Vanessa could argue that giving birth to twins had been the most exhausting thing she ever did on a Valentine's Day, but all those visits of their friends and families, coming to see the babies, had been quite draining as well.
Yet, the exhaustion would never be enough to mute the immense joy she felt in this very moment, holding her newborn babies in her arms.
Two girls, fraternal twins, one with the typical silver hair of the Silvas and her sister a brighter shade of Vanessas own rosewood hair.
Of course they looked a lot like every newborn baby, Zora even called them mandrakes when one cried. But in Vanessas eyes, her daughters were just perfect. The most beautiful babies in the world.
Vanessa chuckled at her husband, as he closed the door of their chamber – Gauche had been overwhelming with his hundreds of baby presents – and softly sat to her on the bed. On the edge, carefully, as if it was made out of porcelain.
"You know, honey, you can still sit more relaxed and more closer, we won't break, I promise."
She heard Nozel sigh, but he still came closer, putting a hand on the blanket where her leg was. He looked as exhausted as she was, even though his braid looked as neat as ever. No wonder, he was there with her from beginning to the end, refusing to leave her side. As if she would have let him leave while she was giving birth to his children.
He looked also happy, so happy. Not trying to fight it. Coming from Nozel, this always meant so much… And Vanessa loved him even more each time he learned to embrace some kind of joy he ended up feeling for many reasons.
"They're wonderful…"
"Of course they are, handsome, they are our babies. It was worth all the pain. But really, you two sugars, you could have chosen another day to come to the world than Valentine's Day out of all days!"
"It doesn't matter, Vanessa. It's the most wonderful Valentine's gift you could ever give me."
Oh, how she loved when he said such things as if it was the most normal thing in the world. Yet, for him it certainly was.
And that meant so much for Vanessa.
It wasn't easy, how they fell in love, how they made their relationship work. With their own issues and of course the rumours of nobles who were offended at them being together.
The royal and the witch.
Well, let them be offended. Vanessa would gladly continue to ignore them or showing them a finger.
She and Nozel made their relationship work and got married and today, they became parents of two wonderful little girls.
"I'm sorry that I don't have any gift for you today."
"Don't be silly, Nozel. Our little griffin ladies are not only my gift to you. They're also your gift to me. We were both there at their conception."
"But you did most of the job."
"And you were there the whole time for me… That meant so much for me, honey. I'm so blessed to love you and to have you as my husband."
Vanessa chuckled as Nozel blushed. But she meant every word. Despite his issues and his past mistakes, she truly felt blessed that he was her huband.
As she looked out of the window, she couldn't help but think that out there, Valentine's Day was still going on. Couples going out, kissing, having dinner or getting hot… Nobles using this day of love as an excuse to cheat on their spouses and then getting mad seeing said spouse with another person… Singles either enjoying this day at home or going out with friends…
And of course, it was certainly mixed with a lot of talk and gossips about the two princesses born into house Silva. Royal births were always announced to the whole country for some reason. And apparently, her twins were the first royal babies born since Noelle, so it might be a big conversation deal in the country. At least for nobles.
Valentine's Day was going on outside and Vanessa didn't really care that she couldn't enjoy it like she usually did. She was just so happy to finally hold her babies in her arms. She waited for this for nine months. Some difficult nine months, but all hardships of this period had been worth it in the end.
Vanessa looked at Nozel. He caressed the pink haired baby, softer than the touch of a butterfly. Another thing she had been looking forward during the pregnancy… Seeing Nozel as a father.
And one look at him made her certain once again that he would be a wonderful parent, like his mother was.
Oh, Acier Silva… I hope you can see your first grandchildren. And I know you agree with me that Nozel is already a loving, wonderful father. I wish you could be there, encouraging him, telling him he will never be like his father…
"Honey…"
"What is it?"
"You're already a wonderful father."
"And you are already the most phantastic mother."
"Gosh, you're not even flustered while complimenting me! That's so sweet, maybe I should give birth more often."
"Vanessa…"
"I'm teasing you, handsome husband. By the way, we have to choose their names. Any suggestions? As long as it's not Astas idea to call our babies Tatoes…"
Nozel huffed. Poor Asta, he meant well and didn't see how bad his idea was. But Vanessa refused to name her babies Tatoes. Simple as that.
"You first, you made the most work today."
"Always the gentleman with your exhausted happy wife. Well… it's Valentine's Day. One of our griffin princesses HAS to be Valentina, it's a must!"
Nozel chuckled, the most wonderful sound in the world. But he whispered the name a few times, as if to taste it.
"Valentina Silva… I love the sound of it."
"I knew you would," Vanessa smiled, as Nozel caressed the pink haired twin again. "Hm, I think our pink baby girl is Valentina. She has a face to have that name."
"How can you tell that she has a face to be named Valentina?"
"I just do. Now, how do you like your name, Valentina? Of course you do, mama choose it, you have to love it."
Valentina just continued to sleep. She had been such a screamer when she came to the world, unlike her sister who just let out a small yell and kept shut afterwards.
Vanessa turned towards the silver-haired twin, sleeping just like her twin. They had different hair colours already, but Vanessa believed that they would be different in many ways growing up.
And still so close.
"Alright honey, I gave one twin a name, you will choose for the other sweetheart. Come, take her, it's only fair you can hold your own child, you know."
Nozel nodded, still a bit unsure, but when he took their silver-haired daughter in his arms, there was nothing showing about any insecurity. Again a proof that he had three younger siblings and saw them each as babies.
Did he hold Noelle like this too when she was a baby? Probably… Nozel had some soft nostalgia in his eyes as he looked at their daughter.
There was some silent. Nozel seemed lost in thought, looking at their silver haired baby as if she hold every answer he searched for all his life.
"Papa is taking his sweet time to give a name to your sister, right Valentina?"
"I was… thinking… it might be silly, but… I thought I could name her in mother's honour."
"You want to call her Acier? That's actually sweet."
"Actually, no… I admit I thought about it, but… I fear that if I name her Acier, she would be in her grandmother's shadow, feeling like she must surpass her… She should be her own person, not a clone of my mother. It somehow happened with Noelle and I don't want to make the same mistake with our daughter."
"I understand, honey. Even though I do believe that you won't make the same mistake, with all the growth you did those last years, even we named her Acier. But if not that name, what could be a name in your mother's honour?"
"I told you that her favourite flowers were water lilies. Another name for this flower would by Nymphaea or Nymphea. So… I thought that Nymphea might be a good name for our daughter. Do you… do you like it?"
Nymphea Silva… There was certainly a beautiful ring to it.
"I love it, honey. It's a mesmerizing sound and it's a sweet honour to your mother. Nymphea and Valentina… Aren't our daughters just the best?"
"They are… in every way."
"Now, come lie next to me, honey. I deserve a treat of having my babies and my handsome eagle husband with me after I went through rough times to give birth."
Vanessa winked, making Nozel blush. And it still made him so handsome.
As Nozel lied down next to her on the bed, both holding their daughters firmly, Vanessa felt a final wave of peace wash over.
It was over. She did it. She gave birth to their children, their daughters. Now their own little family was together for the first time after nine months of waiting.
Nozel, Vanessa, Nymphea and Valentina…
This was the best Valentine's Day ever.