Tuesday of November
Clare shivered and curled closer to Luke.
"Mama, Mama wake up..." Flora called quietly as she shook her mother. Clare opened her eyes a crack and looked at her daughter.
"You said we could go see Anni today and it's already ten o'clock..." Miloh added.
"Okay okay I'm up. I'm up..." Clare said as she pushed herself up. Both of her children hugged her then attacked their father. Clare rubbed her head as she shuffled to the edge of the bed to get some clothes, she had started to wearing pjs again.
"Daddy wake up..." Flora said as she patted his cheek. Clare grabbed the clothes and disappeared behind the screen as her kids tried to wake their father.
"Okay, alright, I'm up..." Luke groaned. Clare came out from behind the screen in green pants and a long sleeved turtle neck shirt. Luke was currently tickling the twins.
"Aren't you going to get dressed?" Clare asked adjusting the sleeves.
"Hmm...oh." Luke said as he finished torturing the kids. They scrambled off the bed and hid behind her legs, giggling. Clare smiled lightly. Luke chuckled and quickly changed. Clare shooed the twins out, "Go put your stuff on." Both kids ran off. Clare shook her head before following them at a much slower pace. Luke smiled and grabbed his black coat and followed her. Clare got down stairs and saw the kids bouncing on the balls of their feet. She smiled and very slowly pulled her boots on.
"Mom..." The twins whined. Clare smiled, "Okay okay." Clare said and pulled on her other boot before pulling her parka off the hanger. Luke scooped up their hyper children. Their mother slipped on her parka before buttoning it up. Luke handed her one child as he opened the door and took her hand. Clare smiled and walked out of the house. Luke smiled and tucked their hands in his pockets. Clare absently played with his wedding ring, spinning it.
"Do you think Anni will keep her promise?" Flora asked.
"Anni wouldn't break her promise." Clare replied. Both kids smiled. Clare smiled to them and finally got to the Inn. Link was just sending the kids out the door. Clare smiled to them and bid them a good day at school.
"Bye Auntie Clare." They called on their way by. Clare smiled and said bye as she went up the porch. Link smiled and stepped to the side to let them in. Clare entered and kicked her boots off then set the child she had down. Luke set Miloh down and removed his coat as Link handed everyone a pair of slippers. Clare quickly took Flora's things off and let her put her slippers on as she hung the things up before slipping into her own slippers. The kids were itching to go see their cousin. Clare picked Flora up and then scooped up Miloh, "Thanks for the slippers Link...can you prepare some tea...someone made me leave before I had my tea."
"Sure, I'll bring it up." Link replied as he nearly tripped over one of the many pups running about downstairs. Clare smiled and found one pup that wasn't running about, just laid there staring at her. It cocked it's head then ran off to chase one of its siblings, "There's one missing..." Luke pointed out. Clare handed the twins to him, "Go take them up to Anni."
"One of the pups is with Anni..." Link said as Luke took the kids.
"Okay, I'm just going to go say Hi to Bane." Clare said shooing them upstairs. Luke carried the kids upstairs. Clare walked over to the wolf sitting by the fire. The young collie he had mated was lying beside him. Clare crouched in front of them, "Hi Bane." Bane sat up and licked her cheek.
"It's good to know you haven't forgotten me..." Clare whispered as she rubbed his ears lightly. He nuzzled her jaw much like he did when he was a pup. Clare smiled and patted his head
"Clare, if you want tea, I'm taking it upstairs." Link told her from the foot of the stairs.
"I'm coming...well it was nice to see you again Bane..." Clare said rubbing his ears once last time before standing. Bane settled back down and returned to sleep. Clare walked over to the stairs and climbed them.
"Link, can you grab me another pillow please..." Anni asked as her husband stepped out of the room. Clare side stepped him and went into Anni's room. The twins were sitting on either side of her, Anni no longer wearing Link's sweater but her cream nightgown. Clare reached over and grabbed a tea cup. Anni smiled as the twins bombarded her with questions. Clare sipped her tea, mildly out of her body.
"Don't say hi or anything Auntie Clare..." Anni sighed after answering all the twin's questions.
