Acorn steals the show

[slayers_desire]

It was 3 p.m., the middle of the evening. The city was quiet. April was fast asleep in her bed. Her husband, Clark, was at her side, sleeping just as peacefully.

There was a slight movement from April, adjusting as the baby kicked in the middle of the night. The soft touch of her voices entered her dreams... ready to prepare her for a very big event.

In her dreams, April was having a picnic lunch with her husband. There was a soft jingle of chimes from the oak tree that they sat under, as a soft wind blew across the field. Looking over her shoulder, April could see people approaching them.

First Martha, who came over to kiss her cheek, and who told her to rely on her strength. Then it was Spike, who came over to hold her hand, and told her to be brave. And not to fear the hunger that she may feel. That it was okay.

A slight pain rippled through April, soft and warning.

Still in the dreams, April and Clark was approached by more loved ones. She saw the face of Jor-El, and his wife Lara-El, who told her how proud they were of her. That they wished they could hold their grandchild. That they knew their legacy would be protected. Then it was Jonathan, who softly touched her shoulder, and spoke of the harvest that was to come. And how beautiful it would be. How he was proud of her too

Five minutes later, another pain rippled through April, this time causing enough discomfort to awaken her from her sleep. She sat up sharply... sitting there for a moment. April had a few Braxton Hicks contractions before, but something told her that this was not the case tonight.

She reached over and gently touched Clark. "Sweetie... wake up... the baby is coming."

Comments

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark's become used to her being restless in the night sometimes, when the baby is keeping her awake, and at first he assumes that it must be the case. He's dragged into wakefulness by the touch on his shoulder though, and a bleary look turns to full awareness as her words sink in. "For real this time?"

[slayers_desire]

"For real..." April breathed heavily. "I had a dream... the voices wanted me to know the baby was coming."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

They've planned for this for so long and now that the moment's here, Clark doesn't remember what to do first. Clothes... those are important. He throws back the covers and grabs for the nearest shirt and pants in the closet.

[slayers_desire]

April meanwhile moves a little slower. She is still in her nightgown, and suddenly feel a little self-conscious.

"Just grab me a dress. Any one would work."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He finds her a good loose one that won't restrict her movement, and some slip-on shoes so she won't have to fuss with getting something on her feet. "How are you feeling?" He's not panicking, although his thoughts are moving at a frantic pace, reviewing to make sure they have everything, and the constant worry for her and the baby.

[slayers_desire]

"Uncomfortable." She gribs the edge of the bed when a third contraction hits her. April can sense that his thoughts are frantic right now. So she is keeping most of the pain to herself, instead of sharing it over the bond.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Her body language is saying a lot, even if she's holding back over the bond. "Do we have time to drive to the hospital? Or does this need the Kent Express?" he asks as he retrieves the bag they've packed to take with them.

[slayers_desire]

"I think the faster the better." April bite her lip. She looked at him, eyes red. "Do we have blood to bring with us?"

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He nods, blurring to the fridge and back to grab a thermos. "And my bracelet is in the bag, in case... we need more." They might have trouble finding a way to have her feed on him without anyone noticing, but he wants the option available in case it's necessary.

[slayers_desire]

"We might have to consider a..." April hisses softly, reacting to another contraction. "...backup plan."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"What kind of backup plan?" He stows the thermos in the bag and slings it over his shoulder as he comes to her side.

[slayers_desire]

"In my dream... father warned me of the hunger." April stands up unsteadily, and supports herself on him.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He wants to blur her away to the hospital right now, but they can't talk about this there, not where other people can hear. "Do you think it would help to feed on me first?"

[slayers_desire]

"It would help..." His blood has been her main food source for a while now. And it would give her strength for the next few hours.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Then we'd better hurry." If she feels that speed is a concern, he doesn't want to take too long. Clark uses one hand to dig out his blue kryptonite, using the other to help support her.

[slayers_desire]

April leans in close, shifts into her vampire mode and bites him once he has the blue kryptonite in hand. The feeding feels different... not as romantic or pleasureable... since a contraction causes her pain.

She takes what she needs. And then nods... "Better..."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

He closes his eyes when she begins feeding, concentrating on keeping them both standing and stable. It's easier to stay focused this time, with the urgency of the matter at hand.

"Take more if you need it." He won't get any sunlight until the morning, since he's not going to leave her side, but he wants her to be in the best shape possible to go through the delivery.

[slayers_desire]

"Even that little is a lot." April reassures him. She gently brushes his hair from his face.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"If you're sure." He looks her in the eyes, and he trusts her. She knows her needs best, and him being the concerned father-to-be won't change that.

He tucks the bracelet back into the bag, in case they need it again, and feels most of his power return. It's more than enough to get them to the hospital. "Ready?"

[slayers_desire]

"Hey... I need you to be the one who has the plan today." She knows he is concerned. So is she. The pain doesn't help.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"So long as Acorn doesn't decide to be tricky..." He's hoping it'll be an easy birth, though he knows anything can happen.

[slayers_desire]

"I know my love... I know." She clutches him tightly.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

They've done their best to prepare. Now it's all up to her, and the doctors. And Clark has to trust that everything will be okay.

He carefully picks her up and runs, trying to make it a gentle (if fast) ride so he won't do anything to make the contractions worse.

[slayers_desire]

April will moan and groan in his arms. The ride is very smooth, even with the few times she has to get him to stop in mid-air to deal with a contraction.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

This is something they couldn't really practice for, so he has to adapt as it happens, getting her to the hospital as quickly as he can.

He still doesn't like hospitals much, although their appointments to monitor the baby's progress have helped normalize it for him to an extent. He sets her down just outside the doors, and makes sure he's supporting her as they walk inside.