Somewhat unhelpfully, Dr. Bian Que directs me to relax. How can I?
The moment has arrived, and emotions rush through me in a maelstrom that even Odysseus couldn't have circumnavigated. The storm intensifies because of my own naïveté.
Daji, red-faced, shakes as another contraction wracks her body. It's been like this for an hour. I don't know what I expected when I found out we were expecting, but I guess I thought a godling would just slide out easily, or be born in a halo of light.
Staying silently in the background, Mom and Dad give me supportive and loving smiles.
There's a strong animal scent in the room,and the sound of Daji trying to control her breath, sputtering, an engine that's struggling to do a monumental task.
I clasp her hand. Pius passes me a wet cloth to cool her forehead.
"They're shrinking," Bian Que announces. The contractions are coming faster."
I take a deep breath. "Breathe with me, Daji."
