It's t i m e ((Hayden))

[dominiqueweasley]

Dominque hated tha she'd had to come here, but with Archer being her first child she hadn't wanted to risk having him at home. Despite all her expertise she just wasn't confident enough in it so had relented and decided to come here. The contractions were strong and incredibly close together now, so her anxiousness was incredibly out of control as well. Though to her credit she was staying calm, and remained confident that Hayden would get her Owl and be here soon, there was no way she wanted him to miss this, the arrival of their son, their first born. As she shook off another contraction, Domi found herself smiling brightly, anvious yes, but beyond excited to meet her son, these nine months had felt incredibly long that was for sure.

Hayden had been a wall of support since they found out they were expecting, especially these last few months, ever since her mini breakdown. Really she didn't know what she'd do without him, it just went to prove that even if her family never came around it'd be okay, because she'd made her own right here. She had Hayden and now Archer. Running a hand over her stomach she smiled softly and lovingly, "I'm going to love you so much..." she said lightly, laughing softly before another contraction hit her and made her clench her fist on the footer at the bottom of the hospital bed, leaning forward slightly as she tried to breath through it. Yes, her son was definitely about to make his entrance.

"Daddy's almost here buddy, just hang on a little longer..." she whispered as her stomach un-clenched and the contraction subsided. The hospital room she was in was empty, due to the other woman who'd previously been here with her, having had her son. Brushing her hair back from her face Domi huffed, wishing she had something to tie it up with. For a moment her eyes landed on her wand but she couldn't will her legs to move. Hearing the hospital door open she sighed softly, blowing out a low breath, as she finally turned to look at the newcomer, a bright smile spreading over her lips, as her stunningly blue eyes landed on...

[haden]

Had Hayden not been wearing his hair in dreadlocks for several years, he might have been running his hand through his hair at the scalp, though presently his shoulder-length dreads were tied back with an elastic. He'd been out searching for work, one might think with times like these there would be no shortage, though Hayden refused point-blank to seek out the Death Eaters for employment, and it seemed that they were the only ones hiring contractors. It was hard for him to find work, though he had noticed an ad in the paper, about the Ministry wanting to recruit more Aurors...

It had been an old dream of his, when he had been in school, before the werewolf attack that had killed his sister and infected him with lycanthropy. He had tried to enroll in training after the fact, but they hadn't been interested. Though perhaps now, with the high danger of their world as well as turnover rates for applicants, they might be willing to take him. But when the owl came, all thoughts of finding work had left his head, Dominique was in labour, it seemed that Archer was ready to make his debut. He apparated on the spot, materializing in the hospital lobby. He pushed past the line at the desk, his intimidating presence discouraging those waiting from disputing the fact.

"Dominique Christou, where is she?" Hayden demanded of the frail-looking witch, who squeaked in fear, before pointing him in the right direction. He walked briskly to her room, flinging open the door, and sighing lightly in relief when he saw her. He hadn't missed it, he had made it with time to spare. Hayden strode up to her bedside, taking one of her hands in his, using the other to brush her hair from her face. "I'm here," said Hayden, taking in a few deep breaths.

[dominiqueweasley]

Domi felt herself relax considerably upon seeing Hayden, and found all she could do at that moment was smile in relief. Her hand reached out as he approached and he automatically took her hand into his much larger one, brushing her hair back from her face, his presence having an obvious, physical effect on her as she relaxed a little. "I knew you would be, though this one was getting impatient..." she breathed, squeezing his hand a little as another contraction rippled through her. Domi had never done this before but she knew it was very nearly time and she felt nervous, excited and a little terrified even with her husband here. Holding onto Hayden's hand she closed her eyes tightly, and took a few deep breaths as she rode out the contraction.

As the pain dulled she blew out a harsh breath and shook her head, letting out a shaky laugh. The contraction had hit as if to prove to Hayden what she'd said, their son was getting impatient now. "He's almost ready...I can't believe by the...by the end of this day we're gonna be parents..." she said looking up at him, shaking her head and smiling a little, the day was finally here. As her hair fell back in her face she huffed impatiently and sighed, "Could you tie my hair up...it's getting annoying and I'm very hot right now..." she said, using one hand to support her on the bed in which she'd be getting back into anytime now. Closing her eyes she ran her free hand over her stomach soothingly, feeling the movements of her son and she found herself smiling.

