#premature birth

[sovereignsystem]

Extremely curious because I have a theory. So, systems;

PLEASE reblog for sample size.

(THIS POLL IS ANTI-ENDO, DNI IF YOU SUPPORT)

This poll was inspired by the time I was in a discord server and mentioned how I was a premature birth and wondered if that contributed to (NOT FORMED) my system forming, and discovering 5 other systems who were also premature. This is not meant to be an airtight, without a doubt REASON for anyone to be a system, I'm just curious how much (if at all) overlap there is!

Thank you!!

-❔ (It/He)

[mindblowingscience]

One in 10 premature births in the United States have been linked to pregnant women being exposed to chemicals in extremely common plastic products, a large study said on Wednesday. The chemicals, called phthalates, are used to soften plastic and can be found in thousands of consumer items including plastic containers and wrapping, beauty care products and toys.

Continue Reading.

[jalicecookie]

Duck or Treat?

A very Oktober Halloween(ish) Gift for the wonderful @ritualofcirice and her work Hazbin Hotel Imagines and Scenarios Chapter 3 : When Lucifer gave you your fiftieth Duck <3

While going Trick or Treat with Niffty an Halloween, Things not go as planned for you and you´re met with the Question - Duck or Treat.

Trigger Warning: NICU, premature Birth, Fear, Hospital Stay

“But Dazzle would look so cute in that costume” -  a sigh escaped your lips as you demonstratively held up the little ketchup bottle-style costume and put all your persuasion,  into convincing Charlie that Razzle or Dazzle could wear a costume for the annual Halloween. But the two bodyguards of the Princess of Hell were not keen and had hidden somewhere in the hotel.

“And Razzle would wear a matching outfit - ketchup and mustard” -  were your additional words and with a reach into one of the bags on the floor, you conjured up the second costume intended for Razzle.

A Halloween mustard bottle outfit. It would have been such a great combination and in your opinion Razzle and Dazzle already looked cute in general... only the costumes would have made them even cuter.

“Darling? Maybe our demon cat told Razzle and Dazzle that you put the hamburger costume on her and wanted to take her trick or treating with Niffty?”  - Lucifer gently placed a hand on your right shoulder. His words made sense.

“Oh yes, I think Razzle and Dazzle are hiding together with your cat, buuuuut Niffty is already excited, she hasn't talked about anything else for last days” -  Charlie said with a smile and took both of the packed costumes from you.

“Maybe we can use one of the costumes for the baby , when it comes in a few months and celebrates its first Halloween?”  - Charlie changed the subject and your hand automatically went to your Stomach,  resting gently on the fabric of your dress.

“Four more months... maybe I should have dressed up as a duckling, hm Luci?” -  you replied and with one hand you reached for Lucifer's to squeeze it gently.

The duck in the oven surprise was a few months ago and since that, you told almost everyone, the public's focus has been on you, more than ever.

And Charlie and Lucifer's concern for your well-being has increased.

But it's still four months until the birth date.

Nevertheless, the thought of all the holidays and special moments , that you could experience with your baby, the family and Lucifer enchants you. The little girl would be loved and protected by everyone.

"And what are you supposed to portray?" -  came the question from Angel, who had sprinkled a little orange glitter in his hair for Halloween and an upcoming shoot for a Halloween spin-off in Valentino's studio.

"Isn't that obvious?"  - Husk commented from the bar and you smiled at the grumpy bartender. He hadn't dressed up and you had already known it.

"Oh? And what exactly is the not so obvious?" -  Angel countered cluelessly.

“A strawberry” -  was Husk’s answer.

“I thought you were supposed to be a tomato… oh” -  said Lucifer, surprised.

You reached into one of the bags again and a small strawberry handbag and a green hat completed your outfit.

“I was already wearing it , when we went through the entrance to the hotel, but it’s a bit warm here today… but yes, Husk is right. I’m a strawberry for Halloween” - you giggled and it was a simple Halloween costume. But sufficient.

“A pregnant strawberry, how cute!” -  giggled Niffty, who came running into the entrance area of ​​the hotel in her Halloween costume and the sight elicited an amused laugh from you. Charlie, Angel and Husk also had to smile.

Because Niffty had put a lot of effort into her costume. She had sewn it by hand and of course chose a bad boy from the last few decades.

A serial killer costume.

Michael Myers.

She had styled her hair a little messier and the dark suit that was typical for Michael Myers had been changed into a knee-length dark two-piece dress and heels along with one of the kitchen knives, which completed her Halloween outfit.

“Exactly, Niffty… or should I say Michael Myers?” -  you said to Niffty who gave you a proud smile and a few moments later a Halloween bucket appeared in both your free hand and Niffty’s hand.

“Don’t forget to smile Ladies!”,  said Alastor from the reception before he and his shadow wrapped themselves in a dark cloud and disappeared.

“Alastor wanted to record a special podcast for Halloween… unfortunately he’s not coming with us”,  explained Niffty and rustled the bag once.

“Oh, he’s already put some sweets in the bags. How nice of him”, you said happily and heard Lucifer quietly grinding his teeth.

“Could be poisoned and….”

“Daaad! Alastor is really trying to be nice!”

“Char-Char it….”

“Dad! Would he try to poison Niffty or the mother of my little sister and your daughter?”

“No?”

You could hear Lucifer wanting to say something else, but the ringing of his cell phone interrupted him. He let go of your hand, walked a few steps away and talked on the phone for a moment.

“I'm afraid I'll have to join you later... there's a meeting scheduled with my brothers and sisters... I'd really like to skip it, I told Asmodeus and Leviathan , that we wanted to go trick or treating with Niffty and....”  - Lucifer had a pained expression on his face, but you completely understood. He was the king of hell, one of the seven deadly sins, and had obligations and duties that he had to fulfill.

“No problem Luci, we'll take care of ourselves and I think with Michael Myers by my side , nothing can happen to me”,  you said lovingly and gave him a kiss on the cheek. If he has to go to this meeting, then so be it.

Lucifer smiled gratefully and then said goodbye.

You say goodbye to Charlie, who waves to you and Niffty as you leave the hotel, and then you set off with the little cyclops in your Halloween costumes,  to visit the first shops and houses to do the well-known trick or treating.

It was something completely different to on earth.

Treat came first and usually something ends in flames or chaos if you have crappy candy... or don't open the door in the first place.

The children of hell, however, had a special position, got lots of candy and soon Niffty's little bucket was filled with lots of candy, a card for teeth cleaning at a Dentist Place, a poisonous green apple and a bracelet with a spider web design.

You also got a few things as a companion... candy and a saying like - well, pretty strawberry all alone? Niffty had scared the guy when she rang the bell and hit the air with the kitchen knife. She really took her role seriously. You shouldn't underestimate Michael Myers and the Strawberry Duo.

