Chapter 9-The Birth

Kel was seven-and-a-half months pregnant and so many things had happened: Joren had been officially disowned by his family and friends, Kel and Joren decided not to get married even though the poor pregnant ladt was called a slut in many different ways and forms and Buri and Raoul had gotten together. Many things didn't change though. Aly and Alan dropped subtle hints about the babies, but they won't reveal what they know--not even to the people they're closest to.

"Get off of me," Aly ordered sternly, trying not to giggle. Alan ignored his twin and continued to poke her sides, making her giggle more. Then they both froze, causing Alanna to look up and George to pause in his writing.

Alan scrambled off of Aly and they both ran to the door and threw it open. Kel, in all her pregnant glory, had her hand poised to know. "Hi Kel. Hi babies," the twins chorused.

Alanna stood up. "Something wrong?" she asked worriedly.

Kel shook her head, her face completely blank. "I just," she paused, thinking of how to put her next words.

"She's mad at Foren," Alan finished for her.

Aly elbowed her twin. "She probably didn't want everyone to know that," she hissed, knowing how Kel was about private matters staying private. Not that she really had much privacy since the unexpected pregnancy... Seeing her parents' bemused looks, she shrugged. "We can tell when she's mad at Joren. I think it's the was she stands--" She stopped talking abruptly, staring at Kel's pregnant belly with wide eyes. "Uh oh. Ma, she's 'bout to have those babies."

Alan looked panicked. "What's going on! I've been blocked!"

Aly stayed calm as Kel's face barely changed but the pain in her eyes was unmistakeable. Her hands were on her belly and she was frozen in place.

"Kel, I need you to come over here and sit down," Alanna instructed gently to the shocked girl. "George."

"Get Joren, Jon, Thayet, and Neal," he finished, his eyes shining.

"I'll get Joren and Alan'll get Neal," Aly offered and waited for her father's nod before taking off at a run.

Joren was pacing and muttering to himself. "Talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity," Aly snarked playfully from the doorway.

"I suppose she went straight to the Lioness? If you're here to yell at me or curse me, do it. She was trying to wor kout ag--"

"She's about to have the babies," Aly said calmly, cutting off his rant. Joren's eyes got wide and he froze. "I was surprised too. And your reaction is about the same as Kel's was. C'mon."

Aly led a shell-shocked Joren to Kel. When they got there, the room was already full: King Jonathan, Queen Thayet, Neal, Ilane, Piers, Alanna, Alan, and George were all stuffed into the room around the bed where Kel lay, here face contorted in pain.

"Now that everyone's here," Alanna announced, "Get out."

"They're coming right now," Aly said loudly, causing everyone to look over at her.

"No--" Alanna said, but was cut off.

"Yes they are," Kel groaned, trying not to scream.

"Everyone out," Alanna said with a furtive glance at Kel. All the males, except Joren, beat a path out the door to go talk in one of the empty rooms close by.

Thayet smiled at Kel. "I'll let you enjoy the miracle of birth without hovering over you waiting to see the babies that are supposed to save us all. I'll hover worriedly somewhere else."

The door closing behind the queen broke through the many thoughts coursing thorugh Joren's mind. He walked toward Kel, but her glare stopped him. "I don't want him in here," she said through gritted teeth.

Ilane looked pointedly at the door. "Hormones, pain, and anger from a pregnant Kel is not good for your health," she informed Joren.

Feeling horrible and like a few steps below dirt, Joren walked out and leaned agaisnt the closed door. He sat there for over an hour listening to the curses and instructions before a sharp, ear-splitting wail interupted the non-silence. Joren sat up straight and strained his ears and smirked when another cry joined in. His children sure had some strong lungs on them!

Soon after that, the door opened and Aly smirked at Joren. "Both are girls. Kel says you can come in now."

Kel was smiling softly at two wriggling bundles when Joren came in. She looked up and, instead of glaring like he expected, grinned. "They have blonde hair and blue eyes." The cautious approach seemed best--Kel was acting odd.

The tine pink babies did in fact have a little bit of blonde hair on top of each of their little heads. "So what are you going to name them?" Alanna asked.

Kel looked at Joren who shrugged slightly. "We were just starting to really get serious about discussing names," Joren admitted sheepishly.

TBC... What should the babies' names be? I'm writing again! Woohoo! Fun, fun, fun! So I'm only going to have a chapter or two with some explanations. There will definitely be a sequel for as they grow up and come into their mysterious world-saving powers.