Tybalt’s foot missed a step, scuffing the side of the stairs and threatening to throw him back down them when Elsie called like that, because she was exactly the kind of person not to make a fuss about anything. So this really had to be Something with a capital S. And it didn’t really matter if he were ready or not, did it?

No, because Sebastian had pushed him back through the bedroom door before Tybalt could digest his own urge to cling onto the doorframe and fight it, childish and cowardly as that urge may be. Sebastian had seen it done – fine, that counted as a victory; it stood him in better stead than either of them – and he –

Knew how to tell if things are about to go very wrong, he’d just said. How to tell if things were going to go wrong. “Tell?” Tybalt echoed, wide-eyed and dumbstruck for a moment, not about to repeat the whole sentence in the same room as Elsie, but nevertheless peering at her cousin with barely-concealed alarm. “How to tell?” Bloody great congratulations to him, if that was all they taught him in mediwizard training! Maybe Sebastian would have a head start, and see the signs first, but Tybalt figured if something were to go very wrong, Merlin forbid, that he would probably eventually be able to damn well notice it too.

Tyb took a breath, crossed his fingers and prayed that what Sebastian had forgotten to say in his fucking useless half-sentence of a comforting pep-talk, was that, if anything did go wrong, of course he was also confident in his abilities to fix it.

(Better yet, Tyb hoped that nothing would go wrong.)

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Her cry for help had done the trick and the boys burst into the room just as she cried out again, this time in pain. She really didn't want to, but couldn't fight the reaction. Nothing she had read about had prepared her for this. Biologically she knew what was happening, but that didn't help the fact that all she could feel the pain shooting throughout her body with little to no relief in sight. The contractions were less than a minute apart now and reaching an intensity she wasn't sure she could handle for much longer.

At least Sebastian was there now and as the contraction faded, she relaxed against the pillows again, looking at the two of them helplessly. "I think- I think I felt the baby move down," It was the only thing that had propelled her into the bed in the end. It was horribly uncomfortable to be there lying on her back but she knew neither one of them would let her move now.

Elsie could feel the sheen of sweat on her brow, her heart racing as the anxiety and nerves crept higher and higher. Unsure of what else she could possibly say at this very moment without sending Tyb over the edge, she was excused from having to do so by another contraction. The pain washed over her and she gritted her teeth against it, whimpering and trying to breathe through it. 

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MJ always makes her so pretty

"How to tell, how to spot the warning signs, how to know when to employ my usual life-saving tactics," Sebastian hissed quietly, impatiently as Kirke finally stumbled through the threshold of the room. "Forgive me if I'm not the most verbose creature at this unexpected hour." Verbose he may not have been, but seeing Elsie certainly cleared his mind and there was no hesitation in his step (nor malice in his expression towards either of the two) as he grasped Kirke's shoulder to give him a reassuring touch before making his way to his cousin's side. And despite his answer, Sebastian was no stranger to the nerves that must be overwhelming the two of them. The midwife they'd clearly planned for was nowhere to be found, and so their only solace was their cousin whose pallor had gone slightly pale.

Still, standing by the bed, Sebastian took out his wand and waved it. A stool appeared in mid air and clattered down behind him. He swept a foot to catch the leg of the stool and sweep it under as he sat down, snapping open his healer's kit. The baby moving down could only mean that they were well on their way through what was already a rather long night. Sebastian nodded reassuringly. "About how many minutes apart are your pains Els?" He asked, slipping into his regular routine of asking diagnosing questions. Though he'd not attended many births, he knew the basics of when to prepare the parents for their child's arrival. And truth be told, much of healing was making sure he stayed calm; patients relied on the expertise of their healer. If the healer stayed calm, then it was likely the patients would in turn remain at ease and procedures would move forward more smoothly.

His eyes glanced over his cousin on the bed, noting the inevitable fear in her eyes. The instinct to frown and fret over her was overwhelming, but he pushed it down immediately, knowing this wasn't the time to worry. Sebastian reached down to grip her hand reassuringly for just a moment before summoning a cloth and pressing it to her brow.

