"She's so cute!" Alanna the Lioness, Tortall's only female knight, exclaimed. The subject of this compliment was the three month old Princess Kalsin. Kalsin's mother, Queen Thayet, sometimes called the peerless, smiled and bounced her two-year-old son Ronald. "I wish I could have come earlier to see her. She is a darling!" Alanna went on to say.
"She is a beauty, but I think she will be the last baby around here for a while," Thayet said as she went to put down Ronald for his nap. Maybe not, Alanna thought. She got a wistful look on her face that only comes to a person when they are completely happy.
"What are you smiling at?" Thayet asked.
"Nothing. We'd better get down to dinner, George, Jon, Gary, Cythena, Raoul and Buri will get impatient if we keep them waiting." Tonight all the friends were getting together to celebrate Jon and Thayet's third year of marriage and Kalsin's recent naming ceremony. The Lady Knight Alanna of Oleu and Pirate's Swoop and Queen Thayet of Tortall made their way downstairs.
"You look lovely," George told Alanna. He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss before escorting her down the rest of the stairs. He sat her and took his place. King Jonathan rose to help his wife. When everyone was seated, servers came around with wine.
"No thanks," Alanna said when they came around to her.
"This is a special occasion Alanna, even Raoul is having a drink," Jon said to his Champion.
"I just don't feel like drinking," Alanna snapped.
Jon was about to say something when Raoul interrupted, "It's ok Jon, if she doesn't want a drink its ok. Now speech time. Gary, you do the honors."
"No way," Gary replied, "I think Alanna should give the speech."
"Fine I'll do it," Alanna rose and held up her glass, which held water instead of wine. "To Jon and Thayet, may you find happiness and joy on the road ahead. I think some of your joy will rub off on the rest of us. To Jon and Thayet!"
"To Jon and Thayet!" everyone repeated and took a sip of their drinks.
"So spill Alanna? Why have you been acting so strange?" Raoul inquired.
"What's so strange?" Alanna asked innocently.
"What's so strange? You refused wine, and that strange speech, what's going on?" Buri demanded to know.
"Well, I guess I have to tell you right?" Alanna looked around the table and saw everyone nodding. "Well the truth is…." Alanna's voice got quiet, "I'm pregnant."
"What was that?" George asked. "I could have sworn you said you were pregnant."
"I'm pregnant! Ok?" Alanna's temper started to rise.
"She definitely is, if I'm correct, you've been over reacting all day. Definitely mood swings," Thayet commented.
"Oh thanks!"
"No problem."
"I'm going to be a Dad!" George said stunned.
"Yes you are, welcome to fatherhood," Jon said as Kalsin's cries sounded through the walls.
"It's your turn," Thayet told her husband.
"Isn't parenthood just lovely?" Jon muttered as he rose to go take care of Kalsin.
"He doesn't mean it," Thayet explained to George and Alanna's horrified faces. "You should see him, he's so cute when he's holding his children. It's sweet. You're going to love being parents."
"I don't think I will get George to help me if he doesn't snap out of it!" Alanna yelled at her husband who was still in a daze.
"What did you say dear?" George stammered and looked at his angry wife's face. Everyone laughed at the two and set about to eating and being happy at everyone's good fortune.