1.9 - Just Marching Along

It was while she cooked lunch one day, that Illdrid realized she was pregnant again. There hadn't been any other warning signs. No morning sickness. No gradual weight gain. No random aches or pains. And then suddenly - pop. The belly came.

She didn't know if she should laugh or cry. They couldn't afford another child right now, but Illdrid was sure this one was James'. She hadn't had actual sex with anyone else since she realized she was pregnant with Dagon. She was happy to have a small piece of him, since he had disappeared their last night together. She didn't know if or when she'd seen him again. So carrying his child felt like a blessing and a curse.

Shae rushed over from her seat at their little breakfast table, her eyes sparkling, "You sly minx! Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant!?"

Illdrid blushed. "I didn't know. Until right this moment."

Shae jumped up and down with glee before rubbing Illdrid's belly. "Boy oh boy oh boy! Now we'll have three options for our trip back to the Realm. We'll have to see who exhibits the most Fae-like powers."

Illdrid forced a smile, knowing that she had no intention of returning to their former home. Or allowing Shae to take her children. But now was not the time for that argument, because today was Shae's first day back to work from maternity leave.

So Illdrid kept her feelings to herself. Every day that Shae went to work, Illdrid spent time caring for the babies. Feed, bathe, play with Dagon. Feed, bathe, play with Aoife. Rinse and repeat, day after day. And of course, she snuck in computer time in order to make ends meet.

Unfortunately, despite being extremely pregnant, the mayor decided Dagon's birthday was a perfect day to call Illdrid in to teach a music class.

"I'll try to make it home in time!" Illdrid said to Shae as the walked out the door. She felt miserable. She was fat and swollen and achey. And she was quite possibly going to miss her baby's first hours as a toddler.

That possibility became a fact as the aging twinges took over Dagon's body. Shae took him from his crib and placed him on the ground. There was no money for a cake, and the floor was the safest place for him to age up.

And there he was.The spitting image of Illdrid in a tiny male body.

Even at such a tender age, Dagon had many interests. Such as chewing his hand.

And being a panda. This particular panda was very sad. He was going to sleep before ever recognizing his mother's face.

Luckily, she was there when little Dagon woke up bright and early the next morning. She placed him on the floor with a bottle before hobbling over to the rocking chair. Lately, physical exertion of any kind was just too much for her. This pregnancy was not going as easy as Dagon's had. At least not the later stages.

Unfortunately, she was not able to relax for very long. Or spend much time with Dagon. Shae had brought home a bunch of toys for the babies, and it had almost zeroed out their bank account. The bills were piling up, and Illdrid knew of only one way to make any money.

She felt so guilty for not paying enough attention to Dagon, that after one cyber encounter, she began teaching her son the joys of walking. Hopefully Shae would come home with a promotion some time soon.

 Illdrid didn't want Aoife to feel neglected. So after a couple of hours of mother-son bonding time, she took the baby from the crib and rocked with her. It was nice and relaxing, just rocking in the chair. Back. Forth. Back. Forth. The floorboards sang a creaky lullaby and Illdrid felt herself dozing. Until the pains started.

She returned Aoife to her crib and started crying out in pain. Dagon ignored her and played with his blocks. Her screams probably should have distressed him. But building was important!

A few extremely painful hours later, Illdrid introduced baby Evandrus into the world.

Since her own child was practically nothing more than a larva, Shae decided to spend a rare day off teaching Dagon how to talk.

"Okay darling nephew of mine, can you say 'flower.' That's right. 'Flower.' Flowers are the way to a ladies heart, ittie bittie Daggie. Especially fae ladies. The Realm is covered in flowers...all different magical kinds. Lillies. Begonia. Delphinium. Cattleya. And on and on and on. It's so beautiful there. You'll love it, my sweet little imp."

But the one-sided conversation didn't last very long. Shae had a stove to improve. And everybody knows the best way to improve something is to smack it as hard as you can with a hammer. It totally works. Promise.

Plus, with Shae at home to watch the other babies, Illdrid wanted to take Dagon out for a walk in their new stroller. And he decided right in that moment that being outside was pretty much his favorite thing ever. He liked it more than blocks. And he liked blocks an awful lot.

When they returned home, the walking lessons were continued. Dagon tried especially hard this time. He hoped he'd be able to walk around outside some day soon. Maybe he'd even get to chew on some grass. It looked pretty tasty.

And that night, it was time for some birthdays! First...Illdrid expressed her excitement at getting older. Technically she and Shae were twins, but their trip from the Realm must have messed up the time-space continuum, causing Illdrid's birthday to come a few days before her sister's.

"Ooohh pretty sparkles!"

Someone else also seemed to like the sparkles.

And little Aoife was welcomed into toddlerhood where she made fast friends with her foot.

And also her cousin, the panda.