Chiyo (special preview)

Othet’s face goes through a range of emotions. He looks confused then startled, shocked, then elated. He lays his paw on my stomach.

“Oh no!” I sit up, shoving his paw away. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Calm down!” Othet grabs me. 

I struggle against him. “No! You’re all crazy! There’s nothing there!”

“Chiyo!” Othet grabs me and holds me still. “Chiyo, the baby,” he whispers.

I whimper and the tears start to come. “No,” I cry and I fall into Othet’s arms. I cling to him and he holds me tight.

“Aren’t you happy?” Othet asks. “Don’t you want a baby?”

I tremble and shake my head. “I’m scared,” I whisper.

Othet looks me in the eye, wiping away my tears. “Chiyo,” he whispers. “I have never seen you afraid. Why are you now?”

“I don’t want to be like my mother,” I confess. “She gave birth to me and was never the same again. I don’t want to have a child and then not have the strength to raise it. It is my baby, it will be wild!”

Othet chuckles and kisses me. “Your sister has given birth to three, and with the fourth on the way she is stronger than ever.” He brushes the hair from my face. “Your mother gave birth to you under horrible circumstances. You will give birth healthy and surrounded by love and comfort. You can be here or in the High Country with your sister.”

“I want to be here,” I whimper. “But-” I cling to Othet and he kisses my forehead.

“No buts, save for the ass of our little one,” he comforts me.

I blubber and sob into his shoulder. Othet rubs my back, holding me until I’m done.

Penu confirms the pregnancy, assuring me that I will be safe and healthy when the baby arrives. 

“If I am to be a grandfather, I will see to every moment of this journey,” he beams at you. “I did everything I could for your mother, but the damage was done already. You are starting out stronger than most.”

“I’ms till scared Penu,” I murmur, my arm clasped around my stomach. “I’m used to being a warrior, not a mother.”

“Are children not little battles?” Penu asks. “Do they not fight and scream and cause war?” he grins at me, petting my cheek. “Warriors beget warriors,” he winks. “I should know, I raised both you and Othet.”

“Yeah, but Othet was a good kid,” I laugh.

“Not with you around,” Penu offers me a drink. “This will help with the fatigue. The little one is getting all the nutrients while you are left with the scraps, so your body unbalanced.”

I grimace. “Oh, that’s awful.”

“Most good things are. Finish it up. All of it.” He tilts the bowl back to my mouth. “There you go, last drop.”

I cough and wipe my mouth. “That will help?”