Supernatural: Chronicles of the Order 8
Chapter 29: The Children We Have
(DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Supernatural because it belongs to Eric Kripke and Warner Bros. So, enjoy the show! Rated M for graphic violence, adult content, and adult language.)
Akio arrived in the Order's main headquarters on Valinor as he was not too thrilled with the cluster of incidents that have occurred during my fractured furlough. Still, he had to remain vigilant into keeping me away from field work as he was also aware of the many detractors who would stop at nothing to put me on the battlefield in my fractured state. Standing in front of the Review Board, he was ready to issue a statement that involved me in which he wouldn't be too thrilled about the future news that would get pelted in front of him, for he also feared for my safety as well.
"For your information, Sam's health and whereabouts are still off limits," he said.
"We're well-aware of that, but after the most recent events, we still have to monitor the overall situation involving Sam Winchester," said one of the Review Board members.
"He's already mired in so much shit right now that it's not funny."
"We know of it very well, Akio," said another member of the Review Board. "The recent events that Sam Winchester was involved in were assessing the Zasselian base in Balin, assessing the situation in Rookpaw, finding planets Tenebrae and Ifalna, destroying a drowner nest on Cordell Island, finding one of the Zodiac Keys, and saving the life of Bruce Mahoney's son. We can't let this continue and not even Reuben and his colleagues in the Medical Corps can keep him safe from the likes of the ones who demand that he uses his raw power to put a damper on the Executive Division and their supporters in this ongoing war."
"For the record, Jack Kline pulled a one-eighty on Sam and shifted some parcels into his body in order to prevent him from doing more field work. At least he'll be sticking to his furlough a little longer after he busted up the Sol-3 two years ago."
"Are you telling us that Sam Winchester is with child?"
"He is, but this isn't the first time that one of our male members of the Order ended up with a bun in the oven and that was after the Spillway incident on Shiganshina."
"Are you talking about Minara Mitani?" said the first Review Board member.
"For the record, I propose that Sam Winchester will be under his guidance and protection in which both men have become high-risk cases in our ranks."
"Does his brother know about this?"
"No, he has his Hunter Corps unit on Shiganshina, but he won't approve of Minara's management of our main subject, either. Still, Minara Mitani will look after Sam for the time being; no exceptions."
"Then we will approve it. The meeting of the Review Board is adjourned."
The bang of the gavel set the events in motion as Akio's proposal to assign Minara to watch over me was set into stone. Even though he was concerned about my safety, he would soon get word from Dean and his unit eventually, for it would only be a matter of time before all of that would end up hitting the fan real quick…
I was in a room as I was staying in the castle that was in Jomon Village. The place itself had Elven motifs adorned all over the walls and furniture as I curled myself in the warmth of the bed I slept in. After dealing with the infamy of the "killer clown affair" three days ago, I was basking in the calm quiet of the room I was in until I heard the door opening up to the usual suspects being beckoned to observe me. There was mainly Reuben and Dunya as they opened up the blankets of the futon I slept in the moment they brought out their equipment to examine me. What I also didn't expect was that Minara was with them as he was concerned about my overall health, for he was also ready to assess me like the usual suspects towering over me. With my robe opened, my stomach was exposed as I felt a cold gel being spread on it the moment I noticed Minara using a portable ultrasound device to evaluate what I had in me, for I didn't want to lose the two parcels that I carried within me.
"This isn't good," I heard him say to me as he saw the babies on screen.
"I know that I shouldn't be using my raw power, but I had no choice," I said.
"It's true," said Reuben. "Even though the babies have accelerated to the size of grapefruits, they're still intact and not in mortal danger."
"Sam should be lucky that we're here to protect him," said Dunya.
"We can't be hovering over him round the clock all the time," said Minara. "That's one mess that I went through after the Spillway incident."
