Tristan sat in the corner of the room with a newborn on his chest. It had all been a bit unusual. He had not yet had any woman give birth in his practice. Most of the working classes didn't get a doctor at all and relied on experienced women in their own circles to assist. Women who could afford a doctor gave birth at home, though Tristan hadn't been called to assist at any birth yet.

Once the young woman had given birth and had fallen asleep, Tristan had had to make do with what he had available here. He had checked her heartrate and blood pressure while he slept, had disinfected her, and had then found a blanket to put over her. He measured and weighed the child. A big boy indeed, heavier than usual. That was a good sign. Then, for lack of clothes, he had swaddled the infant in clean linens, and had kept the child close to his body to keep him warm and asleep and give the exhausted mother a break. He kind of liked the feeling of the sleeping infant in his arms.

Nevertheless, after a while the child started stirring, and Tristan remembered the healthy pair of lungs he had heard seconds after the boy was born. Luckily, as if by instinct, the mother woke even before the child cried. Tristan smiled and stood up. "Right here. He's a healthy boy. If he drinks well, all should be well," he said while walking over to her. He handed her the child.