Dauntless: Birth
Debbie's pregnancy with Mark had not been like this. Not even close. The vomiting, the painful headaches and stomach-aches... Finding her lying in her own blood, already contracting-
Immortal placed a hand on his shoulder. “She’ll get through this. They both will.”
The comfort was unexpected. "Of course she will," came out almost immediately, but had far less confidence than Nolan wanted. Of course Debbie was going to be all right. She had to be. She was so strong; it was why he chose her. She had already given him Mark, so why...? Why had this one been so difficult?
“Have you seen your daughter yet?” War Woman asked softly. His jaw tightened, emotions conflicting and clashing inside his chest. The child survived, cut out of Debbie's womb... His mission was still going strong. Two children, two more soldiers for Viltrum. So why did he feel no joy? ------
The faint beeping of the room got closer. Nolan’s chest constricted as he looked through the window. It was... so small. Mark wasn't this small.
He could barely see the rise and fall of its chest from within the incubator. Tubes stuck in its body as those moronic apes who called themselves doctors were barely making an effort to look over- This is what his Debbie had almost died for? He wanted to laugh, to scream. What did it matter, if he was alone or not? What did it matter that the so-called guardians extended piety towards him? It was either endure their words or turn his attention to the tiny creature who almost killed his- "-izing, you can see her if you- Um. Sir?" Nolan's head jerked up at the so-called doctor, making them flinch. "Your daughter has stabilized. You may come in and see her if you wish."
"If it'll get you to stop," he muttered, more on instinct than actual anger (surprising himself) as he put on the gloves. The machine's beeps were quicker now as the lid was lifted. It was even smaller up close; he could see the beginnings of dark hair on its head. Even up close, he had to concentrate to see the rise and fall of its chest. It almost killed Debbie, repeated over and over in his mind as his hand extended down to it (It could fit in one hand easily, just a twitch of a finger and-) Nolan blinked at the sudden pressure around his index finger.
How did-? Nolan looked down fully to see its hand gripping the digit with more force than he expected. A small noise of- discomfort? before it's eyes twitched... and opened. Blue. The brightest, roundest blue eyes stared up at him.
His eyes. Nolan's legs felt weak, his chest felt like it was going to burst, but he could not tear his eyes away from his daughter's gaze. Nolan's hands shook as he cradled her against his chest, her hold on his index finger still strong. She didn't make a sound, simply looked at him solemnly. Even with how still she was, he could feel her heartbeat through the blankets. He knew she wouldn't remember; that it would take years for her to develop memory. But he would never forget this moment. "Minerva," he murmured her name at last.
@assassin-artist
