"But when is it going to really start to happen?"
"Oh honey, if I could tell you I would but I honestly don't know."
It was nearing 11PM and Imogen had been in labour for about seven hours. Well, as Dr Ravenscroft had described it, slow labour. Her waters had broken but not fully and her contractions were still some time apart. The advice from the medi-witch was to hold tight. The baby was definitely on her way but if things hadn't progressed in forty eight hours some help may be required.
After the doctor's visit Imogen had decided the best thing to do was carry on as normal. The contractions were more like dull pains that came and went, she'd had worse period pains in the past and she was actually feeling a lot better than she had earlier that day. In fact, she felt well enough to have dinner with the family.
She was still laughing as she remembered the look on the students faces as she walked to Tom and Amelia's rooms where they were eating.
"But Miss we thought the baby was coming." The second years were especially disappointed to see their teacher strolling past.
"She is, we're just on the way to get some towels and hot water." She sniggered at the gasp. "I'm joking, don't worry, Miss Cackle will tell you when the baby gets here." The girls were still looking shocked when Constance shooed everyone back to their rooms.
After dinner with Tom, Amelia, Jamie and Stephen who had arrived that evening they chatted for a while before going back upstairs to get Ava and Abby ready for bed. Ava had already gone down but Abby had questions to be answered.
"Do I have to go to school tomorrow?"
Constance and Imogen shared a look, they had known this was coming. They also knew that even if the next stage of labour hadn't started it would be next to impossible to get Abby to leave.
"You may stay home tomorrow dear but Granddad will be going to collect any work that you need to do and we expect that you do it."
Abby sighed with relief. "I will, I promise. And I can look after Ava too. I know there's nothing to be scared of but she won't know that."
"She will if you're with her. Now, it's time for you to go to bed, tomorrow could be a long day. We'll wake you if things start to happen." Constance knew how excited their daughter was but also how anxious because it was exactly how she felt.
"Well, I was going to ask. Can I sleep in Ava's room tonight? There's a bed in there now and I want to be close in case she needs me."
Imogen stroked Abby's hair. Currently she was sat on the armchair as the pyjama clad eleven year old cuddled against her. "I think that would be very nice. You'll be close to us too which makes me feel better. Right, let's get you settled and then I think I'm going to try and get some sleep myself."
Once Abby had been tucked into her temporary bed and they had kissed Ava who was in her cot, Imogen did in fact go to sleep. Constance lay awake watching over her for a while, hoping that things would start to progress quickly and the baby, like her older sister would come without any medical intervention.
Just before five Imogen shook her awake
"Darling?"
"Shhh, don't worry. My cramps are getting a bit stronger and my back aches so I'm going to get up and walk around a bit. You stay here."
There was no way that was happening and Constance immediately rose, put on her dressing gown and slippers before escorting her wife as they walked around the quiet school.
"Is it happening?"
Davina ran out of the staffroom causing the couple to jump with fright.
"Well a scare like that may have brought it on a bit. Do you ever go to bed?" Imogen couldn't help laughing as she saw how their friend's hair was sticking up in every direction.
"I'm waiting for Elizabeth, she's coming back early this morning. I had a little sleep in the cupboard and I'm completely ready for the day. It's just so exciting."
"It is. We're going to keep walking for a while. See you later."
They walked for another twenty minutes before going back upstairs where Constance ran a bath. She made sure that the water was just right as well as the temperature in their rooms. It was the tenth of February, unsurprisingly cold but she didn't want Imogen to feel any unnecessary discomfort.
The bath helped with the cramps and by the time their daughters were up Imogen was dressed in loose loungewear and eating breakfast at the table. Shortly after ten as Abby was getting on with her schoolwork with the help of Elizabeth, Dr Ravenscroft arrived back to check on the patient.
"Well, you're more dilated, still only two centimetres but that can change very quickly. Keep an eye on your contractions, they're nine minutes now. As soon as they go to five call me and I'll be here straight away."
It was a morning and afternoon that everyone would later declare the longest ever. Amelia, Jamie, Gabrielle and Davina tried to teach the girls but they were all as distracted as the students. Tom wasn't sure what to do with himself and rotated between looking after the puppies and checking on his daughter. Eventually Stephen dragged him off for a walk, reasoning that they wouldn't be gone far and could be easily contacted if things started to happen.
"Should I be more worried?" Imogen asked as she lay back having her scalp stroked.
