It has been 8 months since I had discovered I was expecting. And I must say I am huge. I am constantly feeling tired. The other girls here at Spence know I am pregnant but not by purpose. They think that I was abused by a gypsy. So they feel sympathetic towards me, also they are overjoyed on having a young child going about the halls. My father and Grandmamma know as well. Only Tom knows that Kartik is the father. He was furious at first. He said he would kill Kartik the next time he'd see him, but after a remembrance on how strong Kartik was he swallowed his words. And now I sit with my friends on a blanket in the forest. "So Gemma have you thought of any names to name the baby "Felicity asks and she braids my hair. "I have not even found out if it is a boy or a girl" I say. "Why don't you go to mother Elena I'm sure she can tell you" Ann suggest. "I was actually hoping to wait until the baby is born to know what it is, as for names None have come to mind that I can think of" I say truthfully. I have never liked surprises, but things are changing and I do believe I am changing as well. "Well Gemma I was thinking we could go to the realms tonight" Felicity says.
She wears a bright smile yet I can still find a hit of a lie in her voice. "I guess so" I say going along with whatever they are up to. Ann gives Felicity a quick grin thinking I didn't see it. After we are all washed and dressed we head for the chapel. A few steps before the door Ann blind fold me. "What are you two doing" I ask nervously. "Don't fret Gemma" Felicity says. When the blind fold is removed everyone is in the chapel. They all yelled "Surprise" I was so stunned I had no idea what to say. But all I know is that my child was going to be spoiled rotten. After the party all the things I had received had been placed in my room. My fingers trace over the ivory crib. Two arms wrap around me. "You know you should really come with a bell so I know when you come." I joke. "Then everyone would know I had come" Kartik says. "Maybe I want people to know you arrive" I say sourly.
He is a bit take a back then he laughs. "What is so funny" I ask my voice getting a bit higher then needed. He pushes a strand of my hair back. I don't even know why but I start crying. He laughs harder. "What is wrong with you, what is wrong with me all I want to do is cry" I splutter out all at once. "It's the hormones" he says as he pulls me to a tight hug. "Now I see why women wait to have children it is such a tiring thing, and I still have studies to do they, usually they just sit around the house all day" I complain. Kartik kisses my forehead. I maybe a nervous wreck, but I am so thankful that he is alive and helping through this. "Let's go for a walk" I say looking up into his deep dark eyes. "Not without us" Felicity says form the door way. Ann is by her side. "I wouldn't dream of it" I smirk at them. "You better not" Felicity says. She loops her arm through mine yanking me form Kartik's grasp. He just shakes his head. We walk through the woods when a sudden is rustling in the bushes. We all froze in place not daring to move. Then Flowson emerges from the dark at first I relax, but something in his eyes show me otherwise. "Ello loves, I see the witch is in de oven Aye" He says I am shocked he hasn't talked to me like that since we combined forces. He walks over to me and whispers in my ear "The Rakshana is still my family." My blood runs cold. Kartik hears this as well, but before he can get to me, Flowson takes his Knife and hold it against my throat.
"Why" I ask. He chuckles "Why don't you ask my Sahirah" he says. Guilt and fear race through my body. The knife comes closer a tear rolls down my cheek. My hands protect my stomach. "Brother let her go, your love is on the other side she is fine, please don't let me lose mine and our child" Kartik pleads. "You are no brother and is little bitch will get what she deserves" He intends to plunge the knife into my stomach; before the skin is touched an arrow shoots through the trees and goes straight through his head killing him instantly. Little did we know Felicity had sneaked off to the supply closet and gotten her bow and arrow. I was in such relief that I fell to my knees. Then a sharp pain went through me. I screamed in an instant my friends and Kartik we're by my side. "Gemma what's wrong Gemma" Ann asks franticly.
I try to get up with little progress just as Kartik helps me up an explosion of water dripped down my legs. "It's time the baby is coming" Felicity squeals. I am in no mood for happiness. "We must take her to mother Elena quickly" Kartik says. I am lifted up bridle style and rush to the gypsy camp. They have never been more excited to see me. Mother Elena tells Kartik to lay me on her makeshift bed. The sharp pain had turned into pure agony. Tears flowed freely down my face like a water fall. "Alright sweat child leave from your mother and get a taste of this earth" Mother Elena chants over and over. I feel like telling her to put a bloody sock in it, and help me. I screech. "Gemma, I see the head alright, just push" Felicity says to me. I push my hardest, and then I hear the cry of a child. My child.
When I hear that cry it is like a feeling that I have never felt before. A feeling of joy and relief that my baby has finally been born. Felicity and Ann where the first to see her. They took the liberty on cleaning the blood off of her. They could not take their eyes off of her. Kartik went to see his daughter. He held her so gently in his arms. I don't think I have ever seen his smile glow brighter. He brings her to me. I hold my sweet child that I had only just a few hours ago been living inside me. Her beauty was true and lovely. Her skin was a few shades lighter then Kartik, but still put my freckled, pale skin to shame. She has Dark curls. Her eyes are mine.
"What shall we call her" Kartik asks excitement flowing through every form of his body. I am first left in dismay I almost don't hear what he says. Go on Darling speak. My mother's voice chimes in my head. Then I am certain of what to call my daughter. "I was thinking…Mary" I say hoping he wouldn't hate me for it. He just kisses my damp forehead and says "Yes, it's perfect, now get some rest" I obey without a second thought. I sleep soundly with my daughter at my side in the crib next to my bed. Kartik alongside me. Even My friends slept in the same room as I. Many of the gypsies such an Ithal's brother Stand guard tonight for the fact that I am weak and defenseless. I fall into a deep sleep, and dream, but it's not pleasant.
…...Dream sequence….
I see Flowson's dead, cold, blue body. I shrink next to him and stroke his scar. At that moment his eyes flash open, a sickly milk blue color shines through them. He holds me by the neck and shakes me back and forth, trying to break my neck. I try to scream nothing escapes my lips. Magic is gone from my grasp. He then drops me like the dead weight I am. He then holds up Mary she screams and cries. Noooooooooooo.
…...Dream sequence…..
I am shaken awake by Kartik. "Gemma what's wrong" He asks me. He is over me with both arms at either side of my head. "Ffflowson h he took Mary" I stutter. He strokes my cheek, "No, no she is right here, you we're just dreaming" he says. He embraces me in such a way that it would be impossible for anyone to take me away from him. I bring myself closer and breathe in his aroma. His sweet peppermint sent. Tomorrow when I am able to walk and move about on my own. Mary shall come back with me to Spence. After my dream the realms will have to wait for a while before I feel comfortable bringing her there. I do dearly want Gorgon and Asha to meet her, but it's just not the right time. I turn to face Mary she is sound asleep oblivious to what I just dreamt. I move Kartik's arms carefully not to wake him. I soon as I am untangled I hobble over to Mary's crib. My womb still hurts a bit, but I still manage the act. I stroke back her out of control curls out of her face. She stirs a bit. I lift her up and kiss her delicate little head. I start to sing my mother's lullabies softly to her. I hear rustling as mother Elena enters through the curtains. She also strokes Mary's tender head. "She will do much good, just like her mother" I blush a bit. "It's all in those mystical eyes, great power lies in them" She continues. "I have had dreams that a man that is dead will cause the both of us harm" I say hoping it's not true. "Ah yes well all must happen, they all lead to new beginnings" She says. Mother Elena can be extremely helpful a times, but most of the time she is just batty.