Kida smiled softly, "Indeed... I'm sorry I scared you, little one...It's all over now...", and a few moments later, a hesitant kick came, and Milo replied, "Yes, everything's okay now, rascal. You can now kick normally, just not too hard on your mother's bladder, eh?", and a couple of hearty kicks came, and Kida chuckled as they basked in their child's activity, resting until it's time to do citizen summons and such.
Sometime later, Sia walked out of the bathroom, drying her hair as she is wearing a casual set of her usual clothes, looking at herself in the mirror, biting her lip, wondering if Jacques would really make love with her if she's already feeling fat, not as gorgeous as she usually is...Oh, she isn't going to disobey Nola's rules, but perhaps if her memories of Jacques learning about American culture when he visited Preston Whitmore, after if the rule of not making love is done by New Year's Eve, does he even want to make love with her after what she had done?
She glanced at Jacques who is literally that exhausted, flopping into bed after checking upon Korbyn and Sia reassuring him that she will be fine in the shower. And now, he has been sleeping all this time without even the incline of the sun going for sunset bothering him in the dim sunlight of the room and made a smile as she decided to join him as the warm shower has made her quite drowsy, as Korbyn has been sleeping longer in quarters of a day lately.
A few hours later, Sia woke up sleepily to the feel of Jacques' hand stroking her baby bump, looking so awed and murmuring a poem, and she sleepily smiled, "How long have you been up?".
Jacques replied, "Not long, perhaps 10 minutes of changing Kory's diaper, and now in his playpen...I can't believe it still, you know...One of my dreams is happening for real, and this time, no rush pregnancy like Kory...You're beautiful, Sia, carrying our daughter...", with a smile.
Sia gave a giggle, "True that there's no rush now, and that you're staying with me forever...", before sighing deeply, "You say that now...I'm shocked that you'd even want to be near me, after what I've almost done...", turning over, not wanting to see his disappointment, tears in her eyes as her thoughts after her shower returned to her again.
"Sia, please... don't think that sort of thing...", Jacques whispered as he wrapped his arms around her tight. "Please... never think that... you didn't know... I never could be mad at you about that.".
"You should, really... especially if we lost her... it would be all my fault...", Sia sniffled. Jacques whispered gently, "Sia, you know that Nola said that Jendayi is healthy and growing properly, and heck, she has been kicking to show that she's thriving. She's not going to die for we are to be careful, loving, and always being there for her when she wants our attention...Help me out here, Jen?".
A lively kick came and went, and he smiled, "See? She is not mad for she knows that you saved her, for you love her. There's no other woman I'd rather be with than you, Sia...I love you, and I know we're keeping the engagement part for some time, but I'm so happy to be your fiancé, and the father of Kory and Jen and Vinny, and nothing will ever change my mind...".
Sia whispered, sniffling, "You sound so sure...I...I'm scared that you'll hold a grudge if something happens at birth...and now or then, I should be a monster for going against this family, my sister's concerns, as I didn't listen to her...Kida was right, I should have stayed back, and then that damn worm creature wouldn't have strike me...I don't deserve to be healed of my scars and such, as long as Jendayi came out intact and alive, I don't deserve to be flawless again, to be beautiful...And I wouldn't blame you if you never want to make love with me ever again..., even after obeying Nola's rules for the foreseeing week...".
"Sia...", It pained him to hear her say all those sorts of things. To hear her think that he would leave her or hate her for something like that. Would losing their daughter hurt if she died during childbirth? Of course, but never once would he blame her for that.
Jacques narrowed his eyes as he will need to get it straight into Sia's head, and so, with a careful maneuver, Jacques now faced Sia, "Look at me, Thalassia Nedakh, and listen good. I'll never, ever blame you, or leave you, or hate you. Yes, it's true that I would grieve, and would never forget our daughter if something happens to Jendayi at childbirth, but we will get through all those damn hours of labor and everything together for I love you with all my heart. Vinny may be a pre-teen, slow to age now thanks to his crystal, on the edge of teenagerhood, but he always loves you, and Kory, he needs us as he's still helpless and innocent for a long time. And as for making love with you, I'm not disgusted by you now or ever, for you are always part of me, and vice versa, and I'm in awe of you, adoring your gorgeous body, normal or pregnant. And if I must convince you that you are special to me, to all our family, I'd do everything to help you see that you aren't at fault for anything, including this.", before ravishing her neck with his hands caressing her baby bump.
