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The day their daughter was born, Raine knew their life had changed forever. The snow was still falling outside and their beloved girlfriend had been thrown through hell and back, but she fought through it. Raine’s hand might have been broken in the process, but they were so proud of Eda for pushing through.
Now their daughter was here. Lydian had been a surprise to them both… when they found out about her in the first place that is. Yet even now, she had come a week earlier than expected. She was full of surprises, so Raine supposed.
Everything luckily had gone smooth, and Eda and Lydian were both fine. Althea had just left a few minutes ago, and Raine sat in the nest with Eda. She’d been holding onto Lydian rather obsessively, even when they moved her out of the nest to help Althea clean it up. Motherly instincts must have kicked in quick. For Eda, someone who mimics the behaviors of an owl itself? It made perfect sense.
Now they sat cuddled up against her, admiring their daughter.
“She’s beautiful,” Raine whispered to Eda. Lydian had just fallen back asleep in Eda’s arms. Her head had small orange tufts beginning to form. With her tanned skin she looked exactly like themself and Eda.
“She is,” Eda said back at the same volume, “I can’t believe we made her.”
“I can believe it,” Raine laid their head onto Eda’s shoulder, cuddling into her hair.
“What are you doing, love?” Eda asked, attempting to see what her partner was up to.
“Loving my two favorite people in the world,” The bard said nonchalantly.
Eda’s body shook and Raine instantly felt it. She was chuckling. It wasn’t very loud, she was too weak for a whole belly laugh.
It continued for a few moments before she finally calmed down. “Well, Rainestorm, do you want to hold your daughter?” She asked.
“I’d love to,” Raine lifted their head from Eda’s shoulder, their eyes glimmering with excitement. She readjusted herself and handed the sleeping newborn to Raine. They took her in their arms and quickly adjusted their grip to properly support her. It felt surprisingly natural, despite their broken hand.
Oh..!
Raine’s heart swelled with pride as they held her. They could feel tears pricking their eyes as Eda placed a hand on their shoulder.
“You can’t believe it either, is that it?” Eda said.
Raine burst out crying. Holy Titan, this was their daughter. Lydian was so precious. She may have been asleep, but something about how peaceful and innocent she looked made Raine’s tears continue to flow. An innocent little witchlet? In such a cruel world?
“W-Wow,” They choked out, laughing a bit at the end. Lydian’s eyes fluttered open again and Raine saw a pair of grayish blue eyes blink towards them. Eda and Raine had both been confused when her eyes opened and revealed to be neither of their eye colors, but Althea explained that it was just how newborns looked. Her eye color would develop soon enough.
Who knew, maybe she’d have Eda’s eyes. Or a familiar pair of green ones like theirs.
“Oh, well hello,” They said, “I didn’t mean to wake you up… I’m your parent.” Lydian didn’t seem to comprehend anything Raine was doing or saying, let alone really process Raine. They didn’t care though.
“You’re such a dork,” Eda teased, “Glad only one of us is gushy.”
“You were crying over her when I came back upstairs,” Raine said. Eda looked offended.
“I have hormones,” She said, rolling her eyes sarcastically.
“Well, Ms. Clawthorne,” Raine said, “If that’s what you say.”
They sat like that for a while. Lydian had ended up fussing and they realized she was hungry, so unfortunately Eda had to take her back. Raine sat wide eyed while she nursed. Poor Eda, she looked tired. They wish they could do something to maybe lift her spirits a bit, especially after… her breakdown earlier.
That’s when it came to them.
“My love, would you be bothered if I parted ways from you for a few minutes?” They asked Eda.
“I don’t mind,” She said, “Not like I can do much with her latched onto me like this.” Raine smiled seeing her laugh again. They stood up from the nest and left their bedroom.
They went downstairs and stopped by the front door, peering their eyes on the staffs placed by the front door. Both Owlbert and Fiddlestick stood, remaining in their staff forms.
“Owlbert, Fiddlestick, I think there’s someone you’ll both want to meet,” Raine said to the palismen. Owlbert was the first to fly off his staff, and Fiddlestick soon hopped on down as well. They gently barked at Raine, asking what it was. They smiled, “Our daughter has been born, I figured you two would want to see her.”
Fiddlestick exclaimed happily about the news, immediately asking Raine what her name was.
“Well, you two will just have to come see,” The mint haired witch said, “I think it will also brighten Eda’s day a bit too, she’s been really drained by today.”
Both Fiddlestick and Owlbert nodded, acknowledging what Raine was saying. They headed towards the stairs and gestured for the two palismen to follow behind.
They got to the bedroom door and cracked it open, placing their hand up for the owl and fox to stop.
“I thought seeing some familiar faces might cheer you up,” They said.
“Oh?” Eda said.
“Mhm,” They opened the door the rest of the way to reveal Owlbert and Fiddlestick behind it.
“Oh! Owlbert, Fiddlestick!” Eda’s eyes visibly watered as she used her free arm to gesture for them to come over. The palismen graciously approached and stared wide eyed at Lydian.
Raine closed the door and rejoined Eda and Lydian in the nest.
Owlbert cooed as Eda nodded at him, “Yeah, Owlbert. It’s her. She’s finally here, can you believe it?” He nodded in response.
“Fiddlestick wanted to know what we named her… if you’d like to share, hun,” Raine said, reaching a hand over to their fox palismen and scratching them underneath the chin.
“Well you two, this is Lydian,” Eda said. Lydian had finally let go and Eda was able to show her off for a quick moment. Raine stifled a laugh as they saw Fiddlestick’s tail wag as they jumped and nuzzled up against the infant. Owlbert did a similar fashion but also cuddled up to Eda as well.
Fiddlestick whined and Raine heard them excitedly ranting about how adorable they found Lydian.
“They’re crazy about her, I think,” Raine nudged Eda as she lifted Lydian to burp her.
“Titan, that makes two of you,” She gently patted Lydian’s back and a small faint gasp could be heard from her. Eda lifted the baby back down and handed her towards Raine. Gleefully, they took her back in their arms. “I’m still getting used to these small little things, who knew taking care of a baby would be so exhausting.”
Owlbert hooted something to Eda which she gasped in response to.
“Owlbert! You’re lucky you’re so damn cute,” Eda said.
“What’d he say?” Raine asked.
“I’m not telling you,” She crossed her arms.
Fiddlestick barked at Raine, which they translated. They told Raine that Owlbert had said Eda always had a motherly instinct and that she was actually a natural.
“Really? You’re embarrassed to share that?” Raine chuckled.
“Well duh,” The redhead said, “I’m not the motherly type like that.”
“Oh really? After you brought this sweet thing into the world today?” Raine gestured down at Lydian.
“I’m really tired, you know?” Eda said, changing the subject. She leaned over to lay her head on Raine’s shoulder.
“And you’re rightfully tired,” They said, “Rest up, dear. I can take care of her for now.” Eda’s eyes had closed but she smiled at them.
“Got it,” She said. Both Fiddlestick and Owlbert settled down beside them in the nest. With them all cuddled up together, Raine got a feel of everything that had happened. They were a parent now. Lydian, their daughter, had been born.
And now, with their family… they were able to open their heart for one more person. Their daughter.