A Frabjous Festival

Chapter Eight: Fiona

Arianna wiped a bead of sweat from her brow and returned to her dress-making, sighing as a slight pain lanced through her back. She was currently in her ninth month, and while her pregnancy had been an easy one, she sometimes got pains in her lower back if she sat at her work table for too long. Alannah had made her a potion that helped alleviate the pain, but it was still a bit frustrating.

She took a sip from the vial nearby, sighing in relief as the pain in her back vanished, and stared at the drawing on the sheet of paper in front of her-a ball gown. Mirana had come to her the week before and asked her to design a dress for the annual Ball, and Arianna had readily agreed. She and Mirana had spent several hours discussing just what it was that the Queen wanted, and Arianna had done a quick sketch of the gown before showing it to Mirana. "Is this what you want, Mirana?"

The dress was simple yet elegant, with a skirt that pooled out at the waist and a high collar at the back. There was just enough of a dip in the front to allure, but not so much as to cause scandal. Mirana had beamed in joy. "This is exactly what I wanted! How long will it take to make?"

"A month, maybe more. I've got to see how much blue silk I have left, and Michael doesn't like me working too late in my Shop. He'd much rather have me home so he can talk to our babe."

Mirana laughed. "A trait of all fathers to be. I can remember when Alice was pregnant with you and your brother. Tarrant would spend hours jabbering to you. Your mother and I suspect that's where you both got the Rambles from. You may take as long as you need on my dress. And now, how are you feeling? Any fatigue, pain, or anything of that sort?"

Arianna smiled. "I do get tired, but not overly so, and it's usually at the end of a long day. My lower back sometimes pains me, but I have a very nice potion Alannah gave me as well as a husband who gives absolutely marvelous massages. My mood's been a bit up and down, though. Just last week I threw a teapot at Thackery. He seemed a bit shocked, but I apologized."

Mirana laughed. "That must have been quite the sight to see! I am glad you're doing so well, and I look forward to meeting your child."

That had been a month ago, and Arianna's mood swings had tapered off, due in no small part to Michael knowing just what to do to calm her down. One night, after she had had a particularly bad bout of temper that left three plates shattered and food all over the cottage, she had gone into the bedroom and collapsed, sobbing. A few hours later, Michael had come in and lay next to her, draping his arm around her waist. "Michael?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry I lost my temper. I…I'm….such a bloody mess!"

Michael kissed her cheek. "You aren't a mess, Ari. You're pregnant. When Mum was pregnant with Vicki she had some pretty bad mood swings, but Dad always knew how to calm her down-and when to speak and when to stay silent. I picked up a few things from him. But then again, Dad's always known how to calm Mum down."

Arianna turned and faced him. "Same with my Mum. She's always been able to calm Dad down and bring him back from Madness. I've never actually seen Dad truly Mad and I never wish to."

Michael smiled grimly. "Nor would I. I've seen Mum pretty enraged, but never Mad. I know she went Mad during the Battle with Humpty Dumpty, though, and from what I've heard she found it a most unpleasant experience."

"Dad told Josiah and me about that. He said that she nearly took his head off before he was able to bring her back." Arianna chuckled. "Of course, it's not just my Dad and your Mum that have tempers. Mum and Ilosovic can be quite scary when provoked."

"True. Just look at what happened to Lord Sotherby and Corporal Davis. Dad wreaked some pretty bloody revenge on both of them."

Arianna shivered. "Yes. Michael, have I told you lately that I love the way you can make me forget my bad mood?"

"No, not lately."

"Well, you do a marvelous job of it. Also, have I told you lately that I am utterly in love with you?"

Michael grinned and kissed her. "Why yes, I do believe you have. But I still enjoy hearing it all the same."

"Michael Stayne, I am completely, utterly, totally, and madly in love with you."

"I love you too, Arianna."

Arianna mopped her brow again, sighing. She really needed to take a break-the paper before her was starting to double. She collapsed on a sofa, sighing in relief at the cool breeze coming in from the open window. She shut her eyes, enjoying the feeling.

Her eyes shot open ten seconds later when an enormous jolt shot through her entire body. She whimpered at the pain, then yelped as a second, stronger jolt hit-and she realized that she was going into labor.

Luckily for her, she had left the door to her Shop slightly open, and her cries for help were heard. Chessur came flying into the Shop, concern on his feline features. "Arianna? Was that you yelling?"

"Chess, I…OW! I'm in labor!"

For the first time in his life, Chessur found himself at a loss for words. "Ummm…." Arianna yelped in pain, and the Cat shook himself. "Right. Well, take my paw and I'll have you at the Infirmary in no time."

Arianna grabbed his paw so tightly he hissed. "Love, I said hold my paw, not crush it." Her grip loosened, and Chess grinned. "That's a girl. Now, to the Infirmary."

