#4oz braid

[goeswiththeflo]

Work in progress 😁

[dangerphd]

one ply blended braid and one ply stripped braid, made a marled yarn I really love the heathering of. two more bobbins to go to finish the full 4oz braid🩷💜🩶🩶🩶💜🩷

[five-thousand-loaves-of-bread]

all my wool yarn i make from trusty drop spindle !!!

all is buy wool in braid / rolag / batt / roving. and then do spin with drop spindle myself. want eventually take wool from sheep and process it (wash / skirt / comb / etc) and dye it and spin and knit it all by self (with lots of help bc high support needs but want involve in all process) but no space / time / ability yet!!

1 this one is very first one make ever december 2022 - january 2023!! is 4 oz 70% black shetland + 30% silk roving 2ply no dye

is squishy but is not very soft is spiky and chose this as first project because want practice before make more colorful ones so don’t ruin them and it turn out very good for first project

1.5 left one is from one single rolag of angora rabbit/merino wool/faux cashmere blend. only one rolag because accident spin too thin and hate knit thin yarn. but rolag so so soft love angora

2 right one is rainbow corriedale sheep wool with little sparkles (angelina) from rolag. do chain 3-ply so color change stay same!!! still very thin and don’t know what do with but it pretty

3 is set of targhee sheep wool from 4 oz braid!!!! is easter egg color but end up a little too much green, but still pretty. feel like when spin up, pastel color get more muted… left is main hank, think was 4 ply??? because this still era where spin thin.

but then didn’t time yarn right so had some left over.. so the little hank on right is born!! is 2 ply and actual like this color better because more even and green not overpower.

4 is merino 2 ply from braid!! is gift from partner and it spin very squishy and soft and then i add back the braid label so don’t lose. this time manage spin thicker but nature of hand spin with drop spindle, not very even, so parts thicker parts thinner. twist tend to escape from thick part to thin parts so the thick parts end up loose not spin enough.. but is beauty of hand spin!!!!!

feat. picture of drop spindle

5 is very bad pictures because forget bring… but is 4oz 75 bluefaced leicester (BFL) + 15 silk in chain 3-ply braid so so pretty favorite favorite but maybe is picture bad lighting bad but finish yarn look muted and weird and sad..

6 is also 75 BFL + 15 silk 4oz. 2 ply. is a very very very pretty pink love love!!! is actually first time spin wool that is dyed single color - always thought dyed single color is boring but fell in love with this pink and it very nice. this honestly one of favorite.

[mirith]

I made the quadruple chain ply yarn!

It turned out fairly balanced and unexpectedly light and springy, even though it looks like rope. I got 45 feet or so out of a 4oz braid. I spin my singles at my default singles and it took multiple weeks of casual spinning to do the singles.

Took maybe 4-5 hours for the first chain ply. An dhour or so for the next. And the third and fourth took nearly no time at all. My wheel couldn't handle the fourth round of plying, as it got too large in diameter to fit through the orifice (fair).

Not sure what to do with it. I was thinking the edging of something, incorporating it into weaving somehow... Not sure! Fun experiment. It is also just fun to pick up and squish.

[balancingpieces]

Ingrid had her 1 month check up today. She weighs 9lbs 4oz and is 21 1/4 inches. I couldn’t believe she was over 9lbs already but all she does is eat so I shouldn’t have been too shocked. Also the kids doctor is too nice to me she said “Oh everytime I see you you’re always so put together! Look your hair is even done!” She’s crazy haha but I mean I’m glad it appears that I have everything together. And as far as my hair I just had my bangs french braided back so they were out of my face but if that makes me look put together I’m doing that everyday hahaha. The other 6 kids were good during her appointment too,mainly because we stopped at Dunkin on the way to the doctor and the knew we had a box full of donuts waiting for them. And Miriam had her pack of munchkins with her so she was quiet.

[startenthousand]

All 3 braids done! Letting the last bobbin rest before plying.

Concerned that the 3rd bobbin (the one on the top/left) looks like a lot less than the other two...they were all supposed to be 4oz braids...

