"The baby dropped back in a bit, but you got this, Perla. Push!", Leila said, and Perla clenched into Juliet's hand as she grunted, pushing, taking deep breaths as she cried out in pain louder and louder as the baby came through slowly, emerging out of the vagina.
Leila shouted, "One more push, Perla!", and Perla took a deep breath, heaving as she pushed, crying out in pain, feeling the baby's body pop free of her, and she dropped back against the pillows, panting heavily, tears falling as suddenly, a loud, hearty newborn cry is heard.
She looked with anticipation, her heart swelling in joy and relief as Leila announced, "It's a boy! You have a beautiful boy!", as she cleaned the wiggling, shivering, and loudly wailing baby.
She quickly placed the baby boy on Perla's chest as Perla sobbed, her heart filling with love and adoration from the first moments she locked her eyes on her son, "I'm here...Mama's here...Oh, it's okay, it's okay...", shushing him as her hands caressed him gently, holding him as she gave featherlight kisses on his head, tearfully looking at Juliet, not caring about the mucus, dried blood, and membrane remnants of the water bag on her son, as she was a mess herself too.
"He... he's beautiful...", Juliet whispered as she leaned in to give Perla a kiss. "He's... he's really here... with us...", with an awed smile. She had a feeling that her Pops would have been over the moon that he got a grandson.
"How are you feeling?", Leila asked Perla. "Feeling suddenly very tired or anything like that?".
Perla replied, "A lot tired, but I don't feel any pain, or tearing...", as Leila went to use the sterilized scissors to cut the cord, and tie the remains to the baby's belly button, and replied, "Good. Push the placenta out. This is easier and smoother.".
Perla nodded, and pushed with a slight moan of effort, and then the placenta came free of her, and Leila put it into a wastebin, and she smiled, checking, "Thank goodness that was completely seamless there...No bleeding or bad tearing...You did great, Perla...".
"Thank you, Leila...", Perla smiled gratefully as she shushed her whimpering son, "I'm here...You're so beautiful...", as Juliet used a clean, warm rag to clean their son, while Leila went to clean the small mess between Perla's legs.
Their son is a healthy shade of tan, having Geppetto's nose, Juliet's freckles, Perla's dimples, and if Perla wasn't mistaken, he got Leila's smile, but most of all, to their surprise, their son got curls, in the shade of hazelnut brown...Perla sobbed softly in joy, "He got Mama's hair...", as he hasn't opened his eyes yet as he was still scared for a moment, having not expected a big, old world welcoming him.
Indeed, when Geppetto was young, he used to have light black hair, shades lighter than Perla's black hair, and Cornelia, she had hazelnut brown hair in long, curly strands, thanks to hearing Geppetto's stories and a sole painting Geppetto kept in his nightstand.
"I'm sorry...", Juliet whispered; somewhat apologizing even if it had nothing to do with her, in terms of Perla's crying, but she just felt the strange need to do that almost any time Perla started to tear up.
Perla glanced at her, "I know, Lampy...", using her old nickname, "I wish that Mama and your Pops were here to meet our son, but I'm sure they're very proud to be grandparents...", smiling tearfully, and Juliet gave a small nod, smiling.
Their son soon realized that he is safe, warm, and loved, blinking blearily before looking at his mama with a mirror set of bright blue eyes, taking after Perla and Geppetto, and Perla whispered, "Hi...I'm your mama...And that's your momma.", as Juliet caressed their son's head so gently.
He cooed, gurgling at them, and Juliet smiled, "Hello, little one...", as Leila tucked the blankets over Perla's legs and waist as she's still in her nightgown, and then headed to the door, opening it up, "Come in, Geppetto, all of you.".
Geppetto walked in with Cleo's bowl in his hands, Figaro by his side, and Jiminy on Geppetto's shoulder, gently placing Cleo's bowl on the nightstand as he sat on the side of the bed, as Figaro jumped on the nightstand carefully, with Geppetto exhaling in awe and love, "Oh, Perla...is it a boy or girl?".
