Sorry for the short chapter, I promise next one will be longer. Thanks again Cassie, amazing as always!

It had been almost two months since Ned and Jon left to fight in the rebellion. There were rumors starting about of what was happening in the lands, but no one could count on the rumors. Lysa was having a difficult time waiting on word of her husband. Catelyn, however, was focusing herself on other tasks. She was making sure everything was ready for her child; blankets, the crib and other things that she would need.

The child was due at any time, and the midwife was in close proximity just in case labor started. Catelyn had limited her activities to the castle; she didn't want to be on the grounds when her child decided to come into the world. A good thing at that, after she left the hall from dinner Catelyn started to get a tightening sensation in her belly. She had shrugged it off but by the time she made it to her quarters it was getting worse. One of her handmaidens had called the midwife into the room; she checked on her and smiled.

"Labor is beginning."

Catelyn felt her heart leap and then a fear fill her mind and body. She was not ready, but she knew the child inside of her was. Her handmaiden helped her change into her birthing gown, and then into her bed. The pains were here and there throughout the night and into the morning. They were however increasing by midday; the midwife stated that the child was to come at any time now, and that Catelyn needed to relax herself for the birth. How could she relax? She was bringing a child into this world, a world that right now was at war.

The afternoon came and went, and the night was upon them. People in the castle were growing anxious for the baby's arrival, and so was Catelyn. She was tired of being in pain, but the midwife just kept reminding her that it was up to the child. Halfway into the night, the labor started to intensify, her stomach growing harder with each wave of contraction. With the help of her handmaiden and the midwife, she started to birth her child. The pain was like nothing Catelyn had ever experienced, and as much as she wanted to give up she kept going.

Each time the midwife told her to push, Catelyn gripped at the sides of the bed, her body tensing as she would lift herself up from the brace of the handmaiden.

"One more time, m'lady."

Catelyn gasped a bit, her head falling back against her handmaiden's chest. She took in a deep breath and lifted her head again, pushing as hard as she could. As the squeal of a newborn child filled the air, Catelyn let out a cry, and then fell slightly against her handmaiden. The cord connecting her child to her body was immediately cut and her baby taken to the basin of warm water on the table. Catelyn felt her handmaiden leave from behind her to help clean up; she supported herself on her hands wanting to see what she and Brandon had created.

The baby was squealing as the midwife cleaned it, much like Catelyn's handmaiden was cleaning her. She could hear the old lady whisper soothing words to calm the child. Catelyn watched intently, and as the midwife turned around, her nerves caught in her belly. The baby was now wrapped in one of the blankets that had been sewn, grunting softly. The midwife smiled at Catelyn, who was now leaning against the headboard, her hair sticking to the sides of her neck and face from sweat.

"My lady...here is your son."

Catelyn looked from the tiny bundle in the old woman's arms to her eyes. She tensed a bit when the midwife placed her son in her arms. The baby squirmed a bit before calming at her touch.

"A son..." She looked down at the still red baby and smiled softly, her free hand going to his back for extra support.

"We shall leave you be, my lady. I will come back in a moment to help you feed." Upon her words, the handmaiden gave a bow and exited the room. The midwife bowed as well and left, shutting the large door behind her.

Catelyn could not tear her eyes away from the small creature in her arms. She could feel her eyes starting to water as emotions overcame her. She wished that Brandon could see him, hold him, love him. She closed her eyes letting the tears stream down her cheeks. She wanted to hate the gods beyond everything for taking him away from her...but she had to be strong, for Ned, for the son that she now had.

The midwife came back to help Catelyn with her first feeding; though it was very uncomfortable, it wasn't as bad as she was expecting it to be. After the baby ate, the midwife showed her how to burp him, and then he slept.

Catelyn, however tired she was, could not; with the help of her handmaiden, she had gotten up from bed and to the window. She placed her hand on the cold stone as the cool air hit her skin. She was a mother now, an odd feeling, and Ned was a father.

"Cat...?"

Catelyn turned from the window, her eyes going to the door. She hadn't even heard it open; she smiled sleepily when she saw it was Lysa. Slowly, she moved from the opened window towards the bed. Lysa saw her sister struggle and went to her side, her hand circling around her back and the other to her arm. Slowly, they walked together to the bed. When Catelyn was comfortable, Lysa went to the other side and sat down, the baby in the middle. "He is beautiful."

She nodded and reached out to brush her finger against his cheek. "He really is."

"What is his name?"

"Robb." Catelyn smiled down at her sleeping son and then back at Lysa. "Robb Stark."