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It was the third time before midnight that Shaun's slumber was disturbed by Vax'ildan wiggling out of bed. The second time this hour he heard him relieve himself in the bathroom before grumpily waddling back to tuck himself down in his mountain of pillows that did nothing for his comfort at this point.
"You alright?" Shaun asked as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and rolled over under the thick duvet to look at his husband.
There sat Vax, leaning against the headboard while rubbing the swell of his belly, looking utterly fatigued and out of breath from his short walk.
"She's headbutting my bladder." Vax groaned and pushed back at a pair of eager feet resting right under his ribs. "She's havin' a fucking' ball in there, that's for sure."
Shaun smiled none the less, Vax might be aching and tired, but the thought of their little child kicking up a storm in there, had love spreading through his heart. He placed a warm hand next to Vax's, right on top of the tunic-hidden bump and felt the little limbs pressing to his skin.
"Keeping you up already, I see." he mumbled into the pillow. "Anything I can do? Some chamomile tea, perhaps."
"I don't think I have it in me to go to the bathroom fifteen more times tonight." Vax answered him with a breathless laugh. "Would have been nice, though. Can't really sleep." A heavy sigh left him as Shaun felt his belly tighten under his palm. "And these fucking practise contraction are getting worse."
That pulled Shaun out of his slumbering state and wide awake, staring up at Vax with both fear and excitement filling his eyes as he saw his husband frowning in pain.
"Are they regular?" he asked and heaved himself up to sit at Vax's side, his hand rubbing up and down his swollen belly to ease his muscles there. When it was over, about a minute later, the half-elf let his head fall to the pillow behind him, gazing up at Shaun with mirroring eyes.
"Kind of." he guessed with a wicked smile and Shaun felt like he could burst.
"You think this might be it?"
"Don't jinx it." Vax sighed and did his best to kick the duvet off him, feeling hot despite the cold winter raging outside their house. "But I've been feeling off all day." Shaun agreed to that but hadn't mentioned it throughout the day.
After Vax's retirement from adventure they'd settled down in Whitestone. With a large fund from the De Rolo's, Shaun had opened up his shop again at mentioned location, and Vax had found work as training new recruits for the guard. When life had been calm and all had settled they'd decided to start this adventure and it went smoother than anyone had expected. Bringing them to this day, when Shaun had closed up shop, walked home to find Vax on hands and knees, scrubbing their floors clean. Then he'd passed out on the sofa just to wake up an hour later to do laundry, sleep again, waking up to fold said laundry, and then he'd just been looking for something to do before bedtime. Restless, Shaun thought.
"You certainly have been idle." Shaun grinned and carded his big hand through Vax's hair, seeing him relax under his touch. "Would you like me to pour you a bath?"
"No." Vax sighed but it seemed like he wanted to argue himself on that answer. "You should get some sleep."
Shaun laughed. "You really think I'll be able to get some shut eye now?" He leaned in and kissed him lovingly on the lips. "You stay here and I'll make you a bath. Just call me if something happens."
He lowered himself into the hot water and moaned. All the pressure in his loins vanishes instantly and he leaned back to relax against the porcelain edge. This was exactly what he needed. After a long day of nesting and carrying the extra weight of baby, he needed a break.
"Lavender?" Shaun asked and reached for the bottle of bath oil on the shelf, the calming scent spreading in the room as he poured it in. Vax let his head land on the edge, closed his eyes and took a deep breath through his nose, tension leaving him.
"This is really nice." he murmured and felt Shaun's hands wrap around his shoulders, kneading the overworked muscles there. "But you don't have to stay up for me. You've got work in the morning."
Another cramp gripped at his middle, making him wince from the uncomfortable, but not painful, pressure. Rubbing his hands over his waist he could feel the power of the contraction, wrapping around his back and over his stomach.
"Hopefully not." Shaun told him as he noticed. "That was about sixteen minutes since the last one, wasn't it?"
