So, this is later posted than I first intended…I am currently trying to get a poem published in a magazine :D Pretty short, but it's only the beginning.
"Wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who wants to show you off to the world, and who turns to his friends then points to you and says "That's her'."
Mirana of Marmoreal, 24 years old
It had been a year since Alice and Tarrant had gotten married. It had also been 9 months since Matthew and I had wed. Everyone seemed fairly happy and civil with each other. Tarrant and I had gotten past our disagreement on the matter that had torn us apart. I had told Matthew what happened when I refused to make love to him on our honeymoon. He didn't seem disgusted, like I thought he would be. Him knowing had made him love me slowly, trying not to push me past my comfort zone. I now trusted him fully, much to his enjoyment- 'enjoyment' being the keyword.
Now, we stood together in our throne room, holding each other's hands. He smiled and rested his hand on my inflated stomach. We were expecting our first child in just a couple months. I rubbed at my eyes, unknowingly smudging my white eye shadow. I revealed the purple marks around my eyelids. Matthew began a question, but I quickly cut him off.
"I just haven't slept much lately. Nothing to worry about, love." He smiled sadly and gently kissed my lips. I grinned under the kiss and he chuckled. He pressed his lips to my forehead and told me he'd see me later- he had a meeting with the Hatter. I decided to pay a visit to Alice and her little one- the baby boy was barely 3 months old! He was adorable. They'd named him Tannar after Tarrant's favorite cousin.
I knocked timidly on her door. We'd given her and Tarrant a place in castle that had 4 rooms- 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom. They deserved their own place.
"Come in!" she shouted from deep within her quarters. I opened the door and carefully stepped over that crack in the floor. I'd have to get someone to fix that before someone got hurt. I searched the little house for her and found her in her bedroom, feeding Tannar. I gave a little smile as a hello and lowered myself into a chair near her bed and settled myself so I was only mildly uncomfortable.
"How are you, dear friend?"
"Perfect. It's good to see you two again- it's been far too long." She laughed at me.
"It's been- at most- 5 days! Oh well, it's nice to see you again. You getting close?" she inquired. I ran my hand over my stomach and nodded. I had helped Alice through her pregnancy and now she planned on helping me. She was- at times- a little overprotective, but I knew she meant well. Alice scooted her chair closer and took my hand in hers.
"Okay, you're lying. How are you? Honestly?" I grimaced. She always knew when I wasn't telling her the truth.
"So-so. Tomorrow will more than likely be better." She shook her head and mumbled, 'Always the optimist.' I replied curtly, "Yes, I am." She looked up at me and furrowed her eyebrows. I frowned apologetically. "I'm sorry, Alice- I don't mean to be rude. I'm surprised you all can keep putting up with me." She smiled sweetly and then turned to Tannar, as he had started crying.
"Oooh, please calm down, love…Don't cry!"
"Let me see the little man." She handed him over to me. I cradled him in my arms in such a way that he was wrapped up tightly in his blankets, but not too tightly. He immediately stopped crying and began to doze. Alice gaped at me.
"How did you do that?" she asked in amazement.
"It's just a trick my mother taught me. Babies feel safest when they're wrapped up a little tightly. It's like they're back in their mother's womb." She thanked me silently and took the little boy to go put him in his crib. She came back in the room and helped me out of my chair. I felt less and less independent every day! I suddenly felt a huge surge of pain and fell back into the chair, gasping for air. I heard Alice yell for somebody, and I was hurried out of the room.