"Oh!...Oh, Jacques...We can't...we can't make love right now, remember?", Sia moaned in pleasure, and Jacques huskily whispered, "If I must talk to Nola about making love on New Year's Eve, I'll be damn glad if we could by then with the timing, but right now, she didn't say anything about ravishing my love of my life, and I know you need it...After all, absence makes the heart even fonder, and if ravishing you all this week makes you even better, and less tense, and more prepared for our big night, where I can make you orgasm beyond belief, and make love to you so good and gentle, I'll take it.", unrealizing that he technically had gotten the same thoughts as her about New Year's Eve.
Sia's eyes teared up happily yet hesitantly as she missed this so much, whispering, "You promise you would just ravish me every night until New Year's Eve, and if...if you somehow work with the people for the fireworks, can...can you take me to the royal gardens, and we make love under the fireworks?".
"I'll do whatever it is you wish of me, my love...", Jacques smiled as Sia wiped her eyes, trying to get whatever tears were left out. "Oh, Jacques...", she whispered as she kissed him on the lips, her hands rubbing along his back.
Jacques was relieved, yet he knew he will have to work hard to convince the love of his life that she isn't at fault nor a monster, nor feeling fat with the baby bump in the way, but right now, it's enough as he went to ravish her tenderly and on the edge of passionately gentle, for 30 minutes before they were interrupted by one of the guards' knock, being called for supper.
And so, they got out of bed, with Sia picking up Korbyn from the playpen, beginning to breastfeed him on the way to supper, and Jacques went to set up good conversation with Kida and Milo, subtly telling them that Sia needs to hear good things.
Then so, began Jacques' new life, starting with a whole new change of wardrobe, giving Sia privacy when she needed it yet always being by her side, with finding ways to make her laugh, smile, and such, and of course, ravishing her every night for the whole week.
As Nola primarily lives in the palace, with occasional sleepovers at the healer center, upon hearing Jacques's inquiry, and checking on Sia's progress along with Jendayi while she was deep asleep in a nap, upon leaving the bedroom, Nola looked at Jacques, "Looks like you're lucky, Jacques...Normally, I could stay strict as it is only almost six days since she woke up from her coma, I'd say no, but apparently, the warm baths/showers with a bit of crystal touch to her sores, along with your nonconventional way to make her feel special, she is now strong to handle lovemaking, and I am still saying that you must be doing it gentle, just for Jendayi to get used to it, but I think you can be able to be a tiny bit passionate, but only just, is that clear, Prince Jacques?", looking at him sternly, showing her nonsense, royal healer mode, using his royal title as he's mates with Sia, even if he's not married yet.
"Of course, I wouldn't dare do anything to risk our daughter...", Jacques told her as Nola nodded. "Well, personally, I would to be on the safest side, is to not do it... but I take it that the princess is ignoring that advice.", Nola rolled her eyes as Jacques had a small chuckle.
Jacques replied, "You'd be right on that...Thank you, and I better get working on the fireworks with some of the people to time it right for tonight. Sia deserves this night to be special!", and Nola smiled warmly, "And no wonder why you're perfect for her, Jacques. Now, if you'll excuse me, I better see to Kida, as apparently, she has an inquiry to ask, and I'm curious to hear it out.".
He nodded, knowing that he had told Sia this morning of his planned short trip before she went to take her nap, wanting her to not freak out if she woke up from her nap early, and headed out from the palace, with a guard who knew some people who took to experiment with fireworks since they discovered some scrolls of stories that ancient Atlanteans had been visited by Chinese people who migrated on the Silk Route while Nola headed to Kida and Milo's bedroom.
Today is one of Milo's days where he handled citizen summons and such while Kida took the day off, and Nola knocked on the door, "Permission to come in, your majesty?", and heard Kida's voice, "Come in, Nola.".
Nola came in, closing the door after she opened it, and saw Kida gently stretching her body, smiling at her, "Greetings, Nola. Just stretching a bit as this rascal is heavy on my back...as usual...".
"Good...What has you called me for, your majesty?", Nola asked curiously, and Kida finished a stretch move, and took a deep breath, "I was wondering if it's okay for me to ride in a rowboat, since I know you were strict on no flying on the Ketaks.".
Nola raised an eyebrow, "Let me guess, some private time by yourselves?", and Kida blushed with a smile, "Hopefully, yes, and I know, no lovemaking at this point, but I hope I would get some of his attention on me for a while, watching the fireworks before it's time to give birth.".
