Marienschnee Pt. 05

This is the last chapter of the story. I hope you enjoy.

***

The story so far...

Mother Benedikta has agreed to let Magdalena stay after discovering that two more of her nuns are pregnant. Toni has introduced a new rule: any woman who wants to keep fucking him must first do it on the breakfast table, in front of everyone. Magdalena, Cecilia, Gertrud, Theresia and Veronika have all done so. But Mother Benedikta has refused to humiliate herself in front of the sisters. Until now. She stands up from the breakfast table and begins taking off her clothes.

And now...

***

No one says a word. Benedikta stands by her chair. Her clothes lie folded over the backrest, as neatly as she has had time to arrange them. She looks at no one. Serafina is the first to manage to speak.

"No!"

Benedikta looks up.

"No, what?"

"Not you."

"Yes."

"But you're Mother Benedikta."

Benedikta looks at her.

"I know that."

"But..."

"What?"

Serafina looks at Toni. Then back at Benedikta.

"Have you two also..."

She doesn't finish.

"Yes."

Magdalena looks first at Benedikta and then toward the door to her chamber. Veronika does the same. Theresia slowly puts down her spoon. Cecilia holds her spoon halfway to her mouth. Gertrud glances back and forth between Benedikta and Toni, as if the answer might change if she waits long enough. Lucia looks down into her bowl. Judith, however, stares at Benedikta with such astonishment that she has forgotten to close her mouth.

"Judith," says Benedikta.

"Yes?"

"You look like a fish."

Judith closes her mouth. Theresia begins to smile.

"This explains a lot."

Benedikta turns toward her.

"What does it explain?"

"Nothing."

"You just said it explained a lot."

"I changed my mind."

Veronika looks at Benedikta. Then she nods slowly to herself.

"It actually does."

"For one thing, why you aren't going to throw me out," says Magdalena.

Benedikta turns toward her.

"No one asked you."

Magdalena takes a bite of bread.

"No, Mother Benedikta."

The last part makes Gertrud giggle.

"And you can stop that."

Gertrud instantly turns serious.

"Yes, Mother Benedikta."

Benedikta walks over to the table and begins moving aside the things sitting in front of her. Toni remains seated.

"What are you doing?"

"What do you think?"

"I wonder if you really want this."

"Yes. Hurry up now; I don't intend to stand here naked all morning."

"You won't have to."

Toni stands up. Benedikta places one hand on the table to climb up. Toni takes hold of her wrist.

"No."

Benedikta looks at his hand. Then at him.

"What do you mean, 'no'?"

"Not like that."

"How, then?"

Benedikta looks at him suspiciously. Instead, Toni takes her by the waist and turns her toward the table. Serafina stares.

"What are you going to do to her?"

No one answers. Benedikta turns her head.

"I had intended to lie on my back like everyone else."

"But you are Mother Benedikta. You aren't like everyone else."

Toni bends her forward. Benedikta looks offended. Then she understands. Her hands come to rest on the tabletop. A bowl shifts a few centimeters. As she leans forward, her breasts hang freely beneath her--neither large nor firm, but long and slack--swaying gently with every movement.

Toni leans closer and whispers something to her that no one else hears.

"Have you completely lost your mind?" says Benedikta.

Toni says something else. She closes her eyes for a moment.

"Good God."

Then she plants both hands more firmly on the table.

"Move the bowl," she says to Magdalena.

"Which one?"

"Mine."

Magdalena moves it aside.

"And the bread."

"Yes, Mother Benedikta."

"You don't have to sound like that."

"Like what?"

"As if you find this amusing."

Toni spreads her buttocks with his thumbs. His thick, already hard cock presses against her rear opening. He pushes slowly but firmly. As the head penetrates, Benedikta cries out. A short, sharp sound. Everyone jumps. Lucia jerks so violently that she bumps her bowl.

"What is he doing?" asks Lucia.

Gertrud has already half-risen from her chair.

"Good God!"

"What is it?" asks Serafina.

Gertrud points but can't get the words out. Cecilia looks and widens her eyes as she sees Toni slowly--centimeter by centimeter--pushing his thick cock into Benedikta's ass. Magdalena takes her by the arm.

"Sit down."

"But did you see?"

"Yes."

"Is it possible?"

"Apparently."

"What is?" asks Serafina.

"See for yourself if you're so curious," says Theresia.

