Rohan reached inside her tender flesh, loosening the afterbirth while kneading her soft stomach. Suddenly, he felt a change as her own body took over. Her abdomen contracted, and beneath his ministrations, the afterbirth pulled loose inside.
"Come on, Isa-love, one more push and you can rest." From some hidden source, she found the strength for another mighty effort that brought a last gush as her body delivered the afterbirth, severing her completely from the life she'd supported for months.
Rohan's shoulders sagged with relief. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, and whispered gently, "Good, love. It's all over. Stay with me."
His hands stayed steady as he tied the first string around the baby's cord, about an inch and a half from the baby's body. Then he tied the second one a short distance away, just enough space to cut between them.
