Monday
Clare woke half asleep but the twins were calling. To her surprise they quieted moments later. Clare sat up confused. Lucas hopped up where her husband should have been.
"Oh..." Clare yawned before flopping against the bed.
"Mom, I need your help..." Lucas said quietly as he tapped her arm.
"I'm up..." Clare said and sat up again before scooting to the edge. Lucas hopped off the bed and padded over to the door. Clare stretched and grabbed her robe, swinging it on before following Lucas. A pained whimper reached her ears as they left the master bedroom. Clare hummed and when she got to the bottle of the stairs went into the kitchen to get the bag of wheat. Lucas returned to Marie's side to offer some comfort; he really had no idea how to help her. Clare came back with a warm wheat bag and sat beside the basket. She started to rub the Keaton's large belly and set the bag under it.
"I should...rip Kane's eyes out for this..." Marie hissed as one of her kit's once again shifted to cause her discomfort. Clare gently pressed against the Keaton's stomach and shifted the kit back into a comfortable spot, "You can do that later..." Lucas lay with his head on her shoulders, "I'll help you..."
"Just make sure you wash up before coming back inside." Clare hummed as she rubbed Marie's stomach gently. Marie sighed and looked at Clare sadly. Clare turned her head to her and smiled and rubbed her own ears absently. Marie sighed again and placed her head on her paws.
"What seems to be troubling you Marie?" Clare asked as she leaned against the wall.
"I just don't know how I'm going to raise them alone..." Marie whispered.
"You can stay here until they can fend for themselves." Clare said and looked at the window.
"No...I couldn't...I don't want to burden you any further..." Marie replied.
"Too bad, you're staying...No way I'm going to let you out with kits alone." Clare said and smiled softly, "And you aren't a burden." If keatons could smile Marie probably would have, "Maybe exile isn't so bad..."
"If you know where to go." Clare replied then stood, "I'm a wee bit hungry, I'll be right back." Marie shifted and Lucas whispered something in her ear that made her gasp. Clare's ear twitched absently and she rubbed it as she dug out an apple. It was a yelp from the other room that brought back her attention. Clare grabbed her apple and quickly walked into the room, "Eh?"
"Ow..." Marie whined. Clare crouched down again and rubbed the young Keaton's stomach again. Her hand passed over a tiny paw that was pressing against its mother's stomach, actually she could see it as well.
"This is going to hurt Marie..." Clare said as she frowned slightly before pressing against her stomach and turning the kit around slowly. Marie bit her own paw to keep from crying out in pain. Clare finally got the kit into a position that wouldn't hurt the tiny Keaton and lightly took the pressure off. Marie panted and whined as the pain receded at a sinfully slow pace. Clare sighed and quickly got the now cold bag, "I'll just heat this back up to a good warmth..." Marie nodded slightly as Lucas nuzzled her head. Clare smiled and went into the kitchen to warm the bag up and to make herself a cup of tea. To her surprise Luke was in the kitchen starting breakfast. Clare blinked then shook her head, "Did you faze down here?"
"No I walked...How's our latest addition?" Luke replied.
"The kits are a lively bunch, like to cause their poor mother pain..." Clare sighed as she put the bag in the oven to warm up.
"Sounds like Johnny's first litter..." Luke mused as he mixed up a bowl of waffle batter.
"But Marie's too tiny to be having kits...One was actually pushing her stomach up..." Clare sighed as she put the kettle on.
"Point taken but there's nothing that can be done now and you said the same thing about Anni when she was having the twins and she was fine..." Luke replied.
"Anni wasn't having a litter of at least five..." Clare pointed out as she crouched down to watch the wheat bag. Luke sighed and nodded in agreement. Clare stood before the kettle started to whistle and poured herself a cup of tea.
"Do you want breakfast when it's ready?" Luke asked.
"Sure..." Clare replied as she pulled the bag out of the oven and took it back into the living room. Lucas had placed his head on Marie's round midsection as the light pressure kept the kits still.
