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The healer had advised the best way to induce labor was physical activity. Walks through the palace gardens had become Poppy’s favorite method so far, and as a result of him never leaving her side for the past ten months, it was Casteel’s as well.
The finish line of the pregnancy was in sight. Just a few weeks ago Poppy had felt the shift of the baby dropping. It had made breathing easier, but walking at a reasonable pace nearly impossible. She’d lost track of how many times she had apologized to Casteel or Kieren for slowing them down. Kieren had waved her off, telling her it was hardly a bother while Casteel incessantly suggested confining her to a wheelchair and pushing her from appointment to appointment, place to place.
The suggestion died out after the most recent visit to the healer when Casteel was informed that if she continued walking, they would meet their princess quicker.
Now Casteel’s favorite activity was strolling about with Poppy.
With one hand resting on her now large and incredibly round bump, the other hand in Casteel’s they slowly maneuvered the curving walkway of the palace gardens.
“Do you feel any contractions now?” Cas asked.
“No.”
A pause.
“What about now?”
“Still no.”
Cas nodded.
A beat.
“Now?”
Poppy looked up at him, seeing the teasing grin on his face. She smiled in spite of herself, rolling her eyes. While his eagerness was endearing, she certainly was in no rush for the painful contractions to begin.
“You’ll know when they start, trust me,” she said. The hand at the apex of her stomach, slid down to support the bottom. “I promise I won’t conceal it from you.”
“I just find it odd that you’ve gone through all the stages of labor and after days and days your contractions still haven’t started,” he shrugged as they passed a tree with golden leaves. “Your belly dropped, the healer said your cervix has dilated, you’re experiencing the cramps and the back pain…”
Poppy moved her hand from her bump to brace the small of her back with the heel of her palm. “Didn't need the reminder but thanks…”
Ignoring her, he continued: “You said your joints weren’t as cramped… as evidenced by your newfound clumsiness. You’ve stopped gaining weight. You’re always tired…”
“Had I known this stroll would be so fraught with insults I would’ve just brought Kieren,” she grumbled.
Cas smiled down at her apologetically, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry,” he said gently. But then Cas sighed, evidently not finished. “You’ve also started nesting. Then there was the loss of the -“
“Don’t say it-“
“...mucus plug.”
Poppy groaned. “You’re going to make me vomit now.”
They halted before the wall of dark roses; instantly they took Poppy’s mind off of the urge to expel the contents of her stomach.
Poppy let go of Casteel’s hand, stepping forward to admire them closer. Her fingers brushed the soft petals.
An image of these flowers had been painted on the walls of the nursery with hopes that their child would be as comforted by the sight of them as Poppy was. Casteel stepped forward, standing at Poppy’s side, hands clasped behind his back as he too took in the flowers.
“You know I love this about you,” he murmured.
“Hm?”
“The little things you appreciate. Roses, warm baths, books, bickering… daggers.”
Poppy snorted and folded both her hands over her bump, not taking her eyes off of the midnight colored flowers.
“I hope she gets that from you, you know. Loving the little things.”
Poppy arched a brow, offering him a skeptical grin. “Like daggers? And naughty books?”
Casteel laughed and rubbed the back of her neck. “Maybe not everything you appreciate then.”
Poppy stepped to the side, coming to stand before Cas. She leaned her head back against his chest. His arms slid beneath her’s, hands resting on either side of her distended belly, fingers splaying.
“I’ve been inconsiderate,” he exhaled against her ear, “with my lack of patience.”
“Well, I’m eager to meet her as well,” Poppy shrugged, placing her hands over his. “Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
A kiss to her neck. “How are you feeling though?”
Poppy barked a laugh. “You already described how I’m feeling. Everywhere is sore, I’m tired, and I’m enormous.”
He dipped his head to press another kiss to her cheek this time, giving her bump an affectionate stroke. “Does it hurt?”
She considered his question. “Well, the weight of it makes my feet hurt. It’s hard on my back. Mostly it’s just cumbersome.”
“If it’s any consolation,” he murmured by her ear, “you’re positively stunning, even encumbered.”
“You’re sweet, but I think I’ve had enough of this. I miss… certain positions. I’m sure you do too.”
“Be that as it may, I’ll certainly miss these,” Casteel said, moving his hands up to cup her breasts.
Poppy snickered and grabbed his fingers, moving his hands back down to her bump. “Someone might see! Gods, calm down...”
“How can you ask such a thing of me when you look so…”
Casteel trailed off as a steady trickling sounded, pattering against his boots. Poppy stiffened in his embrace.
“Shit,” she said under her breath. Poppy turned in his arms, stumbling back slightly. She looked down at his feet, eyes widening and cheeks going scarlet. “I didn’t mean to do that.”