"What about the house? Does it belong to someone?", you nod once to an old building on the outskirts of the city, which was dilapidated and didn't look like it belonged to anyone...but appearances are deceptive, because as soon as you asked the question, a Hellborn with a broad smile appeared on the ground with a little yellow smoke.

"May I recommend our latest scare project to these costumed Halloween visitors? A Hunted House! For just a small entrance fee, there is an almost hour-long tour of scares and horror!", the Hellborn said mysteriously.

"Oh, that sounds exciting. Do you want to do that?", Niffty grabbed your free hand and you couldn't say no.

Maybe it was because of the baby fever,  that was flaring up or because the cyclops was so small, but the pleading expression on Niffty's face triggered something in you that made you nod.

“A haunted house, huh? Let's see if we can scare the ghosts there!” - were your words, and after paying the entrance fee, the spooky fun could begin.

You ignore the slight stomach ache , that makes you grimace when you enter. That's probably from eating sweets. According to Niffty, that's part of a trick or treating trip. And you ate a lot of them as you went from house to house.

The Hellborn hadn't under-promised, the haunted house was much darker and scarier on the inside than it seemed.

There were scare actors, hidden rooms... spooky decorations and something that looked like the shadow of a real ghost.

The goal was to find a way to the exit through the labyrinth of rooms, stairs, secret rooms and hiding places. And it was fun... to get scared and discover the little details of the haunted house... the fog that suddenly appeared enveloped it in an even scarier atmosphere.

Up to the point where you and Niffty parted ways.

A trapdoor had opened under your feet and pulled you down to a lower floor... into the basement and Niffty's outraged cries had been swallowed up by the dark walls of the basement.

Nothing had happened to you when you hit the floor, a mattress had been provided and a few flashlights had been switched on for the visitors to light up the way in the darkness. You weren't afraid. The relationship with Lucifer and moving into the king's castle had given you a little more self-confidence.

When you turned the next corner and met a scar actor in a zombie outfit with one eye hanging out, you were frightened and let out a surprised scream... but you didn't expect the intense stomach pain that brought your body to its knees.

An intense pain took your breath away. For a moment, everything went everything goes black. The colors start to fade and the zombie comes a few steps closer, waving his axe in front of you and making... zombie noises.

"Aaaaaah!"-  you scream, full of fear.

Real fear... something is wrong... your body is clearly signaling that something is wrong... and that it has nothing to do with the haunted house.

When something warm runs down your legs, you are confused... before a new threshold of pain causes you to scream louder, scared and panicked.

Tears form in your eyes and at that moment the scare actor , also realizes that something is wrong and contacts the owner of the haunted house via walkie talkie.

Only when the new wave of pain hits do you guess the reason.

It wasn't the zombie scare actor's great performance... that was premature labor.

But… it was much too early and… you instinctively push… a reaction from your body, while around you quick steps approached the basement… you are now lying on your back on the cold floor… another scream escapes you as your hands search for something to hold on to, but you can’t get a hold of anything, expect the gold ground.

Another contraction causes you to push, the panic and fear for your baby manifests itself in your brain. This isn’t how it should be… you… you… should have four more months left....four months of pure Happyness and looking forward to be a parent....to promise Lucifer he is going to be a good dad, he did a very good job with charlie after all....to have late night Walks in the Park with Lucifer, to kiss him good morning and in renturn he first gaves you a kiss on the forehead, and than a kiss on the stomach for the little baby girl.

It was much too early!

The next wave of pain exhausts you… your vision blurs and you feel, only half awake, how Niffty rushes to your side and grabs your hand, begging you to stay with her… the ambulance is on the way and you would be going to the hospital… but your eyes closed too fast....it went dark too fast.

Bright light blinds you as you open them again. The voices of the nurse and doctors are so loud. Your hand automatically goes to your stomach... your now flat stomach. Where is your BABY!? In a panic, you want to jump up and flee from the hospital bed, but a kind nurse stops you and the doctor treating you takes away your fear.

                                                                            ***

“There we have our patient again, don't worry, her little daughter is fine... she is in an incubator in the premature baby ward of the hospital, we will take her to her right away. Please rest” said the doctor.

She... is alive? Your baby, who was born four months early... survived? Was she okay? What happend to Niffty?

“How... what... and Niffty?”

What had happened to Niffty... was she still in the haunted house?

“Your companion threatened our head doctor, if he doesn't provide the best possible treatment and a single room for you and the baby... he will suffer...a lot” -  was the nurse's answer with a slightly tortured laugh.

“If…if they’re afraid of Niffty, they’re scared of my Partner”

Lucifer would be terribly worried…hopefully he had finished his meeting with the other sins…damn overthinking and people pleasing…another habit of yours.

You were soon taken to your private room and were able to see your baby for the first time.

The incubator frightened you…all the tubes and wires the baby was connected to, the beeping monitors and equipment monitoring her vital signs…the feeding tube that had been put in…the little body rising and falling as she breathed and the fact that she had come into this world too early.

Tears welled up in your eyes and you were scared. Terribly scared.

The nice nurse and doctor, however, assured you that the technological standards and the chances of survival were good, even for hell.

And as the partner of the King of Hell, you would take extra good care of Mother and baby.

You were told what to look out for, how important it was that no germs got into the incubator and that you should make physical contact with the baby as soon as possible, talk to her a lot, sing to her...caring for you and your premature baby , would be unusual for both of you...but you were in good hands.

Your body, after you had assured yourself that the heart rate on one of the screens remained constant...craved rest...and you dared to go into a restless sleep. Sleep that your body desperately needed.

Several hours later, you were woken up by the gentle sounds of an all too familiar violin.

Lucifer sat by the baby's incubator and hummed the song - Hush little Baby  - quietly accompanied by the music on the violin.

Another reason besides the hormones and the event that caused your inner dams to collapse and made you start to cry.

Silent…quietly just so as not to interrupt your partner's beautiful violin playing…but Lucifer notices it and is quickly at your side…apologizes to you so many times, even though he has done nothing wrong.

He is super careful, gives you several gentle kisses on the cheek and head of hair and swears to make the owner of the Haunted House suffer for putting you into premature labor.

“Luci….my Love, I don’t think it was the Haunted House’s fault….there are many reasons for a premature birth….we’ll be fine….will you stay with us….just a little bit, please Luci? I….am scared”, you whisper and grab your partner’s hands.

Lucifer stayed overnight.

The King of Hell had slept in a chair and you had woken up in a panic almost every time the machines used to monitor your daughter’s vital functions started beeping loudly.