"What good would it do? You're doing wonderfully. I know the contractions aren't very nice and goodness knows you've had to put up with them for almost twenty four hours now, but you're doing so well. I don't think we'll be waiting long for things to get moving."
In fact she was right. A little over two hours later things changed rapidly. The contractions went to five minutes apart very quickly and Dr Ravenscroft was back with them just after 8PM.
"This is it." Abby gave her Mummy a teary smile. It wasn't that she had cared any less when Constance had been in labour with Ava but this was the person who had been a staple through her entire life and she was a little bit scared.
"This is it honey. I love you and I know you'll look after Ava. Mama will come and get you, just like I did when Ava was born. The next time you see me your new sister will be in my arms."
The pain was getting much worse now and Imogen was doing her very best not to let it show on her face, Abby was worried because she knew what was happening and Ava, with her empathic abilities, was just aware that there was a mixed atmosphere in the room.
"Poppet, I'm going to be fine, Mama will look after me while you and Abby look after each other. No tears okay? You'll see me in a couple of hours and I promise your life is about to get even better."
Ava blinked and nodded slowly, "No cries."
"We love you." After kisses for their mothers Abby took a still bewildered Ava by the hand and followed Tom out of the room to begin the wait.
"Are you ready for some pain relief?"
"Oh, yes please."
As the tenth crossed into the eleventh of February, Imogen was still pushing. Despite her resistance the pain relief had been increased twice at Constance's insistence. It may have been an easier pregnancy but this was proving to be a much tougher labour and delivery.
"But I don't want to be groggy and stuck in bed when she's born."
"Darling, the main thing is that you can carry on. You've been pushing for over five hours now . The pain relief will help. And as for being stuck in bed, its cold and miserable outside, where else would you want to be except in bed with me and our daughters? Take the potion and then when she's here the two of you can have a lovely little sleep together. Please Imogen, I can't stand seeing you in pain."
It was true, Constance knew how brave her wife was being but she could see the agony on her face as the night continued. Imogen was now kneeling on the bed which was proving to be the most comfortable position for her as sitting was causing agonising backache.
At the nod Dr Ravenscroft administered the next dose of potion. "Not long to go now Imogen, you're doing so well. The head is showing so I want you to hold off, then on my instruction you can start to push again."
"Sweetheart?" Imogen turned to focus on Constance who was knelt in front, taking the weight as she leant on her shoulders.
"I'm here and in just a little while our little girl will be too. Look at me, let me help, I love you."
Ten minutes later the tension that had been in the room for hours was relieved by a loud cry.
"Oh, hello little one. We're so happy to see you." An emotional Constance took the screaming baby and tried to take in as much about her as possible.
"Is she okay?" Imogen was eager to see her daughter but right now she was too exhausted to focus. She was vaguely aware of Dr Ravenscroft helping her get more comfortable.
"Yes. Meet your Mummy little girl, she's been looking after you for all these months."
Imogen felt very spaced out as their child was placed on her chest. For some reason she had expected a baby who looked exactly like Ava but this was not the case. "Hello my Sweetpea. She's so beautiful, so small."
Dr Ravenscroft smiled kindly, "Remember Ava had a little extra time to get ready for the world where as this little girl was born right on time, in fact on her due date I believe. She looks fine to me but I'll weigh her in a minute. For now you keep her warm and then we'll get ready for the final stage."
With Constance holding her from behind Imogen sat up slightly and allowed herself to really look at their beautiful baby girl. She was curled up in the foetal position and although she had stopped crying her eyes were firmly closed initially. When she opened them both her parents gasped in surprise causing Dr Ravenscroft to come over for a closer look.
"Well now, I don't think they'll be changing anytime soon, she's got your brown eyes Constance. I'm going to weigh her and then we'll get her cleaned up. Does she have a name?"
"She does, do you need it now?"
"Oh no, I'm guessing a certain big sister will be announcing it again, I can wait to fill in my records."
A couple of minutes later the baby had been declared as being 5 pounds four ounces and perfectly healthy. She'd had another little cry as her Mama washed her but calmed down as soon as she was wrapped up then placed back on her mother's chest.
"Imogen, I want you to try feeding her. It can help bring on the next stage."
It was thirty minutes since Baby Drill had arrived and the doctor was concerned that the afterbirth was taking too long to deliver.
They tried for a couple of minutes but the baby started to fuss and wouldn't latch on.
"Alright, she doesn't seem to be very hungry. That's okay. I'm going to give you an injection and massage your stomach to help things along. Constance you take the baby, open your top, she needs your body heat. The sooner we get started the better.
