Momentum (Completed)

Epilogue

The woman sighed as she rested her head on her swollen stomach. It had been a scary seven and a half months, but with the due date less than three nights away she found herself surprisingly calm. Yes, she was still fearful, but the initial uncontrollable panic had settled down and yes, she did miss the girl she used to be, but she was looking forward to the seeing the woman she was about to become. Life went on and slowly the concept of pregnancy was becoming bearable. 

Outside, the wind was calming and the rain fell at a steady pace, creating a slight drumming sound on the small window situated in the left wall beside her bed. Her eyelids fluttered gently, and just as she was about to doze off, the life in her stomach kicked gently, causing her to jolt awake. 

"Its okay," she said, running her fingers over the bulge, "mother's here." As though reassured by her voice, the movement settled and peace resumed. 

Now unable to fall back to sleep, she sat still for a few moments before she began fidgeting and decided she had to stand. It was a difficult manoeuvre, but with a few wriggles and groans she was up and trying to balance herself on unsteady feet. 

As feeling returned to her legs, she began to pace back and forth, the wooden floorboards creaking slightly under her weight. It wasn't her fault she'd all but doubled in size - this was nature's way. On her third pace her eyes caught sight of something that for the past few weeks she'd all but forgotten. A small wooden box was perched up on the highest shelf, sitting in the dust silently. The woman smiled; it had been awhile since she'd looked inside it, let alone added to it. 

Reaching up and taking it from the rickety shelf, she blew away the thin layer of dust that had formed before prising it open and marvelling at the contents. Feather upon feather laid neatly inside - all of similar orient; all clearly from the same breed of bird...All from owls. Holding the box with her right hand, she gently brushed the soft fluff with the other. 

There were feathers from Snowy Owls, Barn Owls, Elf owls, Long-eared Owl's...Every breed she could imagine... Of course, though, this woman had other trinkets she adored. A lock of horse hair that never left the chain around her neck, an old cobweb that she never touched but always watched with great endearment and curiosity. She wished she had more, but memories like those were hard to come by, so she had to make do. 

Suddenly two sharp knocks sounded at her little shack's wooden door. It jolted her out of her thought process and she almost dropped the box. Carefully, she laid the open box down on the bed and approached the door in confusion; who would be calling this late at night? 

"Open up. I have got something for you." 

The woman's suspicion disappeared quickly; she knew who it was now. Rushing over as fast as her pregnant body would allow, she pulled open the door and felt absolute elation at what she saw. One of her closest friends had somehow both made, carved, and carried two of the most beautiful baby cots she had ever seen to her front door. How she managed to have the strength to move them both, especially in this slippery weather, she did not know. 

"Let me help-" she offered, as she didn't like the idea of her soaking wet friend trying to push the cots over the threshold on her own; that wouldn't be fair. 

"In the state you're in? Don't be ridiculous." Replied her friend, ignoring her attempts to help and instead heaved the cots inside one after the other. When they were both in some appropriate spaces she stood back and admired her work, brushing her wet hair out of her face. "Well, what do you think?" 

The pregnant woman gushed happily as she took them both in, tracing the tiny carved details with her fingers. One of the cots was made of a lighter wood, almost like a sand colour, and the carvings that were on it depicted a beautiful speckled barn owl. Its wings and face were so detailed it was mesmerising, the way it seemed to glide around the cot despite it being still. The owl was flying through trees, over little huts and finally settling in a tiny little hollow. 

When she finally managed to pull her eyes away she took in the second cot. This one was made of far, far darker wood and it told the tale of a horse. Its mane was long and flowing, and it pranced over rolling hills and high mountains. It reared up as the sun set and it galloped freely...It was completely astounding. 

"I...I adore them." Smiled the pregnant lady, tears in her eyes. "How did you...?" 

"Magic, my friend."  Both the women fell into comfortable silence with each other until the one who brought the cots in noticed the open box on the bed. "Ah, I almost forgot," she said, reaching up into her hair and pulling out a perfectly formed barn owl feather, "a gift for you." Before the pregnant woman could say anything her friend sat her down on the bed. "Tomorrow your life will change, I can feel its tomorrow."

"Are you sure?" She asked fearfully. 

"I'm sure."

The atmosphere became slightly tense and no one said anything for a few minutes until the babies kicked again. "They're moving, Elanor. Here, feel it." she grabbed Elanor's hand and placed it on her moving belly. "See?" 

Elanor nodded. "I see very clearly, and I know you have nothing to worry about." She reached over and brushed the pregnant women's red, curly hair out of her face. 

"You promise?" She asked. 

Elanor's face broke into a smile. "You'll make a great mother, Nephele. I promise." 

Author's Note:

If you are reading this, we cannot begin to thank you enough for sticking with us this long! :D

We realize that Momentum has been an emotional story, and to some of you, maybe a bit boring. We promise you that your patience will be rewarded with the action-packed third and final installment in this series, Armageddon. At the current time, we can't promise when it will be uploaded, but we're going to hold off on it for a least a month or so. We're both working on projects on our main profiles and we have to start thinking about where this profile is going after 'The Urbem' series is completed (and the final, completely revised draft that will be submitted to publishers), so bare with us for the time being. Keep your eyes peeled for Armageddon.

Once again, thanks so much for your support, and we hope to see you at the conclusion of Lyra's and Nephele's story!

~ Spelling_Bee