Twice Awakened

Chapter 29

[A week later)

Gracie’s mother, Natalie, made a full recovery. Everyone brought something for her as she returned home. Gracie was always welcomed to stay with us and her mother was overjoyed to have support from the main Alpha and soon to be Luna.

Vlad and I planned on fixing some minor wear on huts, cleaning up the grounds, and burning any trash that was needed. We didn’t have any plastic so no fumes would haunt the air. Metal was taken to the blacksmiths, having the carpenters and wood workers making large bins with easy access to the bottoms, we place them outside of different stalls. Clothes, metal, wood, etc would be placed in the appropriate bin to recycle whatever we could, On the opposite side was items no longer able to be used and to be burned.

The fort walls were coming along nicely and the gates were being set in place. We chose stone as it were the best strategically, if we were attacked. We helped aide with picking the patrols and who complimented one another. Vampires that were daywalkers placed accordingly and nightwalkers on the nightly patrols. Mages of different strengths and wolves. A total of five members per side. Pushed through trials that demanded teamwork, once they excelled they were given their times.

Unity was finally being achieved. We still had some that refused to work with different races. As a punishment the one being an ass would go to kitchen duty, slop duty, pen cleaning, or some other task. We did not tolerate it and it helped quite a few come around. A few fights broke out here and there, immediately broken up.

“Vlad,” coming to a realization. “people are tired, morale is lowering, we need something to bring everyone's spirits up, destress, and bring us together.” I sat their thinking of what could possibly help.

“Well, GTW End Day is next week. Shall we have a festival and then a celebration dance?” We thought it over and both agreed. We called on anyone willing to set up. Using popcorn garland. Unusable clothing was made into streamers, pinnacles, and other decorations. We had built a greenhouse structure over the training field so we could use it as the dance area. Games were created, special foods made, and the festivities would begin on Saturday.

(Four days later)

Everything was prepared, huts were neatly lined up creating street like areas, stalls sat around the command center, the mess hall was shifted beside the command center and infirmary on the opposite side. We had rebuilt, remodeled, and shifted making the base a lot easier to get around, making more space, and easier to find certain areas.

Standing on our door step we could see everything easily. A little tug to my right caught my attention.

“Hello Gracie, how’s your mother?”

“She is good.” she smiled. “Mama didn’t want me to ask you, she said you are reawy busy, but I am dyyyyiiiinnng,” she now had mine and Vlad’s full attention. “I reeeeawy reawy want a birday cake, it my birday.” I smile as I pick her up.

“Well Gracie let’s go get you a birthday cake,” Vlad jumped in before I could speak. ‘ How old are you now? 12? 52?1?”

“No siwwy I four.” she giggled at his surprised face.

“You’re four. Oh dear oh dear. We definitely need to get that birthday cake.” He said keeping her giggling. She got on his back for a piggy back ride as we set off to the mess hall. He was planning a surprise for her without her knowing. The knights spread word of a birthday party and people scramble to make her gifts, bring her treats, and make the little one smile.

“We took wrong ways, blaming the new layout, going by the river I sidetracked her for a bit with dragons of water. We stalled until Benni came with a smile and gave a simple nod. We finally made it to the mess hall.

Taking Gracie off of Vlad’s back we walked her in.

“SURPRISE GRACIE HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” The hall let loose. Gracie’s eyes lighting up and squeals of joy. Her mom had her arms open as Gracie came running. Behind Natalie was a six tiered cake to feed everyone. Four green colored candles flickered their flames. Presents piled on a table. She was ecstatic. High fives being given like crazy.

We sang happy birthday and let her blow out her candles, everyone chatting, while Gracie played and cheered. She finally wanted to open presents. Clothes of all types, little wooden unicorns, horses, and bears, different objects created a smile every time. With the last present opened I called Gracie over. I had sewn her a green dragon. Inside a purple and red swirl stone glowed just like her teddy, She squealed overjoyed. Running to her mom with her new favorite toy. I wrapped Vlad’s arm and leaned my head on his shoulder. He seemed sad, which confused me. He loved Gracie as if she were his own.

That’s when it hit me, he wanted one of his own, one he could do things with just like Gracie, If I were pregnant now I would be down for four months, no training whatsoever, except magic. Our pregnancies only lasted four months with the rapid speed the babies grow. I sat for a moment and thought hard about what I should do. I wanted to be wed before I was pregnant but I didn’t know how to tell Vlad. I felt selfish. He shifted a bit as he felt guilt, sadness, and confusion trickle through the mate bond. He looked down as he took my hand.

“You ok?” He whispered. Realizing he could feel I numbed. An expression of disappointment crossed his face. “You don’t have to numb your feelings, I will always want to help, I always want to be there for you.” His tone soft and sweet.

“I need to talk to Liz and Matty about this particular subject first. I will talk to you about it but not just yet. Please understand.” He smiled a little hurt.

“I understand.” He said with a gentle kiss. Vlad had set up for Matty and Liz to meet after the celebration so I wouldn’t stress over what was bugging me.

With a hug and a wave everyone dispersed going their own ways, some helping Gracie pull her new wagon full of toys. Vlad had gone off with the guys while I went with the girls.

We walked a bit and we chatted and caught up for an hour. We were at our favorite spot, under the maple tree, at the picnic table. The table now sideways and Liz and Matty sat in front of me.

“Anya so what’s been troubling you?” Liz said as she knitted a blanket for Ethan, her little boy. She was looking down but listening. Matty was sewing something also looking down but listening to me. I had began to speak.

“Well, I saw the sadness in Vlad’s eyes today at Gracie’s party, that longing look of wanting his own. Thinking really hard about it I want to be wed before we have a child. I feel selfish, guilty, and sad but it has been something I have wanted all of my life. I want to tell Vlad but I don’t want to hurt him, I want to tell him but I have no clue how to bring it up. Am I really just being selfish. I feel like I am letting him down. I am so scared that I am going to hurt him.” As Liz and Matty looked up to speak they went silent, mouths slightly open. c*****g my head slightly sideways I realized they weren’t looking at me but past me.

“You just told him.” Liz said quietly. I whipped around to see Vlad standing a bit behind me. A smile on his face, hands in his pocket. “Matty let’s let them talk.” Matty and Liz scrambled away the guys on the hill.

“Well I was coming to ask if you wanted to come to the festivities but it seems I stumbled in just at the right time.” He stayed his distance, afraid I would run, which I had contemplated. I hung my head a bit my cheeks flushing a bit. He had slowly closed his distance as if I was a wild creature scared to death of people. He gently cupped my face. “I told you I am not going anywhere. You can always come to me, I don’t care if you just blurt it out, I will listen.” He smiled gently kissing me. “I love you Anya, we will talk once we get back in our home but for now come with us to the festivities.” His eyes seemed full of excitement, his emotions matched. I nodded, he never let my hand go and we ran to meet the others. All stirring with excitement. Something had me suspicious, they were up to something.