Chapter 31

Lydia

Lydia talked with Brasella, learning everything she knew in preparation of her own coming child. Ragnthor had been gone 3 days when Ralof determined that it was time to stack the hay.

That morning she walked out, ready to work. Ralof laughed at her when she walked over, hay fork in hand.

"What do you think you're doing?"

She snorted. "I'm here to work."

He just kept laughing. "You need to rest for the next 8 or so months."

She gave him an exasperated look. "I'll go crazy sitting in the house that long, doing nothing."

Brasella hit him and he threw up his hands. "Fine, you can drive the wagon. Just give us some warning if you feel sick. Better to do it on the ground than off the wagon." She nodded and climbed up into the wagon.

And that's when Lucia started to complain. "But Ralof, you said I could drive this time."

He scratched his head. "When did I say that?"

"At the end on the last harvest."

He nodded. "That's right. But I only said that because you complained for 2 harvests the Brasella got to drive with Bryta. Now Bryta can toddle around with Slasher, Brasella is working with us on the ground."

Lucia rolled her eyes. "Then why can't I drive?"

This time Brasella spoke. "Because Lydia is sick."

Lucia grew exasperated. "That why isn't she in the house?"

"Because she doesn't want to in the house alone all day."

Lucia got a wicked little smile. "What illness does she have that makes her too sick to work but not sick enough to stay in side?"

Lydia was shocked by what she said and could hardly think as she saw Brasella bristle. "That's something you don't need to know."

Lucia jammed the fork into the ground. "Gods damn it, I'm almost 17! I should get to know what goes on in the house!"

Brasella started to walk forward. "Why you surly little girl, I should…"

"Hit me? Try it."

Lydia watched Ralof dart up and grab Lucia by the arms. "Young lady, that's exactly what I'm going to do. You've run rough shod over this house the last few months and it ends now."

Just as Ralof was about to swing, Lydia snapped out of her daze. "Ralof, Stop!" Ralof let her go as Lydia climb down from the seat.

Lucia turned as she walked over, spitting fire from her eyes. "What are you going to do? You may be my aunt now but you can't…"

Lydia swallowed the small spike of fear. "Lucia, I'm pregnant."

Ralof stalked off cursing as the fire left Lucia's eyes. "You're…you're what?"

Lydia smiled while being on the verge of tears. "I'm pregnant. And I most likely should be in the house but I would go crazy with fear if I was alone. So I'm out here, doing what I can."

Lucia put a hand on her stomach. It felt strange having someone other than herself or even Ragnthor putting their hands there, but in a nice way.

"You're going to have a baby, like Brasella did?"

Lydia nodded. "Yes. You're going to have a little cousin. I mean you will be more of an aunt like you are to Bryta but still."

Suddenly Lucia hugged her. "I'm sorry for acting like I did Lydia."

Lydia rubbed her back. "It's my fault as well. I let you help with a lot of things and as more, older people have shown up to help you have been left out. I will try to let you help more, you are an almost grown woman."

Lucia nodded. "And I will try to stay calm and realize there I some things I don't need to know." She pulled the fork out of the ground and walked into the field with the others.

Lydia smiled as she climbed back up onto the wagon. "Caius. I think he would be a good choice." She kept smiling as she drove into the field.

On the evening of the 8th day Lydia was getting worried. She had sat by the window all day with Slasher, watching the road leading from town. She didn't know when she had fallen asleep but it was dark when she felt someone pick her up and walk toward the stairs.

She rubbed her eyes. "Rag…Ragnthor?"

They started walking up the stairs. "Aye my little one, it's me."

She started snuggling into him. "When did you get back?"

"I just got here. The sun has just gone down."

He opened their door and laid her on the bed, pulling the covers over her. "I just stopped by hoping for some warm food before I finish this. But I guess I'm eating out of the cellar." He was laughing.

She sat up. "You're not staying?"

He put a hand on her leg and held up his other. "I'm this close Lydia. This close! After this last mission, I can come home, put away the sword and we can live a normal life. No more fighting, no more killing, just simple hard work."

She put a hand on his arm. "I understand but do you have to go now? Can't you wait a few days?"

He smiled and shook his head. "Would that I could, would that I could. But If I don't chase after the World Eater, I would have to live the last 8 days over again. And I don't want to do that again."

