"I see. I believe there's some left in one of the cabinets, I'll check. Let your mama look over you, Diego.", Andy nodded as he got up and left the couch to look in the kitchen.
Sibella smiled, "Come here, darling.", as Diego climbed into the couch, and she looked over the scratch, "Not nasty then. A medium size, Andy!", and Andy called out, "Heard!".
Diego sighed, "I forgot how grumpy he was...Thought he was one of the friendly ones, Mama.", and Sibella smiled, kissing his forehead, "It's okay, Diego, you learned fast to watch out when a cat is annoyed. You will be wonderful in teaching your baby sibling when he or she is old enough to feed the cats.".
"Really, Mama?", Diego smiled happily, and Sibella chuckled, "Of course, darling. You are going to be a great big brother, along with Alyssa.".
Alyssa smiled as she joined from the other side of Sibella, "And I can teach him or her how to play games too!", and Sibella laughed warmly, "I'm sure you will, Alyssa, but you must understand that it would take a lot of imagination to make the games not boring as you know-".
"That our baby sibling is fully vampiress or vampire and takes longer to age than me or Diego.", Alyssa replied, remembering Sibella's explanation when they gave the news of the new arrival a few months ago.
"Exactly.", Andy said as Sibella chuckled, "It certainly takes some getting used to, I know how mature I was at an early age and kinda wishing I was aging a bit faster at times... it's rough being a young teenager for decades.".
Andy had returned, placing the band-aid on Diego's arm, "There you go, son. Safe from infection for awhile, and it will be nothing but skin.", ruffling Diego's hair.
Diego smiled, "Thanks, Papa. Mama, can we make a game of names for the baby? I came up with one at breakfast, and another one when I was in the cat room with Alyssa...", with a shy smile.
Sibella looked at Andy, sharing a look, and Andy chuckled, "Alright, let's do it. Alyssa, you grab your magician's hat from your costume, and Diego, get the box of crayons and paper. Two names per person, pink crayon for a girl's name, and blue crayon for a boy's name, agreed?".
"Agreed!", both kids nodded and ran off as Sibella sighed. "Worried they might pick a bad name?", Andy teased. "Nah, they're smarter than their age would show after all.", Sibella replied with a shake of her head.
Andy chuckled, "Indeed. Should we play too?", and Sibella smiled, "Well, as you have suggested the game, that's fair as you've been thinking that the baby's a girl, and I think it's a boy.".
"Deal.", Andy smiled, kissing her on the cheek lovingly, and in no time, Alyssa and Diego returned with the magician's hat, the box of crayons, and the pieces of paper.
Sibella smiled, "I and Papa will play too as well. Now, don't face each other while we write down our chosen names, and fold the pieces of paper, and drop them in the hat in the middle, got it, kids?".
Alyssa and Diego chorused as one, "Yeah!", opening the box of crayons, and so, the family went to proceed, and after checking that everything was done, Andy smiled, "Now, your mama should do the picking as she's having the baby herself, okay?".
The kids nodded, waiting and watching as Andy handed the magician's hat to Sibella who closed her eyes, and went to fiddle inside for 10 seconds before grabbing one, pulling it out.
She opened her eyes, unfolding the piece of paper, reading it out loud, "Okay, the girl's name is Gwen.", and Alyssa grinned, "That was my pick!".
"That's a sweet name...", Andy smiled as Alyssa's grin grew even wider. "So, do we pick another girl name or try to find the next boy one?", Diego asked.
Sibella smiled, "Well, since we're technically five people here, voting should be fair, and yes, a second girl's name, but this hat draw is random.", before closing her eyes again, and fiddled with the pieces of paper again for 10 seconds before pulling one out, and unfolded it, reading it, "Ah, okay, this is a boy's name. Justin?".
Diego held his hand up, "That was me! I thought since we have Jefferson in our last names, it made sense, you know?", with a smile and shrug. "Can't argue with that one.", Andy gave a small laugh as the others nodded.
"Now then, shall I get the next one then?", Sibella asked as the others agreed and she started to fiddle with the names in the hat once more. After a few more moments, she pulled out a new paper slip.
She read it, "Okay, here's the second girl's name. Valerie?", and Andy smiled, "My pick there...I thought it would be in honor of your father in a way, Bella.", looking at Sibella lovingly.
Sibella smiled, "Aww, that's so nice of you, Andy...Well, that's two names for a girl. Shall we put it to a vote? Gwen for left hand, Valerie for right hand.".
The trio all held up their right hands, even Alyssa who went against the one she wrote down. Sibella chuckled as she knew exactly why everyone was picking for Valerie; because of the reason why Andy chose it. "Sorry, I should refrain from saying that until after we picked.", Andy gave a small blush as Sibella leaned over to kiss him on the cheek.
Sibella smiled, "It's perfect, my love. Now, we're getting close to the last one. We got Justin, and now, going for the second boy's name.", closing her eyes once more, fiddling with the pieces of paper in the hat for 10 seconds before drawing one out.
