And then, something shifted. The room fell away. There was no clock, no fear, no Leo, no Priya. There was only the fire in her pelvis and the ancient, animal knowledge waiting in her bones. Her body took over. It knew the way. A sound tore from her—not a scream, but a roar. A push.
Leo squeezed her hand. Priya leaned close. “You already are,” she said. “Fear is just a wave, too. Let it pass.” women giving birth
The baby’s cries quieted at the sound of Elara’s heartbeat—the only rhythm she had ever known. And then, something shifted
She had not just given birth to a child. She had given birth to a mother. And as the baby’s mouth found its way to her breast, Elara closed her eyes and smiled. The tide had finally brought her home. There was only the fire in her pelvis
