Chapter Text
...Cereza wasn't quite sure how things ended up this way...
It started with a cold, dark night, a crackling fireplace, two eager lovers.
...And now this.
Cereza pulled her gaze downwards, silver-grey eyes now fixated on the sizable bump of her stomach, and she lifted a hand, idly stroking the growth of her abdomen.
It's not that she didn't want the child-- quite the opposite. She was... quite excited for her arrival, actually...
...But goodness did she give them quite an unexpected surprise!
They both failed to remember exactly how the Umbra survived without the need of men.
What was it exactly that Jeanne said? Blood magic of some sorts?
Not that it matters, they've already got their little miracle, who seems to be as eager to exit her body as she was to get her out. 6 months in the making, and already a bloody menace...
Being pregnant is rewarding, but so very exhausting.
Cereza is a lot more thankful for her own mummy now.
"Cereza, dinner's ready!"
A familiar voice chirped from where she stood downstairs.
Cereza couldn't help the smile that overtook her expression. Thank Queen Sheba, I'm practically starving.
"Coming!" She responded, rising from her comfortable spot on their bed, albeit, with shakey, uneasy movements. It wasn't easy lugging around an extra couple of pounds.
She hurried through, toddling past the doorstep as best as she could, eager to great her wife, and her surprisely good cooking.
♡
The two soon-to-be parents stood at the doorway, gazing at the fruit of their hard work. Jeanne snaked her arms around her lover's torso, one hand dipping to absent-mindedly rub at Cereza's baby bump. Cereza smiled, sinking into Jeanne's embrace.
They both needed a little cuddle after finally-- 2 weeks of full work to be exact (Mostly work from Jeanne, but she needs a little credit too, no?)-- finishing the tummy goblin's nursery.
It was grey in theme-- seems a little drab on paper, but came out wonderful!-- and it had these beautiful hanging crystals that illuminated the room with equally breathtaking beams of color whenever the sun's rays graced their jagged edges.
Jeanne insisted on the crystals. Crystals have always harbored powerful energies, and have assisted witches from spells, to potion work for... well eons now. Any new Umbra should be around them. They'll nourish her developing magic. Jeanne's voice echoed in her head.
They also look truly gorgeous.
"Soon," Jeanne mumbled, still pawing at Cereza's stomach, her face now tucked into the crook of her wife's neck, inhaling the slight scent perfume that lingered on her skin. "Soon, we'll finally have the family we've longed for all these months."
"Soon." Cereza repeated, craning her head to meet her wife's lips. Soon. She thought contentedly.
♡
Cereza exhaled ragged breaths, her exhausted body dripping with sweat. Out of all the pains in the world, this had to be the worst, or one of the worst. Even getting stabbed in the heart was less painful...
Cereza doubts she could've ever made it through without Jeanne being stuck at her left, holding her hand, comforting her throughout the whole ordeal.
It was excruciating, of course, but so, so worth it. It took all of her might to crack a smile-- her body was still alight with adrenaline, and a dull ache rattled her bones-- but when she finally laid her eyes on her baby... she found that her smile wasn't so forced anymore.
Viola--the name her, and Jeanne had decided weeks prior-- was finally here. The little light that had entered their lives unexpectedly, like the crack of dawn peeking in through loosely closed blinds.
...Like her mothers, it seems she adores making a dramatic entrance. Her loud wailing breaking the few seconds of peace, and silence they once shared; Cereza didn't find the strength to be annoyed by her whining, she was here, and she was strong enough to release her terrifying battle cry-- that's all that matters to her.
"I love you so much." Cereza turned to face Jeanne with a perked up brow, and as much of a smirk as she could muster, an unspoken way of questioning "where'd this come from?"
"I can't believe you just... Oh my God Cereza, you just had our child I-- by lord Sheba-- I love you so much." Jeanne mumbled, slender fingers pulling Cereza's bangs away from her sweaty forehead, her idle hand coming to intertwine her fingers in sleek, raven locks, rubbing at the witch's temple.
The older witch exhaled a hum of approval, she really did need this, didn't she?
Viola eventually did calm down, her sqeaky mouth now preoccupied with having her first feeding as a born babe, suckling contentedly with a strange peace in that destructive little face, and so they fell back into a welcomed silence.
...
"Hey, Jeanne,"
"Mmm...?"
"When will we be able to make love again?"