonder when that clinic will finally be in sight.
It’s fine.
I squeeze his hand, and notice that my attempt at keeping things light by joking about delivering in the carriage didn’t go well with him.
“I’m sure I still have time,” I tell him. The contractions are still several minutes apart, after all. Another one hits and I keep my grip tight on him – but aside from the pain I feel calm. Supported. Loved.
Just make sure you tell Kobayashi -everything-
“I will, I will,” I assure him, and I pick up his hand and kiss the back of it, and then stroke his back, hoping to give him back some of the support that he’s giving to me. “Shhh…. we’ve come a long way for this. And now you’re here, like you promised you’d be, and you’re coming to join me in battle. Hajime… thank you.” I look up at him. “And I’ll keep my promise to share anything that is feeling amiss… but I think this child is ready to meet these parents who already love it so much.” I kiss his cheek, “please keep rubbing my back – that’s the place where I’m feeling pressure in-between contractions – which is normal.”
I peer out the window. We’re finally here!
“I will, I will,”
Will she? I stare at her so for a moment and watch as she kisses my hand. She will. She promised at least for this one.
you’re here, like you promised you’d be, and you’re coming to join me in battle. Hajime… thank you.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I say not to joke. I’m not in a joking mood I suppose. “The father should be around when it’s child is born right?” I look at her. Not after a few hours or a few days but right there with his wife, even if just in another room. Not out working and will check in, in the afternoon.
but I think this child is ready to meet these parents who already love it so much.”
I am prone to brooding I suppose when it comes to these life events. I smile a little and nod as I get a kiss. I keep rubbing her back even if I’m not really sure I’m doing it right but it’s better than not doing anything.
Her eyes settle on the window and so does mine. Finally the carriage comes to a stop and I lead us out. I just give the driver a nod, he knows to wait whether that’s a few hour or even an entire day and a half. That’s what’s good about utilizing some of the privileges of the police.
Holding her hand in front while my other hand hold her waist lightly, we proceed inside.
“Oh it’s you. The wolf.” The nurse who attended to me as a stray samurai recognizes me right away, “First you come bleeding and now you come with an overdue woman!”
“Ah sumanai – she’s my wife. Can you please get Kobayashi-sensei?” I try to be nice. At first at least. “Her water broke.”
“Oh we can see that.” She gives us a look and tells one of the younger nurses to fetch the doctor quick. “Sit down, he’ll be out quick. Don’t move her too much.”
“Thanks.” I sit Hide down further from the door, I didn’t want people to passing by us.
I wouldn’t miss it for the world. The father should be around when it’s child is born right?
“And the husband with his wife.” It’s not escaped me, that he now refers to me as his wife – both to the machiya owner and to Himura-san in the past few days.
I do get a bit of a smile from him, but I can understand… I just stroke his back as he massages mine. “That does help, thank you,” I manage a smile before I have another strong contraction. Hurry, carriage, hurry…
And we’re there, and Hajime handles me so carefully – not just out of the carriage, but also into the clinic. The nurse in front greets Hajime as “the wolf,” and again, I’m his wife… I smile as he sits me down.
I barely get time to get settled before the main nurse comes up after her junior returns. “Kobayashi-sensei is delivering another patient right now, so he said to get you settled in your room and he or one of the other doctors will attend shortly.”
We go back past the exam rooms I’ve been in before to a good-sized room, with a high window to let in light. I’m pleased to see that this is one of the more “old fashioned” rooms the clinic brochure mentioned – which has a large, thick braided rope hanging from the ceiling. So I must not be the only woman who doesn’t want to sleep…
She asks some questions about my water breaking, the timing of my contractions, and nods. “Good, good, then you’re having this baby soon.”
The nurse gets out some materials from a cabinet. “You’ll need to change into this yukata for now, and remove everything else. If you wish to clean up, we do have running water here,” which she demonstrates by turning on and off the taps, “and then try to stay comfortable – sit, lay down, walk around – but soon we’ll have a nurse with you.”
“An attendant will also bring in some food soon – remember, ma’am, that you’ll need to eat to keep your strength up – and Kobayashi-sensei made certain to include you in that order as well, sir.”
She turns to leave, and then looks back over her shoulder. “Good luck, Mr. and Mrs. Wolf,” she laughs, but it’s friendly and cheerful, and closes the door.
