Chapter 29
Cyrene's POV
I picked up Ali, and carried her outside I sat on the small bench outside the school house and sat her on my lap holding her tight as she struggled. "Stop it, Alice. Stop it right now." I whispered in her ear.
"Let me go, Gramma, let me go…."
"You calm down, Alice Calm down." I started rocking her, and shushing her. It took a Good 15 minutes but she eventually calmed down. "Now, tell me, Ali. Why you decided to have a tantrum?"
"Zoe my sister, she not help me….."
"I was helping you, but he had to help everyone. Kites are very rare here, she was teaching everyone to make them."
"She my sister, not theirs." I was starting to understand but it didn't excuse her behavior.
"I'm sorry you feel that way, but you acted poorly and I think it's because you need a nap, so come on." I stuck my head in. "Zoe, I'm going to take Ali and put her down for a nap."
"Okay Grandma, I'm going to continue helping the class make kites, and I'll finish Ali's for her."
I carried Ali back to the hut she was fighting me the entire way. When I finally got her to the hut. I gave her a good swat on the bottom. She yelped. "Alice you are taking a nap whether you like it or not. Now let me get you into your diaper and night shift."
"No nap, No Nap, No Nap." She started chanting. I undressed her from the waist down and gave her three crisp swats to the bottom. She started whimpering.
"Alice, you need to take a nap, are we going to do this the hard way or the easy way." She went limp, and this allowed me to diaper her and put her into her night shift. I tucked her into bed. "Ali, I don't know why you're in such a sour mood, but when you wake up from your nap. I expect it to be gone and my sweet granddaughter to be back." I tucked her in and began signing to her she as soon asleep.
Ephiny's POV
I was talking with Cyd, Stephania and Ellenia. "The Funeral arrangements are set. The funeral pyre is being built as we speak. He isn't entitled to a full Amazon ceremony, Cyd so only your family will be in attendance. But he was still cleaned up, and his body was prepared….."
Cyd smiled sadly. "That will be fine, Regent I appreciate you went to the trouble of arranging this for him."
"If it was my son…."
"If it was your son he would have a centaur funeral, but I understand what you mean."
I smiled sadly at her. I looked at Junia who was resting on Stephania's chest in a frontal baby carrier, asleep, Ellenia asked "Where is Lacy?"
"With my niece she's making a Kite." I answered. "Zoe decided to help almost everyone from ages 3 to 13 make kites today, Eugenia is giving decided it was educational, so she Delia, Kaia, Astra the Carpenter's apprentice, and several parents are involved. They've taken over the entire school house. I figured it would be a good distraction. As for Junia I just had them bring some milk in a skin for her. And some squashed vegetables and fed her, before I changed and got her to sleep, right before you came."
"What about the adoption?" Stephania ask.
"What about it. The adoption will go through. Blood to blood adoptions are always approved unless the adult amazon in question has some has a mean streak, or the child is 15 seasons or older and asks to be on their own. There's no reason everything shouldn't go relatively well. I mean I'm sure there will be some obstacles you have to overcome, babies aren't easy especially ones you can't breast feed, and 3 year olds are whole other animal. Lacy will remember her mother, and may not accept you right away. But we're here to help you in anything you need. We already have a crib, bed, other furniture, and a few toys all ready to be brought to your second room whenever you're ready."
"We appreciate that." Ellenia said.
3rd Person POV
Cyd went off to mourn for her son, while Ellenia went to prepare their hut for her new daughters' arrival. Ephiny went with Stephania to the school hut to get Lacy, who was unaware what was going on. When they got to the school house, Zoe was helping Lacy paint her Kite
"Hello, Zoe…." Ephiny said. Zoe looked up.
"Hi, Aunt Ephiny, Stephania, right?"
"Yes."
"You were one of my guards when Larissa was coming after me."
Stephania smiled. "That's right."
"Lacy….do you remember me?"
"Reget Effie you in charge." Lacy said.
"Well, right now I'm in charge because the queen is not here right now. This is Stephania she's your Da's sister, and she's going to be your new Mommy."
She looked up at Stephania with intensity "You new Mommy?"
"I am, and my wife Ellena's your Mama."
"Why?"
"Because I loved my brother and I love you and your sister and I want to take care of you."