She unfolded it, and read it, "The name is Zion?", and Alyssa piped up, "That's my pick as well! I thought since we got two 'A's in me and Papa, it should be fair to have a 'Z' too.".
"That's certainly an interesting thought.", Andy smiled as he rubbed her hair. "Always such a smart little girl you are...", he chuckled.
"Hey... how old am I really again?", Alyssa teased as she certainly wasn't really a little kid mentally in many ways. Andy laughed warmly, and Sibella smiled softly as she chuckled, "Well, then, time to vote. Left hand for Justin, right hand for Zion.".
Alyssa and Diego raised their right hands while Sibella raised her left, leaving Andy to either pick the winner or bring the pick to a tie. After a few moments, he raised his right hand. "Sorry, love.", Andy apologized to Sibella as she was the only one picking Justin.
Sibella kissed him on the lips, "It's alright, I know when I am outclassed, and besides, Zion sure sounded a bit more special in a way.", and smiled, "And looks like the baby decided to keep it a surprise as there were no kicks at the winners.".
Diego smiled, "That's a smart baby! Probably wanted to surprise you two, Mama and Papa, when the big day comes.", and Andy chuckled, "I think you're right, Diego...". The rest of the family agreed, unknowing that Diego was partially right.
"I wish they would be here already...", Alyssa sighed as Sibella rubbed her hair gently, "I do too, sweetie... but you know that babies need time to grow before then... and this one still needs some more time.". She rubbed her belly with her other hand while still stroking Alyssa's head.
Andy suggested, "Speaking of time, how about we eat something, and then watch a movie?", and the kids nodded, "Yeah!", and so, the family went to the kitchen to make lunch, and have another family day like usual.
And so, weeks has passed, and weeks became months, and finally, it was about the time Sibella is due to give birth any day, as it's March now.
As the sun's shining warmly as strongly as it could be, Sibella is dressed warmly as she sat on a chair on the porch, enjoying some hot chocolate, watching Alyssa and Diego trying to make a snowman with old and new snow before it could melt later on, while Andy is out trapping and foraging.
Sibella was deep in thought, just still wondering how exactly her life had ended up at this point... how her happiness really was just so slim in the chance of meeting Andy. Had he decided not to take the job in the first place all those years ago... She smiled as she sighed. No need to worry about what if there, this was the present and she wouldn't trade it for anything.
No, she wouldn't ever trade it for anything...She has a wonderful father, a mother-sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces, and more...She has a splendid husband, two beautiful children, and one on the way. Things couldn't be any better than this...
Sibella smiled as Diego sneaked up on Alyssa, slipping a snowball into her back, causing her to shriek out in surprise with Diego snickering before Alyssa pounced into him, tumbling into the snow, laughter echoing around in the air. Sibella gave a chuckle as she sipped her hot chocolate for a moment before she felt a flaring pain, an old, familiar feeling.
Sibella placed the cup down, taking a deep breath, realizing that the baby is pressing on her hips and the entrance of the birth canal, and she whispered, "Time to do this, huh, baby? You certainly picked a nice day for it.", before moaning out in pain as the first contraction came.
Sibella wondered if it was a good idea to worry the children about the birth or to have them try to go out and find Andy. She decided to just let them continue the moment and not to worry for a little bit longer as she sat up and called out to the children, "Hey, you two, I'm going back inside right now, so stay in the 'yard' okay?". She emphasized yard since that to her and them just meant being within close eyesight of the home.
Alyssa nodded, "Okay, Mama!", and Diego asked, "Can we pick berries, Mama?", as there's some berry bushes within close proximity of the home.
Sibella nodded, "Of course, you can.", with a smile, as she picked up her cup of hot chocolate, and gingerly walked into the house, and after closing the door, she took a deep breath, feeling another contraction, glad that it's cloudy today as she decided to do it in the bedroom. After all, she's a bit older than she was when she gave birth to Alyssa and Diego in the living room near the fireplace, and it's better to be comfortable now.
She stripped her winter clothes, realizing that this would take a bit longer than before as the water bag hasn't broken yet, taking deep breaths from the flaring pains of the pressure the baby's putting on her hips as she walked to her and Andy's master bedroom, glad that it's on the main floor instead of upstairs.
"Okay... just give me a few minutes to get comfortable before you start trying to crawl out, alright?", Sibella whispered to the baby as she tried to get herself fully prepared.
Sibella climbed-sat into the bed, scooting to the middle of the bed, resting back against the pillows as she used her magic to strip her underwear, and she rested for several minutes between contractions while moving her hand to measure how far apart she is dilated, knowing that she won't push until the water bag is broken and that she's all dilated.
"Alright... deep breaths Sibella... you've done this before...", Sibella whispered to herself as she was just waiting for the more painful contractions. She really hoped that Andy would come home soon... she would feel so much better if he was around at least.
She measured herself and saw that she is half dilated, and took deep breaths as the contractions kept coming, and then shouted in pain from a strong contraction as she felt water breaking at last.
