Not My Mate - Finished

Chapter Thirteen - Adjusting

I woke up around 8AM. The baby had come at 5:05AM, so I hadn't gotten much sleep. I was tired, but grateful for the two or so hours I had gotten. Kayne sat next to me holding our son to his bare chest. He was sleeping peacefully against his dad's skin.

“Good morning, beautiful.” Kayne said, reaching out to brush damp hair from my face. “How do you feel?”

“I'm tired, and sore.” I said. “He's so sound asleep.” I brushed my hand along the baby's cheek.

“Skin to skin is good for bonding and for the baby. I didn't cut his cord yet, I didn't want to without you. Do you wanna move downstairs so I can cook you something to eat and we can get his cord cut?” He asked. I nodded. “He needs a name.”

I pondered that for a moment. “Luka.”

“Luka? I love it. Okay Luka, we've got to get mommy some breakfast.” He scooted Luka into one arm and got off the bed. He handed me the bowl with my placenta, still attached to Luka. He guided me with one hand under my arm, we walked downstairs. I was sore, every step hurt. I felt swollen down there was was definitely bleeding.

Kayne handed Luka to me. He grabbed string and tied it tightly around the cord. He took scissors and cut.

“Alright, let's go to the couch.” Kayne said. I walked to the couch carrying the baby, then Kayne took him. “Shirt off.” He turned and shut the curtains. “Just trust me. Skin to skin with him will help your milk come in.”

I did as he said, and then sat on the couch. He helped me get the pillows where I wanted them. He handed me Luka, who stayed sleeping on my chest. He covered us both with the big fluffy blanket from the back of the couch and turned on TV. He went to the kitchen to start cooking.

After about fifteen minutes, Luka started crying.

“Kayne?” I yelled, suddenly frozen.

“He's probably hungry honey. Newborn stomachs are the size of a large bead, and you only make colostrum right now. He only needs teaspoons at a time, but he needs to eat often. Try nursing him.” Kayne said. He was patient, he knew what to do. I was nervous with Luka, still adjusting to him. I had only met him hours ago.

I tried to start nursing him, but he wouldn't eat. He kept crying. Kayne came out with a big plate and set it on the coffee table.

“Here, here. I'm gonna get up in the business here, sorry.” He said. He knelt in front of me, and taught me how to help Luka latch. He was so gentle and so helpful. Luka started nursing, and I was busy holding him and keeping his head supported.

Kayne came to sit next to us with the plate. “Steak and eggs, you need protein and iron. The doctor is coming to check on you in a few hours.” He started cutting up food and feeding it to me. I didn't deserve his kindness. I had never wanted to be here, I had thought about killing myself. I thought anything, even death, could be better than this.

Now... nothing could be better. I was holding my son, the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. His father loved me and was caring for me better than anyone ever could. He knew what I needed and was prepared with it before I could even say anything.

“Thank you.” I whispered.

He gave me a kind smile. “Of course. You gave me the best thing I could ever have.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Yes.”

“Does he look like your first baby? The one who died?”

He sucked in a breath. “He does, he's perfect.” He smiled and grabbed Luka's hand. “I've been keeping your family updated throughout the night. They're itching to come see him. Check on you. Do you want me to arrange a visit?”

“No. Let me settle in, let me rest.” I said.

“Of course. No rush, I'll keep them at bay as long as you need.” He smiled.

“Is it hard for you? Bringing back memories? Of her?”

“No, Bria. This is so much happier. I miss her. I wish I could've done this for her. If anything, this is healing.”

“I'm glad.” I smiled at him.

“You should sleep. Stay cuddled up with him, I'll be right here and awake. I'll make sure you don't roll on him or anything. I'll watch you.” He said.

It didn't take long for me to drift to sleep.

“Bria, the doctor is here to see you.” Kayne said. He was holding Luka.

An Elder came in, she looked kind. We went upstairs and she examined everything. There were no tears, my uterus was shrinking back down. Everything looked fine. She gave me a clean bill of health and left.

I fed Luka again. “This is hard. Am I ever going to sleep?' I whined.

“Yes, you will. It won't take long for your milk to come in and you can use a breast pump to get milk into bottles, I'll feed him while you rest. I'll take care of everything else right now, all you two do is sleep and eat.” He said.