She looked up at him and saw his face was covered with still raw scabs and his mustache was mostly burnt away. She suppressed a shudder at what wounds he would have under his armor, the burns and cuts.

"So what are you going to do?"

He looked out the window and rubbed her leg. "I'm going to Dragonsreach. To trap a dragon."

She felt the shock flood her face as he laughed. "And what are you going to do with said dragon? Use it to plow the field?!"

The smile quickly faded. "He will take me to the World Eater. Or he will die."

She got out of bed and walked to the closet on her side of the bed. "Give me a moment to get my armor on."

Ragnthor put a hand on her shoulder. "No Lydia. This is one time I do not want you to go."

She looked at him. "Why?"

He looked her in the eye. "Because I don't know if I can win. And come out alive."

She felt her fury rising. "You said you wouldn't do anything like this again!"

She saw the look of rigid determination flood his face and knew she would lose. "I'm not just throwing my life into the fight. I'm hunting an old god, Lydia, hunting to kill. And I don't know if I can do it. If I had a year to get back in full fighting form, hell if I had 6 months I'd know I could do it. But I don't have 6 months, hell I don't have 2 days. But I have to do this. And I'm not going to pull the whole save the world stuff on you, I love you too much to lie. I'm doing this for you and Lucia. If I die, I see this as the greatest sacrifice I can do. Trade my life for the lives of my loved ones."

She put her hands on him, worry filling her. "Ragnthor, stop talking like that. I don't even want to think of losing you."

"I will do what I have to in order to end him."

She shook her head. "I don't want to tell you like this, feels too much like blackmail, but I see no other way. Ragnthor, I'm…" He put a hand on her mouth.

"Then don't. I need to keep my mind focused on my task. That's gives me the greatest chance for coming back."

She nodded. "Ok." Then she hugged as hard as she could. "Please come back to me, please. I don't know what I will do if you don't."

She felt him smile into her neck. "I know exactly what you will do. You will do everything I used to do and so much better."

He pulled back and kissed her. "I should be back in 3 weeks at the latest. And if you could get Ralof to get the horses off the plain, I would be thankful."

She nodded and held his hand for a moment. "Stay safe love."

He nodded and turned toward the door. "Anything for you."

Ragnthor

He spent the night in the Bannered Mare and first thing in the morning he was walking up to the jarl.

Balgruuf got up to meet him. "Ragnthor! Where have you been since you snuck off on your wedding night?"

They clasped arms. "Me and Lydia went down to Cyrodiil for a while. We got back 9 days ago and I have been hunting since then."

Balgruuf smiled and nodded. "Cyrodiil. That was a good place to take her. She hadn't left the hold since she was born, until you got here. I always knew you would do right by her. And what have you been hunting?"

He felt darkness flash across his eyes. "The World Eater."

Balgruuf's mouth fell open. "You're hunting Alduin, son of Akatosh and harbinger of the end times?!"

Ragnthor nodded. "Yes, and that's why I'm here. I need to use the old dragon trap."

Balgruuf just looked at him. "To do what? Not to catch Alduin!"

Ragnthor smiled. "No Balgruuf, to catch his right wing dragon and force him to take me to the World Eater."

"And what if he won't?"

Ragnthor shrugged. "Then I will kill him and try another until I find one to take me to him."

Balgruuf nodded, face looking carved out of stone. "So you're that eager. Give us an hour to clean and oil the mechanism." Ragnthor nodded and stood by the fire, peering into its depths.

Sometime later Balgruuf put a hand on him. "Its ready."

Ragnthor nodded. "Good. Now I want all but 2 of your men off of the porch. I need them to work the levers when I lead him in." Balgruuf nodded and Ragnthor walked out onto the porch.

He looked up into the sky and summoned his strength. "OD AH VIING!" He felt the force rush out of him and hear a roar in the distance.

He smiled as he grabbed a longbow from the ground and drew back an arrow with an extremely heavy and sharp head. As soon as he saw the dragon he let the bowstring slip through his fingers and watched the arrow streak through the air. He saw the dragon jerk and roar as it sunk into its stomach.

As the dragon dove toward him he smiled as he summoned his strength again. As he saw the start of flames in its mouth he loosed another shout.

"JOOR ZAH FRUL!"

As the dragon landed heavily on the porch, Ragnthor drew his sword. "FACE ME ODAHVIING!"