"I certainly won't do that."

Benedikta turns her head, her cheek pressed against the tabletop.

"Can you be quiet?"

"We thought he was hurting you," says Gertrud.

Cecilia has turned bright red.

"Doesn't it hurt?"

"I'm not giving a lesson," says Benedikta through clenched teeth.

Toni pauses when he is fully inside, buried to the hilt in her rear opening. He leans over her.

"Do you want me to stop?"

Benedikta closes her eyes. Her breathing is shaky.

"No. Just keep going. Don't stop."

He begins to move. Long, slow thrusts at first, so she feels every centimeter as the thick cock slides almost all the way out and is then pressed back in. It's a tight fit, but her own wetness and his pre-cum make it possible. After a moment, a completely different sound escapes her. A deep, involuntary moan--loud enough to make Lucia look up again. Benedikta grips the edge of the table more tightly. Her knuckles turn white. She moans loudly, thrust by thrust, as Toni fucks her ass in a steady, powerful rhythm.

Theresia starts to laugh. Benedikta hears her.

"Not a word."

"I'm not saying anything."

Toni picks up the pace. Skin slaps against skin. Benedikta's buttocks shake with every thrust. After a few more movements, an even louder moan escapes her. She makes no attempt to hold it back. Her body trembles as the orgasm washes over her--unexpectedly intense--while he continues to move deep inside her rear opening.

Gertrud starts to smile.

"Go, Mother Benedikta."

Benedikta opens her eyes.

"What did you say?"

Gertrud's smile fades.

"Nothing."

"Go," says Theresia.

Benedikta turns her head toward her.

"You too?"

"You're doing well, after all."

"I don't need encouragement."

"No, we can hear that," says Veronika.

Magdalena starts to laugh. Gertrud tries to keep a straight face but fails.

"Go!" she says again.

"Gertrud!"

"Forgive me, Mother Benedikta."

Serafina looks from one to the other.

"Are you cheering her on?"

"Yes," says Theresia.

"She's our abbess!"

"We know that," says Veronika.

Benedikta slams her hand on the table.

"Shut the fuck up, all of you."

Silence falls. Complete silence from everyone except Toni and Benedikta. Toni delivers a few more thrusts. Then he moans softly, presses in as deep as he can, and empties himself inside her ass. Benedikta feels every hot spurt. As he withdraws, semen flows out of her now-gaping anus and down her thighs.

A moment later, Benedikta remains slumped over the table, her cheek resting against one arm, trying to steady her breathing. No one says a word. She lifts her head. Everyone looks away at once.

"Well then."

Theresia suddenly studies her porridge with great interest. Benedikta slowly straightens up. Semen is still running down her thigh as she reaches for her clothes.

"Have you seen enough?"

"I wasn't looking," says Serafina.

"Yes, you were," says Gertrud.

"Shut up."

"Serafina," says Benedikta.

Serafina sighs.

"Forgive me, Mother Benedikta."

Benedikta begins to dress. No one helps her. When she is finished, she sits in her place and pulls her bowl toward her. She takes a spoonful of porridge. She grimaces.

"Since when did we start serving cold porridge here in the convent?"

Theresia looks up cautiously.

"Since Mother Benedikta stepped..."

Benedikta glares at her with a look that could kill.

"Not another word from you for the rest of breakfast."

Theresia nods.

"Yes, Mother Benedikta."

Benedikta continues eating. No one else moves.

"What are you waiting for?"

"Nothing," says Magdalena.

"Good. Then let's eat."

Serafina looks at her.

"Are we really just going to carry on?"

Benedikta takes a spoonful of porridge.

"Do you have a better suggestion, or do you intend to lie down on the table?"

"No, heavens, no..."

"Then let's eat."

Serafina is still sitting perfectly motionless.

"Six," she says.

Judith looks at her.

"What?"

Serafina counts on her fingers.

"Magdalena. Cecilia. Gertrud. Theresia. Veronika. Mother Benedikta."

Judith goes still. Serafina looks at her.

"Six."

"Yes," says Judith.

She takes a spoonful of porridge. Serafina slowly shakes her head.

"Six women."

Judith looks down into her bowl.

"Eat your porridge."

***

In the evening, Toni enters Benedikta's chamber. She is sitting at the desk with the account book in front of her.

"You're late."

"I've been carrying in firewood."