Something else you’ll have to get used to…future false alarms,  from the technical equipment while your baby is sleeping peacefully.

The nurses and the doctor treating you,  are doing their best to take away your fear and worry...but mother and baby still have to stay in the hospital for a while...and it will be almost two weeks before Charlie and Vaggie can visit the intensive care unit.

"Naaaaaaw, she's so small and cute! Look at her Vaggie!", -  cooed Charlie and could hardly tear himself away from the incubator and quietly talk to her little sister in baby talk , while Vaggie stood next to her partner.

Now that your body was feeling a little better, you sat down on one of the armchairs on Lucifer's lap and laid your head on his shoulder.

Your partner had been with you as often as possible at night, trying to support you where he could...and of course placed the large - congratulations it's a girl - gift basket from Ozzie and Fizzy in the room.

The sympathy for the birth of the other deadly sins was so heartwarming and the congratulations cards from the hotel residents, had made you cry tears of joy.

The public knew nothing about the premature princess. Lucifer, together with Queen Bee and Charlie, had silenced the media for the time being... you should enjoy and use the few weeks of peace that you still have left... because media hype and photos for the press were out of place.

"We don't have a name yet but... her middle name should be Charlotte" -  you say and snuggle up to Lucifer, who lovingly strokes your hair. Which causes Charlie to let out an even more touched naaaaaw.

"Babe, we still have something for mother and child remember?", said Vaggie after another fifteen minutes in which Charlie had only looked devotedly at the sleeping baby in the incubator.

"Oh yes, of course... surprise!"  - Charlie handed you a small bag.

You recognized the logo of the Halloween outfitter immediately.

Curiously, you reached into the bag and were able to pull out a set of three Halloween costumes.

"But these are..."

“Duck family costumes!” - Lucifer finished your sentence enthusiastically.

“Then you have a mama duck, daddy duck and baby duck for the coming next years Halloween!” -  Charlie listed enthusiastically.

You didn't miss the fact that the princess' eyes started to light up when you said the word baby. Well, sounds like if someone start to get baby fever?

“Thanks Charlie and Vaggie... it's perfect!” -  you thanked him and Lucifer also expressed his thanks.

“Then we already have a theme for the next year coming Halloween” -  you said and looked lovingly at the baby duck costume... it would be a long time before your baby would fit into it.

“No haunted houses for the both you!”  - Lucifer said seriously straight away.

You give him a loving kiss on the mouth and add the following sentence.

“I was thinking more of something like - Duck or Treat?”

                                                 THE END

AO3

[dec0ra-grl]

What if the John Marston daughter was born extremely premature?

Imagine being John, finally getting his second chance at fatherhood, being so damn excited for that chance. Only for her to pop out half dead.

She would have been 9 inches long at 26 weeks, you know how small 9 inches is? That’s smaller than a weening kitten. That’s only 1.5 inches bigger than a pencil. That’s so small he would have had to hold her in his hands, not arms. All that panic reading he did on how to hold a baby? Useless. Now all he has is a cold blob of maybe a baby in his hands.

For a moment, John’s heart lived outside his body in the form of his daughter. For just a second he was complete. Then the next second she was dead. But he sure didn’t get his heart back.

[violottie]

yes this is uncomfortable to witness. it should be. we must never get apathetic or immune to the heartache and rage this causes. genocide is not normal. do not look away. do not normalise it. do what you can to stop it.

"The health situation of pregnant women in Gaza." from Bisan, 26/Feb/2024:

[cheerfullycatholic]

When she was only 22 weeks pregnant, Naomi Southern-Augustine, a mum from Peterborough, went into hospital after noticing unusual symptoms. She was concerned that this might be “a waste of NHS time” but also didn’t want to wait another eight weeks for her next scheduled appointment.. However, much to Naomi’s shock, baby Wren was born at just 22 weeks and was the smallest baby her neonatal intensive care unit had ever seen, measuring about the same size as her father Rob’s hand. “I didn’t know you could go into labour that early. We didn’t know what to expect, we were shocked”, Naomi said. “It was a difficult time – there wasn’t much hope and we were told to prepare ourselves as she was unlikely to survive but she did”. ... Babies such as Wren, born at 22 weeks, highlight the clear contradiction at the heart of our abortion law and medical practice. On the one hand, the law permits ending the lives of babies at 22 and 23 weeks, and, on the other hand, current medical practice strives to save the lives of many babies born prematurely at 22 or 23 weeks gestation. The annual abortion statistics for England and Wales in 2021 (the most recent year for which a full year of data is available) reveal that 755 “ground C” abortions were performed when the baby was at 22 or 23 weeks gestation (ground C is the statutory ground under which the vast majority of abortions are permitted and there is currently a 24-week time limit for abortions performed under this statutory ground). At the same time, according to a recent study, there were a total of 261 babies born alive at 22 and 23 weeks, before the abortion limit, who survived to discharge from hospital in 2020 and 2021. This means in the same hospital, on the same day, two babies at the same gestational age (22 or 23 weeks gestation) could have very different fates – one could have his or her life deliberately ended by abortion, and the other could be born prematurely and have a dedicated medical team provide the best care they can to try to save his or her life.

[darkmasterofcupcakes]

Which were Lute's first thoughts about Vaggie when she was able to rest a little after giving birth?

She honestly wasn’t sure how she felt about Vaggie at first. She felt a sense of protectiveness, but wasn’t sure she could say she loved the baby?

While she’d never admit it, for the first week of Vaggie’s life, Lute mostly felt a combination of fear and guilt when she wasn’t just exhausted from caring for a newborn entirely on her own. Especially a slightly premature newborn.

And the prematurity was a big reason for the guilt, as the doctor did confirm her fear that the injury she sustained during the previous Extermination likely did contribute to her going into early labor, and to make matters worse, she was genuinely lucky that the labor wasn’t triggered even sooner.

[sexwithsophie]

Happy World Prematurity Day!!! Sometimes, you'll go through an odyssey just to clear a path for others. The NHS is allowing us to do just that by sharing our daughter Magnolia Day's extreme preemie story with pregnant people in the UK and around the world.

Watch the video, and bookmark or share the full resource page: https://maternity.sneewellbeing.org.uk/your-birth/preterm-birth

[mpregkick]

[neuroticboyfriend]

so. i was born extremely premature because my mom had weakness and shortening of the cervix. she couldn't keep me in her body, so they kept her kinda upside down for 2 weeks and then delivered me by c-section, at 25 weeks gestation.

for a long time, i never bothered to look into what causes cervical insufficiency, bc why would i. but just now, i learned: "A genetic disorder like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which may cause cervical weakness and can lead to cervical insufficiency" (source).

