The Young Seer |Vikings|

Chapter Forty-Two

Hedwig's POV

It has been a few long weeks, Ivar was finalizing the plans and I was getting ready for the twin's fourth birthday. It wouldn't be a big celebration, but they would get their favorite pudding and gifts.

I've kept nagging Ivar to get someone to make Helgi a brand new doll and Sigtrygg possibly a toy boat. But he kept telling me he'd do it, but he never got around to actually do it.

I embroidered Helgi's dress while she had a nap. I thought she needed a little flare. Their birthday was in a day and my stomach was wrapped in knots.

Ivar limped into the room with a bag. I perked up and he wore an irritated face, it would be that kind of day again.

He sat beside me and pulled out two toys, the ones I wanted. I gave him a smile and kissed his cheek.

He put them back in the bag and stuck his arm out for a thrall to watch over until tomorrow.

"How are you feeling?" I asked him gingerly.

"Fine. I'm just tired." He huffed. He tried his best to not burst with anger out on me. He could have just been... frustrated. I haven't let him touch me since my miscarriage and he was sick of touching himself.

"Well, you can sleep after their birthday. I feel sick with nerves. I hope they have a great day." I sighed.

"Of course they'll have a great day. They are easy to please while their young, give them a ball and their content for days." He shrugged.

I gasped. "Oh no! Should've I gotten them a ball instead?"

He sighed and rolled his eyes before wrapping his arm around me. "No, what they have is enough. They will be happy with anything."

"I hope you're right." I sighed.

He grabbed my jaw for me to look at him. "I always am."

I scoffed at him. "No you are not."

"I am too!" He protested.

Before we could say anything else, Sigtrygg and Helgi run into the room. Helgi had on her nightgown still. She was growing out of it, great. I'd have to make another new garment.

"Mommy!" Helgi screeched, wobbling over to me. I picked her up and placed her on my lap. "Tomorrow I'm four!"

"I know." I replied with a smile, I was the one who told her that morning.

"For my birthday, can I have a little brother?" Sigtrygg asked in a small voice.

Ivar smirked slyly at me. I rolled my eyes at him. We both knew Sigtrygg thought that if he said it, somehow we'd be able to conjure up a baby brother out of thin air. But all Ivar heard was a night of passion.

"No, a baby sister!" Helgi corrected.

"No!" Sigtrygg protested.

"Mommy can't just give you a baby sister or brother. A baby takes a long time to make." I explained.

"We'll wait." Sigtrygg grinned. "We'll wait all day, won't we Helgi."

"Yes!" She smiled.

"No, it will take almost a year, you'll almost be five by the time your sibling is born." I explained.

They gasped. "A year! Why?" Sigtrygg questioned.

"I don't know, it just does." I shrugged. "Perhaps the gods know."

"How do we get one?" Helgi asked.

I looked at Ivar, he was smirking. "Well," He sighed, trying to word it carefully. "Mommy and daddy have to do a special... dance."