"I think so." Vax sighed and opened his eyes to look at Shaun standing over him. "They're lasting longer too."
Shaun tried hard not to look excited but failed, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Alright." he said simply and continued rubbing down his arms. "Anything else?"
"It um…" Vax shrugged. "I dunno. It just feels different. Like more of an overall pressure rather than just a small cramp."
He stayed for another half an hour in the water before he was restless again. The cramps were growing for each contraction and it seemed like they'd surpassed the jinx by far. Vax was excited though, moving around their bedroom in no more than a tunic and a pair of underpants while labouring, swaying his hips from side to side to get this started. He was tired of being pregnant.
They chatted while Shaun tinkered around in the room, prepping their bed and laying out towels, looking through their box of necessities they'd prepared a month ago with some snacks and planned outfits for both baby and Vax. It all seemed to be in order and Shaun turned to the magic paper to write some quick messages for them to send when they needed.
"Shaun?"
Vax was leaning against the back of the armchair, elbows digging into the leather as he breathed through a bad cramp but still looking utterly calm. Shaun checked his watch.
"Fifteen minutes." he told him and Vax gave an airily laugh.
"Yeah, okay." he smiled. "This is it."
With the messages sent, Vex arrived within fifteen minutes. Pike told them to message her again when the contractions were closer to five or got out of hand.
Vex on the other hand was still half asleep when she barged through their door without knocking, hair a mess and clothes fitting her oddly as she'd gotten dressed in a hurry.
"Brother!" she cheered as she climbed up on the chair, took his hands in her own and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "How could you do this to me? You knew I had my bets for next week."
"Fuck you." Vax grinned and lowered his head to breathe through another cramp, still swaying from side to side.
Shaun was standing behind his labouring husband, rubbing his back through his tunic and listened closely at the sounds leaving him. Still in the early stage, he concluded as he didn't seem to be in much pain at the moment.
"You're doing so well, my sweet." he praised and pushed back at his spine. "Just tell us if there's anything you need."
"It's mostly uncomfortable." Vax sighed as the cramp passed and he looked up at his sister. "Sorry for the bet."
He moved again, walked back and forth, making circles around furniture while Vex answered all the questions Shaun asked about her kids. With bare feet he trotted from wall to wall, feeling confined in the room, but also safe. The two people he loved most were here for him.
"Stubby?" he asked and braced himself against their dresser when he felt another coming on. Swaying and breathing. "Did you feel them at your back too?"
Shaun hurried to his side and pressed the warm palm of his hand against his spine.
"Only with the twins." Vex answered and reached over for her bag that she'd thrown to the floor the moment she got into the house. "But only for the first couple of hours." Digging around her bag she found what she was looking for. A leather pouch, much like a waterskin, only broader and bigger. "Percy made this for me when I was expecting them. Filled it up before I got here."
She passed the pouch to Shaun who weighted it in his hand, giving a curious hum before pressing it up against Vax's aching back.
The relief was instant. An enveloping heat spread over his spine, like laying down on a sun-heated cliff. He sighed heavily and leaned into it, letting it engulf his muscles and ease the aches.
"That Percy is fucking clever." he hummed and listened as Vex laughed.
A few hours passed and they had Vax leaning against Shaun. Vax's back pressed to his broad chest with his arms supporting him as he nearly was brought to a squat with each contraction at this point. The pains had him growling feraly, the back of his head pushing against Shaun's shoulder as the heavy sounds escaped through his clenched teeth.
"Three times?" he panted once it was over and tossed Vex a dirty look where she sat on top of their dresser. "The fuck is wrong with you?" It took her a moment before she realised he was speaking of her own children and she laughed happily.
"You'll understand once you hold her." she told him and he was gone again. She turned her eyes to Shaun who nodded to the magic paper on the nightstand.
"I think we better tell Pike." he said as this contraction ticked closer to four than five. Vex nodded and hurried off to write the message while Shaun tended to her brother.