" Hi, I'm not all there until I've had my tea...blame this one on two little munchkins." Clare said sipping her tea. Anni giggled lightly and patted a spot on the bed, Luke in the chair near the bed. Clare sat down at the spot and sipped her tea again. Her young niece's stomach had grown quiet a bit in the last month.
"How have you been feeing?" Clare asked as she finished her tea and went to pour herself some more from the tea pot on the tray.
"Better, still a little dizzy when I sit up but otherwise fine." Anni replied.
"That's good." Clare replied then sipped her freshened tea. Anni smiled then jumped a little.
"Not used to it yet...you've had three kids already." Clare said as she stifled a yawn.
"It's been a while..." Anni replied as the twins looked at their mother in confusion. Clare smiled and laid their hands on Anni's stomach, "Wait for it..." Anni smiled and placed her hand over theirs' and after a moment the growing infant shifted. Clare smiled when her twins laughed, but her sudden yawn broke it. Anni took the cup from her hands and knocked her supporting arm out making her fall to the bed. Her niece then shifted her to lie next to her on the king sized bed and covered her with a heavy blanket, "Take a nap."
"I wouldn't be so tired if someone didn't keep me awake three quarters of the night..." Clare said grumbling as she laid on her side.
"Oh hush and go to sleep..." Anni scolded and tucked her hair behind her ear, the twins both now had their ears to her stomach. Clare huffed then closed her eyes falling asleep. Anni shook her head then smiled as Flora gasped quietly, "I can hear their heartbeat..." Miloh nodded, he could also hear the other heartbeat, that Clare could hear a month earlier. Anni smiled as she ran her fingers though their hair then glanced at her Uncle who was also asleep. Flora noticed their sleeping parent's before Miloh and looked up at Anni, "Why are mommy and daddy so tired?"
"I'm sure, I don't think I want to know..." Anni replied as she smiled, her unborn child was extremely active today. The twins looked at each other before shrugging and putting their ears back on Anni's stomach. Anni took their tiny hands and moved them to where the child was kicking. Miloh and Flora squeaked happily. Anni smiled again and shifted as her back began to hurt. Miloh caught this, "Are you okay Anni?"
"I'm okay, my back just hurts a little..." Anni replied as she ran her fingers through his hair. Clare shifted and rolled to the edge of the bed as Miloh smiled. Anni reached over and pulled her back away from the edge. Clare groaned quietly before stilling. Anni smiled as her child shifted again.
"Anni...when are mom and dad going to make another kid?" Flora asked, oh so innocent.
"When your mom decides it's the right time...because she had to carry the baby." Anni replied, "And it's a lot of work."
"Really?" Miloh asked, looking up at her.
"Mhmm..." Anni replied.
"That means mom worked hard for us...since there's two of us..." Miloh said looking to his sister.
"So we have to work hard for her." Flora said nodded her head.
"You two are so sweet..." Anni cooed then smiled as against her child shifted. Flora and Miloh temporarily forgot about their mother as they squeaked again, putting their ears back to Anni's stomach. Anni yawned and shifted the twin so she could lie down and the twins could still have contact with her stomach. Clare shifted again, rolling away once more. Anni rolled her eyes and once again pulled her Aunt back way from the edge, this time so Clare's head was near her stomach. The ninja groaned, guess Anni wasn't warm enough.
"Shh..." Anni cooed and as she tossed another blanket over her aunt. Clare hunkered down and quieted after that. Anni smiled and shifted the twins so they were close enough to her they could still feel her child shift but not be uncomfortable. Clare shifted slightly, patting around for Luke's hand. Miloh yawned and joined his mother and father. Flora was the only one still awake.
"Go to sleep sweetie..." Anni whispered as she made the little blonde lie down. Flora grumbled then yawned but crawled over to her mother first. Anni shifted Miloh onto his stomach before drifting off or trying to. Miloh shifted quietly. Anni's child gave one last shift before settling and Anni drifted off. Clare woke up an hour later with a start though she flopped back on the bed. Anni whined in her sleep. Clare rubbed forehead and shook her head. Anni settled and Miloh cuddled back against her. Clare closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, "Could it have been a vision...nah...I'm too stubborn..." Miloh squeaked and sat bolt upright. Clare looked at him, "Are you okay Miloh?"
