Chapter 39

I watch as the embers glow in the darkness, River and Rain rendered to ash. In my heart was a sorrow that made me feel like screaming. River sacrificed himself to save us all, to save my kingdom. I feel angry that Rain had made him pick that path, took what life he had left.

Eric stands behind me, his hands resting my on shoulders. "Come in wife, it's getting colder and you need to rest."

Leaning back against him I feel his arms wrap around me. "Soon Eric, I need a few more minutes."

"Take all the time you need Snow but remember I'm here if you need to talk." He presses his lips on my cheek.

Summer and Kellan collect the ashes, Summer weeping softly. "Our poor River, what torment he lived. He was a good boy, a very good boy."

I decide to leave them to do this alone, my feet moving swiftly to find my Eric. I see him standing in Samuels's doorway with a grin that is only mine. When I'm nearly to him I hear crying coming from the corner of Samuel's house. Breeching the darkness I find Lily sobbing, her hands covering her face.

"Lily, don't cry sweet cousin. River is in a better place free from his sister. His heart was pure as was his soul." She turns her long sad face to me.

I watch her wipe her face on her cloak sleeve, her lips trembling. "I knew what he was going to do and I didn't try to stop him. When he looked at me, his eyes were full of this brilliant light. I could hear his thoughts Snow, his voice was in my head. He fought Rain for control of his body but she was winning. He knew how much Rain hated me so he asked me to kiss him. My kiss repulsed her so that she let go of him long enough for him to run to the pyre. I let him die Snow."

William walks out of the darkness, his arms taking his wife. "That's why you did that. I wasn't sure my love, I was afraid it meant you cared for him."

I smack William on the shoulder, his stupidity glowing. "Don't be a fool William. Lily loves only you and that will never change. Men!"

I roll my eyes at him as he gives me his dimpled grin. "My heart doubted for a moment and I am ashamed of that. I love you Lillian Hammond, always."

Lily clutches William, heaving her body to his. I take this as my cue to leave finding Eric waiting with a lantern.

"Where did you go?" He looked so handsome when he gave me his confused look.

"Lily was upset and William is an ass." He chuckles, his laughter filling the air.

"William has his moment, that's for sure. I was afraid Lily would feel some fault for River's actions. River proved his worth this night and I think we should name this day, Bassett day, in memory of a brave courageous man." As usual my husband proves why he is king. At the next council meeting I would declare this day and it would be celebrated all over the kingdom. Each village will burn pyres in memory and honor of River.

As the moon starts it's decent we make way back to the castle, Lily looking back one last time. She kisses her fingers, places her hand on her heart then waves it at the burnt remains. "Thank you River."

William and Lily return to their chamber, Lily kisses William all the way up the stairs. Eric winks at William causing him to shrug his shoulders.

"Someone is in for a very good night." Eric takes my hand pulling me toward our chamber door.

"Yes they are." I place my hands on his shoulders and jump, wrapping my legs around his waist.

Winter gives way to spring, my baby bump a full roundness. My Hope would be six this summer and Willow one. I was amazed how fast Willow has growing, her legs getting so long. The size of Lily also amazed me; her belly was almost as big as mine. The joy that she and William had in their hearts was only matched by the joy Eric and I felt.

The castle and the kingdom were at peace and I felt it. Hunter and Lily had spent the last few months without one vision and Iris no longer spoke to Liam. She told her mother Liam took River home. We all had a good cry after that, Iris not understanding our tears. Hunter was looking more like his father, his cheeks supporting a set of dimples.

We often hear singing about the halls, Iris and Hope humming tunes as they play. Lily and I knew they were sharing secrets and it made us giggle. I knew this manner of conversation would become troublesome in their teen years.

Once spring bloomed in full so did I, giving birth to Eric's son. My heart leaped from my chest as they place my hefty boy in my arms, my labor was tedious and the pain blinding. I could hear Eric and William pacing the hall, Lily giving me all of her support. When Eric first lays eyes on his son he cries, his blue eyes melting like a winter stream.

We name him Aidan, which means little flame because he was saved by fire and made by fire, both of them out of love.

The joy in my heart was pouring out, my new born son resting in his father's arms. William and Lily stand close by, their hearts joining ours.

It wouldn't be too long before William would be the one waiting for his child to be born, three months to be exact. Sirra was worried for Lily due to the size of her roundness. She looked as if she was going be burst before she went into labor, her lap had disappeared months ago and she could barely walk.

I keep an eye on William, his face going pale. Eric made him take a chair, not waiting him to faint and hurt himself. Lily's labor was hard, her screams causing William to come in the room a few times. Eric would drag him back out, telling him Lily was in good hands.

I watch Beth and Sirra's faces, the signs of stress starting to show. With one last push, Lily's son is born, the baby almost as big as Liam was. His wails cause William to come in, his face lighting up. "Lily, how is my Lily?"

Eric takes him by the arm, trying to pull him away from the bed. I knew if William saw the blood he would panic so I push on his chest while Eric pulls. "Lily is resting, she did wonderfully William. You have a son, he's beautiful." William grins as he begins to leave with Eric when we hear Lily screaming again. Sirra is to her in a beat, Beth tending to the baby.

William tries to rush to Lily, Eric pushing him against the door. "Let them tend to her William, there is nothing we can do."

I watch in horror, knowing something has gone horribly wrong. Sirra smiles over at me, telling Lily to push again. "Twins?" Sirra nods her head, Lily gritting her teeth.

William approaches the bed slowly, his tears over his hazel eyes. "My love, are you well." Lily looks up at him, her face a looking ghostly white.

"Yes my love and we have a son and a daughter, we are truly blessed again." Lily cradles her daughter as I place William's son in his arms.

My Aidan was now joined by Hana and Henry; the castle would never be the same.

A/N: Thanks for staying with the story and this ends Snow's POV. Please stay with me as Eric continues the tale.