Wolf Like Me

Fatin POV (Age 24)

“I know you love your mate, but this seems overly efficient. Even for you.”

“What do you mean, even for me?” Fatin asked, dropping the parts to the crib she was building. 

“I do not mean that in a rude way,” Rana assured. “Leah deserves to be spoiled and cared for, and with the number of bumps in her heat and pregnancy I’m glad that you’re doing whatever you can to make her feel comfortable.” 

“Why do I feel like there’s a ‘but’ coming?” 

Letting out a breath, Rana folded her arms. “You need to understand that you can’t prepare for everything. Things will inevitably come up that will be out of your control.” 

“And that’s why I’m putting together all the furniture now,” Fatin reasoned. “We’ve had enough shit crop up that I want things ready in case anything else comes up.” 

The baby was due in under two months and Fatin was on edge. Leah had suffered with Braxton Hicks giving the pair a good few scares at this point for false labour. 

“I know you, sweetie, you’re a clone of your father. That man had everything set up months before you were born and over-planned every possible outcome and need. Our house was full of random things we never utilised.” 

“It feels like everything has been up in the air lately. Leah is so emotional, and her pregnancy is making her sensory issues harder to deal with. Her hormone levels are getting dangerous for her and they’re already talking about plans for inducing her early if she can’t regulate and-”

“Fatin, take a moment and calm down,” Rana said, resting a hand on her shoulder and guiding her to her seat. “You didn’t tell us that the doctors were looking at that. We thought her hormone levels had been remedied.” 

She shook her head, feeling the tears blurring her vision. “She keeps relapsing, and they have no idea what’s causing it. It could be an issue with the baby, and I don’t know anything until he’s delivered. I don’t even know if Leah will be okay after or during the delivery and they’re talking about c-sections and all kinds of things and I’m freaking the hell out.” 

“It’s okay. Your brother was just as much of a nuisance when I got pregnant with him. Kemar didn’t want to come out at all, and I was in so much pain by the end. We are all here for you, we will continue to be here always. This unfortunately is something you can’t plan for. Whatever happens, happens, but you will have people who love you around you. You said Leah was doing well this week?” 

She nodded. “Shelby’s keeping her mood up. The two are shopping for toys today.” 

“You hated toys except for this one stuffed rabbit you had. It was disgusting by the time you were two because you always sucked on its ears.” 

“Gross.” 

“Let’s get the rest of this furniture up and then we can talk about things you actually will need when Leah goes into birth.” 

“We have everything planned,” Fatin promised. 

“You have a to-go emergency bag?” 

“Obvi.” 

“With things for you as well as Leah? Because I promise you when that baby is born you won’t be leaving her side.” 

“I-” No. The bag only had things for Leah. 

“That’s what I thought. Now, pass me the allen key and then we can start packing you an overnight bag.” 

It was only two weeks later that an overnight bag was needed.

Fatin launched into full panic mode when she woke to Leah breathing through a contraction at three A.M. Never had she moved so fast in her life, grabbing her things and shucking on her hoodie as she helped Leah to their car. 

All that kept playing through her mind was that it was too early. He wasn’t due for three weeks. 

She had hoped that it was another false labour, but with Leah’s water breaking it was hard for either of them to believe that. 

“It’s too soon,” Leah said repeatedly as Fatin’s hands clasped around the wheel. 

“I know, but we’ve prepared for this. The doctors have plans in place.” 

“Premature babies have a higher risk of health issues,” Leah rattled off. “They’re often slower to meet developmental milestones and-”

“And he will be fine, babe. Hours from now we will have a beautiful, perfect son.” She took her hand and squeezed. “Breathe for me. There you go, and out again,” she soothed. “We have both wanted nothing but this for so long- a family. I have loved you since we were tiny and I can’t wait for us to start our family. But I need you to calm for me because the stress will make him all worried for his mum.” 

“Okay,” Leah said, gritting her teeth as another cramp tore through her. “Fuck me who the fuck designed birth.” 

“Some seriously sadistic cunt. Just think about the bath I will run you after, the doughnuts.” 

“That doesn’t help with Edward Scissor Hands clawing at my fucking entrails right now does it,” Leah snapped, breathing heavily as she gripped her abdomen. 

