Cassius
Ilay in the bathtub like I often did for my heats.
Malin stayed outside the tub leaning over the edge to massage me. The cramps were terrible. But I wasn’t in heat. I was giving birth to an egg.
“Lie still and let me help,” Malin said softly. His fingers slid into my hole.
Together, we had decided on a water birth.
“That helps a lot.” I leaned back, able to take a deeper breath.
His fingers rubbed my channel, pressing and tapping at the sides. My body felt blocked and strange. A contraction hit and I moaned, pushing.
The doctor was a phone call away but as long as I was healthy and showed no signs of problems, we could do this ourselves.
“You’re doing great,” Malin said. His free hand made soft circles over my protruding belly. “You’re opening nicely.”
“Is it too late to change my mind?” I asked after the contraction passed.
“I’d do it for you if I could.”
Malin had been so supportive during my entire pregnancy. He gave me massages, both internal and external, any time I wanted. If I craved something, he got it for me. If I wanted a softer pillow, he brought it. When my belly grew bigger, he told me I was beautiful every single day.
I leaned into another contraction.
“They’re coming faster,” he observed. “It’ll be over soon, little wolf.”
“Easy for you to say,” I panted.
Another contraction took my breath.
Malin’s fingers gently moved in and out of me. “I think I felt something move.”
“Really?” Because I didn’t. “I hope you’re right.”
After two more contractions, finally I detected movement within. “I felt something.”
“Go with it. But wait for the contraction.”
“I am. But it feels like that’s all I’m doing. Waiting.”
“Do you need a little more warm water?”
I nodded as he turned on the faucet. Warmth embraced all around my lower half. It helped my body relax. Then another contraction doubled me over. I bore down.
“Yes. Keep going. Good news. My fingers can feel the nose of the egg.”
The contractions were back-to-back now. Sweat poured down the sides of my face. “Cooler water now, please,” I begged.
“You never lose your manners, do you? Even while giving birth.”
Now cooler water swirled around my body. The egg moved considerably at that point. It felt like it was close to my opening which had to be gaping wide by now.
Malin confirmed what I was feeling when he said, “I can see it.” His fingers circled my enlarged opening. There was no longer room for them inside.
The last contraction came and my muscles stretched impossibly tight, then there was a whoosh of water and a release inside my body that was ecstatic.
“It’s out!” Malin announced.
