AN This was an English assignment but I quite liked it so I thought I'd post. As the title might suggest this concentrates on the chapters regarding The Ceremony and the build-up to it.

Rating: PG-13? R maybe?

Disclaimer: Don't own The Handmaid's Tale, Hell, don't even own a copy of The Handmaid's Tale, mine is strictly a loan.

Summary: 'And Rachel said, Give me children or else I die' A Handmaid's Tale fic. The thoughts of Offred, Serena and The Commander, before, during and after the Ceremony.

The Ceremony

'And when Rachel say that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children or else I die.

And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel; and he said, Am I in God's stead who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?

And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.'

-Genesis, 30:1-3

Before

The Commander

What will she think of me?

I know I shouldn't be thinking like this but it's inevitable. I have to perform my best for fertilization but what will Serena think if I try too hard?

The waiting is almost over, I can't let feelings become involved. I need to be professional, although I am becoming used to the ceremony it becomes no easier.

Am I such the man I think? Why do I continue with these ceremonies when I have my own doubts about my fertility? It hasn't worked before why would it now?

I begin my walk to the room, it seems endless.

Serena

I feel tense. Like someone waiting to be executed. The time drags and drags.

She's enjoying this, knowing she has something over me. Knowing she can give him something I cannot. I'll make sure she doesn't enjoy it.

How can he do this to me, I'm his wife. "Give me children or else I die". I'm starting to think I'd rather die.

Offred

Waiting, that's always the worst part. The anticipation that comes with knowing that he'll be here soon, that it will be happening soon. But then again it will be over soon too.

It's just a couple of times a month. I can remember that when I first found out what I was going to be doing I thought it was every night or something close to it, all the better chances right? Well I was a fool. The government that was so careful with its resources would never waste them and use them so liberally. And that's all we are, resources, if invaluable ones.

The door's opening, I think it's him, of course it's him who else is it going to be?

I'm not going to look at him, I can't if I do I'll run and that will be it.

You would have thought I'd be used ot this by now, I'm not though and if something doesn't happen soon I'm not goignt o get the chance to get used to it.

Odd how that's a worse option that it becoming familiar but I think I'd take this over the colonies.

Give me children or else I shall die, I bet Rachel didn't mean it this way.

End Before