It wasn't long until I saw the twins on screen as I began to feel elated that they were in no further danger. I was more than blessed that my little ones were even moving around without any health complications. The people around me were making sure that all of us had no further problems as we all saw the babies feeling more content than normal, for they were out of harm's way for now.
"The smaller subjects are functioning normally and without having the circus coming to town," said Reuben as he was assessing the growth of the babies on screen. "Still, the primary subject is still under convalescence after the destruction of Project Amaterasu two years ago."
"My babies," I said as I was shedding tears of joy.
"Just wait until they're born," said Minara as he turned on the sound of the pocket ultrasound that picked up something unique. "That's the sound of their heartbeats, Sam. They're healthy, but that doesn't mean that neither you nor they are out of the woods yet. As soon as they're born, let's hope to the gods that Dean doesn't rush in and cut you open like an animal carcass."
"Dean should be focusing on his unit, not perform caesarian sections," said Dunya.
"Dean is doing his best to lead his unit in the Hunter Corps, but he shouldn't be playing mother hen to me forever," I said. "Besides, there are more problems other than me."
"Dean worries about you because he cares," said Minara. "Ever since your existence, your brother made it his mission to protect you. We all are doing our part into protecting you." He notices me continuing to weep as I was being more sadder than processing more joy. "You may think to yourself that you suck the life out of him, but you also brush him off in which you chastise him for not managing his unit in the Hunter Corps properly. You should focus on your overall health, Sam, not worry too much about us. For years, you've been hardwired into servitude and putting yourself last, but it's also depressing you to no end. It's time that you continue to focus more on your convalescence instead of worrying too much, are we good?"
"Yeah…, I'll do that..."
I reluctantly agreed with Minara as I was starting to feel the heavy burden of the pregnancy that I was carrying. After all that has happened, now wasn't the time to be depressed as I had to remain focused on my health, for my life depended on it. Therefore, it wasn't long until I was finished with my assessment as I saw the usual suspects cleaning where I had the cold gel on my stomach. Even though I was in no further danger, I had no other choice but to stay in bed again. Even though Reuben and Dunya left earlier, the only one who remained in my room was Minara as he was also no stranger with what he went through after the Spillway mission. Sitting up, I felt at my stomach as I was also starting to the feel the pinch of pregnancy fatigue. It may have been hell for me, but I wasn't alone the moment Minara refused to leave my side, for he also experienced pregnancy just as much as I did.
"Shouldn't you be going back to your family?" I asked.
"And leave you alone while suffering from the throes of being sad? Never," said Minara as he refused to budge. "For the record, if you were left alone in a depressive state, Dean would have my ass if he found out that you were left alone weeping in your bed."
"This is all too much for me ever since my convalescence was interrupted, but nearly losing my babies was what scared me the most. Even though the women carried their babies to term, I've been such a rare case due to the fact that I have to bear my babies to term so I wouldn't do any grueling field work."
"You're not the only one who dealt with this type of problem, Sam. After giving birth to Sayoko, I was spending my recovering months tackling childcare and doing research to find a cure for Tabata Syndrome."
"Well, your days of carrying your daughter weren't actually candy canes and lollipops."
"After I had that caesarian section from hell, I felt my pectoral muscles hardening and full of milk in which I looked like one of those buffed-out bodybuilders with all the mass on top. Therefore, I did my best in which I took care of Sayoko in which I've gotten used to her latching on my pectorals to get her daily meals, which is better than the formula that the Medical Corps approve of."
"Breastmilk is mainly supplied by the women anyway, but in your case, you made sure that Sayoko was cared for."
"Don't forget, you will also experience a caesarian section, but you'll be producing milk once my future niece and nephew are born. As long as Dean isn't cutting you open, you'll be safe."
It wasn't long until I heard footsteps approaching to my room until I got up from my bed and slowly crept out into the hallway. What I didn't expect was that Akio arrived as he was more than likely to give me the answer that I would soon expect. I had a gut feeling that the decision he will give me won't be easy as I was trying hard not to put more stress on myself and my babies, for it would soon weigh heavily on me in the future.