"What?! You're in labor?!", Nola shouted before Kida slapped a hand on her mouth, "Please don't shout it to the palace!...Yes, I am, but barely starting...I...I don't know why, but I feel like I have to do it alone with Milo, and in our sacred place where we conceived our baby, it feels like they should be born there...It's like...instincts...I think Mother did it with me as I was the firstborn heir...Sia was the same with Mother later on, and giving birth to Korbyn, that was sudden, but not naturally instinctual, and I suspect she would do it later with Jendayi and Jacques ...Please, Nola, I know you knew Mother...".
"Your highness...", Nola strained to speak there. "Listen, I know your wishes and all, but I feel that it would be better for all if we do this like we normally do; at least letting me be around to make sure things are going right.".
"I know, I know...", Kida nodded. "But... like I said... it's a strange feeling...", she told her.
Nola looked at Kida, and gestured to her hand, and Kida released her hand from Nola's mouth, and she sighed, "You're right...I knew your mother...Your father was right...You truly are much like your mother...If you're truly insistent about doing it alone with Milo, giving birth at your sacred place, it's best to make the rowboat ride comfortable with a few blankets and such, along with a basket of food as you'd need it for your strength...".
Kida looked relieved, nodding, "Thank you, Nola...", and Nola nodded, "Of course, but can you let me do least just one thing? If you are barely starting into labor, I need to see if you are starting to be a bit dilated, and of course, check if the baby's headfirst and all.".
"Alright then...", Kida nodded. "I suppose it's best we at least make sure that things are already going right before trying this...".
Nola smiled, "I'm glad that you are agreeing with me, your highness. Now, take a position on the bed or nook window.", and Kida went to sit on the window nook seat, taking off her sarong and underwear, resting against the wall, as it's a bit brighter, and Nola went to check.
"Good, looks like you are trusting your instincts well, for you are only two centimeters dilated, and has the water bag break at all?", Nola asked, and Kida shook her head, "No, but I have been counting the contractions. Two contractions per hour for the last two hours since I was starting to realize my instincts...".
Nola nodded, "That's a good start. Now let's see how the baby's doing.", and used her crystal to check her baby bump, "Excellent, the baby is positioning well, headfirst, through they're not quite urgent to be actually pressing on your hips just yet, and of course, twitching in their sleep as they would need it...Sure you still don't want to know the gender?".
Kida shook her head. "No, we still want that surprise; it's the only unknown that we have with this one since we knew almost instantly it was coming...", she gave a light chuckle.
"True.", Nola nodded. "Still, I would be careful with things... if you feel something wrong; is there a way you could quickly reach me and for me to get to where you are?".
Kida nodded, "I have thought about that, and we will be careful, but we will have a small firework set with red colors and blue colors, as you know that the fireworks are more seen around the city center, but at our sacred place, I'm sure you will know why the red firework we would send seems out of place...Of course, Milo will think that the blue colored firework is our way to celebrate New Year's Eve.".
Nola widened her eyes, "He doesn't know that you're in labor?", and Kida looked at her, "I'll tell him once we are at our sacred place, after he intends to give some loving attention...After all, this rascal will announce when they're ready...And, he might panic if I told him in the middle of the rowboat ride...I want to surprise him as this baby will be the first one in the new year, to signify the new beginning of our city, of our people, of our family...", stroking her baby bump, feeling a twitching kick and a mild contraction with a tender, excited smile.
"Well, he'll certainly be surprised... that's for sure.", Nola chuckled as Kida smiled, "Just hope he can remain calm enough to help with the delivery or I'm going to be calling you fairly quick...".
Nola nodded, "I'll hold you to that, your highness. All the same, everything looks good.", with a smile and Kida smiled, moving to get her underwear and sarong back on.
And so, with that settled, the afternoon and early evening went rather good with excitement for the best part of the festival and of course, making music and food to commemorate the end of the year, and welcome the new year.
Kida felt her instincts getting stronger as her contractions became a bit more urgent than before, yet she remained calm and excited to be able to appear normal for Milo as they prepared the rowboat after walking around the city, "I can't wait to see the fireworks with you, my love.".
"Will we get a good view of them from our spot?", Milo asked her. "Also, I guess I should ask if we'll be missed during the whole thing, I mean... wouldn't it need your announcement to commence or something?", he chuckled as she smiled.
"Don't worry, it'll go on fine without either of us needing to be around... and it'll be perfect from where we are.", Kida replied. Milo chuckled warmly, "When you point it out like that, it makes sense. And is our rascal excited to hear the fireworks somewhat from their warm, cozy home?", with a smile.