Pain worth having

Inoue Orihime winced as another bout of pain sliced through her. Beads of sweat run down her face. Her hair, held up in a messy bun, kept escaping in form of small tendrils that stuck to her face. Her mouth was dry…very very dry.

Gripping her hands as another sharp pain raced through, she pondered on what else she could do. She was very tired and wished she were somewhere else. A month ago, she had been extremely happy, looking forward to this moment, not knowing the trial she would have to go through. She could not even use her 6 flower shield!

She looked to her side, where Ishida Uryuu stood tall, offering his warmth, his hope, his strength and his trust. His eyebrows were furrowed with concern and worry. They both knew it was something only she could do…he was counting on her.

She winced once more in pain, noting Ishida's concern as she turned to glare at the other people in the room, namely , the white-coated villain (as she had labeled him) who stood ready to convince her to do what she did not wish to do.

"You cannot force me," she said with determination.

"My duty…" the villain had the gall to begin but was cut off by a sharp wave of her hand.

"Duty be damned!" she yelled with such venom that even Ishida moved a few steps back.

"I have forever been protected by everyone around me; few have believed in my strength. I promised I would get stronger and be able to stand up for myself and I did. You will put a knife to me," she yelled, pausing only when more pain grabbed her.

"Mr. Ishida…"

"Don't you dare try to go over me and convince him. He may be my husband but I have the final word," she was practically shaking right now as the pain grew worse, "I said I would do this…Kuchiki-san said I could do this and I believe her because she managed to do it for two so don't…" it was hard to go on as the pain worsened.

Ishida, fearing the worst and not caring for anything else run to her side where she gripped his arm so tightly that he winced.

"Ishida-kun," she gasped, breathing sharply, "don't let them do it. I will make it…please."

Her eyes held his, pleading, then turned with fire to the white-coated villain.

"I. Can. Do. This!"

And with that loud declaration, she pushed with all her might before a sweet welcoming darkness consumed her. Her last thoughts were of Ishida yelling her name, several people running to her side…and was that a thin cry she heard? She could not tell. All she knew was that Rukia would be proud of her.

Ishida stood outside the room, watching Orihime sleep. She looked exhausted and tired but he knew she would be full of smiles once she awoke. His eyes turned to the bundle in his arms.

So much drama, he thought with a smile.

The doctor approached him, first glancing at the sleeping Orihime.

"Care to explain to me why your wife acted like she was on a battlefield when all I did was suggest a caesarean section if the pain was too much for her?" he asked with an amused expression on his face.

Ishida only smiled in response.

"I have had several experiences in the labour suit but this one wins them all," the doctor finished while walking away after patting Ishida on the shoulder.

Ishida looked at the bundle in his arms…so small…so cute…and gripping his finger tightly while giving a big yawn was his son.

A Quincy.

He had so much to teach him, starting with how Quincy were better than shinigami. This would be sure to tick off Ichigo, whose month old twins were already learning shinigami pride from their Uncle Byakuya.

"Your mom did us proud," he whispered to the sleeping babe as he kissed its forehead and entered Orihime's room.

He wanted to by her side with their son when she awoke from her exhausted slumber.