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   Elsie Kirke

The relief was brief, though having Sebastian here helped with the emotional distress, Elsie knew little more than birthing the child would ease her physical pain. "About a minute," She managed after a deep breath, easing back against the pillows once more. Each pain that overcame her pressed her further to the end, she knew that, but they were unbearable.

"Would you get me some water?" She turned her head to Tyb, thinking that he might need something to do and it would give her a moment alone to speak with her cousin. He seemed all too eager, if a bit apprehensive to leave the room and Elsie once again blew out a slow, steadying breath.

Once her poor husband had left the room, Elsie fixed her cousin with a knowing look. "Thank you, the midwife was already attending elsewhere." She meant it too, though she knew the sentiment was unnecessary. Despite their disagreements at the beginning of the pregnancy, she was grateful for his presence know. "I know this is not what you want to hear," She began, pausing as a twinge of pain started, but she pressed on. "And I have faith it will be fine," Els knew her body, knew herself, nothing was going awry— yet. "But if something happens, just," She was forced to pause again as a contraction consumed her.

"Just if something does happen," She managed between breaths, "Please make sure the babe is alright," It wouldn't be either Tyb nor Seb's choice, but it was hers and she needed him to know it, and honor it.

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   Tybalt Kirke

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MJ always makes her so pretty

As Kirke withdrew from the room, Sebastian fiddled with his healer's kit, tapping his wand here and there as bottles and supplies flew out of it: rags, towels, potions and more. But he should have seen this talk coming. Hell, he'd been told it countless times by patients who came in pairs - If something happens to me, you must choose them. It wasn't something he was unfamiliar with but it was different when it was family, when it was someone who you loved. Thank Merlin he'd been rooting around in his healer's bag when she issued the warning that he might not like what was coming next. It only gave him a fraction of time to adjust his grip on the potion bottle in his hand, else he would have dropped it, despite having ample time as he gave her room to respond between her contractions.

His grip tightened on the bottle as he met her eyes and heard her wish. His throat immediately closed and he had to force himself to not tear up — the fact of the matter was, with life there was always a risk of death, no matter how positively one could gamble, and Sebastian would have given up all he had to make sure her words would not come true.

But any amount of emotion that had risen in his chest, made his heart thud even louder in his ears, had to be ignored. He had disappointed her once before with his reaction and he wouldn't make the same mistake again. Even so, the circumstances were different, and — though he'd just reminded himself to never make promises — "I promise." He said, his voice steady as he nodded to let her know he understood her request.

And for a split second, he let the desperation building in his chest go as he grasped Elsie's hand with his free one, dipping forward to press a kiss onto her forehead. "I promise. I won't need to follow through with it, because you're strong, and Tybalt will be here to help too, and we're not going to let anything happen to you or the babe." As he drew away, he smiled at her before letting the calm facade settle over him once again.

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   Tybalt Kirke

By the time Tybalt had made it to the kitchen, he could scarcely remember staggering back down the stairs. He filled a pitcher of water, holding it there senseless of everything until the water was spilling over the rim and onto his hands and –

He splashed his face, as if that would make him calmer. Feeling a little dizzy, Tyb gripped the edge of the sink and counted to five. No. Nope. He was not going to faint in the kitchen while his wife was upstairs giving birth. Head pounding in fear or trepidation or stress, he stumbled back up the stairs, spilling water on himself and his hand trembling again suddenly near the bedroom door.

He didn’t know exactly what had passed between Elsie and her cousin, but Sebastian was close by her, and Tyb caught the kiss to her forehead, the words I promise. I promise, and then we’re not going to let anything happen to you. A choked feeling in his chest, Tybalt pushed it down, exhaled, and moved back into the room as if he’d heard nothing at all – he just couldn’t think about it anymore. Elsie would be fine. “Here,” Tybalt said, setting down the water and coming in to take up her hand where Sebastian had just been holding it. He tried for a smile at them both. “How are we? Nearly done yet?” Not his best joke, but – he was trying.

