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Year 2 of the 7th Astral era, Ishgard
After 32 hours of protracted labor 19 year old Warrior of Light Kheni is exhausted. However she now has her hour old, clean and swaddled baby girl in her arms.
She's been through the emotional wringer. First the heartbreak of realizing she's going to be doing this without the father of the child she had only begun realizing she was in love with when he slipped out of their bed in the early morning to start locking down the Crystal Tower.
The need to keep the Tower out of the hands of those who would misuse it was understandable but she still grieved his loss and what might have been. And after she discovered she was carrying his child? Well, if it wasn't for dear Haurchefant she might have truly fallen into the depths of despair. Looking over at him bringing in a new mug of hot cocoa and some light snacks she again thanked him for his support.
"Think nothing of it my friend! It's been my honor and joy to help you in your journey." He smiled brightly and gently stroked G'leilhe's hair, the tiny babe's whole head dwarfed by his elezen sized hand. "I'll leave the drink and snacks here for you. Please do not hesitate to use the bell to summon someone to assist if you need it." giving the child a kiss on her crown he leaves to let mother and child rest.
Smiling as he leaves, Kheni is left with her babe and her own thoughts. In addition to the heartbreak she's had to deal with the fallout of the Bloody Banquet, dealing with the 1000 year long Dragonsong war, and, most exhausting of all, Ishgardian politics.
For the next month or so though all she has to worry about is taking care of herself, her child and the progress of the manacutters.
Holding Lei to her bare chest the baby is starting to stir. Fumbling a bit she mumbles words of encouragement to the tiny miquitten as she tries to latch onto her breast. After a few minutes of trying they finally manage it and Kheni sighs at the release of pressure she hadn't even been aware of as Lei feeds.
Looking down at her daughter in awe she gently cups the back of her head, marveling at this tiny little scrunched popoto in her arms.
Lei's ears start wiggling in time with her suckling.This is a natural response in miquittens and generally is a sign of extreme contentment. It's something she's seen countless times from cousins and aunties nursing their children.
Kheni can't quite see Lei clearly anymore, and is alarmed at that and the droplets landing on the babe. Said babe is QUITE displeased at her meal being interrupted and mewls her displeasure.
Oh, she's crying. That's what the droplets are.
Being careful to reposition so she's no longer dropping tears on the child Kheni helps Lei re-latch.
Focusing on the relief, love, and her child's ear wiggles, Kheni lets her child drink her fill and lets the cathartic flood of tears flow with her milk.
Year 9 of the 7th Astral era, Old Sharlyan
26 year old Warrior of Light, "former" Scion of the 7th dawn Kheni is tired. After 12 hours total of labor she has her son, G'surya clean and swaddled in her arms.
Another set of arms comes around her from behind and a low rumbling starts against her back. Smiling, she strokes her son's hair as she settles back into her husband's embrace and gently bunts his chin as she starts purring in response.
Tilting her head back and turning her upper body she's able to see his face fully for the first time since she finished birthing their son. She chokes up seeing the sheer love and adoration unhidden, for all the world to see.
Kheni takes his hand and uses it to stroke the too-big-for-his-head newborn ears. Raha's jaw drops in awe and quickly snaps back as he tries to find words but fails. Instead he drops his head to press a kiss between her ears, only able to stammer out sweet nothings and disjointed praise of them both.
"I-I can't believe, oh my loves-did so well- so proud-"
His hand, the formerly crystal one, shakes as it comes around to stroke the back of Surya's fuzzy little head.
"Sometimes I question," he pauses, clearing his throat "if this truly is real." Another kiss between her ears and his other hand gently comes around Kheni's middle. "Then I kick myself, because even in-" he swallows and continues thickly "even in my most fantastical dreams I never" his voice cracks "never allowed myself to dream something like this. Never would I have dreamed I would be so blessed-" his voice fails him as he wraps himself more thoroughly around his wife and son. His head is leaning over her right shoulder, she brings his right, formerly crystal, hand to support Surya's head, then reaches back to stroke at the base of Raha's ears to soothe him. She smiles as his thumb unconsciously returns the gesture to the babe.
She sees tears fall onto their son's head and her own vision blurs. Scrunching his little face up he starts to fuss as she moves to dry the tears from him.
"There there my loves. We'll be ok." she coos to both of her boys as she strokes one with each hand.
"Raha, love?" Kheni moves to press a kiss to his cheek.
Blinking rapidly he meets her gaze and makes a questioning noise, not trusting his voice just yet.
"Help me get him latched, that fussing sounded like hunger as well as a complaint about the weather." She smiles to emphasize she's teasing.
His gorgeous eyes widening he nods and she verbally guides him into helping position their son as she shifts into a more comfortable position. Thankfully, with minimal trouble he starts to feed, the familiar release of pressure starting. Sighing in relief of the barely noticed tension (compared to the pain of labor at least) she guides Raha to watch Surya knowing what was to come.
After a few quietly awed moments there- there it is. Their son's ears start wiggling in time with his suckling.
Raha laughs in surprise before gently stroking the babe's head again.
Choking up a little he starts "That- that's the most precious thing I've ever seen."
Nodding in agreement Kheni laughs "Isn't it though? It doesn't get old, still just as cute, well until they start having teeth come in." She winces at the memory.
They quietly chuckle together, then fall into tired, comfortable silence, purrs taking over the room as the primary sound.
"Raha?"
"Hmm?"
She bunts his chin again. "I love you."
He smiles and somehow snuggles even closer.
"Love you too."