Days turned to weeks, and bits of information leaked through to the Keep. The raiders were preparing to storm the Sanctum, but no one had any clue how to find or stop Anduin.
Elunara was spending more time at the Keep with Varian than with anyone else. Not that they entirely begrudged her as to why, but it was becoming the talk of her house. Over the past month, she had nearly doubled in size, as the twins competed for space. Lulu made frequent trips to the Keep for progress on her own baby.
As Abigail got closer to her due date, Lulu became her constant companion, even as she struggled to balance the affections of both Calysta and Nara. Even now she felt like she was hiding from the pair as they were becoming smothering as they prepared for the baby. Lulu tossed her felhunter a treat as she knocked on Abigail's door.
Abigail opened the door. "Lulu!"
"Sorry, I'm a little late today--"
"That's not important! I think I'm having contractions!"
"ABIGAIL!"
"HELP ME!"
Lulu pushed past her and ran for Renwa's office. She didn't bother to knock and shoved the door open. Zelinnia was in Renwa's lap, her dress open at the top, her breasts hanging out in the open.
"Lulu!"
"Abigail's gone into labor!" Lulu rubbed her own belly. "I can't get to momma quickly like this."
Zelinnia adjusted her top. "I'll go get her." She bolted for the door.
Renwa followed. Grabbing his daughter up, the three of them ran for the healer.
"Daddy, it hurts." Abigail gasped as the next contraction took her body.
"I know, sweetheart, I know. Elunara will get here as fast as she is able."
Zelinnia charged into the Keep.
Elunara was sitting on her throne rubbing her massive belly. "Hey, sugarbutt, haven't seen you in a while."
"Abigail is having her baby!"
"Aw, hell." Varian helped Elunara to stand. "I'm coming, I'm coming."
"Perhaps I can be of some assistance?"
"Wrathion! Where the hell have you been?"
"Doing this and that. Do you need a ride somewhere, my lady?"
"Get me to the healer building!"
"At once." He transformed, but it took his help and Varian's to get her on his back. He was over to the healer's building in two hops of his wings. Landing next to it, he helped ease her down.
Lulu met her at the door. "Momma!"
"I'm coming as fast as I can." She heard Abigail's cry of pain and followed the sound. Putting her hand on the girl, she concentrated her energy. "Am I cuttin' or are you pushin'?"
"Pushing! Please don't cut me!"
"I'll never understand you pushers." She focused her energy. "Alright, get working girly."
Six hours later, a high, thin cry was met with love and admiration from her grandparents, mother, aunt and uncle. After Tia cleaned the baby, she passed the child off to Abigail. "Congratulations, it's a girl."
"Aw, she's so tiny and pretty." Abigail cuddled the child. "My little Clarissa."
"My first niece." Nara stuck out his tongue.
"Our first grandchild." Renwa smiled as he wrapped an arm around Zelinnia.
Zelinnia held Abigail's hand. "You'll be a great mother."
"I hate to break this up, but I need to let Jenny and Mark know. She is their grandchild too." Elunara shook her head.
Abigail sighed. "They have been kind to me. I will not oppose."
"I'll let them know." Elunara made her way outside.
Wrathion was leaning against the door. "How goes it?"
"She's a little early into the world, just like her momma. But now I need to speak to my other sister."
"You've a complicated family, Elunara."
"Zelinnia says I have a weird relationship with everyone."
He transformed. "Your chariot?"
"At my rate, it would take longer to get on your back than it would to just walk there."
"Suit yourself." He transformed. Taking her hand, he grinned. "How long 'til I get you in my bed again?"
She eyed him askance. "Is that it?"
"Is what it?"
"Are you only ever going to visit me to fuck my brains out?"
Wrathion blinked. "I wouldn't put it that way..."
"That's all you've done so far." She rubbed a hand on her belly.
"I thought that's what you wanted." He said quietly.
She hesitated. "I didn't expect you at all." With a sigh, she raked her fingers through her hair. "Let's be honest. I expected you to knock me up, disappear until the children were born, figure out if they were whelps or not, and disappear again for eighteen or so years."
"Is that what you want?"
"Honestly? Didn't care. An arrangement was made. However, like I said. I didn't expect you." She shrugged. "You grew on me. I actually LIKE you; gods fuck it all. So, now I'm annoyed with you."
"What do you want from me?"
She ran her fingers under his chin. "A relationship." She gestured to the house. "Hold on, this is my stop." She knocked on the door.