"It kicked..." Miloh replied groggily. Clare smiled softly. Miloh shifted to try and get comfortable again. Clare stretched, there would be no way she'd get back to sleep yet. Anni shifted, her child shifted had made her current position making her uncomfortable. Clare rubbed Anni's stomach lightly. The infant shifted under her palm.
"You're making your mother uncomfortable..." Clare whispered to Anni's stomach A moment later the infant settled as did it's mother. Clare smiled and rubbed her temples again.
"Headache Angel?" Luke asked from his chair.
"Just a little..." Clare whispered.
"Come here..." Luke whispered so as not to wake any of the younger occupants. Clare shuffled towards him. Luke took her into his lap and cradled her against him. She nuzzled his chest lightly. Luke ran his fingers through her hair. Clare sighed and closed her eyes.
"She's really good with them..." Luke whispered as their children cuddled up with their cousin and her unborn child.
"She's been a mom longer than I have..." Clare whispered. Luke kissed her temple, "They're still yours and I know they love you more than anything." Clare smiled and leaned her head back. Anni shifted and groaned, one of her hands finding her stomach, and two other hands. Clare smiled softly then shook her head.
"If they're like this with her, can you imagine what they'll be like with you?" Luke chuckled.
"When we decide to have another one." Clare replied.
"You knew what I meant..." Luke retorted.
"Yup..." Clare smiled.
"They're going to be with you twenty four seven." Luke stated.
"More than likely." Clare whispered. Anni shifted and groaned again, this time opening her eyes, "Oww..."
"Moving again." Clare asked.
"Mmhmm..." Anni replied as she shifted in discomfort. Clare smiled, "Well you wanted another one."
"You can be so insensitive sometimes..." Anni growled and buried her face in her pillow.
"Sorry Anni, I just have one heck of a headache..."Clare whispered rubbing her temples. Luke removed her fingers and placed his on them before letting his magic ease her headache, permanently. Clare sighed.
"Better?" Luke asked as he kissed her temple, watching their uncomfortable niece out of the corner of his eye. Clare shifted, "We should take the kids home." Luke nodded as he released her. Anni groaned and pulled the blankets over her head weakly.
"You should lie on your side Anni, it'll help." Clare said taking Miloh and Flora up off Anni.
"I am on my side..." Anni groaned, Clare could see the young mother pull her knees up to cradle her stomach. Clare shook her head, "Do you want me to get Link?"
"I don't see how it will help, he never does..."Anni hissed from under her blanket. Clare shook her head, "He's your husband...Anyways, you've got the rock, and I think there's still tea in the tea pot." Anni muttered something nasty and buried herself further into her covers. Clare smiled and shook her head again, "See you later Anni." She received no reply until she was half way down the hall and Anni was doing her best to quiet her tears. Clare sighed and handed Luke their kids, "I'll be back." Luke nodded and continued downstairs. Clare turned on her heal and went back to Anni. The young woman was still hiding under the blanket.
"Anni, what's the matter?" Clare asked.
"I've been through this twice already...and I'm still overly emotional and in pain." Anni sobbed from her hiding place.
"Happens to all of us women, every time..." Clare said. That didn't help, Anni hid further. Clare sighed then sat on the edge of the bed.
"...so stupid..." Anni muttered.
"You are not stupid, you are very intelligent...you're just like having a big family..." Clare said. Anni sat straight up, "No, I am stupid. What in hell's name was I thinking wanting another child? I always end up being completely helpless, over emotional and having to rely on everyone else. This was all a huge mistake!" Anni sobbed. Clare's eyes flashed for a moment before giving her head a shake, "Anni, bringing life into the world is not a mistake, you just need to take it slower, I had to rely on others, I was helpless, You just need to take a break from making babies."
"Auntie Clare, do you know what I found out?" Anni asked in a very quiet voice.
"No, what did you find out?" Clare whispered.
"I'm lucky to even have Sophie, I wasn't supposed to be able to have any kids, just like my mom." Anni whispered.
"The doctor tell you that? Well what does he know." Clare grumbled, "Fate gave you your kids, I'd say keep pushing it till it tells you to stop." Anni was about to go into another speech when her breath caught in her chest, she'd gotten herself far too worked up.