As the dragon lunged to bite him, he dodged below and backwards, swinging his sword into the side of the dragon's neck, goading him forward. And then the dance began, Ragnthor dodging nigh constant attacks while leading the dragon farther into the keep, toward the trap, swing his sword only when necessary.

Suddenly Ragnthor felt the door against his back as the dragon's head streaked forward. "NOW!"

The dragon's expression changed to one of confusion before its head slammed into the ground from the force of the yoke. "Horvutah med kodaav. Zok frini grind ko grah drun viiki, Dovahkiin."

Ragnthor was confused and it must have shown on his face. "Ah. I forget. You do not have the dovah speech. My... eagerness to meet you in battle was my... undoing, Dovahkiin. I salute your, hmm, low cunning in devising such a grahmindol – stratagem."

He shook his head and tried once more to free himself. "You went to a great deal of trouble to put me in this... humiliating position. No doubt you want to know where to find Alduin?"

Ragnthor nodded. "Aye, Odahviing. I beat him once and I intend to end him."

The dragon laughed. "Rinik vazah. An apt phrase. Alduin bovul. One reason I came to your call was to test your Thu'um myself. Many of us have begun to question Alduin's lordship, whether his Thu'um was truly the strongest. Among ourselves, of course. Mu ni meyye. None were yet ready to openly defy him."

Ragnthor growled. "I've no wish to know of your politics. Tell me where he is."

Odahviing nodded. "Unslaad krosis. Innumerable pardons. I digress. He has travelled to Sovngarde to regain his strength, devouring the sillesejour... the souls of the mortal dead. A privilege he jealously guards."

Ragnthor looked at him, shocked. "Sovngarde? How does he get to Sovngarde?"

The dragon looked at him with humor in its eyes. "His door to Sovngarde is at Skuldafn, one of his ancient fanes high in the eastern mountains. Mindoraan, pah ok middovahhe lahvraan til. I surely do not need to warn you that all his remaining strength is marshalled there. Zu'u lost ofan hin laan... now that I have answered your question, you will allow me to go free?"

Ragnthor rubbed his face. "Maybe. What would it take to get you to serve me instead?"

The dragon looked at him. "Aam? Serve you? ...no. Ni tiid. If and when you defeat Alduin, I will reconsider."

Ragnthor shrugged his shoulders. "Then here you shall stay. A prize for the Jarl."

As Ragnthor turned to leave the dragon spoke. "Hmm... krosis. There is one detail about Skuldafn I neglected to mention."

"And that is?"

"Only this. You have the Thu'um of a dovah, but without the wings of one, you will never set foot in Skuldafn. Of course, I could fly you there. But not while imprisoned like this."

Ragnthor smiled. "An interesting puzzle."

The dragon laughed. "Indeed. Orin brit ro. I cannot leave here until you defeat Alduin, which you cannot do without my help."

Ragnthor nodded. "It is as you say. I could free you. But what guarantee do I have you will not flee or try and kill me?"

Odahviing snarled and spat fire. "Zu'u ni tahrodiis. It was you that lured me here and took me prisoner... vobalaan grahmindol. I have done nothing to earn your distrust."

Ragnthor laughed. "But you tried to trick me into letting you go."

The dragon thought for a moment. "Hin aar, orin nu. And yet here I am, still your prisoner. You will release me - ro laan - if in return I promise to take you to Skuldafn and stop helping Alduin?"

Ragnthor smiled. "Do you see another path?"

Odahviing shook his head. "Onikaan koraav gein miraad. It is wise to recognize when you only have one choice. And you can trust me. Zu'u ni tahrodiis. Alduin has proven himself unworthy to rule. I go my own way now. Free me, and I will carry you to Skuldafn."

Ragnthor nodded. "Release the levers!"

There was a metallic clunk and Odahviing's head shot up as he roar. "Faas nu, zini dein ruthi ahst vaal."

He walked to the edge of the porch where Ragnthor climbed on. "I warn you, once you've flown the skies of Keizaal, your envy of the dov will only increase. Amativ! Mu bo kotin stinselok."

They flew for a day and night and Ragnthor could tell that Odahviing was flying as fast as he could. On the evening of the second day Odahviing set down at a ruin high amongst the mountains, so his it would have taken Ragnthor weeks to climb, if he even knew where he was.

"This is as far as I can take you. Krif voth ahkrin. I will look for your return, or Alduin's." And with that he took off, flying high into the clouds.

