Steefling
Weeks passed and Bailey was content in her new surroundings, the Steef still treated her with suspicion but Stranger, Daimen, Alika and Haigar’s affection more then made up for it. She felt at home and loved and she and Haigar had become firm friends. She knew her way around by now and she could happily wander and not get lost.
Two months since Bailey had first entered the Steef home, had passed when her new quiet existence was shaken up abit.
A mid-winter blizzard was raging outside, but deep down in the cavern of the Steef homes it was warm, dark and quiet. Bailey however, slept uneasily, something prodded at her subconscious, something she thought she should have remembered, but as with all dreams, trying to remember it, was like trying to catch smoke. And so she slumbered fitfully on, unaware of what was happening.
Until she was jarred from her dreams by a pained scream.
Bailey shrieked and fell out of bed, hitting the floor with a thud, the sound muffled by the sheets she was still cocooned in. She fought at the blankets but only succeeded in tangling herself more effectively. Bailey stopped, panting for breath in the stuffy warmth of the air trapped in the sheet. It was only then that she heard the voice;
“Bailey? Bailey just hold still.” Bailey recognised Haigar’s voice and obeyed and soon the sheets were pulled back and she was staring into Haigar’s wide blue eyes. “You okay?” he asked, Bailey nodded and sat up, “You heard it as well?” Haigar asked worriedly, Bailey nodded again, she knew automatically that that scream had not been in her dreams,
“Yeh,” she said breathlessly, “What was that?” she asked.
“It’s me Ma.” Haigar explained, looking anxious, “Stranger’s gone to get some help.”
“Wh-what’s wrong!?” Bailey asked,
“I-I dunno,” Haigar looked on the verge of tears, “She hasn’t been sleeping well lately, she’s had aches in her back and pains in her belly and it’s gotten worse. And-and, I dunno what to do!” tears leaked down the young Steef’s face, darkening the fur on his cheeks. “I don’t want me Mam to die.” He whispered. Bailey got to her knees and put her arms around Haigar’s neck. The young Steef buried his face into Bailey’s shoulder and sobbed.
“Yer Mam’s not gonna die.” She said, “She’s just…holy crud on a stick, that’s IT!” Bailey scrambled to her feet, hauling Haigar up with her, “We’re gonna see yer Mam.” She said quickly, Haigar wiped his eyes and nodded,
“Okay,” he swallowed, “C’mon.” and he quickly led Bailey from the room and down the hall, following the screams to a closed door from which the cries emanated, “In there.” Bailey’s stared intently at the door for a moment before purposely going to it and opening it slightly, peeped in.
The room was thriving with frantic activity. Alika was sprawled on the bed, Daimen was at his wife’s side, holding her hand tightly, Stranger was actually dithering near the wall, almost prancing around, half in agitation, half to keep out of the way of the three older female Steef bustling around the room.
“Just a moment dear, not yet, don’t push yet.” Said one of the older females. Alika had tears of pain running down her cheeks, but she grit her teeth and nodded, another female Steef put a damp cloth of Alika’s forehead,
“Don’t worry, it’s nearly time.”
“Can’t you give her something for the pain?” Daimen asked the third fretfully,
“In a moment, in a moment, it needs to brew for another minute.” The third female looked the oldest, she was calm and collected and Bailey had the distinct impression she’d done this all before.
It was now that Bailey realised what was happening, she glanced back at Haigar grinning,
“She’s due.” Bailey hissed, Haigar cocked his head,
“What?” he asked in a low voice,
“The baby,” Bailey said, “It’s comin’.” Haigar broke into a relieved grin, Bailey turned back to the scene unfolding in the room beyond the door. She unexpectedly felt something brush between her knees and she suddenly found herself lifted off the ground.
“What in blazers!?” she thought, but then realised that she was sitting on Haigar and that he was peeping around the door as well, with her on his back.
The older female Steef’s concoction had brewed now and she pressed a soaked cloth under Alika’s nose, Alika took in a relieved breath, the pain obviously dulled.
“Alright, now push deary.” Said one of the other Steef midwives.
Unfortunately just then, Daimen glanced at the door and saw two young faces.
