Two months had passed since Loretta had returned from Rome, she was now Eight and a half months pregnant and it was also the day of Loretta and Atem's fifth wedding anniversary
"Good Morning everyone, now as you know the Pharaoh and the Queen are going to be here very soon" Mahad said as he took his place on the second step up to the throne near Shimon "Thank you Mahad, you are definitely proving yourself to be a very good high priest" Shimon said as he looked up at him & nodded
At the other end of the Palace however Loretta and Atem were busy getting themselves ready, they however, were in separate rooms. Atem was in the main chamber and Loretta was in her old room, which now belonged to her two daughters Saquera, her eldest who was four and a half & Ankara who was two and a half
"You look, beautiful Mother, but where are you going" Saquera asked as she watched her mother put on her make up and then her crown "I'm not going anywhere, its mine and your Fathers wedding anniversary today & there is a special meeting on in the throne room for us with the rest of the royal court" Loretta said as she looked out of the corner of her eye at her Daughter
"Are Ani and I allowed to come, we promise to behave" Saquera smiled nudging her sister "I dont see why not, after all your brother is coming & your Father cant be too far off from having him ready," Loretta said looking over at the connecting door.
Just as Loretta had looked away from the door, a small know was heard "Come in" Loretta said turning her head to look back at the door, pushing the door open and standing in the doorway was Amenhotep who was dressed identically to his father except without the earrings and or cape
"Good morning, my Prince, what can we do for you" Loretta giggled as she gave her son a small bow "Father is ready for you Mother" Amen said bowing to his Mother as the door swung open further to reveal a very happy Atem
"You are looking more and more beautiful every day" Atem smiled as he walked into the room but with one hand behind his back "What have you got there, Atem" Loretta asked tilting her head to try and see behind his back
"Ah ah ah, no looking Loretta" he smirked "its a surprise until the meeting" he finished kissing the top of her hand "thats ok, I have a small surprise for you too" Loretta smirked kissing his cheek
"Shall we go now then?" he asked raising an eyebrow and putting his hand out for her to take "Thank you, my Pharaoh" Loretta giggled as Atem rolled his eyes chuckling along with her
Getting to the throne room Atem cleared his throat as he walked through the doorway "Good morning everyone, thank you for waiting so patiently for us" he smiled letting Loretta go so she could sit on her throne "Now sit quietly you three and let your Father speak" Loretta said looking down at her Son & two Daughters who all nodded
"If you dont mind your Majesty, I would like to start by saying Happy Anniversary to the both of you and what a wonderous five years it has been with the both of you ruling" Mahad said stepping back and bowing to both of them "Thank you for those kind words Mahad, I have loved every minute with Loretta by my side" Atem smiled looking back at Loretta
"Pharaoh, I too would also like to say Happy Anniversary to you and our Queen, we are all so very happy that we have such a kind and caring King and Queen..."Shada said as he too bowed looking at Isis "Isis and I know you have a new young one due to be born very soon so we have something for you for the new Prince" Shada continued as Isis walked past him bowing to Loretta and handing her a small wrapped gift
"Thank you very much Isis and Shada, that is very thoughtful of you" Loretta said nodding to Isis then to Shada and the unwrapping the present "What have you got there Loretta" Atem said looking over to her as she showed him a small pair of slippers identical to his
"Very thoughtful present indeed" Atem chuckled "Now its my turn, ive been holding onto this for so long that its hurting my hand but Loretta, this is for you" Atem said handing Loretta a small box "Wow, what is this Atem?" Loretta asked looking between the box and Atem
"Im not telling, you have to open it to find out" Atem smiled as Loretta began to open the box, with her eyes widening Loretta gazed at the beautiful golden bracelet with the encrusted heart-shaped sapphire in the middle "Oh Atem, this is so beautiful," Loretta said with watery eyes
"I love you so much Loretta, my beautiful Queen" Atem said as he knelt down in front of her throne looking up into her eyes "I love you too, Atem" Loretta smiled leaning forward and hugging him
"Now I have something for you, can you sit down in your throne please my Pharaoh" Loretta smirked as Atem took his place back in his seat "Amen' would you be able to take your Father his present" Loretta said as the young Prince stood up bringing a small box out from behind his back
"Here Father, Mother wanted me to give this to you" Amenhotep smiled at his Father "Im sorry I couldn't give it to you myself Atem I...ow," Loretta said as she finished her sentence with a grimace "Loretta..." Atem said leaning forward in his throne and looking at his wife
"I-I think I'm ok, but that was a really big kick" Loretta said rubbing her stomach gently "Your majesty, I'm here if you think your young one may be coming early" Ishizu said stepping up towards the Queen's throne.
