The Alchemists

Rory was like a true savior for Finland. He faithfully accompanied her until midnight when her contractions became more frequent and longer. Nearing midnight, when Finland's contractions were two minutes apart, he immediately called a doctor.

The doctor and nurses swiftly took Finland to the delivery room. Rory, who was about to enter the delivery room, was stopped by the doctor.

"Are you her husband?" asked Doctor James.

"No, I'm her friend..." Rory answered. "I want to accompany her inside..."

"Please let him enter... I need him..." Finland said, breathing hard. She shuddered at the thought of being in the delivery room without anyone she knew. In her life, she had never felt so vulnerable before, and now she really needed someone by her side... She was very scared.

The doctor finally allowed Rory to enter. He stood next to Finland and held her hand as she pushed and screamed nonstop.

"Ahhhh... aaahhhhhh... it hurts so much... ahhhh... Caspar, I hate youuu!!!! Oh God... it hurts so much...!!!" Finland screamed and cursed her husband who was responsible for making her pregnant. If it weren't for him, she wouldn't have had to experience such immense pain during childbirth.

Even though she hated Caspar, but in deep in her heart she missed the man so much. Her heart was filled with sadness because when she really needed him, Caspar could not be contacted...

Rory looked surprised when he heard the name Caspar and loosened his grip a little. He looked at Finland strangely and he opened his mouth as if he wanted to ask something, but then Finland squeezed his hand and screamed again, which distracted him.

"Hold on... just a little more..." the doctor said quickly.

Doctor James ordered Finland to push once more and with one last scream she pushed the baby out. Her head limped sideways and she could no longer speak. A little baby's cry could be heard splitting the air. The doctor hurriedly cut the baby's umbilical cord and cleaned her body, then placed her on Finland's chest.

"Your baby is a girl... Congratulations."

During that time Rory looked stunned, as if he was enchanted. He seemed fascinated by the birthing process that took place in front of him.

"Do you want to hold the baby?" the doctor asked as he turned to Rory. The man gasped and involuntarily nodded. The doctor picked Finland's baby up, wrapped her in a cloth and placed her in Rory's arms. Rory looked at the baby in amazement. When he saw her eyes, Rory gasped..

"This baby also has heterochromia..." the doctor nodded. "Her eyes are currently gray and green. Later, over time, the color can still change."

Finland was surprised to hear that. Heterochromia? What was that?

"Is this an abnormality, Doc?"

"No. This is just a genetic disorder. Nothing is wrong. It could be hereditary." Doctor James looked at Rory, who also had heterochromia, "You could be mistaken for her father in future..."

Rory smiled at that. He looked at the baby girl in his arms with a look of admiration. He still could not believe what was happening tonight. Everything felt like a dream. One second he rescued a girl who fainted on the street, then suddenly he had a newborn baby in his arms.

"What's her name? Do you have a name for her?" he asked Finland.

Finland nodded.

"Her name is Aleksis..."

"Nice name." Rory commented. "I once had a friend named Aleksis. I just remembered, he also had eyes like me... hahaha, the world is very small, huh..."

"Aleksis was my father's name." said Finland.

"Oh..." Rory nodded. "Your father must be proud of you."

"Thank you." Finland smiled. She was very grateful that Rory was around during the most frightening moment of her life. She was indebted forever to Rory.

"The patient should breastfeed her baby, you must wait outside," The doctor said to Rory.

The man blinked and nodded. He handed Aleksis to Finland and patted the baby's back lovingly, "I'll be waiting outside. Congratulations on the birth of your child..."

Finland's eyes were still foggy from tears, "Thank you, Rory... thank you..."

Rory nodded.

"My name is actually Lauriel," he whispered softly.

"What did you say?" Finland asked. She seemed to hear Rory say something.

"I said I'm hungry."

"Oh..."

Rory left Finland. His pair of blue green eyes seemed to be filled with various emotions. He walked away from the hospital and headed to a coffee shop that was open 24 hours. He was very tired after waiting for Finland and now he needed a cup of coffee to clear his mind.

As he told Finland this afternoon, Rory - or Lauriel - was already tired of living, and the smell of the hospital made him want to die. But when he witnessed the birth of Aleksis, it was as if his life was turned upside down and he could not help falling in love with the baby.

A warm feeling that he hadn't felt for a long time filled his chest. Suddenly, he no longer wanted death.

***