Imogen was barely aware of the injection. She focused all her attention on Constance and the baby.
"I love seeing you holding our baby Sweetheart. I've been dreaming of this."
Constance was just about to respond when she noticed to her horror the amount of blood that had appeared on the sheets. She felt her face go white and her legs start to shake.
"Sweetheart, what is it?" Imogen could feel nothing apart from that spacey sensation that still hadn't gone away.
"Nothing Darling, you just let the doctor do her job and then it will almost be time to tell everyone the news."
It was hard not to panic but Constance couldn't let Imogen see how worried she was. Instead she sat at the top of the bed, with their baby close to her chest and Imogen's hand on her lap.
After ten minutes where Constance whispered reassurances while simultaneously counting every second. Dr Ravenscroft looked up with a relieved expression her face.
"The placenta is delivered. I'll convert it into your recovery potion in a moment. Imogen, you started to lose a bit of blood but I've stopped it. It can happen when the placenta takes a while to come out. I'm going to use some magic to clean up the bed and get you freshened up for now. I'm also going to be insisting on bed rest for a couple of days after this. No arguments."
"No, none from me. I don't care as long as the she's okay." Imogen was still exhausted but did feel better as she found herself in clean nightclothes and fresh sheets.
"As long as you're both okay you mean. Darling, please don't worry me like that again."
"Shh, I'm going to be fine. Lie with me for a second. Let our little girl have a moment with us both. I can't stop looking at her, you were right she's beautiful, having your eyes make her even more so."
Constance moved closer, still holding Imogen who had the baby on her chest again with a blanket covering them both. "I'm not going to lie, it feels very special. We could tell from the pictures that my mother had brown eyes as well so just like Ava this tiny miracle is carrying on a part of the women who made us, allowing them to live on. She is exquisite, so tiny but perfectly formed."
"Yes and Sweetheart, I know they're looking out for us all, even though they can't be with us. I can't explain it but somehow being pregnant made me realise that even more."
"I know they are Darling, wherever they may be."
They both stared at their daughter for a few moments
"Is she asleep?"
Constance looked down. "She's getting there. Why don't you have a little nap? I'm going to get changed and tidy up a bit and then when you feel ready I'll get the girls."
Within minutes both her loves were fast asleep together.
"Will she really be alright? I've never seen her look so pale." Constance whispered as she reluctantly got up from the bed.
"I know you were frightened, any haemorrhage is scary but it's been dealt with through magic and standard medicine. She will need rest over the coming days but I'm sure you won't be letting her overstretch herself. Why don't you have a shower, you've had a tough day as well. I'll clean up here and start my paperwork. Then I'm going to leave you with your family and I'll come back tomorrow, well later today to check on her."
Although she could have used a spell to clean herself, Constance knew that water was the only thing for her now. It not only woke up her up and got rid of the grimy feeling, the time in the shower also allowed her to gather her thoughts.
"She's fine, they're both fine. I can't dwell on what-ifs, not when we have this wonderful new person to focus on."
After giving herself a bit of a talking to she dried off, tied her hair back loosely and dressed in fresh clothes, ready to go make the announcement. She emerged from the bathroom to find Imogen awake again and staring at the baby in her arms.
"I thought you were sleeping?"
"I was but only for a few minutes, That potion seems to have given me a second wind and I'm glad. I don't want to miss these first moments and i don't want the girls to miss them either. Please can we get them? I know they'll be worried, everyone will be, it's been so long since they heard from us. Let everyone meet her and then we can go to sleep together for a while. Please Sweetheart?"
Constance leaned down to kiss them both. "Of course, I'm so excited to tell them. Let me dress her and I'll fetch them."
The confidence she had gained from Ava meant that Constance was far less nervous as she dressed this baby. That didn't mean she was any less in awe as she closed the buttons on the brand new white babygro and handed their daughter back to Imogen.
"I'll be back in a couple of moments and then I'll make you some more toast."
Imogen laughed, "You read my mind. Hurry up, I want the five of us to be together."
It was pointless checking their bedrooms, she knew Tom and Amelia would have kept the girls, so Constance made her way downstairs where she found the light on in the staffroom. After a deep breath she opened it to find what looked like almost everyone they knew waiting.
'Mama, Mama." Ava ran straight into her arms followed by Abby who looked frantic.
"Well?"
"Your beautiful sister arrived just after three this morning."