[juncojuncojunco]

fiber stuff update!! I’ve done a lot since the last time i updated on yarn. But now that summers ending in north hemi it’s time for wool :))

spun a little bit: first is half a braid from a 4oz thing of combed top I got at a yarn festival last year. Second is hand carded from this CVM lamb fleece i got Wisconsin 2020 that I am finally starting to substantially chip away at 3 years later. They are both light fingering weight cable plied

Then I made this linen lace wrap/scarf. It is 7ft long lol. It took almost 3 months but it’s kinda an heirloom project so i wasn’t in a hurry

Crocheted a lil soap saver w some cotton thread! I forgot to take pics before abusing this thing in the shower so these are ig photos lmao

a sweater w a ton of knitpicks yarn I was trying to get rid of. I forgot to do any decreases so I’ll need to figure out how to doctor this up because there’s no way I’m frogging colorwork. I stopped where it is bc I actually ran out of yarn and had to order more but hopefully this will be done end of September

started another sweater while waiting for the other yarn to come in !!! it’s with woolfolk far. It’s SO soft. this project was a huge financial oversight honestly. Can you believe it’s gonna be $200+ just in yarn :/ but it’s so much fun to knit, it rained buckets for the last few days in west washington so I hauled ass and knit this much in 4 days lmao

[guardevoir]

Handspinning update: finished that 4-ply yarn I was talking about.

It's Zwartbles wool (I got a pack of 10 wool testers to start my spinning journey, so I've been working with a bunch of unusual and really cool fibers), plied from 2 center-pull balls (do not recommend, holy shit).

I spun the whole thing a bit more tightly this time and got something a lot more even and sturdy than the last couple times, but also considerably less soft. Still, it's nice! Also not as overspun as I originally feared; it's a bit scraggly in the thinner areas, but most of that's a plying problem given that I messed that up real good.

(no more 4-ply until I have a nicer setup, for sure)

Next up: Manx Loaghtan!

This one's going to be a 3-ply yarn.

One of the nicest things about spinning so far is getting to touch so many fun, soft, fluffy things. Textures (affectionate)!!

After that, I still have BFL and Merino testers (Merino was what I did my first attempts with; it'll be interesting to see if I got any better at spinning it) and a a-bit-under-4oz Corriedale braid - and then? I have my eyes on a dyed Merino braid I might get, and after that it'll probably be on to some Coburg Fox, trying my hand at a whole batch of super chunky yarn to use in my current crocheted blanket project.

[engprodtechllc]

Leadhead Swimbait Jig (1/4oz)

Leadhead Swimbait Jig (1/4oz) are perfect for fish that are small through large. That bigger bait, with all its action and water displacement is perfect for slightly stained conditions. As summer begins to where into the fall, then the swim jig bite tends to diminish some. Well, it goes from crazy to just good. Water temperature is the first factor. I'll throw a swim jig anytime the water temperature is between 50 and 75 degrees. In my mind that's in the very early pre-spawn all the way through the shad spawn. The water needs to be warm enough to make the fish active so that's why I pick 50 degrees. The main difference between a standard casting jig and a jig designed for swimming is the head design. Swim jigs feature a pointed nose with a vertical line tie so the lure swims through the water column and easily slips through cover. Bass jigging works best when lunkers are holding near shallow cover such as grass, rocks, laydowns, and docks. Fishing a jig in deeper water is productive in the summer and winter time or when baitfish have moved offshore.   Usage: When skipping a swimbait around shallow like when fishing docks, a weighted swimbait hook is the ticket. You can fish the jighead, but a swimbait skips so much better with a belly weighted hook tucked into the bait. Start with braid and a fluorocarbon leader of a few feet in length, joined by an Albright Special or Uni-to-Uni knot. This offers you the best ability to feel the jig, while still having some stealth with the nearly translucent fluorocarbon line up against the jig itself.   Flipping and finesse leadhead swimbait Jig (1/4oz) can be fished near docks, brush, weeds/grass, and lily pads/pad stems that are situated on flat, shallow spawning areas. They are murder on panfish, walleye, and bass. Swim jigs can quickly cover vast areas on a spawning bed with a simple swimming retrieve. Bass can be sight fished with jigs this time of year as well. This purchase is for a pack of five unique jig heads. Read the full article

[cjcmom276]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: It’s a 10 Miracle Leave In Bundle.

[luminarily]

Ohh the reason this project is taking so long to spin is bc 2lb is 32oz... And normal braids are 4oz...

[dangerphd]

FYI, one of my west coast favs is having a sale. 🥳 since their prices are already so low, that means heaps of colorways at less than ten bucks for a 4oz braid in some fun wools.🤩🐑🐏🤩

[iliosstore]

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[happys-crazy-queen22]

Fertility Struggles II

Gif credit @angels-reyes

Part 2 to Fertility struggles. Hope you all enjoy.

Taglist @nocturnalherb16. @jesseswartzwelder. @leaalfred. @creepers-baby-girl. @writerwithasoul. @twistnet. @baylishh. @believinghurts. @ilovetaquitosmmmm. @mayans-mc.

