Lonesome Creek appeared ahead, Christmas lights outlining buildings and storefronts, the giant tree in the town square sparkling with thousands of tiny bulbs. Under different circumstances, I would have stopped to admire its beauty. Now, it was just a beacon guiding us home.
Inla’s house sat a short distance beyond town, a charming one-story ranch with gingerbread trim and a wide front porch. Light spilled from every window, and as we pulled up, Rosey and Holly waited on the porch, concern etched on their faces.
“Ruugar called us, and we came right away,” Rosey said. “Is Beth?—”
“She’s in labor,” Inla said as she climbed out of the sleigh and helped Grannie down. “I’ll do a full exam inside, but I believe this town’s about to be gifted with its first youngling.”
Ruugar scooped Beth up in his arms and carried her from the sleigh, rushing up the steps to Inla’s house while Beth moaned and clutched her belly.
“I’ve got you, breela,” he said on the porch, pausing to nudge his forehead against hers. “You’re doing so well.”
Beth managed a smile despite another contraction ripping through her. “Your youngling has your impatience.”
“Just breathe through it,” Grannie said from behind them.
Beth nodded, her face pale in the moonlight, her breath coming in controlled pants. Despite her obvious discomfort, she was still composed. If it was me, I had a feeling I’d be freaking out.
“First younglings take their time,” Grannie said, following Ruugar inside Inla’s house, her cane thudding on the wooden floorboards.
We went inside.
Dungar started filling a kettle for tea while someone else raided the cupboard for crackers, taking some cheese from the fridge.
Ruugar took Beth down the hall, passing a cozy living room where the males would wait once they arrived. Christmas decorations coated many of the surfaces, from garlands, to candles, and even a small real tree in the corner holding handmade ornaments.
Inla followed Ruugar down a hallway. “The birthing room is on the right,” she said. “Everything prepared just like we discussed.”
Her guest bedroom had been transformed with a special low, wide bed covered in clean sheets. Lamps cast a warm glow across the chairs placed along one wall where some could sit. Two windows on the right looked out onto the snowy yard, where sorhoxes were being unhitched from sleighs as more orcs and their mates arrived.
Ruugar gently laid Beth onto the bed, his big frame making the room seem smaller. He brushed hair from her forehead, his dark eyes never leaving her face.
“If you want me with you, I’m staying,” he said.
“Please,” Beth croaked out.
“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Grannie rolled up her sleeves. “Males belong with their mates during birth, humanororc.”
Inla bustled around, arranging pillows behind Beth’s back, checking supplies, issuing instructions to Holly and Rosey standing nearby.
Allie and Gracie, then Jessi arrived, each bringing something for the birth. Special teas, soft cloths, calming oils. The room filled with feminine energy, a circle of support around Beth as she prepared to bring new life into the world.
“Carla,” Beth called, her voice strained. “Come closer.”
I approached the bed, uncertain of my role in this intimate family moment. Beth reached for my hand, her grip strong.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she said, giving everyone a shaky smile. “All of us together, as it should be.”
My throat choking off, I squeezed her hand. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Through the crack in the door, I glimpsed the living room filling with males. They gathered together, their faces creased with concern and their deep voices a comforting rumble. Family coming together in celebration and support.
Becken’s eyes found mine, and something unspoken passed between us. He nodded once before turning back to say something to Hail.
“Another one’s coming,” Beth whimpered, her face tightening with pain.
Aunt Inla checked Beth’s progress while Gracie wiped her brow with a cool cloth. Ruugar and I stood on either side of the bed, urging her to pant, to breathe through the contraction.
“You’re moving fast,” Inla said with a big smile. “You’ll be pushing soon.”
