Luna
For the first time in a long time, Luna felt overpowering joy. Cradling the baby girl in her arms, she marvelled at its tiny form. The apprehension which she had felt since learning that she was with child, natural for any woman but especially for one who was accustomed to seeing the future and could no longer do so, evaporated with the infant's first strident cry. Tobias, weapon out of sight, was smiling. So were Abby and Anka and even Finn. For the first time in a long time, Luna allowed herself to hope.
All at once, a twinge rose in Luna's groin, rippling quickly upward toward her chest. She inhaled sharply. Observing her discomfort, Anka swooped in to take the child from her arms.
The afterbirth? Luna's mind raced. But surely -
Another pulsating ache; her mouth dropped open in a silent scream. Rushing over Abby parted Luna's knees and put a hand on the girl's abdomen, pressing tenderly but firmly. Writhing, Luna looked down in an attempt to understand what the healer was seeing. Abby's face was ashen.
"OK, I know you're tired, but I need you to be strong." Abby swallowed hard before continuing, "Luna, you're having another baby."
The new mother managed to catch Tobias' eye before giving over to the pain.