The morning sunrise was brilliant.
They ate breakfast on the patio.
A chess game in the garden was their plan for later that afternoon.
Suddenly, a cramp caused her body to flinch.
The laborious suffering of childbirth had begun.
A beloved baby would be joining them soon.
Their lack of experience weighed heavy, draining their emotions.
They felt anxious; yet, they’d been waiting months for this moment.
With tear filled eyes, she grasped his hand and flinched again.
The physical pain would soon reward them with a glorious gift.
A precious child filling their hearts with immeasurable happiness and love.
2018©Isadora DeLaVega
Genre: Flash Fiction
Word Count: 100
Photo Prompt: Jeff Arnold
Rochelle hosts Friday Fictioneers
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November 17, 2018 at 11:33 pm
Lovely! I never had a child. Thank you for this!
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November 12, 2018 at 6:05 pm
Lovely post. Haha, a blessing afterward…indeed.
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November 5, 2018 at 6:06 pm
I remember that first birth. I think you have described it well.
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November 6, 2018 at 10:04 pm
HA HA I remember the first, second and third. It was a blessing afterwards. Thanks …
Isadora 😎
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November 7, 2018 at 12:20 am
I have three also!
We all have stories, don’t we?
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November 7, 2018 at 4:21 am
😂😂😂
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November 5, 2018 at 11:19 am
Nice optimistic if daunting piece Isadora, nicely told
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November 6, 2018 at 10:10 pm
Thank you, Michael. Childbirth can be a stressful time for the novice parents.
Isadora 😎
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November 4, 2018 at 5:35 pm
A delightful, happy – sans labor – story this week. Thanks, Isadora.
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November 7, 2018 at 5:13 pm
It’s always a little scarey for 1st timers. Yes, joy to follow always, Alicia. Thank you …
Isadora 😎
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November 4, 2018 at 4:43 pm
Oh the feat and anticipation… they are in for a big change.
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November 7, 2018 at 5:16 pm
I wonder if people would have children if they knew how many things would change
in their lives. Probably, yes. Most people young people don’t think that far ahead.
Thanks, Bjorn, for the insightful comment.
Isadora 😎
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November 4, 2018 at 3:37 pm
Querida Isadora,
Just wait until flinch comes to push. 😉 There’s nothing like the wonder of the firstborn. So many new things to learn. Bien escrito, mi amiga.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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November 7, 2018 at 5:18 pm
Querida Rochelle,
Yes, those last moments are the ones many remember.
The intrigue and newness are present everyday with a newborn.
Glad you enjoyed, mi amiga, gracias.
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎
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November 4, 2018 at 2:37 pm
A joyous moment for a happy family. Child comes first, chess can wait.
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November 7, 2018 at 5:27 pm
Yes, they will have many other times to play chess.
Although, it may take a little bit of time. Children do take more of our attention.
Thank you for commenting.
Isadora 😎
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November 4, 2018 at 11:58 am
Labour pain is bad, still, give me chills whenever I think about it. But, you are right, the pain melts away as soon as you hold the baby in your hands.
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November 7, 2018 at 6:03 pm
Yes, the smell and feel of a newborn melts all of the fears away.
I’m glad you enjoyed my take on the prompt, Piyali.
Thank you for your comment.
Isadora 😎
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November 4, 2018 at 11:08 am
I thought I was well prepared, but still had ‘babyshock’!
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November 7, 2018 at 5:33 pm
Yes, Gilly. A new parent can never be prepared for what is to come.
Hopefully, the joy and love for the child supercedes all that may go wrong.
Thank you, dear friend.
Issy 😎
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November 4, 2018 at 9:43 am
Chess game postponed for an infinitely more rewarding experience. Nicely done, Isadora.
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November 7, 2018 at 5:28 pm
Hopefully, the chess game won’t be totally eliminated from their lives due to the baby.
It may take them a while though as babies due require full attention.
Perhaps, the baby joy will be enough. Thanks, Sandra, for stopping by and commenting.
Isadora 😎
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November 4, 2018 at 5:19 am
Beautifully done, Isadora. Having been there three times…
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November 6, 2018 at 10:12 pm
I must admit each time was going to be the last time but then there was two and let’s not forget three. LOLOL I’m a slow learner. Thanks, Dale. Glad you’re can relate.
Izzy 😎
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November 6, 2018 at 11:09 pm
😁
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November 3, 2018 at 2:42 pm
Wonderful story, Izzy!
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November 3, 2018 at 3:22 pm
Thank you, PJ. Hope you have a super weekend.
Izzy 😎
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November 3, 2018 at 3:27 pm
I hope you have a wonderful weekend too, Izzy! 🤓💕🌺👍
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November 3, 2018 at 9:52 am
I can imagine them telling their precious gift the story of how the chess game got postponed, many times in the future. Lovely writing.