"But it's nearly eight now, what took you so long to get us? Are they okay?"
Constance sat on the couch and took the glass of water Tom offered her. While answering Abby's question she also addressed everyone in the room.
"They are fine, I promise. It wasn't an easy labour and Mummy lost some blood." She heard Amelia gasp. "Please don't worry, she's alright but she is rather pale, more than me for once, she'll be on bed rest for a couple of days. She is awake though and very excited for two girls to meet their sister so shall we go?"
"Yeah, Mummy?" Ava grinned as everyone else in the room laughed.
"Yes, Mummy and someone else who you are going to be best friends with for the rest of your life. The rest of you can start to come up in a while, we just want a bit of time with the girls if that's alright."
"Oh we've already worked it out. Tom and Amelia next, then Stephen, Sarah and Jamie, me, Elizabeth and Gabrielle and then you can rest."
"Thank you Davina. Come on girls, let's see Mummy."
Abby picked up the card she had been working on and rapidly exited the room.
"Did you get any sleep?" Constance asked as they walked up the stairs.
"A bit. Granddad didn't, he was pacing around and watching the puppies so Granny slept with us. Ava started to stir at around five so we brought her downstairs and she had another little sleep with Davina on the couch. I was so worried but it was nice being there with everyone. We played snakes and ladders and told stories to pass the time. Is Mummy really okay?"
"Why don't you see for yourself." Constance opened the door, not being able to wait a moment longer to introduce the newest member of the family.
'Here's my girls. Look who's come to see you Sweetpea?" Imogen was fully propped up against the pillows, thrilled that this moment had finally come.
"Hiya." Ava ran to the edge of the bed then stopped before being lifted up by her Mama. "Ahhh, baby."
"Yes, the new baby we told you all about poppet. I've missed you both so much." Imogen leaned over and kissed Ava on the lips before focusing on Abby. "Honey?"
Abby walked more slowly towards her mothers and sisters. "I can't believe she's finally here."
Constance held her hand out. "Come meet her properly dear, I know she's been waiting to meet you."
"Hi. I'm Abby and this is Ava, we're your sisters and we're going to love and look after you forever." She sat on the bed and peered at the baby who was staring up at her. "Oooh, brown eyes like Mama. That's so cool. What colour hair does she have, I can't see with the hat?"
Both her mothers laughed and Constance removed the little cap. "We'll have to wait to find that out, right now she doesn't have any."
It was true. Unlike Ava who had been born with a full head of hair, this baby Drill was completely bald.
"Well, she has Mama's eyes and lips but your nose again Mummy. She's so cute. Can I hold her please? I've been dying to do this since August."
"Of course. She'd love a cuddle with her big sister wouldn't you Sweetpea?"
Ava snuggled up to Abby's other side and watched what was happening. She was too young to take a lot of it in but both Constance and Imogen watched in delight as she reached over and gently stroked her little sister's arm.
"We're both big sisters now Ava. Remember what we talked about last night? You're my helper and what are we going to be?"
"Friends."
"And what are we going to have?"
"Fun, fun, fun."
At that moment there was a gentle knock on the door and Dr Ravenscroft who had exited when Constance came back stuck her head in.
"I'll leave you to it. I'll be back later this afternoon but call me if you need anything. By the way, there's some eager grandparents hovering here, shall I send them in?"
"Please do. And thank you, we couldn't have done it without you."
With a wave the doctor left the room to be replaced by Tom and Amelia.
"Pumpkin, you're okay?" Tom couldn't believe how pale his daughter was as she sat eating the toast that had magically appeared on the bedside table.
"I will be fine Dad, Please don't worry, there's much to be happy about, you've got another granddaughter to spoil."
This time it was Amelia who held the tiny baby first while an emotional Tom looked on.
"Hello my dear, aren't you a pretty one? I'm your Granny and this is your Granddad and we are very pleased to meet you."
She passed the baby to Tom who sat in the armchair as he took in the newest member of the Drill family.
"There's that nose again. She is marvellous. I'm so proud of you both. Of all of you."
Abby cleared her throat. "Don't you want to know her name before everyone else arrives?" She had kept this secret for six months and was bursting to hell.
"Of course we do princess. We've been waiting for you to tell us."
"Her name is Zara Florence Drill."
"Oh, that is beautiful. Zara. It suits her." Amelia looked down at her granddaughter and smiled.