"You're doing well for a pregnant man," I heard Akio say to me.
"Yeah, but I've been under a strict microscope so far," I said.
"From what I'm advising, you are under the protection and support of Minara Mitani as of now."
I was in shock as I would have a gut feeling that there would be backlash in this harrowing decision that was thrown at me. I would assume the worst as I felt troubled by what could possibly come next, for I dreaded Dean's wrath when it came to my priority of being protected, for I would never hear the very end of it.
"Does Dean know about this?" I asked.
"He doesn't, but he'll know eventually," said Akio.
"Minara has his own priorities with his family, not me. He can't provide protection for me while he has his own family to worry about."
"Lord Minara is more than qualified to do his job in protecting you, Sam," said Castiel as he appeared out of nowhere. "He knows of the throes of childbirth just as much as you do. He knows of the qualifications he bears in which he's also there for moral support as well."
It wasn't long until Minara was out into the hall as he was there for a reason. Still, he wasn't ready to budge as he was there at my side. Still, I was overwhelmed by so much protection until I noticed Castiel fishing out a letter as he gave it to me. Opening it up, I noticed the message came from Dean as he wasn't mad at me due to the fact that he was no stranger to seeing the very weird. Still, I was hoping and praying for his safety as he had his own unit to manage while I was in good hands. At first, I was worried as I would fear the worst until I felt my babies being restless again. From what I gathered, I was starting to get hungry myself as I sat down in my wheelchair that was parked near my room. I wheeled myself to the elevator as I felt my babies being restless in which my attempt to go downstairs was a bust. To my dismay, I noticed Castiel wheeling me back into my room as he didn't want me to go anywhere right now, for I was stuck in this predicament.
"I've been foiled again," I said as I got out of my wheelchair and went towards the futon I slept in.
"Lord Minara will prepare lunch for you soon," said Castiel.
"He has too much on his hands: his family, his patients, and—"
"—Your safety and comfort?" said Minara as he entered into the room. "You shouldn't be worrying too much about everyone, Sam. It's not healthy for you to do so."
"I just wanted to go downstairs to get something to eat so that my little ones won't be fretting all the time." I feel at my stomach as I felt the twins moving all over. "Okay, my little ones, Daddy will feed you soon. Don't worry too much."
"You're in luck because we're having gyros with all the trimmings for lunch. After being here and eventually writing letters to my family, I'm here in Dean's stead to prevent you from being cranky."
"That is so true," said Akio as he entered into the room. "There is a fervent reason why Minara was put here with you and that is because of a connection between two pregnant men."
"Well, one of us kicked ass and took names while unknowingly carried a bun in the oven during the Spillway mission," he said. "Even the King of Heaven and all the other gods would approve so it would be best to open up about our struggles instead of—"
It wasn't long until we heard a waiting bell ringing from the wall in my room as Minara had a feeling that something or someone would be interfering with the usual lunch hour. Sprinting out of the room, he ran towards the elevator and took it down to where the kitchen was. To his surprise, he noticed that the apple pie that he baked earlier was gone as he had a gut feeling that it would be bait for Dean… and he was right! When he caught him outside, he was busy scarfing down the apple pie that was cooling off in which he wasn't too thrilled to see him doing that.
"That was for after lunch," said Minara as he saw Dean finishing off the pie that he baked earlier for after lunch. "Have you no shame for pilfering baked goods all the live long?
"C'mon; you know that I can't resist a good pie," he said as he put down the empty pan on the porch.
"For the record, Sam will be needing food soon in which I'll be preparing gyros with all the trimmings."
"Really? Gyros? We should take Sammy out to lunch at the Sylphine Thread, which is best for making the popular chicken sandwiches here in Jomon Village."
"And most chicken sandwiches are often adorned with pickles instead of cheese, which is mainly reserved for cheeseburgers."