"It's a boy.", Perla told him. "Kinda surprising... I really thought it would be a girl.", she admitted. Geppetto smiled widely, "So did I...Oh, he's perfect, Perla...wait, is that...", and Perla smiled tearfully, "He got Mama's hair somehow...Meet your grandson, Papa...", gently passing their son over into Geppetto's arms, instinctively holding him.
The newfound grandfather locked eyes with his new grandson, breathing gently in joy and awe, "Oh, look at you, little one...Cornelia would have loved you, as much as your lost uncle would as well...", with a smile.
The baby boy gurgled, cooing at his grandfather, feeling safe and warm, giving him an attempted little smile, and Geppetto chuckled, "What's his name?".
Perla looked at Juliet, and she shrugged with a smile and nod, and Perla then looked back at Geppetto, "Did Mama say anything about names?", asking softly.
Geppetto widened his eyes in surprise before exhaling with a bittersweet smile, "She did...She had two favorite names for boys...She named our son shortly before...His name was Emilio.".
"And the second name?", Juliet asked gently, and Geppetto replied, "Socrates.", and Jiminy blinked, "Wasn't that the name of the philosopher?".
Geppetto chuckled, "Yep. Cornelia loved the books about philosophy and stories. She also liked the name of Carlo for a third name. Though she said that Rocco would have been his nickname.", as he couldn't keep his eyes off his beautiful grandson before his belly grumbled hungrily, and he whimpered, his little eyes searching for his mama.
"I think Carlo is hungry, Perla.", Juliet chuckled as Perla nodded. She paused for a moment as Leila gave a chuckle herself, "You have to have him latch on, Perla, remember?".
Perla blushed softly as Geppetto gently passed Carlo back into his mama's arms as Juliet gently pushed down a shoulder portion, and with a bit of adjustment, Carlo latched into a nipple, suckling as Perla felt a bit weird for a moment before getting used to the sensation, caressing her son's head, kissing him gently.
"Carlo Socrates Rocco Geppetto...", Perla proclaimed warmly, and Jiminy smiled, "That's a wonderful full name for the little guy.", as Figaro mewed softly, having realized that humans are almost like cats in a way, as he was helpless and small, nursing from his mother, and now his mistress is nursing her baby, a little master that's helpless and small, but he knew that Carlo could grow up, not as fast like him, but he will protect him either way.
"Think Figaro's already taken a liking to him.", Geppetto chuckled. "Hopefully he won't be allergic to cats...". That would certainly make things awkward.
Juliet chuckled, "I don't think we could have a problem there as I and Mama aren't allergic, or either you and Perla, so, I think our son would be fine, and he will have a friend growing up with him.", as she smiled, caressing Carlo's head gently.
Leila chuckled softly, "Either way, he's safe and sound...I still can't believe it...We got a grandson, Geppetto...", and Geppetto smiled widely, "We sure do...You must be hungry after all that, Perla. Leila, care to help me make supper?".
"Sure thing.", Leila nodded, joining him, as Jiminy hopped off Geppetto's shoulder, landing besides Figaro and Cleo's bowl, leaving the newfound mothers to revel in the serene moment.
An hour and half later, after having his first meal and nap, Carlo is taking in all the new surroundings of his new home as the family is enjoying dessert when he saw the Evening Star, and he cooed, gurgling as he saw it sparkle, grabbing Perla's attention, "What is it, darling?".
Carlo gurgled, reaching his little hand at the window, and Perla glanced his way, chuckling, "That's the Evening Star, darling, where the Blue Fairy aka Miss Evangeline lives. She makes wishes come true, along with a bit of hard work from the deserving people, of course.", with a warm smile.
He cooed curiously at his mama, looking at the Evening Star, and it gleamed brighter and brighter as Evangeline arrived in a spiral of sparkles, smiling radiantly, "Why, thank you, little one. It's my job to have the Evening Star bright for all who needed wishes.".