"Okay, you help with kite." Stephania smiled, the baby on her chest didn't move and she went to help Lacy with her kite. Zoe went to finish her sister's kite.
Cyrene's POV
I woke up Ali, from her Nap. "Alright Ali, how are you feeling, now little girl."
"I'm Sorry, I was bad, Gramma, I just miss Mommy and Mama."
"Of course you do, and you weren't bad, just naughty, but you can't naughty just because they're gone, little girl."
"Why not?"
"Because that will just earn you a spanking. And I don't like spanking you."
"Then don't spank."
"I have to when you earn them, and your mothers aren't here to do it."
"Why?"
"Because that's how you learn." I scooped her up, and held her in my arms. "When you need to be corrected, I need to correct you." I rocked her slightly. Then I got her dressed.
Lila's POV
I have to muck the stables, clean the latrines, help with the animals, help with the harvest, be a messenger help in the nursery during the next month. Today I have to muck the stables. I am not happy right now, but I guess that's the point. Iris looks at me.
"I know what it's like to be young and in love, Lila but you need to stop doing this. I think next time your sister will actually kill you. You're lucky the Regent was here and not the Queen."
"Yes, Iris."
"You get to work, I have you for three days, before you move onto the next assignment and I'm told I can paddle you if you're not working as hard as you should." She gave my already aching backside a firm swat. I yelped.
"Yes, Mother." I said automatically. And got to work. I'm really mad at Ephiny right now, but I'm more mad at myself. I put myself in this position and my bottom is paying for it and so is the rest of me.
Zoe's POV
"Alright everyone the kites have to dry overnight, tomorrow morning they can be moved to the side of the room and by tomorrow after school they'll be ready to fly…." I said. "But they need wind to fly….."
"Thank you Zoe." Eugenia said. "It was very nice of you to share this with us. I'm sure everyone learned a lot today and will learn a lot tomorrow."
"Not a problem." I smiled. "It was fun. Dida was always good at teaching fun stuff."
"I'm sure she was, alright, Class dismissed." We left. I felt happy, but I felt bad for Ali she was missing our Mommies so much she was acting out. I did that a little when they went to help their friend Tara. It didn't work out too good for my bottom. Which I eventually figured out, but Ali is little and might not figure out right away.
I went back to our hut. And I was greeted by Grandma who was sitting at the main room table, next to the hearth drinking tea. While Ali was on the floor playing with her blocks. I gave Mama the idea for Alphabet Blocks she told the Carpenters and they thought it was an excellent idea. The nursery got the first set, Ali got the second but several other children have sets now. They look different the American ones, but they really do help with the little ones learning, the alphabet. I already know the alphabet, and I'm getting better at writing full letters and numbers. I'm still not as good as I probably should be, but I'm getting better. I like how Amazon school doesn't have homework. School is to be done in school, I mean when there's an upcoming test there's studying but that's it. I like that. I like that.
"Hi, Grandma, Hi, Wonderland."
"Oh, you tell me more of the story."
"Okay where did I leave off?"
"Giant Catapilla." I nodded and began the story from then. I again making it little girl, and Ancient Greek friendly. And adding my own twist, and elements from other Wonderland Versions. It was one obsession Dida as Diana indulged. She got me books, Movies, TV shows. Now that I think about it. It might be why they named Ali, Alice. Or why they because they named her Alice she indulged me in the first place. Time travel is so confusing. I got about halfway through the story when Grandma decided it was time to go dinner.
"No Gramma Story." Ali half-heartedly pouted.
