Twice Awakened

Chapter 26

As I went to turn a wee bump to my leg stopped me.

“I weee take you on?” A little girl about three had punched me in the leg. A smile danced across my lips.

“You wish to take me on?” I ask playfully, looking at one trainee who seemed nervous.

“Yeth.”

“Alright, give me your best shot.” The little one punched me again. I grabbed my leg as if she had actually hurt me. “Owww you got me.” A smile on the little ones face as she got me. She went after me again as I walked quickly away, this time falling to the ground pretending to be unconscious. As she walked beside me I sat up, grabbed her a tickled her. Her squeals and laughter making everyone soften a bit. Seeing the harsh side and the gentle side. As I let her go I chased her as she squealed and giggle. Melting my heart.

“Tickle monster is coming to tickle you.” she squealed to her mom who saved her.”Oh rats, you’ve used my weakness against me.” The little girl giggled. I put up my fist and she gave it a pound. Making the little girl’s day. Glancing at Vlad he had a proud and excited look. I gave him a confused look. He just smiled.

With it being Saturday we gave everyone time to recuperate. We went and changed into regular clothes, I picked a long wavy dress. We strolled through the base, checking on everyone that we could. After a few hours we ran into a group of young children, the little girl from earlier noticed me and ran to me.

“Pway wif me pwease? Pway wif me?” The little girl tugged at my dress.

“Gracie, don’t nag her honey.” The elder called. I smiled playfully at her.

“Oh so you didn’t get enough of the tickle monster?” I rose my hands up and wiggled my fingers. Her face lighting up as she giggled away. I chased her and the other younger children joined in, giggles and laughter flowing through the camp as I played with the children. Alex and the other knights watched and laughed as I played. After awhile I persuaded the kids to chase the men. A giant game erupted as children chased grown men. I laughed at the sight. Vlad managed to get the kids persuaded to chase me, allowing them to knock me down I once again pretended to be unconscious. Gracie giggle as she came near to be grabbed and tickled. The lunch bells rang and mothers called the children away. Gracie and the children giggling home. I joined Vlad as they were chatting about something and going completely silent as I neared.

Vlad gave the a hush it look and I looked at him puzzled. We went to the dining area and sat down. Liz had come in with Jonathan, her belly starting to bulge a little. She gave me a huge and I rubbed her belly telling the little one in her belly to be nice to his mommy.

“If he would stay off my bladder I would be good.” She chuckled. “Vlad can I borrow Anya for a bit?” Vlad smiled gave a pouty face, smiled and nodded.

“You ok?” I asked once we were out of earshot.

“Yeah I just wanted to bring to your attention about what’s been going around.” She smiled.

“Oh...should I prepare for this or sit down or run?” She laughed a bit.

“Well if you feel faint let me know. Today you showed a lot of compassion versus strictness. It has everyone cheering for you.” Looking at her puzzled, she held up a finger, ran into the bathroom, leaving me to ponder what she had said. I could feel Vlad’s gaze on me but I didn’t return it. To leave him wondering as he had done to me all day. Hearing the door unlock Liz came back out. “Okay sorry, but apparently your sparring match with the dickhead showed strictness, yet when the wee child came to spar you showed compassion, gentleness, and apparently playing with the group of children. A lot say you would make an excellent mother.”

I froze in my tracks, with shock on my face, I hadn’t even thought about kids except the four stars in my mate mark. I never brought it up to Vlad nor have we even had time to talk about it. What if he didn’t want kids? What if he didn’t want kids with me? What if that’s why he’s never brought it up? My face paled, and I felt nauseous thinking about all the what ifs. Liz grabbed my arm and she saw the color leave my face for a minute.

“Anya are you feeling unwell again?” She touched my forehead and I snapped back to her.

“Oh I...uh...I am...fine.” My thoughts running wild now. Vlad tried popping in via mind link and I blocked him. I had so many thoughts surging through my head.