...ykno. there are times where i'm like, nah, me and my family may be hypermobile and have all these medical problems, but surely, we don't have EDS. but. uh. this is getting a bit hard to deny, now.

so yea, yet another EDS comorbidity no one teaches you about! go figure!

[ivpapaemeritusiv]

Chapter 22: Opus and Cirice

Summary: Addy's twins are in trouble as preterm labor once again threatens their safe delivery. Papa finally comes to a realization that he must allow his wife breaks between pregnancies to ensure that his future children do not meet the same fate as his twins.

Word Count: 3,900 words

It was the end of October; the tour was down to its last two shows. They were in Addy’s hometown of Tampa, and she was thrilled to be back for a short time. Ellie graced the band with her presence, contacted by Papa Emeritus himself to accompany the crew backstage so that his wife could visit with her best friend.

The Clergy, with Papa’s input, timed everything so that Addy would be home before her due date and could safely deliver the twins at home. Everyone gathered at sound check, getting acquainted with the new stage, and testing out the sounds of the instruments in the unfamiliar venue. Ideas were flowing as they brainstormed ways to keep the current show fresh and exciting.

During this bustling time, Papa was busy with a meet and greet before the show. Addy, now too big to stand up with the rest of the ghouls, sat on the floor, observing the scene. She patiently waited for everyone to finish so they could all head to the green room and grab a light meal. It was a well-deserved break before they could finally relax for a few hours and unwind. The anticipation was high, and they were ready to make the most of their downtime.

“Swiss,” Addy called out, “I can’t hear your mic at all.”

Swiss, growing increasingly irritated, realized his mic was still malfunctioning. The techs had already attempted to fix it twice, to no avail. “Damn it!” he yelled in frustration, feeling discouraged. “I guess they don’t like my voice.”

“Nonsense!” Addy exclaimed; her tone filled with reassurance. “You have an angelic voice. It’s their loss for not being able to appreciate it.”

Ellie leaned into Addy’s ear, “God, he is so hot. I think I’ll try to sleep with him this time around.”

Addy shook her head, locking eyes with her friend, clearly disapproving of Ellie's words, "I don't think you should do that," she said firmly.

Ellie, with a hint of defiance, replied, "And why not?"

Addy simply stated, "Just don't, okay?"

As Swiss finished expressing his frustration, he turned to Addy and gave her an enchanting glance. It was a look filled with a mix of admiration and gratitude, silently conveying his appreciation for her kind words.

“What the hell was that?” Ellie exclaimed, catching sight of the ghoul and her friend exchanging flirtatious glances.

“Nothing,” Addy shook herself out of it, catching the man’s eyes once more.

Their enchanting gaze was abruptly broken as Swiss noticed a sudden shift in Addy’s expression. A look of dread washed over her face, causing her complexion to turn pale white. All traces of emotion vanished, replaced only by pure fear. It was as if she had seen a ghost, and Swiss’s heart skipped a beat. Concern filled his voice as he asked, “Addy, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

In that intense moment, Addy instinctively placed her hands between her legs, needing confirmation of what she had felt.

Ellie too noticed the shift and worriedly asked, “Addeline? What is it?”

Swiss, without hesitation, dropped his guitar and rushed to her side. Kneeling to her level, he gently took her hands in his, anxious to understand what she was experiencing. Their eyes locked, noses almost touching, as Addy revealed with a hint of stuttering, “My water just broke.”

Swiss’s heart skipped a beat as a wave of fear washed over him, “Fuck, you’re bleeding,” he exclaimed, his voice trembling with concern. “Addy, we need to get you to the hospital now!”

“What’s wrong?” Ellie asked, her concern evident as she observed the unsettling sight of blood, “Is she okay?”

By this time, everyone on stage could sense that something was going on. Swiss, filled with concern, called out for Cirrus, knowing that Addy would feel more at ease with her than the others. “Cirrus, we’ve got a repeat situation!” Swiss exclaimed urgently.

Cirrus, feeling a sense of panic at the unknown, asked, “What happened?”

Without hesitation, Swiss sprinted away, shouting back, “The babies are coming! Stay with her while I go find the Cardinal!”

“It’s too early for the babies to come, right?” Ellie’s questions were lost among the ghouls.

Swiss ran like a man possessed, desperately searching for Papa in the midst of his fan meet-up. He didn’t even hesitate to interrupt a photo op, fully aware of the urgency of the situation. Papa, taken aback by Swiss’s distress, couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease himself. The ghoul, usually cool and collected, was now breathless and struggling to find the right words to convey the news.

“What’s going on, Swiss?” Papa asked, his confusion evident.

“Listen, Cardinal, you gotta come with me,” Swiss pleaded.

“I’m in the middle of something,” Copia responded, still unsure of the gravity of the situation. But then Swiss managed to utter just one word, “Addy.”

That was all it took. Copia’s eyes widened in terror. “No,” he exclaimed, his voice filled with desperation. Without wasting a second, he turned to the meet and greet coordinator to explain the situation and then sprinted off with Swiss to be by his wife’s side.

The men made their way back to the stage, their footsteps echoing in the tense silence. Cirrus, ever the supportive companion, was by Addeline’s side, offering comfort as she struggled with both emotional and physical pain. Addeline clung to Cirrus. Now, having contractions, her piercing, agonizing cries cut through the air, filling it with raw anguish and desperation.

Papa’s heart sank as he witnessed Addeline’s distress. Without a moment’s hesitation, he dropped to his knees beside her, his voice filled with a mixture of concern and determination, “Do not fret, my love,” he reassured her, his eyes filled with unwavering love. “Let’s get to the hospital.”

In that moment, the weight of their situation hung heavy in the air. Swiss chimed in with the question that was on everyone’s mind, “What about the show?”

Papa, with a heavy heart, made a difficult decision, “It’s canceled.”

The crew and the ghouls wasted no time and hurriedly made their way to the nearest hospital. Papa, Ellie, and Swiss worked together to support Addy as they entered the emergency room. While Papa was busy comforting Addy, Swiss rushed up to the counter to inform the staff about the urgent situation, “We have a pregnant woman here in labor,” Swiss explained, his voice filled with concern. “She’s 28 weeks along and she’s carrying twins.”

Without hesitation, a nurse quickly emerged and swiftly wheeled Addy to the maternity ward. The two musicians along with Ellie followed closely behind, determined to be there for Addy during this crucial moment. The tension hung in the air as they navigated the hospital corridors, their hearts filled with a mix of anxiety and hope.

Once Addy was settled in a bed, a doctor joined the scene. Ellie and Papa provided comfort to her while Swiss anxiously paced around the room. Sensing their fear, the doctor spoke up, offering words of reassurance, “Hey, everyone, take a deep breath and try to relax. You’ve come to the right place.”