[haden]

Hayden smiled, a little uneasily. He had never done this before, it had been years since he had held a baby. Granted, he was working on reconciling with his sister, who had an infant of her own, but he hadn't ever held his niece, it was difficult enough for him to speak to Amelia and maintain regular contact after being gone for so long. He still hadn't made any contact with his parents, and at this point, he wasn't sure that he could. "That's my boy," said Hayden, he had never been one that could be described as "patient," and the trait would likely pass to his son.

Archer. Archer Bentley Christou. And to think that after all this time he would be there, actually present. It was hard to believe that they had actually done it, he and his wife had made a life that was now going to enter the world. It was hard for him to wrap his head around. "Right," said Hayden when Dominique requested that he tie back her hair. Without a second thought he pulled out the elastic restraining his dreadlocks. They fell loose to his shoulders, and he carefully tied her hair back, waiting for her to tell him to do something else, he really had no idea what he was doing.

[dominiqueweasley]

Domi let her eyes drift shut as Hayden made quick and easy work of tying up her hair. It calmed her when someone played with her hair, something that hadn't changed as she'd grown up, in fact now it was more welcome. Though she could sense the unease in her husband and it made her smile, it was rather adorable in she was honest. Reaching back she took his hand and encouraged him around to her side so she could look up at him and lean against him a little, it was becoming more of a struggle to remain standing, though she knew it was more comfortable than the bed right now. "You okay there big guy?" she asked with a small smile, her eyes twinkling in delight at seeing his hair out, she was a big supporter of his dreadlocks.

The door opened again and a nurse came bustling in making Domi sigh. "Okay now is the time for pain relief..." she said rather abrupty and somewhat impatiently making Domi scowl. "As I said before I don't want any drugs or potions....thank you." she said as softly as she could, not wanting to insult the Healer, but this was how she wanted to do things. Domi had told Hayden this was what she wanted for Archer, she didn't want her senses to be dulled with drugs or Potions, she was going the natural way. The nurse rolled her eyes, threw her hands up and headed back outside, presumably to get the Doctor just as another contraction ripped through Domi causing her to gasp and clutch tightly at Hayden's hand. "Okay...can you...help me on to the bed..." she asked, breathlessly once it had subsided.

[haden]

Hayden kept close to his wife, allowing her to lean on him. He lightly rubbed her shoulders, hoping that it might relax her, as well as relax himself. He couldn't help the nervousness, he had never done this before, he wasn't sure if he was even capable of being a good father, what with how terribly he had failed Nikita all those years ago. If he couldn't protect his sister, who was to say that he could protect a child? No, it was too late for doubts, he would be fine, he had to be. Hayden looked over as the nurse entered, proclaiming that it was time for the potions.

He tensed, knowing that it had been their plan from the beginning to go it natural, though quite impressively, Dominique stood her ground, though more politely than what Hayden might have were it necessary for him to intervene. Hayden returned the squeeze on his hand as she obviously had another contraction. He nodded as she asked him to help her onto the bed, making quick work of the task, not at all phased by his wife's weight.

[dominiqueweasley]

Domi closed her eyes as Hayden scooped her up and made quick, easy and gentle work of placing her on the bed. His strength never ceased to amaze her, even with Archer inside of her he wasn't phased by how heavy she now was. Shifting back so she was propped up at the head of the bed, the cushions supporting her bag she winced, rubbing her hand over her stomach and looking over to Hayden. Reaching out her other hand she let her hand lightly run over his stomach, to the bottom of his chest, unable to go much further. "I forgot my bag..." she said pouting slightly as she looked at him, her stomach feeling incredibly tight, causing her to shift slightly once more, unable to get comfortable, which was part of the reason she'd opted for standing, though her legs wouldn't support her much longer she knew that.

