Chapter Fifty Eight

A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else either belongs to Disney or the Greek Myths!

Smh, holy cats, how is this chapter almost at 5,000 words? Had I included the Charming family being there as well, this chapter would likely be as long as the Huma wedding chapter! Which I'm sure none of you would mind but I do value my sanity, what little I have lol!

Lauriverfanboy1: Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies! :D

bal4ever: You're welcome! Glad you liked the chapter!

AmethystDragon14: Yay! I know, I was so excited to write this chapter and make the Bal family complete! I probably could have included Estelle and Nyx meeting Bianca but that would have been too hectic for the little girl on her first day on the planet :D

Ruth Reyes: Trust me, I had to stop myself from awwing a few times as I was writing it!

OceanBlueSeaEyes: Both Effy and Bee will have Ben's brown hair but unlike Effy who will have natural purple and blue highlights, Bee will have purple and blue undertones to her hair. :D

miranda88: it's entirely possible!

Angel Cauldwell: You'll just have to wait and see! :D

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think! :D

"Chad!"

Chad popped his head up as he heard his name. As they grew closer and closer to Ginny's due date, he had been jumpier than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Understandably so, since this was likely to be Ginny's only pregnancy, but it had gotten to the point where Akiho had once told him he needed to relax.

Chad wasn't entirely sure Akiho was the best person to tell someone they needed to relax, considering he watched Elle like a hawk during both of her pregnancies, but that was besides the point.

"Yeah Gin?" Chad asked as Ginny made her way into the kitchen.

"I think it might be time to make our way to the hospital," Ginny told him.

Chad froze as he turned to look at his wife. "Why? What's wrong? Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine, my water broke while I was in the shower. Contractions are about fifteen minutes apart so we should be able to make it to the hospital with enough time to spare," Ginny said as she held up a bag. "I have my go bag all ready so unless there's something you'd like to have to pass the time if it's a long labor, I'd say let's get this show on the road."

"…How are you so calm right now?" Chad asked as he scurried to his wife's side and took the bag from her.

"I'm a VK, Chad. Do you know how many times we had it drilled into us that showing any emotion was a weakness?" Ginny asked before grunting slightly at a contraction. "I will say though, it's nice to be in Auradon where we have a medical system. No disrespect of course but…I'd rather not have your step-grandmother being the person to help me birth our child."

"I'm pretty sure everyone in the family agrees with you on that," Chad said. "And yes, that includes Dizzy."

Ginny chuckled slightly as Chad gently helped her into the limo, making sure she was completely in before closing the door and scurrying into the other side.

"Where to sir?" Richard asked.

"The hospital, Richard," Chad said as he shut the door and took Ginny's hand so she'd have something to squeeze if a contraction hit while they were on the road.

"Yes sir," Richard nodded. "Would you like me to roll up the divider so you and Princess Ginny have some privacy?"

"That would be appreciated, thank you Richard," Chad nodded and watched as Richard rolled the divider up.

"Hey…at least we'll have some company at the hospital," Ginny said with a small smile. "Didn't Akiho and Elle check into the hospital a few days early so Elle could be set up with her water birth?"

"Oh yeah…wait, are we sure that's a good thing? Having Akiho in his worried state as company?" Chad asked, hiding his wince as Ginny squeezed his hand.

"I'm sure he'll be fine, it's their second kid," Ginny said. "Though…if no one's watching Emily, I could see Akiho being worried there. Labor would be difficult for a young kid to watch. Not that I would know being the younger child. Were you in the room when your mom gave birth?"

"Not a chance," Chad shook his head. "I was two and four respectively, there was no way my parents would let me be in the room when mom was giving birth. I'm pretty sure mom would have killed dad if he brought me into the room when she was giving birth, especially when she was giving birth to Kat and Lucy."

Ginny chuckled slightly and then groaned as another contraction came.

"Richard? I don't mean to be rude but I think we might need to go faster," Chad called. "In fact, if you can get us to the hospital in the next fifteen minutes, I'll double your salary."

"Your father pays me, your highness."

"Consider it a bonus then."

"…I'll get you there as fast as I can while obeying the speed limit your highness. The last thing we'd want is an accident. Not when there's precious cargo wanting to greet the world."

Chad sighed and nodded. "Thank you Richard."

Ginny couldn't help the slight whimper that escaped her lips. The mention of 'precious cargo' somehow brought back all the memories of the Isle and how winter months were so much crueler for mothers to give birth in. Milah Hook was a perfect example and while Ginny knew their circumstances were slightly different since she was giving birth a month before Milah had with CJ, November and December were still winter months.