Her calming words helped ease the tension in the room, and everyone found a sense of calm amidst the chaos.

The beautiful young physician introduced herself to the group as Dr. Raegan Press, “I’m Dr. Press, but everyone likes to call me Dr. Raegan because we have two Press’s on this floor,” she explained looking down at a clipboard. “There wasn’t enough room in the hospital for two of us,” she said with a warm smile.

As she settled in, the doctor apologized for not having prior information at Addy’s arrival, acknowledging the swift nature of their entrance, “Can I get your name, sweetheart?”

The room buzzed with anticipation as everyone began answering the doctor’s questions on Addy’s behalf. However, Dr. Raegan kindly intervened, recognizing the importance of letting Addy speak for herself, “I know everyone in here must care very deeply for Addeline, but how about we let the mother-to-be speak for herself?”

Addy immediately felt a connection with the doctor, appreciating her encouragement to find her own voice in this moment.

The doctor slipped on a pair of gloves to check if the woman was in active labor. While doing so, she asked, “Has your water broken, Addeline?”

Addy replied, “Yes, about an hour ago.”

While doing a cervical exam, she gently said, “So, some of these guys are calling you Addy and some of them are calling you Addeline. I’d like to know what you’d prefer?”

“Addy is fine,” she answered.

Dr. Raegan could feel that she was 7 centimeters dilated, “Okay, Addy, you are in active labor.”

“Oh God!” the scared girl cried out.

“What does that mean?” Papa shouted, clearly unnerved at the revelation.

The doctor apprehensively revealed, “28 weeks is early, but we’ll take it one step at a time.”

She removed her gloves and glanced at the clipboard, noticing that Addy was pregnant with twins. Addy started to feel anxious, seeing the concern on the doctor’s face. But the physician reassured her, saying, “Addy, we can do a lot for twins born this early. Just try to keep calm, okay?”

Papa couldn’t sit idle anymore and asked, “Are the babies coming too early? Can they survive?”

The doctor, taken aback by Papa’s appearance, noticed that everyone was in costume and wondered, “Are we doing some cosplay tonight?”

Swiss, eager to explain, said, “We’re Ghost. It’s a band. We’re actually pretty popular.”

The doctor noticed the ghoul, who obviously appeared to be much younger than the Cardinal, and assumed, “Oh, you must be the father.”

Papa didn’t look too pleased at the mistake and promptly corrected her. He raised his hand and confidently declared, “I am the father. We already have some little ones.”

Addy, worried about her son, asked, “Where’s Kaisarion?”

Swiss reassured her, saying, “Don’t worry about K man. The nanny took him back to the hotel.”

“Addy what pregnancy is this for you, dear?”

“This is my third.”

“And can you tell me the birthdates of your other children?”

Swiss scoffed, knowing the doctor would comment on the quick succession of pregnancies, “So, Addy, you got pregnant 3 weeks after your first was born and 6 weeks after your second?” The disapproval in the doctor’s voice was evident.

“Wow, that’s impressive. Do you want a big family?” the doctor asked.

Addy, not wanting to reveal her true feelings in front of the Cardinal, was almost relieved when she suddenly experienced a strong contraction. The pain surged through her body, causing every muscle to tighten in response. In that moment, she couldn’t contain the overwhelming anguish any longer. An ear-splitting scream escaped her lips, jolting her friends, family, and even the unsuspecting bystanders on the floor. It was a cry that reverberated with such force that it seemed to echo through the very depths of her soul.

Ellie winced as if she could feel the pain, and Swiss practically sprinted to get to Addy’s bedside. The Cardinal tightly squeezed his wife’s hand. The doctor remained calm and reassured everyone, “It’s okay. Pain is a normal part of childbirth, and Addy is quite far along. Addy, we can order an epidural or continue naturally. Do you have a preference?”

Addy screamed through her cramps, “Epidural, please!”

“I’ll send in the anesthesiologist,” Doctor Raegan promised before leaving the room.

A very kind nurse kept a close eye on Addeline and her babies, making sure they were well. She monitored Addy’s vital signs, checked the babies’ heart rates, and helped her find a comfortable position. She would occasionally check Addy’s dilation and bring her ice chips to munch on.

“How are they doing?” Addy asked anxiously. The nurse glanced at the monitor and reassured her that the twins were doing fine. Addy felt relieved to hear that. Meanwhile, Papa stepped out to make a call about rescheduling the show, wanting to keep his fans happy. Swiss took Papa’s place and held Addy’s hand, which reminded her of their recent kiss and made her blush. Ellie noticed this and found it strange, but she didn’t say anything.

Swiss observed that the woman had run out of ice chips and asked, “Do you want more of those?”

She replied, “I kinda want a popsicle.”

Swiss chuckled, “You can’t suck on a popsicle in front of the Cardinal, Addy. You’ll get pregnant again before the twins come out.”

Ellie laughed at this joke, along with the ghoul, but their laughter was interrupted as the Cardinal returned, nudging Swiss out of his spot.

“Anything new?” Copia asked.

Addy replied, “No, but this epidural is amazing this time around. I can’t feel a thing.”

Just as Addy spoke the words, a strong contraction hit her, taking her breath away. Her stomach stiffened, and she felt the babies kicking fiercely, “Christ,” she exclaimed, “Maybe it’s not as amazing as I thought.”

After a few hours, the doctor returned with two nurses pushing baby bins in for the twins, “Addy,” she began, “Let’s check your progress, dear.” She examined Addy and noticed that she was fully dilated at 10 centimeters.

The moment was filled with anticipation as the doctor looked at Addy, Papa, Swiss, and Ellie, announcing, “It’s time to start pushing.”

Swiss wondered if it was okay to stay, but since no one asked him to leave, he stayed to offer support. Papa gazed at his wife with adoring eyes and whispered, “Alright, Amore, you know what to do.”

With Papa holding her hand tightly, Ellie made her way over to Addy’s empty one.

Dr. Raegan reassured Addy, “Alright, mama, you know what to do, right? Three big pushes with each contraction!”

The presence of several nurses made Addy nervous, but the doctor assured her they were all there to help. With all her might, Addy pushed during the first contraction, and with just one push, baby number one popped out, making quite the fuss, “Guys you’ve got a boy!” The doctor happily revealed.

Addy’s joy was evident as she gasped in delight. Her conditioned belief that her worth was based on the number of boys she could provide still lingered. “Opus” she silently called out. Opus was quickly whisked away to the first bin.

“Alright, Addy, how about another push when you feel the next contraction, hon!”

When the pain radiated through her abdomen, Addy gave another big push. This time, the doctor didn’t reveal the baby’s gender; instead, a nurse swiftly took the child. Addy grew scared, exclaiming, “The baby isn’t crying! Why isn’t the baby crying?”