Though as another contraction began to assault her, so did the sensation that she needed to push. Her face contorted into a slight grimace as she reached out for Hayden's hand, in time for her Healer to come in, a specialist in delivering babies, followed by the older woman who'd tried to push onto Domi the need for painkillers. "I'd say it's about time wouldn't you lovely?"

[/color] announced he healer, pulling a stool to the end of the bed, and lifting the sheet over Domi's knees. The blonde girl looked at Hayden before the Healer, "I think it's time to push..." she gasped, her face contorting into a slight grimace again. The healer nodded his head, "Well then, listen to your body lovely, after three I want a big push okay....one...two...three..." gripping Hayden's hand, Domi did just that...

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[haden]

Hayden stood at his wife's side as she situated herself, and maintained a slightly firm, though comforting, grasp on her hand when she slid it into his. He was quiet, merely observing as the insistent nurse came back, though this time with the healer. He remained unspoken for the time being, unsure of whether or not he needed to say anything. Most expectant fathers might offer words of encouragement, though Hayden wasn't well-versed in such things, at any rate he didn't think that Dominique would mind his silence, she had likely come to expect it from him, he was not a man of many words.

It wasn't that he didn't have them, he simply didn't use them unless the situation demanded it. Though he might outwardly be stoic, inwardly, Hayden was experiencing a wide range of emotions. Excitement, worry, and an odd cocktail of other things he couldn't say that he'd felt before. This was it, in just a short amount of time they would be parents, the life that they had created would come forth into the world... Hayden more firmly grasped his wife's hand, allowing her to squeeze his as hard as she wanted when she pushed. His heart was racing, they were so close...

[dominiqueweasley]

Domi let out a small cry as she fell back into the cushions behind her, struggling to catch her breath. Her entire body felt like it was overheating, her stomach felt tight and as though it was burning. Tears filled her eyes from the sheer overwhelming feelings coursing through her, plus the pain, though it wasn't as extreme as she'd brought herself to believe. No it was bad of course but she knew she could do it, considering what was waiting for her at the end of it all, when she got through this she'd finally be able to hold Archer in her arms. They'd finally get to meet their son after what had felt like an incredibly long wait. Taking a breath she looked towards her silent husband and smiled softly, her heart thundering against her chest wildly.

"And again lovely I already see the head..." the excitement at those words coursed through her and Dominique took a deep breath, waiting for him to count to three before pushing again as hard as she was able to. A small cry escaping her lips as she stopped, her breathing heavy as struggling to find it in her to do so again. At her Healers instructions though she nodded her head, taking in a deep breath, holding onto Hayden's hand all the more tighter as she sat back up a little, and then pushed as hard as she could once more, crying out, but then the pressure was gone, the pain stopped and she fell back slightly against her pillows, tears streaming down her face as she tried to catch her breath, and then, within seconds, a tiny cry punctured the air around them, their son announcing his arrival...

[haden]

This was all happening so fast, Hayden had been lead to believe that it would take much longer than this, but regardless of whether or not he was ready, his son was about to make his appearance. The moment that it was all over and he heard the cry of the baby felt almost surreal, as if it were happening to somebody else, like he wasn't even there. "It's a boy!" the healer proclaimed, holding up Archer for them to see. Fresh from the womb his son was anything but clean, though Hayden was used to gore given his profession, all he saw was that baby boy.

"Oh my God," Hayden breathed, squeezing his wife's hand before turning to press a kiss to her temple. In an instant, the nurse had used her wand to clean him off, and mere seconds later she was putting the swaddled baby boy into his mother's arms. Hayden looked down at him, transfixed, it seemed impossible that they would be able to make another life, yet here it was, living proof. Archer. Archer Bentley Christou, so impossibly tiny and fragile. Hayden wasn't one for emotions, but he couldn't deny that he was getting a little misty-eyed meeting his son for the first time.

