Selene chased after her father "Dad don't go too crazy ok? promise me at least that much" she said as he pulled the door open

Torvil just nodded, practically running to the hospital's front desk. He slapped his hands onto it. "I need to know where Ala is!" He realized they might not know who she was from his favored name. "Mrs. Rakamash..."

The receptionist smiled, "Sir, are you her husband? She's expecting you in birthing room #1. Down the hall, first left then 2 doors down."

Torvil just nodded and ran, down the hall, nearly running into people as he careened roughly to the left on one foot, and skidded to a stop in front of the second door. He grabbed the handle and burst in. "Ala?"

Ala looked up from where she had her head rested and smiled "Good you made it" she said with a small smile

Dia turned as she had her back to the door. She got up and walked around to the other side of the tub and took the some pose, crossed legged at the edge of the water. "Hey stranger." she chuckled.

Torvil waved at Dia. "Long time no see..." He hurried to Ala and knelt down. "Did I make it in time?" He asked a bit worried.

"Somehow I have a feeling you made it with a lot of time to spare" she said looking rather uncomfortable overall

Torvil nodded and kicked off his shoes, he wore no socks. "Is it okay if I get in there?" He pointed at the water, already halfway to getting his buttons undone.

Dia cleared her throat and turned bright red and burred her face in her hands.

Ala nodded "Might wanna leave your boxers on though" she mumbled having returned to resting her head on her arms

Torvil nodded, just removing his shirt and slipping into the water. His hands went to her back, and he started to gently work them, more out of a habit he'd been unable to do till now.

There is a light knock on the door. Ika is heard asking if its okay to come in.

Ala smiled softly breathing deeply "so different..." she said quietly "Yeah" she called out

Torvil just nodded, leaving all the decisions to Ala... He didn't know how to handle this, and was almost freaking out. He may have looked calm, but he was a torrent of emotions so intense they threatened to erupt and make him snap.

Ika stepped in, "How are you, doing Ala?" she said calmly with a smile. "Oh! Hello there, Torvil is it?"

"Yeah..." Was his one word answer to avoid having to think... As thinking right now was quite undoable.

"Its nice to meet you." She smiled. She glanced at Dia, "Dia, are you ok?"

With her face still buried, she nodded and a muffled 'yeah' was heard.

Ala nodded to her question "I hurt" she said "but I'll survive I've felt worse..." she said opening her eyes and lifting her head up to look at Ika, she glanced over her shoulder "You going to sit there like that all day Dia?"

Torvil was just moving on autopilot. He nodded to Ika, and didn't even notice Dia's issue, whatever it was.

Dia peeked thru her fingers and seen it was okay to uncover her face. She just smiled loosely, but retained her red color.

Ika knelt down next to Ala and reached for her hand. "Is there anything you need for now, Ala?"

Ala sighed "Not much can be done I imagine, I have my mate and my best friend I don't know what else ...." she broke off closing her eyes and breathing

Ika took Ala's pulse, "You're doing great so far. I think you may have a little while still, so just get comfy, and move around in the water as you need to. And Torvil, thank you for sitting in there with her."

Torvil suddenly swore, and looked around hastily. "The blanket! I forgot the blanket! I'll have to go back for..."

There was a shimmer in the air and Asmodeus stepped out from the air with a shiver. "You forgot this..." he dropped the blanket by the side of the pool and sat down. " He invited me..." he pointed at Torvil.

Ala glanced up and nodded, right now she didn't care who came, she hurt and the contractions were not being nice to her

Ika took a step back and blinked. "uhm...Hello?" she said, looking him over. "Are you here to witness the birth?"

Dia sniffed the air and looked and started to stand.

Asmodeus chuckled. "Yes... But only if Torvil still wants me to..." Torvil nodded still trying to help Ala be as comfy as she could be.