Benedikta turns a page.

"Theresia has been insufferable all day."

"Oh? How so?"

"Asking if I need help sitting down."

Toni starts to laugh.

"It's not funny."

"No."

"And Gertrud has been walking around smirking."

"She often does that."

"Not like that."

Toni sits on the edge of the bed and pulls off his boots.

"Theresia is probably mostly jealous."

Benedikta looks up from the book.

"What do you mean?"

"She asked if I'd consider doing the same thing with her."

Benedikta falls silent for a moment.

"I see. What did you answer?"

"That I'd be happy to."

Benedikta puts down her pen.

"But you haven't done it?"

"No."

"Good."

Toni looks at her.

"Good?"

"Yes. Let me keep something she wants for a few more days."

Toni laughs again. Benedikta closes the book. She turns off the light and lies down beside him.

"Toni?"

"Yes?"

"You're welcome to hold me tonight, too."

He puts his arm around her.

"I usually do."

"I know."

***

The next morning, Serafina sits next to Judith, eating with a hearty appetite. For the first time in days, she seems to believe that breakfast will remain just breakfast.

Judith puts down her spoon.

"Toni?"

"Yes?"

"I was thinking maybe it's my turn."

Serafina keeps chewing. Then she stops.

"Your turn for what?"

Judith stands up.

"You know what."

Serafina looks at her.

"No."

"Yes."

"No, Judith."

Judith starts moving the bowls aside.

"What the hell!"

Benedikta looks up.

"Serafina."

"But it's Judith!"

"We can see that," says Theresia.

Serafina turns toward her.

"Shut up!"

"Serafina," Benedikta says again.

"Yes, sorry, but she's my best friend!"

Judith pauses with a bowl in her hand.

"I suppose I still am?"

"I thought so."

She looks at Toni.

"Have the two of you been together too?"

"Yes," says Judith.

Serafina stares at her. Then she starts counting on her fingers.

"Magdalena. Cecilia. Gertrud. Theresia. Veronika. Mother Benedikta."

She looks up.

"Seven?"

Judith nods. Serafina falls completely silent. Then she looks at Lucia.

"If you've been with Toni too, I don't know what I'll do."

Lucia looks up from her porridge.

"No. I haven't."

"Maybe you're lying too."

"No. I'm not."

"Judith lied right to my face."

"I didn't count myself."

"YOU SAID THERE WERE FIVE!"

"Yes. I didn't know about Mother Benedikta until yesterday."

"And then you told me to eat my porridge!"

"Yes, I did."

"How long?"

Judith looks at her.

"What?"

"How long have you been with him?"

"For a while."

"For a while?"

"Yes. Let's put it this way: it's not entirely certain that only three women are pregnant."

All eyes turn toward Judith. Even Toni looks surprised. Serafina opens her mouth. Then she closes it again.

"You could have said something."

Judith's expression turns serious.

"Yes. I could have."

There is a moment of silence.

"Why didn't you?" asks Serafina.

"Because I knew how you'd react."

"I see. And how do you think I'm reacting now?"

"Just as I thought."

Judith pushes aside the last bowl and looks at Toni. He stands up. Serafina grabs her arm.

"Are you going to do it now?"

"Yes."

"After this?"

"When else?"

"I don't know! Never!"

Judith gently loosens her hand.

"You don't have to watch."

"I absolutely won't. And I won't talk to you either."

Serafina sits down with her arms crossed. Judith walks over to Toni.

"You seem to have made her angry," he says.

"It'll pass."

"NO, IT WON'T!" Serafina screams.

Judith sighs.

"Though it might take a while."

Instead of lying down on the table, she remains standing in front of him, slowly undressing and placing her clothes neatly on the table. She takes his hand and guides it between her thighs. He feels that she is already wet. Judith looks him straight in the eye as she unfastens his trousers and brings out his heavy, hard cock. She slowly strokes it against her opening, rubbing the head back and forth between her swollen lips until it glistens with her juices.

Then she lifts one leg high and rests it against his hip. Toni understands. He grips the underside of her other thigh and lifts her completely off the floor. Judith wraps both arms around his neck and locks her legs tightly around his waist. She lowers herself onto him--slowly, inch by inch--until his thick cock is completely buried deep inside her still-tight pussy. A hoarse, shuddering breath escapes her lips.

