AN: Last chapter! Thanks for all the reviews! I'm glad you enjoyed it! Oh, and I'm dropping George's accent in this chapter (actually I think I did that in the last one too) since he is shown to speak correctly in Trickster's Choice and I'm guessing he adopted the noble class' speech to better go about his work.
It was the July new moon and the country was celebrating. Jon had been on the throne for 6 years. The country had finally recovered from the crippling famines and they were also celebrating the birth of Prince Liam.
Alanna, however, was not in a celebratory mood. Usually anniversaries caused her joy, like her wedding anniversary, or made her look back and analyze the things she had accomplished, like the anniversary of her becoming a knight. But the anniversary of the coronation battle simply opened up old wounds. For this one day, Alanna allowed herself to wonder what life would have been liked if she had saved them. Would Thom be spoiling his little nephew? Would Liam have come back to Tortall to visit? Shangs spend their lives wondering aimlessly. Would he have wanted to see her often? Would Faithful be pleased with her life? Did she live up to his hopes for her?
Alanna leaned against the wall of the balcony in her rooms at the palace, looking out across the Royal Forest that seemed to stretch on forever. She could hear the din of servants, frantically running around finishing last minute tasks before the coronation ball tonight. Alanna sighed, closing her eyes and breathing in the warm July air. She laid her hands across her swelling belly, feeling the baby kick within. Who knew life would take her here?
Later that afternoon, Alanna found herself standing in front of Thom's grave. She visited every year at this time, sitting for hours in front of his headstone and weeping. This time though, she felt more than just the overwhelming sense of loss. This time she was angry.
"I'm having another baby, Thom. You should be here. You were supposed to be here," she said hotly. "Why did you need to be the best? Why did you need to prove it to everyone? Why couldn't you see that I loved every bit of you the way you were….and the rest of them would have too, if you gave them the chance. Your stupid ego! And now you'll never hold my baby boy." She looked down sadly at her clenched hands. "He reminds me of you," she continued softly, the anger gone from her voice. "He has the Gift. He is very strong already. I have to watch him all the time. He doesn't have much control yet," she smiled, thinking back to the previous day when he had gotten annoyed with Roald and Kally for leaving him out of their game so he scattered their toy soldiers with a ball of magic. The royal children allowed him to play with the soldier's horses after that incident. Kally especially enjoyed playing with her young friend. She was such a gracious child and Roald was much the same, though more shy than Kally. Alanna loved them dearly.
"I wish you were here to teach him and to tell him stories. He would have loved you. I love you," she bit her lip, fighting the urge to cry. "I miss you, Thom," her voice broke on the words. "Every day." With that she turned and began the long walk back to the palace, wiping tears from her eyes. She thought about visiting Liam's grave but could not bring herself to do it now. Right now she needed her baby and her husband. She needed to see their smiles and hear their laughs and remember that life was wonderful.
She found her family enjoying the beautiful summer day in one of the inner courtyards along with Thom's grandparents and the royal family. They watched the children chase butterflies through the gardens and Alanna held Prince Liam as Thayet joined the little ones in their adventures. George sat quietly beside her, rubbing Alanna's back and kissing her hair every so often. Jon stretched out on the grass beside her and she jokingly ripped up grass and threw it at him, making sure to hold tight to Liam. Jon raised a hand to block the sun, glaring at her.
"That's very mature, Lady Knight," he reprimanded, but then lost the battle with himself and started laughing. The joy of the day was contagious. Her family was well and content. Jon's rule was strong and Tortall prospered. It was a good thing too, since Alanna was not in her best fighting condition at the moment with a belly that looked like it was about to pop. There was only one more month to go until she got to meet her new baby. She could hardly contain her glee.
They sat on the grass until the sun began to set, taking turns holding baby Liam and playing with the other children or telling them stories. Myles, in particular, enjoyed telling them about Alanna's deeds: her fight with Ralon, her days as shaman to the Bloody Hawk and the school she had helped create there, and, of course, her quest for the Dominion Jewel. He was very proud of his daughter. Alanna herself worried that the stories might be a little mature for the youngsters but Myles always stressed the lessons and not the deeds. He taught them about standing up to bullies, believing in themselves, and pursuing their dreams. The children's eyes grew large with wonder at his tales and they always begged for more. Finally, the parents called an end to the day since the ball would start soon and the children needed to go to bed while the adults needed to get ready.
The children were put to bed in the Royal Nursery and Alanna waved tiredly to Jon and Thayet as she and George headed to their rooms. This pregnancy had been a hard one and she was dead on her feet. Graciously, Jon had told her that she only need make an appearance and then she could retire for the night.
After an hour at the ball, George and Alanna found themselves preparing for bed. Alanna buried herself deep under the covers, gazing up at the ceiling. George, recognizing her mood, slid in beside her and propped his head on his arm, looking down at her face. She turned her head slightly to smile sadly at him.
"I can't believe it's been six years," she said softly. "I didn't think I'd last six days without them, never mind six years." She paused, reaching up to stroke the side of his face. "I love you," she whispered suddenly.
He smiled at her, "I love you too, lass. But if you don't mind me asking, what brought on that sudden declaration?"
"I was just thinking about everything you did for me back then. I wouldn't have made it without you. And now you've given me another Thom to love and soon someone else, too," she said, laying a hand across her belly. The baby gave a strong kick and she gasped, grabbing George's hand and laying it on her stomach. She could tell when he felt it since a huge smile spread across his face and he looked back at her, eyes dancing with wonder. He leaned down to kiss her and then rested his head on his pillow, pulling her tight against him.
