"Here, Jacques...You're a papa again...", Sia smiled happily as she gently passed Korbyn into Jacques' arms, and he exhaled, tears prickling at his eyes, "I'm your papa...Hello, Kory...I love you so much, and I love your mother and big brother too...", kissing his new son on the forehead gently, and Korbyn giggled, being tickled by his papa's stubble, cooing as he reached out his little hand.
Jacques chuckled fondly as his finger soon got grasped by his little hand, cooing and gurgling, and he smiled, "I know you love me too in your way...You're going to be a strong warrior like your mother...", as Sia watched in adoring love and happiness, seeing Jacques somehow looking at peace, like he had found another reason to live besides her and Vinny.
She then glanced to see Vinny peeking nervously behind the creaking door, and she smiled, "Looks like we have someone who's shy to meet his new brother, Jacques.".
"Vinny, why are you pacing out there?", Jacques asked. "Come on in and meet your baby brother...", he chuckled as Vinny took a deep breath and slowly made his way towards them.
Vinny widened his eyes as he looked closer at Korbyn, "Wow...I forgot how small babies are...He's really cute as a button...".
Jacques smiled, "His name is Korbyn, Kory for short.", and Vinny looked surprised before smiling, "That's actually fitting...Hello, Kory...Does he have a middle name yet?".
Sia chuckled softly, "Why don't you suggest a name then, yet I am still undecided between keeping Nedakh or taking upon Dernier after your papa. After all, in a way, if it wasn't for you, he couldn't be here...I would never thank you enough for lecturing your papa and giving me joy to hear that you have accepted me to be your mom.", resting on the edge of her pillows, watching all her boys with love and joy. She is happier than she has ever been in eons.
Now Vinny was the one to blush upon hearing that, "H-Hey... don't say that!". Jacques chuckled, "Well, now you know how I felt when you said all that to me last night.", as he ruffled the young boy's hair.
Korbyn cooed and gurgled in Jacques' arm, looking at his big brother, reaching a bit, and Jacques smiled warmly, "I think he wants to see you closer..".
Vinny looked a bit nervous, and Sia smiled, "Sit down, Vinny. That's it..", as Jacques smiled, setting Korbyn in his older son's arms, "There you go...mind his head...See, that's not so hard...".
Vinny exhaled softly, "I'm Vinny...I hope you like me for a brother...I never had a little brother before...I wish my other siblings would have met you...", gently placing a finger along Korbyn's cheek, and he cooed, gurgling, grasping his finger in his little hand, and Vinny blinked, "You're not so bad...You're strong...I bet you're gonna be like Papa...Wait...That's it...I got something for his middle name..".
Sia looked curious, "What is it?", as Jacques smiled, "Don't wanna make your little brother wait. He's listening to you.", with a nod.
"Enzo... I think his middle name should be Enzo.", Vinny said as Sia and Jacques looked to each other. "I think that sounds like a nice fit.", Jacques said. "What do you think, Sia?".
Sia smiled, "Korbyn Enzo Nedakh...", and Korbyn gave a happy, excited squeak, cooing, and Jacques glanced at Sia, "Looks like we have a winner.", with a chuckle. Sia giggled, smiling as Korbyn went between father and brother in cuddling for several minutes before Korbyn gave a disgruntled cry, whining, and Vinny, holding him, "Is he okay? Did I do something wrong?", is frowning in worry.
"He's okay, Vinny, and you haven't done anything wrong...He's calling for me as he is now hungry...", Sia smiled, reaching out her arms, and Vinny blinked, "Oh, right...Okay, there you go, Kory, back to Mom.", passing Korbyn into Sia's arms as he reached to suckle a nipple on an exposed breast that fell into sight from the cover of the sheet on her, and closed his eyes in contentment as he started to drink.
Sia smiled, kissing his little forehead, "My little star, my beautiful Kory...", as tears prickled at her eyes, looking up at Jacques with a bittersweet smile, "We're a family...You, me, Vinny, and little Kory...I wish this would last forever...", with a tiny sob.
"I know...", Jacques sighed as Sia touched his cheek, "But we both know that you're still needed back with your people for now. I don't want you to feel regret like you've abandoned them for us...".
Jacques leaned in to rest his forehead on hers, whispering, "The day when France is free, I'll be back so fast that nothing will stop me from being with you, and our sons...", his hand gently stroking his suckling son's head.
Sia smiled softly, "I believe you, my beloved...", as Vinny replied quietly, "I'll get Sweet and Nola to get you back to pristine condition...I am going to tell the others that you need this for a couple hours...", before leaving the room.
Indeed, the gang more than understood, and so, with Sweet and Nola's checkup, with Nola unable to pick up on the second baby as it is too little to be detected yet, but they helped Sia to be completely healed from all the soreness, the aftereffects of the labor pains, the afterbirth, and saw that Sia is completely healthy to feed Korbyn for a long time.
