Chapter 64: In Labor

Many of the residents did not immediately understand what had happened, but the worry on their faces spread quickly.

In the modern world, it is still a terrifying gamble. Even with hospitals, medicine, and trained staff made survival far more likely for both mother and child.

Here, something as natural as childbirth could easily turn into a nightmare.

"Bring her to the guest room!" Gideon shouted immediately.

Kilian moved before anyone else could react. He scooped his wife into his arms and rushed inside the house.

Having already explored the first floor, he knew exactly where the rooms were, reaching the guest room even faster than Gideon.

Meanwhile, Gideon turned to the residents outside and raised his voice. The party could continue, but the music had to stop and everyone needed to keep their voices down.

Even so, the people inside doubted they would hear anything happening in the courtyard. They were far too busy.

Elaine took command the moment they entered the room. "Clean water, Delilah, Jade, bring it now. Summer, cloths. As many as you can."

Freya helped adjust Kanna’s position on the bed so she could breathe and push more comfortably.

Kilian stayed beside his wife, gripping her hand tightly while whispering encouragement.

Kanna herself remained surprisingly calm. She controlled her breathing carefully and only cried out when the contractions peaked.

She had prepared for this moment. Both she and Kilian had dreamed of having a family, a child of their own.

People had warned them repeatedly how dangerous pregnancy could be in this world, but they never abandoned that dream.

Now, watching his wife suffer, Kilian’s confidence began to crumble. What if neither of them survived this? What if the baby died?

Even if Kanna lived but the child didn’t, would they ever recover from that loss?

Hours passed inside that room, and every minute felt heavier than the last. Still, Kilian never left her side. He kept holding her hand, trying to reassure her even while panic slowly crept into his voice.

"It’s okay," he whispered desperately. "You can do this. You’ll be fine. It’ll be over soon. We’ll hold our baby... nothing will happen."

Kanna glanced at him and managed a weak chuckle. "God... you’re even more pathetic than when we first met," she murmured. "But I know you’ll be a good father."

Her face had turned pale. Sweat soaked her hairline and her breathing came unevenly.

"If... if I don’t survive—"

Kilian cut her off immediately. "Don’t you dare say that!"

He spun toward Elaine and the others.

"WHY IS THIS TAKING SO LONG?! HELP HER! SHE’S IN PAIN! GIVE HER AN EPIDURAL!"

Elaine raised an eyebrow. "We don’t have anything like that." She glanced down briefly. "The baby’s head is almost out. Calm down, or I’ll kick you out of the room."

"You can’t do that! I’m her husband!" Kilian shouted, panic completely overtaking him now. "Hurry up woman! If she dies or the baby dies, it’ll be your fault!"

"She’ll be fine. Please calm down," Elaine replied steadily, and even Jade nodded in agreement.

"No! This isn’t enough! You’re all doing it wrong! This is unprofessional! Get a real doctor!"

Another contraction hit. Kanna groaned loudly, her fingers tightening painfully around Kilian’s hand.

"Are you in pain? What happened? Don’t leave me, okay? If you see that tunnel of light, don’t go into it!" Kilian rambled anxiously while shaking her shoulders.

Kanna’s eye twitched. "Get out, Kilian! AHHHH!!! I’M FINE! YOU’RE MAKING IT WORSE!"

Her shout was a mix of agony and pure irritation. Her grip tightened so hard that Kilian was certain at least one of his fingers had broken.

"No! Who will support you if I leave? I know you’ll go straight to that tunnel of light the moment I’m gone, so I’ll stay here and anchor you—"

"AARRGGHHH!!! I SWEAR TO GOD, GET HIM OUT OF HERE!"

Jade dragged Kilian out of the room and shut the door firmly behind him. For a moment he just stared at it, stunned, before immediately turning and pounding on the wood.

"Kanna! Let me in!"

No one answered. From the other side came only the strained cries of his wife and Elaine’s calm voice giving instructions.

Kilian groaned in frustration and hit the door again. "Come on! I’m the father of the baby! Let me in!"

"Hey, calm down, bro. It’s not the end of the world."

A hand landed on his shoulder. Kilian turned and saw Aaron standing there with Gideon beside him. A few steps behind them was Jacob, one of the older Freebound members, quietly observing the scene.

"I mean, we already passed that stage. But I mean, your wife will be fine." Aaron continued.

"How can I calm down?!" Kilian snapped. "They kicked me out!"

Gideon shook his head slightly. "You were louder than your wife in there. That’s impressive, but not in a good way. Aaron, give him a cigs, he need to chill,"

Aaron hesitated, his frown deepening as he slowly pulled the pack from his pocket. He clearly did not want to share, and his reluctance was obvious in the way he moved.

Kilian lost patience and grabbed the pack outright, stuffing it into his own pocket. "Smoking isn’t allowed near my wife or my baby," he said firmly. "I’ll confiscate this."

"You bitch!"

Aaron stepped forward immediately to reclaim it, but Jacob caught his shoulder before things escalated. With a calm motion, the older man reached into Kilian’s pocket, retrieved the cigarette pack, and handed it back to Aaron.

Then he turned toward Kilian.

"I know how you feel," Jacob said, his tone steady and grounded.

"My third child was born during the first year of the apocalypse. It was hell. No doctors, no supplies, and my other kids were panicking so badly they made everything worse."

He paused, remembering the moment clearly. "In the end, I shoved them all out of the room. They nearly got themselves killed by aberrants because I was just as panicked as they were."

Jacob placed a firm hand on Kilian’s shoulder and squeezed gently. "So take a deep breath. Your wife is capable, calm, and smarter than you give her credit for. She’ll be fine."

Kilian rubbed the bridge of his nose and leaned back against the wall. His expression cracked slightly, his voice trembling when he spoke.

"She said something about not surviving."

Jacob let out a small chuckle. "Every wife says that when they’re staring down a life-or-death situation. It usually means she trusts you to handle things if the worst happens."

He gave Kilian another reassuring pat. "My wife said the same thing back then. That stubborn woman could swing a claymore faster than most Freebound men I knew. But look at her now. Still alive and still yelling at me every morning."

Kilian nodded slowly, his breathing finally beginning to steady.

Then a moment later, cutting through the quiet hallway, came a sharp cry. It was a baby cry.

Everyone’s heads turned toward the door. Kilian froze, his eyes widening as hope rushed across his face.

The door opened, and Elaine stepped out holding a small bundle wrapped carefully in cloth. She walked straight to Kilian and placed the baby gently into his arms.

"What about my wife?" he asked immediately, barely daring to look down.

"She’s fine," Elaine replied, her voice calm but warm. "You can see her now. Though she specifically told me to make sure you calm down first, or she’ll drag you out again herself."

Only then did Kilian finally look down at the child in his arms.

Elaine folded her arms lightly and added, "It’s a boy. Congratulations."