He still was in a state of shock; twins??? Leeroy stared in wonder at his wife. How had she ever managed to carry them even to eight months? He'd been under the impression that she was a delicate creature; now he knew better. The babies had settled down a bit and he examined each one closely. They both looked healthy and strong. They weren't as big as a single baby would have been but that was to be expected. Just the fact that there were no apparent complications was reason to be thankful. He felt so......well, protective of these little ones. He knew he'd do anything at all to keep them safe and healthy. It was finally sinking in: he was a father now!
Treissae felt so much better now; it had been such a relief to birth the babies. Her distended abdomen had deflated greatly and surprisingly she felt little pain. She looked up at her husband as he gazed at his daughter. "What are we going to name them?" she wondered aloud. "When we picked names we didn't expect this. Do we use them?" Leeroy shook his head. "I want to do something to show my appreciation for my Clan, for Tabaar's help and support, and for personal reasons. Will ye consider this? Here's what I would like to name them...."
A knock at the front door alerted the others that guests had arrived. "Probably her parents," Tabaar said. "Kebia, will ye go let them in?" She agreed and ushered in not only Melquon and Fanada, but their escort Tyndall, and Warlaa and Reesling for good measure. "Welcome, you're a bit late for the birth but I'm sure they'll be glad to see you." "Thank you, I'm disappointed we couldn't be here earlier. Come, Melquon, let's go see." Fanada tapped on the door. "Come in," Treissae answered. Fanada tugged the Headman's sleeve and he gave a sheepish look to Tabaar as they disappeared into the bedroom.
"Beautiful babies!" Fanada exclaimed. "What are their names?" Treissae and Leeroy looked at each other. "Well," the Halasian replied, "I'll be presenting them publicly to my Clan in three days. That's when I'll announce their names." "Well, that's different," Treissae's mother replied. "It's a tradition of my people's; we've been doing it this way for thousands of years," the Northman added. "I hope ye understand." Melquon nodded. "I think I do. We'll be in town for a few days anyhow and I would like to see the ceremony."
"Treissae's getting tired but she asked that Reesling and Warlaa come in for a few minutes," Leeroy said from the doorway as Treissae's parents returned to the sitting room. "We'd be delighted," Reesling replied. Warlaa led him to Treissae's bedside; the Wood Elf had one baby in the crook of each arm. "Ye're going to be busy feeding both of those," the druid chuckled. "Reesling, they are one each girl and boy, and the girl has dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and her ears come to a blunt point. The boy has light brown hair, green eyes, and his ears show a slight point also." "Can I hold one?" the Dirge asked. "Of course," Treissae replied. Warlaa picked up the boy and held him out, and Reesling carefully reached out and cradled the child to him. "Ah, he feels healthy and strong." The bard then ran his fingers lightly over the child's face. "A handsome child." He handed the boy back and repeated the process with the girl baby. "Both of them are beautiful," Warlaa told Treissae. "Aye, they are," Reesling agreed.
In the sitting room Leeroy was elbowed, backslapped, hugged, and handed a mug of ale. "A toast to the new father," Tabaar crowed. Everyone raised a glass. "Health and long life to ye, yer wife, and yer children. Patience and forebearance for the little crises, love and discipline for the daily walk of life." "Hear, hear!" "Long life and happiness!"