It's So Much More Than That (A Selection Story)

Chapter 37

Chapter 37:

March slowly turned into April and much to my dismay, I had not gone into labor yet. I was starting to think that they would never come, but I got constant reassurances from my family and friends that I shouldn't worry so much. They of course, were all ecstatic for the newest editions to the royal family. We received news from all over the world that even other countries were waiting to celebrate as well. The people of Illea of course, were all holding their breaths in anticipation for the news that the royal heirs had been born.

"You're almost there." Marlee informed me constantly. She had always treated motherhood as if it came completely naturally for her, and that I should have nothing to fear. "You're going to be completely fine – you and Maxon both. Someday our children are going to grow up together! This is a dream come true, Ames."

"It is", I muttered.

"Hang in there, okay? I know it's a busy time of year, but we've got it all covered. Just sit back and relax for a while."

"You know I'm horrible at doing that, Marlee."

"You're right; but hey, Kile can keep you company. Someone's got to watch him when I'm not around and Carter's always busy. I can't believe he's grown up so fast already."

"Thank you for everything you've done in the past many months."

"Not a problem, Ames."

That was our conversation a week ago. Now, I'm on babysitting duty half the time while I also occasionally work on whatever I can on the side.

I'm sitting in our bedroom, watching Kile play with his toys one afternoon – stuffed animals that we gave him for Christmas. For a while I think he's content, until he starts crying suddenly.

"Kile, what's wrong?" I lean down and try to comfort him, just like I would when I was younger to Gerad or May. I don't think he's hungry – we just had lunch, although there could be a number of reasons why an almost two year-old would have a tantrum. Eventually, I'm able to calm him down a bit when I sit down on the floor and start to play a game with him.

"Having fun there?" I look up to see Maxon grinning in the doorway.

"Come join us."

"Maxx!" Kile calls. Max is what he calls Maxon, who doesn't mind one bit.

"How are you doing, you big boy?" Maxon swoops down and picks Kile up. He catches my curious glance and asks, "what?"

"Nothing", I say. "We've been having a good time. I think it's probably Kile's nap time soon, but he can stay up for a little longer."

Maxon interacts with Kile for a while. Even though he's never had any siblings, I've always thought that Maxon's been pretty natural with kids. Over the past couple years, he's been practicing with Astra and Kile as well.

Even though Maxon's having a good time playing with his godson, something's not quite right. Maxon hardly ever skips his meetings unless there's something urgent, and I can't say that visiting Kile and me was part of his schedule. Finally, Maxon says, "Ames, I have some bad news."

"What is it?"

He shifts Kile into his left arm and runs his other hand through his hair like he does whenever he's stressed. "There's been a factory fire in Hansport. We just received the news. It's terrible Ames, I've been trying to change the labor policies, but this time, it was too late."

"It's not your fault, Maxon. You know that."

"Yes, but how many more are going to happen? It was mostly sevens and sixes, too. I need to fly there as soon as I can. They'll be expecting that, and I want to be there, Ames." I could tell that he was serious.