Untangling Aella

Chapter Twenty Four

Hello to you gorgeous individuals and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

My long hiatus was a fusion of a laptop was destroyed during the annual flooding of my room (thank you converted garage) when I was halfway through a chapter. This left me feeling really defeated. Coupled with ongoing health concerns, namely a vertigo and a slipped disc in my back, I've had to take a break from that which I love - following Aella through her journey in this world that holds much surprises for her.

Well, I've replaced the laptop (I love you, Macbook Pro) and I'm on the mend. So I wanted to invest more time back into writing before the pandemonium that is Teaching, begins again.

Hope you enjoy

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Chapter Twenty Four

I've heard horror stories. Of children crying non-stop, of each twin taking turns for being the monster baby. Middle of the night crying, middle of the night feeding. The horrors of children urinating in the middle of a change, of poop running everywhere. Puke on their clothes, puke on your clothes. Puke in your hair, on your arm, on places you can't even imagine.

I've even lived these aforementioned horrors in the last two months.

But what they forget to tell you about is the bliss.

Cradling a baby in the nook of your arm, their newly focused eyes looking up to you so trusting. You can't help but look down in wonder and count yourself lucky for making something so precious.

"I love you so much, Castor," I said to my son, the blue of his eyes looking back at me solemnly and kissed his plump cheek.

I looked at my baby girl in my other arm and gaze at her "I love you, Callista."

She looked back at me and she smiled in return, as if she intuitively knew what I told her. I kiss her equally plump cheek before alternatingly changing their diaper.

I feel my better self coming out when I'm around them. The love and gentleness I lather them with when I change them, caress them and feed them.

As I was changing them, I'd noticed crescent moon birthmarks on their left collarbone.

"Now, this is strange indeed, Babies. Identical birthmarks!" I said to them as my hand ran gently over the barely there mark on of their shoulders.

I shook my head and dismissed it.

Maybe I'll discuss it with Ari later.

I dressed each in their fresh diaper, singlet and romper and kissed their baldheads before covering it with a beanie.

Carrying each in the crook of my arm, I walked to the nurse Ari and Grandpa set up, and placed them in their crib.

Turning on the baby monitor and looking each baby over, I walked out and gently closed the door.

I went knowingly to the study, where Ari and Aegeus would be talking about various matters.

"We've got to head back, Grandfather. We need to resolve Aella's trial and the hunt for the cowards that came after her."

"I agree, it is time we returned. I can't guarantee that I don't trust everyone there so I think we need to leave the children here with their Grandmother"

"I don't think I can agree to that, Aegeus." I said stepping into the room and making my presence known.

"Why not?" he replied, one eyebrow raised.