[for ariel and lily] dated to December 24

[island_anne]

While her discomfort had begun some time in the night, waking her irregularly and forcing her to change positions often, it wasn't until some time after dawn that Anne realised these weren't the same kind of false contractions she'd been experiencing from time to time over the past couple of weeks. They were more regular now, a little stronger, and

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[sickof_swimming]

Ariel was sleeping, and quite soundly at that. She didn't stir much, but she did respond to her name with a soft, "Mm?"

[island_anne]

"Ariel," Anne said again, a little louder for as she had just gotten comfortable she didn't want to rise again to gently shake her shoulder. "Ariel, the baby's coming."

[sickof_swimming]

"Huh?" Ariel asked sleepily, and opened her eyes. Anne's sentence didn't make a whole lot of sense. She rubbed an eye, trying to wake up. "Coming?"

[island_anne]

Anne rubbed her belly gently and was in no hurry for Ariel to come to full wakefulness. It was going to be some time before she even felt the need to fetch the midwife.

"The baby's coming today," she said. "Much later today, but today nonetheless."