Disclaimer: All characters belong to Tamora Pierce except for Demshay, Elaria, and Yvenna
"Momma, Momma" two children called as they ran through the hallways.
"I'm in here, children." She called. In ran a boy and a girl. The girl was called Lari, which was short for Elaria. Lari was 4 years old and had blue eyes and had thick chestnut brown hair. The boy, Demshay, was 2 1/2 years old and also had blue eyes, but instead of brown hair, he had dirty-blonde hair. He was called Shay. They both reminded Kel of their father, her husband. Every time she looked at them, she would feel a pang of sorrow and loneliness.
Kel looked out the window. It had been months since she had seen her husband last. She put her hand over her grown stomach, hoping the baby would wait until he got home. He was visiting baronies and fiefs to take inventory of stock and injuries after the Scanra raids that had recently ended due to the defeat of the Scanra army. "What did you want to tell me?"
"Daddy's back, daddy's back!!"
"Hello my dear" A voice said from the doorway
"Dom!!" Kel screamed and ran into his outstretched arms, sobbing hysterically into his shoulder. He protectively wrapped his arms around her. Clutching her close to his body, careful of her stomach. The children looked at their mother in shock. Their expressions clearly said, "Why is she crying." Dom saw their unspoken question
"She was afraid I wouldn't get home in time for your new sibling to be born." In response to this Kel clutched her stomach moaning in agonizing pain.
"Neal! Yuki!" Dom called. "Get in here now."
Neal and Yuki scrambled into the room, followed by their four children. Yuki escorted the children away as Neal and Dom prepared Kel for delivery.
Three hours later
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Although the labor had only been an hour, Kel slept, exhausted. A beautiful child lay next to her, also sleeping. It was a girl. Dom sat watching his wife. He tenderly walked over and stroked her hair, gently. He then turned to the baby. Her hair, just dried, curled softly around her face in the candlelight. 'She's going to be beautiful, ' Dom thought to himself as tears brimmed his eyes, 'just like her mother. And someday a man will meet her and fall in love with her, as I love Kel'. Kel's eyes opened slowly. She saw Dom standing, looking at their daughter. Her lips curved into a soft smile, almost slyly. Dom looked at her and walked over. Kel reached up and brought his face close to hers. She gently brushed her lips against his. Dom leaned over farther and kissed her with such passion; she could hardly contain it all. Shivers were sent streaming up and down her body. When he stopped, her lips and arms, where she had come into contact with his body, shivered. He sat on the bed next to her, and held her tightly. They watched their daughter breathe. And they both fell asleep in each other's embrace.