You were expecting your first child. A long-awaited child. A deeply wanted one. Loved by both of you from the very moment of conception, long before the first kick, before your baby would ever open its eyes to the world. Elijah was happy... truly happy... to have you by his side. Pregnancy had changed one thing about you from the very beginning. You were no longer carefree. You would have torn apart anyone who dared threaten you... or, more importantly, the child growing beneath your heart. A true lioness protecting her cub. You were getting closer and closer to the finish line. You stood in the kitchen, one hand supporting your heavy belly while the other slowly tilted a glass filled with blood diluted in cranberry juice. Elijah was sitting in the living room, quietly watching you.

"I still can't quite understand how you've managed to make diluted blood look almost... respectable. Though I imagine the cranberry juice deserves some of the credit."

A faint smile appeared on his lips. He slowly closed the book resting on his lap, set it aside, and looked at you once more. His eyes settled on your rounded belly, lingering there for a long moment before meeting your gaze again.

"And yet... I don't believe I've ever witnessed anything more beautiful than the woman carrying our child. Every passing day only brings us closer to the moment we finally meet the greatest blessing either of us has ever known."