Ragnthor smiled as he watched him fly then drew his sword and charged into the ruins, cutting through anything in his way. When he finally had to stop for a break he heard the familiar deep thrum. He looked around the area until he saw the wall. He put his hand on the wall and felt the knowledge flow through him.

"Strun. A useful word." He gathered his gear and continued through the ruins.

A while later he was climbing the stairs toward the top when he heard chanting. As he broke over the top he saw a dragon priest and 2 dragons.

He drew his sword. "By the gods I don't have time for this shite." The dragon priest stood and started walking toward a staff that seems to be powering some kind of portal.

Ragnthor grunted as he hurled his greatsword. "No you don't." The sword slammed into its chest, driving hilt deep, and threw it through the portal.

Ragnthor drew his dagger and a war axe from his belt and stared at the dragons. "Do you wish to face the Dragonborn!" They just stared at him and he lowered his weapons.

He walked up to the edge of the portal. "Why not something more solid, relying less on faith." He smiled and shook his head. "But if I lose that sword Lydia might kill me." With that he jumped into the portal.

His feet hit the ground and mist swirled around him. He sheathed his weapons as he saw his sword. He wrenched it from the ground and sheathed it, starting down the path, not knowing where it went. As he walked he passed a multitude of souls, some he had sent himself. Every last one of them told him he was better off sitting and waiting to be eaten than trying to find his way through the fog. He laughed as he pushed past them.

He wasn't honestly sure how long he had wandered when he finally found his way out of the mist. He found himself looking at a massive hall across the river from him and he set off looking for a way across. He had just found a bone bridge and was starting to walk to it when he saw its guard.

The man stood head and shoulders above him and spoke in a deep voice. "What brings you, wayfarer grim, to wander here, in Sovngarde, souls-end, Shor's gift to honored dead?"

Ragnthor was wary, ready to fight if needed. "Who are you?"

The man laughed. "I am Tsun, shield-thane to Shor. The Whalebone Bridge he bade me guard and winnow all those souls whose heroic end sent them here, to Shor's lofty hall where welcome, well earned, awaits those I judge fit to join that fellowship of honor."

Ragnthor nodded. "I seek the World Eater."

"A fateful errand. No few have chafed to face the Worm since first he set his soul-snare here at Sovngarde's threshold. But Shor restrained our wrathful onslaught - perhaps, deep counselled, your doom he foresaw."

"I seek entrance to the hall."

"No shade are you, as usually here passes, but living, you dare the land of the dead. By what right do you request entry?"

Ragnthor squared his shoulders. "By Right of Birth. I am Dragonborn."

Tsun smiled. "Ah! It's been too long since last I faced a doom-driven hero of the dragon blood."

"May I enter the hall?"

Tsun drew his axe. "Living or dead, by decree of Shor, none may pass this perilous bridge 'till I judge them worthy by the warrior's test." With that he swung.

Ragnthor caught the haft and grappled with the giant for a moment before throwing him to the ground, while breaking his arm and taking the axe. As soon as the man hit the ground Ragnthor's knee was at his throat and his dagger was drawing blood on Tsun's chest.

Tsun smiled up at him. "You have passed and thy way is clear."

Ragnthor nodded and sheathed the dagger and walked towards the doors. He paused for a moment then pushed them open.

A man walked up to him, someone that he was sure he should know, and started talking to him. Ragnthor was only half listening as he looked around the massive hall. It seemed bigger on the inside that he could have ever guessed from the look of the outside.

It was wonderful, filled with everything anyone could have every wandered. Not only were there tables creaking under mounts of food and a doorway leading to a room with casks, but hallways that were filled with different sound, some with fighting and others with yet more merry making.

As he looked around, someone caught his eye. He held up his hand and stopped the man who was taking to him and walked toward the person.

He smiled as he got closer. For years he had looked up to this man, a man who always seem larger than him and yet, as he got close, he saw he was a head taller than him now. He stood behind him for a moment, not sure what to say. Finally he said one word.

"Father."

The man turned and, smiling, hugged him. "Ragnthor, my son, how you have grown."

Ragnthor nodded, hugging him. "It's been a long time father."

Freynar slapped his shoulders. "That it has son. And look how you have grown. And you married Lydia finally. I can't tell you the bets I lost due to you taking so long."

He shook his head. "Taking bets on me?"

