KAYLA'S EDUCATION

She held her babies a little tighter that night, gave them an extra kiss on each of their foreheads and stayed in the nursery just to watch them sleep for much longer than she normally would have. Kayla was sure everyone who had heard the story of her niece, Maia, running away from home was doing the same.

Her heart was breaking for Talia and Ephraim and also for Fiona. Losing a child was unimaginable but losing your twin, your other self? Kayla didn't know what she would do if she lost Kora. Now that they were both grown up with families… Well, Kayla and Emoth had their little family and maybe some day soon Kora and Cade would as well. She had told Kayla that she was finally ready for them to start trying. And if they succeeded maybe she could convince Emoth that Jak and Suza might like a little brother or sister.

Then there were moments when Kayla couldn't imagine bringing another child into this terrible mixed up galaxy. How could she even think of such a thing when her sister's family were in so much pain at losing their daughter and sister?

In times like these, Kayla did the thing that felt the most natural in the galaxy. It calmed her nerves and helped her to see clearly. She took out her paints and brushes and got to work. She painted her children and Ros. She painted her in-laws. She painted the harbor and the Hold and the sunset and the flowers in the greenhouse. And with this great release of creative expression the stress seemed to melt away. She felt like herself again, more than she had in years.

Emoth loved seeing her so happy and rested. He made sure that she had whatever materials she needed to work on her hobby and looked after Jak and Suza so she could have her hands free as much as he was able.

Sometimes it felt like a fruitless effort. Sure she enjoyed the process but it did take her away from other things she could be doing. She had promised Shara she would help making those pies to send with the sailors on their journey but she got caught up in a sketch she was doing of Jak while he was doing puzzles and the time got away from her.

Evidently Suza had wandered into the kitchen and helped Nana with the pies instead and the two of them had had a grand time. Kayla had no idea until Shara brought the little girl back to the Bralykburn wing of the Hold both of them laughing and covered in flour.

"Oh," Kayla moaned upon seeing them, "I'm so sorry. I completely forgot. And just look at her. I hope she wasn't too much trouble."

"Think nothing of it." Shara beamed at her granddaughter. She didn't mind at all the little floury handprints on the bodice of her dress. "She was Nana's little helper. We've come to see what Momma's created while we were at work. Isn't that right, Suza my love?"

"Momma!" The toddler reached out and Kayla took her gladly and gave her a kiss.

With her hands now free, Shara walked over to Kayla's work table to get a closer look. There was the nearly finished picture of Jak and another earlier drawing of Suza with her doll. They were simple but beautiful, lovingly captured representations.

"I mean to paint them once I've got the sketches just right." Kayla frowned at her own work critically. "And if I have the time. I was thinking maybe as gifts for Papa. I think he'll appreciate them even though they're not very good."

"Kay, these are wonderful!" Shara wiped her hands on her apron so as not to smudge the artwork and then she carefully moved a few pieces to see what lay underneath. There were doodles and false starts among the more serious works but they all displayed a natural talent.

"Oh, well, thank you," Kayla dithered. "Papa once took Kora and I to the gallery at the art school in Iziz. I wanted to paint like that. I thought maybe if I kept practicing…"

"You mean you've never had any instruction?" Shara asked, amazed.

"No." She shook her head and then smiled meekly, "Unless you count holos. 'happy little trees'."

Suza giggled in her mother's arms and Kayla bounced her smiling even more broadly. She was a wonderful mother. They had all had misgivings about Emoth bringing home his pregnant sixteen year old wife. And then when she had gotten pregnant again so soon after Jak, they had all wondered how she would bare up under the pressure.

At nineteen she loved her husband and her son and daughter more than anything. She would work and sacrifice to make things better for them. And she got along with everyone in the Hold. She had initiated herself as the resident peacemaker almost as soon as she arrived, and she very seldom asked for anything in return. Maybe it was time they all gave something back to her.

"Have you ever thought about taking a few classes to improve your skills?" Shara asked, admiring a particularly fine painting of the sunrise behind the Blackhold salt formation.