He carries her around the dining room. Every step he takes drives him deeper inside her. Judith clings tightly to his neck, her forehead pressed against his temple, as he fucks her standing up. The wet sound of her pussy swallowing him over and over is distinct. Her small breasts sway gently against his chest. She comes silently, teeth clenched, while he continues to thrust into her.

Finally, Toni gently sets her down on the edge of the table without pulling out. Now he has better leverage. He fucks her harder while her legs remain wrapped around him. Judith leans back on her elbows, her face turned toward the ceiling, and takes every deep thrust. When he comes, he does so with a low groan, pressed so far inside her that she feels every spurt against her cervix.

He holds her there for a few extra seconds before slowly lowering her back to the floor. Semen immediately runs down the insides of her thighs as she slowly puts her clothes back on.

When Judith sits down again a moment later, Serafina still has her arms crossed. No one has dared to say much. Judith reaches for her bread.

"Can you pass the fat?"

Serafina stares straight ahead.

"No."

"It's right in front of you."

"I know."

Judith reaches past her and takes the bowl herself.

"Thanks."

"I didn't do anything!"

"You didn't knock my hand away."

Serafina turns toward her.

"And you're not to tell me to eat my porridge."

Judith puts down the bread.

"No, but if you don't, it'll get cold."

A few seconds pass. Serafina stands up.

"I HATE THIS CONVENT!"

She takes her bowl and leaves. Theresia watches her go.

"Do you think she'll come back?"

"Yes," says Judith.

"Are you sure?"

Judith takes a bite of bread.

"She just needs to scream for a while."

***

For the rest of the day, Serafina refuses to speak to Judith. She is, however, happy to talk *about* Judith--preferably when Judith is within earshot.

"I thought I could trust her."

"You can," says Lucia.

"No."

"Yes, you can."

"You don't have to defend her."

Judith continues sewing, unperturbed, as her friends discuss her.

By evening, Serafina has told every single sister that she has no intention of forgiving Judith. Most of them have heard it more than once.

***

Breakfast passes quietly the next morning. Magdalena kisses Toni when he hands her the bread, but no one leaves the table until the porridge is finished. At first, Serafina seems suspicious. Then she finishes eating and goes outside to shovel snow.

When she comes back in, Judith is sitting there, mending a shift.

"You have snow in your hair," says Judith.

Serafina doesn't answer. She brushes it off and sits down beside her.

***

The following morning, Gertrud asks if Toni can help her in the woodshed after breakfast.

"With the wood?" asks Theresia.

"Among other things."

"Then make sure you carry some inside, too."

"We did that last time."

"Yes, one log."

"I felt a bit faint out there."

Serafina sighs but says nothing.

***

In the afternoon, Toni and Theresia emerge from the storeroom. Benedikta is sitting at the kitchen table, going over the accounts.

"Getting it in the ass didn't actually hurt as much as I thought it would," says Theresia.

"Then why did you want to do it if you thought it would hurt so much?" Toni laughs.

"I was curious. And surely no one has ever died from a little pain."

Benedikta stops writing. Theresia catches sight of her and smiles.

"Good afternoon, Mother Benedikta."

"Don't you have work to do?"

"Yes. I'm on my way."

Theresia walks on, leaving Toni and Benedikta alone. Benedikta dips her pen in the ink.

"So she got her way?"

Toni sits down opposite her.

"You got a few days, after all."

"Two."

***

At the next breakfast, Serafina asks Judith to pass the fat. Judith hands her the bowl.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Theresia looks at them.

"Are you friends now?"

"We never stopped being friends," says Judith.

"Yes, we did," says Serafina.

"Oh."

"But now we're friends again."

After breakfast, Serafina helps Judith with the laundry. They work together all morning without mentioning Toni.

***

Later, Serafina finds Toni and Veronika in the storeroom when she goes to fetch flour. She closes the door again and waits outside. When they come out, Veronika looks at her.

"Did you need something?"

"Flour."

"You could have just reached over us."

Serafina looks at her.

"No thanks, I wouldn't have wanted to come between you two."

***

The next morning, Serafina has almost finished eating when Lucia puts down her spoon.

"Toni?"

He looks up.

"Yes?"

"I'd like to talk to you."

"Now?"

"Yes."

Serafina looks at her.

"What about?"

Lucia sweeps her long, blonde hair over one shoulder. It is still a bit tangled from the night.