"Thank you Ishizu, I think he may have settled down now" Loretta smiled looking back to Atem "do you mind if I continue to open this Loretta" Atem asked "you can continue Atem, im sorry for interrupting" Loretta giggled
Opening the box in his hands, Atem smiled "this is beautiful Loretta, thank you very much" Atem said leaning over and kissing Loretta's cheek "Now we have matching bracelets" Loretta giggled as she watched Atem push the gold band with the Amethyst star up his arm to his bicep
"Unless anyone has anything that they would like to say, this meeting is now over and everyone is free to go about their day, there is one thing I would like to say if you all agree with me...I think maybe its time that Seto came back as a member of my Royal court, I owe him a great deal of gratitude for helping to save my Queens life" Atem said as he stood up looking at Shimon and then to Mahad
"Well, his punishment was 10 months of servitude to the temple but if it is your will to release him from that my Pharaoh, then it shall be done" Mahad said with a bow to Atem "So let it be written, so let it be done, my decision is final, tomorrow Seto shall be brought back as a lower member of my royal court, Mahad you will remain High Priest for another six months before Seto regains his status" Atem nodded to Mahad
"we all agee with your decision Pharaoh" Shimon bowed as Shada, Karim, Ishizu and even Loretta nodded "Thank you everyone, you are now all dismissed, I would like to spend some quality time with Loretta for the rest of the day" Atem smirked looking over at Loretta who was still rubbing her stomach
"A-Atem, I think I need to lay down" Loretta said in a shaky voice "what's wrong, Loretta" Atem asked as he walked over to her taking her hand "I-I think Ale-I mean the baby has decided to come early" Loretta said with a wince as she felt another contraction "Come quickly to my medical room, my Queen and I will look after you" Isis said as Atem nodded
"Thank you Isis, it's ok Loretta I'm here" Atem soothed gently rubbing Loretta's back as they walked, just as they were about to walk through the door of the medical room Loretta stopped "Um...Isis, I have a bit of a problem" Loretta said with a blush as she looked down at her feet
"Oh dear, go and lay down while I clean this up" Ishizu instructed carefully as Atem nodded helping Loretta towards and onto the bed "How are you feeling now Loretta" Atem said caressing her stomach "Im ok for now but the contractions may start up again any...ow!" Loretta said as she started to pant
"calm down Loretta, I'm here just remember to breath, you can do it, take my hand but please dont break my fingers" Atem chuckled "Thank you Atem I...Ow! I'll try not too" Loretta smiled weakly
As the hours went on Loretta's contractions got stronger until it was time for the young Prince to be born "You can do it Loretta, one more big push and our Son will be born" Atem encouraged as Loretta gripped his hand tighter "I-I dont know if I can do this Atem, I-I'm in a lot of pain...Isis can you help me please, I dont know how much longer...I can hold on" Loretta panted as her breathing became shallow
"You can do it Loretta, I'm here please dont give up, our Son is almost born, you have to hold on, I love you" Atem said with tears welling up in his eyes "I dont...know if...I can do it...I'm really weak" Loretta panted looking up at Atem who hand tears streaming down his face "Please help her Isis, is there something you can do so she can rest" Atem said looking over at Isis who stood with silently
"I can try using the the power of my to boost her energy levels, just giving her enough to finish giving birth" Isis said as she walked around Atem to Loretta, placing her hand on Loretta's forehead "Do what you must Isis, but please hurry I can feel her fading fast...{Please hold on Loretta, Isis is trying to help you}" Atem said kissing the back of Loretta's hand
Closing her eyes and touching her necklace with the other hand, Isis began to concentrate sending some of her energy in through Loretta's body "Please help restore some of the Queen's energy to help her give birth" Isis chanted as she slowed opened her eyes watching her hand glow light blue "Ive done all I can my Pharaoh, I've given her enough of my energy so that your Son may be born safely" Isis said looking down at Atem who gave her a watery smile
All was silent in the room as Loretta began to wake up but soon an ear piercing scream filled the silence, giving her final push, Loretta passed out. Gently picking up the newborn baby and wrapping him in a clean cloth Isis smiled "Would you like to hold your Son, my Pharaoh" Isis said bowing her head
"Yes please and Thank you Isis for helping Loretta, I dont know what I would do without her" Atem said as he wiped his eyes and looked down at his Son "Welcome to the world my Son" Atem whispered