Work Text:
"Brother and Sister"
Acxa bounced up and down on her feet excitedly. Her mom was coming home today. Her mom had been on a deep space assignment for several phoebes (months), keeping in contact over the communications array. It had been rough for the little kit, but at least she had someone she could stay with. Thace and Ulaz were nice and always up for cuddles with the kit, but nothing beat a mother's love.
Ulaz stood behind the Acxa, face a little grim. During the return trip communications, Krolia told Ulaz that she was expecting again. She had been worried about what to tell Acxa, so she kept it a secret from her daughter. Ulaz was hoping that Krolia would make it back before she went into labor.
Just then, a ship entered the hangar. Ulaz kept a hand on Acxa's shoulder, so the little girl wouldn't dash over before the ship powered down. Once the door opened, Ulaz couldn't keep the girl still any longer. Acxa ran over, calling out, "Mama!"
Krolia carefully made her way out of the ship, being careful of her belly. It was obvious she was very pregnant. Ulaz could tell she just barely made it in time. He walked over to help Krolia if needed or to pick up Acxa, so the girl could hug her mom easier.
From her position in Ulaz's arms, Acxa looked at her mom or, more specifically, her belly. "Mama?"
"Kit, I missed you so much!" Krolia hugged her daughter, nuzzling her.
Acxa returned the nuzzles. "Mama, what happened? Why is your belly so big?"
"Your going to have a sibling in a quintant at most; a little brother specifically," Krolia told her.
To everyone's delight, Acxa's eyes lit up. She squealed. "A brother! I get to have a brother?"
"Yes, little kit. Now, let's let your mom get down to the med bay, so I can examine her," Ulaz replied.
Krolia let out a pained noise. "Actually, Ulaz, the examination will have to wait. My water just broke."
Ulaz helped Krolia get to the med bay. He thanked the stars that the med bay was close to the hangars. He radioed Thace to come get Acxa. Fortunately, his mate was nearby. He quickly took ahold of the little girl and let his mate tend to Krolia. Thace nuzzled Acxa, who returned those nuzzles.
Ulaz moved some privacy screens around a bed before he helped Krolia out of her Blade uniform, into a surgical gown, and onto an examination bed. Ulaz had her sitting up, hugging a pillow. He prepared a large needle laced with a numbing agent, so she could deliver the kit with almost no pain. He injected the numbing agent, causing Krolia to wince as the needle went in. Once the medicine took effect, she sighed and laid down with her legs open.
Ulaz had only delivered one other kit; that being Acxa. He was slightly nervous. He knew that delivering kits was risky, and the kits were very fragile. He hoped there wouldn't be any complications. He had read several books and articles on the subject the tick Krolia had told him she was expecting the first time. He reread those same books and articles, refreshing his mind for this delivery.
Thace kept a firm grasp on Acxa. He knew the med bay was no place for little kits, but there was no way he was going to be the one responsible for not letting the little girl to see her mom and brother first. They couldn't hear anything at first, but it wasn't long before they heard Ulaz's voice.
"Okay, Krolia. Now, push. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Push again. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Another push, a big one this time. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. I think one more big one should do it. Push!"
Ulaz's voice was drowned out by a piercing cry. "Congratulations, Krolia. It's a boy."
One of Ulaz's assistants opened the door and said, "Acxa, you can come in now."
Thace released Acxa, who scampered in. She watched as Ulaz placed a wrapped bundle in her mom's arms. Ulaz turned and filled out some paperwork, making a new medical file for their latest addition.
"Come here, Acxa, and meet your brother, Keith."
Acxa crept closer and peered at the bundle in her mom's arms. He didn't look a thing like her or any of the other Blades she had seen. He had pale skin and little wisps of black hair on his head. His eyes, though, were the same purple as hers and her mom's. Acxa looked up at her mom. "He's not purple."
Krolia grinned at her daughter. Kits were always so blunt. "No, he's not, but he's still your brother. No matter what he looks like."
Acxa carefully came even closer and gave a very very gentle nuzzle to the tiny kit. He turned his eyes in her direction for a brief tick before his attention was attracted by his mother removing the top of her gown.
Thace took Acxa around to the other side of the privacy screens as Krolia fed her newest little kit. He sighed. It was sure going to be different around the base with two little kits. He wondered if the base would still be floating when the kits reached the age of five.
Fin