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[Soren]

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Her belly threatening to tip her over, Soren shifted her weight and tried to lean back on the log she was currently perched on beside her husband. Adrian's hand rested on the small of her back while the other periodically fed bits of bread and honey to his now almost bursting wife. Talking and teasing, the clouds played peekabo with the moon above the happy couple.

Adrian's voice was loving but insistent as he questioned her. “Tell me again that you weren't mistreated while you were with her.”

Shaking her head no, Soren swallowed her sugary bite and turned to her husband in time to see the grin spread across his face. “No, My Adrian. My meals were huge and always delivered promptly to my room. I could take walks, just with some really really big guards. I don't much think they liked me though.”

Pausing momentarily to take a breath, Soren felt the whole of her stomach tense up painfully. At that same moment, Adrian's Flutterby, as he was calling the baby these days, chose to use a well placed kick to Soren's ribs, wrenching her forward almost completely off the log.

“What's wrong, Sparrow?” The smoothness in his voice was replaced with a tinge of worry and acute observation.

“I think your child is trying to cut in.” Remembering that she had all but stopped breathing, Soren inhaled deeply and tried to calm herself. Adrian's face was easily readable and painted with a mix of worry and terror. Uncertainty and a clear feeling of helplessness danced their way into the mix.

“I think I need to lay down,” she bit out, clenching her teeth against another round of knotted pain. Her Adrian simply nodded and led her waddling form slowly into their tent.

“Get comfortable, Sparrow. I'll fit in however I fit in.” He watched as his wife slid slowly onto the bedroll and twisted to the side placing a pillow beneath her belly. As delicately as he could he wrapped his arms just above the curve and snuggled in behind her. It occurred to him then and there it was going to be a long night.

[Soren]

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Adrian wasn't sure if it was the blood curdling scream of his wife or the death like grip she had enacted on his hand that woke him first. No matter which lead the way, both would have succeeded. Sitting up quickly he tried to extricate his thumb from Soren's grip. She was still positioned on her side, curled into a ball with sweat plastering her dark auburn hair to the side of her head. Brushing his own rusty blonde mane out of his face and eyes he took stock of the situation. Between her soaked dress and the intermittent way she reached for him, it was an easy guess that Flutterby was making her worldly entrance. That thought both excited and terrified him.

With all the voice he could muster he called out to the residents of the camp. “CHAD! AMDIRIEL! AARON!” Quickly footsteps could be heard and hushed voices both cussing and curious at what the big deal was rounded the corner. All three were in various states of undress and rubbing or scratching at some point of their anatomy.

From her place on the bedroll Soren looked up at the figures and grimaced. Typically polite and welcoming all she wanted at this point was the baby out and the pain to stop. Her breathing was ragged and she couldn't be sure if she wanted to smack her husband for touching her or kiss him. She listened though, as he barked orders sending Chad to fetch Aingeal, the wisewoman. Sending Amdiriel for blankets and hot water and sending Aaron anywhere he wouldn't be in the way.

By the time Aingeal arrived, 12 hours had passed. Adrian's grip on his temper was slipping with every scream that escaped Soren's lips. In between contractions, his wife did her best to tell him she was alright. And at moments it was more convincing to him than it was to her.

As soothing and calm as she could be she explained the process to Adrian and tried to reassure him that everything was going to be alright. 6 hours later, when he was being pushed and shoved out of the room by the wise woman, whatever grip he had came to a screeching halt.

[Soren]

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“GET OUT OF MY WAY, AARON!” The shouts could be heard easily inside the tent where Aingeal coaxed and cajoled Soren through the process.

“You aren't helping ya know.” Aaron's voice was tinged with annoyance and laced with understanding. Nevertheless he gripped the front of Adrian's vest with his hands and pushed back, keeping him out of the room.

“GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!” And with a shove Adrian and Aaron went rolling over the fence and into the animal pen where Stormy snorted in disdain and clicked and clacked, fussing at them. One black eye for Aaron later and a sore fist for Adrian, they stood and dusted themselves off.

“If I were still on the shroom's man, I would loan you some. A drink wouldn't kill you now either.” Chad stated, adding in his two cents.

“All I want is back -in there- so I can help.” And just about that time another scream tore the early morning hours in two.

“You can't help right now. So relax, send good vibes. Your wife's in good hands.” Chad gave his normal dazzling smile then which had the opposite effect on Adrian, making him more irate.

It was another 2 hours and a few dozen trips from Amdiriel back and forth through the tent flaps before they heard it. The tiny cry that split the morning wide open. Unable to contain himself, Adrian went flying through the doors and stopped cold at the edge of the bedroll.

Aingeal sat next to Soren, looking on, a smile spread soflty across her face. His Sparrow was drenched head to toe in sweat with a light cover pulled over her. But what caught the full of his attention was the tiny pink bundle that lay cradled in her arms. A small mop of strawberry blonde hair accentuated a face that carried his eyes and Soren's mouth.

“My Adrian, meet your Flutterby.” Groggily and with careful movements Soren entrusted the bundle to her husband. She watched as he cradled her carefully, almost as if he was afraid she was going to break.

“This is the one whose been kicking me.” With a soft laugh she layed her head back down and watched the two.

Bending his head low he spoke to the soft spot of her little head in barely a whisper. “Hello Cassidy Bishop, My Flutterby.”