It's smooth sailing

Doe's second pregnancy ended up being a little shorter than her first. Not all that surprising considering there were two little lamia babies who were keen to get out. Through the last few months Linne got more and more worried as Doe's belly first matched and then exceeded its previous girth. Much as Doe complained to you about it all she didn't seem either depressed or particularly worried. Your lamia seems to love complaining, sarcastically and loudly, whenever she starts to feel weak. Which only causes Linne to look after her more, with the coddling causing Doe to get even more acerbic.

But you can see her complaints for what they are. Rather than trying to fix things you listen to her and occasionally throw some humor her way. Doe doesn't want to admit her real feelings, but her tail curls around you as she grumbles. In the mornings you sometimes find her face nestled against your chest even though she was moaning once again about the size of her bladder, the size of her belly or the small aches that always come so late in pregnancy.

After months of dealing with Doe Linne has also accepted that this is how Doe is. She has her own way of dealing with it - constant, bottomless cheerfulness. Yes, Linne's always been a very cheerful person, but when your lamia starts her complaining Linne kicks it up a notch and cuddles Doe like it's the most important thing in the world. Cuddling, purring, rubbing her shoulders or massaging Doe's tail. Linne never goes after the issues of the complaints head on, she just attacks with cuteness and joy until Doe is **** to crack a smile or laugh.

By the time Doe goes into labor you're sure that she's become quite used to pregnancy and all it has to offer. She certainly gives a ton of helpful and upbeat advice to the centauresses and other 'taurs who are waiting for their big days. There's never any real complaining when she's talking to 'her' troops or when she goes to one of the three orphanages she now visits. Only at home, and does it really count when she so obviously does want to be coddled and taken care of? Your big warrior woman just can't admit it.

The funniest thing is when you bring in Linneth to meet her new younger sisters. You've all seen how much your daughter has grown, you've all noticed her ever lengthening tail and her developing arm and neck muscles. She's far stronger than she was the day she was born. But seeing her next to two newborn lamias really puts it in perspective. As for Linneth, the sight of two new girls lying to either side of her mother, each greedily suckling, gets nothing but stunned silence. Your eldest doesn't have any idea of what to do next.

"Want to hear their names?" Doe asks. In theory this is something you should have some input on, but Doe told you she doesn't give a damn. After carrying the twins for so long she says she knows exactly what names they should have.

Linne's paws start beating against the ground and you have to hang on to your cataur to make sure she doesn't vibrate right out of the room. Doe gave you no say, she also stayed completely tight lipped, not even discussing options with Linne. So today is the first time Linne's getting to hear their names too and the suspense is killing her.

"Our second daughter," Doe says as she scratches the little lamia's head, "is Annalinne, and our youngest," she scratches the other's head, "is Karalinne".

Linne gasps and starts to say, "Oh, they're such beautifu..." and then stops dead. "Wwwait - you named them after me? Again? Why? But... Doe!"

Doe lets out a big laugh and smiles at you both. "I want them to be like you, you silly, happy, lovely woman. I don't want them all taking after me."

Linne looks to you for some kind of help, but you doubt you'll be able to change Doe's stubborn mind. "They are beautiful names," you tell Linne. "Probably named after some gorgeous girl Doe knows. Someone who just lights up the room."

Doe starts laughing heartily enough that the newly named Annalinne complains about how the teat she's feeding from is trying to escape.

"Sorry, baby," your wife tells her. "Your dad just made a great joke. But if you want, maybe it's time for you to meet your namesake - she has some milk for you too."

Linne tries desperately to say she's not worthy of having even Linneth named after her. Two more is just too much. But neither you nor Doe are having any of it. That night you're treated to the sight of a cataur cuddling up next to a lamia, each of them feeding one newborn. As for your eldest, she spends a lot of her time in your arms just watching the show, though every once in a while she points insistently and takes a turn on either Linne or Doe's free nipple. Just often enough to remind her sisters that she was here first.