Kayla shook off the very idea. "After Papa took us to the gallery it's all I talked about for weeks and weeks. I wanted to go to the Iziz art academy and see my own pictures there on display." She laughed at the absurdity of her childhood dream. "Now though with Jak and Suzelle, I mean it's a nice hobby. I love to scribble a bit when I get the chance, get some of the pictures in my head down on canvas… but I couldn't go away to school."

Shara was about to say more when her son came into the room with his own son walking along beside him, hand in hand. "There's all our favorite girls! What do you say, Jak?"

"Nana!" He ran to her and she had to hastily set down the picture she'd been admiring so she could gather up the boy in her arms. "Did you make lots of pies?"

"Your sister and I made a few and I'm sure we'll have enough to share after supper." She tickled her favorite grandson. No, she'd have to amend that. She hadn't had the chance to meet Ryon yet in person but she already knew she had two favorite grandsons. "And your momma has been making beautiful pictures." She pointed out the drawings that he was perfectly used to seeing in various stages of completion all over their wing of the house whenever his mother had the chance to work on them.

"I should have been in the kitchen helping you." Kayla looked contrite. "I lost track of the time."

"It's alright," Emoth defended her wrapping an arm around the shoulders of his young wife. "Isn't it, Momma? The work still got done."

"Of course," Shara tapped Suza's nose. "I had a wonderful helper, didn't I? And I'm glad your Momma got some time to herself. I know how that comes in short supply when you've got little ones running around."

"It did make for a relaxing afternoon." Kayla admitted.

Then Suza suggested, "Momma, I paint!"

"Well," Kayla checked the chrono on the desk. "I think that would be alright. We still have some time before dinner. What about you, Jak, would you like to make a picture for your cousin Ros or maybe we could make a welcome banner for baby Ryon. They'll all be here in a few days."

Jak nodded happily.

"Oh but," Kayla turned back to Shara. "Do you need my help preparing the meal?"

"By all means." Shara beamed at her daughter-in-law and grandchildren. She let Jak down so he could go and fetch the supplies that he and his sister were allowed to use. "Art is your creative outlet. Cooking is mine. So I will get to it. Although," She winked at Suza. "I would like a masterpiece to hang on my conservitor."

"Aye, Nana," the little one giggled.

…

Kora hugged her sister on the dock as soon as she had made her way down the gangplank of the Beast's Ride.

"Well, do you have news?" Kayla was practically jumping up and down.

Kora was bursting to tell her twin something but she was dragging it out for the suspense. "Well, I haven't taken a test yet but there is reason to suspect…"

Kayla didn't let her finish but began dragging her sister towards the Hold with a squeal of delight. "I have a box of tests in our fresher. You can take one right now and then we can go see Ms Niamh. She's wonderful. She delivered both Jak and Suzelle and I wouldn't have anyone else…"

"Slow down," Kora laughed. "Where are my niece and nephew?"

"Dalla and Lux arrived just before you and they didn't want to leave Ros," Kayla excused her children. "They are excited to see you and Cade as well, though."

"Oh, I knew we'd never be able to compete with a cousin their own age. What about Ryon? Have Kase and Ray come up with him yet?"

"Not yet. We're all dying to see him and hold him." She bit her lip. "Kason had to stay in Iziz a bit longer. He's overseeing the security upgrade at the center. They're trying to make sure…"

Kora nodded. No one wanted what happened to Maia to happen to anyone else.

"How are Talia and Ephraim doing?"

"It's not good, Kay. Poor little Fiona doesn't want to sleep in the room she shared with her sister."

"I don't blame her," Kayla moaned.

"She went missing one morning. They couldn't find her anywhere. All of us went looking. Then out comes Cornel carrying her sleeping with her head on his shoulder. He said he found her in the kennel all curled up with the cog pups. He said it's where he would have gone if it had been him."

"Sometimes I think Cornel is smarter than any of us."

Kora nodded.

Then Kayla asked, "And Lady Adria?"

