It's a boy, Kayleen Farley, it's a boy.. [2012]

[Thomas Baker]

It's a boy, Kayleen Farley! It's a boy..
A SON.
A SON.
A SON.... !
(With apologies to The Who.)

Note - Some of the following may be disturbing for the more sensitive of our members. Viewer discretion advised.

Featuring:

Sanctus Sapiens
Thomas Baker
Kayleen Farley
Patricia Seaver
Sable Thanasis
Larus Pontin
St. Mungo's Hospital Healers.


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To set the scene - Sanctus Sapiens - a seventh year Hufflepuff - had dropped by the cabin in order to speak with Professor Thomas Baker about a possible apprenticeship at the school once he'd graduated.

Thomas Baker's eyebrows raised in surprise as Sanctus posed the question. Whatever he'd been expecting the teen to ask, it wasn't this. With his own 'first year' coming to a close, he had only just begun to feel comfortable in his new position. Seeking an apprentice was not something that he was interested in. Perhaps years down the road, but thirty plus years teaching had left him rather set in his ways as far as teaching was concerned. And yet.. the Hufflepuff had a fair point. Kayleen was due any day now, and he'd seen first hand how difficult it was juggling both his professorial duties and those of a groundskeeper. That's it! "I don't know about me taking on an apprentice," he began seriously, "...but I'm sure the Headmaster would agree with me when I say that you'd make a fine assistant groundskeeper. " Baker would finish, all smiles. "I've seen how you work with the animals, and your dedication, and I know that Kayleen would certainly appreciate the help."

Sanctus Sapiens gave a small smile at that but it wasnt entirely what he had hoped for. Assistant groundskeeper was...in his mind, when it came to seeking out jobs... maybe one step up from assistant caretaker. but he knew she did work with the animals a lot... "sure" he said, it would give him time to consider his options too without having to go home. it was hard finding work in the animal business from what he could tell from looking "That'd be great..i'll talk to her then"

Thomas Baker, if he'd sensed Sanctus' disappointment, did not acknowledge it as he watched the boy carefully. "Good!" he clapped his hands together once before straightening and rising to his feet. "That's settled then! D'you want anything? Tea?" he'd add, distractedly glancing around for where he'd left the kettle last.

Sanctus Sapiens nodded and smiled. the more he thought about it the more the idea grew on him. He got to stay with...the two people whom he'd always consider more family than his parents, (even if Baker kept it professional) and also he could stay with his horse. "two sugars please." he added but went wide eyed as he heard the shout 'Thomas!' from outside and then the door opened fast before Kayleen stepped in grasping at her stomach, looking very ill "it'shappening" she whined, too breathless to speak, though her skirt was wet at the hems where her water had broken already. CRAP!

Thomas Baker, mid-way through crossing the living room and into the kitchen, whipped around in alarm at Kayleen's panicked cry. "Kayleen?" he'd call in a voice high-pitched in panic as he darted forward to meet her. "It's happening - oh!" he'd echo before his eyes widened in distress. Dumbstruck and nearly on the verge of panic, it was all he could do to guide Kayleen toward the loveseat, hands shaking uncontrollably as he did so. Breath coming in rapid gasps, he'd spin around to look helplessly at Sanctus. "We need.. we need the nurse.. I'll go.. or you'll go.." The man was hardly making sense as he looked wildly at the stricken Kayleen. Way to keep your head in a crisis, Thomas.

Kayleen Farley had tears streaming down her face as she sat down and moaned in pain at the contractions "I'm scared Thomas" she gasped. She hadn't been particularly well towards the end of the pregnancy, so she was scared with good reason perhaps! --

Sanctus Sapiens stared with wide eyes and felt a chill down his spine.... it was happening??? he scrambled around for his wand and retrieved it but then quickly he grabbed Thomas by the shoulders, and dug his nails in a bit to maybe sharply bring him out of it if he could "Professor, calm, deep breaths." he said and let go to open the door, which he pointed his wand out of "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" he called and the large shire horse burst from the wand tip and turned to face him "Message for the nurse, in the infirmary. Kayleen Farley is having her baby right now. Come quickly to the cabin" and with that the horse charged off up the hill towards the school.