Abby gave her grandparents a sneaky look. "I told you both it didn't begin with an 'A'. They've been trying to guess for the past couple of months but I wouldn't tell them because I wanted them to have this moment."
"And it was entirely worth it."
After a few minutes with the new arrival the room started to fill up with the others.
"Congratulations sis. I'm so glad I'm here to meet her on her first day on earth." Stephen had been thrilled to hold his new niece having been instructed on what to do by baby expert Abby.
Jamie passed the baby over to Sarah before kissing both his friends. "I could not be more happy for you. You make perfect babies. And I love her name. Abby, Ava and Zara, sounds good."
Constance beamed at him, pleased that the name she had chosen was being so well received. "We think so."
"Its lovely. A perfect little witches name." Davina watched as Elizabeth held the baby before taking her own turn.
"Right, everyone let's leave Constance and Imogen get some sleep." Amelia was in full on headmistress mode as she shepherd them from the room. "We can see Zara again later. Remember, no magic around her for the next few days. I shall tell the students the news after I've had a few hours sleep myself. Abby, are you and Ava coming with us?"
Imogen answered on her daughters' behalf. "We'll keep them with us. We'll see you all later on, you'll have to come to me though."
"Sleep well pumpkin. Sleep well all of you." Tom kissed each of his girls before closing the door.
"Will we see if she'll have another little feed? She looks like she might latch on again, that will help bring your milk in properly." After her initial refusal Zara had fed enough for Dr Ravenscroft to be satisfied. She was also well aware that Constance knew what she was doing when it came to breastfeeding.
"Ouch" Imogen grimaced causing Abby and Ava to look at her in concern. "I'm okay, it's just a little uncomfortable, don't worry Mama will help me. Honey, why don't you put that lovely card on the bedside table, thank you again, it's perfect. Then you and Ava can get under the covers."
The feeding lasted for a few minutes before Imogen kissed the sleepy head and passed Zara to her Mama. "Sleep tight sweetpea. We're so glad you're here and I'm very happy to share you with Mama and your sisters. You've already made our little family even better."
"Sweet dreams Zara, love you. We'll have more cuddles later." Abby and Ava also dropped kisses on the little forehead before she was taken from the bed.
"Now little one. you'll have more milk later but for now I'm going to put you down in your basket. I'm sure you'll be joining your sisters in our bed very soon though. I love you and I'm so honoured to be your Mama. " Constance swaddled the baby, kissed her, then placed her in the Moses basket. "Abby, are you…"
"Too late sweetheart. They're both out for the count." Imogen smiled at the sight of Abby and Ava who were curled up together on her right hand side. "Now you get in here, I really need a cuddle."
Within seconds she had her wish and was lying with her head tucked under Constance's chin as she played with the long hair.
"How are you feeling Darling?"
"Im not very sore, that potion is miraculous, but I still feel a bit out of things. Were you very worried?"
"I was. I hated seeing you in that pain, not that I didn't think you were strong enough to deal with it of course. You were so brave."
Imogen snuggled closer. "That's because I had you with me. And the end result was entirely worth it even if she's already keeping us on our toes. After all these months Zara's really here and part of our family. I feel like our lives have changed completely yet again but I still couldn't be happier. " She yawned. "Sorry, I guess I am tired."
"Go to sleep Darling, I'll be right here with you. I love you, I love the four of you more than I can ever tell you."
"We love you too baby. Thank you for making my life so wonderful." Imogen dropped off with a smile, safe in her wife's arms with their daughters close by just as they should be.
Constance took last look at the Moses basket and grinned with excitement. February 11th would never be just a day on the calendar for them ever again. Imogen was right, Zara had already made her presence known and intuition told her Mama that that things would never be dull with this little girl around.
"Our lives just keep expanding and I wouldn't change a thing."
As always a massive thanks to those of you have stayed with me and read/ reviewed this one. I still have ideas for this world and don't feel like I'm finished yet, maybe I never will be, who knows? A couple of things coming up in this Universe, I'm planning on jumping ahead just under two years for a family story to go up around Christmas.
In the meantime I'd like to do a Davina/ Elizabeth one shot and maybe something that shows Abby getting older so expect a focus on her as well as what happened next to the Cackle's girls. There may be some one shots on Tumblr as well (Dreamsinlilac there too) any of these will be tagged with "A Life Series" (there are some there already).
Any ideas, suggestions, things you would like to see involving Constance, Imogen or any of their family, my PM/ Ask box is always open. Thanks for letting me get my ideas out there :)
