Tansy of the Wilds

Epilogue: Part Two

Xer'tal had been a bundle of nerves, hating how his Tansy was in distress, in pain, and there was nothing he could do. So the moment the door of the midwife's cabin swung open and Miriam gestured him in, he moved without thinking. As he came in and his eyes settled on the image of Tansy cradling two squirming bundles in her arms, Xer'tal could feel his world halting. He barely registered the women and her mother as they ushered him inside, their smiles bright and full of joy. All he could focus on was his wife and his children.

Stepping closer to the bed, Xer'tal struggled to contain the waves of emotions threatening to crack his usually stoic demeanor. His eyes roved over the twins - their dappled muted green skin so similar to his own, eyes shut tight and squirming in those swaddles. He was a father. They were parents. It didn't matter that they were different from most families, that he was an orc and Tansy was a human. This moment, witnessing the existence of their children, broke boundaries he hadn't known existed in his heart.

As Tansy looked up at him, that radiant sunshine smile on her face nearly brought him to his knees. She looked tired, drained from the labor, and yet beautiful beyond words. Her joy was infectious, spreading warmth into the corners of his hardened heart. "Tansy..." His voice shook, the weight of the situation too much for him to bear. It came crashing onto him, in all its overwhelming, breathtaking beauty. Twins, his darling wife had given him twins.

He observed the wrapped bundles, each distinctly unique yet inseparable.

His body moved on its own, finding itself beside Tansy on the bed. His hand, covered with scars from years of fighting, reached out with gentleness he didn't know he possessed. He traced a fingertip over the swaddled form of their tiny daughter before brushing back a tuft of black hair on their son's head. They were so small, so fragile, and so incredibly his and Tansy's

His eyes looked to Tansy, meeting her gaze. He searched her hazel eyes for a moment before firmly settling on their offspring. "Twins," he said softly, the word feeling foreign but incredibly warm. A gruff chuckle rumbled from his chest, resonating through the room. "We made twins, my amauk'awa."

His hand reached out tentatively, resting one hand on the tiny form of their daughter while his other hand rested on their son. Air hitched in his throat as tears welled up in his eyes. "Welcome, my children, you are loved so much..." He whispered the orcish words, voice filled with such fatherly love he surprised even himself with the intensity of the emotions inside of him.

Tansy nodded, looking tired, sore, but oh so happy and prideful. He figured she deserved that pride, he was proud too. She met mother nature face to face on a battlefield and won. "She was a bit of a surprise." She lifted their daughter gently with her arm. "But a very welcome one." He could only nod in response, his eyes taking them both in. "Would you like to hold her?" Her voice was reassuring and asking all at once.

Would he like to hold her?

The question hit Xer'tal like a spear to the chest. Nervousness gripped him, fear edging in at the thought of his rough, scarred hands enveloping the fragile entity that was his daughter. Yet deep within, the yearning was undeniable, it was like a drumbeat steadily growing louder and louder, making his whole body resonate with the need to cradle his children in his arms.

Seeing Tansy's reassuring gaze, Xer'tal responded, "Aye, I want to... I want to hold her." His eyes burned with intensity as he glanced between the precious bundle and his wife. His hands, though burdened by countless scars and marks of war, reached out to receive the tiny, innocent bundle with surprising tenderness.

Her teeny body felt feather-light in his arms, stoking a wave of protectiveness and love. His rough fingers traced her small face, marveling at her full lips, button nose and small tufts of hair. Gently, he adjusted her in his arms, providing the support her tiny body needed. Every breath she took matched with his, deafening him to the world beyond.

"Hello, little flower." Xer'tal murmured, his voice holding a softness of feeling that he usually reserved only for Tansy. He looked down at their daughter and then up to meet Tansy's eyes, "She's perfect, just like her mother." He gave a relieved sort of chuckle. He had never once thought it would be like this. She was so utterly perfect in his arms He never thought he could love something as much as he loved Tansy yet here were two bundles that represented their love in physical form. He never thought he would feel like this when Tansy had burst into his life over a year ago with a pound of coin and a request for protection.

"We should name them." Tansy looked down at their son and Xer'tal didn't miss the slight glassiness her eyes had. "They will need good names." Her smile was warm and loving as she looked up at him. "Any orc worth their tusks has a strong name." The year of practice had made the orcish no longer as hesitant on her tongue and pride filled Xer'tal as she leaned forward and brushed a kiss across their son's forehead.

"Aye," He gave a solemn nod, running a gentle thumb over their daughter's small, soft hand. The feeling of her tiny fingers curling around his large thumb was indescribably comforting and broke his heart in the sweetest way. His eyes met Tansy's, a silent communication passing between them. "And any human worth their salt bears a name that tells a story." The usually guttural language sounded softer than usual in the tranquility of the shared moment.

He glanced down at their daughter before looking back at Tansy and their son, his expression thoughtful. "How about... Kael'thana for our beautiful girl?" He suggested, the name cascading off his tongue like a sacred hymn. "It means bloomin' strength, and it is my wish that she blooms just like her mother did." Orcs didn't name people after flowers or plants but it was a name resounding the beauty and tenacity of his Tansy. His gaze then fell on their son's serene face. "And for our boy... Gor'tal..." The name echoed strength and resilience, mimicking the raw power of his father and the indomitable will of his mother.

Xer'tal felt a little nervous as Tansy smiled down at their son, gently stroking the curve of his nose. "Gor'tal, you have an incredible legacy to live up to. Your father's boots are big to fill but no matter where your path takes you, we will love you." She bent down and kissed the downy head of their son, "My Gor'tal, my strong, strong boy. Mama loves you so much." Xer'tal didn't think it was possible but hearing her whisper that sweet and tender love to their son nearly undid him completely at the seams.

He watched as she let out a happy sigh, looking at their daughter, "My Kael'thana, my precious, darling girl. I hope you grow the wildest, largest garden in your heart as you grow." Tansy beamed up at him, that sunshine smile that chased away all the dark things that lingered in his bones. "I love you, Xer'tal, my husband. Thank you for gifting me such beautiful flowers for the garden in my heart." She whispered it so soft and sweet, her love so evident in her gaze.

"I love you. In this life and the next, you are what completes me and gives me my strength. Thank you for letting me be your blade." Xer'al dropped a gentle kiss to her lips as he finished his thanks. He looked over right as Miriam brought Ricktus inside.

Tansy's father took one look and let out an excited whoop. "Twins!" He bellowed it out, running back to the door, shoving his head out as he called it out again. Xer'tal can hear everyone else cheering as well. He was glad the community in the Wilde's Lumberyard celebrated with them but right now he was glad it was just him and Tansy as they looked at the little lives they had created.

Xer'tal did't know what god made him so lucky as to give him these blessings but he knew that now he had them. There was nothing in the great hells and the orc pantheon that would ever take them away.

This was his family, his wild and growing family and he would defend it with every breath in his body.

Still, he sent a small prayer to whoever was listening, thanking them for giving him a chance to be loved by a wild, chattering woman with a sunshine smile and a heart too big for her chest.

And most of all, he thanked them for giving him a chance to love Tansy of the Wilds.