Thomas Baker nodded mechanically. Deep breaths. Right. It was more difficult in practice, but he managed to pull himself together enough to sit beside Kayleen and hold her hand with both of his. "It'll be all right," he found himself saying, not putting voice to the fact that he was nothing short of terrified. Various thoughts of complications burst forth and he struggled to set them aside. He had to stay relatively calm, lest Kayleen pick up on it. Easier said than done..

Patricia Seaver slammed open the door the cabin and stormed in, eyes wild from the Patronus message. There was a severe problem with giving birth in the wizarding world: it has to be done the old fashioned way also known as screaming-clawing-and-no-pain-medication way. Patricia rolled up her sleeves and pulled out a pair of gloves, then tossed a pair to Professor Baker and Sanctum. "Both of you are going to help me with this. There's no magical way to get a baby through a birth canal. All we got is Vicodin and some towels." Hopefully, that came out normally, instead of the weird choking sounds she made when she panicked.

Sanctus Sapiens nodded towards Patricia and looked towards Thomas nervously, swallowing. Now he wasn't so ...ready for this.

Kayleen Farley looked towards the nurse and then wailed in agony and then cried in horror "TAKE ME TO A MUGGLE HOSPITAL! its not going to be alright!" she was ...a thousand times more distressed and out of character than anyone had probably ever seen her. She squeezed Thomas's hand hard and cried out again as the contractions became more painful.

Thomas Baker, if he was on the verge of panic before, very nearly lost it as the nurse all but ordered the pair of them to assist in the delivery of the child - his child. "I.. but..." he stammered, mouthing soundlessly when words would just not come. The man would flinch visibly at Kayleen's sudden cry of anguish and looked as if he too was experiencing physical pain. "Can't you do something?" Baker snarled at Seaver, voice rising in anger fueled by fear rather than any sort of malice toward the nurse.

Patricia Seaver took a deep breath and grabbed a couple of nearby buckets. One for the placenta and one in case she got sick. It's probably best not to vomit on the new baby, especially if the baby belongs to the professor who probably knows plenty of hexes. "Baker, we're in the wizarding world. We don't have any of the technology Muggles have..." Patricia counted the minutes between contractions; three minutes apart. Calmy, but turning slightly green, she looked towards Kayleen and said "Although you bring up a very good point, there's not enough time. And you, Baker, stop screaming and calm down. We don't need two women giving birth in here," she snapped, and settled down to wait.

Sanctus Sapiens chuckled just a little at the comment of two of them having a baby but it was only brief "Just tell me what you need me to do when the time comes, Ms. Seaver" -

Kayleen Farley was irate "What's the point of bloody magic and potions if it cant do this!?" she screamed in sheer panic and dug her nails into Thomas's arm, screaming in pain again. "What if something goes wrong" she had a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that something was wrong. Why wouldnt she be able to concieve with her last husband? ...she thought that maybe it hadnt been her the whole time but now she had doubts.

Sable Thanasis entered at that moment, having first grabbed Larus that he might accompany her and give her a hand with a few things of her own brewing, and after leaving Diego with Moira. Sable had researched a great deal befor her own baby had been born and had had on hand plenty of things for precautions. How did the woman know about the event? Well, with all the bloody noise and of course the Portraits talking about another baby getting born, how could anyone not know about it by now? Especially with the school's Nurse there? Sable entered through the door, and said, "Pardon the intrusion, but perhaps I can offer some assistance?"

Thomas Baker gritted his teeth as he silently endured having Kayleen's nails dig into his flesh. As long as it made her feel even the tiniest bit better, he wasn't about to move. Try as he might to block out Kayleen's rage, however, he could not help but feel his own heart racing in panic as her stress carried over to him. Especially when she voiced the most pressing fear that he had carried throughout her entire pregnancy. 'What if something goes wrong?' Thomas could not bear to think of it. He hardly noticed Sable and Larus as they entered, eyes fixed on Kayleen's face.

