Embracing Love and Power

Tillie opened her eyes, a strange feeling washed over her. As she looked around, she realized that she was in a secluded room in the infirmary in the new world. She sighed as she tried to remember what had happened. The last thing she remembered was the black snow and how it had consumed everything. Tillie closed her eyes for a moment as tears tried to escape. She remembered the state of the battlefield and how bad it had been. Somehow she had defeated Illmenni and saved Timber’s life. She felt a small kick in her belly and smiled at the thought. But then her mood quickly changed, Timber wasn’t by her side. He was alive, but he wasn’t here. That could only mean one thing; he still didn’t want her. Tillie felt her heart grow heavy, she let the emotions take over until sleep came.

“I could feel that she was awake.” “It doesn’t look like that to me, now.” Tillie heard faint voices around her. “What if she doesn’t wake up and I can’t apologize for the massive asshole I have been?” Tillie recognized that voice everywhere and a small smile played on her lips. “I think you are right.” She heard as she carefully opened her eyes. Timber and Valen were standing by her bed. “You are here.” She softly whispered. Timber immediately walked over to her and grabbed her hand. “I am, how are you feeling?” he asked eyes filled with concern. “Now that you are here, better.” She smiled. Timber softly kissed her hand. “I am sorry.” He whispered. Tillie put her hand on his cheek. “Don’t, you are here now. That’s all that matters to me.” He leaned into her touch.

“How is the baby?” Timber asked cautiously. Tillie pulled his hand under the blanket and placed it on her belly. The room was quiet as Timber looked into Tillie’s eyes with concern. And then he felt the smallest kick. A smile so bright formed on his face. It was the most beautiful thing Tillie had ever seen. He leaned over and pressed a kiss on her forehead, it was soft and delicate but Tillie could clearly feel the promise it held. Valen smiled at the two of them. “Since I am the one who opened this asshole’s eyes, the only way you can ever thank me properly is by making me the baby’s godfather.” Timber looked baffled at Valen. “Isn’t that a Makin thing to say?” he asked. “Maybe, but it sure is the truth.”

Suddenly the door of Tillie’s room flew open. “I am going to be an Aunt” Althea squealed as she rushed in to hug Tillie tight to the chest. August followed right after her. “Congrats big brother.” She said as she smashed Timber against her chest. “How do you know that?” Timber asked confused. “I had a vision.” Althea replied a little embarrassed, looking down at her feet. “A vision?” Timber looked bewildered at his little sister. “Yeah, I always hoped that I could be the godmother of your firstborn. But I have learned that it isn’t my turn now. You will do a perfect job Valen. Have you asked Ace yet?” She smiled. Tillie rolled her eyes. “Sorry, I am spoiling things.” She giggled. “Wait.” Timber looked confused at her. “Not your turn?” he asked. “Ooh big brother, there will be many more of those sweet beautiful Ayton Amor babies.” She winked and Timber paled a little.

Tillie felt tired of all the commotion as she looked around the room her old and new friends had met. Foreman and Nobleman were discussing strategy and training with Makin. Valen and Ace were discussing how they would spoil their godchild. August and Althea were making out in the corner of the room. Timber looked at the girl he loved so deeply when he noticed she was getting tired, his voice boomed through the room. “Everyone out now.” He said sternly and quickly the room cleared itself.

“Are you okay?” Timber asked Tillie as he lay down next to her on the small bed. “Just a little tired.” He smiled as he gently kissed her lips. “When will we meet her?” he softly asked. “I don’t know, we are unique.” She softly whispered. “What do you mean?” Timber asked confused. “Normally a mage and human can’t have children.” She replied. “So we don’t know anything about her. It is impossible to estimate how fast she will grow” “Since you are so powerful.” Timber filled in the blanks. Tillie nodded her head. She carefully looked at him. “There is always a chance” “That she is a mage too.” Timber answered. Tillie held her breath, she was scared for a moment. “I know, I don’t care. I will still teach her how to fight.” He said proudly. “Her?” Tillie asked with a smile. “What are you now, a mage?” she laughed.

