The Light of My Hearts

The next day, late afternoon...

Kendrick ended his second day of working with Elmry in much the same manner as the first. Not much different. Twillow was seen by Dr. Wentzel and when Kendrick returned to the mansion, he was eager to know what he said. He came to Twillow’s window and she was waiting for him, reclining on a chaise lounge on the balcony.

“How was your day, Sweethearts?” she smiled at him.

He shrugged, “Same as yesterday, I guess. What did your doctor say?”

“Everything is progressing as it should.” She stroked her stomach, “He says if I feel tired, I must rest and not push myself.”

“I could’ve told you that.” Kendrick grumbled.

“I know. But he says it’s normal. There might even be times I sleep all day.”

Kendrick nodded, “Did he say you’re eating enough?”

She nodded, “He says I’m doing well. My Life Water is stronger than when he last examined me.”

He leaned down and softly kissed her belly, “Good.” then he squinted, “You’re sure this baby shower won’t be too much?”

“All I’ll do is talk to my friends and family, eat, and open gifts.” She assured him, stroking the top of his nose.

He thought a moment and pulled away, “What am I supposed to do?”

Twillow recalled her husband’s aversion to parties. He wasn’t used to them or really knew what they involved.

“Well...I would like to introduce you to my friends and extended family, but typically it’s a “girls only” party. The men usually go elsewhere and have their own get together.” Twillow explained.

Kendrick blinked, “Oh. I see.”

“It’ll be fine. Most likely father will bring out the good brandy and there will be talking and maybe games.” Twillow smiled.

“I don’t think I’ll know anyone.” Kendrick admitted.

“Well, you’ll at least have Hugo, Elmry, and father. Maybe you’ll make some new friends?” she guessed.

He shrugged his broad shoulders. Kendrick wasn’t so sure about that. He didn’t make friends easily. It took him over two hundred years just to get one friendship and that was with Twillow. Other than members of Twillow’s immediate family his only male friend was Sig and he wasn’t coming to the Parliel Realm any time soon.

Given how his first two days on the job had gone, Kendrick worried he’d make Twillow’s guests nervous and ruin her party. Maybe if she cursed him before the party? Then he wouldn’t stir up any problems. But he wasn’t going to bring that up with her. She had enough to think about and she didn’t need to use her magic for something superfluous like that.

....

The next day...

As the day began the entire Birchwood mansion was a beehive of activity. Every worker associated with the event was making last minute touches before the guests began to arrive via transport spell. Chezzi was inside Twillow’s room, getting her prepared behind a vanity blind. Kendrick sat outside, peeking through the window to try and watch the process.

Chezzi, however, wanted it to be a surprise and kept scolding the giant like a clucking hen, “NO! No! Yo go away! No peek! Let Chezzi work! Yo see Mizz Twillow soon enough.” He clapped his hands demandingly, “Yo get on outfit Chezzi give yo! Now! Now!”

Kendrick grunted at the audacious little gnome (or whatever he was) and sat with his chin in his hand. As much as he wanted to see the beauty that was his wife, he was bound and determined not to cause any troubles today for her. He stripped off his casual shirt and went for the outfit Chezzi had mentioned. It was a blue shirt with a black leather vest, stitched with silvery thread patterns. Up until that day he hadn’t changed his clothes since they were cleaned with magic daily.

“See! I want the dessert table to look THAT good!” Marci’s voice announced from the veranda.

Kendrick peered onto the veranda and saw Marci pointing in his direction. She appeared to be managing the large dessert and snack table, directing where each dish should be placed and how it should be decorated. She wasn’t dressed in her chef uniform but in a deep pink dress with a long revealing slit up to her hip.

He snorted and put on the shirt with a shake of his head.

She laughed and walked to the banister, noting Kendrick’s proximity to Twillow’s balcony, “Trying to steal a peek at your wifey?”

"Trying. Chezzi isn’t making it easy.” He gave a small grin.

She rolled her green eyes, “He never does.”

“Chef! Chef? Where do the berry bowls go?” an elven server asked.