Cas’s eyes were still on the liquid shining on his shoes. “Was that… did your water just break?”
Poppy cringed. “Yes.”
Then she was overwhelmed by the taste of both elation and sheer panic. She braced herself for Casteel’s reaction, already trying to summon the words to ease his nerves. She raised her hands with a placating gesture as his gaze slowly met her’s. His eyes were wide as saucers.
“Cas… I’m fine. Lis-“
“We have to get you to the infirmary. Now, ” he said, voice barely above a whisper.
Poppy shook her head. “It’s not urgent yet, Cas. I haven’t felt a single contrac-“
“But they could start at any moment, the healer said after your water broke.” His voice was frantic. “I can carry you. Do you want me to carry you?”
It took every ounce of self control not to snap at him. She was capable of listening to her body. Of keeping it all under control.
But he meant well. He was only excited… and a little worried. Because he was a good partner and he would be a good father. She inhaled deeply through her nose then exhaled, calming herself.
“We’ll go to the infirmary, alright? But the healer is just going to send us to our chambers until my contractions are closer together.”
Cas nodded and for a moment, seemed to sober himself.
But all traces of ease vanished as he cursed under his breath. Was this King Casteel Da’Neer? The once level headed, calm and collected warrior?
“I need to cancel all of our appointments for the foreseeable future. I need to brief the Royal Advisor and get him set up for our absence. Shit, we’ve gotta find Kieren too-“
“Casteel, there is plenty of time for that,” Poppy said smoothly. “And you can attend the meetings. Just tell them I’ll be out un-“
Cas took a step forward, eyes flashing with resolve. “No chance in hell. I’m not leaving your side for a second.”
Poppy clasped her hands together. “Okay, Cas, take a deep breath with me.”
Casteel’s brows drew together, but when Poppy began doing an exaggerated inhale he followed suit. They exhaled shakily together and for a moment, Poppy thought she’d succeeded in calming him down. The spicy taste of panic was slowly fleeting.
And then it was back like a crashing wave.
He seized her hands. “Alright, I’ve collected my thoughts. I’m going to carry you to the infirmary and we’ll call Kieren to come in while the healer takes a look at you. I’ll give him the instructions to provide the Royal Advisor. We’ll procure a wheelchair from the infirmary then go to our chambers. After that we can call for your lady’s maid and-“
“ Or we could just head to the infirmary after I change gowns, ” Poppy said through gritted teeth.
Casteel’s brows shot up in surprise. “Poppy… there’s no time to waste.”
“Okay, here’s what we’re gonna do…”
He nodded once. “I’m listening.”
“You’re going to take some deep breaths, and I’m going to concentrate and try to alleviate some of your hysteria.”
“I’m not hysterical , I’m focusing ,” he countered, tilting his head.
Poppy smirked. “That’s not what I’m getting from you. You are all over the place.”
“I’m calm.”
“Not at all. I’m calm.”
Casteel blinked and Poppy tasted confusion on her tongue. She smiled wryly, watching as he slowly realized the state he was in.
Then his eyes narrowed. “How are you so calm?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know how much longer I can remain calm. I just can tell I should be doing the opposite of what you’re doing.” Her hands fell to his shoulders and she tugged him as close as her bump would allow. “Do you want me to take away some of the stress so you can really focus?”
Her husband seemed to wrestle with the question. She wouldn’t do that without his permission. It was a violation. So she waited patiently. As patiently as she could at least…
Cas finally nodded in affirmation. “Do it. I’m useless to you otherwise.”
“Alright.”
She closed her eyes focusing on him, on the spicy taste of anxiety and thickness of his concern. She concentrated hard. Harder. Harder .
Then pain shot down Poppy’s back to the front of her lower abdomen. She gasped at the sudden pain, almost glaring at her stomach.
When she looked back up at Casteel his lips were pressed together, a muscle in his jaw twitching. The pain was too intense for her to help him, to take away any of the panic. Defeated by her own body.
So Poppy relented with a sigh. “You’re not carrying me. We’re changing my dress. Then the infirmary. Okay? You’re gonna have to calm down the old fashioned way.”
“Deep breaths?”
“Mmhm,” she ground out as the pain slowly subsided.
Casteel nodded again, slowly taking in her words. Considering them. Poppy gritted her teeth. He took a deep breath in, then let it out.
“Alright then. We’ll get you changed first.” Casteel paused, gathering himself. Then his eyes locked with her’s and there wasn’t a hint of compromise. “But I’m carrying you.”
This was a battle she would not win, so she waved an errant hand. “Fine.”
The panic in Casteel subsided and was exchanged for the flavor of triumph. Her irritation faded instantly at the smile on his face.