(Third Age 2943, July 21st) Astrid's POV

I'm now a little under nine months pregnant and am due sometime this week. The nursery is all set up for the baby. Right now I am brushing Fly humming a soft lullaby. "Astrid, the midwife said you're suppose to be on bed rest for the last week of pregnancy!" Bilbo says in a scolding tone. I roll my eyes at him.

"Bilbo I am perfectly fine, my mother worked until she gave birth to me. Remember? You've stopped me from patrolling the Shire and training. But you won't stop me from tending to my pony" I tell him.

"Primula told me she saw you climbing on the couch yesterday" he states. Primula is married to Drogo Baggins. Who is Bilbo's other cousin twice removed. They are the only ones that didn't try to buy our things when everyone thought we were dead. So we've gotten close over the last nine months.

"To clean the curtains and hang them back up" I state.

"You shouldn't be climbing on furniture, what if you had fallen?" he demands.

"Bilbo, I was perfectly fine" I assure him as I put the brush down. "Now I need to go sharpen the axes" I tell him.

"Oh no you are not, what if you cut yourself?" he asks me.

"When have I ever cut myself when sharping my axes?" I retort.

"At least do it sitting down and let me give your feet a massage" he begs.

"Fine, my feet were starting to swollen anyway" I grumble. We head back towards the house when I pee myself. "Ah Bilbo, my water just broke" I tell him sheepishly.

"Go inside and get ready, lay on your bed. I'll go get Primula and the midwife" he tells me. Then hurries off. I walk back into the house and change in the night gown for the birth. I lay on my bed taking deep calming breaths like the midwife had taught me.

Soon Primula comes in with the midwife carrying a couple clean towels. While the midwife carries a basin of warm water. "How far apart are the contractions?" the midwife asks me.

"About twenty minutes I believe" I tell her.

"Ok, well you still have roughly another hour until you're ready" she tells me after checking. "Feel free to walk around the room until the contractions are five minutes about" she adds. So I get up walk around as they set things up. Putting down several blankets on the bed to protect my bedding. Setting up an area for Primula to clean my baby.

"Have you got a name picked out yet?" Primula asks me.

"Yes, only Bilbo and I know" I tell her.

"You two act more like brother and sister, then cousins" she states.

"Guess that's what happens when you grow up and go a life threatening journey together" I tell her. "I still can't believe we missed yours and Drogo's wedding" I say feeling guilty.

"Don't worry we plan on a vow renewal for one of anniversaries and you'll be there for that" she states. I nod my head. Soon my contractions are five minutes a part and I'm back on the bed.

"Ok, on the next contraction push" the midwife tells me. "I'll tell you when to rest" she adds. I nod my head and feel a contraction. I start to push. "And rest" she says and I relax breathing heavily.

(Ninety two minutes later)

"Ok one more big push and your baby will be here" the midwife tells me.

"No, I can't do it" I tell with a sniffle. "Fili's not here, he'll never see his child grow up. My baby will never know his father" I cry.

"Yes you can, Fili would want you too" Primula tells me as she squeezes my hand. "He'd want you to give birth and raise your child. Think of his love for you" she tells me. I nod my head.

"Now push" the midwife tells me and I do so. Suddenly the cries of a baby fills the room. She cuts the umbilical cord and Primula cleans the baby. While the midwife cleans me. Primula then hand the baby now wrapped in Fili's old cloak to the midwife. "Astrid, allow me to introduce you to your son" she says handing me my baby.

"Filius" I say tiredly as I cradle him close to my chest. I see the faint tuffs of dark blonde hair and smile. I start to breast feed him.

"Both of you are perfectly healthy and what's his last name?" the midwife asks as she fills in the birth certificate.

"Took-Durin. Filius Took-Durin" I tell her. She smiles and writes it down. I finish feeding him and burp him.

"I'll leave you be, my door is always open if you feel something is wrong" the midwife tells me. Then leaves and Bilbo runs in with Drogo. Primula's husband and Bilbo's other cousin.

"Well?" Drogo asks me curious.

"Drogo meet your nephew Filius" I say smiling.

"He's perfect" Bilbo tells me smiling.

"I want one" Primula tells Drogo.

"We'll have one" he assures her. "We should leave them be, but we'll be visiting often" he tells me. I nod my head and they kiss Filius' head before leaving.

"Do you want to hold your god son?" I ask Bilbo.

"Are you sure?" he asks me.

"Of course, sit down" I tell him and he sits in the chair beside me. I carefully hand Filius to him making sure he supports his head.

"He's so tiny" Bilbo says looking at him in awe.

"Cherish it while you can, he'll grow up quickly" I tell him with a small smile. "Right now though, I need to soak these sheets. Then take a nap" I state and he nods his head. He continues to rocks Filius telling him of the start of our journey. I take the blankets and place them in the a big bucket of hot soapy water. I leave them to soak and have some food & water. I then put fresh sheets on my bed.

Then I change into a clean night gown placing the dirty one in bucket with the blankets. Before taking my son and laying on my clean bed. "I'll leave you two alone" Bilbo tells me. "Good night" he says smiling and leaves us. I lay down with Filius on my chest and fall asleep dreaming of our bright happy future. Wishing Fili was here.

A/n

Picture above of Fili's, Astrid and Filius beads. Picture in chapter of baby Filius and of Primula with Drogo.

I don't know how quick updates will be, but the Prequel is complete. So please feel free to read it: https://www.wattpad.com/551070846-cousin-of-bilbo-baggins-the-hobbit-good-morning