try_corsets | (no subject)

Deep down, Elizabeth has known her time was very near. She isn't entirely certain how she has known, but she has. The thought has been drifting through her mind like a lazily meandering piece of driftwood, buoyant but easily pushed aside time and again, left there until she has the desire and fortitude to reel it back and firmly acknowledge the truth in it. For days Elizabeth has existed in a state of semi-awareness, barking orders and making plans, absently noting changes, all at the same time.

Because she's Captain Elizabeth Turner, Pirate King, and she has a position she is determined to maintain.

Somehow.

When the first pain hits, she thinks, Yes, there it is, and stares at her face in her small, cracked looking glass; so different now than the face she'd seen reflected back at her in Port Royal. Better, she thinks. Lived in. The corner of her mouth curves up, and the full lips in the mirror do the same. The scarlet sash today, she decides with a decisive nod, gingerly getting dressed as she had the day before, and the day before that.

Tai Huang eyes her half an hour later, as he is giving a report. Elizabeth slowly, carefully unclenches her fingers from the starboard rail. "The wind is shifting. Starboard tack." As she moves away she does her best to walk straight and tall, not waddle.

Everyone on board knows where to find the Captain at sunrise (keep a weather eye on the horizon), though she's rarely bothered these days. Still, when she gasps aloud and unbends her stiff shoulders to curl in, to try and stop it, two of the men Tai Huang and Gibbs like to keep in their sights guffaw from the main deck. Straightening takes no small effort of will, but she does it; and as she does, she sets her mouth in a thin line and decides, finally, that it's time to find Gibbs. Ready or not, the baby has had enough of waiting.

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"The what?" Quick, sharp, not entirely steady.

Elizabeth's mouth forms a momentary 'O,' but she did read enough on the matter to make the required leap.

"The pains," she says, eyes flicking away from Guppy's face. "I haven't kept track."

They last too long and occur too often; that probably isn't helpful, Elizabeth admits silently.

"I'm due another soon, I suppose," she brazens at last.

"Are they more or less often than every five minutes?" Guppy asks, coming back over.

Wide eyes that are more wary than suspicious now meet Guppy's.

"Less."

Beat.

"Much, I hazard. Demeter did mention that the process may take some time."

If he listens closely, Guppy might hear the question in that statement.

"Yes, and if you're having contractions quite far apart, you probably have a little way to go yet." Guppy says, gently.

"Have your waters broken yet? Would you permit me to examine you to see how far dilated you are?"

A curt nod serves as her only answer to the first question. Some things she has no intention of discussing aloud if it can be helped. They had, which is why she'd finally accepted she needed to be here at all.

Elizabeth keeps her eyes on Guppy and slowly lowers her chin, as if expecting him to feel a sudden desire to revise that last question.

"How what?" is almost an afterthought.

Surely Demeter will be back soon with those books she'd requested?

Surely?

"Dilated. Your cervix?"

Beat.

"Did Demeter talk you through what's going to happen here? Have you read any books on what to expect?"

"He needs to see how ready your body is for the baby, my dear. I understand if you don't feel comfortable with him examining you and I'm glad to. I've delivered a great many babies in my time,"

Demeter's voice is calm and soothing, they will find a way to make sure everyone knows what they need to.

"Enough," she answers Guppy, frowning more. "I find my pirate tales have more to recommend them."

A sudden longing for her mother steals over Elizabeth, and she focuses on Demeter's face. "If it's what's done. What's necessary. Very well."

But she doesn't have to be pleased about it.

Guppy, once he's sure she's giving permission, closes the curtains and examines Elizabeth as gently as possible.

"You're about six centimetres." he says. "When you get to ten, it's time to push. You've most likely got about four hours or so to go until then."

He nods at Demeter. "I can hang around in case you need anything."

Blink, blink.

"Four hours? Impossible."

"I told you that first births can take a while, but I'll be right here helping you through it."

"We can discuss whether you want pain relief, in the meantime." Guppy says. "But babies come at their own pace, I'm afraid."

Although his own two came rather abruptly.

Elizabeth grunts and stares straight ahead, glaring at the wall as if trying to will the baby to come now.

It doesn't work.

But things do progress, if not at the speed she wishes.