Month after month since starting IVF, you've gotten your period. It was starting to make you mad. You were actually getting tired of using periods at the end of a sentence. They were everywhere. One month you did get your hopes up because you missed your period but wham that bitch hit you at the end of the month. She wasnt going to let your dreams come true.

It was the first day of your period and Nestor came home happy thinking this might have worked. You've been moody and eating a lot. But you were scared to tell him.

"You got your period"? He asked when he saw you on the couch, with your sweats, a box of tissues and icecream with a blanket wrapped around you.

"Yeah. That bitch can't give us a break. I'm sorry". You said with a sniffle.

"It's okay. We can try again". He came over to the couch and sat down pulling your legs to his lap.

"I dont know if I want too". You replied, playing with your icecream in the tub.

"What do you mean"? Nestor moved in his seat to look at you. He was confused. This has always been the number one thing you have ever wanted.

"IVF seems to not be working. I'm getting my period every month. It's like I'm taking this drug for the fun of it. I'm putting us through hell and getting nothing". You wiped away tears with your sleeve.

"Its not for nothing. We're going to make a baby. You can't give up". He rested his hand on your stomach.

"I havent. Maybe we should look into adoption or a surrogate"?

"So you're wanting me to take my sperm and put it in someone else that is not my wife"? Nestor looked confused and like you wanted him to walk into this trap.

"Maybe. There wont be any contact with your junk and her junk. Itll be through a doctor. So calm down. You're not sleeping with anyone but me". You laughed as he sighed a sigh of relief.

"Alright. Why dont you go to the doctor and make sure that they can't do anything before we jump to those options".

"I'm tired Nestor. I'm tired. I dont want anymore doctors".

"Just go for me. We cant give up".

"Alright. Fine. For you but if they say they cant. I'm done. My body has been through enough. I cant". You shake your head. Tears rolling down your cheeks. Your heart has been broken so many times and you couldnt go through that again. Your heart couldn't bare it.

"What brings you in today"? Your doctor asked, she probably already knows the answer.

"IVF isn't working. I've tried everything you said. I keep getting my period every month. I'm just, it's like it's no hope for me". You explain.

"How long does the periods last"?

"Two maybe three days but it's like spotting. No heavy flow".

"Okay.  I'm going to do a ultrasound and see if we can see anything".

"I'm telling you theres nothing in there". You sigh laying back on the table.

"You never know". She said before stepping out the door.

She came back in with a nurse and the machine. The gel she squirted was cold on your stomach.

"Alright, let's see what we got".

Looking at the screen, you saw nothing. Blank uterus. "Told you".

"Dont be so sure. What is this"? She pointed to the screen and saw two little jellybeans just floating around in your uterus.

You about hopped off the table when she said that. "How is that possible". You asked about in tears.

"Well, when you're on the IVF, occasional spotting happens and some mistake it as their period. But you're pregnant. With twins. It's to early to tell what they are but they seem healthy". She said taking pictures of the jellybeans.

"Oh my God. Nestor is going to freak when I tell him". You gasped as she handed you the ultrasound photo.

"Thank you so much for everything. You have no idea what this means to us". You hugged her crying.

"I think I have a idea. I too had a hard time having children so I know what it feels like to get that news that you're pregnant". She smiled and gave you a prescription for prenatal vitamins.

"Thanks again". You said before leaving her office.

You were so excited to tell Nestor that he was going to be a daddy. But then the nerves kicked in. What happens if this is like last time? What if you lose them or even one? You were going to take every precaution there was. You put yourself on bedrest and a healthier diet. Thinking those could help to keep the babies.

Getting home, Nestor was already there. Walking into the house, he was cooking. Something so good it made your mouth water.

"What are you cooking? I hope you made tons of it"? You moaned when you got to the kitchen, the aroma getting stronger.

"Its my fathers recipe. I knew you would like it. It's great for getting women pregnant. Just look at me". Nestor said with a wink coming over to you and kissed your head. You wrapped your arms around him.

"How was the doctors? Everything okay"? He asked looking down at you.

"Everything's wonderful". You grinned from ear to ear.

"Really? Just last night you didnt want to go.  What changed"?

"Oh just the two little lives growing inside me". You swiftly pulled out the sonogram and put it in his face with a squeal.

"You're joking? What? How? Oh my god". He picked you up, kissing your lips.

"Babies. We had tons of sex and oh my god is right. We finally did it. The doctor said they look healthy".