I start to undress, and unwrap myself. I’m hit with another wave of pain, one that leaves me a little breathless. “Please, I could use some help. You do know how to get me dressed these days, after all,” I try to remember what I leaned attending my first childbirth. Breathe. Stay calm.
“Kobayashi-sensei is delivering another patient right now, so he said to get you settled in your room and he or one of the other doctors will attend shortly.”
I’m -surprised-. “Why can’t he attend to her now instead?” I ask the woman but she either must not have heard me or realized how absurd my question was. Of course upon hearing it myself I can’t help but grimace. You fool!
I try to keep out of the way as we’re led into a nice sized room and Hide is given some change of clothes. Inspecting the room with my eyes, other than the ominous rope in the middle, it was a warm and well insulated room. Still the rope catches my attention and I think to myself, that’s right about the thickness of if I wanted to hang someone during interrogation.
The attendant leaves and tells us we’ll be fed soon and I’m just all too glad she left. But Hide gasps and I turn and she’s a little pale.
“Please, I could use some help. You do know how to get me dressed these days, after all,”
My immediate reaction is to open the door and call the attendant back but I tell myself, if I start panicking now I wouldn’t be doing -my- job. So instead I do as I’m told and take her yukata and slide her arm through it and fix how it drapes on her shoulder. “They should know better than to leave us here alone with you half-dressed. I mean do all couples who are expecting a baby end up like this?” I chuckle a little – just spouting off anything that came to mind and to my horror – it’s not exactly befitting the situation, “Or what do they want me to do with a rope hanging like that? They might as well ask us to pose for Shunga.”
Why can’t he attend to her now instead?
“The other baby was crowning, sir – a -very- bad time to leave.” She gives him a bit of a stern look. “He wishes to attend to your wife personally, and he should be available shortly – he’s not the sort of doctor who runs out as soon as the baby comes out.”
I notice Hajime sizing up the room, and he keeps looking at the rope. Well… he was the youngest, and probably not around for Yukiko-san’s birth, so he may never have seen a room prepared for childbirth?
hey should know better than to leave us here alone with you half-dressed. I mean do all couples who are expecting a baby end up like this?
He actually makes a light comment and I laugh, catching my breath. “I must be especially alluring right now,” I say with a grin, “it’s a wonder you can resist me to get me clothed.” After he gets the yukata on me, I tie it loosely in the front. “See? The baby is sitting -low- and ready – remember when you first came home, how it was sitting up higher?”
Or what do they want me to do with a rope hanging like that? They might as well ask us to pose for Shunga
“Oh, that’s for -my- display,” I tease. “But actually … when it really gets going, I sit there,” I indicate the futon, a little untraditional in that it sits off the floor on a platform of sorts, “and hold onto the rope as I push – the knots help in finding a grip.” I go over to it. It’s not so much a rope as a carefully twisted and knotted cloth – much softer than any actual rope.
We’re interrupted by a knock, and a young woman with a cart. “Hello, I’m Fukuda-san, and I’m the attendant for your room. We have some wonderful food for you,” she indicates what she has on her cart. “Soup, summer vegetables both cooked and pickled, grilled fish, and the specialty of this clinic, hayashi rice. Even if you don’t normally eat beef, one of our clinic’s founders is a great proponent of it, as it is hearty and you have some hard work ahead of you, ma’am. I also brought hot water and some teas.” She bows, and I grimace slightly at another contraction.
“We have a bell system, so please pull twice and I’ll come running – eat well! And one ring is for the nurse.” She bows again with a smile, leaving the room.
Well, I -am- suddenly hungry… “If you look in my bag, I brought coffee – just the instant stuff, but you should have your favorite as well.” After all, it’s been going fast so far, but babies have their own timing…
I guess she heard after all. I end up with a sheepish smile and put it out of my mind, after all I didn’t really mean to say -that-.
“I must be especially alluring right now,” I say with a grin, “it’s a wonder you can resist me to get me clothed.”
“That’s why I got you dressed.” I point out. Then for a minute I let myself wrap my arms around her, before anybody else comes in. “See I’m totally able to resist you -clothed-.”