“Anya, there’s something wrong do you want to walk with me to talk away from the guys?” Thinking I needed to let someone in, this was a subject I didn’t need to be stubborn about. She walked to Vlad who shot me a look, worry crossing his face. I could see she calmed him and grabbed Matty. This meant girl time. Vlad looked at Derek and Jonathan all their faces showing confusion and slight distress.

“Alright Anya let’s go.”Liz hooking my left and Matty my right. We went across the yard to the picnic area under a giant orange and red maple tree. As soon as we sat Liz looked at Matty and back at me.

“Honey, we know you are stressed and we haven’t been able to talk, go ahead and spill honey.” Matty grabbed my hand and Liz grabbed the other as their touch comforted me I opened my mouth and EVERYTHING spilled out causing tears and two of my girls wrapping their arms around me.

“Anya sammich is well needed.” Matty said as he and Liz both cried with me. Once we wiped each others eyes Liz spoke up.

“Anya, the way people said he looked at you today, you don’t have to worry about him wanting kids with you. They said the love and pride that came from him as you played with the children I really thought you were pregnant already.” I shook my head

“One thing I have been taught by Mother is I choose when, when we are ready and I want I will but if I don’t think about it, or don’t my body won’t release an egg.”

“So you have full control? You lucky dog!” Liz said shocked.

“Honestly, I know it sounds weird but I want a wedding, listening to Granny’s stories I long for that. Mom and Dad were married and looking at the photos I've always wanted one.” I said looking down at my hands. I felt eyes on us. “We have spies trying to be sneaky.” Liz and Matty shot scornful looks in all directions.

“Men I swear.” Matty said scornfully. I slipped into thoughts about weddings.

“Anya honey if you want a wedding I am sure Vlad would be down for it.” Liz grabbed my hand. “Especially if it makes you happy. These are trying times and you have done so much to help everyone. You helped build, train, nurse, heal, and listen. You stubborn ass doesn’t see that because you are so kind and compassionate.”

“Honestly hunny a wedding right now would probably spike morale around the base.”Matty popped in. “But my lips and I know Liz lips are sealed. Unless you give us the okay, your convos stick with us.” Matty doing the zip and throw thing again.

“Well now your screwed you threw it in the leaf pile, Matthew.” Liz snickered. Matty began pretending not to be able to open his mouth getting dramatic as Liz pretended to use a crowbar. They had me rolling so hard, I held my stomach from the laughing pains. Seeing me laughing so hard got them laughing.

“Jonathan must have picked the shortest straw.” Liz said giggling looking over at a nervous Jonathan walking towards us. Upon us looking at him he froze in his tracks. “Honey we aren’t going to rip you to shreds, calm down.” Liz shouted to a now relieved Jonathan. He walked over to us a little more chipper.

“Well the guys and I wanted to know when you three would like to come in and eat with us? None of the guys have touched their plates, waiting for you three ladies.”

“Honey, did y’all draw straws to see or did you volunteer?”Liz probed.

“Straws.” Causing us three to break out in laughter.

“We’re coming Jonathan, I commend your bravery.” I smile as we all stand up. Liz wrapped his arm as we walked back inside. As we sat down I shot Liz and Matty a look as I picked up a straw.

“The evidence.” Matty and Liz giggled in unison. Which caused Jonathan and I to giggle as well. The men looked at each one of us. Vlad’s hand searching my lap for my hand.

Mind linking me, Vlad spoke. “Letting me in finally?”

“Do you wish for me to not?” He squeezed my hand.

“I wish you wouldn’t sever the connection, but I understand somethings you need the girls for.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Your hands are like ice, Anya. Do you have gloves?” Thinking of everything I packed I looked at Vlad and shook my head. He took his hoodie off and placed it on my lap, trying to warm my hands. “We’ll get gloves from the armory or clothes stall.” He bumped back in. We ate and talked about things happening on patrols, things happening in the infirmary, and little tidbits here and there. We joked, laughed, and ate.