Halfling (editing in process)

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Months flew by and Payne and Javen were consumed with taking care of Maven and Aria. Their stomachs swelled more and more, and with it came cravings, mood swings, and a rush to finish the preparations for the babies. Maven seemed to grow happier with each passing month while Aria grew more anxious. Every now and then Aria would emerge from her bedroom, dark circles under her eyes and sadness on her face. She had gotten better at blocking Lucien from her mind, but there were a few occasions where he would break into her blockades and torment her in her sleep.

Aria and Maven spent most of their time together as winter approached, causing Javen and Payne to go looking for food to store for the winter months.

All the while, Maven continued to receive worsening reports about the chaos that the incubi and succubi were causing.

"The snow is so pretty from up here... Look at how the edges of the lake is freezing Payne." Aria sighed. "What I wouldn't give to go outside."

Payne moved up to her and kissed the top of her head, reaching down and gently stroking Aria's stomach.

"I know you hate being cooped up, but it's for the best. Our little man is going to be here any time now, and you'll have plenty to take your mind off it."

"I haven't been outside for months Payne, and I won't be able to go out until we get rid of Lucien. I miss it."

Payne opened her mouth to reply but winced as she heard Maven yell. The poor woman had been in labor since the previous night. Javen and another elven woman, who had shown up days before, were taking care of her. Aria and Payne had watched the sunrise as Maven yelled at Javen, Aria having never heard so much cursing from the woman.

"Stubborn little thing, the kid's got Javen's hard headed nature, Lucifer help us all." Payne muttered.

A few more hours passed, and it was around ten in the morning when Maven let out a scream that chilled Aria to the bone, and silence pulsed thought he house for the first time in hours. A few seconds went by before the shrill cries of the newborns filled the silence, a soft sigh of relief leaving Aria.

Javen burst from the room seconds later, holding the crying infant, still blood coated, and held him in the air.

"It's a boy!" Javen announced pure joy in his eyes. "A fine elven male, look at him..."

"Javen! Get my baby back in here so Elizabeth can clean him off! For Goddess sake have you no decency?!" Maven yelled.

Aria wasn't able to get a good look at the baby as Javen rushed back inside, his ears burning red from embarrassment. They were allowed inside after another hour, the baby wrapped up in a small blanket, the little one, named Nicholas, resting in Maven's arms, slumbering away. He had a lighter skin than his mother, a tuff of soft brown hair, and they discovered that he had Maven's dark eyes. Aria's heart melted when she saw the little pointed ears on the baby. She wondered if she would feel the same way about her little one. She hoped she would, she hoped that the baby liked her.

That night Aria and Payne made dinner and allowed Maven and Javen to rest, and give them time to fuss over the baby. Aria found herself sitting with Payne at the windowsill, looking out over the winter night, watching it snow.

"Ours is due any day now." Aria said quietly. "We are prepared right? Y...You remember what I told you what happened to my mother, you knew what happened to my mother before I even told you. If I bleed out like she did, if he tears my insides up-"