Carlo gurgled, and Evangeline chuckled warmly, "Wishes are dreams, and like your mama said, hard work is needed to help the wishes along, but yes, they eventually come true in the end, like how I did for your mama and momma.".
Perla looked at her, "You understand him?", and Evangeline smiled, "Not entirely, for he is more emotional, and I can read his emotions, and emotions bring questions in a way. You did wonderful, Perla...He's a beautiful boy, a true miracle...I'm so honored to meet you, Carlo...".
Carlo gave a coo, reaching out with a little hand, and Evangeline reached out to him, his little hand clenching gently around Evangeline's finger, as she chuckled, "Such a pure and strong soul in you, little one. Perla, Juliet, may I be permitted to give him a gift?".
Juliet and Perla looked at each other for a moment before smiling softly, "Of course.", and Evangeline ever so softly laid her wand on Carlo's head, "Carlo, son of Perla and Juliet, grandson of Geppetto and Leila, I give thyself protection of dark magic not just in Italy, but in the whole world, so mote it be.".
The group was surprised to hear that. It certainly was quite the gift; but hopefully one that would not be needed considering the hope was that there would be no more real encounters with dark magic. Aside from the Coachman and even then, the hope would be to eventually break his dark chair from a distance without having to truly confront him.
Jiminy replied, "So, the Coachman wouldn't touch him ever?", and Evangeline answered, "If the Coachman even sees him, he will see a little girl, or a toddler, too young for Pleasure Island no matter how old Carlo gets to the prime age for being picked up. So, yes, Carlo will be entirely safe from the terrible curse and the Coachman.".
"Hopefully he'll never have a chance to come within leagues of that monster.", Geppetto said. "I've given whispers to the others around the village, just to keep their eyes out for a man that looks like him, abducting children... nothing.".
Perla replied, "He's probably giving this village a wide berth for some time to let things settle down as he must know that I and Juliet was from this village, so he must be doing his thing in other places, especially when we are literally in the Mediterranean Sea.", as she held Carlo a bit more firmly as he cooed, sensing his mama's fear.
Jiminy replied, "That actually makes a lot of sense especially when you hadn't heard anything over the past year, Geppetto. Have you seen the same, Evangeline?", and Evangeline nodded sadly, "Yes, I have noticed that there have been abductions, but far fewer in other places, probably because he needs to lay low. Sicily, Tunsia, and the Balearic Islands so far...I have a suspicion that Pleasure Island is not a tied island, but rather a moving island, and there's different stories about the island in other places...".
"An island that moves... I suppose we should be lucky it was so close to the mainland that one night for Juliet and Perla's sake.", Leila said. "Much longer on the water and I think Perla would've frozen to death before we reached the shore.", Juliet said.
Perla exhaled, "And I couldn't have this miracle...", looking at Carlo with a deep look of motherly love and devotion, and Carlo cooed as he put his little hands on Perla's cheeks, as Perla breathed in his wonderful baby smell, "I love you too, Carlo...".
Everybody agreed on that, not daring to think what would have happened that night, and Evangeline replied, "Well, at least he's laying low...The best thing is right now, is to focus on Carlo, and fitting in as best as possible.", with a soft smile.
"That I can agree with.", Geppetto replied, and everybody nodded, and so with tidings, Evangeline left the home to do her job, back to the Evening Star.
Carlo grew up happily, surrounded by his loved ones, taught to keep the secret that Juliet is his second mother in public, with the family simplifying the why behind the secret, and not wanting to lose his momma or his mama, he was determined to keep it secret, yet he was happy to say his favorite words in the house.
Unfortunately, some good things had to come to an end...Cleo has died within Carlo's first year of life, and she was buried down the beach, with her bowl and all. Geppetto was devastated the most as he had gotten her a year and a half ago before he found Figaro.
