Usual disclaimers apply.
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Chapter 32
"How much longer, Sam?" Emily asked leaning into me as we sat on Yaya's front porch.
"I don't know," I sighed. "It takes a long time to have a baby."
"Yeah," Eve added looking up from where she sat playing with Zoe. "It took forever when Mommy had the two of you. And she yelled really loud too."
"Will Mama yell really loud?" Zoe asked.
"She might," I smiled down at her. "It can hurt when you have a baby, but then you're so happy when she arrives that it was all worth it in the end."
"Oh." Zoe moved from the ground and climbed up next to me on the bench. "Tell us a story, Sam. Please."
"Any requests?"
"The Three Goats!" Eve yelled.
"The blonde Amazon and the three bears!" Emily hollered.
"No," Zoe's voice was firm. "Sam needs to tell us about Jackie climbing up the beanstalk."
Chuckling, I shook my head. "How about a pirate story instead?" I asked.
"A pirate story?" Eve turned around and looked up at me. "That sounds good."
"Yeah," the twins agreed. "Tell us about a pirate."
Taking a deep breath I began my story, glad that Daphne was visiting her father at the centaur village so I wouldn't have to deal with her trying to interrupt. "Grace O'Malley was one of the fiercest female pirates to ever sail the high seas…."
"Wow," Emily's eyes were big as saucers as I finished my story. "Grace really did all that?"
I nodded my head, "She did. In fact, she was able to do a lot of things that some men never even got to do."
"Like meet the queen of England," Eve whispered.
"Exactly."
"Is the queen of England like an Amazon queen?" Zoe asked.
"Kinda," I hedged a bit. "But an Amazon queen is cooler because she's allowed to learn how to fight and use weapons. The queen of England wasn't allowed to do that."
"But Grace did!" Zoe slid off the bench and picked up a nearby stick. "Defend yourself, Eve," she bellowed pretending to attack Eve using the stick as a sword.
"I'll defeat you!" Eve responded grabbing her staff and gently parrying with Zoe.
""I'll help you, sissy!" Emily slid from the bench as well and picked up her staff from the ground.
Laughing, I watched as the three of them had a fierce battle. Zoe had switched out the stick for her staff and Eve was being very good with the play fight. Allowing my eyes to wander for a moment I looked towards our hut and wondered when my littlest sister would arrive.
"Rule One!" Emily shouted as she and Zoe ran from Eve laughing hysterically.
"You'd better make sure you're careful with those things," Yaya's voice broke my thoughts and I stood up and met her at the edge of the porch.
"Is the baby here?" I asked.
"She is," Yaya smiled at me and hugged me tightly. "Go see your moms, Sam. I'll bring the little girls over in a few moments."
Moving back from the hug, I took off at a brisk pace and was soon stopped in front of the door of our hut. Entering quietly I heard soft voices from the bedroom and moved in that direction. Stopping, I leaned against the doorjamb and watched as Mama nursed the newest arrival. The memory of me seeing her do that for the first time with Eve filled my head and I quickly tried to shake it from my thoughts. "I hear I have a new sister."
"You do," Mom grinned from her spot on the bed next to Mama. "And it seems that she has inherited my appetite."
"I think all of us inherited your appetite," I quipped moving into the room fully. "Especially Eve." Moving to the edge of the bed I looked down at the small bundle in my mama's arms.
"So this one is to be a perfect mix of the two of you, huh?" I asked gently cupping the top of my sister's head with my hand. "I wonder what that means."
"I guess we'll find out as she grows," Mama stated quietly.
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Groaning as I heard the baby cry, I tried to roll over finding my way blocked by a small body. Opening one eye I found Eve lying next to me with Nasa at the foot of my bed. "Eve, why are you in bed with me?"
"Stupid baby won't shut up. Your room is farther away," she muttered.
"The baby isn't stupid," I replied automatically.
"Well the crying is." Eve put the pillow over her head. "Why don't they make her stop?"