It wasn't long until Dean spotted me from one of the floors of the castle as he was mainly concerned about my health. Still, he was reminded of the dreaded caesarian that he performed on Minara last year. His concern for me emboldened him to keep me grounded as he viewed my pregnancy as a sign to keep me from doing further field work and it was more than enough to recover after the destruction of Project Amaterasu two years ago, for it was a way to put me out of commission in the first place…
Reuben was in one of the rooms of the castle as he was looking at some medical records. On his desk, there were two files that piqued his curiosity as he noticed them to be mine and Minara's records in which he was carefully looking at them. He remembered how Minara endured Sayoko's birth after the Executive Division nearly tried to kill him last year as he also got word of the demon who also wanted him killed as well. When he looked into mine, he was looking at the many assessments of me as he also saw a picture of my unborn twins that were healthy, but growing quick due to the acceleration that my raw power caused. It wasn't long until he saw Akio in his office as he was concerned about what was going on here, for the news of my unmentionable problem was one huge hot button issue indeed.
"You're very busy for a Medic General," he said.
"If you're concerned about Sam's health, than I've got lots of assessments on him," said Reuben as he put away the folder. "Recently, his pregnancy ended up getting accelerated after he saved Damien Mahoney's life."
"I heard how Bruce's son took a bullet for Sam, only for the latter to use his raw power to save him from certain death."
"According to the staff at the Yock Memorial Hospital on Stohess, the assassin who issued the hit on Sam came from the Black Dragon Guild and the bullet was dipped with swamp adder venom. Even though my pig-headed half-brother jumped the gun to save Damien from certain death with his raw power, it very much accelerated the pregnancy that he carries in which the twins are now the size of grapefruits. As for the bullet in question, it's been taken to the Apothecary Department of the Medical Corps in which an anti-venom has been procured to counteract with the poison that is often used by the Black Dragon Guild. As for the assassin who did the deed, he was found dead in which a trail of sulphur was near his corpse in which a demon finished him off."
"This isn't the first time that Sam's been targeted by those scumbags. They won't go quietly when it comes to snuffing out a certain someone who's both incapacitated and with child. As for the demon who offed the assassin, she was spotted until she left into parts unknown." Akio fishes out a tablet as he shows Reuben an image from a security camera near the beach. "She's crafty, but she also doesn't like the Black Dragon Guild that much."
"It's Ruby…" Reuben recognizes her due to her appearance in black clothing. "No doubt about it…"
"That isn't all because right after Sam came back here to Valinor, she gave a word of warning to those who are demanding that he returns to the field in which they will be cut down by either the King of Heaven or his great-grandfather, Pendragon. They knew the message well after the death of Sawney Masbath and the destruction of Project Amaterasu on the Sol-3 two years ago."
Reuben takes the tablet from Akio's hands as he looked at the security footage in which a message was posted earlier. He knew of it to be anonymous as there was no return message or time stamp on it. By the time he turned it on, he had a feeling that the mystery messenger would be posting a warning that was more than likely to be falling on deaf ears, for it was also a moment not to let anyone else go towards me.
"I'm calling you to make this brief," said Ruby over the message. "After the death of Sawney and the destruction of Project Amaterasu two years ago, most of those who are demanding Sam to go back on the field are making their voices louder in which they won't stop until they do so even after I heard of such talk about him being pregnant. Jack Kline has also issued dire warnings to those who refuse to take no for an answer in which his protestations have fallen on deaf ears. To Maro and those who rally around him to force Sam to go back on the field while in convalescence, don't even try to do so because Pendragon is watching."
