The water was warm and the lights were just the right level of brightness, creating a cozy environment in which to relax. Alicia was submerged up to her breasts, resting her head against a cushion and her back against the wall of the giant tub. The whole atmosphere was so incredibly soothing -- or it would have been, were it not for the pain.
Another contraction came and she let out a feral cry of agony and maternal rage as she pushed, squeezing her husband's hand like a stress ball. Terence was crouched down on a cushion behind her, half-kneeling and half-bending over to embrace his pregnant and birthing wife. He was doing his best to keep calm and be supportive, but she could tell he was freaking out inside.
Terence was always supportive, but he was rather mild-mannered and more than a little squeamish. Apparently, labor was too gross a thing for men to handle, even though they had all entered the world that way. Still, he was doing his best to keep strong, or at least keep up the appearance, and that was enough.
There was a medical basin opposite the birthing tub with a big mirror for some reason. The expectant couple caught sight of their reflection and paused to gaze at themselves and one another. Their expressions softened into dreamy contemplation.
Alicia had beautiful silky skin, thin lips, and small eyes, reflecting her Chinese heritage. Her silky black hair was tied back in a top knot bun, the better not to distract her as she labored to bring a new life into the world. She truly was beautiful. Her parents had even compared her to the Four Beauties from Chinese lore.
Terence was second-generation Korean-American. His hair was jet black and cropped short, a nice change from the bangs he used to have. He was thin and bookish, even without his glasses on. Without his glasses, though, he couldn't see very far. In fact, without his glass, he had a bad squint. Alicia had once joked that he looked almost like an Asian stereotype: quiet, hardworking, and nerdy.
Another wave of pain roiled Alicia's gut, rippling down the walls of her vagina and pushing the baby another few inches into the world. She gritted her teeth and snarled through them, crushing poor Terence's hand in her own.
One of the attending nurses stuck a waterproof camera on the end of a flexible wire under the water to view Alicia's crotch.
"You're crowning!" the nurse said excitedly, "just a few more pushes."
Alicia wanted to snap at the nurse that she'd been crowning for the past half an hour, but being in the throes of labor had robbed her of the energy to be rude to the medical staff.
The contractions were coming faster. The time between each one was shrinking. Her body was as eager to get the baby out as she was. No doubt the baby would be glad to be out of there as well.
Just a few more pushes...
The next contraction was a big one. She could tell as soon as she felt the first few tremors rumbling inside her. She took a deep breath and pushed with all her might, letting out an almighty feminine roar. The lump lodged in her vagina slid inch by inch out of her before...
"It's out! The baby's out!" the nurse cried excitedly.
Alicia heard those words and felt the intense pain and pressure in her crotch evaporate in an instant and a wave of exquisite relief washed over her. She barely noticed as the nurse reached in and scooped the baby out of the water.
"It's a girl!" the nurse announced. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Lee!"
Alicia cried tears of joy and relief as Terence held her close, kissing her neck and cheek. She turned her head to one side so that they could share a kiss on the lips. She had brought their first child into the world, and he loved her for it.
*
Alicia slept for ten whole hours while the baby was kept in the natal care unit. She hadn't torn anything downstairs and there were no complications to sort out. Once the newborn had gone through her own medical checks and immunizations, mother and baby were sent home.
Terence drove them both home, visibly buoyant at being a new father while his wife and daughter slept in the back. He pulled carefully into the driveway and brought the car to a stop before getting out and escorting Alicia out of the car. She cradled the baby protectively in her arms, reluctant to let even her husband assist in holding her. But she was still exhausted from eight hours of labor and was clearly grateful for the help.
Once indoors, Terence started brewing some tea for the both of them while Alicia took the baby upstairs and laid her in the crib. They had bought the crib months before placed it in the master bedroom, a constant reminder of their impending new arrival. Now it would be a permanent feature of their life for the next few years.
By the time Terence had returned with the tea, Alicia was already in bed fast asleep. He didn't blame her. He laid the tea down on the table and got ready for bed. It was only about six or seven, but they would both need all the sleep they could catch.
*
The baby started crying.
It was the middle of the night and Terence awoke first. He groped about in the dark before finding the bedside light and switching it on. Then he grabbed his glasses from the nightstand and put them on before climbing out of bed and approaching the crib. The baby was wailing, demanding to be fed, and he tenderly scooped her up and took her to her mother.
Alicia was stirring under the covers and she rolled over and extended her hands. Terence placed the baby in her arms and helped her sit up in bed as she pulled down the front of her shirt and brought the baby up to her nipple.
The baby latched on with its mouth and began suckling, her cries ceasing much to the very temporary relief of her parents.
"Here's to the next year or more of our lives," Terence said jokingly.
"Good God, don't even remind me of that," Alicia replied wearily.
"Oh," Terence said apologetically, "sorry. I didn't mean to..."
"Oh, don't be like that," Alicia said, hitting him playfully on the arm, "you're completely right. I'm just not looking forward to it any more than you are."
Terence smiled weakly but opted not to say anymore.
Once the baby had finished feeding, Alicia handed her back to Terence and rolled over back to sleep. Terence carried her back to the crib, rocking her gently in his arms all the way there. The baby was fast asleep again by the time he placed her back in her crib.
Alicia hadn't turned out the bedside light before going back to sleep, so Terence had light to see as he laid the baby on her back and tucked the tiny covers over her. Her cheeks were chubby and cherubic, and her tiny little fingers were so adorable. Her little button nose was cute too, a bit narrower and thinner than either of her parents, but adorable nonetheless. And she looked so precious with her eyes closed in sleep.
Her eyes...
It was hard to tell when they were closed, but they looked rather big...and round...
*
Nine months earlier...
Alicia lay awake in bed. Staring at the hands on the alarm clock as they ticked inexorably towards 7:00 am. It was a few minutes past six, and Terence would be getting up at around the same time. He was asleep next to her, snoring like a pig with a cold.
She wanted to sleep, but she was so annoyed she also wanted to slap him awake and kick him out of the bedroom. His snoring was a constant problem, and it was keeping her from sleeping as a result, something she resented him for.
At the same time, she wasn't all that tired and her hands were restless. Slowly, they wandered down between her thighs. She pulled up her nightshirt and ran two fingers over her crotch, dipping them gently inside herself before moving them in circles around her clit.
She let her imagination run free, and the image they produced looked nothing like Terence. She pictured a muscular male model on top of her, his face and physique a mental amalgamation of various guys she'd dated in high school and college. Until she'd wised up to their Asian fever and lack of faithfulness, they had all been White -- a fact she'd never disclose to Terence.
Her imaginary lover pinned her down with his body weight, grunting and thrusting inside of her. She pictured his penis inside her; long and girthy, filling her undersexed womanhood up to the hilt before pulling out and ramming back inside her.
An orgasm was approaching. It had only taken a minute of rubbing to start feeling an impending climax when usually it took longer. She rubbed herself more vigorously, bringing on the pleasure as it became harder to suppress. The heavy duvet was a bit of an obstacle, but not so much that she couldn't work herself up to a quiet frenzy.
Finally, her efforts paid off.
Alicia felt a rush of pleasure bloom in her crotch which worked its way up through her belly and blossomed inside her. She closed her thighs and curled her toes reflexively, her legs twitching and trembling in response. She bit her lip as well for fear that Terence might wake up if she squealed. Slowly, the pleasure subsided and her body returned to normal.
That was a good orgasm. Not the best ever, but a good one. She wiped the excess juices from her fingers onto the covers and rolled over again.