“Oh, that’s for -my- display,”
“Oh?” I groan a little and let her go. Maybe one day in the house, when there’s less people… I put the images of her all tied up in my mind. After all we tried that once, many years ago and I truly enjoyed it but I get a hold of myself and pay attention as she tells me where she’ll be lying down and what she intends to do with the rope.
Another attendant named Fukuda comes in and she tells us about the food and how to fetch for her or a nurse with the bell. It’s a hearty meal, full of variety. “Well this is almost like a hotel isn’t it?” I grin at Hide and put all of the food towards her. “Well you heard the woman – I want you to eat it all, start with the beef.”
“If you look in my bag, I brought coffee – just the instant stuff, but you should have your favorite as well.
I’m not really wanting for anything but knowing Hide, she’d want me to at least have coffee. So I fix myself one and find that there’s tea so I steep one for her as well.
“Now get going and eat. You’ve got to finish before that doctor comes in.” Of course this will be an interesting exercise. He’s going to be looking her over again. But I’d rather have him stick his head in there for as long as necessary as long as it means, she and the child is safe.I guess she heard after all. I end up with a sheepish smile and put it out of my mind, after all I didn’t really mean to say -that-.
“I must be especially alluring right now,” I say with a grin, “it’s a wonder you can resist me to get me clothed.”
“That’s why I got you dressed.” I point out. Then for a minute I let myself wrap my arms around her, before anybody else comes in. “See I’m totally able to resist you -clothed-.”
“Oh, that’s for -my- display,”
“Oh?” I groan a little and let her go. Maybe one day in the house, when there’s less people… I put the images of her all tied up in my mind. After all we tried that once, many years ago and I truly enjoyed it but I get a hold of myself and pay attention as she tells me where she’ll be lying down and what she intends to do with the rope.
Another attendant named Fukuda comes in and she tells us about the food and how to fetch for her or a nurse with the bell. It’s a hearty meal, full of variety. “Well this is almost like a hotel isn’t it?” I grin at Hide and put all of the food towards her. “Well you heard the woman – I want you to eat it all, start with the beef.”
“If you look in my bag, I brought coffee – just the instant stuff, but you should have your favorite as well.
I’m not really wanting for anything but knowing Hide, she’d want me to at least have coffee. So I fix myself one and find that there’s tea so I steep one for her as well.
“Now get going and eat. You’ve got to finish before that doctor comes in.” Of course this will be an interesting exercise. He’s going to be looking her over again. But I’d rather have him stick his head in there for as long as necessary as long as it means, she and the child is safe.
That’s why I got you dressed.” I point out. Then for a minute I let myself wrap my arms around her, before anybody else comes in. “See I’m totally able to resist you -clothed-.
“Ah, so that explains the other day,” I reply, grinning up as he embraces me, and I’m glad that we can be ourselves – even if just for a minute. Even if he seems a little distracted by my comment about the rope…
Well this is almost like a hotel isn’t it?” I grin at Hide and put all of the food towards her. “Well you heard the woman – I want you to eat it all, start with the beef
“Well a little more… home cooking like,” I say, feeling hungry – maybe there is something to eating to keep strength up. I didn’t do this before or during my labor with Makoto… hmm. I take some of the hayashi rice and start with that, along with some pickles, and I’m simply ravenously hungry. “This is quite good – they must have some obaasan back there making all of this.” Not that my grandmother had beef to cook, but it’s a very comfortable style. No high-end little bites… even another round of contractions can’t stop me…
There’s another knock on the door, and we finally get to see Kobayashi-sensei, who’s trailed by another doctor and a nurse. “Very good, you’re eating!” he says, by way of greeting.
“I am going to need to have a look, though, if you would get on the futon, Yagi-san?”
I reluctantly leave the food – aside from wishing for pears I’ve not craved food – but I know he’s a busy man. I position myself as the doctor washes his hands. “Did you know in the West they just learned about keeping clean to keep patients safe? A good Japanese doctor could have told him better,” he says. He’s not as peppery as he’s been before…
“Two successful deliveries today,” he tells me, as he gets to where he can see me. I reach for Hajime’s hand… the other squeezes the rope as it’s time for more contractions. “They’re getting closer together?” the doctor asks, and I answer yes. The nurse takes my hand from the rope and puts her fingers on my wrist, counting and following along with a watch.