"I thought maybe it was my turn."

Serafina starts to laugh. Then she sees that Lucia isn't laughing.

"No."

"Yes."

"But...?"

"I don't want to be left alone."

"But you have me!"

"Not the day you lie down on this table too."

Serafina laughs so hard she has to put down her bowl.

"That's never going to happen, surely you realize that?"

"Judith said that too."

"No, she didn't!"

"No. But she made me believe it."

Judith looks up.

"I certainly didn't."

"You didn't say anything."

"No."

"Exactly."

Lucia stands up. Her cheeks are flushed, but she walks over to Toni without hesitation.

"There's one more thing."

"What?"

"I don't want to get pregnant."

Toni nods.

"Then we won't do anything that risks that."

"I was thinking we could do what Mother Benedikta and Theresia do."

Theresia raises her eyebrows. Benedikta goes on eating.

"Are you sure that's what you want?" asks Toni.

"Yes. But you have to be careful. I've never done it before. Not anywhere."

"Then we'll take it slow."

Serafina stares at her.

"You can't do this just because you're afraid of being left out, surely?"

"Yeah."

"But... Come on. Think about it. That's the worst reason I've ever heard."

"You can think that if you want. But maybe I want what makes the others so happy, too."

"You're crazy."

"No," says Lucia. "You've said that to plenty of people."

She starts clearing a space on the table.

Lucia leans forward over the edge of the table, her skirt hiked up over her hips. She is tense. Toni stands behind her, gently spreads her buttocks, and guides his already wet head toward her rear opening. He pushes slowly. Lucia clenches her jaw as the stretching begins. It's a struggle. She breathes in short, sharp gasps.

"Wait..." she whispers.

He pauses whenever she tenses up, waits for her to exhale, and then continues, millimeter by millimeter. When the head finally slides all the way in, Lucia lets out a stifled, shuddering sound. Toni waits again. Only when her breathing steadies somewhat does he begin to move with very short, cautious thrusts. Lucia grips the edge of the table tightly. Tears well up in the corners of her eyes. Toni stops.

"Should we stop?"

Lucia shakes her head.

"No. Just wait a moment."

After a while, the resistance eases slightly. He is able to go a little deeper. Lucia moans softly each time he moves inside her. It isn't pleasure yet--more a mixture of pain, surprise, and determination. Toni takes it extremely slowly. When he feels he is close, he quietly warns her. Lucia simply nods. He comes with a muffled groan--still only halfway inside--and fills her rear opening with hot spurts.

As he pulls out, the semen immediately runs out. Lucia remains draped over the table for a few seconds, her thighs trembling, before slowly straightening up.

When Lucia sits down again, her face is still flushed. She picks up the spoon but seems to have forgotten what she was supposed to do with it. Serafina watches her.

"Was it worth it?"

Lucia thinks for a moment.

"I think so."

Serafina shakes her head and goes back to her porridge.

"You're just as stupid as the rest of them."

"Maybe so," says Lucia. "But I'm not left alone."

Serafina looks up.

"You weren't before, either. I'm still here, after all!"

"I give you a week, tops. Then you'll be lying there just like the rest of us."

"A week? More like a lifetime. It'll happen over my dead body, then."

***

Nothing much happens over the next few days. At least, not according to the sisters' new way of counting time. Lucia seeks out Toni in the laundry room the very next afternoon. When she returns, she looks pensive.

"What is it?" asks Serafina.

"It went better."

"Good for you."

"Thanks."

"That was meant to be ironic."

"So was mine."

Lucia grins broadly.

***

Two days later, Gertrud and Toni arrive late for dinner. They have carried in firewood, but not as much as Benedikta had expected.

"You were gone for two hours."

"It was a lot of wood," says Gertrud.

Benedikta looks at the pile outside the kitchen door.

"Apparently not."

Theresia starts to laugh. Gertrud takes some bread and sits down. Serafina slides the bowl of fat toward her.

"Here. So that maybe you'll have the strength to carry another load tomorrow."

***

Lucia is in an unusually good mood the following evening. She sits combing her long hair while Judith mends a shift.

"What are you grinning at?" asks Serafina.

"Nothing special."

"Oh, it shows."

"Things went very well today, let's put it that way."

Judith looks up.

"Oh really?"

Lucia nods, her cheeks flushing pink.

