"I have found a new level of hilarity!" Lydia cried over the banister.
Elunara looked up from her board. "What?"
"Watching Dargek pee on his daddy."
Elunara choked. "And I MISSED it?"
"Well, Dargek certainly didn't miss." Lydia snorted.
"It's not funny!" Darguni called.
"Yes it is!" She and Elunara called at the same time.
Darguni came out with Dargek on his shoulder. "At least he has impressive range on that damned thing." He poked Lydia. "You're changing Lily."
"Already did." She ducked into the room and picked up the girl. "I want to nurse on the couch."
"Alright."
Lydia sat down and got Lily adjusted. "Let's start with you this time, since your bother hogs it all."
Darguni sat next to her. "Well, he is a big strong orc, he needs more."
"Pfft, like I'm going to let my little girl go without."
"Wouldn't dream of it." He kissed her neck.
"Ugh, you're both so cute, I won't get shit done." Elunara snorted.
"Glad dad told me to take a couple of weeks off."
"Well, you did an excellent job with his troops, he's quite pleased. Plus, these are you firsts. He's got a house of you maniacs."
"That seems unfair to Susan." Lydia switched babies.
"Nah, they take their time. You just don't see it because most of it is private. He'll take his time off, and he'll spend his time with his babies. Just as you're doing. He took plenty of time off when you were born, Darguni. It's just that most of it was spent at the edge of the ring, where we're both the most comfortable." Elunara shrugged. "That's where Susan is right now."
"Alright, the last one is asleep." Susan tucked the blanket around the tiny form.
Grogek chuckled. "Surviving up there?"
"I feel like I'm in a baby puddle." She giggled.
"I have to admit, I'm a little worried about you."
"Oh, I'll be fine." She waved a hand. "Elunara taught me how to be an independent thinker. All I have to do... is organize my time efficiently. I think I'll get the hang of it. Plus, Chrissy and Jenny have been offering their assistance."
He rubbed a hand on her leg. "If you need anything..."
She leaned down and kissed the top of his head. "You'll be the first to know."
He tugged her down into his embrace. "Good." He tucked her back on to the platform.
Giggling, she rubbed a hand on his head. "You just want me out here so you can show off your children."
"Maybe." He grinned.
"It must be a loony bin at your house."
Jordan grinned. "You have no idea."
Mark rubbed his neck. "One set of twins was bad enough, but two?" He shuddered.
"Yeah, but think of it... Elunara and Grogek, me and Tulani," Jordan began ticking his fingers off. "Tina and Lulu, Darguni and Lydia, and then there's Bradly... there's plenty of hands to toss into the pot to help with all five of the babies. I hear Chrissy, Zelinnia and Jenny are offering, Gingy keeps bouncing in and out... there's a few others I'm forgetting... Yeah, it's a goddamned madhouse." Jordan cackled.
"DADDY!" Lulu flung her arms around Jordan.
"Yeah, Pumpkin?"
"Can I go spend some time with Grandma Tyrande?"
"Have you asked your mother?"
"Not yet." She sighed. "I can't even FIND her at the moment. Besides, she said I could visit grandma if I got a yes from one." She cuddled up to him. "Since I know where you are..."
"Alright, alright." He laughed. "But if I find out your momma said no..."
Lulu snorted. "Like I want HER mad at me."
"Hey!"
"You're scary too..." Lulu giggled.
"Yeah, I buy it." He snorted.
"Besides, I'm mostly going to Grandma's so I can freaking sleep through the night." She dragged her fingers through her hair.
"I hear ya." He laughed. "Alright, get, I have work to get back to." He kissed the top of her head.
"Thanks, daddy!" She kissed his cheek and bolted before he could change his mind.
Mark watched Lulu for a moment. "She's right. You're not scary in the least." He snorted.
Jordan whacked him on the back of the head. "I used to be scary to you."
"Kind of difficult to be afraid of you, when I've fucked your wife while you watched."