"Babies cry, little bit. You know that."
"Yeah, yeah. Lucky us," she muttered once more groaning as small footsteps were heard.
"Sam can we sleep with you?" Zoe asked while she and Emily were climbing onto my bed.
"Why not?" I groaned again. "But how about if the two of you share the sleeping bag I have?"
"No way." Emily protested. "We don't wanna sleep on the ground. We aren't camping."
"Fine." I gave up and tried to get comfortable. "Just try not to kick me." I requested as the first foot managed to kick my knee. "One more kick and the three of you are going to be sleeping on the floor," I grumped.
"Damn," Eve sat up and rubbed her shin. "Now they're kicking me."
I chuckled, "Welcome to my world, little bit."
"This is not funny, Sam," Eve huffed and then did something I truly hadn't expected.
"Aunt Hessy! Aunt Hessy! A little help here please!"
"What in the gods names are you doing, Eve?" I demanded as I sat up as fast as I could.
"Asking Aunt Hessy…"
"Ask me what, little scamp?" Hestia's voice was soft as the candles in my room were little showing the goddess now standing next to my bed.
"Can you give Sam a bigger bed that's a bit more comfortable? Or maybe just a more comfortable bed and add another bed to this room?"
"And why would you ask me that?" Hestia asked.
"Because Sam has the room farthest from our moms' room and the baby cries a lot." Eve stood up and looked at Hestia in the eye. "Please Aunt Hessy. You are the only goddess we know who can make the most comfy beds ever."
"What about Aphrodite?" Hestia asked.
Eve put her hands on her hips and huffed, "Puh-lease. She might make the best pizza ever, but we all know how comfy your beds are to sleep in."
"That is true," I agreed. "Right girls?"
The twins nodded their agreement and Aunt Hestia giggled. "Alright, you've won me over. No more ego stroking necessary." The candles in my room were suddenly lit and two hand claps later there was another bed in my room. Looking around I noticed that everything had been rearranged to accommodate the bed. "I think this should work for the twins." Clapping her hands once I felt my bed change under me and I smiled uncontrollably.
"Thank you!" I moved from the now bigger bed and hugged the goddess as tightly as I could. "You totally rock."
"You have been spending too much time with, Aphrodite, Samina," Aunt Hestia teased. "But I thank you for the sentiments. Now I believe it's time for all of you to be in bed. Come on, Emily and Zoe. I'll tuck you in and then tell you all a story before I leave."
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"Xena would you calm down?" Gabrielle hissed through clenched teeth. "The baby just fell asleep."
"I know, but I can feel…"
"If it was anyone we didn't approve of the girls would have sounded the alarm. It's probably just Aphrodite having some bonding time with Sam." Gabrielle brushed her hand over Xena's. "I know you can feel the gods, Xena, but until they start coming with their own personal bell, you need to relax and trust Sam."
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Morning came too early and I pulled the pillow over my head when I felt Nasa's wet nose nudge me. "Can't you feed yourself and let yourself out this morning?" I asked.
A bark answered me and I slowly sat up. The sun was higher in the sky than I had anticipated and I wasn't the only one still asleep. I was just getting ready to wake Eve when hurried footsteps came towards my room. My door was flung open and the look of panic on Mama's face faded as she noticed all of her children save one in my room. "Mama?"
"I felt a god visit last night," she explained quietly coming towards me. "Then when I didn't see the little girls in their room I panicked."
I nodded in understanding. "We were all trying to share my bed last night," I began. "Eve got frustrated when the twins kept kicking her and asked Aunt Hestia for some help.
"Hestia?"
"Yup," I giggled. "As you can see she helped in spades. My bed is not only bigger but it's so comfortable. I'm sure the bed the twins are sleeping in is the same way. Maybe you should ask her for a new bed for you and Mom. I'm sure you can use it. After all, you do like to use yours."
"Samina!" Mama scolded.