After a few days, Timber had escorted Tillie outside, he had insisted that there was something she should see. He had helped her into his old jeep as she grew bigger by the day. He drove straight to the hills around the battlefield. A shiver ran down Tillie’s spine as she imagined what could have happened. “Relax love.” He said as he helped her out. He steadied Tillie as she looked across the field where all the horror had happened. The desert had completely changed. Tillie looked confused at Timber. “At first everything was covered under a thick black blanket, but as the days went by, we noticed how greenery sprouted in this place.” Timber explained. Tillie looked around and found it remarkable. Were the desert used to be, there was now a green field overgrown with a variety of wildflowers. Trees and shrubs started to grow and Tillie even saw birds and berries. “Life is returning to this place.” He whispered. Tillie smiled. “A lot has happened in the past few days, the council has fallen. The black elite has fallen. Everything we used to know, ceased to exist.” He added. “Then it’s time for something new.” Tillie smiled. Timber put his hands around her. “I want to build the new world here, a safe place for our people and our children to grow up.” Tillie smiled. “I love that.”

Timber kissed her lips hard and passionately, within seconds they both were on the ground, hands wandering over each other. “And here I thought you couldn’t be more beautiful.” He whispered between kisses. “I want you.” Tillie moaned in his neck. “Won’t we hurt the baby?” Timber asked concerned. And suddenly a sharp pain shot through Tillie’s body. She screamed as her mind fogged, a vision took over. Timber almost lost it. He didn’t know what to do. He screamed Tillie’s name over and over again until she screamed again. “She is coming” Tillie gasped through the pain. “What now? We have to go back.” Timber was ready to carry her back to the jeep. “There is no time for that, you’ll have to do until the rest arrives.” Tillie smiled. “What? I can’t.” Timber was totally panicking now. “Timber, you knew it was going be a girl.” “Yes I did.” Tillie looked him in the eye as she bit her teeth hard, dragging herself through another pain wave. “She will tell you what to do and so will I.” Timber looked confused at Tillie. “How do you know?” He asked. “I know, now have faith and help me. Things will get bloody really fast.” Tillie smiled.

Timber ran towards the car as he gathered the blankets he had stored for a romantic picnic. He could feel how the adrenaline rushed through his body. His girls needed him now, he had to stay calm, even though he was panicking. He made it as comfortable as possible for Tillie as she went through the pain. “She is coming.” Tillie suddenly said. “How do you know?” He asked. “The pressure has changed.” Tillie tried to focus on her breathing. “How do you know what to do? Have you done this before?” Timber was starting to stress out. “I need you to stay calm, I can’t have my emotions all over the place when I do this.” She almost screamed. “I am sorry, soulmate thing. For a moment, I forgot.”

Timber grabbed her hand. “Talk me through it.” “The contractions are getting faster and faster, along with the pressure, you’ll have to check my dilation.” Timber looked confused at Tillie. “I helped a mage give birth to her child.” She clarified to calm Timber. He nodded as he carefully positioned her legs. He placed a hand on her belly and looked at her dilation. “She is ready.” He said. “Are you?” Before Tillie could answer a painful contraction rippled through her body. “Push, Love. Push on the end.” Tillie listened to Timber’s voice it calmed her, it helped her focus. “Good job, I can see her coming.” He held a big smile and looked at Tillie. She tried to puff through the pain. “Focus, she will be in our arms soon.” He smiled as another contraction followed. “She is almost here, I want to ask you one thing before she comes.” Tillie looked up at Timber. “Now? Really?” she said with anger in her voice and Timber laughed. “Yes, now” “Make it quick. There is another one coming.” Tillie replied. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Tillie looked bewildered at the man between her legs. But before she could answer another contraction followed.

A soft cry filled the air as Timber held his beautiful baby girl in his hands. She was covered in blood and so small, yet he knew that she was without a doubt the most beautiful in the world. He laid her gently on Tillie’s bare chest and covered them both with a blanket. He sat down next to her and looked at her for a moment. He pressed a soft kiss on Tillie’s forehead as he studied the little girl on her chest. “She is so beautiful.” Tillie said with tears in her eyes. “She is, just like her mother.” Timber replied. Tillie gently kissed his lips. “There is no one I would rather have done this with.” he whispered. Timber smiled as he looked at the little girl crying. “We have to give her a name.” he whispered as he looked at Tillie. They both studied the perfect little girl for a second. “Nova.” Timber whispered. “Because she suddenly made our lives extraordinarily bright?” Tillie asked. “And she is our new beginning.” Timber added with a smile. “Nova Ayton.” Tillie whispered as she kissed her head.

A cloud of dust settled on the horizon. “They are here.” Timber said as he looked at the two of them. “I am glad that they can take care of the rest.” Tillie chuckled as he pointed to the umbilical cord. “This is the most beautiful day of my life.” He sighed. “It is.” Tillie answered and kissed him. “You haven’t answered my question yet.” He remarked. Tillie smirked. “Yes.” “I will always love you, until the end.” Timber whispered as his lips pressed lovingly against hers.