Chapter Ten
A few months have passed now and we are growing impatient for the twins' arrival. Aro is has ordered we return to the castle, but Carlisle says it is too risky to move me in my condition. Marcus and I have not spoken since I was told of the decision is supposed to make. Caius remains at my side in Marcus' stead and I say that I would like to be at the castle for the birth and possible death of me and my babies. We return a few days later and I lock myself in my old room to give Marcus more space. Esme is helping me get back into bed when Sulpicia walks in and she orders Esme out of the room. I look at the vile woman that had Marinna executed for being born.
"Hello, Leandra," Sulpicia says. I only nod my greetings in fear of my anger towards her bubbles over. "So, a prince and a princess, you and Marcus must be proud."
"We are very happy to have a baby at all. Why are you here in my room?" I say, as calmly as I possibly can.
"You stole him from me. Marcus and I were going to be together after I left Aro, but you had to come along and take him from me. I love Marcus and have loved him for longer then you have been alive. But you came along with your witch powers and gave him everything that he wanted and that I was not able to give to him. Aro should have killed you that day and none of this would have happened," Sulpicia says. She walks over to my side of the bed and stands over me. "Since he did not do it that day, I will do it for him."
"Sul-" I try to scream, but Sulpicia grabs my head and tries to pull my head off. I scream and thrash around to get her off. My gift is too waek from my malnourishment and I am mostly defenseless. Sulpicia covers my mouth to stop my screams and pulls on my head harder. The door is kicked open and the guards run in to pull Sulpicia off of me. Marcus runs in and holds me in his arms while Sulpicia fights the guards to finish what she started.
"Lock her back up in the tower. I do not want her near my mate," Marcus orders. I cry as Marcus turns back to me and looks me over. "Lea, are you alright?"
"She wanted to kill me for taking you from her, she wanted to kill me me," I cry. A deathly pain radiates from my stomach and my body jolts suddenly, paralysing me from the pain. Marcus panics and shouts for Carlisle or someone to come and help. Carlisle runs in and checks the machine.
"The babies are in distress, they must be trying to defend their mother from what just happened," Carlisle says. "Leandra, it is almost time to push, okay?"
"Marcus," I manage to say. Marcus holds my hand after he lays me down and he kisses it to let me know where he is. Esme and Carlisle run around getting ready and I look at my terrified mate. We smile weakly at each other and share a gently, but quick, kiss.
"Leandra, are you ready?" Esme asks.
"Yes," I say.
"Good, I want you to push for a count of ten and then take a break. Ready, go,"Carlisle coaches. I squeeze Marcus' hand as I push for as long as Carlisle counts. Esme and Marcus coach me on as I push and coo to me when I take a break. Marcus sits on the edge of the bed and he smiles at me while kissing my hand. I give one last push and a piercing cry fills the room. Marcus and I look to see our baby girl wiggling and crying while Carlisle cleans her up.
"She is beautiful like her mother," Marcus says, as he takes her from Carlisle. "Hello, princess, you look just like your mother."
"She has your nose, Marcus," I giggle and rub my baby girl's little hand. She grabs my finger and holds onto it. "Welcome back, Marinna."
"My lord, I need to check her real quick to see if she is healthy," Esme says with a smile. Marcus timidly hands Marinna to Esme and keeps a close eye on her. I grab his hand again when the pain comes back for our last baby. Carlisle coaches me as I push and this time the scream is heartbreaking because our last baby is not the happiest of all. I look at the baby in Carlisle's arms and see that my baby is giving Marcus' angry face and is wiggling more than Marinna.
"Leonidas," Marcus and I say together, as Carlisle hands me our son. He gives me a pouty face at first but settles in my arms once he knows who it is. Esme trades Marinna for Leonidas and we smile at our two beautiful gifts from the gods.
"Congratulations," Carlisle says with a big smile. I take Leonidas from Esme and Marcus holds our babies next to each other. They look just like Marcus when he is resting, but Leonidas has my facial features. Both of them have my skin tone and their father's hair colour. We are left to be alone for a little bit. Marinna grunts as she squirms to get comfortable in her father's arms.
"They are beautiful, Lea," Marcus says. He kisses my forehead and smiles when Leonidas opens his eyes and glares at his father. "Leonidas, I am not hurting your mother."
"My poor baby Leo is already jealous of daddy," I giggle and kiss my son's little head. We are now a complete family and we will remain that way forever.