[dominiqueweasley]

The cry pierced the air around her, and Dominique brought her hands to her face, letting out a small sob as it was announced they had a boy. Hayden said something, before pressing a kiss to her temple but Domi felt suddenly so overwhelmed, she was exhausted, and just completely and utterly happy. Struggling to catch her breath she let her hands fall away from her face, and looked to Hayden before the nurse, her eyes immediately finding her son as the nurse mad quick work of cleaning him, wrapping him and before she knew it, though not soon enough in her opinion, Archer was being placed into her arms. "Oh my goodness..." she sobbed, brushing the tears from her, overcome with such a feeling of love. "He's so tiny..."

With a watery smile she looked up at Hayden, reaching out for his hand. "Look at what we did..." she said, laughing softly, so overcome with emotion as her eyes turned to focus on her son again. Retracting her hand from Hayden's, she adjusted the blanket, with Archer watching her incredibly intently, his keen eyes remaining on his Mother. Leaning down she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, "I am going to love you so much...no woman is going to be good enough for you..." she joked, looking back to Hayden and smiling, shifting slightly, "What do you think Daddy? Want to hold him...meet our son?" she asked softly, her eyes still glazed over with tears.

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[haden]

Hayden nodded in agreement with his wife's assessment, he hadn't known that Archer would be so small, so helpless. He didn't have much frame of reference for babies, having not had any experience with them beyond his sisters, and that had been forever ago. Yes, Amelia did have a baby, but his niece had several months on Archer, a newborn. Hayden could still hardly believe that they had made that baby boy, it was surreal, had someone told him five years ago if he would settle down, get married and father a child, he might have thought them crazy, he had been a lone ranger for so terribly long...

Hayden had simply never pictured himself having a real family again, but here he was, with a wife, a son, and slowly beginning to talk to his remaining sister again... He tore his gaze off his son, looking at Dominique when she asked if he wanted to hold him, he had been so overwhelmed he hardly realized he hadn't touched his son. He nodded and cautiously took Archer into his arms, practically able to support the small baby boy with a single hand, he hardly weighed anything at all. "God," Hayden whispered, looking fondly at his son, how could he have possibly gotten so lucky?

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[dominiqueweasley]

Dominique laughed softly, wiping away the damp on her cheeks once more, unable to truly get a hang on her emotions, she was feeling completely overwhelmed, but in the most amazing and incredible way. There weren't enough words to describe the felicity that coursed through her veins. For Domi, this was the first chapter of the rest of their life, she'd never felt so complete. "You wanna say 'hi' to Daddy, Archer?" she murmured, her lips lightly caressing the baby's forehead. As Hayden reached for the baby she placed the swaddled infant into her husbands arms, watching as he held him almost cautiously. Leaning back against the pillows slightly she smiled softly, tears glistening in her eyes as she tilted her head to stare at the infant snuggled in Hayden's arms, and her husband.

"I never expected this, I didn't expect to feel so much love for somebody else or for him. You've given me more than I ever could have dreamed of Hayden..." she spoke softly. The instant she held their child in her arms, that bond between Mother and Son had sprung to life. In the womb she could feel the connection to their baby even when she hadn't been aware of his existance, there had always been an extra part of her when it came to Hayden, and now she understood what it was. Domi was a huge believer in Fate and everything that had happened to them and between them had led to this wonderful conclusion. Her dreams were coming true in ways she hadn't ever expected, "I love you..." she said softly.

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[haden]

Hayden couldn't help but grin, looking down at the baby in his arms, his son, his little boy... The small human who would one day call him "daddy," once he learned how to talk, of course. Never before had he pictured himself having a son... And although little Archer had only been around for a couple minutes, Hayden already couldn't imagine being without him. His son's crying at that point had been reduced merely to something that might be described as a whine, beginning to slowly calm down after what he was sure was a confusing, likely terrifying experience, leaving everything he'd ever known and being forced into a strange new world...

As his wife spoke, Hayden tore his eyes away from Archer to look at her. She herself looked like she had been through quite a day, sweat on her brow, blonde hair hastily tied back, and exhaustion apparent in her bright blue eyes. But even like this, Hayden still found her impossibly beautiful, and if it were possible, he loved her even more. "I love you," Hayden echoed, leaning down to place a kiss on his wife's lips.