Chapter Text
“Baby’s coming?!” Jinu said with panic in his eyes.
Rumi nodded. “Can you call Dr. Park?”
“Yes, I can do that. But first, let’s get you cleaned up.” He and carried her to their bathroom, turned on the shower, and helped her undress. “Ok, you take a nice shower and I’ll call the doctor while you’re in there. I remember him saying we have to time the contractions before we come in, but I’ll let him know that we’re on a timer now.”
“Ok, but don’t go far?”
“I will be right outside the door, because I don’t think he’ll hear me if I’m in there with you. I’ll just tell him your water broke, get instructions for what to do next, and then be right back with you.”
She nodded and stepped into the shower.
Jinu quickly called and then returned to her.
“Ok, sweetheart, once the contractions are about 5 minutes apart, we should let him know that we’re heading over. Until then, we’re in a bit of a holding pattern.”
“Ok. Can you come in here with me?” she called.
“Um… I don’t think we should be doing that.”
He could almost hear her eyes rolling.
“Not for that!” she said with annoyance. “I just want you close right now. Help me wash my hair?”
“Yeah, I can definitely do that, my love.”
Jinu stripped down and stepped into the shower. He gently washed her hair then just held her for a few minutes.
“I’m scared,” she whispered.
“That’s perfectly normal. But, I know you, Rumi. You’re a badass. You are strong and amazing and you are a warrior. You wield a Sain-geom literally made of a force of love and music and you hunt demons with it. My wife, you are power.”
Rumi didn’t know what was tears and what was shower water running down her face. She took a deep breath and looked up at him. “Thank you.”
“You know I’m always here to remind you how awesome you are.”
“I think we should get out now.”
“Where is most comfortable for you?”
“I guess the bed.”
“Got it.”
He helped her out of the shower and helped her dry and get dressed, then himself. They cuddled on the bed.
“’Business Proposal’?” he asked.
“Yes, please.”
After what seemed like forever, the contractions were finally spaced enough that it was time to go. Jinu called Dr. Park.
“He’ll meet us there in 20 minutes,” Jinu said. “Where’s your bag?”
“It’s in the closet. When should we tell everyone else?”
“I’ll text everyone once you’re settled in. That will be quite the late night text!”
“Maybe just text the boys. I don’t want to wake Zoey and Mira.”
“Yeah, I’ll just text the guys. Do you want a snack before we go? You won’t be able to eat once we’re there.”
“Yeah, a little something.”
And before they knew it, they were in the birthing suite.
“Well, I guess I stand corrected,” Dr. Park said, entering the room. “Some babies do come on their due dates.”
Jinu smiled. “If she takes after her eomma, then she’s a stickler for being on time.”
“You’ll be very lucky if she stays that way! Now, Rumi, how are you feeling?”
“Terrified. Excited. Not a fan of these contractions.”
“Certainly understandable. Let’s get you checked out and get you that epidural.”
After a quick exam, the doctor nodded. “Ok, things are moving along nicely. I’m going to call Dr. Lee and get him here. You’ll be feeling better soon, I promise.” He moved a section of the wall to the side. “In the meantime, feel free to watch some TV, or there are music channels as well. Hyo-rin will be in to check on you too.”
“Thank you, Park Seonsaengnim,” Jinu said.
Once the doctor was gone, Jinu took Rumi’s hand. “Ok, we’re really here.”
“Trust me; my uterus already told me.”
He kissed her temple. “I know. I have been feeling so damn guilty that you’re going through all of this. But I know you can do it. You are beautiful and perfect.”
“Don’t go sweet talking now. That’s what got us into this position as it is.
He grinned. “Which position, aein?” (sweetheart)
“Saja Jinu!”
“Oh, full name. I’m in trouble!”
“Don’t make me regret having this baby with you.”
“Aw, you wouldn’t do that.”
“Don’t test me, pretty boy.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, kissing her forehead.
Hyo-rin (Dr. Park’s wife and nurse) entered then. “Hello Rumi, Jinu! Today’s the big day! And Jinu, here’s your very fashionable scrubs to wear. Go change behind that curtain.”
Jinu followed the orders and Rumi smiled. Hyo-rin was just the best. The motherly type that Rumi never got to experience.
“I can’t believe she’s almost here!” Rumi sighed.
“How are you holding up?”
“Desperately waiting for Dr. Lee to get here!”
“Oh you are going to feel so much better then. I always tell my mamas, there’s no right or wrong answer, do what feels right for you. But when they say they want the epidural, I definitely agree with them!”
Dr. Lee entered then, just as Jinu returned from changing.
“I hear there’s a patient in here!” he said with a smile.
“Yes please!” Rumi answered.
Dr. Lee introduced himself, explained everything to Rumi and Jinu, and then got to work. Jinu had to look away at the needle.
Rumi rolled her eyes. “Really? After everything you’ve seen?”
“Well, Gwi-Ma didn’t have needles like that!”
Hyo-rin nudged Rumi’s arm. “Good thing you’re delivering the baby!”
“Right?” Rumi giggled.
“I’d be offended if it wasn’t true,” Jinu sighed.
Dr. Lee laughed. “Ok, glad to see we have the fun room tonight. Now, Rumi, this should kick in pretty quickly. I’m going to stick around to make sure everything is fine. Let me know if there’s any concerns.”
“Got it.”
Hyo-rin smiled as he left. “You’re going to want to maybe get a little sleep while you can. The epidural will really help with that.”