Kora shook her head. "She's sort of sunken into herself. Lord Glover said it was the grand babies who were keeping her afloat after Ellie and Miranda died and now…"

"And there's nothing they can do to bring Maia back home?"

"Well," Kora glanced over to where her husband was getting acquainted with the other half of double trouble after so long apart. She lowered her voice. "I did overhear Ephraim say something about a crew who might be able to help."

"A crew?"

"A crew who wouldn't be opposed to using any means necessary."

"Pirates?!" Kayla let out the word a little too loud and Kora shushed her before continued.

"I think so. I don't think they wanted the Blackwells to get wind of it. They didn't want Cade to know in case he might tell Dalla."

"The Blackwells are sworn to keep pirates off the Northern sea," Kayla mused about the possible reasons for this.

"Aye. That's what I thought as well." Kora saw their husbands coming closer and sought for a change of subjects. "Well, what about your schooling? Did you send in some of your work to the admins at the academy?"

"I have. I doubt anything will come from it. It's not that good. It's not… professional."

Kora smirked. "The whole point of going to school is so you can learn. You've got to start somewhere. And you're fathoms better than anybody else in the whole north."

Kayla laughed at the praise. "I don't know about that."

The boys joined them then and Cade wrapped his sister-in-law in a rough hug. "Thank salt gods, you two are back together again and Kora can talk your ear off for a while."

Kora swatted him. "You love it when I talk."

He let go of Kayla and danced his wife around the dock instead. "I love it more when you scream my name."

"Cade Alon Blackwell!" She scolded.

"Well maybe not like that." He put her down and turned to the other couple. "So did she tell you the schooner may have finally found the port?"

"Cade!" Kora gave him another swatt.

He laughed and kissed her. "What I'm not allowed to be excited? I've worked hard for this. I'm ready to see the fruit of my labor."

"I'm the one who's going to have to go through labor if…" She took a shaky breath. Kora was still plenty nervous about this whole eventuality.

"If?" Kayla cooed encouragingly. "Let's go take that test and find out for sure." She took her sister's hand and led her away from their husbands. "Give us a few minutes," she told them as the sisters retreated towards the Hold.

"He's driving me crazy." Kora growled. "He's so excited. And I am too, really. But it's also scary, everything that could go wrong. I can't see how you did this twice."

"We've actually been thinking about trying again," Kayla admitted. "That would be different wouldn't it, actually trying instead of landing with a surprise? Not that Jak and Suza aren't the best surprises in the entire galaxy."

"They are precious. I can't wait to see them."

"They've been asking for Aunt Kora's stories. And maybe soon you'll have your own little one to tell stories to."

Kora swallowed and nodded.

Kayla sighed. "With Dalla pregnant again and maybe you as well… I kind of always hoped that you and I could experience this together."

Kora elbowed her. "Well, it's like you said, it didn't take much trying for the first two."

"Aye, you're right." And they both laughed.

So Kora took the test and they didn't have to wait long at all for the results. Two blue lines showed up as clear as day almost immediately and the twins went to share the good news with the rest of the family.

…

Kayla stared at the blinking light on the comm unit like it was going to bite her.

"Ugg. Please tell me you found something that worked for this morning sickness." Kora staggered into the bedchamber and collapsed dramatically on to the neatly made bed. She said it was like turning on a switch. She'd had no adverse effects from the pregnancy until she took the test and then BAM suddenly there was no doubt about it.

"Uh-huh," Kayla answered blandly still mesmerized by the message signal.

"Er, Kay? You alright?"

"Uh-huh."

Kora sat up full of concern for her twin. She glanced at the comm unit and back at Kayla. "Did you get a message?"

"Aye."

"And who's it from?" She asked gently, getting up and crossing the room.

Kayla blinked and took a shuddering breath. "It's from the art academy. I know they didn't accept me. They laughed at the application. There's no way they'd want someone like me."

"You know this for sure?" Kora put a hand on her sister's shoulder.

