Exton

Rowan knocks on the door of the cabin as the sun slips behind the trees. She smiles as she enters the cabin and sees Star curled up on the couch with Ru and Mera.

“Are you sure you want to help with this? I can ask one of the women from the coven if you want to stay with the kids...”

Star shakes her head, “No its fine. I want to help Pandora.” She turns to Erik and asks, “If I have to stay can you bring him to the tavern?” and to Keon, “And will you bring Mera? Gracie will be there later...”

Keon turns from Mera, playing in the kitchen sink, happily splashing water everywhere during her afternoon water play session. “How do.....” His words are cut off by the sight of Erik standing behind Star shaking his head. “Oh aye, I can bring her. She loves to see Gracie..”

With goodbyes and kisses for the little ones, Star and Rowan make their way to the tavern. Rowan fills Star in, letting her know that Ob had called and was worried. He said the contractions werent regular but that Pandora was in so much pain she didnt know what to do. Laying was impossible and walking was nothing short of agony.

“I told him to get her into her tub. She has a nice whirlpool, so hopefully by the time we arrive that will have helped some.”

The tavern was empty when the two women arrived, Monty was stocking bottles and pointed upstairs. Hurrying to Pandoras apartment on the top floor Rowan and Star enter to find Ob kneeling on the floor next to the tub and Pandora clinging to the sides in tears.

Star puts their supplies in the living room while Rowan goes to the tub and kneels next to Pandora. She pushes her hair back and takes Pandoras face in her hands. Having Rowan and Star there and the confidence and caring she sees in Rowans eyes helps to calm Pandora and she sighs.

“It just seems so much worse this time. The contractions arent regular, but when they hit....” Pandoras eyes fill with tears as she shakes her head. “I dont know if I can do this...”

Ob lifts a worried face to Rowans. “It is true, she was almost screaming when she tried to lay down. Thats when I called you...”

“Okay.... we can check things out and see if you are really in labor or just having a 'practice session'... Does the warm water seem to help at all?” Rowan asks as she stands and helps Pandora to her feet.

“Yes, at least more than anything else has at this point.”

“Well, some women actually labor and give birth in a tub of warm water. You might want to consider that...” Rowan smiles at Obs gasp of surprise.

“In the water? Madre... I mean... underwater?? Wouldnt the baby drown?”

Rowan grins, “Well, I havent seen one drown yet. Think about it, the baby is carried in water for nine months. Its actually very calming for them and they dont take a breath right away....” Rowan stops her explanation when Pandora doubles over and moans. Ob lifts her easily and takes her into the bedroom.

A few minutes later Star heads downstairs to ask Monty for a teapot of hot water to brew some tea. Rowan is explaining to Ob and Pandora that she doesnt seem to be in active labor but that it seems imminent.

“The tea should help, get in the tub if that helps. I can get some stronger medications if you need them...”

Pandora starts to shake her head, “No...I dont want anything that will hurt the baby...”

Rowan smiles, “I wouldnt give you anything that strong. We'll see how it goes once things get started in earnest. I think it best if I stay here. I doubt we are going to be waiting much longer for this little one to arrive.”

Star makes a tea from a small packet of herbs and hands Pandora a cup, “I can stay too. Erik can bring Ruarc over later...”

Visibly relaxed now and relieved that Rowan and Star would be right here, Pandora takes a sip of the tea.