Ala heard Dia's movement "Dia come're" she said weakly knowing her friend was on the side away from her on the pool's edge

Torvil just worked Ala's back, not looking up as he tried to make her comfy. Asmodeus heard the movement and turned his head to look, his yellow eyes gleaming for a moment.

Ika smiled, "If you'd like a chair, I can bring one in for you." She turned to Ala, "holler for me if you need anything, I'll pop in every so often to check on you."

Asmodeus just waved his hand, and shook his head, not needing one. He was used to sitting on the floor.

Dia was standing, looking at the stranger and slowly edging around the tub in Ala's direction.

Ala pointed a the floor and tapped "Come sit with me Dia please?" she closed her eyes breathing deeply again

Asmodeus stayed where he was, and Torvil, who was still trying, to what felt to him vainly, keep Ala comfy, just sighed softly.

"Asmodeus, come sit over here next to Dia please... I might need you to get me something at anytime..."

Dia's ear twitched and turned towards the sound of Ala's voice, snapping her just enough for her realize she'd wandered again. She turned bright red and immediately sat down where she was standing.

Ala shifted putting her arms partially in Dia's lap, if nothing else it would keep her friend from wandering too far... for now... she rested her head on her arms again

Asmodeus got up and sat next to her, slightly off kilter from Torvil, but close enough to hand him stuff as need be.

Torvil frowned and kept trying to help Ala. Finally he just gave up and went back to working her back with his hand, a heavy sigh passing his lips.

Dia was pinching her nose shut as she watched the stranger move around and sit near her. She held Ala's hand with her free hand.

Ala squeezed her friends hand "He's from the other side Dia... " she paused long enough to get past a contraction " don't know that he's right for you"

Asmodeus just crooked a brow.

Torvil shook his head. "Asmodeus, go get me a washcloth please..." There was a shimmer and Asmodeus vanished and came back a few minutes later with the cloth, handing it to Torvil. He ran it up and down Ala's back.

Dia nodded and smiled, holding her friends hand tight.

Ika knocked and opened the door enough to poke her head in. "How's everything?"

"Slow... slower then my twins" she mumbled into Dia's lap

Dia took her hand from her nose and held her breath long enough to motion for Ika to come near.

Torvil winced he felt so useless, but didn't say a word on it, just kept trying his best to make Ala comfy, and seemed to be failing. Asmodeus noted his upsetness, but said nothing as well.

Ika came over and knelt by Dia, and Dia whispered something to her. Ika nodded and smiled. Ika turned to Torvil, "Can I get you anything?"

Torvil shook his head. "No..." He muttered, sounding more than a bit disgruntled... At himself.

Ala's tail moved around Torvil's arm giving a gentle squeeze of gratitude.

Ika smiled, "Are you sure, anything to help you relax? Maybe something to drink?" Ika wanted him to be comfortable as well.

Torvil shook his head, a smile gracing his lips for only a moment though. "I'm good... Thank you..." He kept trying, though he knew it was in vain, no matter what Ala was telling him.

Ika nodded, "Ala's doing great. The pain isn't permanent or damaging, and we'll do our best to control it. If you have any questions, don't be shy." Ika stood and smiled.

Ala squeezed her friend's hand as well as her mates as she tensed for another contraction trying to keep her breathing steady "Owwwwww"

Torvil winced and moved up to Ala's head. He reached casually into Dia's lap and put his hand on Ala's gem. His face contorted and he broke his hand away, going back to his work on Ala, only now ten times as hard.

Ika knelt back down by Ala, and put her hand on Ala's shoulder and closed her eyes. She stood that way for a few minutes.

Ala smiled weakly feeling the energy from Ika "How long has it been" she asked Dia softly

Dia pulled her watch from her pocket. "a couple hours so far." she said quietly.

Again the feeling of uselessness was sinking into Torvil. He wasn't helping... Not in the slightest... He couldn't help ala with the pain... He couldn't do anything... He felt worthless to his wife...and if one looked close the ducts under his eyes were growing red.

