Chosen.

[kuangning]

Calm though she was, prepared though she was, the sudden urge frightened her, startled her through its rawness. She had expected it, but she had not known how all-consuming it would be, that it would be impossible to think of anything else but this need. Gritting her teeth, every muscle in her body tense, she pushed. The nurse, startled as well, began a protest that never was voiced. Instead, casting a hopeful glance toward the door through which the doctor still had not come, she made the final preparations, pressing the call button herself to summon another nurse. It was time.

Wave upon wave, it rocked her, and she responded, aware of nothing except her body's demand -- not even the child crossed her thoughts. When the feeling subsided, it was only long enough to draw a breath, not to relax. Time slipped by uncounted, and the child had wailed twice, unheard, before a sudden and newly powerful rush delivered her from the geas, and she sucked in a shuddering breath, and let herself fall back upon the pillow.

When she could speak again, she met the nurse's calm gaze. "My baby?" "Is fine," the nurse said gently. "It's a girl." She nodded, unsurprised. "Have you got a name for her?" "Alys," she replied. "Her name is Alys."