You were staying at your home with Eadith, waiting for the men to return from battle, both of you as anxious as each other to see them home safely. You had insisted on accompanying them at first, arguing that Eadith had been allowed to come if she wished, but both Eadith and Osferth had refused. You were ill, too ill to join them, so Eadith had decided to stay and care for you instead.

"Are you sure?" Eadith asked on the day after the men had left for battle, her eyes widening. "You're pregnant?"

"It all points to that," you said, your hands twisting nervously. "Morning sickness, and I haven't... bled... for a long while."

"Yours is regular?"

"Always has been."

"You have seemed rather exhausted lately," Eadith commented. "Well, this is wonderful, Y/N! Wait until Osferth gets back to hear this!" She was surprised to see that your face was not the picture of happiness she had expected at this news. "Why, what's wrong?"

"What if he doesn't come back?" you said suddenly, your smile fading as you remembered the danger he and his friends were in.

"Don't say that," Eadith started fiercely, squeezing your hand tighter, "don't-"

"I know," you said quickly, "I'm sorry, I just- I wasn't thinking. Oh, Eadith, maybe I should have told him before he left!"

Eadith stared at you. "You mean you knew before they all left? Why didn't you tell him?"

"I told you," you said, "it's just- well, I didn't want to worry him before he left, so that's why I let him believe I was just ill. Besides," you sighed, "I'm not sure I'm ready to be a good mother, is all. Look, I know I've said that I want children but I'm scared, Eadith! What if I'm not good enough to raise a child? I can't tell anyone, least of all him! What if he feels he isn't ready, either? I don't want him to worry, and besides, it could ruin what we have already-"

"Y/N, calm down," Eadith said, taking your hands. "I promise, nothing will go wrong. I know you well enough to know that you'll be an amazing mother when the time comes. Besides, if anything I'll be surprised if he isn't overjoyed at the thought of it. You remember how he was with Aelfwynn, haven't you?"

You smiled at the memory. You'd been sitting beside him while he cared for the girl like she was his own child - Eadith had a point there. You remembered then how he had told you of his wish to have children of his own someday, months before he had admitted he loved you. "I do."

"Then I think you should tell him when he gets back," Eadith smiled, squeezing your hand. "There's nothing to be afraid of, I promise."

You took a deep breath and nodded. "I will."

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The next to find out was Eahlswith, who was overjoyed to hear the news. She hugged you tightly while her son, named Sihtric after his father, stood next to her, watching you both curiously.

"Is it a girl or a boy?" he asked.

"I don't know yet," you admitted, but gave him a smile. "I'll let you know when I find out."

Young Sihtric pondered this. "Good," he said finally, making you and Eahlswith laugh.

As the days turned into weeks, you found yourself feeling sick with anticipation, both to see Osferth home safe again but also at the prospect of telling him you were going to have his child. You were growing more anxious by the moment, and it didn't go unnoticed by either Eahlswith or Eadith.

Both of them were doing everything to distract both you and themselves, which usually meant spending time at your home with young Sihtric in tow. The boy was more than happy to spend time with you, curious as he was about your pregnancy, and you did your best to answer all his questions. One afternoon, he was particularly inquisitive.

"Y/N, is it true that you get sick every morning?" he asked. "Mother told me she always got sick when she was going to have me."

"Most mornings, yes," you replied. "That's how it would have been for your mother too."

"So she wasn't making it up!" little Sihtric exclaimed, and both you and Eadith laughed while Eahlswith stared at her son.

"Whatever made you think that?"

"I just thought you were saying it to make me feel bad," young Sihtric replied sheepishly, dodging his mother's smack with a laugh as he ran to hide behind Eadith. "Sorry!" he added, and Eahlswith shook her head with a smile.

"You'll have to get used to this," she told you, and you grinned.

"Sounds good to me."

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"They could be home any day now," Eadith muttered, more to herself than anyone else. She had come to visit you that morning, and had already spent several hours there. You weren't complaining, though - you had spent more time with each other than alone at your homes, which had grown lonely without the company of your loved ones.

"You've been pacing for hours," you said, sitting at the table. Your stomach was slightly more rounded now, though there was still little difference, and your clothes still fit you, though they were slightly tighter than normal. Still, that was to be expected. "Come sit down with me. I'll get you another drink."

"No, I'll get it," Eadith said, "it's not fair you're doing everything while you're with child."

"I'm only two months along!" you laughed. "I've not got much of a bump yet, anyway, don't worry."

"If you're sure," Eadith conceded, squeezing your hand momentarily while you went to get her some water. When you returned, she had her head in her hands.

"What's wrong?" you asked, handing her the water and immediately regretting the stupid question as she looked up at you.

"You know," she sighed, gratefully taking the cup. You sat down beside her and took her hand again. "And I know you're worried too." She exhaled sharply and shook her head. "But they'll come back," she said with more resolve. "They always do."

"For all his brashness, Finan's always come home safe and sound to you," you told her comfortingly. Neither of you had noticed the door opening.

"And there was me thinkin' we'd have a warm welcome as soon as we rode through the gates!"

Both yourself and Eadith whipped around at that moment to see Finan standing in the doorway of your home, looking dirty and covered in someone else's blood but relatively unharmed. He had a big grin on his face as Eadith rushed into his arms, holding him tightly.

"You're safe!"

"I am, but Jesus, woman, you're suffocating me!" he laughed, wrapping his arms around her nonetheless. She pulled him down for a kiss, but not before Finan motioned his head at you as if to say, he's outside. You nodded gratefully and rushed outside through the doorway.

Your heart sank as she scanned the surroundings, because everyone else was there; Sihtric was embracing Eahlswith and his son, Uhtred was greeting his children, but there was no sign of the one person you wanted to see most. As if he could read your mind, Uhtred pointed to your right. "He's with the horses, Y/N."

