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As Josephine struggles for breath, it feels as though an invisible force has closed off her airways.
"Josephine," Regulus murmurs softly. "It's okay, just breathe."
"Shut up," Josie snaps, immediately regretting her sharp tone. "Sorry," she adds, forcing herself to take a deep breath.
They are in a room in St. Mungo's, the anticipation of impending birth palpable in the air.
Regulus presses a gentle kiss to her temple, his grip on her hand tightening with concern.
Merlin, she dreads this moment. Especially after hearing the harrowing stories of Nyla's and Serena's births. The fear claws at her insides.
"I swear, I'm never doing this again," Josephine declares as nurses bustle into the room. "Never."
"Whatever you want, my love," Regulus replies immediately, his voice steady with reassurance.
Taking a shaky breath, Josie struggles to calm her nerves. "Regulus," she whispers, her voice trembling. "I'm scared."
Regulus gives her a reassuring look, standing steadfast by her bedside. "You've got this. You're the strongest woman I know. I love you."
Her hand trembles in his grasp as she awaits the arrival of her aunt, her lifeline in this moment.
Soon, the pain becomes all-consuming, and Josephine finds herself pleading with the healers for any sort of pain medicine. Thankfully, they oblige.
Regulus remains by her side, unwavering, along with her aunt.
Amidst the haze of pain, Josephine can barely discern anything except the ache and the healers' instructions.
She barely registers the passage of time, only the cries of a newborn piercing through the fog of her consciousness.
"It's a girl," the healer announces.
Josephine feels tears welling up as her baby is placed in her arms.
Her heart swells with a mix of emotions as she gazes at her newborn daughter, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Regulus, too, is overcome with emotion, his touch gentle as he reaches out to caress their child.
In that moment, amidst tears of joy and relief, Josephine finds herself filled with an overwhelming sense of love and gratitude.
~~~
After a few hours pass, Josephine finds herself cradling her daughter in her arms, nestled in the hospital bed. Regulus stands by her side once again.
It feels... strange, almost unnatural, to hold her own child. As if her hands are unaccustomed to cradling something so precious, so innocent. She tries to push aside those unsettling thoughts.
"Serena Estelle," Josephine whispers softly, her voice barely above a murmur. Her daughter slumbers peacefully in her embrace.
Serena inherits her father's eyes, the hue of gray matching his perfectly.
"She resembles you," Regulus murmurs, his voice tender. "She's exquisite."
A radiant smile spreads across Josephine's face, banishing all lingering worries.
A soft knock on the door interrupts the serene moment, and Evan and Pandora peek inside, their presence hesitant. "May we come in?" Pandora whispers softly.
Regulus glances at Josephine for approval, and she nods in response.
Silently, Evan and Pandora enter the room, drawing closer to the bed. "Oh," Pandora breathes out softly, her gaze fixed on the baby.
Evan appears to be on the verge of tears, his blue eyes glistening as he looks down at the newborn.
Regulus discreetly leads Pandora a few steps away, likely discussing what she and Regulus were talking about before.
Godmother.
"Can... Can I hold her?" Evan's voice is barely a whisper, filled with a mixture of awe and trepidation.
"Of course," Josephine replies, slowly adjusting her position and handing Serena over to Evan.
Evan's tears flow freely now, unchecked emotion washing over him.
"Don't you dare laugh," Evan whispers hastily, shooting a playful glare at Josephine.
But she can't suppress her smile. Her daughter is perfection personified.
In that moment, Josephine feels an overwhelming sense of joy and contentment. She feels safe, secure. For years after Tom's death, she has lived in a constant state of tension and fear, always feeling as though someone is watching her.
Those feelings have begun to fade over time, but she isn't certain if they will ever completely dissipate.
