walk barefoot across sunshine days

The best part about having her baby outside of her body is that Nina no longer feels the need to restrain herself in using her magic. Since the birth, she's been carefully and slowly healing herself, hoping to get back on her feet sooner than later. Her midwife has been by almost every day, just to check on her and baby. She's also had a steady stream of visitors, which she is grateful for. She isn't sure that she could stand the quiet of her apartment with just her and Katya there in the days following the birth.

Spring arrived along with her daughter, so all the windows are thrown open and there are glass jars with daffodils and hyacinths scattered around the apartment: flowers from well-wishers and fresh cuttings from Greta's garden. Now and then she thinks about going out to the cabin, but she doesn't want to be so far from her tribe. Not yet.

"Oh sweet girl," she coos as she checks on Katya in the little chair she has on the kitchen table. "Are you ready for more visitors? You have quite the extended family."

Nina finds herself looking forward to visitors, too. She knows she needs to rest and recover, but the last thing anyone needs is for her to go a little stir-crazy on her own. She smiles brightly at the baby.

"Maybe they'll bring snacks."