The cryptic message ended as Reuben gave Akio back his tablet. Still, he was aware of the backlash that I would receive as there are still those who would stop at nothing to bring me back into the fold while not being fine fettle. Therefore, my overall health was the top priority as I was also caught in the crosshairs, for there was no end to the demands of getting me out of my long harrowing furlough…
Ruby was hiding in the distance as she was mainly taking refuge in one of the rotgut rooms near Jomon Village. She was aware of the Mahoney Clan's disdain towards demons as she had to tread carefully. Still, she had to lay low as she was busy looking into the family tree that had both the Vallon and Schacter clans together due to Phyllis being the half-sister to Marthonus and Tythonus respectively. Even though she was now concerned about my pregnancy, she also had her reasons to kill the assassin who put the hit on me in the hospital on Yock Island on Stohess. Like most of us, she hated the Black Dragon Guild as she had to set the message straight when it came to making amends for her past crimes. When she was about ready to turn in, she heard someone breaking into her hideout as she turned around and noticed Phyllis entering in which she was armed with the usual weapons that most members of the Order used, for she had her reasons to put a damper on the Executive Division like the rest of us.
"You're early," said Ruby.
"Don't get the wrong idea," said Phyllis. "It's been two years since Sawney Masbath got iced in which every single witch in and out of the Vesper Guild have celebrated his demise. There was also the destruction of Project Amaterasu on the Sol-3 in which the last one in the Sol Project will be scrapped in the eternal dustbin of eternity."
"And there are those who are still wanting Sam to go back on the field after what we went through in which the Executive Division is still at large. He's not making it easy in his commitment to his furlough, but his predicament has gotten from bad to worse."
"What are you talking about?"
"Sam's pregnant due to Jack Kline's meddling in which he was even goaded by the likes of the usual suspects. Seto may have backed off, but Maro and Miriam still chose to make his life a living hell for him. That was the last straw the moment Jack shifted Sam and Reiko's offspring from one womb to another just to prevent him from doing more field work."
"I see what you mean after I got reports from Cordell Island about a drowner nest being destroyed over there. Sam may have been chastised for being forced to use his raw power, but if he didn't, there would be more dockworkers being shoved face first to their deaths. The Order should thank him for stepping in at Maro's behest or else those drowners would've been infesting the remainder of Cordell Island on the sly."
"Well, Sam shouldn't be using his raw power, not in his condition. For the record, I killed one of those assassins in the Black Dragon Guild after he put a hit on our model patient, only to have Damien Mahoney take the bullet in his stead. Sam may have been used his raw power to save him, but he can't do it too much."
It wasn't long until Ruby heard the door of her hideout opening up the door as she drew out an angel blade to find out who would go and find her. Even Phyllis was concerned about this dire situation as she got out her bow and spotted an Elf with white hair and blue eyes arriving in which he had his own weapon aiming at her. Ruby was ready to strike until she was stopped by Phyllis the moment they were at the mercy at the intruder, for he was there to give out a dire message.
"You're looking well, Phyllis," he said. "It seems that you're collaborating with your demon friend against the wishes of our late family members."
"Neville Schacter," said Ruby. "It seems that you still have a stick up your ass as usual."
"After two years of dealing with the Executive Division, we should be getting Sam Winchester to return to the field or else this war will be won by the scum who demanded this mess in the first place."
"You can't force him to go back, Neville," said Phyllis cautiously.
"And why not?"
"Because he's with child, no thanks to Jack Kline's meddling."
"I knew of his pregnancy which goes beyond the pale in the same situation as Minara Mitani. I also gave the order to Maro and Miriam to use every scare tactic necessary to put our model Elder of the Order back on the field after all that has happened in the past two years."
"How dare you, Neville Schacter?!" yelled Ruby. "How could you force someone who can hardly function without using his wheelchair back on the field after fighting tooth and nail to shut down Project Amaterasu and get rid of Sawney Masbath? How dare you try to put a cripple on the battlefield without knowing the consequences of your actions?"
"And what about you, Ruby? In the Elder Days, you manipulated and enticed our new Ashizoka god's past self into drinking demon blood and letting out Lucifer just to jumpstart the Apocalypse! I'm just using your tactics to get Sam back on his heels so that another harrowing incident will never happen again."
