Chapter Text
Stian nervously paced the kitchen while pulling at his braids and tightly clasped his hands together in a sweat. He switched from wandering the hallways to silently sitting down in his studio. Occasionally, his eyes would glance towards his shared bedroom with Esther, whose screams currently riveted through the spacious house like an earthquake’s shakes. He tried to distract himself with painting, but his trembling hands prevented him from working. Stress lines joined the lines of age on his face. The effect of forty winters had made themselves visible on Stian’s body.
“I’m going to be a father…” Sometimes Stian still couldn’t believe it after all those months. When he had set out from the tundra as a boy, starting his own family hadn’t even crossed his mind! There were only dreams of people and places and new foods and things and his old family. And Joaan… there had also been Joaan in his vision of the future. Stian sighed, thinking of his brother. A familiar pain emerged from his gut like a stone in the ocean.
“Sti…an…” The immortal had babbled like a newborn once. Stian realized he’d hear the broken speech once more while raising his child together with Esther. A bitter nostalgia and longing filled his heart, yet it was overshadowed by the bubbling excitement in his veins.
“Joaan, I wish you could be here to meet everyone. What are you doing now?” Stian pondered, wistfully staring out a window at the world beyond. However, at the sudden silence from Esther’s room, his breath hitched. The middle-aged artist shook his head of the past, focusing on his present. A loopy smile graced his face at the sound of a baby’s crying.
“Sir, you can come see them now.” Esther’s midwife reported with a content gleam in her eyes. Stian returned a quick, thankful nod as he rushed ahead into the room.
“Esther!” He shouted only to be met with a harsh shush.
“Quiet, Snow.” His wife chastised with narrowed eyes, though a grin adorned her face. Her autumn red hair was messily tangled behind her. “Have some respect towards your daughter…” Esther lovingly laughed, stroking the newborn’s head. Stian silenced himself and regained his smile, slowly approaching the bed with his family.
“We have a…” Stian started before pausing, blinking at the bundle in his wife’s arms. “… daughter…” He coughed. The bundle in Esther’s embrace was not what he was expecting. The newborn was red and slimy, not at all what he’d seen of baby’s in the past. In turn, Esther laughed at his expression.
“Relax, Snow. They all look like this at first. You would’ve looked the same at her age, only paler I suppose.” She teased, sitting herself up against the bed.
“Ah, I see!” Stian sheepishly shrugged.” It doesn’t matter though… I’d love her no matter what.” He vowed, taking Esther’s sweaty hand.
“I know, Snow.” Esther rolled her eyes, an exasperated tone to her voice. “Would you like to hold her?” She offered, holding the bundle up to him. Stian’s cheeks hurt with how much he smiled. Without a word, the artist took his child in his hands. There were no words to express the love he felt at that moment, watching her little eyes and mouth flutter open and closed. Esther would be able to describe it better. The soft feel of the sunlight on their beautiful family, the calm breeze on their backs.
“I just can’t believe it, Esther… This is our life now.” Stian whispered, rocking the newborn back and forth. His child giggled, a heavenly sound in their small town.
“Me too…” Esther agreed, laying her hand on his arm. “Well, I said you could name our first. What will it be, Snow?” She pried as they gazed upon their child together. Stian pulled his eyes from his family for a moment, an aged look in his face. He’d known what his child’s name would be for months. There had never been any lingering doubts in his mind.
“Joaan… Her name is Joaan…” He announced, tears building in his eyes.
“Perfect…” Esther replied, leaning against him. He could feel the tingle of her warm breath against his skin.
For the next couple of hours, the two parents were still as a statue and alive as the world with their daughter in their arms.