"Oh baby, I'm so happy and so very thankful". Nestor held you tight. All his dreams were coming true.

"Me too.  But I'm not taking any chances. I'm putting myself on bedrest and we're going to start eating healthier foods. No delicious tub of icecream or chips or tacos". You frowned licking your lips. Now the cravings start.

"Babe, you can have all of that just eat it a little at a time. Foods not going to hurt you. Might make you nauseous or give you heartburn but you have to eat".

"I know. I'm just scared. Because we dont know what caused the miscarriages. Anything can be a trigger. We just have to be careful and watch out for signs".

"We will. Um, can we not tell anyone until we know for sure we're out of the woods"?

"I was thinking the same thing. I don't want to get anyone's hopes up if they will be torn apart. I'm scared to get excited but I am. I cant for these jellybeans to be in our arms. Safe and sound". You squeezed Nestor. He was so happy. But the little voice said something could go wrong. Praying that it didnt.

During your pregnancy, you had one scare but that was it. You made it to 38 weeks then your water broke. Then the real nervousness kicked in. The babies room was prepared and you had everything they needed. You were just nervous about them getting here.

Luckily they came out healthy and strong with tons of hair.

Cruz Valentino Oceteva weighed 7lbs 4oz. He looked just like Nestor and a head of hair. Nestor tried to braid it like his. He succeeded in doing so. Heartburn was the worst.

Maya Jade Oceteva weighed 6lbs 2oz. Se was a lot smaller than her brother but was a strong little girl. You know how they say you carry them for nine months and they come out looking like their father. That's true. She looked like Nestor but with your nose. And a head full of hair that you put little bows in.

God you were so lucky to have Nestor and the babies. Life was complete. Well maybe. Another kid wouldnt hurt. Or three. But for now you were going to enjoy the baby moments and the smell of their little heads. Which you and Nestor took turns sniffing each of the babies heads.

[angelofdirewolves]

Tour de Fleece Day 3

I... didn’t get as much done yesterday as I hoped. As a justification, we were celebrating my mom’s birthday which meant there was cooking, and baking, and swimming, and watching a terrible movie (good terrible, not bad terrible). Spinning is compatible with only one of those things.

So, for my bubble nebula 4oz braid, I finished the plying yesterday. Yay! So I just have to skein my four sections of fully spun yarn and give them a bath to set the twist and get rid of three years of dust. I want to get things skeined today, and I’ll give them a bath tomorrow.

I did nothing on the cotton spinning yesterday. That is something I have to do upstairs and when people are awake because my yarn bowl is ceramic and my spindle is technically a top whorl spindle with a metal hook, which makes for very loud clanging noises. So today’s goal is to try and get three balls of cotton done, which should get me back on track to finish with my one a day goal.

As for the alpaca, I managed to spin some of this while I was watching the aforesaid terrible movie, so there are three less rolags in the shoebox, but the same amount of unprepped fiber in the bag. Today I want to try and get at least another rolag spun, and try and do more prep work, maybe changing out the shoebox for a green plastic basket that has a lot more room, maybe enough for the entire lot of unspun fiber. 

The TL:DR Summary

Bubble Nebula: Plying done! Skeined balls 0/4

Cotton Spinning: Still 22 cotton balls remaining

Alpaca rolags: 3/15+

[cristinablackthornkingson]

Arc of a Scythe Short Story #1 part 2.

Munira’s hand flies up to cover her mouth, when she sees the baby. She had not been expecting Michael to show her the baby, she wasn’t even expecting him to tell her that the baby is here, last she had heard Marie was a week overdue and it didn’t look like the baby was coming any time soon. 

“You sly devil you!” Munira exclaims, when she finally recovers from the shock and composes herself. “How long have you been keeping this a secret? When was she born?” 

“Only for a day, Marie went into labor on the night of the 20th, and Mia was born at 9:23 that morning. We decided to keep the news of her birth to ourselves just for a day, while we settled into life with her.” Michael explains with a chuckle, he knew Munira would be shocked, he’s actually surprised she hasn’t yelled at him for keeping this a secret, Munira hates when Michael keeps secrets from her.

“Well congratulations! I’m going to book my flights to come visit, the minute I get off this call! How is Marie?” Munira asks. Even in this day and age, with pain killing and healing naniets, recovering from pregnancy and birth can’t be easy. 