Ika opened her eyes, "Not much effect, I'm afraid." she sighed. "well, I will be back, I need to fetch something for Dia and will return. Last call." she smiled as she stood and headed for the door.

Asmodeus had a frown plastered on his face. He just shook his head. Torvil was working silently.

Ala shook her head dealing with a contraction, mentally telling herself if he broke down ... well she hoped he wouldn't

Ika left the room.

Dia watched Torvil for a few minutes. "Its okay, Torvil. You'll be helping quite a bit when the baby is born. My dad told me of his involvement when I was born."

Torvil grunted and rubbed at his eyes. Now he was just being stupid... He sighed loudly and went back to trying to keep her comfy, by rubbing her back, but he didn't seem to be helping. "I helped last time...She didn't hurt as much last time..." His voice conveyed worry.

Ika returned and handed Dia a small little plastic clip, which Dia promptly put on her nose and smiled. Ika knelt beside Ala and smiled. "Torvil, thank you for being in there with her. I think your support is helping her more than any of us could."

Torvil was silent for a moment before a small rivulet of red ran down his face. He nodded and kept going, but he seemed to be moving much more resolved now.

Asmodeus smiled at Ika and nodded his head.

Ala cringed "Owwww....." her tail's grip on her mate was TIGHT, her grip on Dia's hand nearly matched it

Torvil didn't flinch, but he could feel a bruise forming where his wife's tail was wrapped around.

Dia held in her yelp, but her eyes showed it hurt.

Torvil reached out and brushed Ala's hair. "Come on love... You can do this... Just remember the twins..."

Time passed, hours even, and Ala's contractions grew closer and closer together, she certainly never let go of either person helping her

Ika returned, on schedule, followed by a few more medical staff. "how are you doing, Ala?"

In the time that passed Torvil had been trying to support Ala as best he could... Asmodeus as well sat quietly watching, having not fetched anything for Torvil for awhile.

"Owww" was Ala's only reply she hurt a LOT and it certainly wasn't helping her that they were very close together either

Ika's assistants knelt by the base of the tub opposite where Torvil and Ala sat. They bowed their heads and began meditating, channeling their own life energy into the tub, to help ease and calm its occupants.

Torvil suddenly started to hum, his eyes growing sharp. "What are they doing..." There seemed to be a humming noise in the air.

Ika smiled, "they are channeling their own energy into the tub, its for comfort mostly."

The humming stopped and Torvil nodded. "Alright... As long as it's not hurting anything..." He was slipping into paranoid mode.

Ala smiled weakly for a moment as her mind returned to her body she was breathing rhythmically and deeply almost constantly a few pink tears on her cheek

Ika shook her head and smiled. Ika removed her croc's and pulled her robe up, sitting on the edge of the tub, with her feet in the water. She put her hand on Ala's shoulder. "Torvil, when her contractions are less than 2 minutes apart, can you help position Ala and yourself to prepare for birth?" she asked calmly.

Torvil nodded. "Easily..." He said, knowing what would happen from there.

"Don't you go anywhere" she mumbled to Dia between contractions they didn't have long to wait at all before Ala reached the timing Ika indicated

Dia smiled, "I won't." she said quietly.

Torvil just looked at Asmodeus not needing to say anything to keep the man there with them.

Dia slid her feet into the water next to Ala and leaned over, putting her arms around her. "I'm here for you," she whispered.

Ala nodded "Thanks..." she cringed "Owwwww" she wasn't paying attention to ANY clocks they'd have to do that but she knew they hurt and they were feeling constant

Ika smiled, "I think your baby is coming very soon, if you'd like to get into a comfier position." She said.

Ala nodded slowly and sat up looking towards her mate

Torvil nodded quickly and smiled, moving to do just that.

Ala looked grateful for his presence and help but very much in pain as she moved

Torvil got her turned around and he slipped behind her.

Ika smiled and watched Torvil, then looked to Dia, "are you going to catch the baby?"