Patricia Seaver turned to look at Sable, and nodded. Potions Master. That'll work. Remembering what was supposed to happen next, she turned back towards Kayleen and got ready to catch. "Kayleen, don't try to push too hard or you'll...tear. We don't exactly have the instruments to deal with a C-section." Patricia's nose wrinkled at the thought. "Between contractions, push gently. During the contractions, breathe deeply through your mouth." She looked over her shoulder again. "Professor Thanasis, do you have any potions that can act as a painkiller?"

The lanky panicked form of Larus Pontin scurried in almost tripping over himself as he looked around and took a deep breath in "Thomas- Kayleen" he said and ran over, suddenly shoulder to shoulder with Thomas "Ohmygodyou'regoingtobeafather- Kayleen how are you doing?"

Kayleen Farley bared her teeth at Larus "I'm going to kill you if you start joking right now" she growled and got a squeak out of the poor man before she started to push and cried in pain, grabbing at Thomas's hand hard "AHHH!". She was bleeding a bit but no sign of the baby yet.

Sanctus Sapiens frowned slightly at Larus but didn't say anything as he moved around behind Kayleen and gave Thomas a glance to be sure he was ok before he cradled her head and gently stroked her hair to calm her whilst Thomas did the hand holding duty.

Sable Thanasis said, "Only one that can be given to a woman giving birth. As well as a mild Calming Draught to help her keep her head and concentrate on other things." She turned to Larus and asked him, "Love, hand me the bottles marked 'Pain Dillution' and 'Calming Draught'." She looked and noticed Sapiens there. "Keep her head elevated, Mr. Sapiens." It was best the boy not touch any potions.

Thomas Baker managed to shoot Larus a half apologetic, half terrified look before he again turned his attention back to Kayleen. He'd more or less managed to keep his composure due in part to looking at either her face or a point somewhere beyond her shoulder. When it came to anything involving blood, the man was entirely useless.

Patricia Seaver swallowed hard as the area began to bulge, something starting to show up. Please be the head, please be the head... Ohgodohgodohgod why does my first big job have to be a birth? she prayed silently. "Baker, we're going to need t-towels," Patricia stuttered, routine panic settling in. The baby's head slowly slid out, and the nurse's hand reached to guide it, trying to remember how this went. Her specialty were broomstick crashes and explosions, not births.

Sanctus Sapiens glanced towards Sable with a bit of a 'what do you think i'm doing?' sort of face and then looked back at Kayleen, pulling her hair away from her brow and staying oddly calm amongst all the stress.

Larus Pontin fumbled around quickly to retrieve the potions asked of him, handing them quickly to Sable before he backed off and held Bakers other wrist, teeth clenched.

Kayleen Farley whimpered and sobbed between screams and pushed as much as she could, screaming at the top of her lungs, but nothing yet either.

Sable Thanasis took both potions and retrieved a clean dropper from her other bag and she got out enough for a small dose- just enough to help her calm down- and gave Kayleen the Calming Draught first. "Open up, my friend," she said quietly. If Kayleen complied and let the drops be given, Sable did the same and added twice the amount for the Pain Dilution, and gave Kayleen that as well. Once all the potions were taken, she looked at the Nurse. "Madam Seaver, would you like some Calming Draught? Thomas?" she asked him, as well.

Thomas Baker stared blankly at the nurse. Towels? Why would.. Baker found himself looking down after having managed to avoid it this entire time. That's a lot of blood. A.. lot.. of blood.. Thomas looked at the nearest person to him - Larus - before his face drained of its color. He'd look at Sable then, holding her gaze in silence for several moments. Without any indication of what was going to happen, the man's eyes would roll back and he'd slump sideways. Down for the count.