"I brought the bag back..." Clare said then yawned as she crouched by the basket. Lucas sat up so his mother could place the bag in the right spot. Clare quickly put the bag where it was suppose to go then stretched before standing up. Miloh and Flora yawned from their place on the couch. Clare walked over to the couch, picked the twins up then laid on the couch before putting them on her stomach and kept them there with her hands on their small backs. They both snuggled close to her as Marie shifted in her basket.
"You're worried about her..." Luke said quietly so as not disturb the children or the young Keaton finally finding sleep.
"Just a bit..." Clare whispered then closed her eyes.
"I think it's more than a bit..." He replied as he placed the plate on the coffee table. Clare shifted and grabbed the fork and cut a piece, all with one hand as the other draped the connected arm over the twins. Luke frowned at her silence but let it go as he placed a small saucer of cream and a plate of apple chunks in front of the basket. Clare finished eating and put her hand back on one of her children's back before shifting again. There was a tense uneasy silence over the room and it made Luke uncomfortable enough to leave the room. Clare couldn't fall back asleep for all she was worth but she kept her eyes closed. Miloh woke up and began to fuss first. Clare sighed softly and tightened her hold on the twins as she sat up. She was alone in the room sans the two sleeping keatons. Clare stood and went into the kitchen to get the bottles. Luke was washing the dishes but not really paying any attention. Clare scooped two bottles and started to warm up the milk.
"Are you sure you're not mad at me, cause you're really quiet?" Luke asked out of the blue.
"Yes I'm sure." Clare said as she put the leaves she made the tea with, the purple with green leaves that only had one purpose; to ease cramps, away.
"Oh honey I'm sorry, I didn't even think of that..." Luke apologized.
"Now I should be asking if you're alright...you've been acting weird for the past year." Clare said as she turned and faced him. Luke sighed, "I have to go take the trials next week...I don't know how long I'll be gone..."
"I'll wait for you..." Clare whispered and kissed his lips lightly. Luke smiled a little, she could tell the thought of being away from her and the children was eating away at him.
"Hurry home, when you leave of course, and I'll have dinner ready for you..." Clare whispered and turned to get the bottles ready. The sadness and unease that had been hanging around her husband for a year disappeared in that instant. Clare grabbed the bottles and carried the children back out into the living room to feed them. She nearly tripped over Lucas as he padded to the front door. Thanks to years of training though, she managed to righted herself and proceeded to the couch. Marie had fallen asleep on the wrong side and her breaths were short. Clare set the twins down and put their bottles on the coffee table before going over to the basket and rolling Marie over. Once she was lying on her right side, her breathing deepened and evened. Clare smiled softly and went back to the couch to feed her little ones. Marie had barely been there a day and already she kind of filled the hole Bane had created when he left. Clare sighed softly and after burping the twins, took them upstairs to lie down in their crib before going back downstairs for a quick nap. Luke covered her with a blanket on his way to do the laundry. Clare shifted slightly and yawned.
"Sleep tight sweetheart..." Luke whispered as he slipped outside. Clare groaned quietly, she didn't put enough leaves in the tea so she was still in a little pain. An extra warmth curled against her stomach and settled there. Clare cracked her eyes open and looked down, slightly confused. Marie had managed to climb onto the couch and curl up at her stomach. Clare shook her head lightly and rubbed the Keaton's stomach lightly. Marie shifted and remained sleeping. Clare sighed and closed her eyes. Marie shivered and curled closer to Clare. Clare slipped the blanket from under the heavily pregnant Keaton and draped it over her. Marie settled and relaxed. Clare smiled and sighed before she slipped into the dream realm. It was a few hours later when one of Marie's kits shifted waking both of them. Clare sighed and cracked her eyes open. Marie groaned and sighed as she shifted to try to jump off the couch. Clare gently picked the Keaton up, "Don't push yourself too hard Marie..." Clare said as she sat up then walked over to the basket. Marie nodded and went limp in Clare's arms. Clare picked up the cold wheat bag and placed the soon to be mother Keaton in the basket before she stood again, "I'll just warm this up." Marie nodded as she managed to worm her way under her blanket. Clare, with every creature she cared for, rubbed Marie's ears before going into the kitchen. The young expecting mother pulled the blanket around her tiny body to remain warm. Clare tossed the bag in the oven to warm up as she sighed softly.