“She’s doing very well, she’s mostly just tired now, like she was in the early stages of her pregnancy, but she’s getting plenty of rest, Mia likes to keep me awake, but she seems to know her mother needs all the rest she can get.” Michael says in an amused tone, looking at Mia, who is fixated on Munira’s image, on the computer. She hasn’t slept much today, meaning Michael hasn’t had a chance to catch up on sleep, but he doesn’t mind, he would gladly stay awake for the rest of his life, for his daughter. 

“She’s clever, like her Aunty Munira, right Mia? We leave your mom alone, but drive your dad nuts.” Munira laughs. She doesn’t know Marie as well as she knows Michael, and therefore doesn’t feel comfortable teasing her, as she teases and messes with Michael. 

“How I’m going to put up with you and Rowan at the same time, I just don’t know. If he weren’t hopelessly in love with Citra, I would say you two would make a good couple.” Michael says with a smile, only half teasing. 

“He’s not my type, men aren’t my type at all.” Munira says with a shrug. 

“I know, I’ve seen you flirt with that Nimbus Agent, Lorianna, you’re terrible at it.” Michael replies. Munira scoffs and says

“That’s rich coming from you Michael, you didn’t cop on to the fact that Marie was in love with you, until she told you, she came into your room at night and you thought she was trying to kill you, and you kept that journal entry about that night, as some weird macabre love note, you have no room to talk about being terrible at flirting, it’s a miracle Mia exists with how bad you are at flirting.” Munira laughs. She may be bad at flirting, but at least she’s never assumed Lorianna’s flirtations meant she wanted to kill her.

“I’m an old man of course I don’t know anything about flirting, anyway shouldn’t you be at work?” Michael asks, shifting Mia in his arms as she begins to fuss. 

“it’s my day off, but I do have other work to do, and I’m sure you’re busy with Mia.” Munira says, pushing her glasses up her nose. “I’ll let you know when I’ve booked my flights.” Michael nods, trying to calm a fussy Mia while he says goodbye to Munira. 

A few seconds later, they end the call, and as if she knows she now has her dad’s full attention, Mia starts squawking and crying loudly. Michael glances at the time on the computer, and sees it’s 5 minutes past Mia’s usual feeding time.

“Now where do you get that impatience from, young miss? Neither your mother or I are very impatient, though your mom wasn’t as patient as she is now, when I first met her.” Michael quietly says, as he makes his way over to the fridge to get a bottle for Mia and heat it up in the microwave. “And she wasn’t very patient when we started trying for you, when she didn’t get pregnant the first month, she thought it would never happen.” He adds with a smile, remembering how Marie would obsessively take pregnancy tests when they were trying, sometimes as soon as the morning after, then getting flustered when the test came up negative. Michael hadn’t seen her so on edge and impatient since she was a teenager, starting her Scythe training. 

“Telling our daughter embarrassing stories about me already?” He hears Marie ask in an amused tone. He turns to see her standing by the window in the living room, her long brown hair in it’s usual braid over her shoulder and her lavender bathrobe thrown on over an old jumper and sweat pants. To Michael, she looks as radiant as ever.

“Well she’s going to be hearing plenty of embarrassing stories about me, from Munira soon, I figured it was only fair she know I’m not the only embarrassing one in the family.” Michael jokingly says, as Marie walks over and presses a kiss to his cheek before bending and kissing Mia’s forehead. 

“I heard you video calling Munira and introducing her to Mia, have you told Rowan and Citra about her yet?” Marie asks, as Michael takes Mia’s bottle from the microwave. 

“Not yet, I haven’t spoken to them in a few days, but we should tell them soon, they won’t be pleased if we keep it a secret much longer.” 

“We should text them tonight, take a picture of Mia and write out one of those old, mortal-aged birth announcements, I always liked the idea of a birth announcement, and if there’s anyone worth of one, it’s the daughter of two Scythes, isn’t that right my beautiful Mia?” Marie coos, stroking Mia’s dark hair. Michael chuckles and puts an arm around her waist, pressing a kiss to her head. 

“Whatever makes you happy, my dear Marie, whatever makes you happy.” 

Half an hour later, once Mia has finished her bottle and is settled and content, Marie spreads out a colorful floral print blanket that Citra had sent for Mia, while Marie was still pregnant, and places Mia on her back on it, after dressing her in the most adorable outfit she could find. A white vest with gold lettering that reads ‘Hello World’, paired with baby pink trousers, with gold poka-dots and a little gold satin belt, tied all together with a baby pink headband.

“Does she really need the headband?” Michael asks in an amused tone, as Marie pulls the camera up on her phone. Though Mia looks absolutely adorable in her outfit, it is a bit over the top, not surprising seeing that Rowan sent it. 

