Juliet smiled as she held Belle lovingly, "I'm so happy too, Belle...", kissing her on the lips tenderly before noting the time on their grandfather clock, "Well, we better clean up, my love. After all, today is Naveen's 6th birthday. Do you want to announce our baby's gender or surprise them?".
Belle chuckled, "I know that the staff and some of the family has bets all around in the castle...Let's have our daughter to ourselves for some more time, and they will hear eventually after she arrives.".
Juliet chuckled, "Fair enough. Do you think Evangeline is surely pregnant? I mean, the looks on their faces at lunch, it was so obvious!", and Belle smiled, "Indeed. We know them well enough to know that they are surely checking to see if she's pregnant. After all, Naveen would want to know on his birthday, obviously.".
"Probably Perla or Mama who is going to do the checkup this morning if Naveen is still sleeping in.", Juliet commended, and Belle smiled, "Since the birthday breakfast is not ready yet, let's go soak in our tub, clean up, and get dressed.".
"I get the feeling that it might take a while to get cleaned up as I think you're wanting to have some early morning fun.", Juliet chuckled as Belle blushed, "Well, it's certainly a thought I indeed was having.".
Juliet looked at her with love, "Then what are we waiting for?", brushing her thighs as she kissed her on the lips passionately, scooping her up gently, glad that all that exercise with sword fighting and hunting with the other boys paid off the last five months, and she got more strength and definition to her body, but she's still a handsome woman.
Belle giggled and smiled with desire and love as they went to the bathroom together to have their fun time in the tub, and to their relief, their daughter is soon going back to sleep thanks to the warmth of the soaking tub.
Meanwhile, on another floor, Perla smiled at Ray and Evangeline as they settled back for the checkup, "You're lucky that I had fed Teddy and Rosa a half hour ago, and that Naveen is still sleeping in, though he might come in, like a charging rhino when he realizes that today is his birthday.".
"Oh, we planned for it.", Ray smiled as he took a deep breath. "Sooner or later, he'll take it better in stride but until then, he's going to act like the world is ending in a good way when the day comes.", he joked.
Evangeline and Perla laughed warmly at the joke, and Evangeline replied, "I'd not have it any better than that. You know he will be excited to have fun today. I want to see the joy on his face when he finds out he's gonna be a big brother.".
Perla replied, "And let's not wait any longer, then.", with a light nod, and Evangeline nodded as she relaxed back on the sheets, in her nightgown, with Ray sitting by her side on the other side of the bed.
"Okay, I'm going to assess you, starting with your breasts. No need to be nude up there, through are you supported by your brassiere?", Perla asked, and Evangeline blushed with a small smile, "I sleep without a brassiere ever since our first time as it felt freeing.".
Ray blushed as Perla chuckled, "I don't blame you, Evangeline. Every woman has a preference when they go to sleep. Alright, let's see.", going to assess Evangeline's breasts, starting from the base.
"Does it hurt?", Perla asked. "No.", Evangeline replied. Next to the center, "Here?", and Evangeline replied, "Just some.".
Finally, to the nipples, "Here?", and Evangeline gasped, "A bit more, yes...", and Perla replied, "Okay. I'm then going to assess your belly.".
Evangeline nodded, and Perla assessed Evangeline's belly, blinking in curiosity as the belly is a bit bigger than expected due to the fact that Evangeline's only two months along, asking as she looked to Evangeline, "Have you been having a rough morning sickness or lots of fatigue?".
"No morning sickness as far as I know, but I've been more tired than usual, and I've been eating more which Ray can account for.", Evangeline replied.
"That's got to be a total sign that she's pregnant, right?", Ray asked as Perla sighed. "Perhaps, but let's just be sure before we start celebrating, alright?".
Ray nodded, and Perla replied, "Okay, the final thing, for absolute double-checking, put your legs up and apart, please.". Evangeline did so, and Perla looked, and yep, there's the signs of pregnancy in her vaginal folds, even a bit more than normal.
Perla then looked up, looking at Evangeline and Ray, "Well, Evangeline, congratulations for being the second woman in the family to have a two for one deal.", with a smile, and the couple exhaled in surprise, their eyes widening as Evangeline's eyes began to swell up in tears happily, with Ray starting to ask Perla eagerly to repeat that again when the door opened with a skipping and hopping Naveen.
"Mama, Papa, wake up, it's my birthday!", Naveen called out excitedly before blinking in confusion as he stopped, "Auntie Perla? Is something wrong with Mama?", getting a bit concerned.
"Oh, um, no...", Perla blushed as she obviously tried to shoo Naveen back so Evangeline could get herself better covered, and Naveen looked a bit more confused.
Evangeline replied, "Perla, it's okay. I'm in my nightgown, remember?", as she smiled tearfully, sitting up, and Perla looked back, and nodded, "Alright, Naveen, just don't jump on your mother.".
Naveen came closer, "Why? Mama, you're crying. Are you okay?", and Evangeline smiled, "I'm just very happy because we have something very special to tell you.".