Fatin learned during that car ride not to say too much. Less was more with a woman in so much pain that she was ready to snap at everyone and everything, 

Even once Leah was in the bed, a gown adorning her body, it seemed to only get worse. Fatin felt like whatever she said she was putting her foot in her mouth. 

“I feel like I can’t make this easier for her,” she said to Rana on the phone. 

“That’s because you can’t. Sweetie she’s about to push a human out of her, she’s going to be sacred and angry and exhausted. Its pain that can’t even be described. This is hour one, wait and see what shit crops up by hour eight.” 

“Hour eight?” Fatin yelled. “Did you just swear?” 

“Yes, did it make you feel better?” Rana asked. 

“Yes.” 

“Good. Then I suggest you pull yourself together and get Leah some ice and find a nurse who can help with pain management. You are a good partner and come tomorrow I doubt Leah will remember much of the birth. I only remember singing your father’s favourite song and screaming as you popped out. Gosh you took your time.” 

“Okay. Thank you.” 

“Try not to worry too much. We’ll be there closer to Leah giving birth, I doubt she wants a crowd any sooner.” 

“Thank you. Are you bringing Maryann and Kurt?” 

“Yes, they’re already speed-packing.” 

“Okay. Good. Great.” 

“Fatin, you’ve got this.” 

...

As she held Leah’s hand for the next five hours, she realised she did have this. Whilst she wasn’t prepared for just how intense it would be she wasn’t the one in utter pain facing pushing a human out of her. Getting her shit together she worked to sort everything that she could, making Leah as comfortable as possible even as she snapped at her and held her hand hard enough that she feared broken bones. 

She didn’t have a c-section. Leah delivered naturally, yelling and crying as she brought her son into the world with them. 

There was a lot of blood, enough that Fatin felt dizzy until the nurse assured her that they were both fine. Leah only held him for a moment before her eyes slipped shut, her body covered in a thick sheen of sweat. 

“Do you want to hold him?” The nurse asked. 

Fatin nodded, feeling the tears streaming down her cheeks as she sat in the chair with him. 

“What’s his name?” 

“Kenneth,” she said. 

“How about I take him in so we can check his health? He’s had a bit of an early introduction to this world.” 

Fatin nodded, hating when he left her arms. Her eyes flared gold and the nurse assured her they could see him soon. 

She moved back to Leah’s side, holding her hand as the nurses finished up. 

“You’re awake,” Fatin said the next afternoon. 

“I feel like shit.” 

“You did give birth to a mini us,” Fatin replied. “Like that human really popped out of you huh? To think you’ve been carrying around that little chubby dude for months now.” 

Leah laughed airily and reached out to take her hand. “Is he okay?” 

“He’s healthy,” she promised. “They’ll keep you and him in here for at least a week to monitor you both but he’s causing quite the stir amongst the preemie mums. They’re all standing outside ‘awing’ at him.” 

“How small is he?” Leah asked. 

“His weight isn’t too bad. He needs to be bigger, but they’ve got a whole team keeping watch over him.” 

“Can I see him?” 

“I’ll ask if we can visit.” 

“Visit?” 

“He has his little area for now, don’t let the machines scare you he’ll be out of there in a matter of days.” 

“Okay.” 

Fatin helped her into the wheelchair thirty minutes later. 

“He looks so much like you,” Leah said. 

“He looks exactly like Kemar did as a baby; made Mum tear up.” 

“Our parents have met him?” 

“Yes,” Fatin said. “They haven’t been in but did peer through the window. Our mums snuck their way in here whilst I was peeing.” 

“Of course they did.” 

“They outed themselves with the crying, a nurse had to escort them away because we’re technically the only ones allowed to see him for the next couple of days.” 

“I bet they took that hard.” 

Fatin laughed. “They’re at home moping. Your mum is staying at mine and our dads are out buying supplies.” 

“Look at his tiny little fingers,” she said. 

“Put your hands through there, you can hold his hands.” 

Leah put her hands through the two circular openings, taking his little chunky fingers in her own. “Fatin, we made a person.” 

“I know.” 

“This is going to change so much.” 

“It will, but I think we’re ready.” 

Leah nodded. “We will be.”