“Of course, it ties the whole outfit together!” Marie defends her choice in accessories for their daughter. 

“It’s almost bigger than her.” Michael laughs. Marie shoots him a mock glare.

“Oh hush, you have no sense in fashion, not surprising seeing as you chose the most boring color robes.” She jokes. 

“Ivory isn’t boring!” Michael says in a defensive tone. “It’s no more boring than lavender!” Marie smiles and shakes her head. 

“Whatever you say Michael, whatever you say.” 

10 minutes later the mini photo shoot is done, and Mia has lost her headband and thrown up on her top, so while Marie typed out the birth announcement to send to Citra and Rowan, Michael changes Mia into a simple white onsie.(Ivory to be exact) 

“There, all better.” He softly says, picking Mia up and kissing her cheek. “Ivory suits you Mia, your mom doesn’t know what she’s talking about when she says ivory is boring, it’s definitely not bring on you, you sweet little thing. Come on, let’s go see how mommy’s getting on.” 

15 minutes later, Michael is sitting on the sofa with Mia curled up on his chest, fast asleep, one of his hands resting protectively on her back and the other holding a book, a fictional novel Citra had brought him last time she visited.

“Done, what do you think?” Marie’s voice pulls Michael from the fictional world of his book. She hands him her phone and he takes everything on screen, in.

Displayed on the screen is a picture of Mia, on her blanket, in the outfit Michael had just changed her out of. The photo was taken from above and is a beautiful shot of Mia.

At the top of the photo, Mia’s full name (Mia Willow Wilson) is written out in bold, curling letters. Beside it, is her date and time of birth. (October 20th, 9′23 A.M., Year of The Lynx) and under that, is her birth weight and length. (6lbs 4oz, 24 inches) Then at the bottom of the photo, is a short and simple message. 

‘We are so thrilled to welcome our sweet baby girl. -Marie and Michael Wilson’ 

“It’s perfect, Marie.” Michael says, handing the phone back to her and smiling at her. “I didn’t know you had a flare for photography and photography editing.” He adds.

“Oh I took a few months of photography in high school, this is the first time I’ve used those skills in over 200 years, I’m surprised I remember them.” Marie says in an absent tone, as she sends the message to Citra and Rowan.

"At least we won’t have to pay for Mia’s newborn photo shoot, that’s what normal parents do, isn’t it? Have a photo shoot for their baby?” Michael asks, not knowing much about being a parent, other than the fact that he loves Mia so much it hurts.  

“I think so. I was thinking of taking her to a local playgroup for babies, it’s a good chance for parents to get to socialize and know each other and it’s very beneficial for the babies, they teach them how to use their hands to sign for things like bottles, so we don’t have to try and decipher their cries all the time. It’s also very good stimulation for them and helps develop their minds.” Marie says in a hurried tone of fascination, enthralled by the whole new world of parenthood.  

Before Michael can answer, Marie’s phone starts buzzing with a video call request, from Citra. She smiles and quickly answers the call, angling the phone so she, Michael and Mia are all in shot. When she answers the call, she sees Citra sitting at kitchen table, her curly dark hair loose around her shoulders, and Rowan at her side, straining to see the small screen of the phone. When he sees Marie and Michael, his face lights up and he waves at them. 

“Hi Scythe Faraday, Hi Scythe Curie!” He calls in an enthusiastic tone. Rowan (like Citra and Munira) does usually call them Marie and Michael, but when he’s being teasing and playful he uses their former titles. 

“Hello Rowan.” Michael says with a grin. 

“I miss you!” Rowan exclaims, ducking out of view for a second as Citra attempts to hit him in the arm. “Ow, Scythe Faraday, Citra’s abusing me!” 

“I’ll glean you if you don’t stop messing like a kid, Damisch, I want to talk to Michael and Marie.” Citra threatens, glaring at him. 

“Okay okay, I’ll be good!” Rowan exclaims, holding his hands up in surrender. 

“It’s good to see you dear, and you Rowan, how are you both keeping?” Marie asks. 

“Oh we’re fine, this call isn’t about us, it’s about you and your adorable baby! Congratulations!” Citra exclaims. 

“I can’t wait to meet her and be her favorite Uncle!” Rowan interjects. 

“You’re her only Uncle, you dumbass, stop being so annoying or go away.” Citra says, lightly shoving him away. “As I was saying, she is the cutest little thing I have ever seen! We’re coming to visit as soon as possible!” She continues, turning her attention back to the call. 