“On the right! [sigh] Can’t do a thing without me.” Marci griped, walking over to help.

Kendrick waited a couple minutes until finally Chezzi appeared on the balcony, “Mizz Twillow ees ready... ACH!” he touched his own shirt collar and scolded, “Adjust yo colla!”

The giant rolled his eyes and fiddled with his messed-up shirt collar, “Better?”

“Betta. Now yo see Mizz Twillow.” He gestured behind him.

Twillow walked forward and Kendrick’s breath was almost taken away. She was dressed in a white, silvery dress that fell to the floor, more lovely than any princess could adorn. Tiny pink and blue flowers speckled through her short hair and were stuck to her neck and chest as a natural necklace.

“You...are radiant.” He stated with a smile.

Twillow glowed with a blush but replied, “Thank you. That color makes you look even more handsome.”

He glanced at the shirt, “You think?”

“Yo like?” the blue mustached gnome asked.

“Thank you, Chezzi. They’re perfect.”

The little gnome seemed pleased and made a sound of remembrance, “Mizz Twillow, yo need to choose ceremonial wrap soon for blooming day. Chezzi will help.”

“Oh...I’ve already bought one, Chezzi.”

A horrified look crossed the gnome’s face, “Wh-what?! Yo no say to Chezzi! When? From whom?”

Kendrick reached into the room and herded the gnome toward the door with a single finger, “She got one from a friend of mine. Now beat it and let me look at my wife.”

Chezzi kept demanding answers but Kendrick nudged him into the hall and pulled the door shut behind him.

“Kendrick. That wasn’t nice.” Twillow chided.

His hand pulled back began to delicately play with the silky frills of her dress. He traced a finger along her leg and curved it to the small of her back.

“Seeing you like this makes me wish I was cursed.” He stated quietly, his finger tracing the bottom of her wing, “I’d have you right now.”

Twillow blushed brighter, her wings vibrated.

She giggled and pushed his finger, “Stop it.”

With a deft turn of his hand, Kendrick’s fingers bumped Twillow’s legs, forcing her to sit in his hand as he scooped her up.

“Oh? You think I’m joking?” He rumbled, bringing her out.

Twillow flapped her wings and kicked with a fit of laughter as he nuzzled her, covering her in soft kisses.

"Stop! Stop! You’ll mess up my dress!” she squealed.

“If you’re lucky...” He growled playfully. “But I wonder... did Chezzi include matching underwear under all this?”

“Kendrick!” she flushed brighter when he pinched the edge of her dress, trying to steal a peek, “Yes! Of course!”

He chuckled roguishly, “I think I’ll have to visually confirm that...perhaps you forgot them?”

"AHEM!"

Kendrick stopped upon seeing Gelilah entering Twillow’s room with a displeased look.

“Your guests will be arriving soon, Twillow.” She stated firmly, giving Kendrick a reproving stare.

"How soon?” Kendrick asked, brow lifting cheekily.

Gelilah didn’t like that answer, “NOW.”

Kendrick sighed and begrudgingly returned Twillow inside her room. She stifled an embarrassed laugh and smoothed her dress.

“You just wait beside the veranda for now, Sweethearts. I’ll introduce you to everyone.” Twillow explained.

He nodded. When the pair left, he grimaced and tried to think about unappealing things.

“She’s just too beautiful...”

...

The first guests to arrive were Twillow’s grandparents, Gelilah’s parents, Grandma Luansa and Grandpa Auguste. They were several millennia old but only appeared in their high forties (blessing of an immortal existence). Gelilah looked very much like her mother; tall, silky white hair, eloquent features, and an air of dignity surrounded her. Grandpa August was also tall, smooth faced, loved to read old texts, and always wore red.

They were of the old generation who saw the Division of the Lower and Parliel Realms. Both were respected, high society fae but did not live in Marlayla. Most elder fae lived in what was called the Tower of Titania, an enormous tree city reserved for the wisest and most well-respected members of faedom. Many never left, living their own lives until they decided to transcend the Parliel realm. **

Twillow saw them more when she was a child and less as an adult, but the visits were always pleasant. They were very dignified and stoic, pleasant but not excitable.

