Author's Note: FYI, this is the only chapter planned so far where you see Sofia at work, so if it's not your thing, just bear with me for this one bit, lol.
After the proper greetings had been made, Sofia took over the job of flipping the baby into position, freeing Lucinda to cast warding and protection spells on the home and prepare any potions Sofia might need.
"Your water has been broken for far too long, Sybil. Once he's facing the right way, we'll need to induce you." Sofia explained in a reassuring tone as she massaged the woman's ripe stomach.
"What does that mean?" The mother-to-be asked anxiously.
"It means we're going to coax him into greeting the world as soon as possible." Sofia answered, glancing over her shoulder at Lucinda.
"Juniper oil, Lucy. From what I'm feeling, we'll need it soon." She instructed, watching long enough to confirm that the witch found the ingredients in her bag and was working on it.
"I think that's done it." Sofia announced a few minutes later, placing a flat palm to Sybil's stomach and waiting silently.
"Come on, little guy. Give us a good kick." Sofia cooed gently after a few more minutes had passed. The room was absolutely silent as everyone waited for the verdict. Finally, Sofia felt a strong thump up near the woman's ribs.
"He's ready!" She called out, gesturing for Lucinda to hurry with the juniper oil before he changed his mind and flipped back. Lucinda brought it over right away, and Sofia took the container and rubbed its contents on Sybil. "Shouldn't be long, now." She stated, finding herself with nothing left to do but wait. Lily chose the perfect moment to hurry through the door with the bundle of ingredients Sofia had requested.
The sorceress used her free time to begin making the mother's potion. She was just adding the last ingredient when Sybil let out a loud moan.
"Ether, now." Sofia demanded, nodding her head in the direction of the bed without looking up from the brew. Soon, the room was quiet again, and Sofia returned to the bedside to conduct her final exam.
"Okay, when you feel the urge, go ahead and push." Sofia told Sybil, holding out her hand so the woman could squeeze it if need be. She was taken up on this offer promptly.
It only took the mom three solid pushes, a new record for Sofia's deliveries. Holding the baby in her arms, Sofia gazed down at him, tousling his thick blonde hair gently.
"You gave us all quite a scare, you know." She softly scolded the infant, presenting him to his mother.
"Thank you, Sofia." Cybil nearly whispered her gratitude.
"He's beautiful. Any idea what you're going to name him?" Sofia asked, stroking the new mom's sweaty hair.
"Simon, after his father." Sybil answered, beaming down at her son. Sofia nodded and gave the woman and baby a wide smile, then crossed the room to retrieve the cooled potion, pouring most of it into a bottle, then corking it. She brought what was left to Sybil.
"With your water broken for so long, you're at higher risk for infection. Drink this now, and repeat thrice daily for nine days." She held the brew up to the mom's lips and helped her down the potion. With the help of the two witches, she cleaned everything up, then they bid mom and baby goodbye and left them to bond.
"I thought that one was a goner!" Lucinda admitted as soon as they were outside, letting out a deep breath.
"Not with Sofia around." Lily countered, patting Sofia on the back and grinning at her.
Sofia looked up at the darkening sky. Nightfall, just like Lucy predicted. She mused to herself, contentedly listening to her friends' cheerful banter.
"Let's go get ice cream!" Sofia chimed in suddenly, surprising the witches. Lucinda tilted her head in amusement.
"Aren't you in a hurry to get home to your boyfriend?" She teased playfully, bumping the sorceress with her hip. Sofia blushed and shook her head.
"He's not my boyfriend." She pointedly reminded her longtime friend. Lucinda scoffed but didn't say any more.
"Besides, Cedric won't be home, yet." Sofia continued.
"I would love some ice cream." Lily stated, though it wasn't much of a revelation, as she was always up for the idea. The three young women made their way through town towards the enchanted treats shop, saying hello to Lucinda's mother as they entered.
"Another successful delivery, I take it?" Marla asked when she brought their orders out. They all nodded at the same time.
"It was a boy." Sofia chirped out the good news before tucking into her ice cream.
"Just like Sofia said it would be." Lucinda added with an eye roll, earning a nudge in the ribs from Lily.
"Of course it was, Sofia's scrying is always right." Lily replied, shooting a smile at Sofia, who chuckled softly.
"I can't take full credit, Master Cedric taught me how to predict the genders." She admitted, thinking of her absent best friend fondly. I wonder what he's up to right now... She pondered, getting lost in thought while she ate her dessert.
"Sofia..." Lucinda's voice tore the sorceress away from her daydreaming, the expression on her face making it clear that she'd said Sofia's name more than once.
"I'm sorry, Luce. What were you saying?" She asked sheepishly, hoping the witch wouldn't call her out on just who she'd been thinking about. Lucinda gave her a knowing smile, but repeated her words.
"I was saying that you could earn some extra coin with that skill of yours. Maybe dowsing for water or something." She explained. Lily nodded her agreement.
"I'm not in it for the money, you both know that." Sofia answered, wrinkling her nose at the idea. She delivered babies because she loved to do it. Between Cedric's retirement package and her family allowance, plus what she made as a midwife, they didn't really want for anything.
"Still, it wouldn't hurt..." Lucinda pressed, and Sofia got the distinct impression that there was more coming. "Especially if you end up having your own little mouth to feed." The formerly bad witch finished, poking Sofia in the stomach. Sofia let out a groan.
"How many times must I tell you? It's not like that." She repeated what she'd been telling the witch over and over again since she and Cedric had moved to the cottage. Nevertheless, she smiled at her friend, knowing she meant no real harm by her good-natured teasing.