"I don't want to die," she whimpered.

"You're not going to die," Chad promised, gently kissing the top of her head. Ginny didn't know how he had heard what she'd said but she was thankful for his comfort. She was also thankful for Richard apparently speeding up as they made it to the hospital in record time and Ginny could see Clay and Cassandra waiting for her in the lobby.

"You didn't think I wouldn't text them?" Chad asked as a nurse brought a wheelchair over to wheel Ginny into her room. "What kind of a husband would I be if I didn't inform your family?"

Ginny chuckled softly but it was forced as the memories from the Isle still threatened to overtake her. And unlike Mal or Uma, she wasn't a Godling. She was pure mortal, there was every chance she could die from this.

"I'll take this Charming," Cassandra said, her tone more gentle than it had ever been with Chad in the past. Ginny had a sinking feeling her thoughts were fully displayed on her face. "You go take a walk or something, I have a feeling you're going to be seeing more of this room than you'll want to in the next few hours."

"You're sure?" Chad asked.

"She's usually not one to tell tales," Clay said with a small chuckle.

Chad nodded and gave Ginny a small smile. "I'm going to go and fill out whatever paperwork we need…and make sure Akiho doesn't try to hunt us down if he hears we're in the same hospital. But I promise, I'll be right back."

"I know," Ginny said softly and Chad gently kissed the top of her head before heading out of the room. Cassandra walked over to Ginny and gently wrapped her arms around her little sister.

"You're not going to die, Gin. I promise you," she whispered. "You. Are. Not. Going. To. Die."

"How…how can you be sure?" Ginny whispered, looking up at Cassandra. Sure, she felt more like a little girl seeking reassurance than a princess and soon to be mother but Ginny didn't exactly care at that point.

"Because if it looks like anything is potentially going to happen, the doctors will be in the room at the snap of Clay's fingers while your husband and I march down to Lord Hades to demand that we keep you in our lives," Cassandra said.

"Plus Queen Mal would march down herself if she heard you were in danger," Clay added. "But that's not for you to worry about, you should be lying down right now. Cass, let's get her into bed."

Cassandra shook her head in amusement. "Ever since he found out Ava was pregnant, he hovers worse than our 'mother' when she sees a mirror," she muttered to Ginny, who bit her lip to avoid a giggle from creeping out.

"I heard that!"

"You were meant to," Cassandra told him. "The closer Ava gets to her due date, the jumpier you get. She practically pushed you out of the house when Charming texted us that Ginny was in labor, wasn't that what you told me?"

Both sisters chuckled as Cassandra got Ginny into the bed. "Now, I know this goes against every VK rule to not complain about pain but in this case, you get a pass Gin. If you need to scream or rant, you do it okay?"

"Cass is right," Clay nodded. "You think we're going to judge you for complaining right now? You just squeeze our hands for comfort and of course Chad's when he comes back."

"He will come back right?" Ginny asked.

"Has he ever given you reason not to think he'll be by your side when your child comes?" Clay asked.

Ginny shook her head.

"Then you'll be fine," Clay said as they got Ginny situated in the bed. Meanwhile, Chad made his way through the halls, having completed the paperwork and was currently trying to find his way back to Ginny. He would never admit it out loud, unless he was on his deathbed, but he was 100% lost.

Okay, here's the plan. The next worker you see, you ask them for help, he thought as he looked around. Otherwise, you're going to end up risking missing the birth of your child and I'm pretty sure Kat and Lucy would tease me endlessly if that happened.

"Chad!"

Chad looked around and couldn't help the small smile on his lips as he saw Akiho wave at him from the doorway of one of the rooms Chad had gone by.

"I thought I saw you," Akiho grinned as Chad went over to him.

"Everything okay?" Chad asked. Yes, he had known Akiho was in the hospital but truthfully, he didn't really understand why they needed it. Elle's due date was a couple of days after Ginny's anyway so why wouldn't it make more sense for them to stay at home until their baby came?

"Yeah, we're just getting ready," Akiho nodded. "With Elle's chair…and now juggling that and Emily…ooh careful sweetheart!"

"Papa, you said I could make icies," Emily pouted as she put her hand down; the small flurries she had created fading as she did so.

"You did tell her that dear," Elle chuckled from her water bed.

"I know, I know," Akiho sighed before looking at Emily. "But we don't want the floor to get too slippery for the nurses and doctors who are going to help your mama deliver your baby sibling."

Chad shook his head. "Hey, how about I take Emily down to the cafeteria to get some ice cream? It can't be any fun being here for a toddler."