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Elsie believed Sebastian when he said things would be fine. Though she had never done this before, she rather thought she would feel if something was wrong. It had to be one of those intuition things mothers often spoke of? This was normal, the nerves, the preparing for the worst, all something that came with the event.

Tyb reappeared in the doorway and she passed him a weak smile. The joke was ill-timed, but it wouldn't be Tyb if he wasn't lightening the mood somehow. She squeezed his hand, gently at first, going to continue the jest he had started, when another contraction stole the breath from her lungs. "Baby!" Was all she could get out. Something different about this one had her tightening her grip on Tyb's hand, a pressure that wasn't there before. Grimacing, she thought about breathing through it, but found herself holding it in instead.

Her body knew what to do though, posture changing as her legs moved into a better position to help the baby come out. Everything hurt as she pushed for the first time, trying to feel through the contraction when to stop and breathe. Air came in ragged gasps and she whimpered just slightly at the pain as it came in waves. Merlin she hoped this was mercifully quick, she wasn't sure how much longer she could do this.

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MJ always makes her so pretty

Sebastian could only stare at Tybalt as he re-entered the room, leaving the healer’s mouth slightly open at his comment. One look at Elsie though, silenced any and all protests they had come to the surface. The smile that slid onto her face after her husband’s quip told Sebastian all he needed. As long as Elsie was happy - relatively, in this case - Sebastian didn’t care if the man stripped down to his under clothes and danced around with a howling Mandrake.

He had to admit, the ridiculous imagery that this fleeting thought also brought a smile to his face too, and Sebastian let out a breath.

That was all any of them were going to manage though. Elsie’s strangled warning only gave Sebastian enough time to break from her side and take up position at the foot of the bed. Tybalt was exactly where he needed to be.

“Well done, Els, you’re doing so well,” Sebastian encouraged, his eyes moving from his cousin to Tybalt, hoping perhaps he might catch on. It also wasn’t a lie, either. Elsie may have scared him half to witless with what could have been her death wish, but she was still doing remarkably well, and the further along they progressed, the more relaxed and confident Sebastian was. He could see the outcome easily, clearly.

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   Tybalt Kirke

Oh, oh, it was happening now in a way it hadn’t been before, and he could see Elsie’s exertion, even as she nearly broke his fingers off in squeezing his hand. That said, Tybalt was fervently glad to be in the position he was and not where Elsie’s poor, poor cousin was stuck now for the duration. This was – some family gathering, he thought faintly.

He was feeling a little woozy in the head, watching this. Elsie had to be in horrendous pain, but she was bearing it well, and neither of them seemed to think this was unusual distress, so all Tyb could do was trust them in this, and try not to pass out. Now probably wasn’t the time for a fit of dramatics.

So he had feigned calmness again and echoed Sebastian’s sentiments here and there for a while, but upon another glance downwards he lost his next attempt at gentle reassurance in favour of gaping in unhelpful alarm: “– Oh shit, is that its head? That’s – definitely a head!” Merlin. Jesus Christ. Bloody hell. That – really was a baby coming out of her. He didn’t know what else he’d expected, but.... well, that had to be good news for everyone, didn’t it? Babies usually had heads.

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   Imane Tuttle, Sebastian Beauregard

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Everything was well and truly happening now, her body doing what it was meant to do, every push, every breath bringing her child closer to the world. Even before Tyb said anything, which if she had any air, would have laughed at, Elsie had felt it. The head wasn't called the ring of fire for nothing after all.

Clinging desperately to her husband, the passage of time was lost on her entirely. She hadn't any idea how long she spent pushing, but it felt like forever. The pain overcame her entire body as she tried to read her body's signals as to what to do when. Thankfully, as Tybalt had so eloquently pointed out, that was the baby's head and therefore the shoulders were to come next, the hardest part, but Elsie gritted her teeth and with one final push, felt the the pain decrease substantially. Relief at the end of the labor flooded her body, and she fell back against the pillows, the exertion exhausting her beyond words.

