Love Letters Chapter Four

A New Addition

Author's Note-I've never given birth myself, so forgive any errors.

Katarina watched in concern as her momma sat on the couch and placed her hand against her swollen stomach, gasping sharply. "Oooh, little one, I'm about ready for your brother or sister to be born-and oooof- so is this wee one," she said, gently caressing her stomach. Katarina came forward, and stared at her momma's stomach, speaking in what she fancied was a stern voice.

"Now you stop making our momma wait. You need to get borned, baby. Right, Momma?"

Alannah laughed quietly, and then gasped in alarm. "I think the baby is going to be born really soon." She looked at Katarina, a serious expression on her face. "Listen to me, Katarina. I'm going to give you a very important task, and I want you to promise me that you will do exactly what I tell you."

Katarina nodded. "I promise, Momma. What do you want me to do?"

Alannah smiled. "Go to the stables and get your Daddy, then go straight to the palace and tell Mirana that I'm..." she gasped sharply as a contraction hit her… "About to give birth."

Katarina's eyes widened in shock. "The baby is about to be borned?"

Alannah gasped sharply. "Yes, now do what I asked. Hurry!"

Katarina nodded, and then ran out of the cottage. Alannah sat back against the couch, and clenched her teeth. 'You'd think I'd be used to this after giving birth once already.'

Stayne was giving Grey Star his daily brushing down when he noticed Katarina pelting towards him. She skid to a halt in front of him, and looked up, excited. "Daddy, the baby is getting ready to be borned!"

Stayne goggled at her, his brain frozen. "Uhhh…" He shook himself, and grinned widely. "That's wonderful! Is your Momma alright?"

Katrina nodded, breathless. "Yes. She told me to fetch you, and then go get Aunt Mirana. So you had better go back home and tell Momma that I fetched you."

Stayne laughed, and then saluted. "Yes Ma'am."

Katarina giggled, and saluted back. Stayne picked her up, and kissed her. "Now, be quick about fetching Mirana." He set her down, and watched as she ran towards the palace, her black hair flying out behind her. He grinned, and then ran as quickly as he could to the cottage.

Katarina ran to the palace, and knocked loudly on the door, running inside as soon as it was opened. The servant who had answered it glared at her. "Here, now! What's a ragamuffin child like you doing in here?"

Katarina glared right back. "I'm not a ragamuffin! I came to get Aunt Mirana! Could you tell me where she is, please?"

The servant gaped at her. "What business does a dirty imp like you have with Her Majesty?"

Katarina stamped her foot in a temper. "That's none of your business! Tell me where she is!"

The servant shook his head, and then grasped her elbow. "No, you probably came in here to steal something. Out you go."

Katarina struggled. "I DID NOT!!"

"What is going on here?"

The servant turned and smiled indulgently at the person who had just entered. "Nothing for you to concern yourself with, Lady Alice. This little brat came in here with a story about wanting to see Her Majesty, and it's clear she's nothing but a thief and a liar."

Katarina wailed. "I AM NOT!!"

Alice glared at him. "Bruce, let her go right this moment. This thief and liar, as you so wrongly call her, happens to be the daughter of Captain Stayne. If she needs to see Mirana, then she is allowed."

Bruce paled, and then released Katarina, who glared at him before running over to Alice, who picked her up. "Now, what did you need to see Mirana about, little one?"

"The baby is about to be borned, Aunt Alice!" Katarina said in excitement. Alice grinned at her. "Mirana is in the kitchens. Why don't we go and fetch her together?"

She turned her attention to Bruce. "I do believe you owe Katarina an apology. However, time is of the essence, so we'll consider it made." She turned and walked out of the hall.

Alannah was lying on the couch, eyes closed against another contraction. She heard footsteps coming towards her, and smiled softly. "Katarina fetched you quickly, love."

Stayne knelt in front of her. "How did you know it was me?"

Alannah opened one eye, and smiled. "I recognize your footsteps."

Stayne grinned, and then kissed her. "Well, I'm here now. Katarina went to get Mirana. Do you want me to take you to bed?" At Alannah's glare, he smirked. "That wasn't what I meant, my beauty."