Alannah was doing Infirmary Duty when Chessur materialized in front of her, Arianna in tow-and Alannah immediately recognized the signs of labor. "Chessur, get her settled in a bed then go and fetch Michael, if you would."

Chessur did so, and Alannah handed Arianna a small vial filled with a green liquid. "Here, this will alleviate some of the pain. I hope you don't mind if I deliver my grandchild."

Arianna chuckled. "No, I don't mind. You are a midwife, after all."

Michael was in the stalls brushing down Grey Star when Chessur appeared. "I thought you might like to know that Arianna is in the Infirmary about to give birth."

Michael stared at Chessur in complete shock for a full ten minutes before yelling in joy and running for the Infirmary as fast as his legs would carry him. He ran up to the bed Arianna was resting on, and kissed her, happy tears running down his face. "Did I miss anything?"

Alannah smiled. "No, she's still in labor."

Arianna whimpered as another contraction hit, and then wailed. "I WANT MY MOMMY!"

Alannah was about to leave to fetch her when Alice came running into the room. "Ari, darling, what's wrong?"

Arianna whimpered, holding her arms out. "Mum, this hurts!"

Alice immediately guessed what was happening and pulled her daughter into a tight hug. "I know it does, baby, but I promise you the pain will be forgotten once you hold your child in your arms for the first time. Now, I'll be right here the whole time, I promise. Alannah, is she ready to start pushing yet?"

Alannah nodded. "She's ready. Michael, you get behind her for support. Alice, you just keep holding onto her. Arianna, I want you to count to ten and then push, alright?"

Arianna nodded, then took a deep breath and counted, bearing down with all her might when she reached ten. "THIS HURTS! MICHAEL, THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"

Michael pouted, and Alice and Alannah laughed. "Brings back memories, doesn't it, Alannah? What was it you yelled giving birth to Katarina?"

"That Ilosovic would never be allowed to touch me again. Needless to say, that didn't happen. I rather liked your cursing of Tarrant-I believe you threatened to make him into Mad Hatter Stew."

Alice giggled. "That would have been a very odd meal. I wonder if it would go well with the Pudding the White Knight invented."

"It would have. Arianna, keep pushing, you're nearly there."

"I…can't…"

Alannah looked up at her. "Yes you can. The head's almost out. Just a few more pushes, love."

Arianna gritted her teeth and bore down with all her might, screaming in pain, and Alannah beamed. "That's a girl! Here comes the head! One more push, Arianna, and you'll be all done!"

Arianna gave one final, massive push and collapsed against the pillows in utter exhaustion, sweat running down her face. "I…done?"

Alannah looked at her, happy tears in her eyes. "Yes, and you did a marvelous job. Now, would you like to hold your daughter?"

Michael and Arianna spoke at the same moment. "Daughter?"

Alannah cleaned the infant and placed her in Arianna's arms. "You've had a girl, and she is absolutely gorgeous."

Arianna stared at the babe in her arms and burst into tears of joy. "Michael, look. She's got your hair. She's so tiny, and so…"

Michael finished the sentence. "Perfect. She's absolutely perfect."

Alice swiped a hand across her eyes in a futile attempt to stem the tears that were flowing down her face. "I never thought I would be so happy to be a grandmother. She's beautiful, Ari."

Alannah blinked back her own tears. "She is."

"Who's perfect?"

Alannah turned and smiled at Tarrant. "Your granddaughter."

"My…?" Tarrant came forward, his eyes widening at the sight. He gulped, and Arianna gasped as his eyes turned pale lavender. "Arianna, she's gorgeous."

"Isn't she? She's got my eyes and Michael's hair."

"Oh, she's so pretty! I love her! She's such a fine, beautiful, wondrous, amazing, magical…"

"Katarina! Calm down!"

Katarina blushed. "Sorry Mum."

It was two days later, and everyone had gathered in Michael and Arianna's cottage to meet the newest member of the family, and all were agreed that the babe was quite wonderful, and that she would also be spoiled rotten by her Aunts and Uncles.

Tarrant gently stroked her small hand, smiling. "So, have you two thought of a name yet?"

Michael and Arianna looked at each other, and smiled. Arianna spoke. "We decided to name her after someone that meant a lot to you. I would like you all to meet Fiona Stayne. Do you like that name, Dad?"

Tarrant nodded, tears in his eyes, and spoke in a soft brogue. "Lass, tha' is an absolutely perfect name. Hello, Fiona."

Ilosovic smiled as he watched Tarrant cooing to Fiona. "It's amazing, you know."

Tarrant looked over at him. "What?"

"How much things have changed, and changed for the better. Fiona is the proof of that. She's the most frabjous gift we could ever receive."

Tarrant smiled in agreement.

Arianna gently kissed Fiona's forehead. "Lass, you are going to make our lives truly Frabjous."

Author's Note: I'm thinking of doing one more chapter-it will basically be a letter to Helen about the birth of Fiona. If that's something you'd like to see, tell me in a Review.