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chapter forty-two, utter perfection.
AS THE TRIMESTERS OF FRANCESCAS PREGNANCY CAME TO AN END, Aaron found himself freaking out more and more. Was he going to be a good dad? How was everything going to go? Now that they were having twins?
They had found out a few months ago that they were having two, beautiful baby girls. And that just made Aaron's heart swell with love and protectiveness. What was he going to do when they grew up? What was he going to do about the boys?! He wasn't sure how he'd cope.
Every day since he found out she was pregnant, Aaron would lay near Francesca and talk to the babies as if they could hear and understand him. They would somehow always kick right when they heard his voice, causing him to smile brightly.
And now, here he lay, next to his very pregnant wife. She was cranky and in pain all of the time, and sometimes she even rejected his affections...just to come back to him five seconds later, crying and saying that he didn't love her.
None of this made him mad or frustrated, for she was carrying not one, but two of his babies, and she could feel however she wanted, she could want whatever and get it, she could say or do anything and he'd be okay with it.
Since she had gotten so big, her belly round and very swollen, so they couldn't exactly hold each other while they slept. But Aaron always rested his hand in her hand or on her waist.
However, Aaron rarely slept these days. Nothing was wrong, no, and nothing was uncomfortable; the due date was near. He didn't want to be asleep when Francesca went into labor, he wanted to be wide awake. He'd sleep, maybe, a hour a day, which wasn't really substantial, so Francesca would make him sleep more during the day. Aaron knew that she was just concerned for him, but the thought of being separated from his precious jewel, especially while she was carrying his daughters, made him want to go on a rampage.
Currently, Aaron was in a world leaders meeting. Him, along with other kings and presidents, were all discussing crucial problems their world was facing. His mind, of course, was elsewhere. He knew Francesca was in the good hands of his most trusted servants, maids, midwives and, of course, his mother. Yet, he couldn't help but worry.
You see, Francesca was already on edge. Her family were currently staying in the castle, due to it being the Christmas holiday in just a mere 2 days. She tried to tell them that the holiday was already going to be stressful due to her pregnancy, and her insistence that not only would the staff get a good bonus but they would celebrate if they wanted to, but they didn't listen. Her family seemed to thrive on the very implication that her life would be more difficult as long as they were the cause-- which they almost always were.
During a high tension part of the meeting, Aaron felt as if he would be saved. He had insisted to have the meeting at the palace, at his palace, in case anything happened. One of his most trusted guards quickly entered the meeting.
"May I be blunt, my king?" He asked Aaron, who just gave a nod in response. "The Queen is in labor," He said quickly. Within one second, Aaron excused himself. He ran down the halls, undoing his cravat as he panted. His heart was beating in his ears and his nerves felt like he was going to bounce off the walls. His stomach twisted and turned at the mere thought of what was happening in the Queens labor room. What if he was too late? What if, when he got there, he would be met with the sound of crying? Of babies crying? Of course, he would be glad that everyone was alright, but still! He would be very much upset if he missed the birth of his first borns, of his princesses!
Thankfully, he wasn't late. He opened the door to see Francesca on the plush bed, doctors and midwives surrounding her. Next to her, Victoria stood, holding her hand.
"See? I told you that there was absolutely no way he'd be late," Francesca smiled, reaching for her husband. Victoria smiled and quietly left the room, letting Aaron take her spot.
"They aren't here yet?" He asked softly, squeezing his wife's hand. The doctor started to get ready as he explained that Francesca would not give birth without him here. Aaron smiled and pressed a soft kiss to Francesca's sweaty forehead.
Within 30 minutes, after what felt like literal hours, the sound of two babies crying blessed the ears of the new parents. Their daughters were happy and healthy, and both were instantly placed into the parents awaiting arms.
Aaron held the eldest, Helena, who looked exactly like Francesca, but with light blonde, thin hair. Her tiny hands reached for him, clutching onto his coat as she calmed down. On the other hand, Francesca was handed their other daughter, Eden, who looked just like Aaron, with curly, thin brown hair. Eden nuzzled into her mothers chest, her cries vanishing instantly.
"God, they are perfect.....thank you, for giving me the most beautiful daughters a man could ask for," Aaron smiled, kissing Francesca's head as tears filled his eyes.
"Hey, you helped," Francesca smiled, kissing Edens little head. Her heart was bursting with love for not only Aaron, but now her daughters.
She never wanted kids, at least, not until she met Aaron. This life she has, this life she was blessed with, it was perfection. She often found herself wishing shed be pinched, and that she didn't deserve any of this. But everytime she opened her eyes, and witnessed everything that made her life the way it was....it was like a dream she'd never want to wake up from.
A few hours had passed and now Francesca's mother was in the room, watching a the couple held her grandchildren. If Francesca did anything slightly wrong, like normal new parents do, her mother would criticize her and berate her for not being a perfect mother. And now, Loring decided to pluck Aarons last straw.
"My king," Loring started, looking at Aaron. "Are they to your standards?"
At first, Aaron didn't understand who 'they' were. "...they?"
"Your daughters, do they meet your standards?" Loring asked with a serious expression on her face. Aarons face hardened as she spoke. He stood up and put Eden, whom he was now holding, in the bassinet next to Francescas bed. He stalked over to Loring, his eyes narrowed and darkened.
"Listen carefully, they are babies. they are my daughters, my flesh and blood, and they would surpass my standards if i had any, which I don't because they are babies." Aaron glared. "They are perfect, and they are just like their mother." At even the slight implication that Francesca could be anything other than a mess, Loring laughed. In a split second, Aaron had Loring removed from not only the room, but the palace in its entirety.
"My dear," Francesca smiled, watching as Aaron picked Eden back up. "You...you never fail to amaze me, or make me fall in love with you all over." Her voice was soft. The soft coos of both of their daughters made their hearts melt.
EVerything was perfect and everything was what Aaron had always wished for. His life felt so complete, his heart felt so full. He knew the only way his heart would expand was if they were to have more children--which you'll find out soon if they did! Nevertheless, Aaron and Francesca had never been more happier, and it was all because of a list.
