Swallow your pride

Loss

Yarra's PoV

The school year has started. Ominis and Sebastian entered the last, seventh grade. Yarra had to postpone school due to the house arrest ordered by the ministry. But Yara did not feel sorry for the school at all. Now she lived for Isadora. Moreover, she did not stay home alone. She was accompanied by Anne, with whom they became close. Her delivery was approaching.
Yarra looked at her worriedly, "Anne, are you alright? You seem a bit pale."

Anne forced a smile, trying to appear stronger than she felt. "I'm... I'm fine," she said, her voice a touch strained. "Just... feeling a little tired, that's all."
She attempted to push herself up from her seat, biting back a gasp of pain, she sank back down, her hand instinctively going to her swollen belly.
Yarra watched Anne's struggle with a concerned expression on her face. She could see the toll the pregnancy was taking on her, the pain and fatigue visible in her every movement.
"Anne," she said gently, taking a step closer to her friend. "You're clearly not fine. You look like you're in pain." Anne let out a shaky sigh, "I... I just feel a little... a little stretched," she admitted, her voice strained. "But it's nothing. Really, I'm fine."

Yarra shook her head adamantly, her voice firm but gentle. "Anne, stop trying to be tough. You're not fooling anyone." She moved closer to her, taking her gently by the arm. "Let's get you to bed. You need rest, and we need to keep an eye on those contractions....I'd better call the doctor and send the owl to the boys to come home."

Anne didn't protest as Yarra led her to the bed, her stubborn pride finally giving way to her exhaustion.
As Yarra mentioned calling the doctor and summoning Ominis and Sebastian, Anne's eyes widened in alarm.
"N-No, wait!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with a mixture of fear and panic.
Yarra's forehead furrowed in confusion. She halted her movements, her grip on Anne's arm loosening. "No?.. Why not? Anne, you're in pain and the contractions are coming. We need to call a doctor and inform Ominis and Sebastian."

"N-Not yet," Anne insisted, her voice tight with stress. "I... I don't want to bother them. It's just a few... a few contractions, that's all. They don't need to rush back just for that."She clutched at her stomach, her expression a combination of stubbornness and fear.
"You know how... how stressed Ominis gets," she continued, her eyes pleading. "And Sebastian... he won't be able to focus on anything if he finds out. And I'm... I'm not even in labor yet. It could take hours."
She shook her head, "Please, Yarra... let's just wait a little longer. Just to see how things progress."

Yarra looked at Anne with a mix of concern and frustration. She understood her desire to keep calm and not cause unnecessary panic, but she also knew the importance of getting professional medical attention if necessary. "Anne," she said firmly but gently. "I understand your concerns, but you need to think about what's best for you and the baby. Your health and safety should be our number one priority here."
She paused, her expression softening slightly. "Besides, Ominis and Sebastian will be more upset if we don't tell them and something goes wrong."

Anne's expression was torn. She winced suddenly again as another contraction gripped her stomach.
"I know, I know..." she said through clenched teeth. "But... but I don't want to worry them needlessly. It's just a few contractions, it's too early to call the doctor, isn't it?"
Yarra noticing the strain on Anne's face as another contraction hit. She took a deep breath, knowing she had to handle this situation delicately. "Maybe..." she began, choosing her words carefully. "Maybe there's a compromise." She looked at Anne, her gaze steady. "How about we don't notify Ominis and Sebastian right away? We'll wait a bit longer... But, we'll call the doctor immediately."

Anne's mouth twisted in a grimace. She nodded shakily, her expression a mixture of pain, fear, and resignation. "Fine... okay, let's... let's call the doctor. But please, don't tell the boys just yet..."