Twillow embraced each one and greeted them in sequence.

Gelilah’s mother, Luansa placed a hand in front of Twillow’s middle, “Your Life Water feels strong, Twillow. The Tree of Eilithysis is sure bless you.”

“Thank you, Grandma Lu.”

She looked around, “And where is Valluen?”

Both Gelilah and Twillow seemed to stiffen at the same time.

“Well, I invited him.” Twillow replied.

Luansa laughed quietly, “Well I should think you’d invite the father!”

Twillow blinked with bewilderment and cast it to her mother. Apparently, important details had neglected to reach her grandmother.

“Grandma Lu...Valluen isn’t the father.” Twillow tried to say delicately.

The expressions of both grandparents seemed to say the same that they didn’t know.

Grandma Luansa acted embarrassed, “Oh! I thought he was divorced and helped bring you back home?”

“Yes. He did. But Kendrick is the father.” Twillow cast a quick glare at her mother.

“Kendrick? Who is Kendrick?” her grandfather asked.

Gelilah seemed internally aghast but said, “I’m...sorry I didn’t make that clear, Mother.”

Gelilah’s father, rustled his wings, “Well then, let us meet this ‘Kendrick’.”

Twillow hid her anger toward her mother behind a kind smile, “He’s out by the veranda.”

Internally, Twillow was fuming. Her mother hadn’t told her grandparents about Kendrick?! It was very clear that her mother had been planning on her and Valluen rekindling but never mentioned the failure of that plan.

She led them out and they immediately saw Kendrick sitting nearby. He noticed them from his sitting position and straightened his back.

Normally reserved, her grandparents seemed genuinely surprised by the sight of a giant. Her grandfather raised his wings expressively, which was out of character.

Before Twillow could even say anything, he spoke with a tone of amazement, “My word! A real Jotunn!”

Both Kendrick and Twillow seemed to share the same perplexed expression.

Jotunn?

“I haven’t seen a living Jotunn since before the Division.” he continued to marvel, “Wherever did you find one to guard your house?”

Twillow closed her eyes with embarrassment but introduced them, “Grandpa, Grandma, this is Kendrick. Kendrick, these are my grandparents, Grandma Luansa and Grandpa Auguste.”

All three parties seemed stunned but for different reasons.

“HE is Kendrick?” Luansa and Auguste both asked in unison.

Kendrick tipped his head but then greeted politely, “It’s...it’s very nice to meet you both.”

The pair seemed baffled yet maintained an air of calm as they nodded their heads in greeting. Kendrick could faintly smell their unease and the musty undertone of disapproval. It wasn’t as strong as Gelilah’s when he first came, but it was still there. Perhaps they were just better at hiding it?

At that moment one of the butlers brought more guests from the transport portal. Twillow trotted toward them with excitement. The group of five female fae with their husbands seemed to be her cousins and aunts. Pretty paper boxes filled their hands, gifts no doubt.

But Kendrick was more distracted by what her grandfather had said. He called him a Jotunn? What was that? He’d never heard anyone speak of his kind with any knowledge. Hell...his own father had never mentioned anything like that to him despite his questions. Twillow said there weren’t any giants like him in the Parliel Realm and everyone he’d ever met acted surprised he even existed. How much did this fae know?

Nearby, he noticed the smell of anger and disapproval radiating strongly from Twillow’s grandmother as she was having a hushed conversation with Gelilah. Her face didn’t betray those emotions but Kendrick could tell this revelation of him being the father of Twillow’s child did not please her.

“Kendrick?” Twillow’s voice snapped him to reality.

“Huh?”

Her female relatives giggled at him. Twillow introduced her relatives to him as well as their husbands but he was certain he wouldn’t remember their names. He did however, scent them subtly. They all smelled like fae. He was ever paranoid that the Kraskol would somehow sneak through and try to attack his mate. If someone didn’t smell right, he’d be ready.

“I’ve seen you!” one of Twillow’s aunts declared. “You were delivering packages with Elmry weren’t you?”

