“Erling, Onolyn and I were partof the Coalition team sent to support the local Resistance, which Zacand Queen Koriann belonged to.” Toemeka said. “Michio joined theeffort as well.”
“My people are eternallygrateful to all of you,” Dr. Tenzing said. “It will be awhile yetbefore you’re ready to give birth. I’ll check on you again.” Heleft the room.
Toemeka tensed and put her handson her belly as another contraction started.
“Hang in there, honey,”Michio said.
“It hurts.” Through a fog ofpain, she concentrated on Michio’s voice telling her to breathewith him, feeling his love flowing out to her, giving comfort. Whenthe contraction passed, she opened her eyes and gazed at him. Hispresence gave her courage.
“Do you want to try the pool?”he asked.
“If you’ll join me.”Toemeka knew she was nearing her limit of endurance. She removed herbirthing gown and got in the pool. “Oh, this feels good. It’snice and warm.”
After changing into a bathingsuit, Michio climbed into the tub and sat behind her.
Over the next two hours, herlabor pain increased. Toemeka looked more and more to the InnerMaster. After the doctor used a mirror to see how dilated she was, hefinally told her she could push. With the next contraction, sheleaned back against Michio’s chest and pushed. Unbearable pain shotthrough her and her legs began to tremble.
Floating in the water after thecontraction was over, she said, “I’m scared.”
“You’re doing great,”Michio said. “Hang in there, Star Rider.”
As the delivery continued, sheendured the pain, quietly bearing down with each contraction. At lastshe cried out. “I can’t push anymore. It feels like I’m beingtorn open! It hurts too much!”
Michio’s face clouded withconcern and he looked at the doctor with a pleading expression. “Giveher something to ease the pain! There must be something you can do.”
“She’s too close todelivery,” Dr. Tenzing said.
“It’s okay, Michio,”Toemeka said. “Our baby will be here soon.” She felt acontraction tightening across her womb again and with it, anoverwhelming urge to push came over her. As she bore down, groaning,Michio supported her back.
“Michio, come look, the head iscrowning,” Dr. Tenzing said.
“No, I’ll stay by Toemeka,”Michio replied, still holding her.
“Go watch our son being born.”Toemeka let go of his hand.
Michio climbed out of the tub andwent to stand by Dr. Tenzing. Katzue held Toemeka’s hand and talkedher through the delivery. With the next push the baby’s heademerged. Keeping his hands under water, the doctor eased theshoulders through as another contraction came on. Once the baby wasfully out, the doctor handed the baby to Michio. He held his sonclose before placing him into Toemeka’s arms, making sure the corddidn’t get tangled.
“Our son has arrived!” Michioexclaimed, joy spreading across his face as he gazed at their baby.
Toemeka tenderly held the infantclose to her heart. Throughout the room, a feeling of love and joyreverberated. “He’s perfect, Michio,” she said. “Look at histiny little feet and hands. His foot is less than half the size of myhand and he has so much hair.” She ran her fingers through the wet,dark hair that covered his head, feeling radiant.
In that moment, her fatigue andall the pain of labor and delivery were forgotten. She felt a circleof love connecting her, the baby and Michio. She looked at herhusband. “I love you. Truly, we’re blessed.”
Michio leaned down and kissedher. “I love you, too. Thank you for our son.”
The flow of Spirit was strong andToemeka heard a high-pitched ringing in her ears. She kissed the babyon the cheek, amazed by the softness of his skin. A deep contentmentsettled over her.
The baby began to cry and Katzuehelped Toemeka put him to her nipple; he began to suckle contentedly.Another contraction came over her and the doctor pressed down on herbelly, pushing out the afterbirth. Katzue took the baby from Toemekaand saw to his needs while Michio helped her out of the tub and driedher off with a heated towel.
Toemeka slid on a robe, thenthanked the doctor and Katzue for their care.
Dr. Tenzing smiled. “It’salways a pleasure to welcome a newly returning soul into the world.You did well.” He looked at Michio. “You both did well. Katzuewill take over from here. Blessings of love to both of you.”
Once Toemeka was dressed in anightgown and sitting in bed with the baby in her arms, Michio leftfor the family room to tell the others the baby was born.
“I must look a mess,” Toemekasaid. “There’s a comb in my bag. Can you get it for me, Katzue?”Katzue combed her hair, then left the room.
Toemeka’s body ached all over,but she was radiantly happy as she gazed at the baby. She couldn’tget over how perfectly formed and beautiful he was. He would grow tobe an attractive man.
He opened his eyes and lookeddirectly at her. In that moment she realized Soul had entered thebaby’s body. His vibrations were distinctive and she was sure she’dknown him in another life. Her eyes filled with tears. She had afamily again!
The baby continued to lookToemeka directly in the eye and a deep knowingness passed betweenthem. His eyes reflected a fully conscious Soul, looking out at theworld through the windows of his new body. Then the moment was goneand the veil was drawn once again. His eyes became that of a smallinfant, unable to focus clearly.
As he began to cry his faceturned red and his legs drew up close to his stomach. The moment ofawareness was gone, but the bond of love remained. Toemeka comfortedhim. “Don’t be frightened. Michio and I love you and will takegood care of you.”
Michio came back into the room.“Are you up for visitors?”
“Yes, I’d love to seeeveryone.”
Michio opened the door wider.Prince Erling, Queen Koriann, Onolyn and Zac entered. They wereloaded with flowers, balloons and gifts. Koriann hugged her. Erlingset some gifts on the dresser and kissed her cheek. “Hi, Toe. Howare you feeling? We were worried about you and the baby.”
“I’m fine. Just a littledrained. Having a baby is hard work. Meet Baymond. He’s handsome,isn’t he? Just like his father,” she said, excited they werethere to see her baby.
Erling gazed at Baymond. “He’sso tiny.”
“Do you want