Without warning, a high-pitched sound filled the room as Ruby knew of it to be the arrival of angels the moment she had to get Phyllis out of the hideout. It wasn't long until everyone noticed a group of angels burst into the door as Neville stood in sidestep with them, for he wasn't about to give up on forcing me to go back on the battlefield directly. What he didn't expect was that Abiasaph was there as he appeared out of nowhere in which he wasn't there to give Ruby or Phyllis a lecture, but to force Neville to yield to the demand to back off.
"Didn't you get the memo, Neville?" he said.
"Don't you dare ruin this, Chief Tamanori!" he yelled. "All I want is to have Sam Winchester fight at the side of those who are fighting against the Executive Division and those who collaborate with their unholy tactics! I won't let them win this war and I will make sure that Sam Winchester will be returned to us and fight to end this mess!"
"And you think that our warnings fall on deaf ears, but I have heard of what happened to our Messiah of the Ashizoka System when he put the kibosh on Sawney Masbath and shut down Project Amaterasu two years ago. The overexertion of his raw power nearly killed him and he needs to heal just like any other model soldier." Abiasaph places a collar around Neville's neck as it stuck on the Elf while he was struggling to take it off. "You can't remove that collar, Neville Schacter, for it is your punishment into forcing Sam to go back to work. It won't work that way because there are his acolytes that are heeding the call to aid everyone against the Executive Division in the first place. Now, if you excuse me, let's all get going before Bruce's patrol catches all of us."
And so, the group followed Abiasaph and his group of angels as they had no other choice but to back away from forcing me to go back on the battlefield. Even Ruby was grateful that I was spared as she didn't want me to be put through the ringer further, for I was both fragile and with child at the same time…
Later on in the evening, I was laying in bed as I was thinking about returning to Skald Island after what is said and done. I missed Reiko and the children as I wanted to go back eventually. Getting up, I slowly got on my feet as I left my room and went to the bathroom in which I noticed it to be made for the physically disabled and the elderly due to the walk-in bathtub that was in there. With my clothes off, I went to the wash basin as I scrubbed myself thoroughly. I was also looking at the baby bump that I had as it was slightly bigger than last time. It was slightly bigger as my little ones weren't the size of cabbages yet.
"My babies," I said to myself as I rinsed off in the wash basin.
When I slowly got up, I turned around and noticed someone that I haven't seen in a while in which he looked a lot like Minara due to his burgundy hair and purple eyes. He was there for a reason in which he noticed me slowly getting up the moment I stepped into the walk-in tub and closing the secure door behind me. With the hot water turned on, I began to wait as noticed the intruder in the bathroom getting out a bath fizz that smelled like matcha and Valinorian chamomile in which I saw it being put there. Still, I was alone with my young helper as he refused to budge, for he was just as adamant as his father.
"Thank the gods and Jack Kline that you didn't fall down, Uncle," he said as he turned off the water when it came to the brim. "Papa told me that you weren't feeling well, but that's not gonna stop me from following in his footsteps as a member of the Medical Corps. He even said that you're having a baby just like him when Uncle Dean cut him open to bring out my baby sister."
"Kunio," said Minara as he entered into the bathroom. "You shouldn't badger your uncle too much."
"It's fine," I said as I was relaxing in the bathtub. "He's gotten older."
"He's ten years old, but from what I heard from the local medicus in New Capua, he's been delving into medical knowledge instead of playing with the other children."
"I also looked into the lore in which it can be useful to target certain ailments," said Kunio. "I'm also delving into medicine just like Papa so that everyone will be cared for."
I was happy that Minara and Kunio were on hand to help me as I tolerated their presence without further protestations. Even though I appreciated the assistance, I was also protective of my precious cargo as I was touching at my stomach. Minara knew of that feeling very well as he also had to go through pregnancy, for it was mutual when it came to dealing with what was once put into his own body.
"You're starting to develop a maternal instinct, Sam," he said.
