Ray kissed her on the cheek, "At least you don't have to worry about Sylvia.", as he knew that it's lonely being in charge of the Evening Star and all, according to Evangeline's account of it.
Perla then commented, "And oh, it's a magician, not a fairy. Sylvia is an enchantress, so a magician makes more sense than a fairy, and besides, I don't see him wearing wings well.".
"Well, that's good, and with Jiminy's memories, he will be far different and better than that dark magician.", Juliet replied with a huff, referring to Facilier as Belle is breastfeeding Gianna, the newborn who is taking her first day in stride.
Adam nodded, "I very much agree with you.", and the others nodded in agreement, and Perla then replied, "And he will visit when he has free time. So, don't worry, kids, Uncle Jiminy will still come around, to play games with all of you, read stories at bedtime, or whatever.", with a smile.
Chip smiled, "So, he's very happy with Miss Sylvia?", as he sat next to Naveen, and Perla nodded, "That's right. And having this opportunity to help people including little ones like you, it makes him happy, for he wants the world to be a better place for all of you to grow up in.".
"He always did say that he wanted to do something like that...", Juliet said. "Back when Geppetto was still alive...", she sighed. Had it really been quite a few years already since he passed? Perla honestly couldn't believe it herself when she thought about it.
Carlo asked quietly, "Do you think Poppa is happy for Uncle Jiminy? And I having lots of brothers, sisters and friends?".
Perla smiled at him, "Yes, darling...Poppa wants us to be happy, and seeing us having a family, a big family in this amazing castle, and making lives like Jiminy, Poppa is happy to see it all, I know it.", with a small pang in her heart, almost imagining Geppetto merrily talking ideas out with Maurice, or delighting in playing with his younger grandchildren, the brood of her and Adam's little ones if he was here.
Adam kissed her on the temple, gently rubbing her back as Carlo nodded with a small smile, with Evangeline commenting softly, "The ones that truly love us never really leave us.", glancing at Ray who smiled softly with a small nod, knowing all in this family has loved ones in the heavens, and one that bonds them all together, yet they are moving on stronger, together.
And so, the test run tonight went really well, much to Jiminy's surprise, discovering many incredible things he could do with his magic, but is more than happy to follow Sylvia's lead as he's technically a newbie in magic, and became officially partnered with her from that night on, with sharing nights here and there as he got more comfortable with using his magic, visiting the family, overseeing the making of miracles all over the world, and of course, his newfound stamina to match Sylvia's stamina in lovemaking, ecstatic in being a lover after she told him of her magic keeping her sterile until she says so.
Weeks and months came and went, and then it was then Evangeline's turn to complete the brood of children in the family for the time being, due any day now as she's heavily 8 months along, the twins heavy and active, as it's the latter half of August.
"You need a hand?", Ray asked her as she woke up in the middle of the night, the urge to go to the bathroom hitting her like a trebuchet's projectile. She had gotten up which woke up Ray as she smiled back at him, "I think I'll be alright... just need to use the bathroom, that's all.".
Ray nodded softly, "Okay, my love. I'll stay up to wait for you to come back to bed, be spooned within my arms...", with a smile, and Evangeline giggled softly, "Thank you, Ray.", before walking gingerly to the bathroom, arching her back with a sigh, "You are really getting heavy and getting out of room, my dancers...", stroking her baby bump as they kicked around, squishing Evangeline's bladder which she couldn't blame them for.
Ever since the babies got old enough to hear and kick around in the womb, they loved dancing and listening to their big brother's music as Naveen became quite a natural at strumming his unique ukulele ecstatically at times and singing lullabies to his little twin siblings for them to go to sleep.
Evangeline was fairly quick before she headed back to bed... but then felt her stomach grumbling as she took a deep breath. "Ray, I think they're hungry for a midnight snack.", she chuckled as Ray smiled, "Alright then... I'm fully up now anyway, so let's go to the kitchens and see if we have anything...".
Evangeline smiled, and they strolled slowly and carefully down the hall and the stairs, and she sighed deeply, "I wish Maurice had started on the elevator by now...I have a lot of respect for Leila and Perla now...", as Maurice had found another idea after completing the other well in the gardens which many of the strong staff and the men in the family helped out with, along with Juliet.
Ray replied, "At least you're having exercise, my love. After all, you need to build up strength for the labor itself.", and Evangeline replied, "Point taken.", as they finally reached the ground floor, heading for the kitchens.
"Of course, I could've easily carried you.", Ray reminded as Evangeline laughed, "Ray, I know you're strong... but last thing we need is my weight to end up causing you to break your back.".
Ray replied, copying Evangeline, "Point taken.", and Evangeline giggled, kissing him on the cheek, and they made it to the kitchens, with Ray checking the meat cooler pantry, and the bread/vegetable pantry, and called out to Evangeline who is nibbling on crackers, "How do you feel about a stew?".
"Sounds wonderful, Ray.", Evangeline called back, and soon, Ray went to make a stew of vegetables and meat and broth by using an iron skillet in the fireplace, while Evangeline went to check the little tray closet of desserts.