“I might need to convince her,” Jinu said.
The nurse shook her head as she chuckled. “I’m going to go start preparing the little one’s bed. I’ll be back later, but push the button if you need anything.”
Once she left, Jinu sat at the bedside. “Ok, you have your orders. Time for a rest.”
“I know. But I’m a little worked up at the moment.”
“Well, close your eyes and I’ll sing you a lullaby.”
“Really?”
“Yes really. Whatever will help you. Now, close those beautiful brown eyes and just listen to my voice.”
She closed her eyes and instantly began to feel sleepy as he sang the songs his mother would sing to him and his sister, all those years ago.
‘Thank you, eomma, for teaching me these,’ Jinu thought as he watched Rumi drift off to sleep.
He texted the other Sajas:
Rumi is in labor and we’re at the doctor’s. If Zoey and Mira are awake, pass this along to them. I’ll let you know when the baby is here. Gonna be a while still.
He received well-wishes back from each of them, but didn’t respond. Rumi was his only concern now. He held her hand and watched her sleep, silently praying for everything to go well.
As Rumi woke up, she felt a weight on her hand. She turned to see Jinu holding her hand, resting his head on it, all while bent over sitting in the chair by her bed. Her heart swelled, but she felt awful for how his back was going to ache when he woke.
She gently ran her fingers through his hair.
“Wake up, Jinu,” she whispered. “You’re gonna miss all the fun.”
He blinked a few times as he raised his head.
“Rumi! Is everything ok?”
She smiled as she nodded. “Everything is fine. I didn’t realize we both fell asleep for a while.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Pretty good actually. Hyo-rin was really right!”
Just then, the nurse entered. “Well, I do love hearing those words!” she said with a laugh. “I’m guessing the epidural?”
“Yep! I actually napped. It was beautiful.”
Hyo-rin checked the monitor, looked at Rumi, then checked the monitor on her belly.
“Everything ok?” Jinu asked nervously.
The nurse smiled. “How are you feeling right now, Rumi?”
“I feel fine. Why?”
“Because you’re having a doozy of a contraction right now.”
“I am?!” Rumi asked with glee.
“Yep. I’d say the medication is doing its job! I’m going to check you now and see how far along baby girl is.” She measured quickly. “Oh, not long now. You’ll be pushing within the hour.”
Rumi sighed. “Ok.”
“You got this, dear! Every mother worries and eventually the babies all get out,” she said with a wink before leaving.
Jinu took Rumi’s hand. “Almost go time.”
“Yeah, we’re going to meet our daughter today.”
“That is a wild sentence.”
“It is. Rumi from four years ago wouldn’t believe any of this is happening.”
He grinned. “What? That you’re married? Having a baby? Oh wait… the demon thing.”
“Can’t it be all three?”
“The fact that it’s all three together is likely the strangest part. Especially to four-years-ago-Rumi.”
“Married to and a baby with a demon, yikes.”
A few minutes later, Dr. Park returned. “Ok, let’s see where we’re at.” After a quick check, he smiled. “Let me get Hyo-rin and the warming bed in here. I think it’s time to push.”
He left for a moment and Jinu kissed the top of Rumi’s head. “I’m right here with you, the whole way.”
“Team Rujinu?” she asked softly.
“An unstoppable team.”
Just then, the doctor and nurse returned.
“Are you ready to start pushing?” he asked.
“Would it matter if I said no?” Rumi replied.
“Not really, but I thought it was polite to ask. Now, I’m going to count to ten and I want you to push through the entire count. Ok?”
Rumi nodded. Hyo-rin held her leg and helped her count. Jinu held her other leg and whispered encouragement in her ear.
Her patterns started to glow and got brighter with every push. Jinu’s shimmered and brightened in reply, as if reassuring her. He noticed Rumi’s eye get a little gold, but didn’t acknowledge it. Dr. Park ignored it all, staying with his steady counting.
Finally, a cry filled the air and Dr. Park was declaring, “It’s a girl!,” placing a tiny, squirming baby onto Rumi’s chest.
Rumi kissed the baby’s head and looked to Jinu. “Look what we did!”
“I am. Rumi, she’s amazing! You’re amazing!” He kissed her then placed a gentle kiss to the baby’s head.
Hyo-rin called from across the room, “Jinu, do you think you could bring her over here? We’ll get her all measured and cleaned and back to eomma to eat.”
“Um, yes?”
“You’ve got this, appa,” Rumi said, gently lifting the newborn into his arms.
He cradled her close and carried her to the little bed, then hurried back to Rumi.
“You were a warrior, aein. I am so proud of you!”
“You know, I’m pretty proud of me too.”
Hyo-rin brought the baby back, all swaddled up. “I think she’s looking for some breakfast and some cuddles.”
Rumi gratefully accepted the baby and placed her at her breast. They baby happily began to eat.
“Well, she’s got appa’s appetite,” she joked.
Jinu’s eyebrows shot up. “Um… excuse me. I’ve seen eomma eat before a concert. I think we’re both to blame.”
“Fine, I’ll concede to that.” She ran a finger over the baby’s hair. It was such a dark purple that it looked black. Her eyes were a strange gray color. Rumi couldn’t see much beyond the baby’s head, but she only seemed to have 1 pattern going down her neck. “We can look for her other patterns later.”
Jinu hummed in agreement, too entranced to reply.
The baby glanced up at her parents.
Rumi smiled brightly. “Welcome to the world, Saja Eun-jae.”