Patricia Seaver looked around for the towels, hand still cradling a baby's head and guiding it out. No towels. "Baker, where are those towels?" She peered around over her shoulder and watched him pass out. Guess he's not getting towels. Patricia turned away from the passing out professor, and turned to Sanctus. "You're not doing much. I need towels and now would be excellent. Baby's on its way."

Sanctus Sapiens frowned as Thomas went down, watching with concern "i was waiting" he said at the 'you're not doing much' comment and then hurried towards the bathroom. It took a matter of seconds to come back with the towels. --

Both Larus and Kayleen let out a cry in unison as Thomas went down and Larus dove to try and stop him but ended up going down onto his knees (not the strongest guy in the world) and he oofed and huffed as he pulled the man up onto the couch "Heavy..." --

Kayleen Farley sobbed and took the potion, immediately she started to calm down and the pain slowly left her and became bareable. With a much greater ease the baby started to emerge, head first, though with a lot of blood. Kayleen was looking a bit lightheaded.

Sable Thanasis trusted that Larus would grab Thomas. Then she looked at Sanctus, and said, "You're doing a good job, Sapiens." She smirked, then said, "Twenty points to Hufflepuff for calm-demeanor under pressure. If you help with Professor Baker, you'll get twenty more." She had to give the boy credit where it was due. Unlike others, especially others his age, he was doing brilliantly. Sable saw Kayleen's color go pale and she withdrew a bottle of Blood Replenish from her bags. "Here, Kayleen. This will help." Then she took Sanctus's place behind her, taking the other woman's head in to her lap, and held the vial so that her friend could drink the potion.

Patricia Seaver groaned, turned greener, and shook her head at Sable. "Don't n-n-need a Calming Draught. T-T-This is routine." She snatched up the extra bucket with her free hand and puked into it, shaking her head to bring her back. It was such a good lunch too. Patricia paled as the rest of the baby started making its way out. As far as she could see, there weren't any complications, but things could still go wrong.

Sanctus Sapiens nodded to Sable "Yes professor-" he stood to do so but then faltered as the nurse started to vomit and he sighed in somewhat panicked frustration "I can do this" he moved forwards "Ms. Seaver will you let me do this if you overlook it?" he said and kneeled down beside her, ready to take over immediately if necessary, he was sure the nurse would do the rest after the baby was out but she was getting sick! Thomas wasn't as important right now as the baby. --

Kayleen Farley looked towards Thomas and then whined as she pushed harder... almost there, it looked like she would most likely get the baby out very soon now, but the time wasn't yet. It gave them a chance to sort things out. --

Larus Pontin was still under Thomas trying to shove him up onto the couch and he managed it just fine eventually with a breathless huff and got the man onto his back so that he didnt...yknow, suffocate into the cushions.

Sable Thanasis looked over at Larus and was about to help him, but the man managed. Still, she was worried. "Larus, sit with him, and rest. Don't let your heart get over exerted." They didn't need him having a heart attack on top of all of this! She looked at the Nurse and winced when the woman vomited. "How can you do your job when something like this makes you squeamish?" Yes, Sable was criticizing the Nurse. When Sanctus volunteered to do it, she said, "At least you won't get sick, Mr. Sapiens. Madam Seaver, clean your hands and let yourself recover and supervise Mr. Sapiens. Thirty points to Hufflepuff," she added. The boy was taking on something most adults, obviously, would be afraid to do. He had a damn good amount of gumption.

Thomas Baker. Sanctus was quite right. Compared to the imminent birth, the unconscious professor was little more than an afterthought. At least Larus had managed to get the man in a more comfortable position on the couch. It would gut him, of course, when he'd rouse and see that he had been unable to provide Kayleen with any sort of moral support. For now, though, he remained quite unresponsive.

Patricia Seaver looked at Sable, hair flopping into her face. "Everything makes me sick," she snapped, and shoo'd Sanctus away. "I'm still alive. I'll deal with the baby." The head of the baby turned away, as the body started to slide out. Good, it's almost over, Patricia thought. "Actually, Sanctus, there's some smelling salts in my first aid kit. Maybe we should bring back Mister Moral Support, unless you want to use a Severing Charm on the umbilical cord instead." The nurse gestured with a slight head tilt and a shoulder shrug towards the fanny pack beside her.

