A/N: Behold, I present to you the next chapter! Please feel free to let me know what you think of this story, I love hearing your feedback. Enjoy and as always, I do not own The Legend of Zelda.

*WARNING: There is some mildly graphic content in this chapter so please heed the teen rating.*

~Moon White Rose

Chapter 41

It would be any day now; having carried two children before, Ivy knew the signs and was certain she would be holding her third child by the end of the week. The twenty-seven year old woman rubbed her rounded belly and smiled softly as she felt her child moving around. "Soon, little one, soon; Daddy, your two big brothers, and I can't wait to meet you."

"And don't forget about us." Malon smiled as she sat beside her daughter. "I can't wait to see my newest grandchild, and you know your father can't stop smiling. We are so proud of you, Ivy." Hearing the reassuring words were exactly what Ivy needed right now. Even though she had given birth twice before, she was still nervous about the upcoming delivery.

She couldn't put her finger on it, but something felt different about this pregnancy. It didn't feel different in the fact that it had been any harder or easier than her first two pregnancies, it just felt…off. Most likely she was just being paranoid, or perhaps she was simply tired. In any case, she wasn't going to be at true peace until the delivery was over and she had her baby in her arms. Malon sensed that something was bothering her daughter and she was instantly concerned. "Ivy? Is something wrong? Are you feeling pain? Contractions?"

"No, not yet; I mean I have been in some level of pain and discomfort for a while now, and maybe I had some light contractions earlier, but I'm not sure. I just…I don't know, mother. I feel wrong, like something is looming over me. I'm not sick and I can feel the baby moving now and then, but I just don't have any peace of mind. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, or the fact that the baby hasn't moved as much as Alex and Ben did when I was pregnant with them, or that I am nervous about having three little kids to take care for on top of the farm work…I don't know."

As Ivy had spoken, Malon had gotten them both cups of tea. She handed a cup to Ivy before sitting across from her. She placed her hand on her daughter's and squeezed it softly. "Ivy, honey, it's okay to not know things, and feeling nervous during pregnancy is normal. No matter how many times you have children, each pregnancy is its own unique experience. I was scared and had similar feelings when I was pregnant with Marc and Rose, so I honestly wouldn't worry too much about it, honey. You'll have plenty of help when it's time to deliver and before you know it, you'll be holding your new little boy or girl."

"I guess you're right, mother." Ivy sipped her tea and it helped in calming her down. Talking with her mother was just what she needed to clear her head. She definitely felt better and a smile broke out on her face when she felt a fluttering nudge on her stomach. "Someone's finally moving," she whispered, caressing her large womb. "This little one certainly doesn't move much, but then again, Ben didn't move too much either; at least not like Alex. That boy kept me up all night, every night!"

Both women burst out laughing and that was how then men found them when they came in a minute later. "And what are you two laughing at?" Conner asked. He kissed his wife deeply, then knelt down and placed a kiss on her stomach. "And how is my little one? I feel them moving," he said. "I'm anxious to meet them and hold them, though I'm not looking forward to all the sleepless nights we have in our future."

"That's what we were somewhat laughing about," Ivy said as her father and Conner joined her and Malon at the table. "I was saying to my mom that Alex's kicking kept me up every night, whereas this little one hardly moves, at least it feels like they don't move much. Maybe they do move around, but are just gentle about it."

"Then maybe it's a girl." Link smiled smugly. "I would love a granddaughter to pamper and spoil rotten." Malon nodded in agreement and Ivy was inclined to agree. She loved her boys dearly and was thankful for them every day…but a girl would be nice. She knew Conner wanted a little princess too and she hoped with all her heart that this child would be a girl. "Of course I'll be happy with another grandson too; the baby's health is the most important thing." Link gazed at his daughter with nothing but love in his eyes. "And you as well, Ivy. Your health is also important and I'm hoping this will be a smooth, easy birth for you both."

"Thanks, Daddy. I hope so too, but we will just have to wait and see…though I suspect we won't be waiting much longer."

Ivy couldn't take much more of this; the contractions had started and they were getting closer together. To say she was was restless and couldn't sit still for more than five minutes was a severe understatement. "You need to try and relax." Malon and Link were outside overseeing Alex and Ben as they played, so it was just her and Conner inside the house. He gripped her shoulders to cease her pacing and stared her down. "Seriously, Ivy, you're stressing out and it's worrying me. Please go sit down."

She pulled out of his grip and crossed her arms, fixing him with an angry pout. If she had more energy, she would beat him half to death for his comments. "Conner, I know you love me, and I do love you, but right now I want to kill you. You know nothing of what I'm going through or feeling, so until you give birth, keep your opinions to yourself!" He was mildly surprised by her outburst, but soon started laughing. "I'm serious!"

"I know you are honey, and if I could trade places with you I would. I'm sorry; you're right and I know absolutely nothing about what it feels like to be in your position, but try to see it from my angle, please. You're clearly in distress, and I hate seeing you that way, and I hate that I can't do anything to ease your pain and anxiety." His words deflated her anger and Ivy stared shamefully at the floor. "Honey, how about I get you something to eat?"

"Thank-you Conner, that sounds great." He headed to the kitchen as she waddled over to the table. She tried to ease down into the chair, but she settled into it somewhat hard…and it was like a dam bursting seconds later. At first she felt nothing, and then noticed a warm feeling spreading out from between her legs and soaking into her clothes. As she registered what had happened, a hard surge of pain took over her body and she could do nothing but scream. "CONNER, HELP, IT'S TIME! THE BABY IS COMING!"

It was a long, long night and the waiting was stretching well into the next day. When Ivy had first gone into labor, Conner had seen to it she had gotten settled in the bedroom before getting her parents. At that point, Malon had taken over while Link had gone to get the other women from town who were supposed to help in the delivery. Once they had arrived, Link and Conner had been kicked out of the delivery room.

At first, they weren't worried; they made dinner for themselves and the kids and played with Alex and Ben until the boys had fallen asleep. But then one of the women had emerged to get more supplies, and she had not looked happy. Since then, very few people had left the room, and those that did looked more and more worried each time, and to make it worse, they wouldn't answer questions. Naturally, this had both Conner and Link worried as they continued to wait.

At long last, after more than twenty-four hours of waiting, Malon and the three women from town left the room. They were quiet; clearly tired, but more obvious was the fact that they had been crying, especially Malon. "Link," she whispered to her husband hoarsely, "We need to take these women home. Conner…Ivy will see you now." Conner sat there, numb, as his parents in law and the women left. Even when they were gone, he just sat motionless for a long time.

Stiffly, slowly, he got to his feet, but first went to his sons' room. He stood in the doorway and just watched them sleep. He knew what was coming and it gave him a renewed appreciation for the fact that his sons were healthy, thriving…and alive. Turning away, Conner went to his wife.

She was sitting up in bed, hollow and broken as she held a small bundle in her arms. He could see a little tuft of green hair sticking out, and that was the last thing he could make out before the tears blurred his vision. "Ivy…."

"Conner…come…come here…and…and meet Lilliana."

A/N: You have no idea how hard it was for me to write this chapter. Chapters with content such as this are never fun to write, but they are necessary to the story. I would really appreciate feedback on not only this chapter, but this story overall. Thank-you for taking your time to read it and I will see you in the next chapter.

Thank-you to my best friend Forest Princess for helping me with this chapter; you're the best!

Also, check out my profile for an updating schedule and please vote in my poll!

~Moon White Rose