Sweet dreams are made of these

Posted on Fri Feb 26th, 2021 @ 11:53pm by Captain Rhenora Kaylen

Mission: The Jungle
Location: Jungle

The jungle was replaced by the beach side cottage, it's gardens well tended and a gentle cool breeze blowing in salt laden moisture from the nearby waves. The Bajoran woman was comfortably curled in the loving embrace of her husband. His arms strong around her midsection, resting comfortably on her enlarged abdomen.

The material of the curtains whispered quietly in the zephyr of wind, moving as though at one with the breeze. She lay awake in the early hours of the morning, the light of the full moon providing the only illumination in the room. She was content, peaceful that her life wandering the stars had taken pause for this new chapter in her life. The miracle of science had not been required, replaced with the miracle of the Prophets and the trust that what will be will be.

The had departed the Liberty the day earlier wanting to 'nest' a little before the birth of their daughter who was few anytime in the next few weeks. Remal was the doting father already, treasuring the time with his wife before the duo became a triad.

Their days would be spent relaxing by the waves, wandering the nearby hills and resting from their time in the stars. She had longed for these moments for the last few years, glad they were finally now here to be enjoyed.

A short time later her belly tightened involuntarily, forcefully enough to wake her fully from her drowsy musings. She waited, it was still too soon for her labour to begin. They hadn't even begun to practice the ritual relaxation that would bring her child into the world. The midwife had only passed by to check her details the previous afternoon and promised to return in the next week.

Her belly tightened again, stronger this time and was enough to take her breath away. No! This wasn't happening, she wasn't ready yet. They both weren't ready yet. She elbowed her husband to wake him, grunting as her belly seemed to envelope every fibre of her being.

The contractions intensified and drew closer together, Remal placing an urgent call to the nearby hospital staff who would beam in shortly. Rhenora felt panicked, this was all wrong, this was not how it was supposed to happen. It was too soon, too early. A pained grimace told her she had little choice in the matter. This child was coming whether she was ready or not.

Settling herself propped up on the bed she rode out as much as she could, the medical staff taking their sweet time as they dealt with a prior emergency elsewhere. With a primal grunt she bore down, her body using millenia of experience to bring their child into the world. One more push, and she would be done..something was wrong though, she could feel it in her Pagh. Remal did all he could, readying towels and blankets, preparing to hold his daughter as she was birthed.

"Something's wrong" Rhenora's eyes were wide with fear as her body once again took over. With a scream she heard the newborn protest as air entered it's lungs for the first time, and her world went dark.


********

Reality came with the force of a brick as the pain in her belly was replaced with the burning in her leg. The hot jungle replacing the cool Bajoran cottage. It was a dream, nothing more. Or was it? Remal had experienced a vision along the same lines. Was this a premonition? She forced the idea aside and regained her bearings. The team were resting quietly by the river. They were safe - for now.