The painful growl ended on a high pitched, tired howl and Shaun knew it was getting close. He was holding most of the man's weight by now, stopping him from crumpling on the floor beneath them.
As he was left panting in his arms, head rolling on his shoulder, Shaun decided to lead him over to their bed. Setting him down on the mattress he saw Vax panic for a moment, not wanting to let go of Shaun and a bit delirious from all the pain, but Shaun wasn't about to leave.
Crawling up on the bed and leaning back against its frame, he brought Vax to lean against his chest, still chest to back, and like that he didn't have to worry about dropping him to the floor.
"This okay?" he asked as he circled his arms around him. Vax's hand quickly wrapped around his wrists, head lolling back to his shoulder again, but he managed to nod.
"It's getting… intense." he said between deep breaths and Shaun hummed in agreement.
"I know." he murmured and nuzzled his warm cheek. "You're doing really well. You're so strong."
Another contraction. Another set of heavy panting and high pitched wails that tore through Gilmour's heart. He'd seen Vax hurting before. So many times he had tended to his wounds and cleaned him up after battle, there should be some familiarity to see him like this. But after hours of pain, the exhaustion, the never ending torture, Shaun found himself a bit scared.
Vax had his forehead shoved against his neck, growling through the spasm and nails digging into his wrists. When it was over he was left shaking like a leaf, gulping for air and tired beyond belief.
Vex joined them on the bed, entering their little bubble of safety and started rubbing her hands down Vax's shaking thighs, feeling the tension.
"It's really close now, Vax." she told him and her brother, now drawing soundly breaths through his nose, gave a slight nod. "Don't try to fight it. Just breathe and let it happen."
"It's really starting to hurt." he cried brokenly at letting a few tears slip, Shaun carding his fingers through his hair and rubbing his chest in soothing circles.
"I know, my sweet." he whispered. "You're fighting so hard. You're doing well."
A broken sob fled his lips and he blindly reached for his sister, seeking her comfort in the rising panic. Knowing she and Shaun could keep him steady and safe.
Pike appeared on their doorstep within the hour and she let herself in when she heard the howling coming from the bedroom. Vax laid curled up on expensive bed sheets. He found himself there after the last few contractions getting the best out of him. Vex was at his back, rubbing with strong hands while Guilmore had his own squeezed to minced meat by Vax's strong grip. She dropped her bag to the floor and climbed up by his feet.
"Has his waters broken?"
"Not yet." Shaun said with a shake of the head, looked tired beyond belief but smiling nonetheless. "He's doing really well, though."
"I can tell." she smiled and grabbed Vax by his knee. "Is he present or is he a bit out of it?"
"A bit out of it, I'd say." Shaun grinned as he shook his hand in the air once it was released. "He's been like this for the past quarter."
She did a quick internal exam, winced at the guttural scream leaving Vax as she reached her goal but she finished quickly.
"By Seranrea." she gasped and wiped her fingers clean on one of the towels. "Eight centimeters already."
"Holy shit!" Vex grinned and looked down at her brother. "He's always been quick, but damn!"
Shaun wasn't listening but instead leaned in close to Vax's face.
"Did you hear that, my bird?" he smiled, feeling tears swell behind his eyes in aw. "It's so close." Vax was looking right past him, panting hard and sweat clinging to his eyelashes, not understanding his words.
"I'm sure he's gonna be a record-pusher, too." Pike giggled and slipped off the bed to head for their kitchen. "Gonna get some water boiling! Tell me if he starts pushing!"
Another contraction gripped him and he howled into the sheets, legs skidding across the bed as he suffered through it, biting down another scream as the pain peaked only to ebb away a few seconds later.
Suddenly he was searching for Shaun, eyes brimming with fear and tears of exhaustion.