"Is it unnatural for me to do so?" I asked.
"You weren't the only one to exhibit signs of having such an instinct to protect what you have inside of you. I get that feeling when I was being watched by my own subordinates in the Medical Corps along with the medicus that was supervising me at the time."
"They had their reasons, didn't they?"
"The medicus couldn't leave Papa alone," said Kunio. "He kept touching at his belly all the time."
"And it was comfortable until I was left alone with Mizuwa. She knew of what I bore after what happened to her. She didn't mind it as she also felt at my belly to make sure that I was safe while carrying Sayoko in my body. I gave my all in carrying my daughter to term after hearing about Mizuwa suffering from Tabata Syndrome in which the pregnancy that I bore will be the catalyst into finding a cure for it."
I never expected Minara to be fully determined to have hope as he was adamant into doing so. He was like me when he bore the full brunt of the pregnancy that he carried inside of him as he also felt the instinct to do more. I didn't blame him. He was in the same rut as I was as I didn't complain further, for I was too tired to do so. By the time I finished my bath and drained the water, I got out of the walk-in bathtub as I noticed Minara steering me to a footstool to dry me off with a towel in his hand. By the time I was finished, I got into some clean nightclothes as I was hauled out of the bathroom and into my wheelchair the moment I returned to my room. By the time I crawled into my bed, I noticed Minara and Kunio leaving the room as I was alone with the peace and quiet that I wanted. I wasn't alone as I also wanted Reiko to be by my side. Still, I longed to return to Skald Island as I missed my family so badly until I heard the door to my room opening up in which I spotted Dean there with a tray of food in his hands. The sight of Mediterranean food kept my mind at ease as I noticed my brother handing the tray over to me, for I was getting very hungry due to the cravings that I had.
"Here's to the man who would be Mom," I heard him say to me.
"Shut up," I said as I was feeling a bit annoyed.
"C'mon, Sammy; you've got a set of biscuits in the oven in which everyone will be swarming you since Minara had his own last year."
"After this, I'll be heading back to Skald Island to be with Reiko and the children. The sea air will do me good."
"You've been put through the ringer ever since Seto had the gall to shake up your already fractured furlough." Dean sees me get into my tray of food as he saw me eating at some of it. "The stuff that's on your plate is mainly Mediterranean food in which it's mainly more vegetables and less meat."
"Minara took up residence on Claudius due to his first marriage in which he prepared foods that were mainly healthy." I take a bite of the gyro that was on my plate as it tasted very good. "This is good in which there's a mixture of what Minara put into. The vegetables and lamb in this are seasoned very well in which there's a balance with the tzatziki sauce. This is more delectable than the infamous vegan diet from hell."
I continued to eat at my food as Dean was making sure that I wasn't feeling further sad. Still, he had to return to his unit, but he couldn't leave me alone right now as I was also feeling the pinch of the pregnancy that I carried. When I finished up my food, I began to lay back down until I noticed Dean going towards the closet to bring out some extra pillows. He knew of me to be carrying my precious parcels inside of me as he also wanted to make sure that I had the extra comfort that was tailor-made for anyone who was either ailing or carrying a baby, for he refused to leave my side until I was well-adjusted with what was there.
"Let's start with the feet," I heard him say to me as he placed some of the pillows under my legs.
"I don't need the extra bells and whistles right now, Dean," I pleaded.
"Of course you do," said Minara as he entered into the room. "Having some extra pillows propping you up can make your pregnancy comfortable, Sam."
"And I'll have the top half put under my back…"
"Hey, you're not the only one who had to deal with the pregnancy hell. During my months carrying Sayoko, I felt the pinch of an achy back, swollen feet, and irritability up the ass."
"He's got you there, Sam," said Dean as he noticed my feet being all swollen. "You should also take better care of yourself 'cause you really need to stay off your feet." He also sees my legs become swollen as he wasn't about to let me wriggle out of my comfort. "There's no end to your mess, is there?"