He emerges and closes back up my yukata. “You’re doing well – about halfway there, I’d say you’re about 5cm dilated, with another 5 to go.” He stands. “Eat, rest, walk – just try to stay comfortable. We’ll be back to check on you soon – and don’t forget to use the bells if you need them.”
We finally settle down and Hide does eat and I’m relieved.
“This is quite good – they must have some obaasan back there making all of this.”
“You’re such a good girl.” I grin as I sip the coffee. “It seems you may have never given your mother something to worry about.” Oh I know that’s probably not true but I’m pleased she’s taking all directions seriously.
Kobayashi comes in and he seems pleased she’s eating, but of course he interrupts that and makes her get on the futon right away. I can’t help but scowl slightly but don’t say anything. Besides the doctor although he seems focused on Hide seems slightly worst for wear.
Two successful deliveries today,”
Already? I frown, “How many do you usually do in a day?” I ask trying to be casual. “It must be difficult to do deliveries back to back.”
“Eat, rest, walk – just try to stay comfortable. We’ll be back to check on you soon – and don’t forget to use the bells if you need them.”
I wonder, why aren’t they starting? Or is this his way of getting a break in between? No idiot. The baby isn’t coming out yet. “Is there something we should do to encourage this baby out? Is my wife going to be fine -just- waiting?” Why wait at all? We’re already here…
You’re such a good girl. It seems you may have never given your mother something to worry about.
I smile demurely as I sip my tea. My mother? Well, today I want to ease his worries…
How many do you usually do in a day? It must be difficult to do deliveries back to back.
“I’m not the one doing the hard work, young man,” he tells Hajime, “and the first was about done by the time I took over from the night shift this morning.” He nods, and looks at Hajime carefully. “Compared to the battlefield work I had to do in the war, this is a much better side of the profession.”
Is there something we should do to encourage this baby out? Is my wife going to be fine -just- waiting?
He responds calmly. “Yes, this is part of it. Her body is getting ready for passing through the baby – her cervix is dilating to a point where it will be ready for the actual pushing, or the final stage of delivery. For now, we have to wait for her body to do its job – and that, despite my many years of experience, is different every time. But she is progressing fast, considering that her water broke, what, an hour and a half ago?”
I get off of the bed and back to the food. Another contraction… “They are getting stronger,” I tell both Hajime and the doctor, and Kobayashi-san just nods. “I’ll be back in about a half hour, if that. And once she’s in the final stage, I remain in the room, along with my support staff.”
OOC: Will reply tomorrow
She only smiles as I jest about her being a good girl. I match her smile with mine. No need to get into that now – so I pay more attention to the doctor.
“I’m not the one doing the hard work, young man,” “and the first was about done by the time I took over from the night shift this morning.” “Compared to the battlefield work I had to do in the war, this is a much better side of the profession.”
Obviously he means the woman does the hard work. Either way we’re the 3rd and that means he’s no longer “fresh”. He brings in his war experience and we both know about that, from different sides. I shrug, “Just make sure…” He knows how that finishes if he’s truly a product of war.
we have to wait for her body to do its job – and that, despite my many years of experience, is different every time. But she is progressing fast, considering that her water broke, what, an hour and a half ago?”
I nod and watch as he leaves. Hide goes back to the food. She must still be hungry after being interrupted like that. For myself, I go to the sink and wash my hands. After doing so I go back to Hide.
“Can you stand up and face me, before you continue eating? This will only take a moment.”
Just make sure…
Considering he’s not had a cigarette in a while… and I know how little he likes another man, even a medical professional, seeing me, he’s doing well?
Can you stand up and face me, before you continue eating? This will only take a moment.
I stand up, wait for another contraction to pass, and go to stand in front of him.
“Yes, Hajime?”
She stands in front of me and I take one last look at the door.
Going near, I position her slightly so she’s facing me directly away from the door. Just in case.
“Sumanai. This will only take a second.” I undo the ties of her yukata and now that she doesn’t have any under garments, my hand go straight between her legs. The doctor said it would be dilated right?
I let my hand feel her womanhood, first on top then I let my fingers go further in, letting my palm feel the top of her opening. I’m careful not to touch her sensitive areas too much. I just need to see what this doctor was talking about. It does feel different from the usual, as if everything is swollen, with pressure but smooth. Satisfied I retrieve my hand, I inspect it just in case there’s blood or some other unexpected fluid besides water. Nothing. I motion her to tie back her yukata.