“We can’t wait to see you, Munira is coming soon too, you 3 should come at the same time, we have something we want to ask you three when you’re altogether.” Marie says.

“What is it?” Citra asks in an eager tone. 

“We’ll tell you all together, Munira is coming next Wednesday, for two weeks, how about you two come down at the same time?” Michael asks. 

“Alright, sounds good.” Citra says, while Rowan nods in agreement. 

One week later, Munira, Rowan and Citra arrive, only an hour apart. Munira arrived first, so therefore had the luxury of meeting and holding Mia first. She, Rowan and Citra have decided among themselves that they each get to hold for a 15 minute period, until Mia either gets fed up with them, needs a new diaper, or gets hungry and needs a bottle. Right now, Munira is holding Mia, gently rocking her back and forth, while Rowan and Citra’s eyes are glued to the timer counting down the 15 minutes, on Citra’s phone. 

“She is so calm and peaceful, and beautiful, she musn’t take after you at all, Michael.” Munira teases, sharing a grin with her old friend. 

“Well Munira, we’re in agreement that she gets her beauty from her mother.” He says, linking his hand with Marie’s. 

“Hey, when we called you a week ago, you said you wanted to ask the three of us something when we came down here, what is it?” Rowan asks, looking up from the timer. 

“Oh, oh that. Well, as I’m sure you know, back in the mortal days when they believed in God, babies were given Godparents, who would have an important role in their lives and teach them about religion and God, in the later days of mortality, it became more about playing an important role in the child’s life, and less so about religion and God. 

When the Thunderhead gained sentience, and it was proved that God did not exist, Guide Parents replaced Godparents, naming ceremonies replaced baptisms. 

Michael and I have decided that we’d like Mia to have a naming ceremony, and we would like her to have Guide Parents, people who will promise to be there for her and help her through life. Ordinarily two people are chosen as Guide Parents, but you can choose however many you please, and Michael and I have chosen three. 

So, Citra, Munira, we would be honored if you would agree to be Mia’s Guide Mothers, and Rowan we would love it, if you agreed to be Mia’s Guide Father.”  There is a brief silence, following Marie’s speech, though it only lasts a few seconds, and Citra is the one to break it. She jumps up from her spot on the floor next to Rowan, and embraces Marie and Michael tightly, tears of joy spilling down her cheeks. 

“Of course I will, I can’t believe you would ask me, I’m honored.” She softly says, wiping at her tears, as Marie kisses her forehead and Michael squeezes her hand. 

“Of course we asked you dear, you’re like a daughter to us, we love you just as much as we love Mia, and we both know you will be a very important person in her life.” Marie softly says. 

“I-I am honored too, and of course I will accept, thank you so much for asking me.” Munira quietly says, holding back her own tears of joy. She had never been given such an important role in all her life, to be a baby’s Guide Parent was no small thing, but she cannot wait to teach little Mia all she knows, and help her grow into an amazing person.

“i... I don’t know what to say, other than thank you, and of course I accept.” Rowan says. “And also, it’s my turn to hold the baby, give her over, Munira!” He demands, holding his arms out for the baby. Munira roles her eyes and passes Mia to Rowan. 

“Boys, so annoying.” She quietly says.

“Hi Mia, as long as you don’t spit up on me, I think you and I are going to be good friends!” Rowan says, letting Mia grip onto his finger. He has plenty of experience with babies, he has tons of younger brothers and sister (as well as older) and often helped out with them when they were little, which he always liked, except for when they would spit up on him, and today he’s wearing his favorite shirt and he doesn’t feel like waiting in line to buy a new one, when he gets home.

Later that night, when Munira, Rowan and Citra are back in their hotel (Michael and Marie only have one spare room, which is currently filled with baby paraphernalia) Michael and Marie place a fussy Mia on a pillow in the middle of the bed, and lie on either side of her, lacing their hands across her little stomach, once she has calmed. 

“I can’t believe we made her.” Marie quietly says, softly tracing Mia’s little cheek. These last two weeks have been the most surreal of her life, even more surreal then when she became a Scythe, but also the best, being a mother is without a doubt the best thing she has done in her long life, and she has never loved someone like she loves Mia. 

“Neither can I, I mean I’m use to taking life, not making it, I can’t believe how perfect she is.” Michael softly says, stroking Mia’s dark curls. All throughout Marie’s pregnancy, Michael was secretly terrified that because of the fact he use to be a Scythe and take lives, something horrific would happen to his child, or Marie. No matter what the doctors and midwives said through the pregnancy, he never fully believed that Mia was perfect and healthy, until she was born.