"I can't do this." he horsley cried and shook his head to make his point. "I fucking can't"
His own tears were already wetting his cheeks as Shaun carded his hand through Vax's mess of hair, smiling calmly while he heard his husband sob in anguish.
"Of course, you can." he hummed and kissed his tears away. "You're so close now, little bird."
Vax punched him in the chest and howled into their bedsheets again, not getting the chance to argue as he had more important things to do.
"Worst part." Vex cheered from behind Vax. "After this comes the fun."
Another half of an hour of this and something changed. The contractions were slowing down and getting longer, bringing Pike back from the kitchen to stand by. Vax was falling asleep during his breaks at this point, panting with each contraction like a feral beast and now they were all playing the waiting game.
Showers of praise washed over him as he fought and Shaun kept rubbing his shoulders just to let him know they were still close.
"I need to go to the fucking bathroom again." Vax croaked suddenly and the cleric perked up in her corner.
"Number one or two?" she asked and Vax groaned at the question. "Because if it feels like number two, I suggest we start pushing instead."
Vax sighed heavily where his face was partly buried against Shaun's thigh.
"Guess I'll push then." he moaned and without further discussing it, he gave a small heave.
"Oh gods, okay!" Shaun gasped in surprise as Vax gave no warning and it had him and Vex hurrying on their knees over the bed to switch places. He got his arm around his husband's shoulder and heaved him up against his chest, bringing his hand under one of his knees and bent it back towards his shoulder.
Vax, still on his side, gave another strong push, his own hand finding a hard grip around Shaun's bicep and the other holding on to Vex's. Pike set up camp between his legs, bringing all her equipment with her that was now thoroughly disinfected.
"Fun part?" Vax panted as it was over and he looked up at Vex like she was another enemy rising from the depths of Hells to torment him.
"Well." Vex shrugged with a smile. "At least you've got something to do now."
Vax groaned loudly and made sure to dig his nails into her palm on the next one. "So fucking annoying sometimes."
"I'm gonna break your waters, Vax." Pike warned and brought forth a hook-looking tool. "Right now you've got a nice little cushion to push around, but I'm afraid that would prolongate things for you." She looked up at him between his knees. "It's gonna get a bit more intense, though."
"Just do it." Vax grumbled where his cheek lay smushed against Shaun's arm. "I can take it."
"No doubt." Pike grinned and made herself prepared. "Gonna feel some pressure now, and then a small pinch before the relief."
Shaun carded his hand through his hair while Pike worked, and just like she'd promised he could feel the pinch, he hardly registered the pain before he could feel a warm flush between his legs and the pressure eased inside of him.
"Oh." he sighed heavily and took a couple of deep breaths, feeling like he could breathe easily for the first time in weeks. "That feels so much better."
It did get more intense though. On the next contraction he could feel the blunt pressure of his daughter's head push forward and he worked with it the best he could. Growling with it.
"Well done, Vax." Pike cheered while changing the towels beneath him. "End spurt now, okay. You're doing great so far."
A half an hour of this passed and he could feel that bone deep fatigue creep through him again. The urge to sleep for days and days, the ache that was all over and unending. Yet until the point where Pike's eager voice rang through his ears.
"Right on, Vax! There we fucking go! I can see hair!"
He stopped pushing on a sob and relaxed in his husband's arms. "Get her the fuck out!" His voice was cracking, his head foggy from pain and exhaustion. "I'm done. I'm so fucking done!" Tears were pouring down his flushed cheeks and Shaun quickly wiped them away before placing a hard kiss to his forehead.
"You're almost done, little bird." he sang happily and stayed with his nose gently pressed to his own. "You can do this, love. You're so close."
It only made Vax cry more, the pain was starting to burn and he not only wanted but needed this to be done. "I'm so fucking tired."
"I know, love. I know. But she's almost here. You think it would help to move? Change position?"
"If you'd like, you could just pant through the next couple of contractions." Pike suggested. "Just rest for a couple of minutes."
