Summary: Noa Keawe is devastated when his wife dies after giving birth to their stillborn child.
Author’s note: This is in response to the Bring the Angst prompt from laniquelove’s April Fanfic Challenge.
Noa paced back and forth, waiting for news. He wished he could be with his wife, but the midwife insisted that he stay out of the birthing chamber. He couldn’t help worrying, especially since Luana had seemed to be in a great deal of pain.
Noa and Luana had already been blessed with a young son, Koa. Noa had tucked him into bed earlier, and had explained that when he woke up, he would have a new brother or sister. He hoped that Koa and the new baby would have a close relationship. He had always been close to Kailani, and he wanted the same experience for his own children. True, it wouldn’t be quite the same, since he and Kailani were twins, but his children would still be close in age.
“You’ll wear the floor out, ya big lunk!” Kailani said to him.
“I’m worried, sis,” he replied.
When the midwife finally entered the room, Noa felt a chill run down his spine. He could tell by the stricken look on her face that the news wasn’t good. She quietly approached him, shaking her head sadly.
“What happened?” Noa demanded as panic began to set in.
“The baby…she didn’t make it. She was turned the wrong way. By the time I finally delivered her, it was too late. I’m so sorry.”
Noa felt his heart shatter. He would never know his little girl. “And Luana? How is she?” His wife must be devastated.
“Not well,” the midwife said softly. “She’s very weak, and she’s lost a lot of blood. I don’t know if…”
Before the midwife could finish speaking, Noa raced out of the room. He had to see his wife. He hurried to the birthing chamber, where he found her lying down, covered with blankets. She looked pale and was breathing rapidly. He sat down next to her and gently stroked her face. Her skin was cool to the touch.
Luana looked to him. “The baby…”
Noa nodded, and tears filled his eyes. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” she said faintly, and closed her eyes.
Noa stayed by her side, watching her as she slept. He was so scared that he was going to lose her. As long as he could hear her breathing, he knew there was still a chance that she could pull through. But when she seemed too still, terror rushed through him. He placed his fingers on her wrist to check for a pulse, but found none. He burst into tears as the realization hit him. His wife was gone. His baby was gone. He felt as though he had broken into a million pieces.
He remained beside her, sobbing uncontrollably. When he heard footsteps, he turned his head and saw Kailani.
“She’s gone, Kai.” As he continued to cry, Kailani walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him. “How am I going to tell Koa?”
“We’ll do it together,” she told him. “I’m here for you.”