Jenny opened the door. "Oh! Hello."
"Jenny, get your butt to Renwa's. Abigail had Clarissa."
"Right!" Jenny closed the door. Bowing to Wrathion, she took off.
"Now where to?"
"To the yard, I want to send Mark."
"Walk or fly?"
"Walk. I want to." She rubbed her belly. "I've been in the Keep for weeks. I need to get out more."
"What do you mean by a relationship?"
She shrugged. "Just that I would like for you to come visit for more than just wild bonking. It'll only get you so far in life, you know."
"You would be the expert in such things." He pushed her hair back and brushed his lips against hers. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him into her, nibbling along his lips. "I love the taste of you." He groaned. She glanced around. Pulling him back into an alleyway, she slid her hand in his jacket.
He turned her around and moved her hair out of the way. Pressing his lips to her neck, he began to suck gently as she leaned her head to the side to give him better access. Reaching forward, he slid his hand down the front of her pants, down to the hair beneath. His fingers pressed up inside her. Sliding in and out, he began to pump his fingers, as he sucked and bit at her neck. Licking and teasing, he enjoyed her flavor. She put her hands on the side of the building and lifted her leg. He grabbed it with his free hand and pumped harder into those tight space. As her insides flexed on his fingers, he ground his crotch against her ass. She clamped down and he hung on for the ride.
Pulling his fingers free, he brought them to his lips and sucked her juices off. "Gods, you are delicious."
Chuckling, she turned back to him. "You surprise me."
"You give me wicked ideas."
"Come with me, I still need to speak to Mark."
At the yard, she signaled for Mark. He jogged over. "What's up?"
"Abigail had her baby. You'll want to go see your grandchild."
Mark nodded and took off.
Jordan came over next and grabbed her waist, pulling her to him. He claimed her mouth for his own. They danced and mated their mouths, their tongues tangling in harmony. When he finally came up for air, he sighed. "I've missed you, baby."
"I'm sorry. You know why..."
Jordan raked his fingers through his hair. "Tonight, maybe?"
"It's a date. Varian will just have to understand." She scratched under his chin.
He grabbed her hand and kissed the palm. "I love you, baby."
"I love you too, sugar."
Elunara turned to Wrathion. "I'll take that ride now, my feet hurt."
He transformed and she climbed on his back with Jordan's help. A couple of hops and they were at the Keep again. He helped her down and they walked into the Keep together.
Varian was sitting on the throne, Emaline in his lap. She was leaning against him twirling her hair. He had wrapped his arms around her.
"Sugarlove, I need to spend some time with the rest of my family."
Varian nodded. He had been acting so broken since the news about Anduin, that it hurt her heart to see it. Emaline wasn't doing much better. "You've spent so much time with me." He released Emaline, who slid out of his lap. Varian stood up and went to Elunara. "I truly am sorry."
Elunara ran her fingers over his cheek. "Don't apologize to me, Sugarlove. I know. I just want to be there for you."
He wrapped his arms around her and let out a shuddering sigh. "I just want my son back."
"I know you do."
---
"Varian, I need to speak with you privately." Elunara gestured towards the bedroom with her head.
"Alright."
She led the way into the bedroom and closed the door. "I need to take Emaline with me."
"What? Why?"
"Because she needs to see the family as much as I do. We've been so worried and upset over Anduin that we haven't given the time and attention to Emaline that she needs. The poor girl doesn't even play anymore. She's only seven and the weight of the world is on her shoulders."
"Six."
"Huh?"
"She's six."
"No, she's not. Her birthday was last week, and we didn't even celebrate it."
"Oh, my Gods." Varian buried his face in his hands. "I didn't even realize."
"She needs to see the family more than just the few times they've come up to the Keep to check on us. We must return to some sense of normalcy. If not for us, then for her."
"You're right. You're always right." He scrubbed his hands over his face.
Elunara sighed. "She's not going to be happy with me. I know she'll want to stay with you. She thinks it's her duty."
"My little girl..."
Rubbing her belly, Elunara sighed. "She's ridiculously mature for her age, but it's time we put on a brave face and help her return to some sense of childhood."
"What do I need to do?"
---
They made their way back to the throne room. Emaline was sitting in her daddy's seat. Seeing them return, she scooted out of the throne.
"Come on, Emaline, we're going visiting."
"What? Why?"
"We haven't seen the family in weeks. It's time you got spend some time with your siblings and cousins."
"But I want to stay with daddy! He needs me!"