Figaro had become into a handsome cat, protecting the family from any thieves who wanted to steal from Geppetto, and always by Carlo's side, glad that he's a young cat, and he will be with the family for a long time in his perspective.
Then two years later, upon Carlo's third birthday, Geppetto had taken Carlo on a small trip to the woods, and the weather changed on them, and Geppetto swiftly got Carlo home in time, protecting him in his coat, and unfortunately, while Carlo was unscathed, Geppetto got sick, weak to recover.
"Is he alright?", Perla asked as Leila returned from the other room where Geppetto was. Leila sighed and nodded, "For the moment... hard to tell with the illness and all that. He could recover, or he may not... his age doesn't really help make things easier. If he was more around our ages, he'd probably make a full recovery, but now...".
Perla whispered softly, "Not even the herbs worked?", tears in her eyes, and Leila sighed deeply, "He has stopped coughing for the first time ever since the last two days ago, I think the herbs are helping a little, but it may not be enough...".
"Does that mean since he stopped coughing, Carlo can now see him? He has been really anxious to see his poppa.", Juliet asked gently as she glanced over to see Carlo distracted by Jiminy and Figaro.
"I'm still not so sure with that...", Leila admitted. "Last thing we want is for Carlo to catch whatever it is that Geppetto has. He's much too young to probably handle it.".
Perla looked devastated to hear that as Carlo really admired his poppa in Geppetto, and she nodded, sighing softly, and Leila then replied, "Juliet, Geppetto said that his gift for Carlo is in one of the upper cabinets, in the workshop. Why don't you get that and surprise Carlo? Geppetto said that he hadn't touched it since the day before Carlo's birthday, so it should be safe, yet to be sure, use a rag to clean it before surprising Carlo. We can keep the door a wee open for Geppetto to hear Carlo's excitement.", with a soft look to Juliet, and Juliet nodded in understanding, going to look.
Leila then held Perla's hands, "Go on, Perla...He wants to see you.", with a small, bittersweet smile, and Perla gratefully looked at her before going into the direction of the bedroom which was Leila's bedroom...A sickness needed to be contained, not in the open which is why Geppetto isn't in his usual bed.
"Hey, Father...", Perla weakly whispered as she obviously was just hit with painful emotions as she saw Geppetto looking fairly ill in bed.
Geppetto gave a small smile, "Perla, my sweet daughter...", holding his arm out, and Perla came closer, sitting in the chair nearby, taking his hand. "Oh, my beautiful woodenhead, it's okay...This old man knows what's coming...", with a deep sigh before hearing the familiar chatter of his grandson.
"Is, is my grandson getting his gift?", Geppetto spoke happily curious, and Perla nodded, "He is...What did you make him?".
"A toy train...", Geppetto smiled, "Took a long time to make it perfect.", with a small chuckle as he strained his ears to listen for the moment when Carlo sees it.
Perla gave a small smile. "Well, from the sounds of things... it looks like he greatly enjoys it.", she told him as Geppetto nodded, "I'm glad...", with a proud smile. "Father...", Perla bit her lip. "When you said you know what's coming...".
Geppetto sighed heavily, "I can feel it in my bones, Perla...I'm going home soon...", and Perla gave a sob, as Geppetto gently stroked her cheek, "Don't despair, my daughter...I lived a wonderful life, a lonely life at times, yes, but I experienced many good things...discovering love, having beautiful years of marriage, waking up to a face in the morning, enjoying my life's work, seeing joy and happiness in my wife, feeling our son's kicks. Yes, there were bad times too, like war, being worked to make things, losing my wife and son, and being lonely...Seeing the children enjoy my toys, Cleo and Figaro, greeting old friends, it was a respite from being lonely, yet something was missing, and then you came, and you gave me a family again...in Leila, Juliet, Jiminy, and Carlo...You gave me a second chance to be a father, a new chance to be a grandfather, and a great friend...".