“I guess all we can do is wait.” It felt odd having to touch her this way but… I guess I can trust what he says. I go back and wash my hands.
I’m a little surprised as he… inspects me. His touch is gentle, after all…
And strangely… I’m not embarrassed. He is the sort of man who needs to know things for himself, after all.
“Well, you do know that area very well,” I say, tying up my yukata, with a smile. “Do you think it’s doing well? Your obedient child?”
I’m hit then by the strongest contraction yet and I lean on Hajime, gripping his arms, my face twisting up. I’m left panting and flushed by the time it subsides.
Then there’s a knock on the door – the attendant. This time with a pile of cushions. “To prop you up, ma’am, when it’s time to push, or Kobayashi-sensei said that your husband can do that if you wish – hold you up, I mean, not push.” She giggles, and then goes to clean up some of the food. “I’ll bring in more hot water for tea, as well as some food that you can nibble on, now that you’ve had a good meal.”
She leaves and it’s only a few minutes before Kobayashi-sensei returns, and repeats his earlier inspection. “Ah, good, good, just as I thought. I’ll have the team together shortly, and then I think you’ll be ready to go, Yagi-san – nice strong contractions – and you have excellent pelvic strength!”
-That- makes me blush, and I give Hajime a look. I think he already knew about that aspect of me…
After he leaves, I reach out my hand for Hajime. “Are you ready?” I smile.
“Do you think it’s doing well? Your obedient child?”
I turn to her and smile slightly, nodding I say, “I hope it’s a first.” She knows my children tends to have certain streaks. Suddenly she grips my arms and I hold her back. It’s obvious the spasms are getting stronger. Thankfully the attendant comes in and gives her some cushions and we hardly get her setup on the futon when Kobayashi returns.
“Ah, good, good, just as I thought. I’ll have the team together shortly, and then I think you’ll be ready to go, Yagi-san – nice strong contractions – and you have excellent pelvic strength!”
I raise my eyebrows at the doctor. “No need to embarass my wife doctor. She’ll do her best.” I setup more of the cushions on the futon then finally settle in by her side for the wait.
“Are you ready?”
I grin. I’d ask her if anyone is ever ready… Most men I’ve heard just like myself stayed elsewhere. But she wanted me here and so, I just nod my head.
“If you don’t want to be punished later “my obedient” child, don’t pull anything funny with your mother.” I wonder how long will her labor be. With Makoto I heard it was -too- long. As for my other sons well they were born by the time I got back from work or from war.
If you don’t want to be punished later “my obedient” child, don’t pull anything funny with your mother
“Listen your father, little one – he’s a man of his word,” I say, with a bit of a laugh.
We settle together, and I have him to lean against as I have another contraction – this one leaves me a little breathless. “It starts… as a dull ache, then it moves, and gets stronger through the middle of me, here.” I take his hand and put it from my hip to the base of my belly. “It’s… intense but once it passes, it’s like… relief?”
I lean my head back on his shoulder. “Thank you… I can’t believe this day is finally here.” I’m sure every couple says that but we’ve had an espically long wait…. I lean up to kiss him, softly, and touch his cheek, taking the quiet moment to look into his eyes.
But it’s only a moment as I have another contraction, another strong one, and then we’re no longer alone and the “team” comes in – Kobayashi-sensei along with the younger doctor, and a nurse, along with the attendant, bearing a stack of clean linen along with covered cup. She sets the linen down, and hands us the cup. “We now have access to ice – even in summer! This is a special tea we make to keep mothers refreshed during this point.” She hands the cup to Hajime.
I don’t get a chance to drink any before I have another one, and I’m only aware of Hajime – the others in the room are a bit of a blur, but I hear Kobayashi-sensei say “already to 8 and half!”.
“Do you feel the need to push, Yagi-san?”
I shake my head. “Not… not yet.” I manage to get out, and I reach for the rope. It’s all coming faster….
I catch my breath and rest my head on Hajime. I’m starting to get sweaty… “talk to me? I just need to hear you voice…” Last time I had to imagine it… “you smell nice today,” I say…
“It starts… as a dull ache, then it moves, and gets stronger through the middle of me, here.”. “It’s… intense but once it passes, it’s like… relief?”