“I’m scared that The Scythedom is going to find out we’re still alive, and take Mia from us.” Marie confesses in a tight tone. Ever since she got pregnant, she’s had nightmares that she and Michael are found out by The Scythedom, and punished by having their child taken from them. She would rather die than live without Mia. 

“Oh Marie, that won’t happen, there’s hardly any chance The Scythedom will find out we’re still alive and even if they did, they could not take Mia from us, I would never ever let that happen.” Michael gently says, reaching out and brushing away Marie’s tears. Marie takes a shuddering breath and nods. 

“I-I know, I think it’s my hormones still settling back in, and new mom anxieties, maybe I should have my naniets adjusted.” She says. “I love you both, so much.” she leans over and kisses Michael, before pressing a kiss to Mia’s cheek. 

“Marie, I swear to you I will never let anything separate us ever again nor I will let anything or anyone separate us from our daughter.” Michael firmly says. He thought he had felt protective of Citra, Rowan and Munira, but he has never felt as protective over someone as he does Mia. 

Marie nods and moves closer to Michael, placing her hand over his.

“I know.” She softly says. “We’re a family now, and nothing will ever change that.”

*10 MONTHS LATER*

It is a mild and calm day in September, almost exactly 10 months after Mia’s birth. The last 10 months have been the best, the happiest and the most difficult months of Michael and Marie’s lives. Being parents is an absolute joy to them, Mia is the sweetest, happiest baby on earth (with her mother’s quick temper of course) who is forever smiling and laughing, reaching for her mommy or daddy, wanting cuddles, playing with all her toys with her Aunt Citra, reading with her Aunt Munira and watching old mortal age children’s movies, with her Uncle Rowan. 

Raising Mia is a dream for Marie and Michael, and though there are definitely tough and challenging moments and times, they would not change a single hair on their Mia’s head, she is absolutely perfect just as she is.

Just half an hour ago, while Mia was down for her nap, Michael took the chance to go for a walk along the beach, to clear his head after struggling to get Mia to go to sleep. Marie was happy to stay in with Mia, and find her own way of unwinding and relaxing after the difficult hour they spent trying to get Mia to sleep. 

The walk had done what Michael had hoped and now he could not wait to get back to his wife and daughter. 

As Michael approaches their small beach house, through the window into the living room, he sees Mia sitting on the floor, her toy box emptied around her, smiling broadly up at Marie, who smiles softly back at her and bends to kiss her forehead.

When Michael opens the door and steps in, Mia’s face lights up and her smile broadens. Mia unsteadily pushes herself up onto her feet, wobbling for a few seconds. Usually she will do this and then reach up for whoever she wants to go to, or stand in their way to try and stop them leaving. This time however, she takes a wobbly step forward, causing Michael and Marie to both freeze on the spot, wondering if she’ll take more than one or two steps this time. 

Michael crouches down and holds his arms out to Mia. 

“Come here Mia, come to dada.” He softly encourages. Upon hearing his voice, Mia breaks out into a smile again. Slowly but surely, she wobbles her way over to Michael, walking right into his arms. 

“Oh my god.” Marie quietly says, taking her hands away from her mouth, hardly able to believe Mia just walked properly for the first time. “Oh clever girl, Mia!” 

Michael stands up with Mia in his arms and kisses her cheek. 

“Smart girl indeed, your Aunts and Uncle are going to be so mad they missed that, especially your Uncle Rowan.” He says in an amused tone, walking over to join Marie, and kiss her.

“Michael?” Marie asks in a cautious tone, as he sets Mia down among her toys again, and turns back to her with a smile. 

“Yes?” 

“I... I have to tell you something, can we talk in the kitchen?” Marie asks, even though Mia won’t understand what they’re saying and there’s no door separating the kitchen and living room, she would rather have some semblance of privacy. Michael nods and they cross the room to the kitchen. 

“Is everything alright Marie? Are Citra and Rowan alright? And Munira?” Michael asks in a tone tinged with worry. 

“Everything’s fine, Citra, Rowan and Munira are fine too. It’s just... well you know how we agreed to start the adoption process, when Mia turns 1?” Marie asks. Michael nods. 

“Well, I think we’re going to have to delay it a while longer.”  Michael furrows his brow and looks at her in confusion. As far as hew as concerned Marie was as eager to adopt as he was, to give Mia a sibling, was she having second thoughts? 

“Why is that?” Marie takes a deep breath, smiles up at Michael and takes his hand in hers before pressing it to her stomach. 

“I’m pregnant.”