Chapter 106 – Labor
It came in the middle of the night, like the love to do. Mommy always said kids like to pick the worst times, and this is close to it. I could be getting my gut rearranged by a client who likes fucking the brothel whores with horse cocks; that was the worst time I went into labor. I was even gagged, so I couldn't tell her to stop.
It's not a good first hour of contractions.
This time, I'm already with Kelly. I got moved a week ago, and everyone has been expecting me to go into labor any second. The only good thing is that I'm right on time, not overdue like my last few pregnancies, and not early, which I was afraid of.
Right on time to push out twelve babies. I've done eleven; I can do one more.
"Kelly," I call out. Mistress did make us sleep in separate beds, worried we would do the deed or something. Maybe Kelly thought I would be more comfortable; her bed is on the smaller side.
"Did it start, Alzi?" she asks.
"Yes, still coming in far apart," I say just as another contraction hits. "But they're strong."
"Yes that is expected. You never have much time before fully dilating. I'll help you up," she says, the lights turning on. "I'll need a bit of help. Ok, call out the next contraction then on the count of three ok? Just keep breathing."
I give her a shake of my head and wait. "Happened," I call out.
"1, 2, 3, and up," she says, doing her best to pull my massive form up.
I push up with her and manage to sit up on the edge of the bed. Normally, I'm able to make it down all the stairs while in labor, but this pregnancy really is too big. Damn Duchess.
"FUCK!" I call out.
"Coming faster than normal for you huh," Kelly says, her face scrunched up trying to think of what to do with my oversized belly. "Ok, you know the deal with breathing. I'm going to rock you gently and when I call to stand up you straighten your legs. It's a short walk to the table so we can make it ok."
"Please just use magic," I beg.
"No, I need it for you and the kids. It's too dangerous to pull on your mana. We don't know how much healing we will need for the pregnancy and babies. I'm sorry, but just a few feet, and then you just focus on pushing the babies. You can do it."
"Ok, please hurry. It hurts."
"I know, I know."
She does move fast to get besides me. The contractions happen closer and closer together, aiming to give me no time to rest. I used to have time to prepare, but the bigger the pregnancy, the faster everything starts, it seems.
"Stand!" Kelly says. Getting to my feet makes the contractions all that much worse. "Just a few steps. Good, just like that. One more, and you're all set. Perfect, lay back and let the table take your weight."
I finally get seated and the fun truly gets to start.
Kelly moves the table to an angle to help the babies fall out or something. Not perfectly straight up, Kelly likes to take a peak down there and call stuff out. I normally blank out for what happens after the third one pops out of me. My body just does what it has been trained to do over the decade and too many births.
She spreads my legs apart and starts poking around to check if I'm dilated enough or, more likely, a baby is forcing itself out of me. I don't feel the poking. I just feel the pain of twelve little bodies wanting out of their mother. I do what I can to block out the pain, waiting to hear Kelly tell me to start pushing.
"They came really fast, Alzi. You know how to push, so do as you know. I'm right here to help you through this. Mai will come by when she wakes up. I flipped a light on outside to let her know," Kelly says, signaling the start of what should be my longest labor yet.
With each contraction, I push out. Kelly saying random words of encouragement.
Everything but the pain and desire to be done with this pregnancy leaves my mind. Just push, push, push. Contract and do it all over again. Give some screams out and ignore that I'll likely never get to hold the little thing.
"One is out, Alzi. Keep it up." breaks my normal thought. I try to find the kid, but a strong contraction shocks me into more pushing. The little girl's cries do join my own screams.
I can feed her, and maybe she won't cry? Right, she needs food.
"I, I DAAMMNN," is all I manage to say.
"Just focus on pushing Alzi. You need to do this while you have the energy. I know it's hard. I'm sorry. I really am," is the response.
...
"Hey Alzi, I get to stay with you this time," Mai says, coming through the door. I've pushed two out so far, the girls screaming off to the side. Kelly had a bottle for them to feed; I only get to push.
"Hand?" I say, reaching out to her.
"Of course, my love," the pregnant kitty says.
With the extra support I keep going, the kids tearing out of my practiced canal. A slow-growing chorus of babies crying. Kelly and Mai shared random words to encourage me to keep pushing. My own random screams as my body decides a contraction should be more painful than the others.
...
"It hurts, Mai," I cry out. Halfway through, and it just doesn't seem possible. I don't know what is different this time, but I'm just tired.
"I know, honey. You've done so well. I know you can do it. You always do. Ok, push with me. Ok, I'm here, and nothing will stop you. Just push with me, ok."
