Birthright: Prompt 1 [Nadia]

Nadia slides into the cabin as quietly as she can. She spent the night sitting beside Cinna as she labored through the night with her second child.

A boy. The first boy born this year.

Headmistress Deerly will be pleased.

Nadia slips past the quiet living room and its attached, dimly lit kitchen. She carefully avoids the squeaky floorboard in the hallway - she doesn't want to wake you and she certainly doesn't want to wake Bug.

The shower takes a while to heat, but that gives Nadia time to peel her grimy clothes away. She wraps her hair in a protective casing before slipping into the scalding water.

She takes her time washing - the scent of her favorite lavender body wash fills the steamy air, comforting and soothing her mind.

Another baby. Another life in a commune that desperately needs more of them.

When she leaves the shower, she drip dries and moisturizes, quietly humming to herself. She drifts around the foggy room, tired and aching, ready for bed.

She slips into one of her nightshirts that you hung on the back of the door for her. How you always look out for her on nights like these makes her smile.

On all nights, really.

Nadia pads toward your shared bedroom and pauses in the doorway. A tiny nightlight lights the room, so she knows Bug must be sleeping in here for the night.

Sure enough, she rounds the bed to find the girl flung across the middle of the bed, mouth slightly open in deep, even breaths.

You are curled on your side facing the girl, a hand under your pillow and the other gently resting against Bug's side. Ever protective. Ever present.

Nadia smiles to herself and slips into the bed, gently rolling Bug toward the middle so they both have enough room. Bug mumbles in her sleep, moving toward you, her messy hair tangling on the pillow.

"Hey," you suddenly greet, voice rasping with sleep. "How'd it go?"

"Good," she whispers back. "Baby boy. Healthy and very, very loud."

You snort a soft laugh, reaching over Bug to caress Nadia's cheek. "Good job, Doc."

Nadia can't contain the smile. "Cinna did the hardest part."

You shrug as best as you can in your position. "Debatable."

Nadia leans over Bug, careful not to jostle her, and kisses your cheek. "I'm exhausted. Let's talk in the morning?"

You steal a second kiss, this one on the lips, before she can pull away. "Sleep well."

"Goodnight, love," she responds, warm with sleep and affection. She gently kisses Bug's temple before settling herself in for a much-needed sleep.