Friday, May 4, 2012
Her eyes opened heavily, her vision still hazy from her recent slumber. As the seconds passed, Leoun became aware once more of the aches and pains ailing her body. Her head felt as though it were aflame and her was body limp and weak. Most of all, she noticed the excessive movement of her babes; she attempted to arch her back to relieve the pain of one them stretching against her ribs. Of in the distance, she heard a voice of lovely grace and deep concern call her name. Turning to face the source of the beautiful voice, her eyes met that of Demetri's as he knelt next to her bedside. She knew he was a wanderer and therefore felt such gratitude towards him for his support. She wished he wouldn't portray such sadness in his gaze. Feebly she reached her hand to his cheek and lightly caressed it as she smiled.
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He leaned into her soft caress. How he wished he had more restrain. The illness had impaired his judgement, true, it was still no excuse to him. He leaned forward and placed a small kiss upon her forehead, a soft sigh escaped her lips. He couldn't stand seeing her this way. She was vibrant and so full of life not too long ago. He should have made her abort the babes, there was no point in her suffering. As if to hide his thoughts he looked away from her eyes.
ReplyDeleteShe saw the flicker of pain cross his face and knew she was being cruel. She desired him to stay; he did so. She wanted to bear his children and look where it's gotten her. Leoun turned her head aside, fighting back tears. She truly was the worst offender; a despicable being. What he saw in her she could not guess; though she was glad to be in his presence, she cursed herself for her selfish weakness. She felt a soft, warm hand part a stray strand of her hair and she returned her eyes to Demetri's.
ReplyDelete"Does something hurt?" he asked worriedly. Everything, she wanted to say, but this never left her lips. Again, she smiled weakly and slowly shook her head upon the pillow.
She was a bad liar. He could see the tears she was fighting back, the sorrow she attempted to hide away. All because of him. He placed a careful hand over her swollen stomach. He knew it was not their fault their father was a failure, he knew it was his responsibility to love and care for them . . . yet he could not hide the utter disgust and hatred he felt for them. It was wrong, he knew this. He stood, turning away from Leoun, over his shoulder, without looking into her face for fear her pain would bring him to tears, he asked, "Would you like some water or food?"
ReplyDeleteShe stared up at the ceiling, deliberating. She couldn't stand being weak and relying on Demetri, whom she knew was being tormented with her condition. If she were only stronger...
ReplyDelete"Yes," she replied hoarsely. She cleared her throat. "... but I'll go and get it." He turned on the spot and saw Leoun had already sat herself upright.
He rushed to her side immediately, he didn't mean to, but it seemed his speed startled her.
ReplyDelete"No." He said firmly,with all the authority of a prince behind it. He knew she was stubborn yet he hoped he would listen to him just once. He laid her back onto the bed, using little force for she was greatly weakened in her state.
She sighed heavily, slightly winded. Her stomach roiled in protest; the babes were not used to such movement. Catching her second wind, she attempted to sit up again but stopped short with the glare she met with. The flame inside her sparked, though slightly; something she had not felt in these past few months.
ReplyDelete"Really... Demetri," she breathed. "I can get it... I... can't stay bedridden forever... You know... exercise... is good."
He winced at her words. To think she could be bedridden forever hurt. . . all the possibilities of what could go wrong during the birth raced through his mind.
ReplyDelete"Just. . . stay damnit. Listen to me for once."
"Demetri, I-" She let out a small yelp as a great wave of pain overwhelmed her. Her lower back burned as though it were put in an open flame and her hips panged so terribly she would have thought they were broken. She held her breath after the yelp; fearing that if she opened her mouth she would scream. Her mind instinctively clicked and suddenly she knew what had happened.
ReplyDeleteHer water broke.
"Leoun!" Her water broke. He moved quick. He positioned the pillows behind her to elevate her upper body and help relieve the pain on her lower back.
ReplyDelete"I will be right back cara," He never noticed until now that he used "cara" to refer to her. It seemed like a small stupid gesture in this situation.
He ran down the hall way. Where is she?! His mind screamed in desperation. He couldn't find Dusk. She told him should anything happen to call Star, yet she regrettably forgot to show him how much less who Star was. There was no one else home. He couldn't risk moving her either. . . he was going to have to deliver the babes himself if he didn't find someone quick. He didn't trust himself not to kill them on the spot.
Leoun gasped, unable to hold her breath any longer, and cried out murderously in pain. Her body was being torn apart from the inside, she was sure. In the back of her mind, a panicked voice fervently wondered where Demetri had gone. The next swell of pain engulfed her and her screams were so loud and distraught she began to cough... out blood.