"It must be. They couldn't possibly have…"

Kora smiled warmly. "You'll never know if you don't check the message."

"Oh, I can't!" Kayla stood up, spun around so her back was facing the comm unit, and covered her face with her hands. "You do it!"

"Alright." Kora sat down in the seat and activated the message player.

Kayla turned just slightly and peered through her fingers at the words of the text.

Kora read, "Ms Bralykburn we would like to… congratulate you on your acceptance to the visual arts study program!" She faced her sister over the back of the chair and grinned. "You're in, Kay!"

"No, there's got to be some mistake. Maybe they sent it to the wrong person."

"Kay, you're the only Ms. Bralykburn I know. Unless you're counting Suza and her finger painting is good and all but I think she's a little young to be earning her degree."

"Who's earning a degree?" Emoth entered the room and Kayla ran into his comforting arms as if the news was terrible.

Kora rolled her eyes and looked back at the message. "You're oh so talented wife has been accepted into the visual arts program."

"Tre coi!" He held her out at arms length to look her in the eye for a moment before he picked her up and spun her around. "That's amazing! I'm so proud of you!"

"And." Kora held up a finger to make another point. "Not only has she been accepted but she's been offered a good bit of scholarship money. It doesn't look like quite a full ride but that will definitely help."

Kayla squirmed to be put down even though her husband's excitement was infectious and she had a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I couldn't possibly go now. Not with Kora…"

"Don't you dare use me as an excuse to get out of this!" Her twin scolded. "You deserve this opportunity."

"Aye, she's right." Emoth tipped up her chin and kissed her. "You do deserve this."

"But what about…" Kayla blushed, threw a quick glance at her sister and then gazed back at her husband. "I thought we were going to try for number three?"

He chuckled deeply and kissed her again. "We can still do that in Iziz. What are a couple of art school kids supposed to do between classes?"

Kora took that as her cue to make an exit. "I'll leave you two to work out the details. Mind if I tell the others?" They didn't look as if they minded much at all. "Alright then." She set the sound proofing and the lock as she made her way out the door.

Emoth mentally thanked his sister in law. He was too busy kissing and undressing his wife to do so aloud.

But Kayla stopped him and pushed back to look him in the eyes. "I can just do the holonet classes and we can stay here at the Hold."

"No." He shook his head and carressed her face. "You can't learn sketching and painting and whatever else from a hologram. I want you to have the full experience." He smirked. "Okay maybe not the working from live nude male models."

She punched his arm playfully.

He winced and moaned but then returned to smiling. "You sacrificed when I finished up my technology degree."

"Which you were able to do on the holonet while I nursed Jak in the same room," she countered.

"We will make what sacrifices are necessary for you to make the most of this opportunity."

Kayla took a deep breath as if about to launch into another million reasons why she couldn't do this right now.

Emoth on the other hand had other ideas. "And right now I'd like to make the most of this opportunity, alone with my wife, celebrating how kriffing talented she is?"

Kissing him back was the only response she gave.

…

"Are you ready to see your little one?" Kayla gushed, practically leaning over Kora in the midwife's waiting room.

"Aye," Kora admitted. "Not that we'll be able to see as much as Lux and Dalla."

"Just you wait ten more weeks and it'll be your turn." And maybe that wouldn't be the only event in ten weeks. She'd even scheduled a blood test today to confirm her secret hope.

"I guess so. I just hope everything looks alright."

"It will," Kayla promised. She would have continued but the ultrasound room door opened and the family who'd held the first appointment of the day walked out.

"A little boy!" Lux cheered and shuffled through the newly-printed sonogram photos while Dalla followed leading Ros by the hand. "We're going to have a son!"

Kayla squealed. "Congratulations!"

Kora took advantage of the distraction to grab Cade's hand and slip into the scan room.

Dalla grinned. "Ros, we girls have to stick together now. We no longer outnumber Daddy."

"Dada!" Ros stuck out her hand and toddled toward him.

"That's it, get him!" Dalla egged her on. "Get him, Ros!"

