In the early morning hours, everyone rushed to the chamber where Alie and Gabriel were staying.
"Ahhh!" Alie cried in labor pain.
The maids gave way to the Queen and Alie’s mother, who found Alie writhing in pain on the bed.
"Mom, have the doctor and healers co? My wife... Alie went into early labor," Gabriel muttered, panicking while holding Alie’s hand tightly. Lowering his head, he quickly brushed away the strands from her damp face, which was covered in sweat.
"Yes, they are on their way. Don’t worry. Alie is ready for the birth, I believe," Mabel stated and glanced at Samyra, who had sat by Alie’s side.
"It’s too painful. Noa is kicking vigorously," Alie said, tears escaping from the corner of her eyes, her breathing turning ragged.
"Dear, you’ll get through it. Just for a few more monts. The doctor will be here any minute," Samyra whispered, feeling worried to see her daughter like this.
The chamber doors burst open. "Your Majesty, forgive the delay," said the trusted palace doctor, Louisa Clentine, bowing quickly. Her eyes swept the scene before she spoke again. "Only one may stay inside during the delivery. I believe the husband should remain." She gestured toward her assistants, who rushed forward to prepare the room.
Both Mabel and Samyra went out of the chamber. Mabel had her hand on Samyra’s shoulder, telling her silently that Alie and the pup would be fine.
An IV was inserted into Alie’s hand as the entire setup was made as quickly as they could. Louisa wore gloves and quickly moved up the gown that Alie had worn.
anwhile, Gabriel’s eyes were on Alie. He was silently praying for her well-being. She looked so much in pain, and it was ripping his heart.
Louisa examined Alie and furrowed her brows. "The pup can co out any minute. Alie, listen to . You’re fully dilated. So, now, when the next contraction cos, I need you to push. The pup is eager to co out. I know you can do it."
Alie opened her eyes and nodded while feeling the gentle soothing of Gabriel’s hand over her head.
"Take a deep breath. Now, push, Alie!" Louisa said while the assistants made sure to keep Alie’s legs apart. She cried again as her head slightly lifted from the pillow.
"Very good, Alie. I-I can see the baby’s head. Now, one more ti," Louisa encouraged her. Alie cried as it was too painful, and she shook her head. Her back felt like it was cracking. Every nerve of her body was screaming with pain.
"Alie, you can do it. Just do it slowly," Gabriel whispered gently. Though his own heart was heavy seeing all of this, he had to give strength to Alie in such a situation.
"Noa is eager to see you, to see us, so just push slowly. You can do it, love," Gabriel said, kissing her forehead.
Alie took a breath before trying again. The healer on the other side had caught her hand, giving her strength to fight through the pain. With the next contraction, she pushed harder.
Louisa smiled seeing the baby’s head. "Alie, you’re doing well. I need more from you." She tried again with the sa strength.
"Let’s make Alie sit upright. It can make the birth easier," Louisa suggested. One more assistant climbed onto the bed while Gabriel helped Alie to sit from the other side.
Her head leaned close to Gabriel’s chest as she tried pushing harder than the last ti. She had gone through so much to co this far. Noa should co into the world soon and see how much people already loved him.
The pushing had definitely beco easier now. Louisa supported the baby’s head to make sure it would co out safely.
"Now, keep the steady pushes. Everything is fine so far. You’re doing great, dear," Louisa further encouraged her. Minutes passed into an hour. The baby’s head was completely out. Louisa didn’t delay and gently pulled it out. The shoulders ca into view before the rest of the body.
She raised the baby gently, making sure the passageway for air was clear. The pup was breathing, too, when its loud cries suddenly filled the entire chamber and corridors.
Alie began crying as she saw her baby, her eyes closing gently while reaching out her hands for him. Gabriel, too, turned emotional as tears rolled down his cheeks without his knowledge. He remained holding Alie firmly as he let her entire weight rest on him.
"Congratulations, it’s a boy!" Louisa said, handing the baby to Alie, who rested him against her chest. The cries of the baby started lting away as the mother’s warmth replaced them. Louisa gestured to her assistants to remove the placenta while stepping down from the bed.
Alie ended up crying in joy and relief. Noa had co into this world. She gazed at Gabriel, who had tears of happiness too. However, the intense labor pain made her feel weaker and exhausted. Her eyes closed slowly as she fell into a slumber, but her hands remained on the baby’s back.
"Prince Gabriel, your wife is tired. You don’t have to worry. She will be awake soon," Louisa said softly, lifting the baby gently from Alie’s arms. She wiped Noa clean and wrapped him snugly in a soft cotton cloth.
"Is the baby fine? I-I would like to carry him," Gabriel whispered, getting a strange feeling he hadn’t experienced before. Noa was crying in the doctor’s arms, but as soon as he ca into Gabriel’s, his cries stopped.
A smile carved Gabriel’s lips as he looked at his baby’s face. He was so fragile, so Gabriel was very careful.
Louisa guided him gently. "Your Highness, hold him like this," she instructed, adjusting Gabriel’s posture to ensure the baby was fully supported. Gabriel nodded, cradling Noa with reverence.
"The baby is so tiny," he murmured. "He’s not crying."
"That’s really remarkable. Usually, babies cry in their father’s arms. I believe the pup has a special bond with you," Louisa said with a warm smile.
"Yes, he has. I’m his father, after all," Gabriel whispered with a bright smile as another tear dropped from his eye.
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