"I never was much one for mendin'," Mid grumbled, sucking on yet another pricked finger.
"You volunteered," Jill, sitting across from her on the deck, teased. She absently freed one hand from her work in order to pet Torgal, curled up at her feet.
"Thought you could use the company. 'Sides, maybe I'll get inspiration for some automatic mendin' machine. Domestic devices are no less innovational than any of my other projects."
"I only hope you don't develop it too quickly." As close as she was to her time, minute tasks such as this were the most strenuous thing Tarja allowed Jill to do. It was frustrating not to be able to do more for the cause. Not that she actually felt she could do much more, as easily as her back would start to ache or as quickly as she tired these days.
"These blankets and linens will mean much for those working in Eistla," Edda, working beside Jill and Mid, commented. "It feels like a dream, the things I've heard. Even the land itself seems to be healing."
"Are you thinking of going back with Jessef once more progress is made in rebuildin'?" Mid asked, taking a glance at the small boy gumming a plush chocobo on the floor beside his mother.
"I don't know. I'm grateful for everyone here at the Hideaway, the family we've found here, but I don't want to impose on them forever. The village was my home, but there's not much left there save memories, especially of Jessef's father."
"I have similar thoughts when I think about moving back to Rosa-Rosa-" Jill's sentence got caught in her throat as she suddenly was overcome by a strong pressure below her abdomen, accompanied by sharp snapped fully awake, standing and letting out a short bark.
"Jill?" Mid looked up at her friend, her face softening in concern.
"I think-" Jill took as much of a breath as she could between the sharp pangs. "I think it's time."
Both of her companions immediately stood. Edda came towards her first, putting a hand under her arm to help her stand.
"Alright, now," Edda soothed. "Just take deep breaths, and we'll get you to Tarja. Mid, would you take Jessef and find Lord Rosfield? I don't know where he might be."
"'Course," Mid agreed. "Come 'ere, li'l J! Auntie Mid's gonna take you to see Miss Molly."
The child in hand, Mid turned towards the Ale Hall while Edda led Jill towards the infirmary, Torgal immediately behind.
"Easy does it," Edda encouraged. "In and out."
After a few more moments, the pain had subsided, but Jill knew this was the calm before the storm. She continued to rely on Edda's support as they kept walking. Before long, they had reached the infirmary door.
"Tarja," Edda called. The physicker turned to face them, and dropped what she was doing upon seeing Jill.
"This way." Tarja indicated a bed on the other side of the dividing wall. She and Edda had Jill settled in short order.
"HEY, LORDSHIP," they heard from across the Hideaway. "Get yer bum in gear, it's go time!"
"I think Mid found Joshua," Jill chuckled.
As if on cue, she heard heavy footfalls coming down the corridor. The door was thrown open.
"I'm here," Joshua said as he tried to catch his breath. He practically slid the rest of the way to Jill's side. Kneeling beside the bed, he clasped her hand in his. Mid came in shortly after, closing the door behind her.
Another wave of pain overcame Jill, worse than the first. She squeezed Joshua's hand as a moan escaped her mouth.
"You've got this, Jill."
Several hours passed like this, until Tarja finally instructed Jill to push. She felt tense in her entire body until she heard the sound of the babe's cries.
"It's a girl," Tarja announced. She held the baby up for Jill to see before handing her to Edda to be cleaned.
Jill let out something between a shudder and a laugh. She laid back against the pillows propped against the bed's headboard.
"You did it." Joshua smiled, using his free hand to gently rub her shoulder.
"Here she is." Edda approached, smiling as she gently placed the child in Jill's arms.
"She is so beautiful," Jill sighed. She could already see so much of Clive in the baby's face, from her bright blue eyes, right down to a few thin, dark ringlets on the top of her head.
"Such pure joy," Joshua proclaimed.
"Joy," Jill repeated. "Yes. And that will be her name: Joyce."
The door flew open once more, making way for Gav as he spilled in.
"Why did no one tell me sooner?" he demanded.
"Because we wanted to avoid you makin' a scene like this, ye big galoot," Mid huffed in reply. "Least until Jill could get a little rest."
"It's alright," Jill chuckled. Gav gave Mid a triumphant look as he walked over and starting cooing over Joyce. She had to give him credit in that he was slightly more subdued than he had been when Edda had Jessef.
"If you would allow one more visitor…" Joshua's voice drifted off as he nodded to someone beyond. Gentle footsteps approached.
"Jote," Jill said the girl's name almost as a question upon recognizing her.