Alannah sighed. "I know, and yes-I would like to get in bed. It's probably a lot more comfortable than this couch."

Stayne gently helped her to her feet, and then escorted her into the bedroom, placing her gently on it. He placed every pillow on the bed under her, propping her up. "Comfortable, love?"

Alannah grimaced. "As soon as this child is out of me, I'll be comfortable!"

Stayne, hearing the sound of footsteps, turned. He smiled and turned back to Alannah. "Well, Mirana just arrived with an escort."

Katarina ran into the bedroom, eyes glowing with excitement. "Am I about to be a big sister, Momma?"

Alannah nodded, sweat running down her face. Mirana came forward, and handed her a small vial filled with a green liquid. "Drink that down. It will help lessen the pain."

Alannah took it, and gulped it down. She grimaced. "That's awful!"

Mirana laughed. "You know that not every potion made has a pleasant taste. But it's quite effective. Now, let's see what we can do about getting this baby born."

Stayne started to leave, only to be stopped by Alannah clutching his hand in a death grip. "Ilosivic, if you leave this room you are sleeping on the couch until Katarina is twenty!"

He grinned, and then looked at Mirana. "Majesty, my wife would like me to stay. Do you have any objections?"

Mirana laughed. "None at all."

Stayne smiled, and then climbed into bed. He gently shifted Alannah so that he could support her from behind. She sighed, and leaned into him. Stayne gently gripped her arms. "Ready, love?"

Alannah nodded, and then looked at Mirana, who checked her quickly. "You're all ready, Alannah. When I tell you, I want you to push. Ilosivic, you just keep her calm."

Stayne nodded. "I'll do my best."

Alannah looked at Mirana, a pleading expression in her gaze. "Can…I….push…yet?"

Mirana nodded. "Yes."

Alannah gritted her teeth, and then bore down, gasping in pain. Stayne gently stroked her arms, speaking in a calm tone. "You're doing fine, love. I'm here."

Alannah panted, then screamed and clutched Stayne's hand in a crushing grip as she continued to push. She suddenly stopped, panting. "I…can't…"

Mirana grinned. "Just one more, Alannah. You're nearly there."

Alannah shut her eyes, drawing on her last vestige of strength as she pushed with all her might. The silence of the cottage was pierced by the loud wail of a newborn, and she fell back against Stayne's chest, panting in exertion and happiness. "Is it a boy or girl?"

Mirana gently cleaned off the infant with a cloth. "It's a boy, Alannah, a fine healthy boy."

Alannah smiled, and then reached for him. Mirana came forward and gently placed him in Alannah's arms. She cooed happily at him. "Hello, I'm your Momma. That handsome man up there is your Daddy."

Katarina, who had been hanging back in the door, came forward and gazed in wonder at the tiny bundle in her momma's arms. "Baby brother, Momma?"

Alannah smiled. "That's right, little one. Baby brother."

Katarina grinned, and then gently touched the baby's face. "I'll take really good care of him. I promise."

Stayne smiled at her. "That's a very good promise, little one." He turned his attention to Alannah. "So does he have your eyes?"

Alannah shook her head. "Actually, Ilosivic, he has yours. See?" She raised the baby up a bit so Stayne could see. He smiled in joy as he saw that his son had the same deep black eyes as him. Alannah looked into his eyes, smiling. "He's going to turn a few young maiden's hearts when he grows up."

Mirana smiled. "That he is. Now, the important question. Have you thought of a name?"

Alannah nodded. "Michael." She looked at Stayne. "If that's okay with you, love."

Stayne kissed her, and then smiled down at Michael. "Welcome to the family, Michael."

Katarina climbed up onto the bed, sitting next to her Momma. She spoke to Michael in a solemn voice. "Momma and Daddy are the best momma and daddy in all of Underland, you know. They love each other lots, and they love us lots too. So you are very lucky to be in this family."

Alannah gulped, and then pulled Katarina into an embrace. "We're all very lucky, little one."

Katarina watched as her little brother gazed at their parents, and smiled.

'We're so lucky, little brother.'