Castillian was nervous, as any new father would be, but even so he held a confident air about him that he hoped would ease her worries, bringing her a comforting warmth much like that of his hands as they encompassed her smaller ones. Oh, how they seemed to perfectly fit into his as if they had been made just for each other, like pieces of a puzzle interlocking in harmony. And anyone knowing Castillian Ersilia would be foolish to think he’d believe anything less.
The soft pads of his thumbs continued to rub gentle circles into her skin, lulling her back to him, and the soft smile that stroked her lips only made his grow with relief. He knew she was frightened, for if he himself had let his thoughts stray they might very well have choked him too, but the one thing he could promise was that she would not be alone. Cas was going to be there by her side, and there he would always remain.
A gentle hand had caressed his cheek and stayed there as he felt her forehead rest gently against his own, her soft whispers of reassurance causing him to nod ever so subtle as to not disturb her. Castillian had never believed in anything more than he believed in her at this very moment, his faith in her holding him together and keeping him strong.
And then that plea, that soft and gentle plea graced his ears, and not another had been needed to fall from her lips before he was scooping her into his arms with an “of course, my love”, smiling that special smile that only she could bring forth. Oh those three little words, how he’d never tire of hearing them playing on her voice like a fine instrument. Perhaps she wasn’t of his kind, nor held a gift like his own that would make ones true feelings obvious, but he didn’t need such things, not even her verbal affirmation (while he did love hearing it) to know of her affections. It was in her eyes. Maybe they didn’t glow like his own, but they were sparkling in their own ethereal way, and a simple lighting up of one’s hues were nothing compared to the glimmer radiating off of her entire being.
With that he lifted her up, feet then soon to pad along the wooden floorboards as he carried her with ease much like he had not very long ago when she had been adorned in white lace. Across the hallway and up the stairs he carries her, into their room among comforters like swans down and where curtains blew with each gentle spring breeze wafting through the open window.
As a little girl, she had always been asking for dolls and barbies for Christmas; she had always known it was her destiny to be a mother. During the initial transition of being a vampire, it hadn’t been the blood thirst that had sent her off the rails - it was, so she thought, her chance of having babies of her own being taken away. She remembered talking to Stefan about it - breaking down countless times with a hand resting on her stomach, as she pictured her life stuck living forever without her one true desire.
Yet now her hand was settling on her stomach, and she could feel the life inside. She could feel the baby her and Castillian had longed for moving and preparing itself for meeting its parents. Whilst the pain had not escalated yet, the discomfort was growing. This movement was more forceful than the odd kick and wriggle she had grown used to over the nine months. But Caroline made sure to practice the breathing exercises she had been taught by the midwife, and reminded herself to remain calm. Any pain, any discomfort, would all be worth it; being able to hold that little bundle of joy in her arms would fit the final piece of her puzzle. She had a beautiful house, a husband she would call her soulmate - and now they were going to have a family of their own.
Her arms loosely wrapped around his neck as he carried her up the stairs. She too was reminded of their wedding night - the most magical, most wonderful night of her life, up until today. Caroline had to kiss a fair few frogs before she found her prince charming, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. Her younger self had pictured the first man she fell in love with to be the last man, but now she understood that love was not that simple. If she had never experienced a love other than Cas’, she would not appreciate and understand its greatness like she does now. Because yes, she had been in love before, but never had she been in love with another like she was with him. Her soulmate. The only man ever perfect enough to father her child.
Settling back onto the sheets, she let out a small sigh of relief. The blankets were soft against her skin, and the breeze that ruffled her hair calmed the flush on her cheeks. Her hand immediately searched for Cas’ though, not wanting him to leave her side, the other still resting on her stomach. “Baby wants to say hello...” She whispered, looking down and seeing the way her stomach moved around. “Daddy’s right here...and we can’t wait to meet you.” Caroline had spoken to the baby all through the pregnancy, and knew it would get used to the voices around it. She wanted it to know who its parents were as soon as it took its first breath.
The midwife stepped in the room, a bounce in her step, excitement evident in her eyes. She had been with them on this journey, and was just as eager to meet the little one as they were. “Okay Caroline...I want you to sit back and keep doing those breathing exercises for me...every time you’ve got a pain, I want you to tell me. I need to count how far apart your contractions are. I’m also going to check how dilated you are, so if I can just do that...” All the equipment was already set up and ready to go - it had been for a couple of weeks now, just in case the baby decided to come early. “You’re doing wonderful.” She reassured her, as she got down to the nitty gritty. Nodding, she peered up at the expecting parents. “You’re coming up to 7cm dilated...”
Before the midwife could continue, Caroline turned to Cas. “I have to be 10cm to start pushing. But we’re getting there...I need to keep changing positions though...”
With a nod, the midwife set a pillow down next to Caroline. “I want you to lay on your side for a bit. Cas, if you want, you can lay behind her, and gently massage her back...this will give her comfort. Caroline, when you feel like you need to change positions, please do...if you don’t have the urge, I recommend doing it every 10-15 minutes. Whether it’s rolling onto the other wide, or getting up and just walking around the room for a bit, you need to keep moving, okay? Pain relief wise...”
She shook her head. “There’s no point...I-I have been through some painful things...I’ll be fine. And anything you would give me would just...burn off faster than it does for humans. And I don’t want to start messing around with dosages, because we don’t know how that could affect the baby. I will be okay.” She was adamant she could get through it without the drugs, although deep down a part of her wished she had the option. But she couldn’t risk damaging their little miracle, and so she would try her best to get through this without causing too much of a fuss.
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