A knock was heard, "Mama, are you okay? We were putting our berries in jars from our bucket, and we heard your shout.", as Sibella recognized Alyssa's voice.
"Your brother or sister decided to come today, Alyssa. Diego, go find your father.", Sibella responded calmly yet commandingly. Diego's voice replied, "Yes, Mama!".
"Alyssa, grab damp towels and warm blankets.", Sibella replied, and Alyssa's voice called out, "Okay, Mama!".
Meanwhile, Diego, glad for all the lessons he and Alyssa were taught about changing into a bat and track down stuff, flew out into the sky, listening and tracking down his papa, flapping and darting between trees, soon hearing the distinct sounds of a growling and snorting bear, and found his papa fighting this bear over a dead carcass of a good-sized deer.
"Come on, Yogi... I got this one, you've got to find your own!", Andy told the bear as they were in a standoff. He obviously didn't want to harm the bear if he couldn't help it, but this bear just really wouldn't want to give up an easy meal.
Diego flew down near Andy, "Papa, oi, give your biggest roar and scare him off! You're a vampire, remember?!", and Andy blinked, "Right, forgot for a second there.", before taking a deep breath, and roared into the bear's face.
The bear cowered back and back, whimpering, shaking his head, and snorted, running off in the opposite direction, and Andy huffed, "About time.", before glancing at Diego, "Diego, what are you doing here?".
Diego replied, "Mama's having the baby, Papa!", and Andy widened his eyes, "Oh, by the moon, I'm coming!", using his magic to pick and carry the deer carcass as he opened his wings, and followed Diego home.
Within record time, Andy stashed the carcass into the smokehouse, washed his hands, and went to the bedroom, where Alyssa exited the room, "She's almost there, Papa!", and Andy kissed her on the forehead, "Thank you, Alyssa. Go play with Diego, do a video game or something.", before heading into the bedroom, closing the door.
"Bella! I'm here.", Andy got up on the bed, joining Sibella who smiled at him, "Andy...I'm almost all dilated...Baby's coming...", with deep breaths.
"You holding up alright?", Andy asked as he moved to assist her as she smiled. "Andy, this isn't the first time I've done this, I'm fine...", Sibella reminded him as he nodded, "I know, still, wouldn't be a good husband if I wasn't at least showing concern.".
Sibella chuckled warmly, "And I appreciate that.", before crying out in pain at another contraction, and Andy checked and laughed, "Looks like I came in time! You're all clear! Push, Bella, you got this!", squeezing her knee tenderly.
Smiling at him, she took deep breaths, waiting for the next contraction, and upon it, she pushed, moaning out in pain as she felt the baby moving through her, and this continued for several more minutes before Andy announced, "I see the head peeking, Bella!", with a tearful expression.
No matter how many times he has seen this happening, it's still an incredible, awe-inspiring moment for him, and he encouraged Sibella, "You got this, my moon angel!".
Sibella took a deep breath, and pushed, crying out in pain as the head stretched her out, emerging out as Andy cradled it, gently turning it over by the neck, clearing the nose and mouth with a damp towel as he nodded, "Almost there!".
Grunting as Sibella cried out even more in pain, pushing as the shoulders came through her vagina, and she heaved as the rest of the baby's body slides out with Andy's help, and then came a loud wail of life as Andy sobbed happily, "It's a girl! I knew it! Hi, Valerie, Papa's here...", cleaning the wiggling, crying, shivering baby girl, wrapping her in a warm blanket.
Sibella smiled happily, "She's all healthy, huh?", and Andy nodded, "She's perfect.", tears falling down his cheeks, moving closer to his wife to show their daughter.
Valerie has fine and soft light black hair, pale tan skin, Sibella's violet eyes, having Andy's nose, dimples, and Sibella's smile, crying softly as she tried to make sense of her new surroundings.
"Oh, you're so beautiful, Valerie...", Sibella whispered motherly as she was about to pluck her out of Andy's arms when suddenly, there was another contraction.
"Ow...", Sibella groaned as Andy looked at her worryingly. "Sibella...? Sibella, what's wrong!?", Andy was staring to panic as Sibella had no idea what was going on, "I don't know... I feel... ooooh... the contractions still...".
Sibella had the urge to push, laboring through the contractions, thinking that her body is only taking out the remains of the water bag when she felt something squeeze through her birth canal, and then felt her legs get wet, and she looked, relieved to not see blood, but water.
There shouldn't be more water left in the remaining water bag unless...there's another water bag, and she felt a hard contraction, and she realized, shocked as she connected the dots, "I'm still in labor!".
"What?!", Andy shouted before it clicked for him as well, "We're having twins?!", his eyes widening in shock. "Looks that way! Ugh... I should've checked earlier!", Sibella cried. "How's Valerie looking right now? Does she look like she had plenty to eat before?".
Andy looked at Valerie, "She got all 10 fingers and toes, and she's a good weight, and of course, you heard that she got a great pair of lungs as well. Breathe, Sibella, deep breaths. Are you okay to have Alyssa come in? I can't hold Valerie at the same time as I need to help you deliver this baby.".
