The Sovereign's Sacrifice ☆ EDITING ☆

Epilogue: Eliana

8 Months and 23 Days Later:

"Ivan dear, don't panic," I whispered as I leaned over to him during the council meeting.

"Why would I panic? This is a normal council meeting," he spoke casually.

"The babies are on the way, they're coming," I replied calmly, biting back the pain.

"You're in labor?!" He called out in suprise. The other council members turning to us in shock, but he ignored them. "We still have nearly two weeks!"

"Tell that to them!" I called out with a pained laugh.

"You'll have to excuse us," Ivan spoke, scooping me up in his arms to rush me to the birthing room.

The seven advisors called behind us with well wishes. "I can walk, my love," I laughed as he rushed through the castle.

"This is faster," he replied.

"Are you implying I'm slow? You try walking fast when you have two babies pushing against your spine and your bladder at once," she spoke. She arched her back painfully and took a sharp breath.

"Are you alright?" He asked me worriedly as we reached the room. He set me on the small chair.

"I have two small, but very big humans fighting to climb out of my vagina. No I won't be okay until the pain slows or they arrive alltogether!" I snapped out. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that," I added softly, grabbing his hand. "I don't know what came over me."

"You're in pain, my love, it's alright," he spoke with a soft chuckle, wiping the sweat from my forehead. He turned on the water in the large round tub.

He quickly helped me out of my gown, and into the loose shirt I had chosen to wear during birth. He helped me into the tub.

Ivan's Pov:

Just as she had rested in the tub, another wave of pain hit her. They were getting closer together. I placed the small water pillow behind her back as she squeezed down on my hand. She let out a sob of pain as I stroked her hair.

A healer entered, hearing her scream in pain. "Your Magesties," the healer spoke.

"Please, get these babies out of me," she begged.

The healer nodded and stepped into action. She moved to the side of the tub. "This may be a bit uncomfortable, but I need to know how far you're dilated," she spoke, as she stuck her hand under the water. Elle nodded.

Just as the healer touched her, she jumped a little. "It's okay, it's just tender down there," she reassured me.

"It's almost time to push," the healer smiled.

"I can't," she spoke softly.

"May we have a quick moment?" I asked the healer and she nodded.

"Ivan, I can't do it," she wept, the pain growing again for another contraction.

"Ellie," I spoke softly. "You are the bravest, strongest, most selfless person in the entire kingdom. You've fought many battles, you saved the world. I know this hurts, and it's scary, and it's new territory. But you can do this. You can bring these two little lives into the world. We'll raise them as we should have been raised. We'll cherish them," I spoke to her in the raspy voice she loves. Her back arched as she cried out in pain. "So please Ellie, push for me. Push for Ariya, and Aaron, our little prince and princess."

She screamed out, gripping the sides of the tub as she pushed. I rubbed her shoulders and her back, reassuring her I was still there. The healer came rushing back in as she continued to push.

"Just think of all the times they'll get to call you Mommy, or how we'll teach them to love reading and exploring. I hope they have your courage and bravery," I continued.

"I'm not brave Ivan, I'm terrified all the time," I cried. "What if I'm not a good mother?"

"You'll be an amazing mother," I whispered as I kissed her.

"How do you know? Mine died when I was so young. I don't have many memories of how a mother is supposed to make you feel. What if I only do more harm than help?"

"You are amazing, loving and kind. You are supportive and unselfish, but still firm when you need tobe. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have be a mother to our children," I whispered.

With a final push, Aaron was born. The healer pulled him from the tub and handed him to one of the two nurses who had entered at some point. I hadn't noticed. She leaned over as I cut the umbilical cord. His soft cries could be heard as Elle cried out.

"Now push!" The healer called out as Ariya burst into the world. She quickly pulled her from the water and I cut her umbilical cord as well.

Elle laid weakly in the tub for a moment. "Please, can I see them," she begged. The nurses walked the twins over to her.

Elle quickly removed her shirt and took the two babies carefully in her arms, resting them against her chest. The water was slowly draining from the tub, to reintroduce clean water. Once the water was clean. The healer and one of the nurses left. The clean water only reached her waist.

"Your majesty, it's time to feed the babies for the first time," she spoke.

Instinctively, Elle repositioned the twins so they rested diagonally across her chest and body. Each of the twins latched on, instantly, feeding from her. I positioned myself behind her, stroking the heads of our two little miracles as I kissed her cheek and neck.

"Thank you," I said softly as tears streamed down my cheeks.

"For what?" she asked worriedly.

"For saying yes, for giving me a second chance. For loving me and trusting me, though I didn't deserve it," I spoke peppering kisses on her cheek and neck, careful not to disturb our little ones.

"Thank you for not giving up," she smiled, pressing her lips to mine.