Jordan snorted. "Ain't that the truth?"
Later that night, Jordan walked in and pressed his mouth to Elunara's. "Lulu's gone to Tyrande's."
"Escaping baby hell?"
"By the skin of her teeth." He chuckled.
"Hope she doesn't bother whatever mother has going on."
The next day, Tyrande stood on the porch, her arms crossed. "Why didn't you tell me my great grand children were born?"
Elunara blinked. "But, I did. I sent one of my best runners immediately."
Tyrande shook her head. "They never arrived."
Lulu grumbled. "I got one good night of sleep..."
"Well, come on then. Everyone's asleep. Including the mothers." Elunara giggled. "We put the babies in the center room of the kid's tower." She led the way upstairs. "You have to know... Lydia's boy was born with a bad leg."
Tyrande put her hands to her mouth. "Oh, dear Elune... Everything happens to that poor girl."
"Yeah, it does." Lydia sighed.
"Oh, you're up." Elunara frowned.
"I heard Dargek fussing." Cuddling the child, she sighed. "He hurts, Momma. I can feel it."
"May I see?" Tyrande held out her arms.
"I guess." Lydia transferred the child over.
"My dear, sweet child, I would never hurt him." She began to gently channel her energy into the child. "He's beautiful, even for his troubles."
The front door open and Darguni blinked up. "Hey, Grand Momma."
"Hello, Darguni." Tyrande smiled.
He redirected his path and headed up. "I came by to see how Lydia and my babies were doing."
"Let's not talk in the hall." Elunara gestured. "Susan is quite enjoying her nap."
Darguni scooped Lily out of her bed. "There's my little girl." He cuddled her. "You should meet your great grand momma." With one hand, he transferred the girl and took back the boy with the other. "That's my big strong boy." He cuddled the infant.
Tyrande giggled. "You're certainly affectionate."
Darguni blushed and rubbed the back of his head. "I guess I get it from Momma."
"She's so much smaller than her brother." Tyrande cocked her head.
"He's so cute, it'll make you sick."
"Momma!" His blush deepened.
Lydia giggled. "He really is." Dargek began to fuss and she took him. "He hurts, momma."
"Let me." Elunara held her hands out.
"Please teach me how to do it." Tears ran down her face as she held tightly to her child.
"Please don't cry." Darguni wrapped his arms around his wife and child.
"Come on, Sweetheart, let's go sit on the couch and we'll work with it." Elunara tugged at Lydia's arm.
After they walked out, Darguni buried his face in his hands. "It kills me how much this hurts her."
"What is your feeling on it?" Tyrande sighed.
"He's my son, and that's the only thing that matters to me."
While Tyrande, Elunara and Lydia worked on Dargek's leg, Darguni poked around in the kitchen area. He stuck the plate under Lydia's face. "I'm certain you haven't had lunch yet."
Blinking, she took the plate and glass from him. "Oh!" She sighed. "Oh." She began to shake.
He snatched the glass out of her hand before she could drop it. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to make you cry." Sitting the glass on the floor, he pulled her into his lap. "I'm so sorry, baby."
"I just... I just miss her so much right now. She knew..." Lydia curled up against him and poked at her sandwich. "I just finally understand what she went through for me." Shuddering, she took a bite. "I was so mean to her sometimes."
"Yes, but you made it up to her in the end." Elunara put her hand down. "We gave your mother a last good bye, and that's better than most get."
Lydia nodded and continued to eat her sandwich. Darguni held up the glass of chocolate milk and she sipped delicately.
"Besides, he's our son, and nobody can take that from us." He cuddled her.
"He has a difficult road ahead, but he has a strong family to back him." Tyrande picked Dargek up and wrapped him in his blanket. "We will both try our best to heal his leg as he grows, but he may always have an uneven gait."
Hours later, Lulu stood by the door, bouncing, as Tyrande said her goodbyes.