"Zoe can finish it another time." Grandma definitely had a warning tone. I wondered if Ali would get that. She looked up and just held up her arms motioning for Grandma to carry her. Grandma took the hint and picked her up. Grandma carried her and We went to the dining hut. Taryn, Aunt Lila, Aunt Ephiny, Aunt Eponin was there. We all sat on the benches. Aunt Lila was shifting a lot. I knew she got in trouble, but why wasn't she sitting in Aunt Ephiny's lap, since she was the one who punished her? Well I knew sometimes the older Amazons who are still young enough to get paddled or spanked refuse lap time to prove how tough they are since everyone knows everything anyway, I didn't think Aunt Lila was that bull-headed and stubborn. I think it's ridiculous if that's the reason but I honestly don't care enough to ask, or care enough to invade her mind. I don't think I'd ever care enough to invade her mind it's dishonorable, if I cared enough I'd ask outright, but I just don't. Dinner was nice. Pleasant even. Despite Aunt Lila's sullen mood. Ali seemed to be in better spirits she babbled on and on all about the little warrior named Alice and her time in Wonderland. She got it mostly right and I didn't have the heart to correct the few small things she got wrong. She was very entertaining, and everyone at the table was amused but Aunt Lila was obviously trying to be as miserable as possible. After dinner, we played a bit, then it was bath time which Ali and I took together then we got ready for bed and I told her more Wonderland stories. And after she fell asleep, Grandma sang to me, and I fell asleep.
Stefania's POV
I watched the two girls sleep. Junia in her crib, and Lacy in her bed. We had burned my brother in a funeral pyre tonight and I know he is on the other side. I miss you Ansker. I will take care of your girls. I love and raise them like they are my own. I promise you.
Xena's POV
I once again wake with Gabrielle in my arms, she's still asleep, and the sun has not yet completely risen. It is what Zoe calls the grey time. I miss her, I miss Ali. I love this time with Gabrielle, I treasure it, but perhaps we should go back to the village early. I miss my girls and I want to get back to our life.
Zoe's POV
I wasn't the only one who had a hard time focusing today. Eugenia warned everyone at least once, and two girls got paddled, luckily it wasn't me. I hate being paddled. After Lunch we had staff training, then the little girls, and us all came back for our kites, I grabbed Ali's then went home with it. Met Grandma and Ali gave it her, and got mine and we all went to the field where everyone was flying there. There was a lot. Of people flying kites. I had a hug urge to sing that song from Mary Poppins, Let's go fly kite, up to the highest height, and sent it souring up through the atmosphere, where the air is nice clear….but I knew it wouldn't translate very well into Greek.
Ephiny's POV
I walked by the vacant field and saw all the children flying their kites. All the children were so happy. I smiled at this I would have to have Zoe made a kite for Xenon.
Ali's POV
It's a new day. Zoe keep telling me all bout wonderland and Alice warrior, Woked up today, Grandma got me dressed. Had breakfast. It was raining, yesterday flew my kite, can't today. Went to school. Met new friend, name Lacy. Dora and I like her.
Lila's POV
I'm really starting to hate mucking out horse stalls. Even more then I already did. And the rain doesn't help. You think it would, but it doesn't.
Gabrielle's POV
I was standing at the mouth of the cave looking out at the rain. Xena came over and wrapped her arms around me. I breathed in her scent and melted into the embrace. "Xena as soon as the rain let's up let's go home."
"Are you sure?"
"I am. But it doesn't look like it's going to let up for some time." I turned and started kissing her wrapping my arms around her neck.
Zoe's POV
School in boring it rained all day yesterday, and the day before, now it's clear skies but cold out I'm sitting in school and we're learning all about the history of the tribe, Mama so tells it better. But I am paying attention. I so don't want a paddling. Eugenia smiles.
"Alright, class dismissed for lunch."
"Thank you, teacher." We all chorused. I went to lunch and was surprised to find my mommies sitting at their table, they were back a day early. Ali was sitting on Mama's lap, or should I call her Wonderland, most of the tribe still calls her Ali. But and Grandma calls her Little girl, but I call her Wonderland now. I wonder if Mama and Mommy will too, it's better than Honey bun. Part of me hated that she was three and could get away with that in public without being spanked. I ran to each of them and gave them a quick hug before sitting down. That night I started coughing, and sneezing. Mama put her hand on my forehead it was cool.
"Oh, No." She said she sounded worried.
A/N: End Scene. I know it was short and nothing much happened, But I needed a transition to where I needed to go. And I needed a lot of what happened to happen in this chapter to what happen could happen in the next chapter. In the next chapter. Zoe then Ali are both sick. Gabrielle and Xena are both frantic. Ali learns to heal herself at will, Ali makes a grumpy patient, Eponin has a scare and the doctor put her on bedrest. Gabrielle has a talk with Lila about her decision making process. Cyd continues to mourn her son with the help from Xena.
