It was the middle of the night, and the bar was messy. Since arriving at work nine hours ago, Salem had broken up three fistfights and had a man escorted out for attempting to spike a woman’s drink. There was a lot to do; he’d barely had a chance to sit down since arriving at work. Recently, a new batch of drink and food ingredients had been delivered. As always, they needed to be sorted through.

His phone was ringing. It was hard to take phone calls at work.

Recently, Aggie moved into the townhouse. This was far more convenient than driving back and forth between cities, and Salem had been dating her long enough for it to be socially appropriate. The previous day, her brother visited. He was distrustful, when he wasn’t harassing his sister. When Salem left for work that morning, she was watching her favourite movie and snacking on a bag of seaweed chips. By now, he’d seen Inside Out so many times, he could probably recite the whole thing.

The twins were twelve years old. Eve had nightmares often, and Salem was rarely home in the middle of the night. With three siblings living in the townhouse, Salem had run out of bedrooms, forcing the twins to share a room - which was a bigger problem some days than others.

“I need you to come over,” said Kioni when he answered the phone. “I’m having contractions.” Months ago, Kioni had planned a water birth, and ordered a birthing pool from an online shop. With the suggestion of her doula, she’d done this many weeks in advance.

It was busy, customers piling in and conversing loudly. The music, which was usually some sort of dance track, was difficult to hear over. Salem knew nothing about childbirth. Everything he did know, he’d learned from Kioni. “I get off work in a couple hours. Can you wait until then?” He’d spent most of Kioni’s pregnancy coming to terms with the idea of being a father. Kioni had insisted he could choose not to be in the baby’s life. We’re not dating, she said, you’re not obligated to help me.

She’d gone on maternity leave a month ago, after being forced by her supervisor to get some rest. She worked as a dance instructor, which she’d always called the perfect job. “I think so. If they get stronger before then, I’ll call you back.”

The night before, as her head lay on his lap, Aggie had asked Salem if he’d ever been in love with Kioni. She was straightforward and unabashed, which he appreciated - even if it did get them into some sticky situations. He’d always cared for Kioni. Love was a strong word, and it had never seemed to fit. Talking about things as personal as love and feelings was uncomfortable. Aggie always wanted to do it.

He didn’t believe in dishonesty. “I loved her, but I wasn’t in love with her.” For most of his life, he hadn’t believed there to be any difference.

Aggie was quiet for a while after that. She hummed, twitching her fingers a little before giving him a stern look. “Are you in love with me?

Kioni lived in a bilevel home. After checking in with her, Salem texted Aggie.

Across the bathroom on the upper level, Kioni had a large crib set up next to her bed. Over the past month, Salem helped her gather the rest of necessary baby items, as well as setting up a bassinet in his own room. Although she had been offered to be told the sex of the baby, Kioni had refused, saying she’d prefer to be surprised. It wasn’t as if it mattered much anyway.

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It was early in the morning. Salem was tired, but it was nothing to how Kioni felt. She sat cross-legged on the living room floor, breathing deeply and listening to soft music. Over the course of her pregnancy, Salem received phone calls at random times, asking for specific snacks, or back massages, or company. River said it was stupid to do all of this for a woman you weren’t dating. Aggie had expressed insecurities about the fact that Salem had a relationship with Kioni at all. He’d been very busy: working, and trying to make time for people outside of this. After today, his slim amount of free time would deteriorate.“You doing alright? Do you need anything?”

He knelt on the floor in front of Kioni. She was swollen around the ankles and legs. Salem was unsure how to be helpful, and felt stupid asking. He’d been lectured by Delilah about being supportive, as if he wouldn’t have done it otherwise.

Kioni had made a birth playlist, which played now. She’d said early labour could take hours. “I’m just uncomfortable. Will you go run me a bath?”

She’d always liked baths with bath bombs and candles. After sitting down for any period of time, she needed help getting up.

Labour progressed slowly. When Kioni called her midwife, it was well into the evening. She wasn’t shy, and leaned her head on Salem’s chest when she felt a powerful bout of pain. He had several unread texts, and little time to check them. Well into active labour, when Kioni was tired and pacing the living room, she groaned. “Thanks for being here. I don’t think I could do this by myself.”

There was something about watching someone grow a whole human being. Salem had never wanted this. He’d had time to get used to the idea. “Have I ever told you you’re a fucking warrior?”

The birth pool was set up in the kitchen, and large enough to hold a whole family. Kioni tried to get comfortable inside it, switching positions often, her stomach rippling with the movements of the baby.

She was six centimetres dilated. The midwife spoke in low tones, checking on Kioni and the water often. The midwife was patient and detailed, and seemed to make Kioni feel comforted. She was anxious, squeezing Salem’s hands on the side of the pool.

Each time Aggie stayed at the townhouse overnight, she fell asleep to white noise. Currently, she was at the house with River; Salem worried about how they’d get along alone. He’d been checking in with her throughout the night: eager for the birth of his child, eager to get home. Kioni breathed heavily, in tune with the doula, who kneeled next to her. Her playlist was quiet and mostly instrumental.

Salem had never witnessed the birth of a baby. As her due date approached, Kioni had sat him down to watch childbirth videos, and he’d suspected he’d been more freaked out than she had. As long as you don’t pass out, she’d said, it will all be fine.

“Kioni.”

Her eyes were closed. Though she hadn’t begun pushing yet, the midwife said it was nearly time. She was clammy, finding it impossible to get comfortable. She laid her head on the side of the pool, clutching it with both hands, staring at Salem with big eyes. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

She was panicked. He knew the look on her face. “You can do it, Kioni. You’re fucking amazing.” After tonight, their relationship would never be the same. It was hard to figure out the way it was now. She’d be a good mother: but the best parents always questioned if they were good parents at all.The water was getting cold. Kioni groaned. “I’m scared.”

It was nothing like the movies. It was a lot calmer than Salem imagined it would be. “I know. You’re doing great. I’m right here.” It was hard to know if he was being helpful. Kioni appreciated him being there. She squeezed his hands very tightly, readjusting herself often. When you cared for a person, seeing them in pain felt as though your insides were burning. Women could do incredible things. All Salem could do was sit back and watch it happen.

It was getting late. When a high-pitched cry rang through the room, the midwife took the baby from the water. “Kioni,” she said, placing the newborn on top of Kioni’s chest, “meet your daughter.”