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 Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:21 pm
Nkechi didn't know much about being pregnant. She didn't know when the babies were supposed to come or how long it was supposed to last. But when she started becoming unbearably round and heavy she worried. Were they stuck? Was something wrong? She was feeling more and more tired as days passed, for the weight made it quite a task to walk and the kicking stole some of her energy as well. She was happy, but nervous. She had never been pregnant before and no one had ever even explained babies to her. So the whole experience was like plunging into the unknown depths of the sea she lived by.
Today she lay out on the sand a good distance from the water. Her head rested on her paws and she did her best to relax, listening to the rhythm of the ocean. Normally it worked but for some reason it wouldn't today. Her body insisted on being tense. Perhaps if she had been a bit more clever she might have known the time was near. The time to bring the children into the world.
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:50 pm
As Nkechi's moods rose and fell like the waves, Noari's did too. If she was upset, he was upset. If she was worried, he was worried. And, on those rare occasions when she was relaxed, he, too, was relaxed.
But he could never show it. Truthfully, the thought of being a father was nervewracking. He was already in doubt about his own integrity... how was he supposed to raise cubs to be good, upstanding members of the pride? Despite this, he knew that Nkechi depended on him for reassurance and for wisdom, even if he didn't have any. So, when she was worried, he smiled and assured her it was okay, even though his insides were turning with every second of the pregnancy.
He had never had anyone to teach him, either, so he had picked things up from wandering. Over time, he saw the different stages of pregnancy, and once he had even witnessed a birth (much to his displeasure). Thankfully, he knew a bit of what to expect.
The big lion padded up to Nkechi's side, the salty breeze ruffling his mane. "Hey," he grunted, though his voice was loving. "Those babies should be here any time. You're about to pop!"
Blinking, he suddenly regretted his words. "Not literally," he added hastily.
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:00 pm
Nkechi looked up at her mate with a tired smile. He was always so smart-knowing what was bothering her so quickly! If he said he'd come soon, she'd believe him. Noari always knew best after all. "I hope so," she murmured, her voice reflecting her low energy levels, though she still seemed to manage to have an excited glow about her. "Really want to see them." It was true. She wanted nothing more then to have the babies out here-where they could love them. She didn't know much about being a mother, but she loved children. Wasn't that enough?
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:41 pm
Noari slid to his belly, pressing his shoulder to hers as he licked her cheek tenderly. "I can't wait, either," he said warmly. "I'm sure they'll be just as beautiful as their mother."
Laying his cheek against hers, he let out a content sigh. "How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:48 pm
"I'm ok, just a little tired..." Nkechi nodded her head and leaned against him with a smile. She rested her nose against his huge mane, breathing in his scent softly. It was like nothing else in the world mattered then being with him. She certainly hadn't known anything better in her life. Suddenly she pulled away with a whince, a huge pain shooting through her body. She closed her eyes, squeaking a little as it passed. What was that...?
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Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:29 pm
He smiled as she pressed against him, but the smile turned to a concerned frown as she squeaked in pain. "Nkechi?"
Suddenly, it was as though he had lost control of his own body. He was on his paws, and then beside his mate. Noari watched as his paw rested on her belly, feeling the frantic squirming of the cubs inside. "They're coming," he said, his voice surprisingly calm. "Are you ready, Nkechi? It'll hurt, but not for long. And then..."
He paused, his lips turning up in a smile. "Then we'll be parents."
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Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:09 pm
Nkechi was rather terrified. She couldn't help it, especially not with the promised pain that came with giving birth. Her wide green eyes showed her fear, but also her trust. If he said it'd be alright, she'd believe him. She always believed him. "A-alright," she stammered, her voice sounding strange in her ears. She shivered as another wave of pain shot through her body and this time she felt a liquid coat her legs. It was time.
She felt her heart quicken as the pangs began to pick up. Her labor began to pick up a tense rhythm that she could barely keep up with. She winced with every shot of pain, feeling almost frantic at what to do. She had no clue what was supposed to happen or how it was supposed to work.
But as things went along she realized that she needed to push. And she did so, though it made her feel so tired, so drained. But no matter how she felt her body wouldn't stop it's rhythms. She had to keep going.
Finally she felt the release of one cub sliding from her body. She let out a sigh of relief, but didn't turn to the small brown bundle of fur she had created. She didn't know what to do and the pangs were coming again.
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Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:30 pm
Noari purred with pride at Nkechi's bravery, padding around so that he sat beside her back. He leaned over and rested his chin on her cheek, murmuring soft words of encouragement.
Finally, as the first cub slipped out, his eyes lit up and he hurried over, cleaning the cub off. Claws carefully sheathed, he pulled the cub to Nkechi's belly, checking the gender on the way. "A boy," he growled proudly, looking at Nkechi with loving eyes. "We have a son!"
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Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:17 pm
Nkechi was only able to manage a small smile of joy before her body pulled her back into concentration, back into the rhythm. Time became a blur to her, for her mind was clouded with pain and the constant thoughts of telling herself to push and to breath. Briefly she felt another cub slide free, but once again she didn't get a chance to see its small black and white form, for her labors continued. Next came a white cub with splotches and then another one of brown only seconds after.
For a brief moment her body seemed to take a break, leaving her with nearly a minute of panting without pain. It almost seemed too good to be true that it could be over. But then that thought was tossed aside as the contractions began again. After a bit more time she was able to push another cub free-this one of her red-brown. But still the birth continued and her pushes grew weaker and weaker.
She was exaughsted.
Finally she felt the last cub start to slide free. Though after a few seconds she realized her meesly pushes weren't freeing the small child. With a frightened cry that was quickly caught in her throat she pushed again with all of her remaining energy-and the little brown babe washed onto the ground.
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:46 pm
Noari dutifully cleaned off each cub as it arrived, growing more and more stunned with each newborn. Finally, as she finished, his eyes widened in surprise as he looked over them again.
"Six cubs," he choked out, his voice pleased but still surprised. "Oh, Nkechi..."
Making sure one last time that each of his offspring were pressed closely to their mother's warm belly, he circled around, lying his chin on her cheek. "You did so well," he purred, closing his eyes. "I'm proud of how brave you've been."
What else was there to say? They had six healthy cubs, a home, and each other - that's all that counted. He could practically feel the joy radiating off of his body and hoped that his mate, and the mother of his cubs, could feel it too.
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 8:08 pm
Nkechi's fear slowly faded as she slowly realized the contractions had stopped and that it was all over. After taking a few moments to rest she shifted slightly to turn her head to peer at her belly where the cubs rested. O-oh! Six! She was amazed she had had that many inside her! Her dim mind was boggled by it all. Ooohh~! They were so tiny. She felt a warmth swell in her chest and felt elated despite her tiredness. Babies at last...their babies! "Oh Noari..." she purred weakly, a smile on her face as her eyelids sagged, "Their so pretty~" The new mother leaned back to rest on her mate, with only love and joy reflected in her heart as she fell asleep. She wasn't brave, she wasn't smart, but she was happier then she believed possible.
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