"You're sighed far too much these days Angel..." Luke whispered in her ear.
"I have reasons to sigh today..." Clare replied and rubbed her stomach lightly. Luke placed his arms around her gently and kissed her temple. Clare leaned against him and closed her eyes. Luke gently rubbed her sides and rumbled quietly. Clare twitched her ear before opening her eyes.
"What's the matter Angel?" Luke asked.
"The twins are up..." Clare replied in a whisper as she looked up at him.
"I'll take care of them, you relax and listen to your own advice..." Luke told her as he kissed her forehead. Clare nodded and bent to get the now warm wheat bag. Luke slipped out of the kitchen to tend to the children. Clare took the bag back to the young Keaton, "Here you go Marie..."
"Thank you Clare..." Marie replied. Clare smiled to the small Keaton before placing the bag where it was needed then stood up. Marie sighed and relaxed. Clare smiled softly then turned to lie on the couch again. Lucas fazed though the door carrying a small package. Clare looked at him the sighed as she rubbed her stomach. Lucas unwrapped the package and placed a tiny blue green crystal over the edge of the basket before tapping it with his paw so it emitted a gentle hum and relaxing wave rolled over the room. Clare sighed softly and closed her eyes. Someone placed their hand to her stomach gently. Clare cracked open one eye. Luke smiled gently and rubbed her stomach to ease away some of the pain. Clare smiled softly and relaxed slightly.
"Do you want me to make you another cup of tea?" Luke asked as he applied a small amount of pressure to release any tightness.
"Please..." Clare whispered softly. Luke kissed her forehead and slipped out of the room. Clare sighed softly and rubbed her eyes lightly.
"You okay mom?" Lucas asked.
"Just a bit tired and sore..." Clare whispered. Lucas jumped up next to her and nuzzled her cheek. Clare rubbed his ears lightly. Lucas licked her cheek and laid with his head on her collar bone. Clare rubbed his ears once more before rubbing her stomach gently. Luke slipped into the room and sat at her hip. Clare looked at him and smiled softly. Luke returned the smile and offered her a hand up. Clare moved Lucas over and put her hand in Luke's. Luke slowly pulled her up and leaned her against him. Clare shifted slightly to make herself more comfortable. Luke placed the cup in her hands, the whole situation somewhat reminiscent of when she first found out she was pregnant. But Clare knew she wasn't so she sipped her tea lightly. Luke fell back into old habits and rubbed her stomach gently. Clare finished her tea and closed her eyes, leaning against him.
"Any better?" Luke asked.
"Yeah, thanks..." Clare replied.
"No problem Angel..." Luke whispered as he gently laid her back down, "Now take a nap, I'll keep an eye on Marie and the kids."
"Okay..." Clare said and eventually her breathing evened out. Luke kissed her forehead and checked on Marie before going to check on the twins. Clare rolled onto her side and pressed her face into the back cushions. Marie shifted in her basket and continued to sleep. Clare absently rubbed her own stomach as she stretched. Lucas returned to Marie and joined them for a nap. Clare slowly exhaled as she slept. Luke checked on all of them every so often until they awoke. Clare was the first to awaken as she shifted slightly before sneezing and opening her eyes. The sun was setting when she awoke which meant she slept through lunch. Clare sat up slowly and looked around. Marie was still asleep in her basket but Lucas was gone again and the house was quiet. Clare swung the blanket off her and her feet onto the floor before standing. The young mother shifted and whined quietly. Clare walked over after standing then crouched next to the basket. Marie whined and groaned as she tried to find a comfortable position. Clare rubbed the large belly of the small Keaton gently. Marie opened her eyes with a whine.
"Shh..." Clare whispered and picked up the cold wheat bag. One of Marie's kits shifted under her hand. Clare hummed and rubbed the tiny Keaton's stomach again before going to warm the bag up. Marie shifted and finally found a spot that was somewhat comfortable. Clare came back a few minutes later and set the bag back into position. Marie shifted as her stomach growled, she probably would've blushed if she could.
"What would you like to eat?" Clare asked as she remained crouched. Marie nodded, "I haven't eaten in a couple of days..."