"But of course. Everyone knew it was going to happen but I kept losing on how long it would take."

Ragnthor shook his head. "And it would have taken longer but I don't know how long I'm going to last, draw from one fight to the next with hardly time to rest."

Freynar put a hand on his shoulder. "I know all too well. In fact you are smarting than me. If your mother hadn't have made me settle down, I would have worn myself down sooner."

Ragnthor started looking around again. "Speaking of mother, where is she?"

He watched pain flash across his father's face. "She's gone, son. You never really knew her, your birth was the beginning of her end. That's why she died when you were so young. But she is where you get your self sacrifice. Before Shor told us we couldn't interfere with the World Eater's doings, your mother would help the lost spirits find their way here. And Alduin got her. Shor himself had to hold me back from fighting him."

Ragnthor's sword found his hand and he stalked toward the door. "Wait son. I can't help you but there are 3 who can. Let them help you."

Ragnthor shook his head. "The dragon has made this personal."

Ragnthor crossed the bridge and let out a roar. "Face me you bastard."

The mist swirled and Alduin slammed into him, knocking him and down and pinning him to the ground.

He stuck his face in Ragnthor's. "And now you know what you are. Finally I can kill you and end the last threat against me."

Ragnthor smiled. "Aye, I know what I truly am. Your end." With that Ragnthor jammed his dagger in the dragon's eye.

As Alduin reared and roared in pain, Ragnthor drew his axe and rolled back. As soon as the dragon's head was back near the ground Ragnthor bury the axe head as deep as he could in the underside of Alduin's jaw, sinking so deep it locked his jaws together. Alduin butted Ragnthor with his head so hard Ragnthor flew back 20 and slammed into a rocky out crop. Ragnthor stood and they charged each other. Alduin swung his head, attempting to impale Ragnthor on his horns. Ragnthor rolled under his neck and smiled at Alduin's exposed neck. He roar and as swung his sword, hacking through the neck in one stroke.

As head hit the ground, his body exploded, throwing Ragnthor back. As his vision clear he watched Alduin's soul soar up into the endless heavens.

As he walked back he heard cheering rise from in front of the hall. He father walked out to meet him.

"You've ended it son. And brought peace to your life and Sovngarde. Look." The fog started to clear.

"Aye. And now its time for me to go home. I told Lydia I wouldn't be gone longer than 3 weeks and I don't know how time flows here."

Freynar nodded. "You should go, you will be pushing the 3 weeks when you get back. And you need to hear what Lydia has to say. I've a feeling it will make you very happy."

Ragnthor nodded. "And how shall I leave."

Tsun spoke. "I shall send thee. Brace thine self." Then he shouted in a voice so deep Ragnthor couldn't make out the words.

Suddenly Ragnthor was standing in front of the house. It was late, so late there was only one room still lit. His. He walked into the house and took off his armor, leaving it by the door. Then he walked up the stairs and opened the door.

He saw Lydia sitting on the bed, staring out the window. "Hey Lydia."

She got up and hugged him. "Ragnthor." She pressed her face into his neck and he felt the start of tears. "Your 3 weeks was up yesterday."

He relaxed into her. "I was in a place where time flows differently for mortal men."

He felt her stiffen. "Where?"

He shook his head. "Doesn't matter. What does is the World Eater is dead and the land once again at peace."

She relaxed. "What do you mean by peace?"

He rubbed her back. "It means that tomorrow, because I'm too tired to do it tonight, I'm going to hang my sword over the mantel and never take it down without your permission. Unless what children we have want to learn, Balgruuf, or one of the Jarls after him, asks and you approve or bears, wolves or sabers attack the animals."

He felt her smile before she pushed away. "About that."

He looked at her, confused. "About what?"

He watched her smile get bigger though it was tinged by something else. "About children and what I have been trying to tell you."

He felt a little knot of…something coil in his stomach. "And that is…"

"Ragnthor, I'm pregnant." She beamed up at him though he saw worry in her eyes.

He put a hand on her stomach and felt a slight bump, so small if he didn't know her every curve he would have missed it. "You're really…"

She nodded. "Yeah."

He kissed her and smiled. "I'm sorry Lydia, for brushing you off like that, every time you tried to tell me. I was just so intent on ending this. I should have guessed what you were trying to tell me. I've had a feeling something is just a little off."

