[locked to ariel]

[anneoftheisland]

Anne practically flew out of the compound and towards the party, keeping her eyes open for Ariel's distinctive hair. There were a lot of people she wanted to talk to, but only one she wanted to talk to right now, and she wasn't going to stop searching till she found her no matter who might've tried to stop her to congratulate her.

She finally found Ariel outside the Hub but near the food, and without saying a word excitedly pulled her away from the crowd so that they might find some privacy. A walk behind the compound, through the garden, ought to be perfect.

Comments

[island-anne.livejournal.com]

"I'm absolutely certain it's wonderful," says Anne. She's a little nervous and she's a little frightened, but deep down she knows that it's a wonderful thing. "There are so many things we're going to have to do, but we have the time. Oh Ariel, we're going to be someone's parents."

[sickof-swimming.livejournal.com]

"Oh my god," Ariel said, for what was probably the tenth time. "I never...I never thought it would ever happen!" she admitted. Sure, she had thought about having children one day, but that was back when she imagined herself married to a Prince. She never thought she'd put a baby in someone else, and after she had married Anne she had resigned herself to a childless family.

"Are you sure? How do you know, Anne?" she asked, pulling back enough to where she could see Anne's face.

[island-anne.livejournal.com]

"Oh, you know all too well how I've been feeling ill these past couple of weeks," said Anne, reaching out to run her fingers lightly along Ariel's cheek, still so pleased with her news. "I stopped at the clinic before coming to the party, in the hopes that they might be able to give me something to calm my stomach, but Dr. Fraser discovered that it was the baby all along."

[sickof-swimming.livejournal.com]

Humans became ill when they were pregnant, she knew she had heard that somewhere, maybe even read it, but she'd never thought to make the connection. "Will you be okay?" she asked, almost desperately. It was like logic just wasn't working at the moment. Human women had babies all the time, surely, but if it made Anne ill now who knew what else would happen.

[island-anne.livejournal.com]

"Oh yes!" Anne assured her quickly. "I might feel ill for a little while longer, but I'm assured that it will pass. I just need to ensure that I continue to eat in spite of it, those foods which my stomach can easily tolerate."

[sickof-swimming.livejournal.com]

Ariel began to smile slowly, through her eyebrows remained lifted in worry. "I can't believe it, Anne. I really can't. But I think you will make the best mother," she started to say, feeling her throat tighten up with emotion.

[island-anne.livejournal.com]

"We'll both be good parents," insisted Anne, wrapping her arms around Ariel again and holding her close. "I know an awful lot about children already, and I just know that you'll be wonderful."

[sickof-swimming.livejournal.com]

Ariel hugged back firmly, tucking her face under Anne's chin. "I guess we got really lucky, though it wasn't like I was...trying, you know?" she said, blushing faintly.

[island-anne.livejournal.com]

Anne laughed softly and took Ariel's hand, intending to continue with their walk through the garden and orchard now that the news had been revealed.

"Extraordinarily lucky, I think," she said. "I wouldn't even have thought it possible, if it hadn't happened. But I'm not sorry, I'm not sorry at all. Oh Ariel, I'm so happy about this, I truly am."

[sickof-swimming.livejournal.com]

"I'm glad you're happy," Ariel said, sounding relieved. She would have felt terrible if she had done something like that to Anne that Anne would regret.

"I'm happy, too," she added. "It's all just so shocking."

[island-anne.livejournal.com]

"Oh, it is," said Anne, swinging their arms as they walked. "It's terribly shocking and I don't imagine I'll get over the surprise of it quickly, but it's wonderful at the same time. I'm so glad you're happy too, Ariel."

[sickof-swimming.livejournal.com]

"Of course," Ariel said, though to be honest she was still feeling wound up inside and nervous, but she was sure it would go away with time. "How long until the baby is born?"

[island-anne.livejournal.com]

"Not until after Christmas," said Anne, "so we have lots of time to get ready." She paused again in their walk, wiping a lingering tear from Ariel's cheek with her thumb and leaning in to give her a soft kiss. "I love you."

[sickof-swimming.livejournal.com]

That was a little bit of a relief, because Ariel was sure there were things she would have to learn about raising a child, and it would be better to do so before it was born.

"I love you, too," Ariel murmured, leaning back in for a longer kiss.

[island-anne.livejournal.com]

Anne had been so excited and overwhelmed for so long now -- all day, even before she learned of the baby -- that it was a comfort and a relief to be in Ariel's arms like that again. She was more than happy to stand right there by the garden and kiss her for as long as Ariel would let her.