forward dated to august 19

[mother_confessor]

Having a baby, it seemed, was long and thankless work. Kahlan hadn't exactly been prepared for the pain of labor but having endured other pain in her life, she endured that with as much grace as she could manage. Besides, in the end, she was rewarded with a beautiful daughter with dark hair and what looked to be big, dark eyes.

Richard had been there the entire time, even though Kahlan was certain she'd said some unspeakable things during the worst part of it, and she was finally feeling well enough to have visitors come in to see both her and the newborn.

"Well, little Cara, are you ready to receive an audience? Everyone's been waiting to see you."

Comments

[mother_confessor]

"Oh, Aphrodite," Kahlan said warmly, sitting up a little when she realized her friend was here. She had gotten a little bit of sleep with Cara dozing in her arms and now it was time to meet new people.

"I'm so glad you came. Would you like to see her?"

[just_hormones]

"Of course," Aphrodite gushes, moving to stand beside the bed so she could get a better look at the newborn. "Oh, she's so tiny and precious!"

[mother_confessor]

"Both of those things," Kahlan agreed, beaming at Aphrodite. "You may hold her, if you like? I think she'd be honored to meet her godmother, wouldn't you?" And this godmother had the distinct advantage of being an actual goddess.

[just_hormones]

"Her godmother would be honored as well," Aphrodite replies, beaming, and thinking she likes the sound of 'godmother' way better than 'grandmother'. "I would love to hold her."

[mother_confessor]

Kahlan carefully swaddled the baby and passed her over. She was still getting used to how best to hold her but she found that, like most things, it was somewhat instinctual on her part.

"Here you go. Cara, this is Aphrodite. She's very important."

[just_hormones]

Aphrodite takes the baby from Kahlan with the utmost of care, cradling Cara in her arms and making sure she's secure before she sits in the chair beside the bed. "It's very nice to meet you, Cara," she says softly, then looks up at Kahlan. "She looks like you."

[mother_confessor]

"Richard and I have gone back and forth on who she favors," Kahlan admitted. "I think she looks more like her father and he says she looks like me. I guess only time will tell, yes?"

[just_hormones]

"Well, whoever she ends up looking like, she's already beautiful," Aphrodite says, looking down at the tiny person in her arms. "And she's going to grow up to be beautiful."

[mother_confessor]

"Of course she is. She's named for two very beautiful women," Kahlan said, beaming bright. She thought the name was an excellent choice all around, especially considering how warm and welcoming Aphrodite had been since she arrived on the island.

[just_hormones]

Aphrodite's own smile brightens at that. "Not to mention her gorgeous parents," she remembers to say, something she's been getting much better at.

[mother_confessor]

"Hardly at the moment but usually, yes," Kahlan said, brushing her hair back off her forehead. "Right now, I just feel exhausted. It is unusually hard work, bringing a baby into the world."

[just_hormones]

"Well, Mama, if you want to get some sleep, I can just sit here and hold her for a while," Aphrodite says, surprising herself even as she makes the offer. "I have a feeling you're going to need all you can get."

[mother_confessor]

"That sounds like an excellent plan," Kahlan agreed. "Cara should get to know her godmother as soon as possible, yes?"

This was a new concept to Kahlan but she liked the idea of it and had adopted this island custom alongside those of the Midlands.

[just_hormones]

"Exactly," Aphrodite replies, and smiles down at little Cara in her arms. "You and I will have some quality time while your mama gets some rest."