As Evangeline was reaching for a delicious-looking strawberry shortcake, she gasped in pain when she felt something breaking, hearing water slosh underneath her as she is wearing her maternity nightgown.
"Evangeline?", Ray asked as she sighed. "Guess the wake-up call wasn't for a meal…", Evangeline admitted as she had to sit down.
Ray was a bit confused before widening his eyes, "It's time?!", and Evangeline breathed deeply from the first contraction, "Not yet time for the real labor, but yes, it's time. You still make me that stew, I'd need to be distracted with some eating, clear?".
"Yes, ma'am.", Ray nodded, and went to stir the simmering stew, making sure the meat in the stew is all cooked through. "I worry if this might be too soon. I mean, it hasn't been the full nine months, right?", Evangeline asked.
Ray replied, "With twins, they are usually born at the back end of the 8th month because they are literally running out of room, and they are fully developed. I mean, look at Leila and Jules' twins. They were born on the last day of the 8th month. And for single babies in the 9th month, it's usually the second week of the month, maybe the 1st week of the month sometimes, and the third week of the month rarely.", before nodding in satisfaction at the texture and taste of the stew when he tested it, and then went to pour some of it into a bowl, waving a towel to cool it down, handing it to Evangeline as he placed it on the table, "There you go, my love.", as he went to cut some bread into slices for her to dunk into the stew.
"Thank you, Ray.", Evangeline said as she took a deep breath, "So at least for sure everything will be alright with them?".
Ray smiled, "If they're anything like us and Naveen, I'm sure they will be fine.", kissing her on the temple as Evangeline went to eat portions of the stew with her spoon as Ray finished cutting the banquette, and gave them to her.
"Do you want goat's milk or water?", Ray asked, and Evangeline smiled softly, "Water, please, and could you get that strawberry shortcake for me?".
Ray nodded and went to the cooler meat pantry where a section of cold-water jars rested, grabbing one, and picked up the strawberry shortcake, and so, with snips of conversation and eating, Evangeline was comfortably distracted for an hour, breathing deeply between contractions.
At least everything was calm for a bit there, the truth birthing would come a little later but for the few moments, it was almost if everything was still the same.
Ray glanced at Evangeline, "You alright?", and Evangeline nodded, "For now...I'm not eager to go upstairs or wake up people as it's literally the middle of the night.".
"Okay. Shall we walk around?", Ray asked gently, and Evangeline nodded, "Sounds good.", gingerly getting up, with Ray helping her as she took deep breaths, and they strolled out of the kitchens, around the ground floor of the castle, taking little breaks to rest on benches or chaises along the way for 40 minutes before Evangeline nearly collapsed, crying out in pain when the first largely painful contraction came, as she was caught by Ray in time.
"Okay, think we're done with the walk now, huh?", Ray said as Evangeline nodded. "I think we're going to have to start waking people up now...", she admitted.
Ray was about to reply when they saw a bright flash coming from the ballroom which they are near, and Evangeline exhaled, "Come on...I can't stand up much longer...", before groaning in pain, and Ray nodded, helping her, going to the ballroom, discovering a bed transfigured from two chaises, with Sylvia standing near it, smiling at Evangeline.
"I ain't going to miss my niece and nephew's birth if I can help it, Eva. And don't worry, Jiminy is taking over things for me.", Sylvia replied warmly, and Evangeline teared up in relief and joy to see her cousin, "Thank you, Via.", using her recent new nickname for her cousin, before crying out in pain from another contraction.
"Easy, easy, Eve!", Ray squeezed her hand as he looked to Sylvia. "Are you able to help her?", he asked. Sylvia smiled, "I've been around a very long time, not long like Eva here, granted, but I know midwife delivery and all. Now, Ray, help her get on this bed! Shouldn't be much longer for the first of the tykes.".
"Right.", Ray nodded as he moved to pick up Evangeline gently before he placed her on the bed. "There we go, you alright?", he asked her as she nodded.
"Hurting but... at least comfort won't be a worry...", Evangeline gave a small smile. Ray kissed her on the lips softly, "Good.", as he sat by her side, as Sylvia sat at the foot of the bed, gently pushing the hem of Evangeline's nightgown over as Evangeline opened her legs apart.
Sylvia checked, "Well, the walk has done wonders for you, Eva. You're just a bit over 3/4 dilated. Couldn't be more than 5, 10 minutes before it's time to push.", with a wide smile at Evangeline.
Evangeline smiled happily before loudly moaning in pain from another contraction, and Ray held her hand, "Breathe, my love...", smiling as he encouraged her.
"Thank you...", Evangeline whispered to Ray as she took a few breaths. She was certainly happy to hear that she was already really dilated and that it wouldn't be very long.
Evangeline loudly moaned in pain as the contractions quickened over the next 10 minutes, taking deep breaths, and Sylvia checked, "You're in the clear, Eva! Breathe and push!".
Taking a deep breath, on the end of another contraction, Evangeline pushed, crying out in pain, holding hands tight with Ray as she repeated for 35 minutes before shouting out in pain as a new sensation came, her vagina stretching, unknowing that the shout of pain echoed through the ballroom.