The concern on Ellie’s face and the gloomy look from Swiss added to her worry.

“What is it?” Papa was now asking, worried about his child. He jumped up to see what was happening. Things became incredibly intense as Swiss restrained Papa, ensuring he wouldn’t interfere with the skilled professionals. In the midst of the chaos, Addy could hear urgent commands being called out, with one pediatrician urgently stating, “Clear the airway!”

Time seemed to stretch on endlessly, as the parent’s questions went unanswered. But then, like a beautiful melody, a faint cry reached Addy’s ears. The room filled with collective sighs of relief, and Addy couldn’t contain her overwhelming emotions any longer, bursting into tears of pure joy.

The doctor brought Opus close to Papa and gently placed him in his arms. And then, a nurse approached Addy with her strong little fighter, saying, “Congratulations, you have a girl!”

Addy couldn’t help but laugh through her tears and exclaimed, “What? A girl and a boy?”

Papa joined in the laughter, relieved that everything was okay and surprised by the news of having both, “Wow, my love, you’ve given me two of each now!” he said, referring to all four of his children.

He leaned down to give Addy and his new baby girl a sweet kiss. Ellie and Swiss, feeling the relief, hurried over to gather around their friends.

Ellie asked with excitement, “What’s her name?”

Addy gently held the tiny baby’s finger and marveled at how small she seemed, “This is Cirice,” she proudly announced.

Swiss couldn’t help but giggle as he said, “Ah, I see what you’re doing now. You want a baby for each album track!”

Ellie nudged Swiss, indicating that joking might not be appropriate in that moment, but it did earn a laugh from Papa.

In that special moment with her friends, Addeline couldn’t shake off the worries about her tiny and underdeveloped twins. They were so fragile, needing a lot of growing still. Addeline knew they wouldn’t be leaving the hospital any time soon, and it pained her heart. The uncertainty of potential complications weighed on her mind.

On top of that, Papa needed to finish the tour which meant he would have to leave her for a week. Addeline wondered if she would be alone. Maybe Swiss could stay? So many unanswered questions dampened her happiness with her new bundles of joy. It seemed Papa was unaware of the potential problems, so she chose to keep quiet for now, not wanting to spoil the moment for him. Protecting him was always one of her top priorities.

The Emeritus twins were taken to the NICU for proper care. Little Cirice, weighing only 2 pounds, needed respiratory support for her breathing difficulties, while Opus, at 2.5 pounds, struggled with regulating his body temperature and had jaundice. It was heartbreaking for Addy, who had hoped to breastfeed her babies, to see them needing to be fed through a tube.

Due to NICU restrictions, only two people could be with the twins at a time, so Swiss and Ellie waited in the waiting room while Papa and Addy spent time with their precious little ones.

“They’re so tiny, aren’t they?” Papa exclaimed.

“They look like hamsters,” Addy added.

Feeling devastated and blaming herself, the woman looked into Copia’s eyes with deep sadness, “Papa, I’m so sorry. I should have listened to you. You told me not to overwork myself and I didn’t listen.”

The Cardinal, appalled by Addeline’s self-blame, reassured her, “Amore, I will not have you blaming yourself for something that is beyond your control. It is nonsense to think such a thing.”

Seeing his wife in tears, he realized he needed to approach her worries with more sensitivity. “Tesoro, look at me,” he gently lifted her chin, meeting her charcoal eyes with his, “This is not your fault.”

When Addy couldn’t bear looking at her babies any longer, she asked Papa to walk her back to her room. Due to her health, she had to stay there for a few days, but Papa had to leave for their next show, “I feel so guilty leaving you, Cara Mia,” he expressed, struggling to balance both their happiness and the expectations of his fans.

Understanding his predicament, Addy reassured him, “It’s okay, Papa. You canceled a show for me.”

Copia nodded, “Yes, and I’ll make up for it before we return if possible. Will you be alright alone, dear?”

Addy felt scared about being left alone with two infants in critical care, but she knew Papa couldn’t cancel the rest of the tour. Summoning her courage, she replied, “I’ll be okay. I can stay at my old apartment and visit the babies. I’m right where I need to be.”

Just then, Ellenore and Swiss walked into the room, overhearing the conversation. Swiss offered, “I’ll stay with her.”

Papa pondered the idea but ultimately dismissed it, “You’re my only male backup vocalist, I need you with me.

Ellie volunteered, “I can stay with her. It’s no trouble.”

The Cardinal turned to Addy and asked, “Would you like that, darling? If Ellenore kept you company?”

Although Addy adored Ellenore, the fleeting thought of how it would be to have Swiss care for her danced across her mind. couldn’t help but want Swiss to stay.

“Well, Ellie, you know I have a one-bedroom apartment so it might be cramped.”

Papa interjected, “If everyone wants their own space, you can stay at the hotel.”

Addeline, not wanting him to spend the extra money, assured him, “No, that’s fine. Ellie and I can share a bed, or she can sleep on the couch. It’s no big deal.”

“Then it’s settled,” Copia said. “Thank you, Ellenore.”

Before leaving, Copia gave Addeline a long, passionate kiss. It always saddened him to leave her behind, “Amore, I will call each night. Maybe I can even make a drive back to see you and the children between the two shows,” he promised.

Addeline held onto his hand tightly as he walked away, releasing his fingers only when their fingertips parted. Swiss leaned over and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, his grip on her shoulder showing his affection. He looked into her eyes with a longing that seemed more than just platonic. “Bye, Adds,” he said. Ellie furrowed her brows and curled her lip at this subtle gesture, finding it odd.

She found it so peculiar that she couldn’t resist asking once she and the woman were alone, “Hey Addy, what’s up with you and Swiss?”

Addy looked puzzled, “What do you mean?”

“The way that he… well he… never mind,” she quickly dismissed it, thinking she might be overanalyzing the situation. * Addy's heart fluttered with anticipation as she waited for her husband's return. The tour's end marked the beginning of their reunion, a moment she had longed for during the days of separation. The thought of finally being in his arms again filled her with a sense of joy and longing that only their reunion could satisfy.

Her heart raced as she heard a knock on her apartment door, causing her to spring up from her seat. Slowly opening the door, she was met with the sight of the man's face, and without hesitation, she leaped into his arms. Copia dropped his bags, enveloping her in a warm embrace as she straddled his abdomen.

“Hello, Amore,” he greeted her.

Ellie had made a swift exit, understanding that her presence was no longer required by her friend. The Cardinal thanked the girl for caring for his wife in his absence.

Addy noticed the absence of another as well, “Where is Kaisarion, Papa?”