"Now you lie down and listen to me. Be glad you can still have kids, I don't care what the doctor says, hell I don't even care what three of the four goddesses says. You have your kids, you raise your kids and you let your kids go. Fate or destiny or whatever doesn't even matter...Since you and Link fulfilled your many great grandmother's destiny, you get to write your own. If that means telling the doctor to shove it, I'm still having kids then go right ahead." Clare said lying Anni back down, "I'll support you in whatever hair brained plan you have, same with your uncle." Clare said, brushing Anni's hair back. Anni nodded as she tried to calm herself and failed.
"Breathe Anni...nice and slow." Clare said. Anni did as she was instructed but was finding it hard, what with her heart racing. After picking Anni back up, Clare rested her nieces' head over her heart, "Listen to mine if it helps." After a few minutes Anni calmed and went limp in her aunt's arms. Clare sighed and scratched her head before lying Anni back down.
"I'm sorry..." Anni whispered.
"It's alright..." Clare cooed softly. Anni's chest rose and fell unevenly, still not quiet in control of her breathing.
"Now you relax and rest up..." Clare said as she stood. Anni nodded as her eyes slid shut of her own accord. Clare tucked her niece in the covers before going to the door, "Sleep tight..." Luke was leaning against the wall beside the door, the children no longer in his arms. Clare closed the door with a soft click before turning to the hall, not excepting him there, she jumped.
"Is she alright?" Luke asked as he drew her against him.
"Hope so...I gave her a lecture." Clare said, leaning against him.
"Well, that sure helps, come on the kids are already in bed..." Luke replied. Clare nodded and moved away to go down stairs.
"So what set her off this time...?" Luke asked as he helped her into her coat.
"She doesn't like being over emotional." Clare replied. Luke nodded, "I can see how that could be upsetting."
"Yeah, she went into a great speal about how it was a mistake having this child and blah blah blah." Clare said as she buttoned the coat.
"You are either overly stressed or you don't really care..." Luke muttered as he slipped his coat on.
"Let's see, when haven't I cared hmm?" Clare asked, Anni wasn't the only one who could get over emotional.
"Okay, easy, I'm just trying to see how wound up you arm..." Luke soothed as he took her in his arms. Clare shook her head and leaned against him.
"Come on let's go home..." Luke whispered.
"When we get back...can you run me a hot bath..." Clare sighed as she opened the door.
"Of course sweetheart..." Luke replied as he tucked her against him. She sighed and closed her eyes. Luke kissed her temple and scooped her up. She leaned her head on his shoulder. She didn't even know they'd fazed until he set her on her feet. Clare looked around then went to put her boots and parka by the door. Luke disappeared to go run her a bath. Clare dropped her boot unceremonisly on the floor by the door before hanging the green parka on the hanger. Luke waited for her by the door. Clare went to him.
"Come on, I'll make you feel better..." Luke said quietly. Clare leaned her head against his chest. He placed one arm around her and led her inside. She didn't resist. The door closed quietly as he rubbed her back, "Alright clothes off..." Clare nodded and stripped. Luke shooed her into the water while he rolled up his sleeves. Clare sunk gratefully into the warm waters. Luke gently dunked her. Clare didn't resist.
"Alright, start talking because I know you need to..." Luke said gently as he began to work on her back.
"Anni thinks' she stupid for having another kid and the doctor told her she shouldn't be having kids, that she's like her mother. She said that having this next one was a mistake and she hates being helpless, over emotional and having to rely on everyone else." Clare said, closing her eyes.
"And..." Luke coaxed, having a feeling she needed to vent.
"I told her to ignore the doctor and have as many kids as she wants until fate or destiny or whatever told her to stop." Clare hummed.
"You're surprisingly calm for being this tense..." Luke said quietly as her muscles letting go made her back pop.
"I must have adopted it from you." Clare replied shifting slightly. Luke chuckled but there was no feeling behind it. Clare leaned back and sunk a little lower into the water. Luke looped his arms around her front to lie his hands on her stomach and rested his chin on her shoulder, "Is there anything else?"
"I told her, we'd support in whatever hair brained plan she could cook up..." Clare muttered softly.
"Which is true, but you know Anni, she either thinks too much or not at all..." Luke mused.
