Time seems to be moving quicker than ever. One morning Ingrid wakes up to the sound of rain outside of her window. She rolls over in bed, with her covers under her chin, and watches the rain fall. She listens as each drop falls outside. Her handmade quilt covers ninety five percent of her body. She casts her glance downward at the bedside stand. She notes the time, and sighs in relief that it is Sunday, and she doesn't have to go to work. She rolls onto her back, and pushes the covers off her body. She exhales, and looks down at the ever changing landscape also known as her body. She peers down at her stomach. Her nightshirt covers the growing belly.

Without a second thought she pulls up her shirt, and scrutinizes her abdomen. Each day it seems to grow rounder, and rounder. It's almost as if she can see it grow a little with each passing day. She rolls the hem of her shirt back into its original position, and allows the thought to be pushed from her head. She groans as she springs from the bed, and heads towards the bathroom.

She spends the next half of an hour working on her morning routine. She finds herself sentenced to ten solid minutes with her head in the toilet. She moves onto brushing her teeth, and gargling mouthwash. After her oral care routine she jumps into, and out of the shower. She brushes her wet hair, and braids it to the side, too tired to apply any more effort. She gets dressed, and heads down the stairs.

When she reaches the kitchen she realizes that she, and Joanna are the only ones home. Wendy, and Freya have already left the house. She stares at the kitchen table for a moment, and then takes a seat to the right of her mother, whom sits at the head of the table. Ingrid casts her glance downward, mainly avoiding eye contact with her mother. Her eyes shift the porcelain cup sitting on the table in front of Joanna. She stares at the half empty cup of caffeinated beverage longingly.

Joanna breaks the silence between them, "How are you feeling this morning?"

"You're really asking me that?" She cocks an eyebrow.

"Yes," Joanna nods.

"The same as always," Ingrid groans.

"I am sorry to hear that."

"I just don't understand," Ingrid admits.

"Understand what?" Joanna responds.

"How can I still feel so sick every single day? Do you know how much of a miracle it is, that I have been able to hide it for this long?"

"Yes," Joanna takes a sip of tea.

"Shouldn't my morning sickness be over by now?"

"Everyone is different."

"You keep saying that."

"Eventually you will believe me."

"I have an appointment in the morning before work, so please make sure that I'm up."

"I don't think that you have anything to worry about."

"I just feel like something is wrong. Do you think that something is wrong with her? What if I am still being punished?"

"Ingrid you have got to stop worrying so much."

"I can't help it. I just keep waiting for the other shoe to drop."

"I am sure that everything will be perfectly fine."

"And if it's not."

"Then it will be better than fine."

"You don't know that."

"Ingrid please just stop."

"I already feel huge, and I am not even halfway done. Do you think that because of the magic that…"

Joanna cuts her off, "From what I have seen I don't think that the baby's gestation has been affected by magic."

"I feel like I am twice as big as I should be. I don't know how much longer I can hide this."

"I am not entirely certain why you feel the need to hide it at all."

"People in this town are very closed minded. They would be more accepting of me announcing in the town square that I am a witch."

"I think that you have misjudged some of them."

"Witchcraft is less scandalous in this town than having a child out of wedlock. Not to mention the fact that…"

Joanna cuts her off, once again, "The only opinion that matters is yours."

"In my opinion, the thought of having a baby, and raising it on my own is scarier than being banished to Asgard."

"You turned out alright, didn't you?"

"How many tries have you had?" Ingrid responds.

"Do you want me to go with you to your appointment tomorrow?"

"Not particularly. I am an adult. I think that I can handle it on my own."

"Are you sure?"

"That I can handle it?"

"That you don't want me to go?"

"Why do you keep asking me that?"

"I just think you should have some support, that's all."

"I have to go to work right after my appointment."

"I also think that you should take the day off."

"Take the day off? Don't be ridiculous."

"You haven't been to the doctor since your first appointment, because you keep cancelling your appointments."

"I can't cancel this time, or I'll be dropped as a patient."

"You could always have a home birth," Joanna suggests.

"As appealing as giving birth on the dining room table sounds, I think that I will have to pass."

"Let me go with you tomorrow."

"No."

"Are you hungry?"

"Why do you have to ask me that every morning?"

"Eventually you will say yes."

"Everything makes me sick."

"I know."

"And nothing tastes good," she adds as she rises from the table.

"Where are you going?"

"I am just going to take a walk to clear my head."

Joanna watches her as she leaves the room. She hears the door close, and then footsteps moving towards her. She looks up, and finds her sister sliding into the seat next to her.

"Jo, you should have told her."

"How long were you listening?"

"I came in the back door as she was coming into the kitchen."

"So, the entire time?"

"She is going to be pissed at you tomorrow."

"Could you do me a favor?"

"Don't change the subject," Wendy glares.

"I'm not. I need you to convince Ingrid to let you go with her tomorrow."

"What would even possess you to think that I would want to go?"