"Saucer of cream alright?" Clare asked. Marie nodded again and placed her head on her paws, her litter was sapping her energy.
"Okay I'll be back in a minute." Clare said and stood to go to the kitchen. Marie nodded and lay still. Clare came back a minute later and placed the saucer of cream next to the basket. Marie did her best to stand but her legs buckled, she was just too weak. Clare picked up the saucer and set in in the basket delicately so it didn't tip over, "There..."
"Thank you..." Marie said quietly as she lapped at the cream. Clare smiled and waited until she was done to take the saucer away. Marie shifted painfully as she coiled her tails around her. Clare rubbed the large belly of the tiny Keaton before disappearing to take the saucer away. Marie sighed as she tried to make her litter settle. Clare came back and sat beside the basket to rub small gently circles against Marie's stomach. Marie relaxed a little but only because her litter kept shifted. Clare hummed lightly and rubbed her ear with her other hand. Marie leaned into her touch. Clare smiled softly and continued to rub the Keaton's ears. Lucas padded into the room and walked right into the leg of the coffee table as he yawned. Clare winced slightly then shook her head. Lucas muttered a few things his mother didn't know he knew. Clare shook her head and would've gasped if she knew he was old enough to swear all he wanted. Lucas crossed the room and climbed into his mother' s lap. Clare smiled softly and rubbed her son's ears gently before returning one hand to Marie's ear. Marie had fallen asleep again. Clare's ear twitched as she searched for her husband by sound. There were quiet almost inaudible steps in the direction of the nursery. Clare smiled and stopped listening and concentrated on rubbing ears. Lucas had joined Marie and was lying contently in her lap.
"I'm like some sort of sleeping drug..." Clare whispered as she stretched her arms then rubbed her right shoulder. The quiet footsteps moved from the nursery to the conservatory. Clare sighed softly and listened, for she had nothing better to do. The patio doors opened and the footsteps disappeared. Clare still had the ocarina of time and the silver flute with her so she pulled out the softer of the two and played a song quietly. Marie's litter finally settled completely. Clare kept playing softly, eyes closing. Lucas yawned and leaned into her stomach. Clare kept playing softly as her foot tapped lightly. Lucas and Marie slept peacefully. Clare finished the song and pulled the ocarina away from her lips. A pair of arms snaked around her waist. Clare opened her eyes and looked over at him.
"Feeling any better?" Luke asked in a whisper.
"Much...I haven't move for a while though..." Clare whispered leaning her head against his shoulder. Luke kissed her temple and carefully placed Lucas behind Marie. Clare shifted her hold on her ocarina before shifting into Luke's lap. Luke rubbed her side gently not wanting to evoke anymore pain for her. Clare leaned against his chest and put her ocarina to her lips once more. Luke ran his fingers through her hair. Clare started to play a song slowly then it picked up speed. Luke smiled softly and continued to run his fingers through her hair. Clare continued to play. Luke smiled and shifted to lean against the mantle. Clare finished her song and put the ocarina away and made herself comfortable. Luke tucked her head under his chin and hummed his newest song. Clare closed her eyes and sighed softly. Luke kissed her forehead and held her close. Clare smiled softly and rested her hands on his knees.
"Tired?" Luke asked quietly.
"I've been sleeping all day, no...But I would like to spend some time with my children..." Clare replied in a whisper. Luke smiled and picked her up. Clare smiled lightly and kept her head resting on his chest. Luke carried her up the stairs. Clare smiled and waited patiently. Luke set her on her feet when they reached the nursery. Clare smiled as she went into the room quietly. Miloh was awake but Flora was still asleep. Clare smiled and picked the small boy up, "Hello little one..." Miloh smiled and snuggled into her warmth.