"I think I'm starting to understand what the rest of you have been talking about."

Serafina puts down her sewing.

"Can't you talk about something else?"

***

At breakfast the next day, Magdalena asks if Toni can help her in the storeroom later.

"You'll have to get in line for that," says Veronika.

"Is there a line now?"

"Yes."

"Who's first?"

"Me."

Theresia looks at her and laughs.

"You just decided that right now."

"Yes."

***

In the evening, Lucia reminds Serafina that the week is almost over.

"I know how many days are in a week," says Serafina.

"I just thought it was a special week for you."

"Why would it be?"

Lucia goes back to her sewing.

"You don't have to do anything just because I said so."

"I don't intend to, either."

"Good," says Lucia.

Serafina tosses a scrap of fabric at her.

***

More days pass, Serafina is still sitting at the breakfast table when the others are nearly finished. She has barely touched her porridge. Lucia looks at her but says nothing.

"What is it?" asks Serafina.

"Nothing."

Serafina puts down her spoon.

"Toni."

He looks up.

"Yes?"

"I've made up my mind."

Theresia stops chewing. Gertrud glances from Serafina to Toni.

"About what?" asks Toni.

Serafina glares at him.

"You know perfectly well about what."

"I want to hear you say it."

"Fine. I'm going to lie down on the damn table. Are you happy now?"

Toni looks at her for a moment.

"And it's not because Lucia said a week?"

"It's been eight days."

Lucia starts to laugh.

"You counted!"

"Shut up."

Serafina stands up and begins moving the bowls aside with irritated movements. She hikes her skirt up to her waist, sits on the edge of the table, and lies back among the remaining plates. She spreads her long legs herself--firmly and without a trace of shyness.

"Come on, then," she snaps. "Show me what that fucking cock is good for."

Toni steps in between her thighs. When he guides the head against her, she is already wet, yet she whimpers as the thick tip pushes inside.

"Fuck... it's bigger than I thought. I've had cock before, but nothing this thick. Nothing this... Aah... Nothing this fucking good."

He thrusts in to the hilt. Serafina lets out a loud, broken sound.

"Yes... just like that. Fuck me hard. I hate you for making me horny. I hate that I'm lying here like a whore on the breakfast table. But keep going, you fucker! I want it. Just shove it in."

He begins to move hard and deep. Every thrust makes her body shake and the cutlery rattle. Serafina takes him in with open eyes and a dirty mouth.

"Look at me while you fuck me. See how pathetic I am. See how much I love your cock. I've been thinking about it for over a week. Dreaming about it. I hate you for that."

She lifts her hips toward him, taking him even deeper. There is a loud, wet slapping sound.

"Harder. Use me. Do whatever you want with me. Fill my pussy like no one ever has. It's been so long ago. Now I want you to just keep on fucking me. Don't you dare stop."

Toni grabs her hips and fucks her with long, powerful thrusts. Serafina moans openly, vulgarly, making no attempt to hold back.

"Yes... yes... right there. Your thick cock stretches me out so good. I hate how good it feels. I fucking love it."

The orgasm builds rapidly. When it takes her, she flings her arms out to the sides in a violent spasm. Plates, spoons, and a porridge bowl fly across the floor with a loud clatter. She screams out loud as her pussy rhythmically clenches around him.

Toni keeps going through her entire release. Moments later, he groans and ejaculates deep inside her. Serafina feels every warm wave.

As he starts to pull out, she grabs his hips and holds him there.

"No. Not yet. You aren't finished."

"I just came."

"And I've got a whole damn week of goddamn waiting to make up for. Stay inside. Fuck me again. I don't care if you're soft. Move. Make it hard again. Fuck me. Use me until I can't think anymore. Aah... Yeah... Just like that, I can feel that bastard getting hard."

She wraps her legs around him, forcing him to continue the short, wet thrusts while his cock still pulses inside her. She moans with every movement--talking dirty, self-loathing and hungry all at once.

Only when he has finally gone completely soft, and she is drenched and trembling, does she let go. Semen runs from her in thick strands onto the tabletop as he pulls out.

When Serafina sits back down, no one says a word. She picks up her spoon and eats a mouthful of porridge. Then she puts the spoon down and looks at Toni.

"I just want you to know one thing."

"Oh?"

"Just because I like your cock doesn't mean I like *you*."