"You sure Chad?" Elle asked. "I mean…wouldn't you want to be with Ginny? I can only assume she's the reason you're here?"

"Clay and Cassandra have her situated and I've got my phone if anything happens," Chad said.

"Yay! I go with Unca Chad!" Emily grinned as Akiho bit his lip. He trusted Chad, how could he not? They had been on the same Tourney team, they were practically brothers. Maybe not as close as he was with Ben and Emir, especially not after the time he and Li broke Chad's nose and bruised his ribs for messing with Rose and Elle back when they were in school, but they were close enough that his kid could call Chad an uncle. But he didn't know how Chad would be with a magical toddler.

In Akiho's defense, with Chad being the son of the guy who jumped out a window as a loophole after having been forbidden from continuing down a flight of stairs, any parent would be wary for the potential for mischief.

At least Chad's not Chip, Akiho thought. Chip would encourage the insanity that I know is about to come. While I know I said Emily should use her powers, I don't want an ice rink in the hospital!

"Bye papa," Emily waved and Akiho gave her a small wave back as she and Chad left the room; Elle having given her permission while Akiho was deep in thought. As they made their way down the hall to the cafeteria, Chad had to smile as he watched Emily continue to make small flurries she called 'icies'…even if he did have to steady her a few times as the floor where they were walking iced over.

Okay I'm not going to lie, Chad thought as he helped Emily avoid another ice patch. While I love Akiho's kid, I'm really glad my kid won't be magical.

"Unca Chad?" Emily asked as they got to the cafeteria and went to sit down, having gotten their ice cream.

"Yeah kiddo?" Chad asked.

"…Does papa love the new baby more than me?" Emily asked softly.

Chad wasn't going to lie, he was more than a little surprised Emily had asked him and not Melody or Ben if she wasn't going to go to Akiho or Elle. But he also knew he couldn't pause too long lest it confirm Emily's doubts.

"No sweetie, no," Chad shook his head. "Your papa could never love someone more than you. You are so precious to both your papa and your mama, they waited so long for you to come along."

Emily bit her lip. "Are…are you sure? Papa doesn't get jumpy when Reese or Effy are around mama when they visit, but he does with me…"

Chad's eyes grew wide as he realized what Emily was saying. "Come here, kiddo," he said and Emily slid off her chair and walked over to him. Gently picking her up and setting her on his knee, Chad sighed. "Em, you know how your mama's special right? How her legs don't work the way other people's legs work, like your Aunt Melody's or mine?"

"Uh huh," Emily nodded as she snuck a finger-sized amount of Chad's ice cream and put it in her mouth before making a face at Chad's choice of ice cream. "Auntie Mel says that's why mama has her chair."

Chad chuckled and pulled her ice cream from the other side of the table to them. "That's right. The thing is…you have your own thing that makes you special, the fact that you can make snow and ice…your papa just has to watch out so your mama's chair doesn't get caught on any of it. He loves you both so much that he doesn't want either of you getting hurt."

"So…would it be better if I don't make icies?" Emily asked. "Auntie Elsa says it's bad to hold it in but…if it could hurt mama…and makes papa jumpy…?"

"No, no sweetie, your Aunt Elsa is exactly right," Chad said. "You should never try and stop yourself from using your powers. They're a part of you and something you should never be ashamed of or sorry for. You just have to be mindful and tell your papa quickly if something happens with your powers that could impact your mama. Okay?"

"Like…if I make icies in the hallway?" Emily asked, nodding slowly to show she understood.

"Exactly," Chad nodded. "But know this Emily. Just because your brand of special means your mama and papa have to be more aware than they might be with your new sibling, it does not and will never mean that your papa loves your sibling more than you. Like I said, you are so, so precious to both of your parents because you are the precious gift that they waited so long for."

Before Emily could say anything more, Chad's phone buzzed with a text and Chad fished it out of his pocket.

Get back to the room, where are you? The baby's coming and Ginny's freaking out. If you're not here in five minutes, I'm pretty sure Cass is going to come after you with her sword - CC

Not even bothering to ask how Clay had gotten his number, Chad quickly put his phone back in his pocket and turned to Emily. "You wanna go see your Aunt Ginny?"

"Yeah!"

"Okay, hold on tight!" Chad said and put Emily on his shoulders. He knew he'd have to double-time it back to Ginny's room and it wouldn't be fair to expect Emily to keep up with her short legs. He also knew Akiho and Elle would probably murder him if he lost their daughter.