“He’s on a flight back home. The nanny is with him. You need not worry about caring for him in your condition.”

"We can't go home yet, Papa. The doctor said the twins won't be ready to leave the hospital until their original due date,” she gently reminded Copia.

“Yes, I understand my darling,” Addeline had explained the situation to him several times before, “December 18th. You’ve said this.”

“Do you want to go see them?” She gleefully asked.

Having not laid eyes upon his children for a few weeks, Copia was very delighted at the thought of visiting them again. His heart swelled with anticipation and joy, eager to see their growth.

“They are still so small, Papa.”

“I know, darling,” his tone was accepting, patient even, understanding that his wife needed his support.

Copia's heart was filled with a mix of emotions as he prepared to see his delicate children. He carried a weight of guilt, blaming himself for Addy's premature labor with Kaisarion and now Opus and Cirice. Feeling responsible for the challenges they faced, he made a conscious decision to abstain from rushing into another pregnancy.

[calico-heart]

Last Line

Tagged by @traveleorzea (just posting on this account instead of lookbluesoup //waves)

RULES: Post the last sentence you wrote (fanfic / original / anything) and tag as many people as there are words in the sentence.

“I thought about tellin’ ye.” She confessed. “More than once. But I wasn’t really showin’, an’ – well what did it matter? If I never had te trouble ye with it…” Her voice quivered over the still present fear, “Then –”  How many days had passed since her accident? She wasn’t entirely sure, “When I realized – what was happenin’, I thought… it’d be stillborn. So I’d sneak it all out trough the window, an’ – come back wit sometin’ to tease you with after it was settled. So you wouldn’ be suspicious.” “Sounds damn right foolish lookin’ back. But I didn’t think I’d… Or ye’d…” She tapered off, swallowing back another rise of hoarse bile in her throat. “An’ – Now it’s a proper mess.”

Tagging @seasaltandcopper @boggleoflight @ronqueesha @nora-jayne andd @thorneyes

No pressure ofc!

[jalicecookie]

Lost: Have you seen these C.H.E.R.U.B Angels?

When the best Friends of St. Peter's young Daughter don't show up for the agreed meeting, in the beautiful park in heaven, Ophelia overhears a conversation between the Adults and, in her huge grief for her missing best friends Collin, Keenie and Cletus, she paints a poster with the words - Lost: Have you seen these C.H.E.R.U.B Angels?

The young angel girl tapped her right shoe on the sidewalk thoughtfully.

But it wasn't the new ice cream flavor or the choir of other happy inhabitants of heaven that made her so thoughtful. The ice cream flavors were great and the rainbow sprinkles all had different flavors, which made a sweet treat even better.

"Where are the three of them? We wanted to meet half an hour ago," murmured the girl with blond-white shoulder-length hair and her little angel wings flapped against each other twice. It wasn't her kind of joy to be late and not let him know.

That was one of the reasons why her father had let her walk the long way from the house to the park alone in the first place. And she would later proudly tell him that, like one of the big and older angel children, she had managed it all by herself.

"Ophelia, do you want to go and get some ice cream with us?" - a young angel boy came up to her with a happy smile and his dad invited the girl straight away.

Ophelia knew the father-son duo. Her own father was good friends with the angel. But the girl declined gratefully and emphasized that she was waiting for her friends here in the park.

In heaven, you didn't have to worry about traffic rules or bad drivers, or about experiencing something chaotic on the way to the large park.

Many of the inhabitants of heaven were helpful and friendly. Life in heaven was perfect and every day was filled with so much happiness. Joy - happiness and lots of laughter.

It was a paradise that lay so far away from the gates of hell and offered a new home for the good souls of people after death.

But also for the Heavenborns. Those who are born in heaven. The descendants of the angels. The children of the angels. She was one of these Heavenborns.

Only her path to heaven had taken a shortcut and thus given her a worse start to eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.

There had been complications during the pregnancy. She was born 4 months early and had to stay in the hospital in intensive care for a long time.

This slowed down her growth and her skills and abilities, as well as the angel magic with which one is born, and it required a lot of patience... both with all the setbacks and from her parents. After years, Ophelia had the physical condition of an almost 6-year-old child, but she was very small for her age... she was only as tall as an adult angel's lower wings... her mental abilities were a few years younger than her physical age and her motor skills were still weak. But that was okay... she would go her own way and even if it took a little longer, she could count on the support of her family and friends.

Since she was a toddler, Ophelia had formed very special friendships with three members of the C.H.E.R.U.B angels.

Collin, Keenie & Cletus.

Ophelia saw the three angels as her friends with whom she could play hide and seek and catch, but it was also Collin, Keenie and Cletus in whose presence Ophelia had taken her first words and her first steps.

It was all due to a coincidence that caused her parents, who take turns at the holy gates of heaven to let in and welcome new souls and inhabitants of heaven, to briefly park a then very small version of Ophelia in the C.H.E.R.U.B office in heaven because Sera and Emily had wanted to speak to the couple.

And it was obviously a conversation that was not intended for small children's ears.

But Ophelia still vaguely remembered how good she had felt when Collin had read to her from a big fairy tale book, or how enthusiastically she had clapped her hands when Cletus demonstrated his weapon skills by shooting a stuffed animal off a chair...or how calmly she had fallen asleep in Keenie's arms when it was time for a nap...Ophelia's first word had actually been C.H.E.R.U.B...her other words were sheep & baby - which quickly changed to Lin, Eeni & Clee.

Her first wobbly steps had been towards Cletus, who had boredly stolen her new favorite baby blanket from the stroller and examined it.

The friendship , that had developed from these multiple babysitting meetings , was something that Ophelia valued very much and her three friends had a very special place in her heart.

Which made this delay even more mysterious.

It didn't really suit Collin, Cletus and Keenie not to show up. What could be better than to run with Ophelia across the large playground and then watch the sunset with a large sundae , before accompanying Ophelia home and handing her over to the loving angel wings of St. Peter and his Girlfriend?

After another 10 minutes had passed, Ophelia slid off the bench and decided to go to the ice cream store... maybe her friends had simply got the meeting place wrong?

But as Ophelia was about to go through the open door in front of the store, she recognized three of her friends' colleagues and overheard a few quick words that  the bees Bea and Honey and the Sheep Rachel were whispering to each other.

".....and that's why these horrible irresponsible angels can no longer enter heaven!"

Ophelia looked after the two bee angel and the one sheep beings in confusion.

She had once been told about the concept of fallen angels.

For example, there was Lucifer, who was sent to hell with Lilith many, many years ago... but couldn't other angels enter heaven without being banished? Strange.

Unfortunately, Collin, Cletus and Keenie weren't in the ice cream shop either, so Ophelia bought herself an ice cream on her own and was picked up on the way home by the neighbor's daughter, who was about to celebrate her 9th birthday, and brought safely to the front door.

