Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 4)

(ohhh haha okay that makes sense)

Ky grinned, perking up. That was good! ... right? How was she supposed to be reacting? Excitement? Relief? ... was she supposed to be reacting? She glanced around, trying to read the room.

The tension in the room relaxed instantly, and Gaius clapped Tomhas on the back with his good hand.
"See?" There was a genuine grin on his face. "We told you it would be fine." Tomhas smiled, relieved, then his face dropped again.
"What about Anneke?" He stood only to be pulled back down by Sara.
"They'll come get you when she's ready," she told him. "She needs a moment. Come on, Tomhas, how many times have you done this again?"
"Four," he said breathlessly. "No. Five, now. My wife has given birth to five children."
"So you're both professionals at this point," Ana encouraged him. "It's all fine, dear. Just give it a moment."

Ky grinned. She was glad that Tomhas seemed at least a little less anxious about it all. This was good. She thought about making a crack about the baby making it into the family faster than she did, but thought better of it, and just sat smiling instead.

Eventually there was a knock at the door, which Tomhas eagerly answered. The Keep's apothecary, a frazzled-looking young woman with a mess of corkscrew blonde curls tied up in a kerchief, entered. "Ladies and gentlemen," she said with a flustered grin, "it's my pleasure to inform you that Lady Anneke is quite well, and she's delivered to us a healthy baby girl!" Tomhas let out an overjoyed shout, and he pulled the apothecary into a tight hug. Sara hugged Gaius, and Ana clapped. Harold mopped his brow with the edge of his cloak, grinning.

Ky bounced happily, grinning eagerly. Marcella would be thrilled at that news. It seemed the Loquitur sisters had a clear majority now. At least, they would tomorrow.

"May I see her?" Tomhas asked when he had sheepishly let go of the apothecary. She smoothed down her apron and nodded.
"Just you, for now. She's very tired. It was one of the quickest births I've ever seen but it was taxing. I'll have a servant let the children and Master Wick know, if you like."
"Please," Tomhas said with a nod, gave the room a wild smile, and bounded out of the room with the apothecary close behind.
"Look at him," Gaius said with a small smile. "One extreme to the other, like a pendulum."

Ky smiled, glad that Ash seemed at least somewhat friendlier now. She hoped that this would last and that the tension wouldn't spike back between him and the king. "I'm glad he gets to stay at this end of the pendulum, now."

"It'll certainly have him in a good mood for another month or so. He's happier longer than he's upset, I've noticed." Gaius glanced at the door; he was curious to meet his new niece, and to hear what her name might be. "This is a good day, isn't it?"
"Indubitably," Sara agreed, and Ana nodded.
"Looks like I picked the right time to pay a visit," Harold chuckled, and Gaius's pleasure was soured by a twinge of irritation, which he masked well.

(oop we back to me learning a new word xD)

"Two girls in two days," Ky said, deciding to risk the joke after all since the mood seemed light enough she might get away with it. "A rather fast turn around."

(Whoop!)

"Quite. Nothing wrong with that at all," Harold responded. "Congratulations to you, gaining a new sister so soon before your own initiation! What do you suppose they'll name her?"

“No idea,” Ky said with a smile. “He said they don’t come up with names until they saw her.”

"Ah, I didn't know that! Madeline and I had names chosen outright. Interesting how different couples do things." He sobered. "Lord Loquitur and Lady Anneke are very lucky."

“Yes, sir,” Ky agreed with a more subdued smile. She didn’t know what she’d do, if she ever had a child. She supposed her anxiety wouldn’t let her not have a plan, but perhaps she’d have a short list to pick from and settle on one afterward. Maybe. It all seemed very distracting to be having to figure out when you were in as much pain as Anneke right now.

"I'm sure Tomhas will give us an answer when they've thought of something," Gaius said, shifting so he was nearer to Sara. "Namings often take time. It took us hours to find suitable names for Mattathias and Marcella."
"Partly because we hadn't expected twins," Sara noted. "And we didn't plan ahead." They hadn't expected any child to survive, honestly. Gaius had insisted for nine months straight that he couldn't have contributed to any successful life forms. And yet, four years later, there were three very successful young beings running around with his blood running through their veins. It was still a shock to Gaius, and it filled him with overwhelming pride and shame.

"Makes sense." Ky nodded. "It's a big decision. Carries the weight of a lifetime."