Sia and Jacques spent time with Korbyn and Vinny between short naps and long feedings for the next few hours while the narwhal flyer was being prepared, unknowing of Packard's secret camera taking pictures of them, discreet pictures to be normal-ish, like of Abraham's baby bump hid by the table while sitting next to Thaddeus, Milo and Kida, and of course, pictures of the volcano battle and such for Colonel Phillips in secret.
It was then with permission, seeing that Korbyn is strong and healthy to enjoy the outside, the family resignedly left the palace, and yet they were shocked to see the entire city in the city center, having stopped on the base landing of the grand stairs, with Kida smiling at Sia, "I remember the lesson of the importance of presenting the firstborn heir to the throne, and I won't ever pressure my nephew if he doesn't want to be king, considering that I'm with child as well...And with the urgency of your mate needing to return back to the surface with the crew, the city wanted to see the first child of Atlantis after being saved.".
The city murmured and nodded in agreement with the crew watching in curiosity and awe, and Sia exhaled, tears prickling at her eyes, realizing that Korbyn is a true prince, despite his origins, and replied, "If you also can announce Vinny as a ward of the palace and adopted prince, even when he cannot be a king.", with stubborn pride in her voice.
Kida smiled proudly, "I would never deny my other nephew of that right to be a royal ward. Now, if you may...", with a smile, and Sia nodded, smiling at Jacques, "Will you carry our son to Kida in front, with Vinny by your side?".
"Of course...", Jacques kissed her cheek before he whispered as he still leaned in, "Of course, if you could quickly give me an extra piece of advice on how to do the ceremony and all, I'd greatly appreciate it.".
Sia smiled, "It's an important line. 'I put my sons, with their full names, of I and your names as their parents, to be shown as princes of Atlantis, and from forever on, with our firstborn son to be one of the heirs for the throne long after Princess, soon to be Queen, with her full name for it, on her retirement upon her reign, to take upon the throne.', And you say it right before you pass Korbyn into Kida's arms, while nudging Vinny to stand next to Kida. You got it?".
"Yeah, I think I can remember that. Thank you.", Jacques said as Sia chuckled. "You're welcome... it'll be quick and painless, I promise.", she assured him.
Korbyn gurgled in agreement, reaching for his papa, and Sia smiled, kissing his little forehead lovingly before passing him into Jacques's arms, as Sia then straightened Vinny's hair, kissing him on the forehead, with Vinny not even fussing about it as he realized that this is a huge thing, and so, she stood, watching in pride as her boys all came forward, walking to Kida as her back is facing the crowd, smiling warmly as she hugged Jacques lightly, and held her hands out to receive Korbyn.
Jacques took a deep breath and spoke clearly, "I put my sons, Vincenzo Giovani Santorini, and Korbyn Enzo Nedakh, born of Thalassia Nedakh and Jacques Pierre Dernier, to be shown as princes of Atlantis, and from forever onwards, with our firstborn son to be one of the heirs for the throne long after Princess, soon to be Queen Kidagakash Nedakh on her retirement upon the end of her reign, to take upon the throne.".
He tenderly kissed his newborn son on the cheek before passing over the giggling, quietly cooing baby into Kida's hands, while kissing his older son's forehead, nudging him onwards with a proud smile.
Everyone in attendance was a little on edge, after all, an event like this hadn't happened in so many centuries and for the surface dwellers, it was yet another new experience for them.
Kida turned around and smiled, walking to the edge of the landing, yet careful to stay away from the actual edge of the landing as she's pregnant herself, with Vinny walking besides her, and then they stopped.
Kida announced clearly, "In my third decree as Future Queen of this beloved city, I announce Vincenzo and Korbyn as royal princes, with Vincenzo as the ward and adopted son of Princess Thalassia, and Korbyn as one of the heirs to take after me upon the end of my reign, and so let it mote be; Prince Vincenzo and Prince Korbyn!", lifting Korbyn carefully into the air, showing him off to the crowds.
The crowds cheered, clapping and singing, and as if the Heart of Atlantis heard it all, it helped the filtered sunshine from the deep floor of the sea and the surface, sporting a very soft blue and golden beam through the buildings and such, landing upon Kida, Korbyn and Vinny, approving of them all, with a new crystal necklace floating before Korbyn.
Korbyn blinked, gurgling with a giggle as he kicked his little legs, and so, the necklace came upon him, fitting him perfectly, to grow with him over time, and the crowds then bowed their bodies in respect, kneeling and such, with a faint Atlantean song on the air, echoing Korbyn and Vinny's names for a minute before Kida then smiled, pulling and putting Korbyn back into her arms from the air, as he cooed at her in slight confusion for he was enjoying the curious yet exciting show before he then noticed his papa and mom coming up to him.
