The next morning had transformed the previous night's rain into what would be today's snow. Jocelyn was wakened by her mother gently shaking her shoulder. The woman appeared to be in her mid forties or early fifties. Her shoulder length auburn hair was now being visited by streams of grey, and her face was now gaining wrinkles. The once bright blue-green eyes she sported were now being dull, and tired with stress and age. Jocelyn yawned as she looked up and saw the woman, her mother, standing there.<br/><br/>"I'm sorry for falling asleep, mother," she apologized earnestly, "I didn't arrive home until late, and I fell asleep after the clothes were washed. I need to put them over the fire to dry, if you'll allow it." Her mother shook her head gently before pointing to the clothes, now being dried over the fire. The snow would make her clothes stiff and even colder than before. During the winter, the clothes were to be dried by the fire unless under some circumstances that she would need to dry them outside.<br/><br/>Jocelyn gave a smile of thanks before standing up and embracing her mother. Her mother had smiled back and returned the hug. The hug was soon ended the moment a man and another woman walked into the room. The man was rather tall, and muscular. His hair was a solid sheet of silver, as it was short and messy as well. His blue eyes were now a dull grey, and his black beard was also silver. He had his brown shirt that was laced at the top, brown pants and boots. He also had a darker brown jacket, made with a material similar to leather. He had his axe over his shoulder as he looked at Jocelyn and her mother.<br/><br/>"Jocelyn, be sure to dress more appropriately for Edgar will be here to visit soon," her father ordered with a stern tone, "I know you aren't happy about this engagement, but we need the money to be able to make it. You marrying him will provide us with wealth and a better future for your mother, sister, and I." Jocelyn scoffed as she shot dagger glares at her father. It was times like these that she wished Evelyn, her sister, was chosen to marry Edgar. She was the one who liked him after all. She had light blonde hair that was always in a loose, side braid. She had a much more curvaceous body, and all the men were infatuated with her 'birthing hips'. She still couldn't understand why her father chose her instead of her sister to be Edgar's bride. Jocelyn liked to study medical books, and do her duty as a midwife's apprentice. She had no interest in a family right now. Maybe down the road, but certainly not in the near future. It depended on if she could find the right man. Unfortunately, she was being forced into marriage with a man that is every way, shape, and form wrong for her.<br/><br/>"As you with, father," Jocelyn replied simply before retreating to her room, and changing into a red, scoop neckline, loose fitting dress. It had long, draping sleeves, and it was of velvet material. She had a golden, loose tied belt to accentuate her natural hips. As soon as she finished changing, she ran her fingers through her now dried, frizzy hair in an attempt to make it look somewhat better. When she returned back to the kitchen, her father had already gone. Her sister and mother had began to cook breakfast.<br/><br/>"If Edgar stops by, I'll tell him you're at the clinic with the midwife." Her mother said, giving an apologetic smile. She knew her daughter was miserable yet there wasn't anything she could do to stop it. As those words were spoke, Jocelyn's eyes lit up and she smiled before thanking her mother. She had grabbed a fresh pair of white linens in case of childbirth, and proceeded out of the home, and to walk to the clinic.<br/><br/>The air in town seemed different than usual, and it only occurred when there was someone new into the town. The townspeople passing by seemed to be a bit nervous and fidgety as they hurried with their errands. Jocelyn paid no mind as she continued to walk to the clinic. Thankfully, she hadn't seen a sign of Edgar anywhere. Once she made it to the clinic, she changed into a spare midwifery dress, and proceeded to wait for the midwife to make her appearance. She always made it a note to arrive before the midwife, so she could have everything ready and prepared for the day. Whether it was a birth, or to check on a pregnant woman, there was always things that needed to be done.