"Thank you, Lord!" you said breathlessly, hurrying away towards the stables. You felt a wave of relief crash into you as you saw Osferth rather quickly tending to the horses. "I'm glad you're safe," you said, and his head snapped up at your voice. You smiled as he ran over to you and swept you up in a dizzying kiss.

"I would have found you earlier but I lost a bet with Finan and I had to take the horses-"

"It's fine," you giggled. "Although what have I told you about betting with Finan?"

"Sorry," Osferth muttered sheepishly. "I missed you being on the road with us this time. Maybe if you were it would've been Finan taking the horses instead."

You laughed. "Well, I did try and come along-"

"But you were ill," he supplied, "so it's good you stayed home this time around. Speaking of which," he added, cupping your cheek gently with his hand, "are you alright? Has Eadith been caring for you well?"

"She has," you smiled, putting your hand over his, "but... there's something I need to tell you. It's important."

"What's wrong?" he asked, growing worried.

"Nothing's wrong," you replied, your smile growing, "rather the opposite. You see, I'm... I'm pregnant."

Osferth was speechless for a moment, standing back a little to fully look at you. "You're sure?" he finally said, his voice a whisper. You nodded.

"That's why I wasn't feeling well when you left," you explained. "It's still quite early, but Eadith and I have been talking it over - all the signs say that I'm with child."

"My child," he said, almost like he couldn't believe what he was hearing, "our child." He couldn't contain the smile on his face as he gently pulled you into his arms, holding you in a warm embrace and pressing a kiss to your forehead. "How long have you known?"

"A little less than two months," you admitted, unable to meet his eye.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked softly, realising how nervous you were.

"I was scared when I found out," you said, "so I kept it from everyone, I didn't want you to worry before you left, so I let you believe I was just ill."

He smiled a little at your concern for him as you continued.

"It's just that I've never done this before," you sighed, "and I didn't think I could be a good mother."

"But you will be, Y/N," he reassured you, his lips brushing against your cheek. "Whatever happens, we'll figure it out together, alright? You'll be far from alone."

Feeling reassured, you smiled up at him. "I'm just relieved you weren't angry that I didn't tell you earlier," you said, and he began to smile too.

"I could never be angry with you," he told you earnestly. "I love you."

"I love you too."

----------skip------

Over the next few months, he was incredibly attentive towards you, even more than usual if it were possible, handling you like you would break. Often you had to remind him that you could still do a lot of things without his help, but you couldn't be annoyed at him - he was worried for you, no matter how much he said otherwise.

Sometimes you would feel the baby kicking, and call him over to put a hand on your stomach to feel it for himself. The smile on his face when he felt the kicks made you happier than anything else, and you liked to think about what he would be like when he finally got to hold his baby.

The day you went into labour, you were at your home with Eadith and Eahlswith. They sent for Hild to come as soon as possible, though she had not arrived yet.

Finan had convinced Osferth to come to the alehouse with him for a few hours to take his mind off things, nervous as he was, since all of them had known the baby was due any day.

Eahlswith stayed with you while Eadith hurried to the alehouse. She burst through the door, searching for the two men.

"What is it, love?" Finan asked, turning to her.

"Osferth," she said breathlessly, "it's Y/N. Her water's broken."

Osferth stood up immediately, his heart pounding as he made for your home, but Eadith stopped him. "You can't go in, it's not going to be pretty!" she told him, holding on to his arm. "Men aren't allowed in there!"

"I don't care!" he said, shaking her off his arm. "I'm sorry, Eadith, but I have to see her now!"

"You can't-!"

"Let him go," Finan said quietly, "it'll be alright. Just this once."

Eadith relented, despite knowing that Eahlswith and Hild, once she arrived, would not be happy.

Osferth was running from the alehouse until he stopped outside the door of your home, wincing as he heard your cries from within. He took a breath and wrenched the door open, almost there until Hild stopped him.

"I know you want to be there but-"

"Men aren't allowed, I know, but I want to be there, Sister, please!" he pleaded.

Hild had always had a soft spot for Osferth, and the look on his face meant she couldn't force him to stay away. "Oh, go on then," she smiled, letting him in and following him into the room.

You had known birth would not be easy, but you had not anticipated this much pain. Nonetheless, the sight of Osferth in the doorway shocked you. "What are - you're not supposed to be here!" you said weakly, as he rushed over and knelt down beside you.

"I know," he said apologetically, "but Eadith told me and I couldn't stay away." He was holding your hand, and you gripped it tightly as you felt another contraction.

After what felt like an eternity, you sank back into the bed, completely exhausted as a new cry rang through the air. Hild soon approached you both with a bundle of blankets, your baby wrapped up in them. "It's a little girl," she told you, beaming as she handed the child over to you.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" you whispered, cradling her to your chest. She was no longer crying, but instead was looking up at you with wide, curious eyes. She was the most beautiful thing you had ever seen.

"She is," Osferth said softly, reaching out to stroke the thin wisps of hair on her head. You looked at him for a moment and saw he had tears in his eyes. "We'll call her Gisa." After Gisela, Uhtred's late wife, who you knew had cared for Osferth like he was another son, and who meant the world to him. He had told you about her before.

"Gisa," you repeated with a smile, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Gisa stretched her hand out and Osferth smiled when she enclosed his finger in her tiny fist.

"I think she likes you," you said softly.

"I'd be a bit worried if she didn't," he said, and you both started laughing. Gisa started cooing at the noise, and you both smiled, Osferth pressing a kiss to your forehead.

Everything was going to be okay.

i'm posting fics i wrote last year rn so apologies if they are not so great 😭