"I know you hate me, and maybe I shouldn't have called, but I'm concerned about him." Naveen said twirling the phone cord nervously as he waited for Hannah to speak.
"What has you so concerned?" Hannah asked.
"He's been so exhausted the past few days, I-"
"Naveen, he's pregnant, needing rest is common, carrying a baby isn't easy."
"No, he's more so than usual, he's been asleep just about four hours now, he woke up from a two hour nap fifteen minutes before he went back to sleep." Hannah could hear the deep concern in Naveen's voice.
"I'm sure he's fine, but I'll come over, if you are this concerned, perhaps you should call the healer as well."
"Yes, I will miss Hannah, thank you." Naveen said before she hung up. He hesitated before dialing again.
"Mommy, look I am big now!" Lenora exclaimed happily.
"Yes Lenora, I see." Alois said cuddling his daughter.
"Can I come to the born place soon?"
"Well, I suppose you will be. I don't know much about what's going to happen but during the last visit, the healer said you would be there soon."
"I am happy, I will not have to be here and you can hold me and love me and hug me all I want." Alois smiled.
"That's right, your daddy can hug you too, and your uncles and your grandmother."
"What is a grandmother?"
"My mother is your grandmother." Alois explained.
"Is she nice?"
"Yes, you'll love her, her name is Hannah. I want you to promise you'll be extra nice to her."
"I promise mommy, you will be very happy with me." Lenora grinned.
"I already am. I love you very much." The little girl embraced Alois.
"I love you too mommy. Will grandmother Hannah love me?"
"Very much, your uncle Luca will too."
"What is an uncle?"
"My brother is your uncle but your daddy has a brother too. So you'll have two uncles to play with and six six or so cousins."
"Mommy?"
"What?"
"You have come here to see me a lot, thank you."
"I'm really happy to be here with you."
"Mommy, will you be proud of me?"
"I'm very proud of you."
"But I am not in the born place, how can you?"
"You stayed here even though you were afraid Lenora, that means you're very brave, you decided to be my little girl, that's enough to make me proud."
"You are the best mommy in the born world, I just know it!"
"I'm glad you think so, I don't know though, I'll certainly try my best."
"You are, I can tell. I like to be hugged mommy."
"I know sweetheart."
"I am a happy baby."
"Good. I'll try to keep it that way."
"Mommy, I decided that I am big enough to see the born place, very soon. Will you hold me when I get there?"
"Yes, I don't know that I'll be able to put you down." Lenora looked into her mother's eyes.
"Are you sure you are not angry with me for running away from here before, you said you were ever so sad."
"I was, for a really long time. I wanted you then just like I do now. You stayed that's what matters to me."
"The sound wants you to go now, the nice one that talks to me, I think it is called Daddy." Alois stroked his daughter's black hair.
"Your Daddy is so excited to see you." Lenora leaned into him again resting her head on his chest.
"This sound speaks to me mommy." She said listening to his heart.
"What's it saying?"
"I love you Lenora, I will always love you and protect you. I like to hold you and you are everything I could have wanted to complete our family. That is what this sound says. I like it mommy, it matches your words to me."
"Will I have a sound inside me too?'
"I hope so, the sound you hear in there is called a heart. Those are very important."
"Mommy, the daddy sound wants you, but I will see you soon, I promise. I love you."
"I love you too Lenora."
Alois opened his eyes feeling pain in his stomach. He could hear Naveen talking on the phone in the next room. Hannah and Luca entered soon after.
"Brother, are you okay?"
"I think so." He rested a hand on his belly.
"Try to relax, it will be okay." Hannah soothed, sitting down next to him.
"I'm scared." Luca said, tears streaming down his face, he had always been afraid of his brother being ill or hurting.
"I'll be okay Luca, I promise." Even as he said this, the pain increased. He attempted to hide it from Luca. Hannah however noticed and sent the younger boy back to the house to retrieve several items. After luca left Alois cried out in pain.
"Hannah, wh-what's happening, is something happening to Lenora?" He sobbed. Hannah kissed his head and pressed her own hand lightly to the boy's stomach, a moment later he cried out again and Hannah knew what was happening.
"No my dear, Lenora is safe, the pains you have may mean she's ready to come."
"Hannah, I'm scared."
"I'm here, Naveen will be in soon and the healer. For the time being, try to relax when the pain lessens."
"You'll stay will me?"
"Of course, just as I promised."