Ariel's POV

The elevator doors opened, revealing the lobby to me. Alex looked up and smiled at me.

"Hey Ariel!" She greeted me happily and I smiled back at her.

"Hi sweetheart," I said, walking over to our mail box. Alastor's mailbox was strange, you could slide the letters through from the outside and they ended up in a little metal box on the inside of the building.

I opened it and took the papers out, sifting through them.

I walked over to the front desk, waddling slightly. I rested against the desk, taking a deep breath.

Alex giggled, "all out of breath, are we?" She teased me and I glared at her playfully. I flicked through the mail, dropping junk into the trash.

Then I stopped on a letter addressed to me.

To Ariel

From Mai

Quickly I tore open the letter, feeling my chest bubble with excitement. Mai has been away in the Envy Ring, and missed all of our current events.

I was somewhat happy about it.

I don't know what I would've done if she...

Never mind that, I need to read this.

"Dear stinky,

I am so so sorry I've been away! I'll be home tomorrow and we can go baby shopping! Tell Alastor I don't care how much damn shit you guys have bought, I am taking you fuckin shopping,"

I giggled and kept reading.

"I've missed you, and I saw what you did on the news! Man that was badass...I told him you'd win in a fight ;).

Love and kisses,

Mai Mai <3"

She drew a wink emoji and a heart and I gently folded the note, tucking it back into the envelope.

I tossed the rest of the mail into the trash and started walking back to the elevator.

Suddenly a sharp pain burst through my stomach causing me to gasp. I stumbled slightly, feeling warm liquid fall out of me and down my legs.

Alex gasped and stood up, running to me.

"Ariel! Are you ok!" She asked, worried. I took a deep, shaking breath.

"Honey, go call Al," I winced and put a hand over my stomach, "Wait..." I was breathing heavily and reached towards my back by my hip.

I pressed my fingers into the mark there, and felt the tingling sensation as it called him.

Alex watched me curiously and worriedly, then Alastor appeared in a split second.

"Dear, whatever is the—holy shit!" He cursed and immediately grabbed hold of me, holding me gently.

"Alastor the baby..." I breathed heavily, "it's time..."

His eyes were wide and terrified and he looked at Alex.

"Alex dear, no one comes in or out, if they do fucking kill them!" He stated quickly before I watched the world around me melt and then reform into the hospital lobby.

This is the second time in the same month I've been here.

"I need one of you to help my darling immediately!" Alastor demanded and I chuckled dryly, then immediately cried out as another contraction swept through me.

"Shhh, darling I'm here... I'm here..." Al spoke shakily, but also calmingly.

Before I even knew what was happening I was on a bed, legs spread open and my vagina revealed to the world.

I was breathing heavily, my teeth clenched as I held Alastor's hand tightly.

"Sweetheart you're doing amazing..."

His voice sounded far away, the pain blinding me. I cried out again, my breaths coming heavy and labored.

I could just barely hear the doctor telling me to push, but it was just so excruciating. Yet, with each contraction I couldn't help but push with everything I had.

My eyes shut tight, my fingers curled around Alastor's hand, knuckles stark white. I took a few deep breaths, the sweat coating my face making me feel disgusting.

It felt like a bowling ball was attached to all of my internal organs, yanking them down.

A chill ran over me, and I looked over at Alastor. I feel so weak...

All the noise around me faded away, my eyes focusing on the man beside me. I could hear my breaths echoing through my head.

His eyes met mine, the world felt slow. His ears were flat against his head, his bright red eyes full of worry and fear. I gave him the smallest smile through my heavy pants.

In an instant everything came crashing back down, every noise that had faded away bombarding me at once.

"Push!"

I let out a scream, my eyes squeezing shut as an unbelievable pressure suddenly relieved from between my legs.

My body collapsed against the bed, my chest rising and falling heavily. I was covered in sweat.

Then I heard it.

Soft crying...like music.

Briefly I looked over at Alastor, his face was blanched and I nearly found it comical.

A serial killer...blanching at the sight of live birth.

But his eyes were focused on something else. His pupils were completely rounded and I finally looked towards the sound of the crying.

In the doctor's arms was a small newborn...my newborn.

My daughter.

Her little hands were reaching up, her wails coming fast and in bursts.

A nurse suddenly handed Alastor a pair of scissors.

"Would you like to do the honors, dad?" She said to him kindly, and he slowly and reluctantly let go of my hand to take the large scissors.

"I-it won't hurt her will it?" He asked the nurse, his ears laying back. She blinked in surprise, probably at the fact that the radio demon not only just stuttered, but also was looking at her with a silent desperation for affirmation.

She chuckled, "no, of course not," she said, leading him over to where they were holding our baby. They clamped the umbilical cord for him, and he cut it where instructed.

A relief washed through me, and suddenly my body felt exhausted. My eyes were heavy. I smiled softly at the scene.

I blinked slowly, feeling a bit sleepy. My body felt like someone had placed bricks all over me.

They began talking about taking the small newborn away to clean her, and Alastor quickly snapped and she was spotless. 

The doctor blinked and then shrugged.

She handed the baby to Alastor with a smile, and he held her so delicately. His smile fell into a look of awe as he looked down at her, and then slowly returned in a tiny grin.

He held a claw in front of her, gently stroking her face. Her little fist wrapped around his finger and he smiled widely. His purr erupted in his chest and he approached the side of my bed cautiously.

"Here she is..." he said softly, and my half lidded eyes looked up at him, my soft smile broadening just barely.

He handed her to me, and I held her for a moment, looking into her big, wide eyes.

They were a very soft green with flecks of red in them.

I felt a tear roll down my cheek, and the exhaustion in my body started to feel really heavy.

Alastor took her back, and held her gently.

Noises around me began to fade out, I was trying to stay awake...I looked up at Alastor.

He looked back at me, and his expression turned worried.

Badump...

My smile stayed soft as I looked up at him, and my vision started to blur...I'm so tired.

Badump......

"Doctor..." I barely registered Alastor's worried voice, "doctor she looks really pale..."

Ba...dump...

He sounds so far away...I feel really light.

Ba...dump......

My body feels like it's floating further away...his voice was distant now.

Ba......dump......

"Ariel!"

Ba......

I'm just going to take a nap, my love...

Dum...

"DOCTOR!"

*

*

*

*

*