Chad had only ever seen Akiho get mad once before but his ribs and nose still remembered the outcome of such an event. And Chad really didn't want an encore.

"Did you run here?" Clay asked as Chad made his way into the room, having gotten directions from about twelve helpful staffers.

"Who's the kid?" Cassandra asked at almost the same time.

"Hiya Auntie Ginny!" Emily grinned as Chad scooped her off his shoulders and set her down.

Ginny smiled as Chad rushed over to her side. "I guess we were right…Akiho and Elle are here?"

"You would be right," Chad nodded as he slipped his hand into her's. "Elle's not in labor yet though, according to Akiho. They're just coming a couple of days early to prepare."

"Oh…they can…do that? I know Elle said they could, that they'd done it with Emily but…I thought it was a one-time thing…"

"In all honesty, I have no idea how Akiho does half of the stuff he does but sometimes you just have to chalk the weird stuff up to what people let you get away with when you're royal," Chad shrugged, hiding a wince as Ginny squeezed his hand.

"Clay, you might want to get the kiddo back to her parents," Cassandra said. "Don't want to be teaching her new words after all."

"Right," Clay nodded. "Will you be okay Ginny?"

"I'll be fine," Ginny nodded as another contraction passed. "I'd rather not traumatize Emily."

"I'll text Akiho to let him know so he doesn't panic at seeing you with his daughter," Chad said, realizing that he had no idea if Akiho had met Clay. There was a good chance he had, since Clay was also Carlos' brother but Chad also knew Akiho and knew the Arendelle prince was likely to panic regarding his daughter.

Not that Chad blamed Akiho for that in the slightest.

Fishing out his phone, Chad sent off a text to Akiho before turning back to his wife.

"Okay, your highness, one more push," the doctor said and in all honesty Chad kinda had to wonder how he hadn't noticed the doctor but then again, he had been more focused on his wife. "There we go…and welcome to the world, little one! You have a healthy baby boy your highnesses."

"Oh congrats Ginny," Cassandra said as the doctor looked over at Chad.

"Do you want to do the honors, your highness?" The doctor asked, holding a pair of scissors out to Chad.

Chad smiled and took the scissors, gently cutting the cord that had connected his son to his wife for the past nine months. "Welcome to the world Christopher," he whispered.

"Is he okay?" Ginny asked.

The doctor opened his mouth but then paused as he seemed to notice something on the monitor. "Your highness, I'm sorry but you need to prepare for labor again. It seems that you're having twins."

"I'm having what?" Ginny exclaimed as another contraction hit.

"Twins," one of the nurses said. "Wouldn't you know?"

"Oh yes, because these are the faces of people who are prepared to have twins today!" Chad said, a slight bit of panic slipping out in his voice as he realized the nursery was only done up for one kid. He'd have to find time to order and set up a new crib, changing table, toys...thankfully Bruno could help occupy the babies while he did that and Ginny could spend time recovering.

Chad was just going to pretend that he hadn't left his dog at the castle, or that it had taken him this long to realize that he'd done so. He really hoped that wasn't a harbinger regarding his parenting.

"But…how? I've gone to all my appointments, they never indicated twins…" Ginny said, pulling Chad back to the moment at hand.

"Hidden twins are rare but they do happen," the doctor said, indicating to one of the nurses to take Christopher. "You should really relax, please, your highness."

"I'll relax once I know my son is okay and my other child is safely born!" Ginny insisted. "Chad? Is he okay? Is he breathing?"

Chad smiled as he brought their newborn son over to her, having taken him out of the nurse's arms without any hesitation. "See for yourself, cherié," he said.

"He's perfect," Ginny said softly as she looked at her son for the first time. "Hello Christopher, hello my darling. Mama will hold you in a second, she just has to bring your sibling along…a sibling that we never thought of a name for! Chad—!"

"Gin, we have plenty of family to choose from when it comes to a name," Chad said, handing his son back to the nurse and quickly grabbing Ginny's hand.

"Just not after my mother, please Chad!"

"Gin, does Gothel have a first name? I'm not naming my daughter 'Mother' if I have a daughter."

Ginny chuckled softly and Chad smiled as he heard that.

"Should he be in here?" Cassandra asked, looking at her nephew. "We didn't allow Akiho's kid to be here, and she's older than the baby."

"I can take him to the nursery if you'd like," the nurse offered.

"…I'm going with you," Cassandra said. No way is this going to be a Rapunzel situation, if anything happens to my nephew I will raise Tartarus to get him back for Ginny, she thought.