Sanctus Sapiens found it very hard to make that decision. Thomas waking up to see his child or cut the umbilical cord? he stayed to do the latter and pulled his wand out to hold it ready. Giving a small smile of thanks to Sable.

Larus Pontin looked over to the pack and moved over to take the salts and went to harass Thomas with them. He didnt really know how to use smelling salts but he waved it around in front of his face anyway.

Kayleen Farley suddenly clenched her fists and arched her neck as she gave the final push and suddenly the little baby boy was pushed from her and screamed at the top of its lungs the moment it was out. The baby was followed out by ...a lot of kayleens blood and then more... infact she was bleeding quite a lot.

Sable Thanasis said, "Merlin's bloody balls, the woman's bleeding out! Sapiens, take the baby! We may need to get someone from St. Mungo's here." She gently put Kayleens head down and stood up. "I can go get them. Larus," she yelled, "Take the cap OFF the smelling salts, first and carefully put them under his nose." She then hurried toward the fireplace. She knew that the Nurse could do all she could until Sable could bring back help. She looked around for floo powder so she could Floo directly to the hospital.

Thomas Baker. It would take several minutes for the man to begin to stir as Larus flailed them around near his face. He'd come to with a low moan, head rolling from side to side as he slowly began to retain coherency. "Kayleen..." he'd mutter hoarsely, still looking peaked but beginning to come around.

Patricia Seaver yelled in shock, and forced the baby into Sanctus' hands. "Dammit, I think she's hemorrhaging. She needs more Blood Replenisher!" She grabbed her wand, and turned to point it towards the bleeding woman. Then faltered. What now? It was internal bleeding; the spell might not even reach. Hearing Baker stir, she whipped around and threw her wand at him. "He doesn't need to see this right now!" she yelled, grabbed for the essence of dittany in her first aid kit, and attempted to drip it in towards the wound. "Sable, we need a Healer from St. Mungo's to come here. It's too dangerous to transport her; send a Patronus."

Larus Pontin was terrified but....what if he didnt wake him up and his fiance did die without him being able to say anything? "But it's his right" he said with a frown "Thomas, Kayleen needs you to be strong right now, but she needs you" he said quietly to his friend, even if it wasnt the right decision. --

Kayleen Farley couldnt really feel the pain much but she could tell something was wrong, she felt wrong and she wanted to close her eyes. But she smiled as she looked at her baby and Sanctus made his way forwards to be near her and distract her "Kayleen, you have a son" he said with a smile down at her, though deep inside he was now very afraid for her.

Sable Thanasis turned her head and said, "I'll bring them as quickly as possible." Then she tossed the powder in and yelled, "St. Mungos!" before jumping in to the green flames and vanishing. Upon arrival to the hospital she found the nearest nurse, pushing past the protesting receptionists and begged for someone to help at Hogwarts School, telling them that a woman had given birth and was hemorrhaging. Time was urgent!

Patricia Seaver continued trying to drip the essence of dittany into the wound. There were spells that would put her right almost instantly, but they were dangerous in Kayleen's condition and the nurse was probably too shaky and panicky to do any spells right. "Where's that blood replenisher? Sanctus, Larus, somebody! She needs it NOW!" she shrieked. Hearing Baker call Kayleen, Patricia frowned, and called over her shoulder: "Baker, don't panic (and please don't come over), but your fiance is having complications."

Sanctus Sapiens was holding the baby but he was quiet as it seemed Larus would get it. Sanctus moved out of the way of Thomas to let him by to Kayleen "She's having a hard time but someone is coming from St. Mungos to deal with it, Professor" he said calmly, to keep the man as calm as possible. "You have a boy" --

Larus Pontin was on his feet again and pulled the entire set of potions that he'd carried towards the arm of the chair and fished out what was labled blood replenisher and started nervously feeding it to Kayleen. Once he was done doing it how hed seen Sable do it he let go.