Of course there was no time to actually rest, though her whole body ached and sweat soaked her brow, curling the tendrils of hair near her face, she heard that first sweet little cry and was leaning up again to see. That had to be a good sign! "Is the baby okay?" She panted, looking between her husband and cousin desperately. This was not the actual end of labor and Elsie knew that, but it was momentarily forgotten in the need for reassurance that she wasn't the only one who had made it through the birth alright.

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   Tybalt Kirke

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MJ always makes her so pretty

As preoccupied as he was on focusing on the baby and his cousin, Tybalt's outburst made Seb jerk his head up, his concentration momentarily broken as he gave the imminent father-to-be a look. Luckily Tybalt had been spared Sebastian's urge to give him a prompt a slap upside the head due to the fact that his hands were currently occupied at the present. But, he reminded himself, now was certainly not the time to bicker seeing as the baby was on its merry way. "Yes, that is your child's head, Tybalt," He couldn't help but remark somewhat snarkily, though he was sure to keep his voice low. His eyes flicked up to Elsie again, his brows furrowing as he watched her struggle through the birth. Though she was exerting herself tremendously, he was relieved to see her body devoid of any troubling signs.

"Almost there, Elsie, short breaths -" He encouraged again, his hands cradling the baby's head and now neck.

Relief flooded through him as the baby immediately let out a wail and Sebastian grinned. "There we go, Elsie, well done!" He moved quickly as he grabbed towels to swaddle the now squirming child. He let out an involuntary laugh - clearly the nerves, for he wouldn't have ever been laughing at a time like this - but nodded as he worked. "Yes, yes he's quite alright, Elsie." He assured her, getting up from his kneeled position, the babe tucked into the crook of his arm as he brought the bundle to her side.

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   Tybalt Kirke

His hand felt so numb it may well have dropped off by the time Elsie released it, but finally the pressure in the room seemed to break – Tybalt’s chest felt like it was seizing up from all the strain, and he hadn’t even done anything useful here.

He, Sebastian said, and Tybalt craned his neck to get a glimpse of the – admittedly grimy, at the moment – infant that was their son. They had a son. Tyb brought a hand up to his face without even registering it, clutching at his jaw to try and digest it – to try not to beam so hard he broke. “Elsie,” he said, exhaling in awe and amazement and gratitude that she’d done so well, all the way through, “– Sebastian –” he squeezed Beauregard’s shoulder in a similar gratitude, and maybe to find a little steadiness, “– meet Bentley.” Their baby, Bentley.

“Just look at him,” Tybalt was cooing, entirely senseless of everything else, as, distantly, the doorbell rang. His eyes nearly rolled out of his head. Huffing and shaking his head despairingly, Tyb cast a thoughtless spell down the stairs to open the door, refusing to leave the room now, even to let the midwife in. “‘Course she shows up now, doesn’t she?” he grumbled to them both – or so he meant, but there was a grin blooming too hard beneath it to pretend he wasn’t as ecstatic as he’d ever been. They’d done alright without her – no one had died.

Another thought struck him, as his gaze drifted between them all. “He’ll need a godfather, you know,” Tyb pointed out, meaningfully.

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   Elsie Kirke

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A wave of emotions crashed over Elsie at the same time it registered that the midwife was ringing the bell downstairs. Relieved that everything was over she eased back against the pillows once more, the bundle that contained her son was passed into her arms and everything felt complete.

Grinning broadly, she nodded at Tyb's statement about Bentley needing a godfather, she looked at her cousin with a mix of emotions. She was so grateful for him everything he had just done for them, after everything they had been through these last months. However, she couldn't tear her gaze from Bentley for more than a moment, even through the mess that birth was, she could see his tiny little features and she was instantly in love.

Nurse Mooney made her way into the room after a moment and surveyed the damage with an amused smile. "I think you've both earned a drink, why don't you give us a few minutes?" Nurse Moony could help her finish things up and give Bentley a good look over. She exchanged a look with the midwife before looking at the boys again. It wouldn't need to be long, but she highly suspected the two of them really didn't want to be there for what came next.

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MJ always makes her so pretty