I rub her softly on where she’s guiding my hand. I guess this is the result of our being close but still I don’t like her experiencing any pain.
“Thank you… I can’t believe this day is finally here.”
“I know.” It was especially long and at some points I guess it may never have happened. “But this one was stubbornly waiting I guess?” After all it could’ve decided not to sleep through that particularly long winter.
She keeps having her spasms and her face starts to show it more and more. Thankfully the room finally fills up with Kobayashi’s “Team”. What was taking them so long?
The girl brings in cold tea and I hold it, until Hide’s last contraction went away.
“Just take a sip.” I tell her and hold it up to her.
“talk to me? I just need to hear you voice…” Last time I had to imagine it… “you smell nice today,”
“I smell nice because I’ve been hanging out the past week at our home, that you keep fresh.” I put the drink down. “So this is going to be your second child Hime-sama, sired by your one and only Samurai-san.” I stroke her hair, “Ah it’s too bad Otou-sama and Okaa-sama did their job very well back then and your samurai-san had to keep away. But now Otou-sama and Okaa-sama – must be looking down from the heavens glad you’re having Samurai-san’s child. Even they can’t wait to see your child Hime…”
But this one was stubbornly waiting I guess?
“Mmmm… I think they can be obedient but stubborn…” I laugh softly.
The tea is refreshing… but I can’t say anything about it.
And then… there’s Hajime’s voice. His hand on my hair. I can only smile, leaning my sweaty head back on him, as I’m buffered by wave after wave of pain. I like what he talks about… about my parents. It’s a time like this… that I miss them. To have been able to share my pregnancies with my mother… to have her proud that I did well, that the problems she had didn’t curse her daughter.
“It’s time, Yagi-san – I need you to push.” Kobayashi-sensei’s voice is clear, cutting through the pain.
And the pushing… is a new kind of pain. I hold onto the rope and the first push makes me groan… but I’m a Japanese woman. I hold onto a rope like the women before me, in a line going back so many years… keeping quiet, because I am the daughter of samurai and we don’t curse our child to have the first thing they hear be their mother’s screams.
“I’m – I’m good at staying quiet,” I get out, to Hajime. “Ookami-sama… my Samurai-san…”
Time is getting funny. Maybe this is taking hours? Or just minutes?
“Here comes the head – Yagi-san please don’t push until I tell you to -” Ah… this is the part that burns…. but I don’t feel the pain of tearing, like I did with Makoto?
“Shoulders! Nurse, be at the ready!”
“Our baby,” I pant to Hajime.
“Ah – here we go – one more push, Yagi-san!”
I hear a furious sound of crying, and a sudden cessation of the pressure and pain… replaced by a dull ache.
“You have a daughter! Congratulations!”
There’s a flurry of activity as everyone moves. The baby cries and… I’m crying as well, tears entirely made of joy. I look up at Hajime. “Ai… It’s our Ai-chan…”
Then Kobayashi-sensei is there, handing me a blanket-wrapped bundle, and hands her over. “Here, help her hold the baby – she’s a big one – near nine pounds!”
I bring her to my breast, and look at this new face. “Look at her…” I say, softly. Dark, inky black hair, that curls a little as it’s drying off. A face like mine – soft and round. I’m so in -bliss- to be held by the man I love while we hold our child that the pain of the afterbirth is almost an afterthought…
And then she opens her eyes as she suckles on me. They’re golden amber… “Oh… Hajime… she’s so beautiful.” I can only keep crying. This little girl is love…. he made a perfect name -again-.
“Mmmm… I think they can be obedient but stubborn…”
“Mmm..” I chuckle a little, “Being stubborn will make it hard to be obedient Hime.”
But then things get much more urgent. Suddenly the sweaty woman leaning against me, is now pushing against my chest as she pulls on the rope above her. She does as the doctor is saying and push.
She groans and whispers and I hold her against my cheek, “You’re doing excellent. Such a good Samurai daughter.” I tell her and reach into my pocket and just wipe her face and neck that keeps dripping with sweat. I’m not sure what the doctor is doing but for me it feels too long.
The doctor says the head is visible? I can’t see anything except hold Hide and not let her push me backwards.
