Lacey
She groaned. It hurt. Her brow was damp with sweat. All this time, she'd been silently begging for this kid to hurry up and get here so her back could stop hurting and her legs could get a rest from carrying so much weight. Now that it was actually happening, she maybe was okay with the baby staying longer after all. Just don't be the real labor. Just the fake stuff. She didn't even know where Reilly was, he'd been here the last time. She didn't want to do this alone.
But she wasn't alone. Kharon was never far from her, and even now she could practically feel him coming for her. He'd become a constant presence as she grew bigger and bigger. They didn't even talk much, but he was just there, always there. Steady and quiet with her. She didn't have to be alone.
"Lacey, baby, I brought you a present..."
Her eyes lifted from where she'd been chewing nervously at her leg, curled on the ground trying to ignore the pain. Baddie, he called him, this little one at his feet already following faithfully. Kirby had that affect on people. You just sort of wanted to go with him everywhere, to be with him always.
She sighed and closed her eyes, nodding her agreement that he was a perfect little colt. Purple like Kirby, a bit of red like Reilly, some cute wings like Kharon. Then she nodded again, that he could stay. He was just a teeny thing and she'd have plenty of milk to spare. Well, unless it was twins again. They seemed to run in her family.
She slowly opened her eyes, dim with pain. Come here, Baddie, she spoke softly to him, already feeling so fatigued. Emotionally fatigued, she was sure. She would need enough energy to push this baby out at least, she reminded herself. Her nose reached for him from where she was, brushing tenderly across his little nose and breathing his scent. Nothing familiar, only the smell of the island, mostly. She sighed softly again and splayed to her side. Can eat soon. You'll have to share. Stand over there with Kirby, now, she finished in a whisper.
A light touch at her back leg had her eyes snapping back open and her head swinging around. Back, she bit out sharply. Kharon had come finally, but was too close. She needed space. He immediately looked wounded and stalked off a few steps. And then she knew it was time, and audience or not, this baby was coming.
Where was Reilly.
