OUAL challenge: Maternal Devotion
Rules:In honor of mothers and Mother's Day, we're going to have a fic challenge centered around the love between mother and child :)
Rules/Instructions:Must be written in first person (using "I")Must be written through the perspective of the motherly figureThe maternal character does not have to already be a mother, can be an expectant mother or even a woman who dreams of having a child (i.e. pregnant!Ashley or Regina before Henry)The story needs to explore the love a mother has for her child in some wayStory must fit canon (that is, no alternate universe)Fic must be between 100-500 words
I did Mary Margaret right after the curse is enacted and long before it's broken...
The Strongest Love of All
Every evening I walk home by the light of the setting sun. Its early fall so a sweater is sufficient to block the cool breeze. My head is down and my eyes barely take in the shuffle of my shoes as my mind struggles to make sense of my lonely life.
My arms wrap around my middle, and I brace myself for the crushing pain. For some inexplicable reason the warmth of my flat stomach against my empty arms always fills me with the pain of a profound loss. It becomes hard to breathe and my eyes burn with tears.
The whole thing is ridiculous, but no matter how many times I do it, it still hurts. And I can never make myself not do it either. It is almost as if the pain is a necessary part of my daily routine.
Once I can breathe normally again, I finish my walk home. I warm up my frozen dinner for one, take my shower, read for a while, and then go to bed. The second I fall asleep the dream starts…
I'm in my castle. I'm tired, aching, and soaked with sweat. In my arms is the most precious of all treasures. The pain and fear are pushed aside by the wondrous joy of finally getting to hold the small, warm bundle in my arms. Time stops as I run my fingers gently over the perfect face, and gaze into the small curious eyes. I slowly count the perfect fingers and toes. I kiss her little forehead and feel the love I have for her grow impossibly larger with every passing second. It's a love I have never known before, and one I will never completely forget.
I awake with tears on my face and no memory of the dream… but the love is still there. My heart feels warm as I rise and dress for the day. My smile is genuine and my morning pleasure is enough to make me completely forget the pain of the previous evening.
There is a day coming when I will finally know the reason for my joy. I'll remember my dream and the love that sustains me through these endless days.
I'll remember that it is a mother's love. And that is the strongest love of all; Stronger than even the most powerful of curses…
And though your arms and legs are under
Love will be the echo in your
Ears when all is lost in plunder
My love will be there still
-Requiem on Water by Imperial Mammoth
End