She smiled, worry gone. "It's a good this you didn't know. I was so scared after I found out, I was almost a wreck. That first 2 times a tried to tell you I was so scared you wouldn't want it or you'd be angry. But Brasella told me you would be happy."

He hugged her. "And I am." He put his hand on her belly again. "So when do you think it happened?"

"Judging from time it would be that first time we stopped in Cyrodiil."

Ragnthor thought back. "So that means the baby will come in around 7 months right?"

She nodded. "Yes, the first part of spring."

He smiled. "That's a good time. Not much to do around the farm. I don't think we could have planned that better if we tried."

She hit him on the arm. "Really? That's where you went with that. You truly are a farmer, planning everything."

He smiled. "And you have known this since the start. Now let's get some sleep, I'm tired and I can't wait to try living a peaceful life."

She smiled and shook her head. "That's right, let's get you to bed old man."

He laughed. "Oh you wound me, old woman."

She laughed and she hit him, slightly harder, and then they slid under the covers and fell asleep, wrapped in each other's arms.

7 months later Ragnthor was pacing outside the house, listening to Lydia scream. As he walked across the muddy yard in front of the house Ralof laughed at him.

Every time Lydia would scream Ragnthor would snarl at himself. "I should be in there."

Ralof smiled as Ragnthor walked back toward him. "And this is why they sent you out. You should have been her rock while instead you winced more that she did."

He shook his head. "She is in pain and I can't stop it."

Ralof laughed again. "And you didn't need to show it on your face. She is perfectly safe."

Lydia screamed again and Ragnthor pointed toward her. "You hear that! I know you have seen war! What do we do to our brothers in arms that make that sound!? WE KILL THEM OURSELVES!"

Ralof stood and put a hand on his arm. "Ragnthor, she's safe. Safer than Brasella was. She is with a healer and someone who has gone through this before. She will be fine." Suddenly a scream broke off middle way through and silence filled the air.

Ragnthor threw Ralof's arm off. "YOU CALL THAT FINE!"

He ran through the door and tore up the stairs. He threw open the door and was speaking before he even saw what was in the room. All her heard was crying that soon stopped.

"Lydia, Are you all.."

He looked around and saw Lydia sitting on the bed, leaning against the head board and smiling. He face was flushed and she held a little bundle in her arms.

She nodded as he walked over. "Yeah Ragnthor, I'm all right. Do you want to see your son?"

He nodded, shocked. "We have a son?"

Lydia nodded and moved a blanket on the bundle as Ragnthor sat down by her. He looked down on the little body and its red, scrunched face. Its eyes were still closed and he looked like he was fighting a war from the flickering of his still closed eyes.

Ragnthor put his hand lightly on the bundle and felt the baby's muscles twitching. "We made that?"

Lydia laughed. "Well I did most of the work, you just got it started. Would you like to hold him?"

"I wouldn't know how. I'm not the gentle type."

Lydia smiled. "Here, hold your arms like this and I will slip him into them."

Ragnthor was shocked at just how light he was. "He's so tiny."

"Only compared to you." Lydia leaned on his shoulder and put her hand on the baby's stomach. "What are we going to call him?"

"You want me to name him?" Lydia nodded. "Well then let's call him Ragnar, to honor my father in a small way."

Lydia smiled. "Little Ragnar. It has a ring to it."

Brasella's arms appeared in front of him. "Let me have him while you pick up Lydia so Lucia can change the sheets and they can rest."

Ragnthor pulled the covers off her and managed to stop a shudder at the amount of blood on the bed. "Are you really fine?"

She nodded. "Just tired and sore and I will be like that for a while."

Quickly Lucia changed the sheets and Ragnthor put Lydia back on the bed. "Get some sleep little one. I will bring the cradle up her so you can put him in when you want to."

He watched her eyes half closed as she nodded. "I will. Love you."

He kissed her. "I love you too. Now get some rest."

A short while later, as he brought the cradle in, he looked over at their sleeping forms. He smiled as he thought about how lucky he was that she had chosen him, that both she and Ragnar were safe and all was right with the world.

Author's Note: Well here it is, the grand...whatever the part right before the intermission is. I am going to take a break to study the next story arc so I can continue my current, what I find pretty bad, level of story telling. I really hope you like this latest chapter. The whole baby thing might be really rough because I'm not married, have no kids and it has been a fair while since my siblings have been that young. And yes I did some creative tinkering, I must admit I find it fun sometimes.