"What? It's true." I shrugged and winked at her. "So where's the newest member of the family?"
"Still sleeping." Mama ran a hand through her hair. "She'll be up soon to eat again and your mom and I wanted to talk to Eve about names."
I nodded. "I'm gonna get dressed and then I'll be out. I think I need to give you a heads up about the name situation."
Mama looked at me and then back to the girls still sleeping in my room. "Alright. I'll wait for you in the living room. And I'll be nice enough to let Nasa out."
"Thanks," I smirked at her. "I think he's found a lady friend in the woods. He's far too happy to take off lately."
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I snorted into my mug of juice as Mama groaned and Mom ran her hands through her hair. "For the last time, Eve, that is not a name for your sister." Mom finally announced.
"Why not? I like Damn Baby." Eve crossed her arms over her chest and glared at our moms.
"We are not naming your sister Damn Baby, Eve," Mama's voice was firm. "You need to think of something else."
"Fine." Eve looked at me and then at the twins before glaring at our moms and the newest family member being held by Mama. "I'll think about it. I'm only six you know. You shouldn't expect miracles."
Mom groaned this time and she knelt in front of Eve, "We don't expect miracles, Eve. We just expect a real name. Sam named the twins, Solan named you. Now we'd like for you to become part of this tradition."
"Oh joy," Eve rolled her eyes sounding much too much like me. Glares from my parents in my direction confirmed this thought and I shrugged sheepishly.
"I'll try to watch it," I squeaked.
"Be sure that you do," Mama growled as the baby began to fuss. "I think this one needs a change. I'll be back."
Hearing a huff I looked at Eve, "Little bit?"
"Can we go do something, Sam?" Eve looked up at me. "I mean the twins are hanging out with their nursery friends today. Can we have a sister day?"
"Sure." Holding out my hand to her I smiled. "Let's go raid the kitchen and then we'll decide what to do today."
"I want to go riding. And swimming," Eve began to bounce around me. "Oh and let's visit my treehouse. I haven't been there in ages. And can you teach me some new staff moves?"
"Hold on, hold on," I allowed Eve to grab her staff and then waved to Mom. "One thing at a time. Let's get the food first and go from there."
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"So little bit, what's up?" I leaned against the wall of the tree house and took a bite of my sandwich.
Eve took a bite from her own sandwich and mimicked my position on the opposite wall of the tree house. "Why do the moms want me to name the new annoyance?"
"They're trying to include you in the family tradition, Eve. Why don't you want to name the baby?"
Eve finished her sandwich in silence and I wasn't sure she would answer me when she finally came over and put herself in my lap. "I hate when things change, Sam."
"I know." I rubbed her back and allowed her the quiet for a while longer. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"When will Mommy and Mama be able to tuck us in again?"
"I don't know," I kissed the top of Eve's head. "I hate that they didn't do that for you little ones last night."
"They didn't do it for you either," Eve huffed. "They promised, Sam. They promised that they would still tuck us in after the baby came."
"They fell asleep, little bit. Having a baby is hard work. And let's face it, she loves to eat and is pretty active for a newborn."
"Yeah," Eve sighed and looked up at me. "Do you think if I name her that would help?"
I shrugged, "Maybe. Maybe she's just waiting for her special sister to welcome her into the family."
"And you're sure about this special sister stuff?" Eve asked.
"I'm sure, little bit. I'm here with you right now, aren't I?"
"Yeah."
"And the twins are with each other," I continued. "But after I get older you'll still have the new baby to hang out with," I smiled at Eve. "Not to mention you'll get to teach her all the cool stuff you can do. I mean you were the first junior staff warrior and look at you now."
A gap toothed grin met my eyes, "Yeah. I am pretty good, and she will need to know how to use a staff."
"She will," I confirmed. "And I may not have as much time to teach her like I did with you. She's really going to need you, Eve."
"I guess so," Eve threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly. "Thanks for bringing me here, Sam. Do you think we could have a sister day more often?"
