Supplement Scene 7: (Karsh and Jorion)

888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

Both Karsh and Ileana were awakened by a sharp knock on their bedroom door.

"What?" Murmured Ileana, snapping her fingers to turn on a light.

"I'll get it." Karsh got up and slipped on his robe before answering the door. The knocking happened a second time before he'd even touched the handle.

Aron practically burst into the room, "Is Ileana awake?"

Holding the blankets to cover herself, Ileana sat up in bed, "I'm up, what's wrong?"

"Miranda's gone into labor. She's asking for you."

"I'll be right up!"

Aron backed out of the room to allow her some privacy while she dressed. Ileana slipped into a proper dressing gown while Karsh sat down on the edge of the bed, "Do you need me to do anything?"

"I don't think so." She responded, tying the sash around her waist. Right at about that moment, as if on cue, there was a cry from the baby monitor.

Karsh rubbed his eyes, "I'll get him, you go help Miranda."

"Thanks dear." She kissed him before running out the door. Getting to his feet, he yawned widely and pulled on his jacket over his pajamas.

Karsh stumbled out of his room and walked over to the room next to his where they had placed the nursery. Jorion was standing up in his crib, not crying so much, only annoyed at being awakened. Upon seeing his father, the little one year old clapped his hands and smiled at getting this result.

The father had to smile as his son held out his chubby arms, "Daddy."

Taking the toddler into his own arms, Karsh cradled him close, "What are you doing up, Jori? Do you want something to eat?"

Jorion laughed and hide his face in his father's coat, "I guess that's a yes."

Holding the boy to him, Karsh walked to the kitchen downstairs and looked around inside the cooler. Luckily, Ileana had left a bottle filled with their son's favorite drink. Normally Karsh would've encouraged him to use a cup, but seeing the hour, he gave him the bottle.

The little boy made short work of the treat and in typical fashion, dropped the empty bottle on the floor.

"Don't do that." Sighed Karsh, bending down to pick up the bottle. Jori gave a small laugh and began to point to the door.

"What?"

He struggled with his words, "Ou – out – side."

Though he was tired, he decided to indulge his child and took Jorion out into the garden.

Once the moonlight hit his face, Jori smiled and squirmed, begging to be let down to the ground. Karsh set him on his feet, holding onto one of his hands.

Jorion was walking as well as could be expected for one at his age. Karsh found himself amused and amazed constantly by his child. Here was this little one, walking with his legs far apart, his chest stuck out, and wobbling terribly, but he was walking none the less.

When the little boy looked up at him with what were essentially his own eyes, Karsh scooped the boy up and hugged him. He held Jorion up at arm's length and let the child face the moon. The boy's arms reached for the silvery orb in the sky, "Moon! Daddy, look!"

"I see it." He pulled Jori back to him and they stared up at it together. Karsh could suddenly see why Ileana loved it so much. How the light played across its surface, that illusive face and the sheer mystery of it all. Every now and then Ileana took Jori to look at it, now it was his turn to share such a moment.

As they stood gazing, he noticed the child give a yawn and cuddle closer, "Are you tired?"

"No." Came the response, but it was half-hearted at best.

"Let's go back inside; you can see the moon from your window."

Whether or not Jorion truly understood what was going on was immaterial. The fact that he gave little protest was what Karsh was interested in.

Walking slowly and steadily, Karsh took a yawning Jorion back inside of the castle. They climbed the steps, Jorion's fingers clutching at his father's clothes while the steps grew higher. The response was involuntary, for he was far too tired to be scared of anything.

Karsh gently opened the door to his son's room, letting it open slowly so that no noise was made. He walked into the darkened room and carefully laid Jorion back in his crib. Luck was on his side today, as the little boy fell easily into sleep. Staring down at his son, the proud father brushed some of the blond hair from his face. He placed a kiss on the boy's forehead before returning to his own bedroom.

Some hours later, as the first rays of morning light were streaming through the window, he felt Ileana climb into bed next to him.

Groggy still, he turned over, "What happened?"

"We have another princess. She was born at dawn, and they're naming her Aurora."

"That's great." He was enthusiastic, but sleep prevented him from showing it. He pulled her into his arms and they fell asleep together.

In the next room, Jorion was standing up in his crib looking at the now illuminated world. He desperately wanted his father to take him out into it.