"Lady Warrick." Joshua's attendant accompanied the greeting with a bow, partially hindered by a book she carried. "I have brought the Rosfield Family Registry as requested, Your Grace."
"Very good," Joshua nodded.
"What is this about?" Jill wondered.
"If you'll forgive a bit of pageantry," he began. "I wanted it to be formally recorded that on this day in the Year of the Realm 879, Joyce Rosfield was born… and named my heir to the throne of Rosaria."
"Your Grace," Jote chided, stopping her pen just above the page she had already opened to. "Pardon my boldness, but the marquess and Lady Warrick weren't wed. The child-"
"Is as much of noble blood as I," Joshua insisted. "No matter the circumstances of her birth. I would have her recognized as such throughout Rosaria."
"As you wish, Your Grace." Jote agreed curtly. She finished the entry, closed the book, giving one more bow before leaving.
"Well, that was pleasant," Gav quipped.
"Are you certain about this?" Jill wondered.
"As I've told you before, I don't see myself ever marrying or having children of my own," Joshua explained. "Unless and until that should change, it's my privilege to provide for you and Joyce this way, and see that Rosaria remains in the family."
"But it sounds as if this may not be a popular decision." They had discussed this arrangement before, but Jill hadn't realized the larger political implications if others shared Jote's opinion.
"It wouldn't be the first time a Rosfield did something controversial," Joshua grinned. "Besides, even though there may be some who are as traditional as Jote, I have no doubt our people will come to love Joyce."
"Doubtful as much as we do," Gav attested with a soft smile.
"Too true," Jill agreed, turning to look once more in the babe's now-sleeping face. She kissed her on the forehead, and was rewarded with a small smile. Jill was sure that, if there were any ice left on her heart from her time as Shiva, it melted at that very moment, and that this same warmth would carry her through even the coldest of nights.
Some weeks later, Jill and Joshua were prepared to move back into Rosalith Castle. Before they took the lift to the pier, they stood on the deck facing a send-off party of half the hideaway. As she hugged her friends, Jill was surprised at how emotional she became. This was far from the last time she would see them, as she knew she would visit often, and many were as active participants in the rebuilding efforts as she was. Even knowing this, she had a hard time saying goodbye to the place she had called home for nearly six years, never again to fully call herself a part of this community.
At the same time, Jill also felt ready for this new chapter, a fresh start for her and her small family. As much as she loved this place, there was only so much it could offer, and she wanted Joyce to have the green fields of Rosaria to run through, to see the places where she, Clive and Joshua used to play with Torgal.
Thinking of the hound, Jill turned to find him getting some last-minute pets from Lady Charon.
"You watch over that precious girl, ya hear?" The merchant charged. "Watch over all of 'em."
Torgal barked in response, as if to assure Charon that he would. Charon turned to face Jill.
"You take care now," she says. "And make sure this one gets his bones."
"We will," Jill assured. "Thank you for everything."
"Thank yer dog." The women shared a small, knowing smile.
"Don't be strangers now, alright?" Gav asked, having just pulled away from hugging Joshua.
"That's right," Mid chimed in, quickly giving Jill a squeeze and softly pinching Joyce's cheek. "We know the way to Rosaria, and aren't afraid to take it."
"I don't doubt it," Jill chuckled.
"And with that," Joshua cut in. "Are we ready to go?"
"I think so."
Torgal by their sides, Joshua and Jill stepped on the lift. As it descended, they gave a final wave to the group on the deck. Before long, they were turning once more to meet Obolus.
That night, after a veritable gauntlet of pomp and ceremony upon their arrival at Rosalith, Jill was in her new chambers, ready to collapse. However, Joyce started fussing the moment Jill put her down and tried to step away.
"Come here, darling," she cooed, picking the baby up once more. "I know. It's hard sleeping in a strange place, isn't it? But I'm right here. I'll always be right here."
She decided to sing a lullaby her own mother used to settle her down at night.
"The day is done, the sun has set,
The time has come now to rest.
Sleep secure 'neath Mother's watchful Eye,
The time has come to say good night.
Rest, my child, lay down your head,
Gently drift like the stream.
And remember these words that were said,
Life begins anew when you dream.
Follow the stream where it leads you,
What wonders there you will see.
Through it all, sweet Mother will guide you,
What was, and is and will be.
Rest, my child, lay down your head,
Gently drift like the stream.
And remember these words that were said,
Life begins anew when you dream."
By the end of the last refrain, Joyce's breathing had become soft and steady, her eyes closed at last. Jill gave the child a kiss on the forehead, then gently lowered her back into the bassinet. Finally, she was able to settle in herself, blowing out the light by her bedside.