Chapter Two: Birthday Party for Two

Ila

I could not believe it had been three years since my babies were born. Today was definitely a bittersweet day. Even though Father returned to us about six months after the ark found land, things were still somewhat tense. Shem and I still could not fully trust him, while Japheth and Mother took him back in immediately. Unfortunately, Ham left without making peace with Noah. But I promised myself I would not focus on the negatives today; instead I was going to focus solely on my daughters. They were sitting in the front room with Mother, finger-painting with some crushed berries and cloth while Shem and I were preparing the food.

"What do you want me to with the fish when it is done cooking?" Shem asked me.

"Just cut it and put in on a plate." I told him. "Afterwards can you wash up the girls? I need Mother's help in here."

"Of course love." He replied.

I went back to the soup I was making, tomato and barley. The girls were somewhat picky and did not like the taste of fish; and confidentially I didn't either. I had been craving tomato soup for days and today seemed like the perfect excuse to make it, since Shem wasn't a big fan.

"Mama look!" Evi yelled, running into the kitchen.

I took the cloth in my hands and examined it; it was terrible! I loved my daughters dearly so I just smiled.

"What is it Evi?" Shem asked her.

"That's you and mama and Adah and the baby is in mama's belly." She explained.

"It is beautiful Evi." I told her.

Shem snorted as he took it and put it on the table so it could dry.

"I want milk." Evi said.

Since the fish was done cooking, Shem poured her a cup and went with her into the front room. I heard the girls start crying; figuring Shem was trying to clean them up. There was not enough time to bathe them so he was just using a wet cloth.

"You needed me Ila?" Mother asked, coming into the kitchen.

"Yes can you spread jam on the cakes?" I asked her.

She nodded and we both worked in a comfortable silence.

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Shem

I held Evi in my arms, trying to get her to sleep. They had had a long evening, but Evi still swore she was not tired. Ila had gone to bed a few hours ago so it was up to me to get her to sleep.

"Dada." Evi said.

"Yes bug." I replied.

"I love you dada." She said.

"I love you too Evi." I told her.

"I love mama." She told me.

"Mama loves you too." I replied, kissing her on the head.

Thankfully it took only a few more minutes of rocking before she was fast asleep. After putting her down and checking to make sure the house was cleaned up, I headed to bed. Ila was lying on her side, curled up as best she could. Lying down beside her I pulled her close and fell right to sleep.

"Did you have fun last night Adah?" I asked my daughter.

Ila was not feeling very well so the girls and I were outside playing, picking her flowers.

"Yeah." Adah replied. "Blue flower dada!"

"I see that, why don't you take some for mama?" I suggested. "What have you found for mama Evi?"

"I found a buggy!" She said.

I looked at her to find a handful of worms in her hand. I made her drop them immediately, since Ila hated insects and bugs. Instead, I pointed her towards a nice patch of red flowers.

"I'm hungry dada!" Evi whined about fifteen minutes later.

"I want mama!" Adah added.

"Alright, let's go." I told them.

We ran back to the house, both girls giggling the whole way home. I gave them a bowl of fruit and went to check on Ila. She was sitting up in bed, stitching a new jacket for Adah.

"They are getting so big." She said with a sigh.

"I know love. How are you feeling?" I asked her, rubbing her belly.

"I am uncomfortable; I feel a lot of pressure today. I think the baby is coming either today or tomorrow." She said.

"You really think so? You still have a month." I told her.

"I know but I have a feeling this one will be early. Mother said it is sitting low, she thinks it'll be a boy." She replied.

"A boy would be nice, three girls seems like a lot." I said, kissing her neck.

"Mhm it does. Shem that feels lovely but I need to get this done today, Adah really needs it." She said, panting a bit.

I kissed her on the lips before heading back towards the girls. They were playing with their blocks while they are their figs. Mother had to stay with Japheth today so it was just the four of us, which was nice.

"Where's mama?" Adah asked me.

"Mama is making you a new jacket." I told her. "She is in bed if you want to go see her you can."

"I want to!" She yelled running towards the bedroom.

"Are you still hungry Evi?" I asked my other daughter. "I can get you some soup if you want?"

"I want cake." She replied. "And milk!"

"No cake but I will get you a glass of milk." I told her.

"No I want cake!" She whined.

She began to cry and scream. Not wanting to deal with this, I put her in her cot and let her just cry it out.

"What is going on?" Ila asked, walking into the front room.

"Evi wanted cake and I said no." I told her, putting the blocks away. "Where is Adah?"

"She fell asleep in our bed." She replied. "I don't know what we are going to do about Evi's temper, especially when the baby gets here."

"Well that is why Mother is coming to help us." I reminded her.

"I know but she will only be here for a few weeks. Besides I want to be able to raise our children on our own." She told me.

"Ila, everything will be alright." I told her.

"But will it?" She replied.

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