"I don't…" Vax sighed, rolling his head in the cradle of Shaun's elbow.
"C'mon, brother." Vex smiled and caressed her thumb across his cheekbone. "Let's get some gravity into this. Up you get! I promise you it'll help."
"I don't think I can." Vax cried but Shaun was already manhandling him in his arms. With gentle hands moving him, he soon found himself sitting up, heels almost by his rear, the pressure between his legs increasing uncomfortably, making him hiss through clenched teeth.
"I know it's not better." Vex and said, still that same smile on her lips, but gentler. "But this will help."
He gave her a quick nod while Shaun moved up behind him, letting him rest to his strong chest with his big arms circled around him.
"Okay." Pike was back on the mattress, her hands examining him again. "Feel like you can push on the next one?" He nodded, sweat-soaked hair falling in his eyes which his sister quickly brushed away with her hand. "Give 'em hell, Vax."
He pushed, the burning growing and his growls turning into wails which only seemed to please Pike. "Good! Well done! Just like that!"
One hand wrapped around Vex's fingers, the other around Shaun's wrist he panted into the open air as he tried to collect himself again. Feeling his body breaking into pieces while simultaneously being locked in position. He could feel Shaun's nose buried in his hair, his warm breaths to his skull. Vex had a strong grip on one of his knees, keeping him in place.
"You're really close now." Pike cheered and Vax would probably have kicked her if he could.
"Three times." he moaned and gave his sister an evil side eye that made her laugh again.
"You'll understand in a couple of minutes." she promised him with a quick kiss to his cheek. "C'mon now. I wanna see my niece."
Cursing under his breath he got to work again, wailed like a dying animal at the increasing burn when Pike suddenly shouted for him to stop. He did, letting out an angry, full throated scream as he could feel himself being split in two. He pushed back at Shaun, the back of his head almost knocking his husband in the face as he threw it against his shoulder in a futile attempt to escape the pain.
Wailing.
"Fuckfuckfuck!"
"Just hold on! She's coming! A little more"
"It fucking BURNS!"
With a heavy rush of more fluids he could feel the pressure disappear in an instant, a heavy weight settled between his shaking legs and a choir of cheers echoed through their bedroom.
"There she is!" Pike laughed happily and reached blindly for the stack of towels at her side. "Just gotta let her turn and then one more push should do it. Just breathe for now, Vax."
"Oh fuck you." Vax growled as his head lolled at Shaun's shoulder. "Fuck all of you."
"That's how we got here." Shaun grinned behind him and Vax couldn't help his breathy laugh between pants.
"Here." Pike sang and reached for his hand joined with Shaun's. "Wanna feel?" She led them down, past his swollen abdomen and down between his legs where his fingers graced something wet. With a gasp, he could feel the hair already growing on her head.
"There she is." Shaun whimpered and nuzzled Vax's temple, heavy tears falling down his cheeks. "Oh, my love. There she is."
The tips of Vax's fingers traced her features, found her little nose, her tiny lips, wishing he could see. He wanted to see.
The feeling of her turning had him moaning in pain again and he pushed once Pike commanded him, howled at the pain as one of her shoulders slipped free and then the rest of her followed with a rush.
"Well done!" Pike cheered as she caught the little thing in her hands. "Well done, Vax! She's here!" And with that, a tiny little wail joined his heavy sounds of relief, his eyes growing at the sight of Pike lifting the little life to place on his stomach. Shaun was sobbing behind him, Vex laughing maniacally at his side as Pike cleaned the little girl with towels and Vax's hands joined hers carefully.
Soft, black hair, her face squished and head pointy. Her skin greyish purple and her chubby little hands grasping at thin air.
"Oh…" He brought her as close as the cord would allow him, cradled her in his arms close to his chest and her wet little wails quickly softened. "Look at you. Hello."
Just by one look, he understood what Vex meant. The feeling of love washing over him as he saw the little life he and Shaun had made, her perfect little lips and nose that deserved all the kisses in the world. She was perfect, and new tears started to swell behind his eyes. He could certainly do this again.