"Okay," says Toni.

"Serafina," says Benedikta suddenly. "We really ought to talk about your language."

"Yes, Mother Benedikta. I'm sorry."

"I am not the one you should be asking for forgiveness."

Toni hands the bread to Serafina without a word.

"Thanks," she says.

***

Winter arrives in earnest the week after Serafina's breakfast. The snow rises first to the window sills and then almost reaches the bottom panes. Every morning, Toni shovels a path between the convent and the woodshed. By evening, it is often gone again.

One evening, Gertrud has eaten so much of the bread that Magdalena hides the last piece.

"I'm pregnant," says Gertrud.

"You're not alone," replies Magdalena.

"Yes, but I'm hungry."

"So are we."

***

Lucia continues to seek out Toni. She is no longer afraid that the others will realize where she is going, though she still maintains that she does not want children.

One evening, they lie together in Benedikta's old chamber. The abbess rarely uses it these days. It has become a room where anyone in need of rest can close the door--provided no one else has already done so. Lucia lies silent for a while after Toni has fucked her in the ass--slowly and gently, just as she has learned to love.

"Do you think I'd make a bad mother?"

Toni turns toward her.

"Why would you?"

"I don't know. I've never even held an infant."

"Neither have I."

"No. That doesn't sound very reassuring."

He laughs.

"Do you want to have children with me?"

"I don't know."

***

A few evenings later, she has made up her mind. She tells Toni before they go to bed. Her voice is low but steady.

"I want you to come inside me. For real. Not... in my ass like usual."

Toni looks at her for a long time.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

She lies on her back, spreads her legs, and pulls up her shift. When he slides into her pussy for the first time, she lets out a long, shuddering breath. She is tighter than he expected. He moves slowly, deeply, while she wraps her arms around his back and breathes against his neck. The wet sound of their bodies fills the small room. Lucia comes silently, her face hidden against his shoulder, while her inner muscles clasp him. Shortly after, Toni groans and ejaculates deep inside her--thick, warm waves that she receives with her hips lifted.

Afterwards, she lies awake longer than usual, her hand resting on her belly and his semen still warm between her thighs.

"Well, we'll see," she says.

***

In February, Serafina starts feeling nauseous in the mornings. At first, she blames the porridge.

"It's the same porridge we've always eaten," says Judith.

"Then there's been something wrong with it for a long time."

When she vomits outside by the woodshed three mornings in a row, Judith suggests it might not be the porridge. Serafina stares at her.

"You don't need to look so pleased about that."

"I don't look pleased."

"Yes, you do."

"I'm pregnant too, Serafina."

"Then you should know better."

***

In March, Lucia realizes her period is late. She counts the days twice and then goes to Magdalena, who counts them a third time.

"Well," says Magdalena.

"Well?"

"Yes."

Lucia sits down.

"I thought I'd feel different."

"Just you wait."

***

By March, Magdalena's belly has grown so large that she and Toni can no longer have sex quite the way they used to. But her desire hasn't waned; she mostly views it as a practical issue.

"We'll just have to do it some other way," she says.

"Got any suggestions?"

"Several. I can't get enough of your cock, so if we don't find a better way, I'm happy to suck you off. Otherwise, you can take me in the ass. Am I the only one you haven't done that with yet?"

"No, neither Veronika nor Judith has suggested it yet."

"Yet?"

"Yes. You lot tend to be curious."

Magdalena just laughs at him.

"And besides, we've got the kitchen table, too."

Toni looks at her.

"The kitchen table?"

"It's worked before."

***

Cecilia has also noticed that her belly makes sex more awkward. It's been a long time since she could hop up into Toni's lap. Lying on her back becomes too heavy after a while, and lying on her stomach is out of the question. Lying on her side while he thrusts his cock in--thrust by thrust--is her favorite position, and on the nights she gets to fall asleep beside him, she prefers him to stay inside her afterward.

One evening, they have to stop because she cannot find a position that works. Finally, she shakes her head.

"I'd forgotten how clumsy you get with a baby in your belly."

Toni lies down beside her.

"We don't have to."

"I know," she says. "But I want to."

***

In early April, the snow begins to recede from the roofs. Six of the sisters are now pregnant. Magdalena is already in her eighth month. Cecilia moves more slowly on the stairs, Gertrud complains that nothing fits anymore, and Judith has started setting aside fabric for small shifts. Lucia has begun sleeping later in the mornings--at least on the days she isn't rushing up to vomit. But Serafina refuses to admit that the pregnancy is affecting her.