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November 3, 2018 at 3:24 pm
After hearing the story a few times I wonder if the child would want to learn how to play chess. haha Thank you, Jilly. I appreciate your thoughts and visit.
Isadora 😎
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November 2, 2018 at 8:59 pm
Ah, sweet story – and nice to focus on the outcome instead of the pain and suffering!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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November 3, 2018 at 3:31 pm
Thank you, Susan. Yes, the final results are the reward. Babies in stories are always syrupy sweet.
Isadora 😎
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November 2, 2018 at 8:19 pm
Lovely, glad they made the most of the last peaceful afternoon they will get for the next 10 years at least! 🙂
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November 3, 2018 at 3:55 pm
HA HA … yes, their time will be engulfed by their child. I think it’s more like forever then 10 years. Kids always need their parents no matter what age. Thanks, Iian. I appreciate your comment and visit.
Isadora 😎
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November 2, 2018 at 7:34 pm
Beautiful
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November 7, 2018 at 5:31 pm
Babies and cuddly puppies or kittens can put a smile on anyones face.
Thank you …
Isadora 😎
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November 2, 2018 at 6:57 pm
Sweet story. Everyone is anxious but it will be okay.
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November 7, 2018 at 5:30 pm
Yes, somehow nature takes over and all goes – most of the time – as planned.
Babies can always put a smile on a face. Thank you, JoHawk, for stopping by and commenting.
I’m a bit late … sorry.
Isadora 😎
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November 2, 2018 at 6:13 pm
SIDE NOTE
__
I read your fiction this week three times because something was standing out – I finally figured out that it was your delivery of the story with the use of pronouns.
It had a unique sound with the their, them, etc. – and while many authors edit for pronouns and conjunction use (and there is a time to) but I like the way your pronouns felt here – it added to the union/togetherness
__
from your piece:
They ate…
… their plan
…her body
… joining them
Their lack…
…draining their emotions
They felt…
yet, they’d been..
…she grasped
…his hand
… reward them
… filling their hearts
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November 2, 2018 at 6:55 pm
Thank you for your great comment. I love the way you expressed your experience with – ©while many authors edit for pronouns and conjunction use (and there is a time to) but I like the way your pronouns felt here – I didn’t know this.
HA HA Sometimes, less is more as in writing. If you restrict your writing with all of the grammar and rules are you really writing.
I was in the art world for 28 years. If I had followed all the rules I would have given up within a few months. Creativity is about freedom to express what you feel. I guess none of my books – if I ever finish them – will be best sellers. HA HA
I always enjoy your comments. You do what should be done when reading these stories. You create a true analysis of the story that’s been written. You get a 5 star rating.
Isadora 😎
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November 2, 2018 at 7:13 pm
Finish your books with that creativity of yours – to me best sellers are the books that follow the author’s mode of expression, not the rules of grammar 🙂 (I always like Prior’s comments myself)
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November 2, 2018 at 7:49 pm
well they might be best sellers because who is to say what is better – right? Which is what we both know – we have to have our essence.
There is a time for succinct and to the point – and a time when some conjunctions and pronouns pull from a piece, but in this piece it added a lot in a curious and straight forward way.
Felt like someone was standing in front of the room sharing about the time when mom went into labor.
Or it was almost happily-ever-after like with the way you went from the now (had to scrap the chess game because labor will not wait!)
to then the sum up of:
A precious child filling their hearts …
the lingering impact of joy
and so this was “original” and had a certain stitching from the words you let flow from you.
would not change a things –
and regarding the art world rules – whew – I hear ya on that –
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November 2, 2018 at 6:11 pm
I like the way you brought us from sunshine and patio mindset to labor.
You vividly gave us the shared experience this can be and Isadora, it truly is a different experience for newbies.
And I just saw a young girl yesterday (maybe 21) expecting this month – and I told her about the unspeakable joy that comes after delivery – like you feel the kicks, etc. – but then meeting them in person is “immeasureable joy”
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November 2, 2018 at 6:45 pm
Ahhh … yes, the fruits of labor bringing a new life into the hearts of the couple.
It’s an experience unique to those who have experienced it. Looking into the eyes of a newborn
is like looking into the spaces in heaven. Thank you ….
Isadora 😎
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November 2, 2018 at 7:50 pm
yes -and holding them for the first time – omg
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November 2, 2018 at 5:57 pm
Because I haven’t delivered a baby, I’ll take your word for it. 😉 … Well done, Isadora. Hope to see you at the theater tomorrow for the final act. FYI: If all goes as planned, I will post a writing challenge Tuesday evening.
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November 2, 2018 at 6:28 pm
HA HA … amen to not having to go through labor … HA HA
Yes, I’ve got my theater shawl ready to wear and am in search of my song.
Hope to come up with an interesting not-heard-before tune.
Thanks for the updates …
Isadora 😎
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