"I think she's been stewing this for a while now..." Clare whispered.
"You think so?" Luke asked, and it was a genuine question not sarcasm.
"She was about to launch into another speech when she lost her breath..." Clare said tilting her head back to look at him.
"Went and got herself too worked up, she's on bed rest for a reason...what are we going to do with her...?" Luke sighed.
"Last month she said that she's just a burden and she'd understand if we didn't come back next year..." Clare sighed sinking lower. She didn't get too far considering Luke was still wrapped around her, "And this had been bothering you has it?"
"Makes me wonder if I'm a good aunt..." Clare whispered.
"Clare, honey, you're a wonderful Aunt but you have to remember Anni's always been insecure..." Luke replied as he kissed her temple. Clare grumbled, "I do remember...doesn't turn out as planned..."
"When does anything Angel?" Luke whispered as he nuzzled her neck. Clare sighed and leaned back again. Luke idly traced a circle on her skin. Clare leaned her head back to rest on the edge of the tub.
"Do you feel any better?" Luke asked after five minutes of silence. His answer, soft breathing, she must've fell asleep during the silence, the only thing keeping her up was his arms. Luke smiled softly and carefully picked her up out of the water. She turned her head against his chest gently. He shifted to wrap a towel around her and dried her quickly before slipping on her robe and carrying her to bed. She shifted slightly, draping one arm across his shoulders. Luke smiled and he curled up on the bed with her and then covered them both. Clare snuggled into her husband's chest with a soft sigh. Luke kissed her forehead and soon joined her. About two hours later, Clare felt someone tapping her arms, two little pairs of hands to be precise. It was quickly made apparent the only thing she had on was a silk robe. Two little voices whispered back and forth causing the ninja's ear to twitch. Luke muttered something in his sleep and held her tighter. There was giggling, and it didn't sound like any people or children she heard. Luke groaned and chucked a pillow at the offending gigglers. The giggling grew in volume as the pillow landed on the floor with a very muffled thump. Luke growled and snapped his fingers so the pillow made contact with its intended target. One of the gigglers stopped and started to whine as the other giggled more. Luke disappeared and put the other giggler in a choke hold, "If you don't shut up, you're going to regret waking me up." He growled. The whiner cried, "Brother Damien, help!"
"I'm not a nice person when I'm woken up, so unless you want me to really hurt you, and I don't care if you're immortal or not, you better quiet down." Luke hissed. The one he had whimpered as the other dove to hid behind the still sleeping ninja.
"Do we understand?" Luke asked. They both started giggling again as if they were made of moon beams the one he had flittered calmly to its sister. Luke muttered something nasty and left the room. Clare grumbled quietly and patted for her husband.
"Nice going Serenity..." The more mature sounding of the two said.
"But Eternity, it's fun to bug people...Since they can't do anything to stop us." The one called Serenity giggled.
"Serenity, you know as well as I do who's family we're messing with and she could hurt us." Eternity replied.
"Anni, she wouldn't...Don't think she'll find out." Serenity said, "Now we just have to worry about the goddesses or brother."
"Serenity, she would and you know it, and if the Aunts find out we're in really big trouble." Eternity sighed.
"You're no more fun Eternity." Serenity grumbled.
"Someone around here has to keep you in line..." Damian muttered boredly. Serenity turned slowly and squeaked, ducking to the other side of the sleeping ninja.
"Clare, I have to go deal with a minor problem..." Luke called.
"Does this problem happen to be two moon sisters...?" Clare called back sleepily.
"No, our nephew's having a meltdown..." Luke replied.
"Okay, have fun..." Clare called then put her face against the pillows.
"Oh Clare..." Serenity said, "Wakey wakey, we're stealing your kids." Clare grumbled and swatted way off at the moon sister.
"Okay we'll just take them..." Serenity laughed as she picked Miloh up. Clare grabbed her son and mashed Serenity's face in the pillow beside her, "Be careful Serenity Moon...I've blown up moon's before."
"This family is no fun, I'm leaving..." Serenity pouted.
"Because your pushing the wrong buttons..." Clare grumbled as she sat up. Eternity and Damian were left, "She's so immature..." The brother sighed as he lounged in the air. Clare rubbed her eyes and looked at the brother, "Have I seen you before...?"