He shrugged and nodded, “Yeah...I’m kind of hard to miss.”

They giggled and whispered amongst themselves then laughed again.

“Is it true you walked through the streets last year naked?” one of the more audacious cousins asked.

Kendrick blinked and cleared his throat, “Well...”

“Tunia! What kind of question is that?” one of the aunts scolded.

"Everyone was talking about it!” Tunia remarked with a less than innocent shrug.

“Heh...well...it wasn’t by choice really...” Kendrick fumbled, scratching his side-burn.

At that moment, Gelilah interrupted pointedly when she overheard the conversation, ”Ladies, you can help yourself to the refreshments. Gifts go over on that table.”

The group moved apart, still talking. Kendrick exhaled and looked to his wife.

She mouthed ‘sorry’ but still smiled at him. He shrugged back.

More guests began arriving, Twillow’s brothers among them. Everyone was dressed fancily, chatting, eating, bringing presents, and meeting with Twillow and Kendrick. Reactions were mixed: amazed, mistrustful, nervous, excited, baffled. Kendrick kept being polite even though he desperately wanted to get out of everyone’s view. He scented until every guest was accounted for. No one smelled odd or threatening.

A glass clinked loudly and everyone stopped talking.

“Hello, everyone.” Gelilah greeted warmly, “I’d like to thank everyone for attending this momentous occasion for the Birchwood family. My...(gasp)” she almost sobbed but reigned it back, “My daughter is carrying her first Life Water.”

Cheerful applause followed.

“May the Tree of Eilithysis bless Twillow with a successful blooming!”

“AND Kendrick.” Twillow interjected, managing to keep her tone from sounding angry.

Gelilah was flustered only for a second by the correction but went along, “Yes...and Kendrick. May they have a successful blooming!”

“A successful blooming!” the guests chorused then applauded.

“We will begin the gift giving. Please gather round ladies.” She gestured to the largest fanciest chair in the circle, “Twillow, you sit here.”

Aemond raised his wings and arms, “Well, gentlemen. Let us away to the back courtyard and let our ladies proceed.”

The male relatives coalesced into a veritable herd and followed Aemond back through the house. Aemond gestured to Kendrick, pointing to the back where he usually had his meals. Kendrick nodded, gave Twillow one last look, and stood up. His action seemed to garner a lot of attention but he moved away

with careful steps.

But all at once he smelled someone familiar across the grounds. He turned his head and redirected to the wall at the front of the property, passing by the party of women. They seemed confused by his change in direction but continued on with the party.

When Kendrick reached the gate, he smirked when his eyes confirmed what his nose told him. There at the gate with a package in his arms was Darby. The faun was standing outside the gate with Callan and Brun the two gate guards talking to him…basically telling him to get lost.

“B-but Twillow Birchwood ordered this ceremonial wrap from me. I’m just delivering it. Can you at least take it to her?” he was saying.

“Sorry pal. Mrs. Birchwood told us specifically that nothing and no one is getting in today.” Callan the cyclops shook his head.

The faun suddenly startled when Kendrick’s shadow blacked them out, “Oh! Kendrick!”

“Hey, Darby. What brings you here?” the giant asked, crouching down.

He held up the package in nice pink paper, “Th-the wrap your wife ordered is done. I was just bringing it so she could try it on and we could make any adjustments.”

“Ah. Well, she’s having her baby shower party today.” Kendrick explained.

“That’s what they said…but I was going to be traveling to another town to get more material and wouldn’t be back for a while. I wanted to get it to her.” Darby explained, shifting on his hooves.

Kendrick perked when an idea suddenly struck him, “Well…why don’t you join me for the men’s gathering out back?”

“Oh. I-I couldn’t do that.”

“Sure you can. You can be my guest. And then when the party is over Twillow can try on that wrap you made her and you can be on your way.” He offered.

“But Master Kendrick…Mrs. Birchwood specifically said…” Callan tried to protest.

Kendrick glanced at the cyclops then scented, “I know Darby. He’s not a Kraskol or any kind of threat.”

