Supplement Scene 8: (Ileana Reveals her 2nd Pregnancy)
Note: I have to apologize for the delays between chapters. I'm busy 6am to 6pm, and then I'm doing homework until 11pm or so. Full time work and study suck the creativity right out of you!
On the other hand though, I was so flattered by all the emails I got asking me to update. You guys are all so sweet and I hope I never let you down when it comes to this story!
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Little Aurora was the apple of her older sisters' eyes. Though she was only a few months old, they talked to her like she was their own age. Truth be told, she seemed to be able to understand them fully.
To her, they were already Apolla and Artemis. Aurora wouldn't learn their adopted names until she five years old, and even then, their sisterly bond centered on their use of their real monikers.
For now though, they fussed over her. Alex was starting her magic education early and Cam couldn't help but order every kind of baby outfit that sufficiently "princessy" enough. Aron and Miranda marveled over their reaction to her, there was no jealousy, only a very deep affection toward the newest family member.
Like most days in Coventry, the royal family and friends were sitting out in the garden. Discussions of politics and diversions were the main point of conversation. Every now and then, the twin's commentary about school and life peppered the talks.
Jorion squirmed on his mother's lap. With the new baby only inches away in Miranda's arms, he desperately wanted to look at her. He wanted to play, unfortunately, he did not yet comprehend that this new person, who was so close to his own age, was not so close to his own developmental stage.
"So, how are classes going?"
"Good enough, these honor's courses are killing me. Everyday its like, five more assignments in class and then three more appear online. I'm just going to disconnect my internet."
"You can't live without the internet!"
"Oh yeah, cause I'm the dependent one."
"Girls." Aron raised an eyebrow at them.
They were somewhat quieter, but something caught Cam's ever shifting attention, "Oh my God, I have something for Jorion!"
He looked over at her when his named was mentioned and cocked his head, "What?"
She reached into the bag at her feet and pulled out a small box loosely tied with string. Jorion took it eagerly and pulled the package apart. Once he had the item in his hands, he looked at it with some confusion. Such a miniature version of an adult was he that he even looked at Cam and back to the object before offering it to his father.
"Daddy." Jorion hands held out the coat that the twins had given him.
Karsh took a look at it, wondering why it was being offered to him.
Cam and Alex had gotten Jorion a coat, in fact, a replication of his own, just in Jori's size. Maybe it was a bit bigger, so that he could grow into it over the next year or two.
There was a low chuckle from him and he held the garment so that he could put it on his son. Jori objected at first almost, "No, it's for daddy."
"No, Jori. I have mine; this one is a gift for you."
They were never sure if he truly understood them, but he wore the coat with no protest. Ileana laughed and cuddled him to her, "You look so handsome." She whispered in her son's ear and with a voice too large for himself, Jori offered a thank you to the twins.
Dressed almost identically to his father, everyone could see just how much Karsh's son resembled him, a thought that Alex expressed aloud, "He looks just you."
Miranda looked closely at the child, "Well, I can see a little of Ileana."
Aron laughed, "You want to see a child who looks like their parent? Aurora here looks exactly like her mother; I'm starting to wonder if I was involved at all."
The queen nudged her husband with her shoulder, "Funny dear."
Cam suddenly broke into the conversation, "What if next time, Ileana got a daughter who looked like her? You know, she and Aurora could be playmates."
They looked at each other, before Karsh ventured a response, "Well, it could be awhile before that happens."
"Awhile? How long were you thinking?" Asked Ileana, looking at him curiously.
"I don't know, maybe another year or two? How long were you thinking?"
"Maybe like in the next year?"
"The next year?"
Ileana brushed Jori's hair back and looked at him, "Yeah. I don't want Jorion to get too old before he has to adjust to a brother or sister."
Karsh thought about it for a bit, "I guess I can see that."
Cam and Alex looked shocked, "So, you two are in agreement?"
The pair laughed, "I guess."
Jori crawled onto his father's lap and Karsh asked him the common question, "Jori, how would you like a little brother or sister?"
The child looked confused at the question, "Sister?"
"You want a sister?"
"No, daddy," Jori laughed, and placed his hands on his father's face, "I have a sister."
Karsh must've not noticed the smile on Ileana's face.
"You don't have a sister yet."
"I do too!" Determined, he went back to Ileana, "Look!"
He sat on his mother's knees and pressed his hands against her stomach.
It took a few seconds for what his son was saying to sink in, and even then, he couldn't really speak.
Ileana laughed, "He's psychic, he gets it from my side. He told me last week."
"A girl?" Karsh finally managed to get out.
"Yep. Aurora's gonna get a playmate."
Between the shocked exclamations of those around them, the squealing of Cam, Alex's congrats and the shared joy of Aron and Miranda, Karsh and Ileana shared a kiss.
Jorion hugged his mother as best he could with his small arms, and the parents remembered to pull him close to them.
Karsh pulled Jori back onto his lap, and looked at him, "So, can you tell me what her name is?"
Laughing, Jori shook his head, "No!"
"How about, are you going to be a good big brother?"
"Yes."
"That's wonderful."
Karsh was a little worried, though he'd never show it. After years of watching the twins, he'd have his own daughter to watch over. It was sweet and scary, and overall, the story of his life.
For once though, he decided to let go of his nervousness and enjoy the moment.