Kayleen Farley smiled softly towards Thomas and extended her hand to him "Thomas..." her hand was shaking, and her voice wavered as if her body was going into shock but she was quite out of it on the potions "It's going to be ok."

Sable Thanasis returned, followed by four Healers from St. Mungos. They each had a bag, expanded through magic to carry a great deal of potions and equipment, and the gently made their way over. One approached Sanctus and asked, "Is that the baby? I'm here to check the little one, make sure he's fine. Miss?" the Pediatric Healer asked Nurse Seaver, "Could you assist me here?" Meanwhile, the other three Healers began to help Kayleen. One said, "Don't worry. We'll have the hemorrhage stoppped soon and she'll be fine." -- Sable sighed, and she looked at everyone. She hoped she wasn't too late. But the Healers sounded confident and hopeful.

Thomas Baker. Even in his current state, the man could pick up on the panic in the nurse's voice. It would serve to make the man even more distressed than he already was. Complications? Ignoring Seaver's orders, the man would leap unsteadily to his feet and stagger across to where Kayleen now lay. God, no. No.. Sanctus' happy news was lost to Baker as he stared, stricken, at his rapidly fading fiance. How ironic that it was Kayleen that was trying to comfort him rather than the other way around. It was all he could do to take up her hand as he was trembling quite violently. "Stay with me." he murmured in a tremulous whisper as he gently kissed her forehead. Knees too weak to support him, he'd sink to the ground, still holding her hand and keeping his gaze fixed upon her despite the Healers appearing on the scene.

Patricia Seaver nodded towards the Healers, slightly pale. "I'll try help, but births and their complications aren't my specialty," she said and glanced at Baker. Hopefully, he wouldn't get in the way while the Healers worked on Kayleen. If he did, she'd try to drag him away from the area, and probably have to take any rage he spat out. "I only managed to give her basic first aid," Patricia told the Healers awkwardly.

Sanctus Sapiens went to sit on the chair opposite out of the way, cradling the sobbing baby and casting "annepeo" or however its spelled, on the child to clear its airways a little, which seemed to calm the child down.

Kayleen Farley smiled tiredly at Thomas "See..? the doctors are here....i'm not going anywhere" she breathed out weakly and squeezed his hand lightly "it's just..one of those things......" it seemed like it was hard for her to stay awake, but when she was quiet Larus fed her more blood replenish.

Thomas Baker was in a sort of stupor. Numbed by panic and by fear and still not entirely up to snuff from his fainting episode. The man was not unhelpful, exactly, but he would not - or could not - move from where he was, which forced the healers to work around him. It was entirely unlike the normally stoic professor to be in such a state, but there he was.

Patricia Seaver retrieved her wand from behind the sofa, and crawled towards Kayleen. She waved her wand over the woman's stomach, and started to chant Percuro Vulnus. It was a weak healing spell, but hopefully, it would help the Healers with their jobs. The Healers carefully poured small glasses filled with a smoking purple liquid that smelled of cough drops down Kayleen's throat, as Patricia desperately tried to help.

The blood's flow started to stem, as the nurse turned whiter from the effort of casting the spell. It was working, but not as well as she would've liked.

Kayleen Farley was getting better slowly as the healers worked to fix her up as well as the nurse. The healers were being very careful about it "I think they're doing alright..." she closed her eyes but then forced them back open "No more children after this...ok?" she said with a soft laugh, barely able to laugh, but she wanted Thomas not to worry. She had feared she might die...but the worry was not there so much anymore. She turned her head to look towards Sanctus and her baby, smiling and gazing over at her child "All my life ...ive wanted a child" --

Larus Pontin just moved out the way, touching Thomas's shoulder as he went to sit beside Sanctus and watch whilst biting his fingernails... though he got momentarily distracted looking at the child.