"What a strong little tyke," he whispered in her ear, sending shivers down her spine. After six years of marriage, his most mundane thought whispered in her ear could still make her shiver. Softly, he added, "I couldn't bear to see you in all that pain. I wanted to hold onto you and never let go. And I certainly never want to see you like that again. You scared me some days. I was afraid I was going to lose you too."
Alanna turned her head to look into his eyes. "I'm sorry I worried you," she lifted a hand to his face, running her fingers down his jaw line. He caught it and kissed her palm.
"You just concentrate on fighting when it's time for the little one to come out. I'm not going to lose you," he stated firmly.
"Don't worry. We have the best healers in Corus around us and thousands of women give birth everyday in Tortall without incident. I'll be fine. So will the little one. Speaking of which, what are we going to name him or her?" she asked lightly, trying to dissipate his worry.
It worked. The anxiety left his eyes. "How about Alan if it is a boy?" He suggested mischievously.
Alanna laughed. "Goddess, Gary would love that!" she exclaimed, thinking about her big, jovial friend. "And for a girl?"
"What do you think?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe something to honor Queen Lianne. Though Jon and Thayet said they would name their next daughter after her so we can't use it exactly."
"Well, keeping with A's, how about Alianne?"
"We could call her Aly," mused Alanna. "Little baby Aly. I love it."
"Me too. Now go to sleep, my Lioness," he said, kissing her forehead. "You need your rest."
She woke in the middle of the night to the feeling of wet sheets. She lifted up the covers to look and then frantically shook George's shoulder. "George, I think my water broke!"
"But it's only been eight months!" he said, rolling out of bed and pulling on his breeches. Once he was dressed, he helped her to get out of bed and put a robe around her shoulders.
"Can you make it to the healer's wing?" He asked, concerned.
"I think so." He took her hand and the pair walked through the silent corridors of the palace. Luckily, Alanna had insisted they receive rooms near the healers in case something like this happened. They made it there in very little time and were quickly escorted into one of the birthing rooms. George sat by her side, holding her hand through hours of labor. At dawn, Thayet came to sit with her as well. Word had spread quickly throughout the palace and other well wishers sent missives of encouragement and congratulations. Eleni came to the room to assist in the birthing and promptly pushed a very worried and tired George out of the room when it looked like the baby was about ready to come out. An hour later, Alanna could finally start to push. And push she did, with teeth-baring efforts, Thayet and Eleni shouting encouragements at her throughout the ordeal. Unfortunately, the baby was breech and the birth was considerably more difficult than Thom's had been.
Finally, she delivered a healthy, squirming little boy and sighed happily. She watched as Eleni cleaned Alan and was reaching out to hold him when pain in her abdomen made her gasp. Eleni quickly handed the baby over to Thayet.
"I don't remember that happening last time," she tried to say with a smile.
Eleni examined her and looked up with surprise and delight. "Last time you didn't have twins, lass."
"Twins?" Alanna asked with wonder. Before she could get an answer, she had to start pushing. This time it was harder. The first baby had weakened her and, although this one was in the correct position, it still exhausted her. After a few long minutes of effort, Alanna delivered a tiny baby girl. Aly. But as Eleni turned away to clean off the babe, Alanna felt herself falling into darkness.
Outside, George heard Thayet yell Alanna's name. He rushed into the room, going straight to his wife's side where a frantic Thayet was trying to awaken the knight. He didn't even see the baby in her arms, just his sweat-covered, unconscious wife. He thought his heart had stopped.
"Alanna!" he shouted frantically. Behind him, Duke Baird rushed in, assessing the situation and then taking one of Alanna's hands and forcing some of his strength into her. After the longest three seconds George could remember, her eyes fluttered open. George let out a deep sigh of relief, pressing his forehead against his wife's and closing his eyes. After a few minutes, he looked up to see the room had been cleared; only two basinets remained next to him.
"Two?" He asked his tired wife who merely smiled and nodded. George got up, still holding on to Alanna's hand, and looked at his children. He had been worried that they would be too small, coming early like they did, but they looked strong and healthy, gurgling in their blankets.
"Alan and Aly," he heard Alanna whisper behind him. "One of each," she tightened her fingers around his. "I'd forgotten that you are more likely to have twins if you are one yourself. Aly surprised me," she said smiling.
George turned back to face her. "You gave us, me, quite the scare, lass," he said, stroking her face. "Are you alright?"
She smiled at him, eyes filled with love, "I'm fine, just tired. I'm sorry I scared you. I scared myself a little too. I was looking at Aly one minute and the next I saw your face and you looked terrified. I thought something had happened to her for a second. But we are both fine. In fact, I'm elated. We have twins!" she reminded him.
He chuckled, smoothing the hair off her forehead, "I'm going to ask Mother to get Thom so he can meet his new siblings." He got off the bed and went outside for a few minutes, leaving Alanna alone with her new babies. Her heart was filled with joy, completely overshadowing the grief she usually felt at this time of year. Maybe Thom, Liam, and Faithful were watching over her and this was their way of making her happy. After all, the baby—or babies as Alanna now knew—were not supposed to arrive for another month. Because of their early delivery, from now on the anniversary of the coronation would be around her children's birthday. How could she grieve when she had these lives to celebrate? That's what they had wanted her to do: celebrate life. She sent up a silent thank you to them, gazing lovingly at her children and sighing happily. Finally, she let them go.