Chapter Text
As with all things, it seemed to happen at the most inopportune time.
You had been in the kitchen. Making some tea for you and Benimaru to share when he got back. Your husband barely left your side for more than a moment now that you were so close to giving birth. But he did still have some of his duties that required his in-person attention. So, of course, your water would break on the one day he wasn’t with you.
Using the talesman Rimuru-sama had crafted for you in emergencies, you summoned for help. In a flash of bright light, Diabolo instantly appeared on his lord’s behalf. “Oh my, joyous blessing all around lady [Y/N]. Shall I fetch some hot water and clean towels?”
“Get me to a hospital!”
The daemon butler was able to transport you to the clinic with ease. Sitting you gently on the bed and before telling you, “I shall fetch the master and the others. You rest here lady [Y/N].”
You mean to thank him, or to tell him to stop calling you lady [Y/N], but another contraction hit and you had to grit your teeth.
A few moments (and contractions) later, Diablo returned with Rimuru-sama. Who seemed surprised to find you in your condition.
“What?! The baby is coming now?!”
“Yes master. Isn’t that exciting news.” Diablo replied. Clapping his white gloved hands together in a tiny flutter of applause.
“Then why did you bring me here?! She needs a doctor! Or a midwife! I don’t know anything about birthing babies!”
“My, my, such loud noises in a hospital.” Everyone turned to look at the door to find Shuna and Shion there. "Honestly. We can't let you men go anywhere."
“How are you feeling darling?” Shion asked, in an uncharacteristically calm, serene manner.
“I’m ok.” You tell her. “What are you doing here?”
“Shion and I are going to help with the baby." Shuna replied. "We’re the only ones that know about oni midwifery. Plus the boys aren’t going to be much help in this situation.” The petite oni princess, looked over her shoulder at her green around the gills lord. Clearly not excited to help being a new life into the world this way.
“Contractions are about 10 minutes apart. So we’re right on schedule” Shion announced with a smile.
“Well that’s good.” Rimuru-sama agreed. Clearly going with the motions. “I suppose we should get you changed and prepped. Then we’ll call Beni—“[Y/N]!”
A loud roar of your name broke through the hospital, along with a door, as Benimaru literally kicked it in to rush towards your side. “My love! My love! Is the baby ok? Are you alright?!”
“She is fine.” Shuna insisted. Holding up her hand at her brother, as if to calm a wild beast. “Her contractions and the baby should be coming soon. We need to get her ready for when the real labor starts.”
“Real labor?!” Did she mean that this wasn’t the real thing. That it was going to get worse!
“I’m not leaving you.” Benimaru insisted when they tried to lead you away to get prepped. Holding your hand tightly.
“I’ll be right back Benimaru.” You assured him. “Please just…wait here, and I’ll be right back.” It was hard to put up a brave face for him right now with how much pain you were in, but you wanted to be strong for him for once.
The girls take you away and, once you were out of ear shot, Shuna asked, “how are you really feeling?”
“Terrible.” You answer honestly. “It hurts everywhere. My chest is pounding. And….I’m scared….” You look up at your sister from your chair with a slight quiver in your lips. “What if the baby isn’t alright? What if something happens? My cousin. Her baby, she—”
Shuna placed her hand on your shoulder to calm you, and offered you a handkerchief to wipe the tears that were building. “You mustn’t think of that now. Positive thoughts only! The baby will be fine. And you will be fine. And you and oni-san will live long enough to do this again in a few years. Should this first not sour you on the experience.” You choke out a laugh through your sniffles. Just a bundle of emotions at this point.
“Come on!” Shion exclaimed lively. Trying to bring some positivity back into the room. “Lets get you ready to have this baby! I can’t wait to see what my new ward looks like!”
“Shion! This isn’t about you. And it’s my niece. I will be its guardian.”
The two oni argued the whole length of the hall towards the changing room.
The labor took hours, but Benimaru never left your side. He held your hand through every painful contraction and push. Told you that he loved you and whispered words of encouragement. “You’re doing wonderful my love. Just a little longer.”
“I don’t think I can do anymore….”
“Ok [Y/N]. Just one more big push.” Shuna called out. You whimper in agony, but give one more big push as you suddenly feel a large breakaway and loud cries echoing out in the room. “It’s a boy!”
You start to laugh and cry hysterically at the sound. A boy. A boy. You had a son. You and Benimaru had a son.
The oni women quickly clean the baby off and Shion carried him over to you in his new kosah. “He’s absolutely perfect.”
You had to agree. But you were so overwhelmed you could not speak. His face was nearly as red as the little tuffs of hair on his scalp. The tiniest hands. A small little bump on his forehead where a future horn would be. “He’s perfect.”
You look up at Benimaru, who was overcome with tears as well, looking down at you & his child in awe. “He’s perfect.”
Shuna smiled sweetly to herself and ushered out Shion to leave the three of you alone. A new family, literally born into the world. A world you didn’t even know was missing something, now complete as you looked on at your child.