Sable Thanasis watched quietly while the healers did everything they could. The Pediatrician finished cleaning the baby and making sure everything as fine. He said, "The boy is just fine... Don't worry. My collegues are the best in their fields." The three others worked on, thankful of the help from the Nurse. After a time, they stopped, then one said, "Well, we've done all that we can. Don't worry. She should recover, especially if you give her Blood Replenish every hour for the next day, and ever two for the next three." Sable said, "I can prepare plenty for her, then."

Thomas Baker allowed himself a weak smile once it became clear that Kayleen could possibly be out of the woods. "I love you." he'd murmur, and for the first time turned his attention to his newborn son. The man would attempt to crane his head and look around the cluster of Healers that were surrounding them, all to get a glimpse of the child that was still in Sanctus' arms.

Patricia Seaver stood up, tucked away her wand, and put her fanny pack around her waist. The sanitizing and disinfecting would have to come later. She joined the group of people surrounding Baker and Kayleen's newborn, and stared at it critically. At the moment, it didn't look much more than a tiny wrinkly man in a blanket. "I wonder who he'll grow up to look like...what do you plan on naming him?"

Sanctus Sapiens stood as everyone cleared and the baby was looked at the child and he made his way across to hand the baby to Kayleen before retreating to stand beside Sable. He smiled up at her and leaned towards her to speak quietly "I graduate in two days. I have not forgotten that drink. At least we have plenty to celebrate now hm?" he chuckled happily, looking truly relieved and ...a little exhausted from the stress at last.

Kayleen Farley smiled softly at Thomas "I love you too" she said quietly and then reached out to take their child into her arms, whereby she began to feed the little one "He has a tuft of dark hair... i wonder if he'll look like you Thomas. Poor thing" she teased with a tired grin but then looked towards the nurse "I think that is something Thomas and i will discuss...when i am not so tired. ...unless you had ideas dear..?"

Larus Pontin...actually started to sniffle and his bottom lip trembled "So beautiful-" he whimpered and wiped at his eyes, a bit of a sucker for these - moments, but also he had been terrified that Kayleen would die!

Sable Thanasis smirked at Sanctus when he mentioned a drink. "Indeed. I'll need to congradulate you anyway on such a splendid job, Mr. Sapiens." She looked at Larus and, after saying goodbye and giving a deep thank you to the Healers, who were disinfecting and cleaning their instruments and other things with disinfecting, cleaning spells, she went to stand with Larus and took his hand. "Yes, it is," she said to her husband.-- The Healer who appeared to be in charge of the whole 'proceedure' approached Thomas and said, "If there are any complications, step through the floo to the Hospital and we'll come to assist. Congradulations, to both of you, on the baby. He looks like he'll grow up to be quite the wizard, with such a resiliant mother and a caring father." The four gentlement said their farewells, then disappeared through the floo.

Thomas Baker, now that the crisis had passed, was an entirely different man. Beaming with love, and pride, he looked gratefully at the group that had come to their rescue. "Thank you.. all of you." he murmured sincerely, and one could hear the sheer relief in his voice. When the topic of names came up, the man considered it quite seriously for a moment before giving a small shrug. "Well.." he began, suddenly evasive. "I'd kind of hoped.. if it was a boy.. " Thomas paused a moment. "I'd always wanted a son. Or a daughter," he conceded with a nod. "..but if I'd had a son.. God willing.. I kind of thought it'd be nice to name him after my grandfather." Rhys Caden Morse , his mother's father and a wizard; though he had not known him, he had heard much about the man from his other. The professor shrugged again, feeling inexplicably embarrassed for confessing this to the group at large.

Patricia Seaver nodded, and turned pale again. "Bucket. BUCKET." She groaned and grabbed the partially filled vomit-bucket. After finishing her sick episode, Pat stood up with the bucket, and staggered towards the door. "Please, if you're ever almost giving birth again, stay home. Births. Aren't. My. Specialty. I do cauldron explosions, broomstick accidents, and toilet seat malfunctions." The nurse pushed open the door, and wobbly walked back towards the castle.

-----

So it was that Kayleen Farley gave birth to a healthy baby boy. nearly losing her life in the process.