Sweetest Fall, page 9
part #2 of Falling Underhill Series
Lugh shook his head. “No, you keep her against your breast. It will help keep you calm during labour.”
She breathed, sweated, and finally, the next little girl emerged. “Hazel.”
Stigaan blinked. “You knew they were girls?”
“No, but I had two names ready for any eventuality. I am very glad that they are not identical.”
Lugh exhaled in relief as the second little girl joined her sister. “Well, I am glad I can now say that you were huge.”
Orla laughed as Stigaan took care of the necessary things.
“I know. I could see you looking at me with worried eyes, and Stigaan kept running bloodwork and checking my sugars and blood pressure.”
She held onto her little ones as she was tidied up, and with Lugh’s help, she got tucked back into bed with her babies against her skin. The sight of the camera was unsurprising. She brushed her lips across the soft little heads and sighed. “So much fuss over something so small. Two somethings.”
Stigaan finished the paperwork and made notations about the arrival times of the twins. “I want you two in the city for postnatal checks next week. If there is any fever, call me, and I will meet you there. The placentas came out whole, so I don’t foresee any issue, but at least, Lugh can get you there faster than driving.”
Stigaan smiled. “They are both eating, and you have supplies, so I will just have the guys pick up a few more essentials. A second car seat for one.”
Orla smiled. “Extra diapers and a car seat are in the mare’s stall under the strawbale in the corner.”
“Of course, they are. Lugh, you might want to watch it around your wife. She’s sneaky.”
Stigaan left with a promise to check on her in an hour or so.
Lugh looked down at his new little girls.
Orla chuckled. “So, what do you think of them?”
“They are small.”
“Yup.”
“They are pink.”
“That changes.”
He tilted his head toward her. “They are perfect.”
He kissed her, and they listened to the soft snuffling sound of two infants. “They are the most delightful conduits between worlds that I have ever seen.”
“When they get older, they are going to need some puppies.”
He laughed. “The hounds of the hunt will be delighted. I will have to ask the summer king for some.”
She cocked her head. “So, the other kings are all in a similar boat?”
He took Amber in his arms and settled with her wrapped in a little blanket. “They are. The winter king went first, but our time in the human world depended on when we were ready and had our homes prepared for our entry.”
“What were your criteria?”
“Well, I needed a few thousand acres to keep the horses and allow the hunt to truly stretch its legs. The winter king just needed a space to call snow, so somewhere that he could get privacy. The storm king needs drainage. You get the idea.”
“The summer king will need room for the dogs of the hunt.” She leaned against him and got drowsy.
“The spring king will need room to grow.” He kissed her forehead.
“What about the wind?”
“He needs plains and hills, trees and brooks.”
She sighed, and the little baby was slowly removed from her arms, and she had a nap.
* * * *
Lugh set the children down and held Orla’s hand, healing and soothing the body that had just been through so much. He picked up his babies and went to put them in diapers and little onesies. He expanded the crib to fit both of them, and he spoke softly as he settled them in. “So, you two are a surprise. A wonderful surprise. I want you to ride like me and punch like your mom. No one will be able to mess with you then.”
He smiled and watched them until he heard Orla shift. The little ones started snuffling, and he brought them to their mom. She sat up and opened the gown that they had agreed on for nursing, and when the children attached, he watched as she winced then relaxed.
She snorted. “They have your mouth.”
“I have a good grip.” He grinned. “So, this has been an exciting day.”
She sighed, shifted slightly, and then asked, “Why am I not quite as inflated and a lot less sore?”
“I couldn’t do much during, but I can help with repairs since I helped do the damage.” He held her hands over the little ones and settled behind her so she leaned on him. There was a little detachment and some snuffling, but they ended up in a group cuddle while the little ones ate properly for the first time.
A family. He had waited for years, decades, centuries, and then, one day, a woman had been gift-wrapped and dropped into his kingdom. He owed Puck, and the bastard was going to call on him. Lugh didn’t mind. If he asked for more than Lugh was willing to give, he would just let Orla handle it. She had grown into her power, and she had a startlingly protective temper. You didn’t mess with anyone under her care unless you wanted to pull back a stump.
* * * *
Two months later, Lugh was in helping with the mare, and Orla stroked her head. The nanny was with the babies, and the entire farm was near to help the mare and keep the stallion from breaking down the walls.
The little hooves and the nose made its appearance, and they guided the baby out with her rhythm, and it dropped to the floor to be cleaned with hay, and it staggered to its feet right about the time that its twin made its appearance.
Another half-hour and the mare relaxed while the foals had their first meals. Orla smiled. “You did amazing, sweetie. They are big and strong.”
Lugh was washing up, and he chuckled. “The first mares born to the hunt in over six hundred years.”
The mare nudged at Orla, and Orla brought out a segment of apple.
“Did you bring that with you?”
Orla snorted. “No. I just learned to do that thing you did with the fudge. A little piece copied increases the harvest, and harvest is what we do, right?”
He dried his arms off and wrapped them around her. “Yes, it is what we do.”
She looked at him. “You might want to let him in before he comes in on his own.”
Lugh nodded, and the distant door of the big barn was opened, and the charging of hooves got closer until he skidded to a halt, and Orla stepped aside so he could greet his mate.
His nose was flared, and the first little mare finished the first meal, and she toddled forward. There was almost a spark nose to nose. The stallion looked concerned, and then, he backed slightly as the second toddler walked up.
Lugh muttered. “I know the feeling.”
“So, do we feel what they feel, or do they feel what we feel?”
He laughed. “Yes.”
“Oh, damn. Well, at least I have a year before I am in heat again.”
He sighed.
“Don’t worry, Lugh. We can still practice. When the moment comes, we’ll be ready.”
He squeezed her and carried her to a corner of the barn. With her hands pressed to the wood in the stall and him behind her, they got in some practice before returning to their house. She had collections to connect with curators, and he had images of her walking in the snow to tidy up so no one could see the two baby carriers with the well-insulated occupants in the corner of every shot.
She had been on one hundred seventeen book covers, three of which had made it to the bestseller lists. They changed her hair, eyes, skin, and height. She didn’t care. She had two college funds to save for in case Lugh gave away the assembled wealth of several centuries. It wasn’t likely, but she liked to be prepared for anything. Money was just another thing to harvest.
Author’s Note
Whew, second one. Don’t know who is third. It could be Spring, it could be Storm. Let’s find out.
Thanks for reading,
Viola Grace
About the Author
Viola Grace (aka Zenina Masters) is a Canadian sci-fi/paranormal romance writer with ambitions to keep writing for the rest of her life. She specializes in short stories because the thrill of discovery, of all those firsts, is what keeps her writing.
An artist who enjoys a story that catches you up, whirls you around, and sets you down with a smile on your face is all she endeavours to be. She prefers to leave the drama to those who are better suited to it, she always goes for the cheap laugh.
In real life, she is now engaged in beekeeping, and her adventures can be found on the YouTube channel, Mystery Bees Apiary. Just look for the cartoon kittens.
Viola Grace, Sweetest Fall