“We just don’t want to get in trouble.” Brun the minotaur explained.

“Just blame me. Gelilah probably would anyway.” He grumbled. “So, what do you say, Darby?”

“W-well…I guess I could.” The faun conceded.

Kendrick nodded pushed his hand through the barrier over the wall and scooped up Darby gently. The faun made a quick noise, shut his eyes, and clenched the package in his arms until Kendrick placed him in his other palm.

“Still think I’m going to hurt you, Darby?” Kendrick inquired.

The antlered head shook quickly, “N-No. I just…I-I’ve never…I-I don’t like heights.”

Kendrick chuckled and stood up. Darby shut his eyes again.

“Good work guarding the gate you two.” Kendrick complimented as he walked away.

Callan and Brun nodded and resumed their duties.

For a few steps Darby refused to look but eventually he peeked. He’d never seen the Birchwood Estate except from behind the gate and wall. His jaw fell open upon seeing its magnificence.

“It…it’s beautiful!” Darby mentioned.

Kendrick nodded, “It is a pretty place.”

“I-I’ve never seen it up close.”

“Well, stick with me and you’ll see plenty.” Kendrick assured.

He passed the veranda, walked around the mansion, and entered the back courtyard where the other men had gathered.

“What took you so long, Kendrick?” Elmry called out, “You get lost?”

A smattering of chuckles followed.

Kendrick knelt down and released Darby in front of him, “Found a buddy of mine at the gate. This is Darby. He made Twillow’s ceremonial wrap.”

Immediately nervous, Darby managed a small wave to the group. He could tell he was amongst a very affluent group.

“Hey! I think I know you!” someone called out, “You’re a merchant in the Plaza.”

“Y-yeah.” The faun admitted.

Polite nods followed and the men resumed their activities. Several servers were bringing glasses of alcohol and distributing them.

“Would you care for something to drink, Master Kendrick?” one of the servers approached.

“Oh…whatever Mr. Birchwood is having will be fine.” He requested.

“And for you, sir?” the server asked Darby.

“Um…n-no thanks.”

Kendrick tipped his head then requested, “Bring Darby a nice fruit plate.”

“Very good, sir.”

The faun seemed uncomfortable, “You really don’t have to.”

Kendrick smirked, “You like fruit, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Then you won’t be disappointed. The food here is delicious.” Kendrick assured him.

As Darby stood holding his package like a security pillow, his ears suddenly pricked forward with interest.

“Is…is that Hugo Birchwood?” he subtly pointed across the courtyard.

Kendrick smirked, “Yeah. Can’t miss him the way he dresses.”

“His clothes are magnificent.” Darby sounded star struck. “I wonder who designs them?”

“Why don’t you ask him?” Kendrick suggested.

Darby shook his head, “No! No. I could never.”

“Hugo.” Kendrick lifted his voice a tad.

Darby’s back went rigid when the giant’s well-dressed brother-in-law turned and broke off from the group he was chatting with, “Ah. Kendrick. Looking sharp in that new thing Chezzi put you in.”

“Thanks.” He glimpsed the fae’s outlandish purple suit coat with the matching top hat and blue lined cape, “My friend Darby was admiring your outfit.”

Hugo smiled and swished the silky cape, “It is rather garish, isn’t it?”

For a moment Darby looked too nervous to speak but then piped up, “Your cape is made with Mothuri silks, right?”

Hugo tipped his head, “Ah. You have an eye for quality then?”

“I sell clothes.” Darby bashfully admitted.

“He made Twillow’s ceremonial wrap.” Kendrick mentioned.

Hugo strutted forward and then began to herd Darby to the nearest table, “Oh! I must see it!”

Not believing it was happening Darby joined Hugo at a table for talks. Kendrick smirked and then spotted Twillow’s grandfather in his long red and gold robes sharing a drink with Aemond. He reached out and with a single finger, delicately tapped the fae’s shoulder. Auguste turned and acted a bit surprised.

“I was meaning to ask you something.” He admitted in a low tone.