Cursed | Klaus Mikaelson

02

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The Firstborn Babe
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"Push, child, push!" Esther encouraged Sjöfn as the midwife's aided the girl in her difficult labors.

It had been nearly twelve hours of the torturous pain that is the miracle of life. Sjöfn's body was exhausted and she wanted to scream.

Rebekah held her hand on one side with Esther on the other. Labor was a sacred thing, only women should be allowed to watch.

Niklaus paced right outside the door anxiously. He had begged his mother to be present and helping Sjöfn, but the woman refused, claiming it was 'no thing for a boy to see'.

"I cannot, it hurts," Sjöfn cried, shaking her head, her sobs distracting her from the birth for a brief moment.

Sjöfn wanted nothing more than for Niklaus to be at her side. She felt so alone despite five other women being in her chambers with her.

"Push! Again!" One of the midwives called out, she was the one centered between Sjöfn's legs to catch the babe. There was one holding her left leg back and another holding her right. Esther and Rebekah, despite being there for comfort, also held Sjöfn's arms down a bit when the girl got too restless.

Sjöfn took a deep breath before pushing again, this time a gut wrenching scream left her as well, taking everyone by surprise. Birth wasn't typically this painful. All the midwives believed that. Yet none of them had ever given birth themselves, so how were they to know?

The door came flying open, and Niklaus himself came rushing inside.

"Niklaus! Get out at once!" Esther demanded, only to be ignored by his mother.

Niklaus stood next to Rebekah, the girl releasing her hold on Sjöfn so her brother could take her place. He grabbed her hand gently, only to be met with her bone crushing squeeze.

"Is everything going alright little dove?" Niklaus asked, he was beyond confused. He had been outside the door when his mother gave birth to Rebekah, Kol, and Henrik, and never did it sound so horrid.

"Does it look like it is okay?!" Sjöfn shouted back in frustration. She wanted this babe out of her and it just would not leave her body.

"A few more pushes and we shall be there, dear," the midwife spoke, hoping to convince Sjöfn to continue her very strong efforts.

Sjöfn shook her head, turning to Niklaus with tears streaming down her face.

"Nik, I-"

"It will be alright, love. I promise...you are the strongest person I have ever laid eye on. If anyone can do this it is you. Do as they say; it will be over soon," Niklaus encouraged before she could speak anymore negative words to discourage herself.

Sjöfn took his words to heart, knowing he wouldn't say that simply so she'd continue. No, he would say it only if he meant it.

She took an enormous breath and nodded at Niklaus, adjusting her position on the bed slightly as she readied herself for another push.

"Again!" the midwife shouted.

Sjöfn shouted once more at the effort. She could feel her body tearing in two. It was as if something was cutting her from the inside out with a knife.

"A few more and the babe will be here!" Niklaus spoke gently, leaning closer so he could kiss her sweaty forehead and brush the wet hair from her face.

And so, Sjöfn pushed once, twice, and third time, but no babe, not yet. It took another hour until the babe arrived. An hour of restless pushing screaming.