Saturday, 10 May, 2007, In an apartment Above the Fruited Plain, just before sunrise.

The labor was easy and the birth far easier than with the twins. Baby and mother shared a quiet interlude together and the tiny little girl suckled vigorously. Things changed when the placenta delivered. Moments later, the Stacee's world faded away.

In the end, it was the sound of Rael's voice that called her back.

Saturday, 10 May, 2007, In an apartment Abouve the Fruited Plain, around noon.

Little Adara Lynn suckled contentedly as her mother half dozed. Complete exhaustion from the birth and the hemmorage after left her mother's limbs leaden and made it hard to move.

Yet, for all the weariness and weakness, she had him. No matter what she needed, it was provided.

Rael was right there, as she had hoped, had expected, had needed, cradling her gently and attending her every need. It was that singular comfort that let her rest there with the baby, their baby. For once, she wasn't fighting him. The twins and she were in good hands.

His warm breath fell across her neck as she lay there and a moment later, he stole another kiss. Then, in his arms, she fell asleep again.

Wednesday, 15 May, 2007

Karen Barker completed her examination with the unquestioned skill that had made her the best midwife to be had. She disposed of the rubber gloves and smiled a bit "Had me scared for a bit, Stacee. You seem fine now." she glanced at the ever hovering Rael and said with a wink "You did just fine. Been taking real good care of your lady, here. Mother and baby will be fine."

Stacee caught a glimpse of relief and pride on her man's face at that, and she smiled too. "Oh, he won't let me so much as lift a fork without help," she said softly, a little more pale than usual, "a girl could get downright spoiled."

Karen smiled a little more, patted the new mother on the belly and said "You'll be just fine, Stacee. Take it easy for a while and remember the extra supplements or you'll be anemic." The woman packed the last of her supplies up and stood. She pulled out a pad and sat down in the chair near the bed long enough to write out some notes before handing it to Rael along with her card. "Here's a list of things to keep an eye out for. If you need anything, just call me." She gave the grizzled, one eyed man a long look and said. "Get some help from and *with* the kids...and get some sleep."

Rael grinned in the stupid way that new fathers often do and looked to her again. They shared a long moment's glance at each other, as Karen withdrew and went home. Wordlessly, he helped her back into her resting place at the head of bed, then said softly "I need to go see what Jase and Shauna are up to."

Stacee nodded once "Yep, been too quiet out there." She shared another long stare ito his single eye and then he left. They both sighed a little.

Retarded in love. That's what they called it.