"Of course," the nurse nodded. "It's hospital policy to have anyone transporting a baby be accompanied, we all know the story of Queen Rapunzel being snatched from her parents and we never want a new mom or dad to go through that pain."

Cassandra nodded and squeezed Ginny's shoulder before walking out of the room with the nurse.

Ginny smiled as she watched her older sister leave. We had the same 'mother' Cass, and we both lived on the Isle. Believe me, the thought went through my head as well…she thought.

"Looks as if your little prince or princess is going to make their entrance," the doctor said after about five minutes. "One more push your highness."

"I am so grateful I'm not doing this 'Isle style'," Ginny said, trying to avoid gritting her teeth. Even with the pain medicine, the contractions still hurt. "The pain relief certainly helps…Gods I don't know how the Bimbettes who delivered twins did it without the help of pain medicine…"

"That's it, that's it! I see the head!" The doctor exclaimed.

"You're doing great Gin," Chad said, rubbing her back. "You got this!"

Ginny panted and looked at Chad. "I'm…I'm tired…"

"I know, I know cheré but one more push and then it's done, then you can rest," Chad said gently. "Come on, just one more push and then you can hold our sons or son and daughter and I'll pamper you hand and foot."

"Chad, you did that while I was pregnant," Ginny chuckled.

"So the only thing new will be the holding of our kids," Chad said and gently kissed the top of her head.

Ginny nodded softly. She might have been tired…but she had gone through the pregnancy determined to be a better mother than Gothel ever was to her! And that started at birth! Leaning forward, Ginny pushed with all her might.

"Here she is, congratulations your highness! You have a healthy baby girl," the doctor said as their daughter's cries filled the room.

Clay rushed into the doorway. "Did I miss it?"

"You came just in time," Ginny said as Chad cut their daughter's cord. "Come meet your niece."

Clay smiled before pausing. "I thought you were only having one kid? Cass texted that she'd be in the nursery with your son so..."

"We all thought there'd be one kid, our kids had other ideas," Chad chuckled as the doctor gently placed the baby in Ginny's arms. "I'll go let Cassandra know she can bring Christopher back in."

"Wait," Ginny said. "I don't want to make a decision on the name without you. She's so perfect, I want her name to be as perfect as she is….and I think I know the name. How do you feel about Gabriella?"

Chad smiled as he heard the name. "I think it's a wonderful name."

"I just thought…I didn't want to just take the letter but it ends on your mom's name and she's been so kind to me, welcoming me into the family—."

"It's perfect, Gin," Chad told her. "Connection to my mom's name or not, I love it."

"Any thoughts on her middle name?" Clay asked.

"What about Claire?" Chad offered. "I figure the Fitzherbert brood will lay claim to Cassandra as a middle name at some point and this way, Ginny's able to name the kids after both of the positive male influences in her life."

"Wait…Chad, when I asked about middle names, I wasn't hinting you should use my name," Clay said as Cassandra walked back in with Christopher. Chad assumed another nurse had gone to get them but at this point in his marriage to Ginny, Chad really stopped trying to figure out his sister-in-law.

She scared him too much.

"I love it," Ginny said with a small smile as she shifted Gabriella to make room to hold Christopher. "Christopher Eugene Charming and Gabriella Claire Charming."

She looked over at Chad, who was staring at the three of them with a fond smile on his lips. "You know your sisters are going to kill you for not letting them know about the fact that I was in labor right?" Ginny asked.

"Alex is engaged to the son of the God of the Dead. I'm pretty sure I'm safe," Chad chuckled. "Besides, Kitty and Lucy know how hectic this can be. Just be prepared for mom and dad to buy the kiddos a horse each like they did with Kitty's son and daughter and Lucy's son."

"The stable's ready as we speak," Ginny said with a small smile. She loved her in-laws and couldn't wait for Chad's family to meet Christopher and Gabriella. Though, she wasn't going to lie, she loved this moment with just her, Chad, and their newborn children.

Oh, and Clay and Cassandra of course.

"I know what you're thinking by the way," Clay chuckled as he saw the look begin to form on his little sister's face. "Carlos is not going to think you're playing favorites. He's a father two times over, he knows how hectic it can be when your little one wants to join the world."

Chad chuckled as his phone buzzed. "Akiho and Elle give their congratulations," he said. "I'm sure we'll be seeing them soon."

"Of that I have no doubt," Ginny said with a small smile. She looked forward to seeing them but for right now, she was content with it just being the six of them in the room. She knew there would be plenty of time for visits but she had a feeling that this peaceful moment would be few and far between.

But no matter what was going to come her way, be it chaos or peace, Ginny was looking forward to all of it.