Chronicles of the Selphia Plains [Rune Factory 4]

Encore Part II

“All I ever do anymore is eat and sleep, eat and sleep,” Avani complained with a sigh.

“Not true,” Dolce said, handing a freshly-bathed, happily gurgling baby Ray to her. “You’re busy storing up enough energy to feed not one but two growing human beings. That requires a lot of food and rest, naturally. Soon enough you’ll be done—and no doubt you’ll miss it when that happens. So try to enjoy this time with them while you can.”

Shifting to accommodate her son at one breast without disturbing her daughter at the other, she sighed again. “I know, I know. Leo says the same thing. But… well, sometimes I want to just get out of the house for a while. Just be by myself, for a change. Don’t get me wrong, I really appreciate all that you and Clorica do to help me,” she added hastily, lest her visitor take offence—which she didn’t.

Looking thoughtfully out the window, Dolce said, “You know, the weather isn’t bad today. It would be good for you to get some fresh air while you can—it’s almost winter. What did Jones say when he examined you yesterday?”

“Oh, the usual—I’m in perfect health, the babies are in perfect health, everything is just perfect, perfect, perfect,” Avani replied, somewhat acerbically. “But it doesn’t feel perfect. I feel… I feel dull. Drab. Lifeless. I’m… I’m just so bored I could scream!” she exclaimed. “He said it’s too chilly to take them outside much, since they’re still so little and it’s getting close to winter. But oh, how I want to just get away for a little while!”

“Well…” Dolce mused, “it wouldn’t hurt for Leo to spend a little more time with them, especially on his own. In fact, it would probably be very good for all of you. Why don’t you ask him to watch them for an hour or two and get out of the house? Go for a walk, go fishing, visit a friend, whatever. Just do something that has nothing at all to do with babies.”

So it came to pass, later in the day, that Avani went out by herself for the first time since the babies had arrived. Leo had happily, albeit a little nervously, agreed to watch the drowsy twins. Walking along the street, she decided that, more than anything, she wanted a long, long soak in a scalding hot, fragrant bath. She hadn’t enjoyed that particular luxury since she first learned she was pregnant—most of a year ago—and she missed it terribly.

Lin and Xiao had been delighted to see her, and they had pampered and petted her, spoiling her like a little princess—hurrying to add rose petals to the bathing pool, bringing her tea and cakes and other delightful tidbits, rubbing her aching, tired shoulders, scrubbing her back and washing her hair for her, afterwards gently brushing the cascading green waves that fell to her knees.

Feeling refreshed and renewed, Avani returned home, stopping at Porcoline’s on the way. She ordered some food to go—already hungry again, despite the snacks at the baths—and she chatted happily with Dylas while she waited for her order. Then she returned home by way of Melody Street, stopping in at Carnation’s to pick up some fresh flowers.

She arrived back at their suite a little later than she’d intended, but she felt only a tiny bit guilty. The twins had awakened by that time, and Leon didn’t hear her open the door as he walked the fussing infants, holding one over each shoulder and talking to them in the most adorable voice she’d ever heard from him.

“I can’t believe Mommy asked me to babysit you all by myself!” he was cooing, his back to the door as he slowly strolled towards the back of the chamber. “Can you, Ray? What about you, Hope? Ahh, aren’t you two just sooo cute?” He hoisted Hope up slightly, as she’d begun to slip a little, then he continued. “I miss Mommy, don’t you? Uh-huh, I thought so! Daddy loves Mommy sooo much! Does Hope love Mommy? Does Ray love Mommy? That’s right, we all love Mommy!”

Just then he reached the back of the room and turned around, and he saw Avani standing there, her back against the door, grinning like a maniac at him. He felt his cheeks redden as she strolled across the room towards him. “I don’t recall ever hearing you talk like that before, Leo.”

“Ahh, my image! My beautiful image!” he lamented in mock dismay, his eyes full of laughter.

Avani laughed as she reached for one of the twins. “…is totally ruined! I’ll never forget a single word you said!” With a wicked gleam in her eye, she grinned at him as she hoisted Hope up on her shoulder.

“Well, at least my reputation died for a worthy cause,” he said, leaning down to kiss her. “You look good enough to eat.”