Beware The Curse Of Yo

27. Baby Fever

Yo hid his smile in Love's hair, and tried not to laugh at how overprotective Pha was being. All they were doing was walking up the stairs to the temple. It wasn't like Yo was going skiing in Switzerland or anything.

And yet, Pha's hands never left Yo's waist, keeping him steady as they slowly went up the steps.

Yo knew he'd have to put up with this while pregnant. If he'd thought it was bad while pregnant with Love, it was only going to get worse since he was carrying twins this time. Yo had already prepared himself for the inevitable after passing out due to the heat a few days ago. But he didn't really mind it. That day had really sapped his strength, and he was very tired and easily worn out.

Behind Yo and Pha were Ming and Kit, each carrying a twin to be blessed by the monks after Love. They would've all brought their children in earlier, but Ming insisted on waiting for Yo to be up to the trip first. Kit had no qualms about waiting. Anything Ming wanted, Kit did. His relief that Ming hadn't gone through such a horrible birth as Yo had with Love made him extra soft to his fiancé's requests.

"Ah, young Wayo."

Yo could only bow his head in respect. Holding Love made it impossible to waii the monk. "I've brought my daughter to be blessed."

Bankei's smile grew wider as he gazed at the precious little girl giving him a gummy smile, gurgling happily. "Such a bubbly little girl is a gift. You have a beautiful daughter."

"Her name is Praepailin Kongthanin. We nicknamed her Love."

"A perfect name for a perfect little lady," Bankei inclined his head. He turned and entered the temple.

Yo followed after him, Pha close behind. Yo glanced back at his friends, relieved that they hadn't dropped the flowers, candles and incense for the offerings. Neither Yo nor Pha were devout Buddhists, but they liked to do things proper. Montree and Blue were carrying the flowers, both constantly sniffing them and giggling at each other, while Win rolled his eyes at the two, his own hands full with the incense. Beam held a couple candles while Forth had the other two. Ming and Kit's offerings were being carried along with Pha and Yo's, so when the time came to present them, they were going to have to be divvied up.

Yo and Pha knelt together, placing their baby girl in front of the statue of Buddha, and bowed their heads in respect. Their friends helped place the gifts for this blessing, then scurried back so they weren't in the way, and watched with wide eyes so they didn't miss anything.

Bankei knelt next to Love, running a gentle hand over her head, and used a tiny pair of scissors to snip the tiniest lock of hair from her head, careful not to take too much. He dropped the hairs in a little ceramic bowl holding grains of wheat. Mixing the hairs and grains together, he began to pray, chanting and long, asking for protection for the baby, wisdom as she grew, love in her heart for all creatures...he prayed on. And he asked for Buddha to let his blessing fall on the child, to give her a long life, and for her life to be beneficial for all living beings.

Yo felt tears trickle down his cheeks as he listened to Bankei's prayers for their little girl. Peace and warmth filled him, the knowledge that his daughter was going to grow up strong and beautiful, helped by the blessing, calmed his worries from before. He clasped hands with Pha, lightly squeezing because of the emotions flooding him now that Bankei was done praying.

Bankei gently picked Love up. She made no sound of complaint, gazing steadily at the monk in quiet fascination. "I give you Praepailin Kongthanin, the firstborn of Phana Kongthanin and Wayo Chaichanatham. Sadhu!"

"Sadhu," Pha and Yo murmured, eyes locked on their daughter. Their friends softly echoed them.

And as if she'd planned it, Love's gaze trailed to her crying mother, and kicked her feet. "Ma."