Ray looked at Perla, "Are you absolutely sure of it?", and Perla smiled, "Guys, I had two cubs at one time. I'd think you know that I'd have been never wrong, hmm?".
"Point taken.", Ray nodded before smiling at Naveen as he held hands with Evangeline, and they spoke together, "Naveen, you're going to be a big brother to twins; two siblings.", as Naveen widened his eyes, gaping, as Evangeline smiled, "Happy birthday, darling.".
The whole castle could hear Naveen's excitement in the next few moments, much to the distress almost of those that shared the room with him with how loud he was. Evangeline actually wished for a moment that she still had her magic so either they could have their ears turned off for a few minutes or have Naveen mute while he celebrates. It was honestly a surprise the adults weren't deaf by his loud screams of excitement.
Then again, she knew she couldn't deny Naveen his joy as the look on his face was absolutely that face of total happiness, and Naveen then realized a moment later, sheepishly nervous, "Did I scare my baby brother and sister?".
Perla reassured him, "Oh, no, you didn't. Babies that are small in the first few months can't hear yet.", and Naveen looked relieved before looking at Evangeline, "Can I still hug you, Mama?".
Evangeline smiled, "Of course, darling.", as Naveen smiled widely, and climbed, crawling to Evangeline and Ray, sitting between them, with Ray smiling at Perla, nodding, mouthing, "Thank you.".
Perla nodded with a warm smile, and left the bedroom as Naveen tentatively hugged Evangeline, "This is the best birthday present ever, Mama and Papa! I promise to be the best big brother ever.".
"We know you will.", Ray told him as the young boy quickly moved to hug his father. "Of course, it's not the only present but I don't know if what we have for you is going to top this gift.". Naveen shook his head. "Nope, this is the best present!", he laughed.
Evangeline smiled warmly, "Alright. And how can you be sure that you have a baby brother and a baby sister?", and Naveen looked at her, "My heart told me. Is that okay?".
"It's more than okay...", Evangeline kissed Naveen on the forehead affectionately before looking at Ray, asking a silent question with her eyes, and Ray replied, "I hope you don't mind, Naveen, but we were thinking out loud when your mother told me about you asking her, and we got names we picked.".
Naveen widened his eyes, "Really? Can you tell me?", and Evangeline replied, "Louis for your brother and Charlotte aka Lottie for your sister.", with a fond smile as she stroked her baby bump.
Naveen smiled at the names, feeling fairly certain that indeed that's who would be born soon. "Still will take many months.", Ray reminded. "Sorry they can't be born for your birthday, Naveen.".
Naveen smiled, "It's okay. Louis and Lottie need to grow up strong and healthy for Mama. Maybe they could be born on your birthday, Papa.".
Ray hummed, "Maybe...Speaking of which, I think you need a bath, mister, before we go down for breakfast.", and Naveen pouted, "But I would be messy again with the cake and playing with my friends!".
Evangeline giggled, "Our son has a point there, Ray. Can you handle two baths in one day, Naveen?", and Naveen blinked, "If there are bubbles...".
"You have a deal then.", Ray chuckled, "Come along, son. I will help with the bubbles. And then this evening, it's Mama's turn, alright?".
Naveen smiled brightly, "Yes!", and the parents laughed warmly, and so, Ray went with Naveen while Evangeline went to change into clothes, and soon, everyone was celebrating Naveen's birthday, with the boy happily announcing that he's gonna be a big brother, but not about the twins part yet as he partially wanted to keep it a secret from his friends.
Evangeline and Ray's other present was a mix of ukulele and guitar, and Naveen was delighted as he loves music, and he got lessons with Lumiere as he was quite skilled in music himself.
And so, as winter slowly dwindled down through the next couple of months, with spring starting to show small signs of life, along with showers to wash the snow away, it was finally April, and Belle was due any day now, and quite stubborn in saying that she can walk just fine in the gardens on a warm, sunny day a bit after a refreshing April shower.
Of course, as that day was coming, Juliet was barely a second away from her. Belle somewhat grumbled a bit that Juliet was being a bit too worried about her, but Juliet obviously didn't want to take any chances.
Belle glared at her stubbornly, "Juliet, I'm fine! I'm safe here in the gardens, and the wolves are gone, probably to the deeper mountains. I know I'm due any day now, with our daughter already prepared, but that doesn't mean that I'm not invalid!", as she huffed, stroking her large baby bump, walking gingerly through a path of the blooming hedges of buttercup flowers.
"I know, I know...", Juliet sighed. "Sorry, I guess maybe it's just I'm a bit more worried about you than when this was all going on with Perla considering what we had gone through ourselves...", replying with a slight nod. "That she could take care of herself a bit better than me?", Belle raised an eyebrow.
Juliet shook her head with her hands up, "No, that's not what I meant!...It...I know you had plenty of time to heal down there, and our baby girl is obviously lively and all, but I can't help worrying that there might be damage to the birth canal...", her shoulders dropping in concern, biting her lip, knowing that Belle could understand what she implied...