Minara looked at my feet and legs as he saw them to be in bad shape. He was also aware that I would be in dire need of the extra comfort as he propped the rest of the pillows under my back and neck. Even though I was propped up to prevent further discomfort, I couldn't complain to my caretakers as I also had to make sure that my babies would be progressing nicely, for I had to take better care of myself instead of worrying too much.
"It's best that you stay put until you return to Skald Island," said Minara. "We'll go in the morning and take the Impala to the harbor where the seaship to the Skalvarg Archipelago is."
"I would like that..." I said.
"As soon as we get you packed back to the island, the better," said Dean. "Besides, you're still not in fine fettle after so many years bailing our asses out of trouble time and again."
"For a long time, it was mainly Reiko carrying children, but I'm the one doing it because of the fact that Jack had his reasons to place them in me."
"It's for the best, Sam," said Castiel as he appeared out of nowhere. "After all those times into using your raw power, Jack had no other choice but to place your twins in your body as a way to prevent you from going back on the battlefield."
"It worked, but there are some detractors who refuse to take no for an answer." I feel at my stomach as I felt the twins moving. "At least I have a reprieve from what nearly happened to me."
I was happy to have such comfort towards me as I couldn't wait to go back to Skald Island in the morning. I was missing Reiko and the children dearly as I was ready to leave for the only comfort that I had, for it would soon be worth it when I came back to my family…
The next morning, I heard footsteps approaching as I slowly sat up. I was on guard over the babies I was carrying as I didn't want anything bad to happen to them until I saw the door to my room open up. To my shock, I noticed Minara rushing into the room as he was ready to collect me in the trip back to Skald Island. I was glad to go back to my family as I would soon be reunited with them, for I was missing them terribly.
"I'm finally going back to Skald Island," I said.
"I hate to break it to you, but there's been a change of plans," said Minara.
"What the hell's going on? What is it that you're not telling me?"
"Before going back to Skald Island, Reuben insisted that you need to have another assessment done."
"It's always assessments on me. If this continues, then I'll never be able to get home."
"And for the record, the assessment will be on the Medical Corps ship that's bound for the Skalvarg Archipelago in which everyone in it will be giving you the proper prenatal care instead of being on a rickety seaship."
"Where's Dean?"
"He left this morning. He also wanted me to make sure that you're cared for in order to prepare for the delivery in the later months."
I slowly got up from my bed as I was on my feet. When I went to my wheelchair, I noticed Minara wheeling me out of the room and out into the hall. By the time we reached the elevator, we took it all the way down to the main hall in which we saw Reuben standing in front of us, for he was ready to take me back to Skald Island as planned. I was finally going back home, but I also had to deal with the usual assessments that were thrown at me, for it was no fun for me at all.
"I'm at your mercy, Reuben," I said as I sighed heavily.
"You shouldn't be depressed all the time, Sam," he said. "It would be bad for the babies."
"As for Dean leaving for Shiganshina, he has high hopes for Minara taking care of you because of the fact that he also endured what you're going through. And another thing, once you're back home to your family on Skald Island, you need complete bedrest; no exceptions."
"Well, it sucks to be bedridden all the time."
"It's better than having Dean kicking your ass in real time," said Minara. "Hell, even Reiko would force you to stay in bed if she heard about you bombarded with swollen legs and a bad back. I know that she's gotten bolder, but she's not the type that can be sidestepped. She would keep you in bed in which you were also concerned about her own well-being when she was carrying the first three pregnancies that she had. Besides, you do so much for everyone and it's high time that we all return the favor."
I didn't complain further as I was on my way back to Skald Island. As for what would happen next, I had to be aware of the further effects of my pregnancy in which the twins had to be cared for just as much as me. Even though I went through the assessments from the Medical Corps, I was starting to get used to them as I would soon return home to my family, for they were waiting for me after all I went through…
To be continued...