"Oh gods look at you."
"Oh Vax." Vex cried as she placed a gentle kiss on his temple. "She's perfect."
A tired sob left him with his next exhale, his eyes falling closed as his head fell back to Shaun
s shoulder again. Exhaustion rushed through him again, but the adrenaline and urge to look at his daughter wouldn't let him sleep yet.
Opening his eyes again he saw her resting against his chest, her hands already gripping onto the leather strings of his tunic.
"Well." Shaun cried and Vax looked back at his husband, the marvel in his eyes, his big hand joining him in cradling their daughter. "She's quite something, isn't she?"
Vax sobbed again. Bone tired and still aching, but these were the tears of pure happiness.
"She's here." he cried and leaned into the touch of Shaun's hand on his cheek. "She's really here."
"She is." Shaun smiled, his own tears falling. "You did it. And she's beautiful."
"She is!" Vax sniffled and nodded. "She really is!" He took her little hand in his own, studied her little face as she peered up at him with misty eyes that yet hadn't decided on colour. His heart grew as her little fingers wrapped around one of his own. "You really are."
Pike was still working between his legs and he wished he could ignore her poking hands. The pain was still there but at least now he had a good distraction.
Her hair was incredibly soft, her skin warm and supple and slowly turning more pink. He cleaned the vernix of her face with the towel and listened to her little sounds, like she couldn't decide if she was annoyed or happy of being born into the open world.
"You're amazing." Shaun sighed. "I couldn't be more proud of you. And don't argue, because I really am." Vax was just about to but bit his tongue.
"Couldn't have done it without you." he smiled and then turned to his sister and Pike. "Or you."
"You did all the work, though." Pike grinned while Vex helped her with collecting the dirty towels. "And you did amazingly."
Vax sighed heavily, his head falling back against Shaun again as he looked up at his tear streaked face, the hint of a blush lingering there as he watched their daughter.
He couldn't ignore the pain.
"It still hurts." he whimpered and Shaun turned to him with a gentle smile, carded his hands through his hair before wrapping his arms around him.
"I know. Just give it a moment and Pike will heal you once you're done."
Vax hummed, his eyelids heavy and every part of him shaking. "Gonna sleep for a year after that."
"That, you deserve."
Vex helped him into the bathtub while Shaun bounded with their daughter close by. The moment he took her from Vax's arms he'd undone his robe, placed her to his skin so he could share some of his warmth, and she seemed content. Her soft little cheek smooshed to his collarbone, her tiny hands curled up and resting under her chin. Looking quite relaxed now with the tiny crochet hat covering her head.
On his knees in the bathtub Vax moaned through another contraction, in progress of delivering the afterbirth and Shaun winced at his painful noises, knowing it had to be done.
Pike and Vex were at his side, coaxing him through it while pouring hot water across his back and cleaning his hair.
"This is fucking worse than having her." Vax moaned at one point but didn't seem to be in the same excruciating pain as thirty minutes ago.
"I know." Vex answered while rubbing his shoulders. "But this is quicker."
While Vax cursed under his breath, Shaun saw Pike reaching into the reddish water and quickly hiding something away in the ruined towels, listening to Vax's new sounds of relief, and he knew it was over.
The little girl slept through the whole thing, one of her little hands circling around his finger and legs curled under her belly like she'd never left the womb. Shaun was in love. Pride filling his heart. For so long she'd been nothing but a thought, and now she was in his arms, breathing. Her first little cries would always stay in his memory, the angry 'hello' to the world as she'd been forcefully evicted from the previous. As he traced one of her ears he found just the hint of a point. Quarter elf, after all, he smiled happily and let the tip of his finger wander over her soft skin.