"Maybe..." He replied boredly. Clare stared at him then smiled, "Ah, right you're the one that was in Termina. The one who looks like he needs to crap an asteroid."
"There are virgin ears in the room Clare..." Damian boredly pointed out.
"Right...where's the cheesy grin?" Clare asked picking her children up. Damian glanced at her boredly and continued to float about. Clare raised her eye brow and glanced at his sister. Eternity shrugged her shoulders. Clare shrugged back and laid her twins down, "So what brings the moon siblings to our humble abode and waking my husband."
"We get bored with each other so we came to harass you..." Damian replied dully.
"Do you two want some tea?" Clare asked as she shifted to stand.
"No we're good..." Eternity asked, "I heard your niece is having another baby, is it true?"
"Yeah." Clare said. Eternity squealed in delight as her brother sighed. Clare sighed, "Great another Farore..."
"Oh believe me Auntie's worse..." Damian muttered.
"...if your Farore's nephew...oh great..." Clare grumbled.
"We're not actually related, we don't even have parents..." Damian replied.
"So...That still means I'm kinda related to you." Clare said making a face.
"Don't assume I like it either..." Damian yawned.
"Wait until I tell Luke this..." Clare hummed and flopped against the pillows.
"Well come on Eternity, I know if I don't take you back now you'll find some way to go bother Lady Aria..." Damian muttered as he grabbed his sister's collar. Clare waved them off. Damian and his younger sister vanished leaving Clare to herself.
"My family keeps getting stranger and stranger..." Clare said as she laid down and waited for Luke to return. Luke dropped onto the bed next to her ten minutes later with a sigh.
"How was it?" Clare asked wrapping her arms around him.
"And here I thought Anni was a handful..." Luke sighed. Clare smiled and kissed his neck, "Guess what?"
"You're related to those freaks..." Luke muttered.
"Yup, it's going to be fun..." Clare grumbled her every word dripping in sarcasm. Luke hummed and then curled into her, he wasn't relaxed anywhere on his body. She ran her fingers through his hair gently.
"...bloody kid..." Luke muttered darkly.
"Who, Serenity or Link?" Clare whispered as she nuzzled his head.
"Link..." Luke replied.
"Want to talk about it?" She asked moving her hands to make him look at her.
"Take one of Anni's meltdown's, lose the rationality and add twice her strength and you have what I just dealt with..." Luke replied with the most tense and uncomfortable looks she'd ever seen on his face. Clare smiled, "Wanna trade, next time Anni has a meltdown, you get her and I'll get Link when he has his."
"I'd say yet but, I don't want you hurt..." Luke replied as he tucked his face against her neck.
"I can take him." Clare said kissing his temple lightly. Luke sighed and winced.
"Are you okay? Want me to kiss your injures better?" Clare asked.
"Can you fix a cracked rib with a kiss...?" Luke whispered.
"I can try..." Clare whispered as she moved his shirt up gently. There was a nasty black bruise over the scar on his stomach. Clare moved so she could see it better, before blowing her healing magic over it. When she knew it was healed to perfection she kissed it lightly. Luke shifted, "Angel?"
"Hmm?" Clare hummed as she moved back up.
"I'm hurt here too..." Luke said as he pointed to his lips. Clare smiled and kissed his lips passionately. Luke eagerly returned the kiss. Clare smiled and licked his bottom lip. Luke complied and opened for her. She smiled and slipped her tongue into his mouth. He let her be in charge but was mindful of the fact the twins were still with them. Clare smiled and pulled away to kiss his nose. Luke smiled and shifted her back into his arms. She smiled and nuzzled his neck gently. The twins crawled up to lie with them. Clare shifted them so they were in between their parents. Miloh snuggled into her, while Flora snuggled into her father. Clare smiled and kissed their heads gently.
"Let's go to sleep, since the nut jobs are gone..." Luke whispered.
"I agree on the nut job thing and on the sleep." Clare whispered after giving him a quick kiss. Luke pulled the blankets over them then quickly fell asleep, faster than normal. Clare shook her head and closed her eyes to join him. The twins looked at each other then joined their mother and father.