Unseasonably early snow was falling outside the farmhouse's plated glass windows as Nim paced the length of Caroline's tiny room. The sun had set some time ago, but the light reflecting from the full moon made the soft mounds of snow outside shine in the darkness.
Another scream rent the air from Caroline, and Nim rushed back to the foot of her granddaughter's bed. Ender remained steadfast at his wife's side, his mammoth hand clasping Caroline's as he knelt by the edge of the bed.
It was a wonder they managed to conceive in such a small framed bed, Nim thought to herself as Caroline writhed with the contraction gripping her body. Of course, the conception probably happened in Ibudal, or the gods knew where. Nim preferred not to think of such matters. It seemed only yesterday Caroline was a little girl, blonde braids swaying in the breeze as she climbed trees in the orchard and poked fun at the local boys.
