Hello, Baby

- I'm glad to see you've made your presence-

Her hair is pulled back to escape the forceful blowing wind and you can't help but be captivated as she giggles softly, her eyes staring straight ahead as the waves crash onto the shore. You smother a smile in your hands, before thrusting them in your pockets, motionless as she walks forward and sits down, sighing softly.

Asteria. It thrills you by how good that sounds on your tongue. Asteria.

You've been courting her for almost a year now, and yet you haven't even begun to unlock her mind's secrets. She is almost like a puzzle to you, one that you are desperately trying to solve, slowly but surely.

It surprises you how much she is different to her sister. If you hadn't previously known that they were related, you would have sworn they weren't. Where Daphne is flirty, Asteria is silent. While Asteria often pipes up to speak her mind, Daphne keeps quiet and folds her hands in her lap, like a good pureblood daughter should. Asteria's smiles are real, while Daphne's are practiced and often forced. Daphne frets over her appearance, covering any blemishes or spots with makeup, but Asteria doesn't seem to be bothered by the pimple on her nose, or the crinkle lines in the corners of her eyes. She doesn't care that she's gained a few pounds over the last few months, she doesn't worry about the fact that she can't squeeze into her old clothing anymore.

You join her, knees pulled up to your chest, to watch the sea. She links her hand through yours, smiling as you press a soft kiss to her skin.

You don't care that you can't muster the strength to pick her up anymore, that you haven't managed to twirl her around in weeks.

All you care about is the fact that you are able to sit and watch the sea with your gazelle, and make preparations for the fawn that will be making his entrance into the world in less than five months. Asteria snuggles up closer to you, and you place a hand on her swollen stomach.

Your little fawn delivers a swift kick to your hand, making his mother wince in pain.

Hello, little one. Glad to see you've finally announced your presence.

Asteria pipes in, smiling happily at you, "We were getting worried."

Written for the Animal Challenge over at HPFFC! Reviews are love!