Had the situation not been so stressful, Ezio would have been amused at how closely the two seemed to mirror one another. As it stood, however, being so tense was no doing anyone any good.

"As I understand it," he said cautiously, "babies come when they are ready. Pacing is not going to help at all." He looked at them both. "Maybe a distraction is in order?"

"What do you suggest?" Anna asked before Altair could say anything. He didn't even bother to glare at her, just turned and continued wearing holes in the floor.

"In my experience, sparring has always been a reliable way of working off tension," Ezio said. He glanced between the two of them.

"No." Altair stopped in front of the door, his arms crossed. "I'm not leaving."

Anna saw the wisdom in Ezio's words, even if Altair did not. "Too bad, lover boy," she said, getting to her feet. "Get your ass outside before I make you, and I will make you."

Altair turned indignant eyes on Anna, and she just grinned, already far too smug. With barely a sound, he started towards her, and Anna bolted outside. Much safer to spar out there.

Ezio caught Altair's arm as he went past.

"I will stay here," he said. "I'll make sure to let you know as soon as anything happens." He paused. "And really, try not to kill her."

Altair nodded his thanks. "No guarantees if she continues to piss me off, brother."

"I would appreciate it if you didn't kill my woman," Ezio reiterated. As an afterthought, he added, "and you know it would upset Iris if you did." Below the belt, yes. But effective.

Altair huffed. "Fine." He took off his hidden blade, since that would be the most tempting and most automatic thing to use, and handed it to Ezio. "The instant something happens." He glanced at the door again.

Ezio nodded and took the blade, putting it somewhere safe. Then he settled in to wait, trying to ignore every time he heard a whimper or explicit vulgarity from behind the closed door. One in particular was graphic and possible enough to make him cringe a little and remind himself that anything a woman says while in childbirth is not to be taken seriously.

It took Altair and Anna almost an hour to return, both of them rather bruised and battered but not seriously hurt. Anna was the worse off of the two, and she didn't bother to find a chair for herself. She just sat on Ezio, leaning back against him wearily.

"Worst. Idea. Ever."

Altair just snorted, looking at the door anxiously again.

"But now you're too tired to worry overmuch," Ezio replied softly, putting his arms around her waist gently and letting her relax a bit. He glanced at Altair. "She has a rather creative and impressive arsenal of threats," he commented. More seriously, he added, "it sounds like it might be soon."

Altair nodded, sinking into a chair to wait. He hoped it was soon. If he had to wait much longer, he might have to spar Ezio.

They waited for another hour and a half. Ezio could see Altair getting fidgety again as each minute passed, and the man visibly tensed every time Iris cried out or swore violently from inside the room.

Altair had to wait a little longer, by which time he was about ready to hammer the door down. So when he heard a little cry, he froze, his eyes comically wide. When the woman opened the door, looking tired but pleased, he moved in slowly, looking at Iris.

Iris was reclined on the bed, leaning against the headboard with a little blanket-wrapped bundle in her arms. She looked even more exhausted than the midwife, and equally more pleased. She moved her feet a little bit so Altair could sit on the bed with her, and she looked from him to the baby and back again. The baby whimpered a bit, but didn't cry.

"Come and see," she said softly.

Altair sat and scooted closer to her, looking down at the baby. Hesitant he brushed the tip of one finger over her cheek. Then he smiled, relaxing slowly.

"Your daughter has your eyes," Iris said softly, smiling a little.

Altair blinked, looking down at his daughter. "She's beautiful," he said quietly, touching her cheek again almost hesitantly.

"Do you want to hold her?" Iris asked. Hell, she'd had the baby for nine months, it was high time he had a chance.

Altair nodded, holding out his arms and taking her carefully. He shifted her a little, still studying her intently. She looked healthy, and her breathing was even. She even blinked up at him, her eyes clear.

Iris smiled a bit, watching him with the baby. The baby's skin tone was somewhere between Iris's and Altair's; not as dark as his, but not quite as light as hers, either.

"She needs a name," she said softly.

Altair was quiet for a few moments, thinking. "Amaya?" he suggested quietly, looking at Iris. "It means night rain."

"It's pretty," Iris said. "Amaya. I like it." She smiled.

Altair smiled faintly. "Amaya, then." He looked down at her again, moving so he was sitting next to Iris.

Iris leaned up carefully and gave him a kiss.

"Why don't you go show her to Anna and Ezio?" she suggested gently. "I'm sure they want to meet her." And it would give him a chance to hold the baby for a while longer.