"There we are." Vex announced, pulling Shaun from his moment as he saw her helping a nearly unconscious Vax out of the water, all cleaned and freshly healed by Pike. Still he looked shaky, but much better now than when he stepped into the bath. They dressed him in soft cotton clothes with his shirt kept unbuttoned and, with careful steps, she led him out to the cleaned bedroom, tucked him in under their covers and Shaun followed in silence, just watching in awe as his husband looked just like he'd looked nine month previous. His shape was almost back to normal, his belly nothing but the swell of a big meal. By the gods that man was magic.
"Here we are, my little birds." he smiled and leaned over Vax to put the little bundle to his chest. "Gotten her first bath and her first nappy on."
Vax wrapped his hands around her and tucked her close under his chin, breathed her in through his nose and hummed in content as her warm skin touched his own. She was all pink now, fuzzy like a peach and he snuck his hand under the soft blanket to touch her tiny arm.
"She's so chubby." he grinned and lifted her hand to kiss her fingers. "Who fattened you up, ey?"
"Think we all know the culprit." Shaun laughed and felt a new set of tears forming by the sight.
For months he'd imagined this moment, what she would look like, her smell and the feeling of her skin. The sounds of her cries. He didn't need to imagine anymore, yet the whole thing seemed unreal. He'd imagined Vax as a father, what his voice would sound like as he spoke to their child, how it would change him and Shaun both. It was quite incredible how something so small could bring so much joy to so many.
"I'm almost afraid to fall asleep and wake up to this not being real." Vax confessed with a tired smile, eyes too heavy to keep open.
"I'll look after her." Shaun promised and made himself comfortable at his side, his fingers playing with one of Vax's wet strands of hair. "And on you."
"I'm gonna have that year long nap now, thank you." Vax hummed and snuggled into his pillow. "Wake me before her first birthday."
Vex returned home when she felt like everything was settled, Pike stayed for another hour for observation, made her and Shaun tea as they watched the sun rise. It was still early in Whitestone, shortly past nine in the morning, and the cold morning light washed over their bedroom. The street outside was covered in white snow, not yet shoveled or even stept on. It was a beautiful day for all of its inhabitants, but not as beautiful as it was to Shaun.
"Any names in mind?" Pike asked over her cup of steaming tea. She'd placed herself in one of the armchairs, looking incredibly small against the high seat and big cup in her tiny hands.
"I think we've settled for one." Shaun answered in a low voice to not wake his family. "But I think Vax wants to announce it."
"Okay." Pike said without further question and took another sip. "Just tell me if you want me to go shopping. D'you have everything you need for the week?"
"Vex'ahlia made sure of that, yes." Shaun grinned happily. "Got our own home delivery now. And Sherry will keep her eye on my shop for the next couple of weeks. Even taken herself an apprentice."
"Wow." Pike giggled with raised eyebrows. "The poor thing."
"She's not all bad." Shaun laughed but he did see her point. "Think it'll do her good. She's not fallen for Whitestone yet, but I imagine that she'll get to know some of them now when working at the register a bit more."
"It's harder to imagine you taking time off, though." Pike giggled and Shaun had to agree.
Vax was startled awake after a couple of hours of sleep. A small cry from the warm bundle resting on his chest brought him back to last night, leaving him smiling. He could already hear Shaun doting at his side, speaking to their daughter in his softest voice and Vax could see himself waking up to this every day from now on.
Her little face nuzzled at his chest and he already knew what she needed, adjusting her in his arms and, like she'd done this a hundred times before, she latched on without fuzz.
"There we go, sweetheart." he sighed, his voice tired and straining. "Just like that."
A brush of Shaun's facial hair tickled his cheek as he sneaked a kiss there. Too tired to return it, he simply hummed happily and let his head sink deep into the pillow again. "What time is it?"
"It's almost twelve o'clock." Shaun murmured as he joined Vax's hand on top of their daughter's back. "Vex contacted me. Said she would have some food brought over. Would you like something while we wait?"