Sylvia announced heartily, "The head's crowning! Breathe and push again, Eva!", and Ray kissed her on the temple, "Hear that, my love? Almost there! Our first baby's really eager!", with a warm laugh.
Evangeline gave a small smile with tears prickling at her eyes, "They are really like us...", before taking a deep breath and pushed, grunting as she loudly cried out in pain, as she felt the baby coming through, with Sylvia replying, "That's it, cuz! I got them!", her hands magically sterilized as she helped the baby out.
A few minutes later, a hearty wail pierced the air as Sylvia laughed, looking at Evangeline and Ray, "It's a girl! She's beautiful like her mother, and healthy like her father!", as she held her niece, wiggling and naked.
Evangeline took a deep breath, relieved to hear those cries. Of course, it wasn't over yet... their son still needed to be born. "Just one more, Eve...", Ray squeezed her hand. "You've got this...".
Evangeline pushed, feeling her daughter's legs slip out, along with the afterbirth as Sylvia quickly used her fingers to imitate an illusion of magical scissors, cutting the cord, tying a bit to the belly button as the baby girl kept crying.
"There you go, Eva.", Sylvia smiled as she put the little one on Evangeline's chest as her cousin cried happily, panting softly as she kissed her and Ray's daughter, "Oh, I'm here...Mama is here, and Papa is here too...Look at you...my beautiful Charlotte...", as Ray gently caressed their daughter's head, tears falling down his cheeks as well.
Charlotte has tiny, lovely curls of blonde hair, the same shade as her mama, having Ray's dimples and a caramel shade in her skin tone, and even a smaller, feminine version of Ray's nose, and as she realized she's in her mama's embrace, she opened her eyes, revealing to be bright blue, just like her mama.
Ray exhaled, whispering, "Oh, Evangeline, she's perfect...Charlotte, petite indeed, yet free...", as Charlotte is already cooing and gurgling, seeing her parents' faces. Evangeline kissed him on the lips tenderly, "She's already like us...And she's going to be free and happy, to have a life without judgement...", smiling contentedly as she took rest, feeling a kick from her other baby in the womb.
Charlotte cooed eagerly in agreement before her belly grumbled, whining as her little hands wiggled, reaching out, and Evangeline chuckled softly, "I should have known that you wanted to be first for everything considering that you always kick first when it's time for a story.", as Ray loosened the buttons on the top of her nightgown, and she adjusted Charlotte to a breast, immediately suckling.
"How's that feel?", Ray asked as Evangeline smiled, "Feels nice... I don't feel as much pain while she's doing that. The pleasure's sort of offsetting the birthing pain.".
Sylvia smiled warmly, "Charlotte is a great name for her...", before checking again, "You're closing up some. I guess that makes sense since the other water bag hasn't broken yet.".
Ray chuckled, "I think our boy is being considerate of his sister and wants to give Evangeline a bit of a break.", as he rested his head softly against Evangeline to watch Charlotte with awe and love. He whispered, "We're parents, Eve...Naveen is going to be happy.".
Evangeline smiled, kissing his cheek, "He sure will...But we're not done yet...Gods, it has been a couple of hours since labor started back in the kitchens...What time is it?".
Sylvia replied, "Close to 2:30 am in the morning.", and Evangeline chuckled, "You are really eager to meet us, dear Lottie.", before realizing with a gasp, remembering what Naveen said a day ago, and then smiled tearfully, looking up at Ray, whispering, "I think I know why they decided to come all of a sudden albeit after midnight. Happy birthday, my love.".
Ray smiled as he realized it, "That's right... it is...". He then chuckled. "You two are just so clever...", he whispered to his two children though his son might not have heard it as well as his sister did. "They clearly get it from their parents.", Sylvia joked.
Evangeline giggled as she contentedly cradled Charlotte to her breast, and so their daughter fed for the next 20 minutes, and then went to sleep in Ray's arms after she reached for him, which Evangeline happily passed her to him as contractions mildly continued on.
The mild contractions lasted for 30 minutes as Evangeline took deep breaths, and then the second water bag broke, and the contractions began to be sharper, causing her to moan in pain.
Sylvia replied, "Eva, is it alright if I put a mild soundproof aura around Charlotte? It's going to be even more painful again for you.", and Evangeline nodded, "Yes, that's fine. Don't worry, Ray, it won't hurt her, it will just shield her from hearing the loud sounds of myself when the contractions get faster and more painful.".
"If you say so... just... it pains me to hear you cry out like that, Eve...", Ray told her as she nodded. "I know, but we're almost there, Ray...", Evangeline placed her hand on his cheek.
Ray smiled, kissing her fingers lovingly, "You're right.", as he held Charlotte in his arm while Sylvia cast a mild soundproof aura over the baby girl as she slumbered on without concern about her hearing.
Sylvia then checked Evangeline, "You're over halfway dilated, reaching 3/4 of the way. Looks like it's gonna be a bit longer.", and Evangeline sighed softly, "Okay.", before moaning in pain from another contraction.