Now safe in the confines of the birthing den with Draven curled protectively around her, Neha shut out the rest of the world. She let the contractions come, remembered their shared medical knowledge and breathed.  She had to let her body do the work, to listen to it's cues. If she did that, hopefully she would have a smooth delivery.

She didn't know how much time had passed since she entered the den. If it had been seconds, minutes or even hours. But when the time came and she felt an overwhelming need to push, that's exactly what she did. Through the stabbing pain she endured, encouraged lovingly by Draven every step of the way. And at last, a single dark body emerged. Frantically, tenderly she reached for the newborn. She pulled him close, cleaning him off excessively until he was dry. He had very nearly had a water logged birth and after the ordeal she had been through, she wanted him to be as dry and warm as possible. Collapsing against her partner, Draven, she released an exhausted, happy sigh. "A son. We have a beautiful, healthy son." The child was perfect, squealing loudly, squirming as he found his place of choice at her belly. He soon settled, soothed by his first warm meal. His newborn coat was rich with dark browns and honey tones. Like a ray of sunshine on this rainy, dark day. And they bestowed on him the name Sachiel. The water angel.