Torvil looked up to see what she said.

Ala looked towards her friend, she just wanted to get he pain over with she didn't care who caught it

Dia looked a bit bewildered and looked to Torvil, "Torvil?" she said confused.

"If you want..." He said softly. "I would be honored..."

Ala cringed breathing hard "Somebody I just... owwwwwww" she had tears on her cheeks her body felt more then ready

Dia got a lump in her throat. "Okay." she said quietly, then smiled, nervous as all heck. "what do I do?" she asked Ika

Torvil hugged Ala, and brushed her hair. "It's okay love, remember how it was like with the twins..."

Ika smiled, "Just get down in the water, and support the baby as it comes out."

"Twins didn't hurt this bad" she whined pitifully

Torvil nodded. "I know love... I know... But try..." He kissed the side of her head. "Just try..."

Dia waded to sit in front of Ala, still nervous.

Ika handed Torvil the knife and clamps. "do you want to clamp the cord?"

Ala cried out feeling very much in pain and breathing rapidly she felt the desire to bear down and did

Ika held Ala's shoulder tight. "Go ahead and push, Ala." she said calmly

Torvil shook his head. "I'm not going to need those..." He said softly. "If anything... That part will remain dragon..." He felt her bare down and his attention turned. "That's right...."

Ala's face went red from her exertion of bearing down. and she only stopped for air until the child had crowned it's little bare head

Dia's eyes were wide, and her skin a bit green. "its head...is huge." she said under her breath.

Torvil kept trying to keep Ala as comfy as she could as she exerted herself.

Ala breathed rapidly till she felt the desire to push again, which came with the next contraction, she bore down hard as she could the infants head slowly emerging

Ika smiled, "you're doing great Ala, keep pushing."

Torvil was watching Dia, waiting for her to catch the child when it came...

Ala again took a short break the child's head out now just the shoulders to go. Bearing down again she felt them move out and the child moved out of her much more quickly after they had

Torvil kept a careful watch on the area down near Dia for the baby.

Dia watched reaching her hands under the water and taking hold of the baby it came out of Ala's womb. She lifted it carefully up out of the water and looked to Ika, not knowing what to do next.

Ala collapsed against Torvil panting as she felt the contractions going away

Ika told Dia to turn the baby over and give the fanny a light tap.

Dia got another worried look on her face, not wanting to hit a new baby. "o...k." she stuttered. Dia turned the baby over and holding the little tail to side a bit, she gave a very light smack and with that, the baby cried out, taking its first breath.

Torvil moved swiftly, making sure Ala was supported before moving down to the child's cord and taking it in his hands. He bit down, breaking it, and tying what was left attached to Ala in a knot, as well as what was left on his son... Yes... His son...

Ala looked up at the sound of the cries smiling softly as she saw her newborn son

Ika smiled at Torvil, "Congratulations, Daddy." she said softly, then turned to Dia. "you need to help her with the placenta now." she instructed Dia, and told Ala to bear down once more as Dia pushed down on her tummy.

Ala nodded pushing one last time till it was out

Torvil took the child from Dia, and moved him over to the side of the pool and wrapped him up in the blanket. He leaned up against the wall holding his son, slowly nodding off.

Dia took the mass in her hands and held it up. "what is this?"

Ala chuckled softly looking completely wiped "What the baby was in" she said softly

Ika chuckled, "the placenta," Ika took it and examined it. "Ala, you did great. You have a beautiful, healthy son."

"Thanks" she moved closer to her mate and son "Thankyou Dia" she said softly

Dia smiled, "congrats you two." she said quietly, handing the placenta to Ika, and wading next to Ala.

Ala reached and pulled her friend into a hug

"thank you ala, for letting me be a part of this." Dia whispered as she hugged her friend.

"Thankyou for being there for me" she said sounding and looking worn out, she looked towards her son "Surion Asmodeus Rakamash" she said softly