"Do you want to show mommy what you can play on the piano?" Clare asked shifting Miloh slightly. Luke smiled from the door frame. Clare smiled as Miloh nodded his head, "Okay off we go then." Luke kissed her temple as she passed. Clare smiled and shook her head then went into the conservatory. Miloh settled contently in her arms. Clare sat down on the piano bench and set Miloh in front of her, in her lap. He looked up at her then slowly played the song his father had taught him. When he finished, Clare hugged him, "Beautiful." Miloh snuggled into her and yawned. Clare smiled and picked him back up, "Back to bed with you little guy..." Clare whispered as she stood. Luke could be heard walking the floor of the nursery humming quietly. Clare carried Miloh back into the nursery quietly. Luke was cradling Flora as he tried to get her back to sleep. Miloh was already asleep by the time Clare stepped through the door, her magic and vanilla scent would do that. Luke smiled to her and returned his attention to their daughter. Clare smiled and tucked Miloh in before going over to Luke and Flora. Luke stopped his steady pace and shrugged his shoulders, "I can't get her back to sleep, I've tried everything..."
"Let me try something..." Clare whispered and pulled out the small blue instrument and started to play Luke's lullaby softly. After a few minutes Flora drifted off. Clare smiled and slipped it away carefully, "There..." Luke smiled and handed her their daughter, "Marie just fell out of her basket..."
"Can you get her ... I'll put Flora down then I'll be in bed." Clare whispered as she gently rocked the tiny girl as she walked over to the crib.
"Tired sweetheart?" Luke asked.
"Just a bit and sore still..." Clare replied as she tucked Flora in before kissing both of their children's heads lightly.
"Do you want me to bring you something to eat?" Luke asked.
"If you can whip something up quickly." Clare replied. Luke nodded and disappeared downstairs. Clare watched the twins for another minute before blowing out the candles and leaving the room quietly. The house fell quiet. Clare made her way to the master bedroom then sat on the bed. There was a small box on the nightstand with no apparent markings. Clare tilted her head to the side curiously and picked up the box. Whatever the box contained shifted. Clare blinked and opened it. Inside lay a delicate silver and gold bracelet with the word Angel engraved on the inside and the combination of her symbol with his family's crest on the top. Clare smiled softly and shook her head gently, "You spoil me too much..."
"No, I spoil you just enough and I wanted to give it to you early...since I won't be here for our..." Luke trailed off, you could see the guilt in his eyes. Clare smiled softly and slipped the bracelet on before standing, "Then I'll give you mine early too..." Luke set Marie down outside the door and her dinner on the nightstand. Clare went to the dresser and dug in her shirt drawer, pulling out a small box. Luke sat down on the edge of the bed. Clare walked over and sat beside him before putting the small box in his hands. Luke carefully opened the small box. Inside lay a kerchief that shifted colours between red and black and on top of it lay a silver necklace with a pair of wings one black and silver the other white and blue. Luke smiled and put it on before kissing her gently. Clare smiled and kissed him back softly. Luke broke the kiss to place one to her forehead.
"You like it I take it..." Clare whispered as she kissed his nose.
"I love it, but not as much as I love you..." Luke replied. Clare smiled and kissed his lips softly, "I love you too...more than anything you could give me..." Luke pulled her into his lap and hugged her but remained gentle. Clare leaned against him and sighed contently.
"Ummm...I hate to break up the moment but I'm cold..." Marie called from the hall. Clare smiled softly, "I'll get her." Luke nodded and tossed a couple logs in the fireplace he'd added in the past year before lighting it. Clare got Marie and set her basket beside the hearth. Marie purred quietly as the warmth washed over her. Clare smiled lightly and rubbed the Keaton's ears before standing. Luke opened his arms for her again. She smiled and leaned into his arms lightly. Luke wrapped his arms around her and laid down. Clare smiled and shifted before settling contently.
"So, how long left do you think she had left before she delivers?" Luke asked after ten minutes of peaceful quiet.
"Till Thursday." Clare replied as she yawned lightly.
"Been peeking have we?" Luke purred.
"I have not used any magic at all...I just looked it up." Clare said waving her hand in the air. Luke smiled and ran his fingers through her hair, "Are you going to be ready to calm a panicky first time mom?"
"I did it once, I can do it again." Clare answered kissing his cheek lightly. Luke chuckled lightly and covered both of them. Clare sighed softly and rested her head on his chest. Luke smiled and kissed her forehead as his heartbeat lulled her to sleep. Clare snuggled into his chest lightly before sighing in her sleep.
"Rest well my Angel..." Luke whispered and he put out the lights.