ReplyDeleteHer screams called him back to her side. There was blood all around her. It seemed like a never ending river of crimson.
ReplyDelete"Leoun, listen to me, you have to push, please cara, push. I will assist you the best I can, just push!" He went around to the foot of the bed. He shoved aside any emotions or thoughts he had. He had to remain focused.
He had seen child birth once before during his ventures. He had to elevate her legs some how. It would stretch her hips enough to allow the babes to move. He looked around to no avail, so instead he positioned her feet so that they pushed against his shoulders.
Leoun screamed as another wave of pain took her.
"Please Leoun push!" His heart raced as he saw the tip of the babes head. The moment had come. . . what would he do?
Everything, everything was on fire; her vision strained and blurry. Somewhere far off she could hear an echo of Demetri's voice: "Push, cara, push!" She held her breath and did as he said. Her breath ran short and the rest came out in blood filled gasps. She could feel the head of the first babe slowly push it's way to the opening. Leoun observed Demetri's face for the slightest moment; it was torn and indecisive... Could he really be deliberating..? She groaned in pain once more in attempt to push.
ReplyDeleteIt was coming. . . he didn't know what he should do. It would be so easy to break its neck and end it all. He bared his teeth as indecision took him . . . yet everything changed when it was finally here. The first babe had her eyes. It didn't cry which startled him. It merely looked at him intently as if knowing his thoughts. His life changed completely in that moment. His instincts as wolf took over. It was his child, one whom he would protect. It was his family, one whom he would make sure had everything they always wanted and more. . . .
ReplyDeleteHer screams brought his attention back. He wrapped the babe in a blanket he had brought with him and set it aside.
1 down. . . only two more to go.
She watched Demetri as he held the babe in his arms for that one precious moment. How gently he cradled the small child and the loving, natural look within his eyes. Pain overtook her again, the intensity not quite as strong but still formidable. She pushed again, slowly realizing the symptoms of her illness decreased with every push.
ReplyDeleteIt was almost over. Soon. . . His heart ached as he realized that soon he would be forced to leave the family he had formed. One that would not judge nor shun him. He cleared his mind. Now was not the time for self pity. He encouraged Leouns pushes, he could see within her eyes that the pain was not so great. It was working, with the babes out she would soon be herself!
ReplyDeleteExcitement rushed though him he could not stop himself as a small smile spread across his face. It would soon be over and he would leave,yes. . . but at least Leoun would no longer be in pain nor misery. She will be better, soon she would be happy and with her family once more.
He was glad he could give her that much, even if it meant removing himself from the picture.
And it was done. The small whimpers of the last child erupted as Leoun's cries were silenced. She watched calmly and with jubilant eyes as Demetri wrapped the second babe and brought then both to her. To see his smiling face and the warmth of the babes' cuddling bodies nearly reduced Leoun to tears of utter joy. The promise of a bright future danced across her vision; all was put to a sudden halt, however, when she witnessed the hidden pain echo beneath Demetri's eyes.
ReplyDelete"Demetri," she whispered, quite hoarse from her earlier screams. His face refocused to her, analyzing her and her condition as she spoke. "I hope you will always remember... That no matter where you are, you will always have a family to return to." And she smiled the purest smile, straight from the bottom of her heart.
His heart yearned for their family. How he wanted to stay, protect her, their children. . . but he knew it would only bring more evil to her life. The best way he could protect her . . . was to leave. With a heavy heart, he smiled wearily. He leaned in and kissed her. When their lips met a single tear fell from him. He was ment to be alone, he knew that now.
ReplyDelete"I will make sure you and the babes are taken care of. You will have everything you've always wanted. I swear cara. . . My little Leoun." He could see the sudden panic in her eyes. He caressed her cheek, "please. . .do not cry. Its. . . for the better. I'm sorry. . ."
"I love you, Demetri. That will never change." These words were perhaps the truest she had ever spoken. The youngest babe whined in hunger and Leoun turned get full attention to the little child. There was a silence, save for the baby's cries, until finally Demetri's footsteps could be heard exiting the room. She couldn't bear it; to watch him leave with the lingering thought that he would never return. It would have been the must painful and horrible memory and even now it was all she could do to mask the tears with a kind smile.
ReplyDeleteHe ran. Away from her. . . away from happiness. He ran until tears stung his eyes, until anger at himself burned deep within. Be bared his fangs as he shifted into a wolf. He ran into the forest, the farther he went the more his wolf yearned for its mate.
ReplyDelete.... I love you Leoun. He wished he would have told her that before he left, but fear if he did it would have only given her hope of his return.