Yagi-san please don’t push until I tell you to -”
What? My head shoots up to stare at the doctor but he’s still working. He’s working. Don’t you dare shout and distract the man! Fool! No matter how long it takes. Don’t complain. Don’t distract. Be a good husband instead!
“Our baby,
“Yes -ours-.” I look down at her and try to smile, “Just a little more. Soon we’ll see our baby.”
She only whimpers as I see her trying harder and I hold her hand that’s pulling on the rope. But then suddenly she relaxes and I’m wondering what happened?
“You have a daughter! Congratulations!”
I blink and realize that the breath that I’ve been holding is finally let out. I hear crying and I can only smile and look back at Hide. Her face glistening, I quickly just wipe her cheeks just in time for Kobayashi-sensei to bring her our bundle of joy.
“Ai… It’s our Ai-chan…”
“Hai.” I say as I watch her hold our newborn.
“Look at her…”
“Of course.” I say and lightly touch the still wet hair. Black like mine but the face is softer, like her mother. I watch the child suckle on her mother but I also watch the mother, in all sense my wife and take in the moment.
“Oh… Hajime… she’s so beautiful.”
“I know.” I say softly. Just like when I first realized I loved her. And I know I’ll love our daughter as well. Such striking eyes. I let her cry for a moment, before wiping those tears away. “It won’t be good you know, if people think I made you cry.” I joke but it’s all I could do to maintain my composure.
I watch as my dear husband touches the face of our daughter, and just looks at her.
It won’t be good you know, if people think I made you cry.
I look at him, my face beaming. “I’m just so happy…” And despite the state I’m in, and the crowd of people, I kiss him. Besides, our daughter shouldn’t mind; we’ve been our affectionate selves around her already…
I’m exhausted, but I let the little one drink her fill… “Your chichiue and I are very happy to finally meet you, Ai-chan,” I tell her… I can’t stop looking at her … curling eyelashes, tiny pink fingernails, her round cheeks… and looking back at her father. I’m so glad we could share this… after everything, it’s just -amazing-. We did this – we made another beautiful little girl.
And oh, those eyes… she seems to doze as she feeds, but she will then open them up, to look around. “See that handsome man? The one you listen to so well already? That’s your chichiue,” I tell her.
She whimpers a little as she unclamps from my nipple, and the attendant comes back in. “Sir, if you’d like I can help you give your daughter her first bath? That way the nurse can clean up your wife and change her bed linens so she can rest comfortably. Then the doctor will be back for one more look at the both of them.”
I give Hajime a smile. “Go ahead… I’ve carried her all this time, you can have the honor of sharing this with her.”
“I’m just so happy…”
And we kiss, inspite of the people around us. Of course I don’t mind.
We both look at our daughter, who seems to want to keep staring at me. I grin at her.
“See that handsome man? The one you listen to so well already? That’s your chichiue,”
“Thanks for not giving your mother a hard time.” I tell Ai-chan.
“Sir, if you’d like I can help you give your daughter her first bath?
Hide agrees and I take Ai-chan from her arms.
“I’ll bring our beautiful daughter back.” I tell Hide. “You try to get settled.”
With that I follow the attendant to another room.
“She’s pretty big.” I look at the attendant, “Does my daughter look like she’ll be tall?” Not that I care about her being tall, her mother is small. I am just curious.
(Fukuda)
She’s pretty big. Does my daughter look like she’ll be tall
I like this one. Nice to his wife, looked grumpy but didn’t yell at poor Kobayashi-sensei… and he seems happy to have a daughter.
“Hmmm… well, she’s 18 inches long, which is a little on the short side, but her mama is a small woman, right? But she’s a very healthy weight and just look at her…” I look at the baby. “What pretty eyes you have! And you’re so alert!”
The water is ready, this small room is my favorite for this as it’s small and stays warm. “Now, put your baby in this tub and support her – lean her forward a little, and keep that bellybutton above the water, since that’s where she was just connected to your wife.” I unwrap the baby – she was wiped down but Kobayashi-sensei likes to get the babies right to their mothers, when they’re awake. So she still has some of the fluids from her entry on the world on her skin…
The baby whimpers as she’s in the water. “Tell her she’s fine, they like to hear voices,” I tell him. He can’t take his eyes off his little girl… I smile. “We’ll keep this quick, though – now just light pressure, and make sure you get in those folds,” I say – she’s a nicely filled out baby, with chubby rolls and round cheeks. I keep my hands close – he seems sure, if careful, with her, but he agreed to this easily – many fathers seem a little surprised at the offer to take such hands-on care of their child so soon.
