Chapter Eleven
Marcus plays with Leonidas on the bed after he is bathed and has a clean diaper on his little bottom. I brush Marinna's curly hair and smile when Leonidas crawls over to me to hide from his daddy. Leonidas giggles and hides behind me as Marcus follows him and growls softly. Marinna claps her little hands to distract Marcus and to let Leonidas to escape. I finish brushing her hair and get up to go get her new favourite dress that Caius and Athenodora bought her a few days ago. Marcus laughs as he is attacked by our children and they sit on him in triumph and call for me to look at what they did. There is a knock at the door and we all turn to see it is Aro with a few presents for the children.
"Brother, I said no more gifts for the children. They are going to be spoiled before they are even five," Marcus says, as he gets up with Leonidas and Marinna in his arms. Marinna and Leonidas giggle as they bounce on their father's hips as he walks over to Aro.
"I just want my niece and nephew to have everything they want and need. I just want to be a loving uncle," Aro says, as he smiles at my babies. His gaze wanders over to me and I stiffen suddenly.
"Aro, no," Marcus growls. Ever since Aro saw that the twins' were healthy and growing just as fast Renesmee, he has asked for me to carry his children and give him a child of his own. I have refused him many times and it gets worse as the twins get bigger and are starting to show signs of being powerful. Aro puts the box down and bows as he walks out of the room.
"Mama," Marinna says and reaches over to me. I walk over and take my princess in my arms. She lays her head on my shoulder and pats my chest, as if to calm me down. Marcus goes to finish getting Leonidas dressed and I take Marinna to see what shoes she wants to wear today. Marcus stops and watches Marinna and I having a mother daughter moment at the closet. I smile when my baby girl points to my high heels and fusses over wearing those. We get her baby version of my high heels and she calms down a little. Leonidas pulls on the skirt of my dress and I give him my index finger for his little hand to hold onto while we walk down the hallway. I see Marcus smiling at us with sad, loving eyes.
"What is the matter, darling?" I ask. Marcus shakes his head and we all walk to the throne room to greet the guests that were coming to see the princess and prince that were born to the king and his mate. Marinna fusses over her dress when I hoist her up on my hip and her skirt rides up.
"Marinna, calm down, mama is making sure you don't fall out of her arms," Marcus says. He kisses our daughter's chubby cheek and she giggles.
"Papa," Marinna says and pats Marcus' cheek. The doors to the throne room open and everyone bows as the four of us walk through the aisle of guests. From the looks of it, the whole vampire world is here to see if the rumour is true. I see my brother, Caius, standing next to his wife and a white clothe covering something. Ahtenodora smiles at me and she places a hand on her stomach, she is due to have a child here soon as well. Sulpicia stands by her husband, seething that she is not with child as of yet. Thank goodness for that, otherwise, we would be stuck with more evil beings like her and her husband. Marcus helps me sit down with Marinna on my lap and Leonidas standing at my side. Marcus makes a short speech to thank everyone for coming and he motions to introduce our children to everyone. Leonidas looks at me with a scared face and I smile at my baby boy and fix his hair. Everyone applauds and we watch the servants walk around with meals for everyone. Marcus walks over to me and leans down to whisper something in my ear.
"If the twins get tired or start to get fussy, you can take them to the playroom. Might save them from the people that might want to take a bite out of them to see if they are real," Marcus whispers with a smile. I giggle and kiss his cheek before bouncing Marinna on my lap. Leonidas grunts to get our attention and we turn to see he has his father's angry face. "Leo, you are going to be alright."
"I think he just wants to go around and say hello. You want to go with papa and tell everyone hello, baby?" I say, as I fix his hair again. Leonidas shakes his head and lays it on my lap. Marinna babbles about something and Marcus picks her up. "Our social butterfly wants to go tell everyone hello."
"My lord," someone says. I peek around Marcus to see that it is Eleazar, the guard with the unique ability to sense what each vampire has as a power, if they have one. Marcus stands up and shakes his old friend's hand with a wide smile.
"Eleazar, welcome," Marcus says. "This is my mate, Leandra, and our children, Marinna and Leonidas."
"Hello, I am sorry if I remain seated. I am still regaining my strength," I say with a bow of my head. Eleazar smiles and takes my hand to kiss it.
"It is not a problem," Eleazar says. "You have two beautiful children, my lady. I sense a great power between them that they will share."
"Thank you," Marcus and I say. Eleazar leaves us and another vampire walks up to greet us. After about three fourths of the room greets us, Leonidas pats my leg and he grunts while rubbing his eyes. I pick him up in my lap and he lays his head against my shoulder while he starts to fall asleep. Marinna is wide awake and she is dancing with her father on the dance floor. I smile at my daughter's little giggle as Marcus spins them a little and they have the time of their lives. Caius puts his hand on my shoulder and he squeezes it gently.
"You have made Marcus so happy in only just a few months. Thank you very much for doing that for him," Caius says. I pat his hand on my shoulder and smile when I see Marinna hold onto Marcus index finger as they walk back towards me.
