June
Eric Stafford
Stormalong Keep

South Feyshorian springs had always been forgiving for aslong as eric had been in Feyshore. The air lost its bite, and the snow was melting away. Leaving slushy snow pilesi n various places throughout the city. The countryside still had an inch or two of slush. But the warmth of the day brought a new life to the city that Eric had loved. The warm morning had had Eric in the keep's courtyard, watching some boxes be placed onto a wagon. A few things for the trip to Astoria to see Queen Anyanka's return. The servants were buzzing around with food and sthe clothes they had wanted to bring. It would only be a single wagon and a dozen or so guards to accompany them. Eric felt light for the first time since fall, no longer needing to wear the heavy clothes around, Eric felt comfortable walking around in light colored greens that fit tightly, but were not layered. 

He was waiting on his pregnant wife, who had insisted on going to Astoria, even with her pregnany. He'd suggested her stay here, a suggestion that he very quickly lost and regretted mentioning.
Alex
**Angelica Stafford
Stormalong Keep
**

The Queen had returned a little while ago, but this was her formal reintroduction. She'd delayed it to finish working through the complications she'd brought home with her from the North. Mikhail had resettled, not well, but that wasn't the requirement anymore, so it seemed. Another failed attempt at redemption had left the Durkhan family drained and discouraged. Anya couldn't face Astoria with the gloomy look she'd returned with, but now it seemed to have passed. 

Angelica, on the other hand, had only gotten more and more disgruntled as the weeks passed. She was hurting, exhausted, and generally wanting nothing to do with anything or anyone anymore. Eric had tried to suggest the two stay in Stormalong, and she'd quickly shut it down with a not so gentle reminder of who she was and what their positions were.

She's apologize for being harsh later, but she hadn't been able to control her temper. Even now, pacing the parlor of their home, she couldn't keep it down. An ache had started in her legs that made her feel week, and a new wave of cramps had started to make every move uncomfortable. A maid had stopped in to ask if she needed anything, and Angelica had practically thrown her from the room with a look. 

She really didn't want to prove Eric right in that she wasn't fit to travel, but moving to the doorway, an uncomfortable sensation overtook her as she was met with a distinct _wetness_ in her shoes. 

"Oh gods."
June
Eric Stafford
Stormalong Keep

The wagon had been packed and ready to go so Eric had walked up to tell his wife that they were ready as soon as he openned the door and his met hers, he knew somethign was wrong. The look on her face made Eric look down to see liquid on the ground. He'd rushed over to Angelica to make sure she didn't collapse to the ground. The door remained open.

"I need _help_ in her _NOW_!" Eric called in a voice that 'Gelica likely wasn't used to. It wasn't a scream, or yell. But it was cutting and loud, it boomed naturally down the halls like a command. Within a moment, several maids emerged terrified by the edge in Eric's voice. They had all known what was happening within a moment and rushed to Angelica and began helping her to the bed. 

Eric turned to the youngest maid, "Get every midwife in the castle. Now." He commanded, calmly. Then stepped next to Angelica's bedside and took her hand. "I'll be right here." He said, looking down at her.
Alex
**Angelica Stafford
Stormalong Keep**

Eric appeared in the doorway, and she couldn't help the confused expression on her features. She wasn't one that froze, and yet, she couldn't move. Eric's voice rang in the hall, and if she wasn't dealing with what she was now certain was labor, she might have made a joke about how authority sounded wonderful on his voice. 

There was a flood of people in the room, and she felt like she was being swept away. Next thing she knew she was being guided to sit on a bed, and Eric was speaking but she couldn't hear him. She was just too aware of the blood rushing in her ears and the yells of the midwives guiding her. 

While he had promised to be at her side, eventually the room got too crowded. Minutes dragged into hours and the hope of a simple delivery was lost. It felt like teams kept moving into her chambers in shifts, and eventually Eric was called into the hall. She watched him leave, only to be met with another set of contractions that left her screaming, forgetting about anyone else in the room for a long time.
June
Eric Stafford
Stormalong Keep

He paced the hall outside the door, watching midwives come and go. Frustration was growing, and within an hour the entire castle knew what was happening. Everyone knew the baby was coming. At first, Eric was getting updates on how things were going but those stopped as the labor dragged on. He was almost sick with worry, he wanted to kick down the door and be with his wife. Not one person in that room could stop him if he did. But Eric didn't. That would disrupt the sensitive procedure. So Eric paced, showering anyone who happened to step out of the room with questions. 

It was after these long hours when a satisfied, yet exhausted midwife stepped out and invited Eric back into the room with the sound of crying coming from inside. He heart was going to leap out of his chest as he passed through the threshold of the door.
Alex
Angelica Stafford
Stormalong Keep

A child crying had never been a sound she ever thought she'd be grateful to hear. It broke out in the room, and the collective sigh of relief was enough to make the world a little brighter. 

She was handed a child, swaddled in cloth and blueish in color still. He screamed, his little lungs expelling air faster than he could draw it in, and she laughed at the sight.

Eric reappeared in the door and Angelica looked up to him, giving him an exhausted smile. 

"We have a son."
June
Eric Stafford
Stormalong Keep

Eric's knees weakened when he saw the little swaddling the was wrapped around the baby. The baby. His baby. His son. _His son_. Eric approached quickly to see the child and smiled the most genuinely pleased smile he could have had. "What... What are we naming him?" Eric asked, having never even though of a name for a child throughout the whole pregnancy.