It All Comes Down To This
the-masteruniverse
Time has a funny way of impacting and changing one’s priorities as it ambles forth. Once, before my… rebirth, all I had longed for was a husband and child of my own. Everything changed the moment my genetics realigned and I hadn’t given it much thought since, considering how impossible it was said to be for someone of my condition to conceive. The glow emanating from the stone hearth at the foot of the mattress chased shadows around the elaborately decorated chamber and I found my attention being continuously drawn to the bassinet resting empty to my right. The days and weeks had drug on and on, my midsection stretching and expanding to accommodate the rapidly growing babe and I often likened myself to a large aquatic mammal. Who would have thought the one time I bent the rules for a roll in the hay with something more than a mere mortal it would have resulted in all of this? Not me, that much was certain.
A particularly vicious assault on my internal structure drew my attention to my womb, my palm resting gently but firmly in place over the creature launching his attacks. He quieted almost immediately; satisfied to give tiny, painless nudges to the flesh rounded beneath my hand. A smile tugged at the edges of my lips, sharpened enamels peaking ever so slightly over the tender flesh as I did so. A sudden ache snaked through my mind, shattering my relaxation in its wake. When was the last time I had fed? Unable to recall, I summoned the maid and waited. The pains continued to ebb and flow as the minutes passed and I drew myself upright with much effort and began to pace. Every step, every breath, echoed my discomfort and my agitation grew marginally the longer it took for the human to appear. She has one job, damn it. Apparently she is not at all keen on keeping it. A tapping at the wooden slab barricading my personal refuge alerted me to her late arrival and I yanked it inward, wasting no time at all in wrapping her delicate wrist between firm jaws. The liquid flooded my oral cavity and brought with it a large measure of comfort. That is, until I attempted to swallow.
My stomach heaved and I flung the wench away in disgust. The pain intensified and I doubled over to wrap my limbs around myself and the child as my shock gave way to an awareness of the impending arrival of him. Eyes widened marginally and I raised a shaking digit to train it on the startled help. “Lex. Baby. NOW.” The woman gave a shriek and fled, stumbling down the staircase for the phone cradled against the wall. Holding the number pad for the correct code, the speed dial engaged and she waited for the dial tone that seemed to echo in my throbbing skull even from a landing away. Upon connecting, her tones were agitated and laced with fear. “Hello? Hello! I was told to call on Ms. Carter’s behalf. Please, tell your employer the baby is coming!”
I had to chuckle at the panic emanating from her voice. She was no doubt afraid of becoming a casualty of my rapidly declining mood and I for one could not blame her. The snapping of a spinal column here or there always did wonders to improve my mood. However, this was not one of those times. Another wave of pain and nausea swept over me, carrying me momentarily away from the present. Teeth clenched in annoyance as I began to pace faster before the fireplace, pausing to lean forearms against the mantle and breathe deeply. An awareness crept into my thoughts in such an intruding manner that I hissed before immediately softening. Mama? Were it possible my eyes would have promptly ejected from my skull. I had been unsure of his lineage until now in this final moment. Searching for his own consciousness I prodded gently, firmly. Ah, there. Yes, my sweet one? His glee reverberated through my system, a warmth spreading and dulling the sharp stabbing in my sides. Time, Mama. I could only nod in response, steeling myself for what was to come. God, Lex, hurry.