“Now that she’s clean, dry her off… and let me hold her – unbutton your shirt, if you would – and place her on your chest, supporting her head. The heat from your skin will both warm and sooth her.” Kobayashi-sensei said that it’s a new thing from Europe, but in the cold countryside where I’m from, it’s nothing new! “Then we’ll get you back to your wife.”
“Hmmm… well, she’s 18 inches long, which is a little on the short side, but her mama is a small woman, right? But she’s a very healthy weight and just look at her…”
“Ah but she’s so pretty.” I tell Fukuda-san. “It wouldn’t be bad if she took after her mother.”
I’m shown how to put the baby in the water and I take particular care not getting Ai-chan’s belly button wet. I let my hands work through the baby’s folds just like how she tells me.
“Your mother was right Ai-chan, that you’d have chubby fats and rolls all over.” I say to the baby. “But that’s fine, that will serve as insulation from the cold and once you get moving, from the bumps and falls.”
Of course I’m careful though as I finish up. I wouldn’t want my Ai-chan to fall on her first day.
The attendant asks me to unbutton my shirt and for a minute I hesitate but do as I’m told. Ai-chan is given back to me and I hold her against my chest. “Now don’t get my white shirt dirty Ai-chan.” I chuckle, “Well I guess it’s alright. We’ll just have your mother do laundry.”
(Hide)
They’re back in my room, where I’m still exhausted but I feel refreshed, after being given something of a sponge-bath and carefully re-dressed and placed back on a clean futon. I’m also given another clean bill of health from Kobayashi-sensei, who confirms what I felt – that Ai came into this world with no damage to me and, despite her size compared to mine, was an ideal delivery…
And I see Hajime carrying our daughter, and underneath the blanket she’s… nestled against Hajime’s bare chest! But Ai-chan looks content…
“How was her bath?” I look to Hajime. “She looks nice and cozy there,” I laugh softly. But despite how lean and -firm- he is, he is comfortable to sleep on…
“Kobayashi-sensei wishes you to remain in this room for the night, ma’am, to recover, in the morning you’ll be moved to a regular room. Should I bring in extra bedding for you, sir? He said you were welcome to remain,” she nods. “I leave shortly, but first I’ll bring dinner, another attendant will cover tonight.” She nods to a stack of linen, “there’s more for the both of you where that came from, and just place anything spoiled in the basket in the corner – for once you won’t need to do laundry,” she gives Hajime a look that has a bit of teasing in it.
“I want you to stay,” I say, softly. I want to keep this cocoon of warmth and joy for a little longer, to share in these precious first hours with our long-awaited child. “But… we need to let our other children know, but telegrams to my brothers and Tsuyoshi-kun can wait for morning…”
“She looks nice and cozy there,”
“You think so?” I look down at Ai-chan and then up at Hide with a grin.
Fukuda gives us a run down of what happens next, room, food, needs and even laundry! She tells me I’m welcome to stay so I agree to another set of beddings.
“I want you to stay,” “But… we need to let our other children know, but telegrams to my brothers and Tsuyoshi-kun can wait for morning…”
Taking Ai-chan, I give her back to her mother. “As long as you don’t fell anything amiss…” I observe her carefully but she seems tired rather than hurting, “I’ll go fetch Eiji as I want him to stay overnight at the house. Then I’ll let everyone now we have a girl. I should be back here, in a couple of hours.”
Before I turn to leave, I give her a light kiss. “You did well.” I whisper.
(OOC: You can close.)
As long as you don’t fell anything amiss…
“I’m tired, but there’s so much help here,” I assure him. “But I’ll rest better knowing all is well at home, and that they’re not worrying.” I know Makoto in particular picked up some wild tales from school…
You did well.
I smile up at him, and hold Ai-chan as he leaves, moving her little hand in a wave. “I bet that bath made you hungry,” I tell her, as she eagerly eats again… “and they maybe we can have a little nap?”
(OOC – close)