"I'm not sick."

"No," says Theresia. "You're just more difficult than usual."

"I didn't think that was possible," says Veronika.

Lucia laughs. Serafina does not.

***

It is Theresia who first brings up the subject of the coming winter. They are sitting at the kitchen table, calculating how much firewood remains. They have already had to start using the wood stored at the very back of the shed.

"That won't last much longer," says Theresia.

"We'll have to chop more this summer," says Toni.

"You'll have to chop more this summer. The rest of us will presumably be standing by, giving birth."

"I can chop wood," says Serafina.

"Yes, if you can still reach the chopping block."

Benedikta puts down her pen.

"Theresia is right."

Theresia looks surprised.

"Did you just say what I think I heard?"

Benedikta ignores Theresia.

"We won't make it through next winter the way we made it through this one."

No one objects. They have already noticed it. It takes longer to do the washing, longer to carry water, and longer for several of the sisters to rise from a chair. Soon there will be children who need food and warmth.

"We need a midwife," says Veronika.

"We need more hands," says Benedikta.

"We need money," says Toni.

"I might be able to arrange money," says Cecilia.

Benedikta looks up from the account book.

"How?"

"My parents."

Silence falls around the table.

"You haven't spoken about them since you arrived here," says Veronika.

"No."

"Why would they help us?"

"They don't need to know it's us they're helping."

Cecilia looks at Toni.

"I think Toni can handle it."

"How?" he asks.

"I think my parents would be very surprised to see you."

Cecilia falls silent for a moment before she begins to tell her story. When she was very young, she was raped by one of her father's business associates. When her pregnancy began to show and her father learned the reason, he persuaded her mother to throw her out to avoid a scandal that could ruin the family. Cecilia gave birth to the child at fourteen and gave the baby away. She never returned to her parents' home after the day she was cast out, and eventually--at sixteen--she made her way to Marienschnee.

***

When the mountain pass opens, they prepare to set out. Veronika is to look for a midwife willing to come to Marienschnee and stay at least through the first few births. Benedikta is to turn to the Church; she will ask for help with provisions and for a few strong, able-bodied sisters to help get through the winter. Toni is to seek out Cecilia's parents.

"Let's go over it again. What will you say to them?" Cecilia asks.

"That I am your child."

"They don't know I gave the child up," Cecilia says.

Toni looks at her.

"And now I'm supposed to be that child?"

"Yes."

"Do you think they'll believe me?"

"My mother will want to believe you. My father will wish you didn't exist."

***

On the day of departure, everyone staying behind has gathered outside the gate. Magdalena rests a hand beneath her large belly; she is due to give birth in less than a month. Cecilia supports her lower back with one hand. Gertrud has brought along a piece of bread and stands there chewing on it. Her belly is clearly visible now, too. Little Judith shows a distinct roundness over her abdomen. Serafina's is still only faintly discernible, and nothing at all shows on Lucia as long as she is dressed.

Benedikta looks at the seven sisters. For a moment, she thinks she must be the worst abbess ever to preside over a convent. Six of her nine sisters are expecting children. She has allowed everything she was supposed to protect to be lost.

But then she looks at them again. They have not lost their way. They stand there with their bellies, their worries, and their expectations. None of them has been forced into this. They chose it themselves. They chose life.

Benedikta straightens her back.

"You will obey Theresia until I return."

"We always do," says Serafina.

"No," says Theresia.

"No," admits Serafina.

Veronika checks the straps of the bag. Toni lifts up the last of the luggage.

Lucia steps forward and embraces him. Then Gertrud does the same. Serafina remains where she is.

"Come back with money," she says.

"I'll try."

"And a midwife."

"That is Veronika's task."

"Then you must help her if things go wrong."

"Yes."

He waits a moment.

"Is there anything else?"

"No."

Toni turns around.

"Yes," says Serafina. "Make sure you come back, too."

"I will."

***

The three of them walk through the gate and take the path up toward the newly opened pass. The remaining sisters stand in silence, watching them go. No one seems to want to be the first to go back inside. Theresia waits until the three have disappeared around the bend.

"Well," she says. "I suppose we'd better get started on the laundry."

***

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