Exton

The room was tense and quiet when they hear a babys loud cry. Eriks relief is palpable and he leans back in his chair. Raina goes to him and gives him a hug.

Tori and Stoney exchange grins, “Must be a boy with those lungs..”

A few more minutes pass and just as Erik is about to go see for himself whats going on, Alise enters the room cradling a small bundle.

Raina grins at Erik, “Lets do this right..” and she goes to Alise, taking the newborn from her and carries him to where Erik is standing.

She kneels in front of Erik and speaks to the friends gathered with him. “Since Star cant do this right now and maybe she isnt aware of our customs anyway, you have to make do with me. In our culture the head of the house has to accept each child as his own, whether a child of his own blood or adopted.”

She holds the little bundle in outstretched arms towards Erik and starts to recite in an almost singsong type voice, their lineage. She ends with “Erik, son of Lars and grandson of Ketle, do you accept this child as your son?”

Erik hesitates only a moment, My son? I have a son.. Stars and my son... He nods, “Yes, yes I accept him. He is mine, my son....”

Stoney and Tori are silent sensing the seriousness in this small ceremony. Raina hands the bundle over to Erik and he sees his son for the first time. “Gods, Raina. He is so small, but so perfect...”

Raina laughs, “He is a good sized baby. Not really that small.” Raina runs a hand gently over the soft strawberry fuzz on the little ones head.

“Has Star seen him yet?” Erik asks, his voice choked with emotion, overcome at the sight of his child nestled contentedly in his arms.

Alise shakes her head, “Not yet. She is still under..... Rowan said it may take a bit longer with Star...”

Raina could see the pain and confusion in Eriks eyes. Happiness and relief that his son was fine, but worry and something Raina had never seen in her brothers eyes before... fear...

Erik turns to Alise, “Do you know anything else? How much longer will she be in surgery? How is Mya? Was Rowan able get the bleeding stopped? Did she hurt anything else in the fall?”

Alise looks at the floor for a moment and takes a deep breath as she sends to Stoney. Chiot....I was afraid of all the questions. Star does not look well at all...so pale...and Rowan is working furiously to stop the blood...

She looks up and Erik notices the tears in her eyes. “Whats wrong? Please Alise, tell me whats going on...”

“All I know is Rowan is working to stop the bleeding. I dont know how long that will take. Mya is resting, waiting her turn... Star has some large bruises on one hip, Rowan thought she may have hit a rock or something when she fell, but no broken bones... That is really all I know Erik. I'm sorry I dont know anything else...” Alises words trail off as Erik turns. He doesnt want everyone to see the tears in his eyes. He felt so helpless.

He sits with the baby near the window and smiles sadly. “Your mama will be fine. She has to be. I dont know what we would do without her...”

Laila brings Mera close and hears Erik. Tears spring to her eyes, What would any of us do? I havent known her long and I would be lost. I cant imagine how Erik would cope...

Mera reaches for her new brother and coos at him.

Erik smiles sadly and sends up a silent prayer. Gods, please hear me. Take me instead. My life for hers. Please dont take her.