He squealed happily as he was given back to Jacques, as Sia hugged Vinny proudly, "Good job. I know it's a lot of fanfare and such, but you stayed calm...Your past cannot leave you as you are part of it, and I know your first family must be so proud of you...", as the crowds then dispersed off, talking and gossiping excitedly of the adorable baby and the news of Korbyn and Vinny being princes, as they resumed their lives, while Milo smiled at Kida, taking her hand as they headed down to join the crew, to walk onwards to one of the clearings on the outer borders of the city, where the narwhal flyer is being filled up.
Vinny gave a small, warm smile at Sia, "Mom, I know you will never replace Mami, but I think she'd be so relieved that I have you to be a mom for me, and that I won't be alone again...Yeah, I think they're smiling down on me from the heavens, happy for me...And for being a prince...does that mean taking upon lessons sometimes?", with a sigh as it sounded like homework.
Sia smiled warmly, "Yes, it is, but you can afford to have half days of lessons when needed, but otherwise, you can play with your new friends, and explore around the city, perhaps finding a hobby you'd learn to love. However, you must understand that you must take the lessons seriously as much as you can, even if your little brother will have more lessons than you...We were fortunate with Milo and your father, and all in saving Atlantis and bringing the Heart back to the skies, but it's better to be prepared than not, is that clear?".
Vinny nodded, "Of course.". Jacques smiled hearing that, "Good boy. Just remember, you're the man of the family now while I'm gone, okay?". Vinny nodded once more but obviously, his look was more of sorrow and pain as he was trying to stay strong.
"Hopefully it's as you said, about those Americans now joining the war too... that maybe it might bring it to an end sooner...", Sia sighed.
Jacques replied, "Yes, I hope too as well, and I have a feeling that Steve will truly prove himself to Colonel Phillips that the war needs him...Come on, we must get going...", with a sigh.
The others nod as Korbyn felt sadness and feeling a bit confused, he burrowed into his papa's arms, soaking up all the warmth and attention he could, cooing, and Jacques smiled softly, "I know, Kory...I'm never letting go of you all the way...", as he adjusted his newborn son into a shoulder-chest position, walking slowly with his family through the city, knowing he will never forget Atlantis in a hurry, that's for sure...
Halfway, Korbyn became hungry yet stubborn, not wanting to leave his papa, and Sia became concerned, "Kory, I have to feed you. You need it, and your papa doesn't have the attribute for it, no offense, Jacques.".
Jacques smiled sadly, "None taken...Korbyn, please, you heard your mother, you are so hungry, yes?", and Korbyn whined, coming into a full-blown cry, as his papa's right, for he's really hungry, but he doesn't want to leave his papa so soon!
A familiar voice spoke, "Sia? Is the young prince alright?", as they looked over to see Nola shopping, and Sia sighed, "Kory doesn't want to leave his papa, but he's really hungry, and I think he's going to really cry...", tears prickling at the edges of her eyes, thinking that she's a bad mother already...
Nola blinked, "Ah, you're in luck you have ended up seeing me again as I was about to head back to the palace, to talk with you, for the schedule of Vinny's lessons and Kory's feedings and your eventual desire to return back to hunting and tracking, and I have traded a tapestry for a supply of bottles and a milk pump.".
Jacques widened his eyes, "You have a better model of a milk pump?", blushing softly as Vinny whistled to himself, looking away, and Nola smiled warmly, "It's one of the few things we have saved from the fall of Atlantis, considering that the healer center was inside the city than outside.", as she pulled out a unique, sort of futuristic breast milk pump from one of her bags, and with an empty bottle attaching to the milk pump.
Sia looked relieved as she sat down on one of the benches, exposing one of her breasts from her bikini top, and began to latch the milk pump to the breast, feeling weird to do this, but seeing how Korbyn is not leaving his papa any minute, it's needed for this emergency.
"I am mostly sticking to breastfeeding him for he needs it, but this is a short-term solution, I must admit, for Vinny to learn responsibility, and for now with Jacques.", Sia sighed deeply.
"Yeah... I think he knows already that I'm going to leave and wants to spend every second he can with me... even if it comes at the cost of nursing from you.", Jacques said. "He probably is smart enough to know that he'll get plenty of time to feed from me...", Sia gave a small chuckle.
Korbyn gurgled at that comment before whining and looking hungrily, yet trying to ignore it while playing with Jacques's hand, and soaking in all the attention Jacques gave him, making little giggles as Jacques tickled him, for many minutes before Nola announced, "There, that should be enough for one feeding with his papa.", with a smile as she helped unlatch the milk pump, while grabbing a nipple to cover the bottle lid.
Korbyn squealed, reaching out for the bottle as Jacques chuckled, receiving the bottle from Nola, "Okay, okay.", as Korbyn cooed, his belly aching as he can't ignore it anymore, his little hands on the front of the bottle as Jacques gently held it, suckling eagerly, gulping.
"Whoa, easy, slow down, Kory!", Jacques reprimanded gently as Korbyn looked sheepish, pulling back to hiccup and burp, with Jacques stroking his back, smiling, "See, what did I tell you? Easy now...", with Korbyn now suckling slowly, gulping carefully, looking at his papa with happy eyes.