The window curtains were pulled tightly closed over the windows, and a fire crackled in the fireplace in an effort to keep the room as warm as it could be. The fire also warmed the water, cleansing it, along with the herbal smoke that Crystalsa wafted around the room to keep the evil spirits at bay. This was all part of a tradition that was much older than anyone could remember.
The bed in the middle of the room was wooden, with a plush black fur to cradle Kyera as she gave birth to her child. Traditionally it was a white fur, but being as she was the daughter of the shadows, a shadow bear fur was more fitting and honestly, just felt better to her. No one was going to argue with the mother, afterall she was the one doing the work.
The medicine woman stood watching and occasionally giving directions that were not well received. Kyera didn't seem to notice them. She didn't scream or curse like many of the other women Gothel had treated before. She was quiet, and tears fell from her eyes as her back arched and she pushed, but she didn't make a sound.
"Easy now, that does it, the baby's almost here, one more time, Princess." Gothel urged and Kyera took a slow shuddering breath, and pushed. The moment the baby entered the world, Kyera held her breath… Please… Father please let the cub take a breath…
Then the crying was heard and Crystalsa took the child from Gothel, and began wiping the whimpering baby down with a warm cloth from the pot over the fire. Once the child was clean Crystalsa wrapped the baby in a warm blanket and then in a fur before bringing the bundle to Kyera who was waiting with a smile on her face. She was exhausted, and sweat made silver hair stuck to her forehead. Her body was trembling from controlling her emotions and the screams the pain tried like hell to rip from her. She had fought it, and succeeded.
"You did well Kyera, meet your son." Crystalsa whispered settling the baby into Kyera's waiting arms. Kyera held the baby close and kissed the fine silver fur of the baby's forehead. Little tiger ears lay against his head, as the blue eyes looked up at his mother. Kyera couldn't help but chuckle and stroke her son's ears. They were white, just like her own. A little uneasy feeling quivered in her heart. They had discussed that there was a possibility that the child would be a cub, but now that it was confirmed, she wondered how her husband would react to a son with Tiger ears, and a tail as well as a second form of a tiger.
"Send for Clovis please." Kyera told Gothel who chuckled and nodded.
"I am going to assume that would be the name of the man who came to fetch me? He was all nerves and concerns he could only be the father." Gothel laughed as she turned and went to the door. Crystalsa removed the bloody furs and covered Kyera with a fresh blanket, to ward off the stormy chill.
Within minutes, Clovis was there beside her. There was concern on his face as he ran a hand over her forehead and through her hair, pushing her bangs out of her face with loving care. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked looking down at her with those deep, loving eyes. Kyera couldn't help but smile softly up at him.
"Yes… I am fine. It's time for you to meet our son." Kyera added and his attention turned to the little bundle in Kyera's arms. The cub had closed its eyes and began to drift to sleep after its ceremonial entry into this world, and the ordeal that had been for his tiny body. The way Clovis's eyes seemed to melt as he looked down at the child erased any fears Kyera had moments before. He was cherishing the baby, before he even held him. It brought to mind an old saying Kyera heard as a child, a father's heart will melt the moment their child smiles and bitterly weep for a child's single tear. She could only suspect it now, but she was fairly certain that her husband would be one of those men, wrapped around his child's hand just as he was with Raina.