Ophelia waved goodbye to the girl , who loved to play pranks before she slipped through the ajar front door into the hallway and only heard the muffled voices of the adults a few moments later. She heard the voices of her mother and her father... and Sera.

"They killed a person. The C.H.E.R.U.B.'s job is to protect human lives and souls on earth."

"Perhaps... was it a misunderstanding, Sera?"

“Dear, I don’t think that a Seraphim angel misinterprets misunderstandings and accidents at work”

“Peter, we are talking about Cletus, Collin and Keenie. The Angels that Ophelia has grown up with up to now and who have shown themselves to be devoted and responsible. Always”

“I know…but if the other employees of C.H.E.R.U.B reported what happened in the opera on Earth….”

“I know it is…difficult to understand, but St. Peter is right. I saw Deerie’s report”

“There…must be something that can be done, Sera?! They are Ophelia’s best friends…it will break her heart”

Ophelia knew that eavesdropping on a conversation was not good…but why were her parents talking about Lin, Eeni & Clee?

What was wrong with them?

Why were the adults whispering so much?

Were her best friends in danger?

Ophelia quietly crept closer to the door to the living room. And listened again.

“They are banned from entering heaven. For the crime they committed, the three of them violated one of the rules of heaven… taking a human life is… unforgivable”

“WHAT?!” - Ophelia walked into the living room, trembling, and looked in disbelief from Sera to her parents.

“Where are Lin, Eeni & Clee! Why are they not allowed to go back to heaven? They are nice and good! And my best friends!” - Ophelia said in a frightened voice.

“Dear it is not as simple as that listen....…”, Sera wanted to take a step towards Ophelia, but the girl could already read everything in her eyes.

“That’s not fair. NOT FAIR!”, sobbed Ophelia and threw her ice cream on the floor, crying, and ran up the stairs in the hallway to her room.

Where tears just flowed down her cheeks and soon covered her pillow with dark spots.

Even St. Peter's comforting attempts to explain to the child why Collin, Keenie and Cletus had been banished from heaven,  were met with incomprehension by Ophelia.

She begged her father and mother to do something and to speak to Sera and the rest of the C.H.E.R.U.B team again... but even though St. Peter and his partner accepted this wish, the decision remained firm... Collin, Keenie and Cletus were not allowed to go back to heaven.

But where were they then? With each passing day, Ophelia missed her very best friends more and more.

So much so , that after she had cried again and couldn't fall asleep one evening, she decided to draw a few posters with her colored pencils... maybe one of these posters would find its way to her very best friends?

A while later, Ophelia had written the following saying on the top part of the paper, slightly crooked and with tears spots on it, embellished with a few childish drawings for Cletus, Collin and Keenie.

Lost: Have you seen these C.H.E.R.U.B Angels ?

In the hope , of receiving a sign of life , from the former C.H.E.R.U.B Angels at some point.

Hopefully.

THE END

[sigyn-foxyposts]

"Vent art dump" Tw: Eye strain, heavy themes of child loss & death, Surgery, body scars, slight body horror, non explicit nudity, mental health problems. ‼️

Minors DNI, stay safe okay? <3

Don't worry everyone, I am mentally well these days! 😭

i wasn't originally planning on sharing these but I feel like someone out there could relate and maybe find comfort in what I express through my art, I'll even explain the meanings behind them for more context so i dont leave people guessing.

Nothing here is to gain sympathy, just sharing experiences. That's what I'm after! <3

Fenrir being bound by the chains and him holding around me is supposed to be a metaphor for my build up emotions and anger towards the people that have failed me, it resembles how I can't properly express my emotions without lashing out because I had no choice then to supress them. Like fenrir, they silenced my pain, they abandoned me. Many adults in my life, including my teachers and my parents that were supposed to protect me, teach me things, that I could trust! They all failed me.

This is supposed to be me and my twin sister, who only lasted a few months after our birth. Ever since I was little I always expressed I felt like something was missing, that I was half of something that was supposed to be whole. It made sense to my parents on what I meant back then and it does to me too now.

It left me feeling so empty all these years. Even if I never got to know her, I still miss her. We were both aware of each others existence at some point! After all we were identical twins. The reason her face is melted and attached to mine is because we could have been so similar in appearance, but no one knows that for certain with how things turned out. I'm more at peace with her passing these days, since I had my whole childhood to process it. But keeping her memory alive is something i wont let go off.

The moment I entered this world, everyone was certain that Hel was going to take me into her sweet embrace because of the way I looked compared to my sister, I was the smallest and thinnest. It was like my fate had already been decided, but I proved them wrong by fighting on. Before I knew what fighting even was. While luck was on my side back then I ended up being frail, always so sick and truly I never grew out of it. Not only did life's circumstances almost take me, but my health complications were there to add more into the stress. Despite all these issues, I kept going!

All the way back in 2017 when I first learnt I had scoliosis, which is a condition where your spine curves sideways, that affects many things in your body! I was terrified for my life. I've always avoided those "dangers" like breaking an arm because I knew I probably couldn't handle it and I knew already back then if the treatments I got wasn't working, it was going to get life threatening. Which it did, I was doomed for surgery no matter the efforts.

While you can't die from surgery these days, with my weak condition and this HUGE surgery I had a feeling I wasn't going to make it. But I did and i have gone through this twice now! The scar on my back will remain forever, but it's not there to remind me how horrible life is and how scared I was, instead rather how strong I've been through it all!

[djsherriff-responses]

I decided Lucy is gonna be a premature birth , as in like she came out of Dolph only 4 months or even sooner after conception and was a weird alien looking tadpole thing. Due to being half frog hybrid she was meant to develop as an egg but something weird happened and she popped out of Dolph as a still developing fetus , essentially very vulnerable to outside elements and had very little chances

By all accounts she shouldn’t have survived, but god damn she just refused to die until she finally fully developed into a semi human toddler and went about like she wasn’t struggling to breath for the first few months of her life

[cheerfullycatholic]

Baby Kamerie’s mother Anitra was initially not worried during her pregnancy when she was told that her baby was measuring a little small, because her eldest daughter had been the same. But a scan at around 22 weeks revealed that Kamerie had stopped growing and her heart rate was dropping. “The sonographer checked her growth and I could tell something was wrong. She said ‘I’m going to get a doctor’. The doctor said ‘it’s go time’”, Anitra said. Kamerie was born by emergency Caesarean section weighing just 1lb 5oz. Anitra said “We didn’t hear her cry. We got to see her an hour later when the nurse took a picture. She had a head full of dark hair. All I could see was her ribcage. She was so small”.