"I think we can try to make that happen," I replied. "What do you say we go have a nice swim?"
Moving back, Eve shook her head and headed back to the picnic we'd brought. "Nah, I want to eat some more and then I need to get home and give the new kid a name."
"A name that isn't Damn Baby?" I asked.
Giggling at me Eve nodded, "Yeah. I just said that to see what Mommy and Mama would say."
"You're lucky they didn't swat you," I grabbed another sandwich from the spread in front of us.
"I figured they wouldn't," Eve grinned at me. "That baby cried a lot last night. They were just too tired."
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Eve and I had spent some more time at her tree house and I had managed to start teaching her a few advanced staff moves. Knowing that it would be dinner time soon we made our way back to the village. Eve was now riding Haven on her own and I was glad for her natural ability on the animal. It made riding with her a little easier as I didn't need to worry about her falling easily from her horse.
Putting Haven and Mavri up for the evening we finally made our way home. "Are you ready to name the baby?" I asked as Eve slipped her free hand into mine.
"Yup. I have a name picked out that is real good. Mama and Mommy will love it."
"Are you going to share it with me?"
"Nope." Eve giggled at my expression. "You have to wait until I announce it.
"You are a brat at times, Eve," I teased.
"I learned from the best big sister ever," she countered.
"I know," I teased. We walked across the village in silence just watching things around us. Early evening was coming across the village and women and children were heading home or to the evening meal. As we reached our hut, Eve waved to the guards always posted for Mom – though the guards had learned to stay as far from our hut as possible without it actually leaving their site.
Opening the door to the hut, we were met with unexpected silence. "Do you think they're home?" Eve asked.
"If they weren't the guard would be gone," I replied.
"Oh yeah." Eve and I finally heard murmurs from our mothers' bedroom and headed in that direction.
The door was open and we once more held hands as we peeked in the room. "That reminds me of the first time I saw Mama feeding you," I said.
"Really Sam?" Bright blue eyes looked up at me.
"Yep. We were in Egypt and I hadn't been back long," I moved us into the room and continued my story quietly as we settled on the edge of the bed. "I woke up early hoping Mama and I could do something and she was feeding you. I'd never seen a woman feed her baby like that before."
"They don't have boobs in the future?" Eve asked in all seriousness.
Holding my laugh I shook my head, "Yes, they have boobs in the future. It's just that most women breast feed in private or use bottles."
"Oh." Eve nodded her head in understanding before leaning forward and finally welcoming the newest addition to the family. Mama and Mom said nothing but watched as Eve gently kissed the top of the baby's head. "Welcome home, Grace," Eve finally whispered.
"Grace?" Mom asked.
Eve nodded. "Yeah. Sam told me a story about a female pirate named Grace O'Malley. She was a leader for her people and a really good warrior. If this baby is a mix of the both of you then Grace is the perfect name."
"Wasn't she also a pirate?" Mom asked.
Eve nodded, "Yep."
"See it's the perfect name," I quipped as Mama reached out and tried to cuff the back of my head before I pulled back.
"So what's her middle name going to be?" I asked as Eve snuggled back into me.
"Cyrene?" Mom looked at Mama and Mama grinned and then nodded.
"Yup. Mom isn't here to protest this time. Grace Cyrene Bardos. I like the way that sounds. Good job, Trouble."
"Thanks Mama." Eve moved forward and snuggled into Mama's side as Mom put Grace in her bassinet. "Sam says Grace is my special sister, like she is for me, but we aren't telling the twins because they wouldn't understand yet."
Mama winked at me over Eve's head, "I would say that Sam is right, Trouble. Grace is going to be a very special sister to you."
Eve nodded into Mama, "I hope she's as much fun as I am for Sam."
"I hope she is too, little bit," I replied ignoring both of my mothers as they began to laugh quietly.
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Thanks once more to all the folks who have messaged me, left reviews, and added this story to their alerts. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.