Chapter 12

"Snow?"

"Snow. Emma."

David calls for his wife. After returning from the kingdom of Lonus for trade negotiations, he is hungry, tired and missing his wife and soon to be three children.

He wanted them in his arms more than he wanted a hot meal. It's so easy for a man to become famished when he is away from those he loves.

He can hear giggling coming from a little princess and big kisses being given by her mother.

"Did you hear that just a moment ago Em?"

A tiny "Yee" can be heard.

"You know what that means."

He virtually sprints to the nursery until he's standing expectantly in the doorway just watching his wife holding his daughter in corner a book between them both.

"And the handsome Prince returned home and kissed and kissed his beautiful Princesses Kissing Ever After." He exclaimed as his wife gave a "Ha." shut the book and scooped Emma up.

"That's new."

"Daddy."

"I missed you Princess." "Look at you you've grown while I have been away. MA!"

"Have you been good?"

Emma hit him one of those new "Really Daddy?" looks before grinning exactly like her mother would.

"Next question Daddy."

Letting a chuckle escape his lips, David turned his attention to Snow.

"And was Mommy good?"

Silence, which was only interrupted by Emma fussing.

"Ooh. Em let's put you down." She said before letting her run to Johanna in the hall.

"Hello Princess Emma, let's have a play in the gardens."

Both parents look over and give a wave but, true to form their angel is already half way there with Johanna swiftly following.

"Now where were we?" David hums wrapping his arms around her waist.

"What do you think?"

That's all he needs. All he needs to lift her up slightly and crash his lips against hers.

"Missed you." Can be heard from Snow.

"Missed you more."

After a few minutes he sets her down and gives their lips a much needed rest. They both gasp like two stranded nomads stranded in an endless dessert.

"How are you feeling? How are our daughters?" Prince Charming had found himself contently asking. It was his lot in life to be surrounded by beautiful women and what a lovely lot that was.

"Sophie is quiet but, kicks when I want to read to Em."

"And Eva?"

"As active as her big sister."

"Good!"

He took a minute just to stare at her. At seven months she had a substantial bump that centred her usually slender form. Pregnancy becomes her. She has this glow that he supposes all mothers have however, it is more than that. Snow White exudes warmth and radiance. She exudes love from every pore of her being.

"What?"

"You're exquisite."

"Stop it!"

"You are!" "I'm almost tempted to get you pregnant for years just to keep you like this a little longer." He jokes yet, he's half serious.

The soft punch against his chest comes violently fast.

"How would you like to spend tonight on the floor?"

"Are you coming with me?"

The look.

"I am kidding Snow I am more than happy with three. Besides there are ways we can prevent it potions and temporary spells."

The whites of her eyes lock on his and then she says with deadly seriousness.

"I always saw myself with four. Three girls and a son."

"It turns out, Emma does too."

"WHAT."

She breaks from him and moves to the cribs and bed which will soon be moved into Emma's very own, big girl room.

"We were playing. She was babbling "Va" "Ophie" because I have been teaching her their names?" She stops to turn and cannot help but, beam.

"And then… Our baby came out with another name. "Ack." "She saw herself playing with them Charming. Emma, Eva, Sophie and…"

"Jack." David finds himself saying a little aghast.

"Four."

"Four."

"Get in these arms right now Princess."

"As you wish."

"Four children."

"Four…"

Two months to the day, they came. First Sophie. (It's always the quiet ones) then not to be outdone Eva. They were carbon copies of their mother right down to the eyes. It actually scared Snow how much they looked like her compared to the gentle mix of both their features in their blonde blue-eyed two year old.

"OH MY GODS."

"I know." Charming chuckled "it's like I'm carrying two of you in my hands."

"Maybe they'll lighten up." Snow tried to be optimistic as Sophie was placed on her breast then Eva.

"With hair as black as night at less than an hour old?"

"Funny. You are so funny."

"Mommy."

Princess Emma all ringlets and curls offsetting a rose red dress ran in elated.

"Oh Em. Hello."

Charming helped her up onto a small space on the bed.

"Em. Meet your sisters."

"Ophie. E va!"

"Girls meet the best big sister in all the realms: Emma- Ruth."

"Ello. Ello."

By the time both Emma and the twins were asleep it was well after midnight. Charming had taken charge of the night-care passing the twins to Snow only when they were absolutely in need of nourishment to allow her to rest.

When he carefully got himself into bed conscious not to wake either his children or his beloved he collapsed into a sigh. Three children in two years. How tiring was that to think about? As he closed his eyes and thought of sleep and how he missed it two things flowed through him how he wouldn't change a thing and how in a few years he couldn't wait for him and his girls to meet him. Jack.