The news we received the morning of the baby shower overwhelmed me. Thankfully, it wasn't bad news when I forced Delmare to get out of bed and run with me to the medical wing where Claire had spent the last three days. When we arrived, Claire was upright in bed, flowers sat on her bedside table and her husband and son stood beside her as she turned to look at us.

"Hi dear."

I couldn't control myself as I ran towards her, pulling her into a tight hug as I began to cry. "I'm so happy you're alright!"

She laughed, pulling away from me before handing me a box of tissues, which I gladly took, "I'm better than alright," she paused, "Don't you have a baby shower this afternoon?"

"Yes," I nodded, taking a seat in the arm chair near her bed, as I wiped the tears from my eyes and looking over at her expectantly, "What did the doctor say?"

"Well, they have to run a few tests but I should be cleared to go home." She smiled, "I may not be able to make it to your baby shower but I would like to visit sometime soon."

"Of course." I grinned, looking back at Delmare who smiled, "We'd love to have you and your family come to visit."

"Great," she smiled before grabbing Daniel's hand, "Now, run along before you miss your party!"

With a nod I stood, grabbing Delmare's hand as we made our way out of the castle doors and towards our home in Arcania

*

By the time we had arrived home, I was exhausted; it had taken us nearly three hours to get there. As soon as we entered the castle we were overwhelmed with pink, blue, and purple balloons and streamers lining the castle's walls. Letting go of Delmare's arm, I made my way through the halls and towards our room, hoping I could get some sleep before the guests arrived.

Shutting our bedroom door behind me, I kicked my shoes off, practically ripping my clothes off before I crawled into bed. Just as I was about to close my eyes to fall asleep, our door opened again as Delmare walked into the room, shutting the door behind him before he too kicked his shoes off and crawled in beside me. Shuffling onto my back, I couldn't help but run my fingers through his hair, smiling to myself as he fell swiftly to sleep. And as he did, the exhaustion overtook me, pulling me into my dreamscape.

The sound of the waves crashing onto shore pulled me along as I walked barefoot across the white powdery sand of the beach. The world seemed so real to me, as if I wasn't dreaming at all, as I continued towards the approaching waves. Breathing in the deep salty air, enjoying the lull of the sea as I walked but when my toes finally touched the water the world around me seemed to slow as someone rose from the water before me. I stared in disbelief as the blue skinned woman rose above the water, the waves brushing against her toes while her midnight blue hair floated around her as if she was still underwater....