"Oh...", Belle nodded as now she understood. "Well, don't you think what Sylvia did, maybe that helped if that was the case?"
Juliet exhaled, "I suppose you're right. You wished to erase all the evidence of him...that could have included the...damage he did...But I'm still a bit worried...I mean, you technically wanted the spawn gone for good in your wish...not the damage he did...otherwise she'd have erased your memory of it...", knowing that the damage he did includes her remembering it all.
Belle took a deep breath, "Listen, Juliet... we'll find out either way very soon... but you have to trust me that I'll be alright... we'll get through this together, alright?".
Juliet gave a loving smile, "I would always trust you, Belle.", taking her hand and caressing it, "Now, you must be a bit tired, there's a bench over there.".
Belle chuckled, "Alright, alright, I'll oblige you just once.", as they walked to the bench, taking a rest for a few minutes, and then they heard Maurice's voice around the corner, muttering to himself.
Curious, they got up from the bench, and walked over around the corner, to see Maurice measuring the wall. "Papa, what are you doing?", Belle asked, and Maurice looked over, smiling, "Ah, hello, Belle and Juliet! I'm checking for a good spot to build a well.".
Juliet blinked in surprise, "A well?", and Maurice nodded, "I know we have a well already in the back of the greenhouses, and it is helping the irrigation pipes I built for the vegetables and is supplying the castle within the kitchens and bathrooms, but this well, it would help water the gardens in the summer when it's hot, cleaning the terraces and stone pathways.".
"Well, don't tear up half the castle trying to do it, Papa.", Belle joked as Maurice nodded, "Certainly trying... but I told Adam that I can't truly make any promises of something not going right.".
Juliet chuckled, "Well, it's an ingenious idea, Maurice.", and Maurice smiled, "Why, thank you. And how are you doing, Belle? Is my granddaughter active today?".
"She was active this morning, but as I have told you, she gets lulled to sleep while I take a stroll.", Belle smiled as she stroked her baby bump, "And I'm doing alright, Papa. Just stubborn, and a bit excited and nervous as I know I'm due any time now...".
Maurice smiled fondly, "Just like your mother, Belle. She was the same, though she was insistent to draw outside on the porch, reassuring me that she was wanting to have some fresh air and some sun, though she was calm when she announced that she was going into labor.".
"She was?", Belle blinked in surprise, and Maurice chuckled, "She told me that from the dawn of time, women has been doing this for eons, and she was one of them...Of course, this case is different...It isn't every day that a woman is technically a father, no offense, Juliet.".
"None taken.", Juliet chuckled. "Still is surprising that this has happened twice to me.", with a nod. "And will you carry one yourself someday? Maybe not from Belle, but from someone else?", Maurice asked as he blushed. "Sorry, maybe overstepping-".
"It's alright.", Juliet assured him. "I don't know, I honestly think probably not." Maurice nodded, "That's fair. At least I'm the proud grandfather of Carlo and your daughter, and that counts for something.".
Juliet smiled, "Indeed. Through you probably should stick to asking your grandchildren for tools and a bit of help, but nothing more than that.", and Maurice chuckled, "I'd probably ask them to help with jokes, eh? After all, I'd have to step up my game to beat you there.", laughing merrily.
The girls laughed warmly, with Juliet smirking, "Then I'd have to be creative to match with your wit!", laughing, and Belle giggled heartily, smiling to see her father bantering with the love of her life before gasping at an ecstatic kick, and moaning in pain as the first contraction came with the breaking of the water bag, "Guys, it's time...", as she held up stubbornly and strong as best as she could.
"What?", Maurice asked before it clicked, "Oh! Oh! Just stay right there! I'll get help!". He started running off as Juliet hung on close to Belle.
"Are you feeling alright?", Juliet asked as Belle nodded, "For the moment... it... it gets worse, right?".
Juliet nodded, "Eventually, but we're off from the start line, that's all...", and Belle gave a small smile, "I guess Mama was right...Women has done this for eons from the dawn of time...", as she walked slowly, feeling her daughter kicking upwards, feeling like she was searching for her favorite comfortable position to come headfirst.
Holding her arm around her, Juliet replied, "We're almost there, Belle. Good thing that we are in the gardens instead of the meadows on the grounds. It'd be hard to walk up those stairs to our room while you're in pain.".
Belle replied, "I'm not in much pain yet.", before moaning at another contraction, "Maybe one set of stairs I could do, like the steps from the gardens into the side door and through the hallway besides the kitchens to the main floor...What do you have in mind?", and Juliet replied, "I know it's not usually normal, but I think we can do the library. If we do cushions from the couches on the floor, with pillows to support your back, it's just as effective as a bed.".
"Giving birth in a library? Oh, that's like a dream atop a dream.", Belle smiled widely, her eyes surprised to hear the idea, "At least the natural light could help some, though not too much natural light. Couldn't want to give our daughter too much simulation on her first day, that's for sure.".