“Stranger.” He called and nodded his head towards the door, the door suddenly opened and Bailey and Haigar tumbled in. Each landing with a thud.
Bailey found herself staring up at an upside-down Stranger, she tried to grin appeasingly, Stranger frowned and put his fists on his hips.
“Bailey.” He said warningly, Bailey’s grin faded, Stranger picked her up and set her on her feet before doing the same to Haigar, “Alright, c’mon you two.” He said and herded the two protesting youths from the room, closing the door.
“But-but-but-” Bailey spluttered,
“No buts kiddo.” Stranger cut in firmly, “Yer ain’t goin’ in there,” He fixed Haigar and Bailey with neon green eyes, “Neither of yer.” He said plainly. “Yer ain’t old enough ter see somat like this yet, hell, I ain’t up fer it.”
“Stranger, he’s worried about his Mam.” Bailey protested,
“Alika will be fine, but right now she doesn’t need the added worry of Haigar bein’ upset or nothin’. We’ll stay right ‘ere if it makes yer feel any better.” He said to Haigar. Haigar nodded mutely.
“Yes Uncle Stranger.” He said in a quiet voice.
¤§¤
Six hours. It had been a long and arduous birth, but the results were worth it. Alika was weak and tired but supremely happy with a small bundle of fuzz stirring in her arms, having it’s first feed.
“Daimen,” her husband leaned close so he could hear her, “Bring them, so they can see,” she tried to say more but it took too much effort, besides, Daimen understood. He nodded and went to the door. Opening it he was confronted by a sight that made the Steef smile.
Stranger was leaned against the wall of the corridor with Bailey cuddled under his chin, Haigar was using Bailey’s leg as a pillow and all of them were sound asleep.
Daimen went over and stood over them and called their names softly. Stranger stirred first, he moved and opened his eyes slowly. He saw Daimen’s grin and deduced that nothing untoward had happened.
“Everythin’ alright then?” he asked through a wide yawn,
“Yeh, ‘Lika wants you all to come in.” Stranger nodded and stretched and gently shook both Bailey and Haigar awake. Haigar somehow managed to become fully awake in only a few moments of actually waking. Bailey on the other had needed more coaxing. Finally Stranger just stood up with a groggy Bailey in his arms and followed Daimen and Haigar into the room.
Still sleepy, Bailey looked at Alika nursing the little fluffy bundle of Steefling through half-closed, sleepy eyes and blinked innocently at the new Steef mother and her little baby. Stranger set her on the floor next to Haigar and smiling Alika let Bailey look at the Steefling.
The baby Steef and young human gazed at each other for a moment before the baby gurgled happily and reached out, tugging at Bailey’s hair.
“Erm.” Bailey said in mock seriousness, “Definitely a troublemaker.” There was a pause, “Human newborns ain’t as this active.” She muttered.
“Steef mature quickly, we have very short childhoods.” Alika said softly,
“Bummer,” muttered Bailey, “How depressin’…” Stranger chuckled.
“You want to hold her? She likes you.” Alika said. Bailey blinked stupidly,
“
Me? But-I-
Whaat!?”
“Go ahead Bailey.” Grinned Daimen. Bailey reluctantly held out her arms and the Steefling, without it’s mother’s help toddled over and clambered into Bailey’s arms. In only a few moments she had made herself comfortable and buried her snout in Bailey’s hair.
“What is it with Steef an’ doin’ that?” Bailey muttered too low for anyone to hear, the baby seemed to understand and giggled. “Very cheerful ain’t yer.” Bailey muttered, the Steefling nuzzled Bailey’s cheek with her tiny nose then yawned and reached for Alika. Bailey gave the Steefling back. Alika smiled again, shining with the maternal beauty of a new mother.
“You have a special connection with her Bailey.” She commented, Bailey scratched the back on her neck, embarrassed, suddenly aware that all the Steef in the room were staring at her with smiles on their faces.
“Yeh well…she’s em, just got guts…most liddle kids take one look at me an’ scream blue murder…” Bailey tried to stifle a yawn, Stranger settled a hand on her shoulder,
“Alright you, bedtime.” Bailey muttered incoherently in answer but allowed herself to be led back to bed. It had been a long night after all.