Lux cried out in mock terror of the approaching toddler. "No! Have mercy!"

Dalla just laughed.

"Are you going to unleash the next one on me?" He tried to defend himself against the "attack" with the sonogram photos before he surrendered and picked up Ros to tickle her. "Maybe I'll send him after you."

"You'll do no such thing to our sweet boy." She hugged him, the attempt made somewhat awkward by Ros and her baby bump but with such joy shining in her eyes there was no doubt to the authenticity of her words. "Salt gods, Lux, I lo-"

A bloodcurdling screech drowned out the rest of her sentence. "You see what?!"

Everyone in the waiting room nearly toppled over from the force and shrillness of the scream, but Kayla would know that voice anywhere. In almost one motion she jumped out of her chair and opened the door to the ultrasound room.

Kora lay on the table with her eyes glued to the ultrasound screen, a screen which showed two distinct dark spots with two distinct little beans in them.

Kayla's hand flew to her mouth as Cade's jaw dropped and the sonographer answered the million-credit question … "Twins."

"You're kidding." Kora sucked in a breath and tightened her grip on the sides of the table. "You're kidding."

"I'm not." The sonographer zoomed in on the images. "See, there are the babies and there are the heartbeats…"

Kora had stopped listening to her long before and instead turned her attention to Cade standing beside her slackjawed.

"Cade. Alon. Blackwell."

Emoth whistled. "Salt gods Cade, you cog…"

After not moving for a solid minute Cade's face started to revert to its usual joking expression. But before he could say anything catastrophic Lux grabbed his arm and yanked him out of the room without gentleness or ceremony.

The nurse in the hallway didn't pay much attention to the situation. "Kayla Bralykburn? Come on back."

Kora coughed. "Kay, you have an -?"

"It's not a big deal," Kayla lied. "It's just some routine testing."

"Nurse, Kayla will be just a second." Dalla replied and shoved Ros into Emoth's arms. "Emoth, I'm too pregnant to pick her up and Lux is busy. Watch her."

Unencumbered by toddlers Kayla had already rushed to Kora's side. "Twins? What a … what a blessing!"

"Or a curse," Kora mumbled. She was still white-knuckling the sides of the table and hadn't moved an inch. "I don't think Cade realizes…"

There was a slap and all attention shifted to Lux, who used the momentum gained from smacking Cade up the back of his head to spin his brother-in-law around to face the sonogram. "Do you see that picture?" He gave Cade a shake ensure the point sunk in. "You're a father now, so start acting like one!"

"Oh, he's learning fast," Dalla assured her.

"Well, I guess that means I should…" Kayla backed away from her sister, giving room to Cade to return to Kora's side. "Wish me luck," she added before she went to follow the waiting phlebotomist.

Emoth passed the rather confused Roisin on to Lux before he excused himself and ran after Kayla.

"He's right." Cade gave his wife a sad cog grin. "We've got babies on the way. You always said you wanted one of each."

"Aye." Kora took a shaky breath. "Of course it might be two girls like me and Kay. Or salt gods," she stated with a frown sounding more like her regular self. "We might have another double trouble on our hands!"

The sonogram tech let the couple marvel a little longer at the sight of those two healthy flashing heartbeats. She was just printing off the flimsi copies for them to keep when Emoth burst out of the laboratory door.

"Number three!" He exclaimed pulling a beaming Kayla along with him by the hand. "We've still got both of you beat!"

Kayla shook her head. "Of course this means we're not going to Iziz. I'm just going to have to comm the academy and tell them I can't possibly..."

"Oh no!" Kora protested now back of her feet and totally in control of the situation. "You're going to Iziz! These two aren't coming out until after your semester is over and you will barely be into your third trimester."

Kayla sighed. "Alright. As long as you comm me with updates every day."

"You know I will," Kora promised.

"And Papa will be here soon for the Northern summit, so he'll make sure that you're alright before I leave." The thought reassured Kayla and her twin but wasn't as comforting to the listening Blackwells.