"I.."
"Shh, shh. Just push with me, please. Push," Mai commands. My beautiful collar follows the command. Tears stream down as I put my own effort into it.
"Let me hold one. I can do it then. Please," I beg.
"Yes," Mai says before Kelly can reject me again.
"No," she says anyways. I feel my hand fall to my side. Mai ignores the healer's demand and picks up the first baby.
"Here you go Alzi. I'll help you hold her. But you have to keep pushing. No giving up on me or the babies ok?"
"Yes, Mai," I say through a contraction. Pushing to keep my promise.
I cradle my arms so Mai can hand her over. So cute, little yellow horns on her bald head.
"Mai, that is dangerous," Kelly insists. Not daring to remove my daughter from my hands.
"No, I've got her. Push Alzi. Just like that," Mai says, watching the kid in my arm. "Kelly, just focus on the ones coming out. I'll handle Alzi and the one in her arm."
Thank you, Mai.
"Can I..."
"Not yet Alzi. I'll set it up when she is ready for food ok. Keep breathing," she chides. Her hands support mine as I hold the precious little thing. Support and keep me from crushing her, pushing does usually end up being a full body thing.
I make cute kids.
"Keep pushing Alzi. Please don't make me take her away," Mai reminds me.
"I can't with this pain," I say.
"You can," Mai says back.
...
The baby starts crying in my arms. I am surprised at how well she behaved herself as her mother screamed and cried, trying to push out her siblings.
"Food?" I say, surprised at the little voice yelling back at me.
"Yes, Alzi. Babies hurt more than when we do it."
"I know. I've fed them before!" I say through a contraction.
Mai gets the baby sorted out, moving my arms with the baby to my nipple. The baby latches easily enough and adds a new pain to my body, one I'm always willing to feel.
Kelly continues to fume, working me through each push.
....
*** Fluvis ***
"My Lady, the babies are on their way," Petunia says, shaking me awake.
"Good, I was told they would be early and now they're almost late," I complain. The middle of the night! These four better have more sense then start at night. "Are my wives awake?"
"Yes, maids are waking them up now. We have the carriages ready and staffed. Would you prefer to go now? I can dress you on the way."
"Yes, that is fine. They can catch up to us," I say, getting out of bed. My own pregnancy taking a toll on my movement. I remember my mother complaining about having just my sister. How much worse it would've been if she had twins. Quadruplets would've made her unbearable to live with. Not that I blame her. And Alzi kept working till just a week ago. Classes are a scary thing for the powerful, and she sure has managed to become powerful in that brothel.
Petunia follows me silently through the halls and out the front to an open carriage. Another maid joins us inside before it starts the journey from my capital manor to the brothel.
Petunia forces me into a ridiculously tight, deep blue dress. My pregnant figure is on full display.
"Am I going to a formal ball with the Queen?!" I ask.
"No, you're meeting your kids. Be happy I'm not pulling out four-inch heels," Petunia snaps back. The other maids retreat into the corner.
"You..."
"You'll be dressed correctly for meeting your heirs. Your wives will have the heels. Normally, you would be giving birth and wouldn't have to get dressed like this till the next day. But you aren't so you'll live," she says. "You know the rules and should be expecting this. Don't get mad at me about it."
"Fine," I spit out, sitting down for the rest of the trip.
"We're here," the driver calls out. Petunia opens the door and helps me down. The two maids follow me into the dark building. A faint yellow light comes through the entrance. The normal red is done for the night as the whores all sleep except for Alzi.
"Alzi is currently giving birth to them. Kelly has informed me two have come into the world now. You'll have some time before the rest join us," the Mistress says the second the door opened.
"Take me to them," I demand.
"Sorry Duchess. But I can't do that. Some things even slaves get and privacy during their labor is one of them. Alzi has made it clear for years now that she is to be alone except for Kelly, Mai, and Yuki during her labor," Ashryn says, bowing deep to keep from looking me in the eyes. Something she struggles to do in her own pregnancy.
"Then have the kids sent out to me," I demand.
"How? No one can enter, and Kelly has to help Alzi the entire time. Twelve kids are too many to not have her full attention,"
"Have Yuki or Mai do it."
"Both are not in a contract that lets me force them. Trust me, Yuki won't do it. I've tried in the past and, well, she knows Alzi has been sold. She will spite me this time and help defend Mai if I ask her."
"How did Alzi become friends with so many princesses?"
I don't get an answer, just the Mistress holding the door open to her office so I can wait by the fire.