Seaside Moors Well, wipe that smirk right back from where you came

time is moving so fast!!! had to chuck this in for reference because omg, time is flying.

It was becoming inevitable.

A bitter laugh curled around her dark lips as she scanned the cold sea. The sea rose and swelled, like her belly rose and swelled. Soon the waves would crest like her life would crest - and she'd be given small children to take care of.

But it wasn't a gift. It was a curse - a fucking curse. She didn't want this. She didn't want these fucking kids, these little monsters in her belly -- they'd bend and shape and break her body, just like they'd bend and shape and break her life -- she wasn't ready to be a mother.

She wasn't a mother.

There wasn't anything she could do, according to Erzulie. No magic plant to take to end it easily, no place to go to starve out their existence. She thought stupidly of holding her breath forever; would it hurt them as it hurt her?

Her lungs burned. She sucked in a deep breath.

No, they were coming whether she wanted it or not - like the stormcloud dark on the horizon fast approaching.

Time to face reality, time to pull her head from those stupid clouds.

Fucking Dacio. You've acted like an idiot, and now look. No mom to help you, and you're going to be just like your mother.

Just like your mother.

That thought terrified Raleska and she bit back a choking cry. What should she do? Rusalka wouldn't care that she had children, bastard children -- but her children might eventually notice their father conspicuously absent. They might ask the hard questions, making Raleska dance around an uncomfortable lie. They might wonder why they weren't good enough to have a daddy like everyone else. It was the last thing she wanted.. well, besides having the stupid things in the first place.

A small idea whirled in her mind, current soft as a tidepool. It ebbed and flowed with other thoughts, other worries, but eventually it grew in size and occupied the forefront of her mind. Eventually, it was all she could think about and she knew what must be done.

Just like your mother.