"No, I'm okay. Just don't make me get up in a while?"
Shaun laughed, sounding depleted but full of joy. "I would never. How're you feeling by the way? Does anything hurt?"
"Nah. Pike healed me up pretty good. Just feeling a bit strained."
A knock at the door interrupted them and Shaun rolled off the bed to answer. Soon enough, hushed voices were heard from the kitchen and Vax knew that Vex hadn't delivered the food by servants, taking the opportunity to do it herself to keep her eyes on him.
"Hey."
Vax opened his heavy eyes and turned to the doorway, saw his sister sneak as silently as she could to join his side.
"Hey, stubby." His voice was still horace and broken, but it didn't matter now as everyone seemed to speak in low ones anyway. "Gotten any sleep?"
"Oh don't worry about me." she hummed as she sat down at his bedside, her hand already reaching for the baby's little cheek. "Hey you. Did you let your daddies have a nice nap, or have you kept them up?"
"She's probably been as exhausted as the rest of us." Vax grinned and heard the familiar footsteps of someone else entering the bedroom. "Freddy?" The man waved awkwardly but made his way over to his wife, squatted by her side to get a good look.
"Well look at that." he smiled and his face softened from its usual aristocratic hardness. "She's a real beauty, isn't she?" He turned to look at Vax. "Congratulations."
"Thank you." Vax said with a grin, still getting used to seeing Percy in the family way.
The girl finished her meal with a big jawn, her little hands clenching and unclenching as she stretched, almost making Vax cry again. He looked at Vex. "I know you're dying to hold her, sis. C'mon."
Ever so carefully they helped each other wrap her up in the soft blanket and then Vex took her in her arms, gazed at her with pride. Tears were already shining in her eyes.
"Oh Percy, look at her." she squealed. "Look!"
"I see her." Percy grinned and traced his finger across her forehead, playing with the little locks of hair peeking out from her hat. "She almost looks like Wulf did when he was this size."
"She does!" Vex beamed while gently swaying the bundle. "Oh, darling. I want another one!"
Percy pretended not to hear her, instead taking the girl's little hand while adoring his wife's cooing.
"Vex." Vax interrupted and pushed himself up on the bed to straighten his back. "Percy. This is Elaina. Elaina Opesa Geddmore"
He watched as his sister's face crumpled, her teeth biting down on her lips as she tried to keep herself from crying but failing. "Oh, of course you are. A little Elaina. Hello, Elaina." She snivelled, laughing out a sob. "It's perfect, Vax. Fucking perfect."
Vax took her hand, his own tears falling.
"You okay?"
Vex nodded, wiping her tears to her shoulder. "Of course. And I'm so proud of you. Of her. And I know mother would be too."
His chest overwhelming with both sorrow and happiness, he simply nodded, knowing there weren't any words enough to describe what he was feeling at the moment.
"She was an Elania ever since we knew she was a girl." he cried just as Shaun came back with a plate filled with cheese, meat, and bread, the smile on his face telling he already knew what had happened.
"Told her then?" he asked anyway and the twins started laughing at their shared moment.
"It's perfect." Vex told him and shipped the girl over to Percy who then retreated to the armchair, cradling her in his arms and taking her in.
"It's a beautiful name." Shaun agreed and sat the plate down on Vax's lap along with well needed handkerchiefs. "There was never another in mind. How are your children, by the way?"
A groan was uttered from the armchair in the corner and Vex only laughed.
"Hells on earth." she explained happily. "Wulf still runs away from his tutor every chance he gets, Fredrick has started exploring the castle, and the twins have learned to climb the shelves in the library."
"I'll never understand how two two-year olds manage to wreak so much havoc." Percy added, eyes still fixed on Elaina. "Your cousins are gonna love you, though. Wulf's been begging for a little sister. They'll teach you all their naughty tricks."
"Please don't let them." Vax grinned while nibbling on a chunk of cheese, enjoying this time with his family.