The Light of My Hearts

Later on...

To end the ceremony, the gathering left the Tree and returned to the Birchwood Estate where everyone could get a brief view of the baby. More visits were slated to take place in the following weeks to allow time for the family to bond first and the new baby wasn’t overwhelmed. Most of the extended family and friends were amazed by Kimimeyla as she was a brand new blending never seen before.

Soon, the gathering was dispersed and sent back home except for Dr. Wentzel who patiently waited in Twillow’s room to view the new baby. Kendrick sat outside, peering through the balcony doors, Gelilah and Aemond stood by the doorway, and Twillow laid Kimimeyla on the bed for the tall, four-armed doctor to examine.

Unlike human babies which were very small and underdeveloped when newborn, fae babies bloomed at a much more developed stage; equitable to a three month old. Kimimeyla’s new purple eyes roved around when she was laid on the bed, suckling on her fist.

Dr. Wentzel smiled kindly and sat on the edge of the bed, “Well, hello little, Kimi. Hi.”

She looked over at him.

“My, you’re pretty. Ok. Let’s have a look at you.” He stated in a gentle, kind voice.

The first thing the doctor did was move his hands near her face, watching her eye movements. The round violet orbs followed easily.

“Good. Looks like her vision is tracking well.” His hands produced a primitive scale and measuring tools from his bag. “Did she latch on and have her first feed from you?”

“Yes. She fed well.” Twillow nodded.

“Excellent. That is very important. You will want to feed her several times a day for the next couple months. It will be draining on you so be sure to replenish yourself just like you were doing when you were carrying Life Water.” he turned back to Kimimeyla, “Now for a length and weight.”

He put a little measuring tape on top of her head and measured all the way to the toes, “Twenty-five. She’s a little bigger than the average I see.” He glanced out the window and grinned at Kendrick, “Then again, that isn’t be too surprising. Weight...”

He picked up Kimi and set her in what looked like a tiny hammock attached to a metal hook. Kimimeyla squirmed a bit, fussing. Kendrick’s body seemed to press a bit closer to the house.

Twillow stroked her hair for reassurance, “It’s ok, Kimi.”

The doctor balanced the weighing device in his hand and read the needle, “And...twelve and a half pounds. That seems good too.” He carefully set Kimimeyla down and removed her from the weighing scale which calmed her down.

“Doctor...her...her wings.” Twillow mentioned quietly. “They...they aren’t right.”

Doctor Wentzel nodded and rolled Kimimeyla over on her stomach to examine her back. Kimimeyla squirmed on the bed but seemed happy on her tummy. The two dark wing struts were pressed to her gray back between her shoulder blades. Dr. Wentzel lifted each one, stretching them out to examine them. They resembled twigs with small little nubs running along the underside where membrane stems should’ve been. He was silent and introspective as he made his inspection. Kimimeyla flexed the struts out a second then folded them back down automatically when he released them.

“Hmm.” He pondered.

“Is it...a deformity?” Kendrick asked with cautious dread in his voice.

The doctor sighed, “Perhaps. Fae babies’ wings are usually much more developed and have all the membrane structures already formed.”

Gelilah put a worried hand to her mouth, “You mean...she won’t be able to fly?”

Doctor Wentzel made an unsure expression, adjusting his glasses, “I cannot say for certain. Kimi, for lack of a better term, is... a new species. These wings of hers may never grant her flight or they may take longer to develop than other fae babies. And I cannot say the cause either. It could be in her blood or...perhaps the Kraskol venom affected her development? Or it’s just how it happened.” he shrugged.

Kendrick frowned deeply. A nasty shard of guilt was boring itself into his hearts. Though it was now proven his blood did not prevent a blooming from the Tree...was his blood the reason his daughter was deformed?

Dr. Wentzel did a few more checks but smiled down at her, “Well, Kimi. You are a very healthy little baby. We’ll just keep checking on those wings as you get bigger.”

The gray-skinned baby kicked her chubby legs and made a small noise.

Doctor Wentzel smiled again, straightened himself, and looked to Twillow, “Keep monitoring her growth. If she refuses to suckle or isn’t growing or gaining weight let me know.”

Twillow nodded.

“And don’t you worry about her wings. It is nothing life-threatening. She is very healthy.” He assured her and everyone else in the room.

Examination complete, Dr Wentzel left allowing the family to finally get some time to meet the new addition to the family.

Gelilah of course wanted to hold Kimimeyla first. Kendrick sat on the grass outside watching carefully. Despite how against their union Gelilah had been in the beginning, Marci had been correct in saying the stigma would be cast aside if she got a grandchild. The way she fawned and held Kimimeyla proved that irrevocably. Though he wondered if that stigma would rear its ugly head again as Kimimeyla got older and her wings never developed?

“Oh...aww...you look exactly like Twillow did! Yes, you do...yes.” Gelilah cooed in a higher tone as she held the gray baby.

It seemed to be love at first sight for the new grandmother. Kimi gripped a long strand of Gelilah’s hair as she was held and fawned over. Aemond hovered nearby, reaching out to tickle Kimi’s cheeks.

“Hello, my granddaughter. We’re so happy to see you.” He stated in a caring voice.

Hugo and Elmry were loitering nearby in the hall but finally the youngest brother couldn’t hold back and entered the room.

“Can I hold her?” he asked his mother.

“Just a moment more.” She seemed to protest.

Though he fidgeted with impatience, Elmry waited until finally Gelilah handed over Kimimeyla to her new uncle. Elmry held her so carefully, smiling with wet eyes at the new baby.

“Hey. Hey, Kimimeyla. I’m your uncle Elmry. Yeah! I-I might not get to see you much but...I hope you’ll visit a lot. I’ll take you flying and stuff.” He talked to her.

Kimimeyla stared at him with bright eyes, not comprehending what her uncle was telling her. Hugo stood next to Elmry but just observed the interaction. He wasn’t as parental but he was still interested in the family’s newest addition.

“Hmm. She does look just like Twillow did.” He commented. “I wonder if she’ll be as magically strong as she is?”

“Probably.” Elmry agreed as he cradled their niece.

After a time, Kimimeyla began to whimper and fuss. She squirmed in Elmry’s arms and then started crying.

Kendrick stared intently through the window, “What’s wrong?”

“Uh oh. I wonder if she’s hungry?” Elmry guessed.

Gelilah nodded from nearby, “She will need fed often in these first few days.”

Calmly, Elmry placed Kimi in her mother’s arms, “Here.”

“Alright, let’s leave for now.” Gelilah shooed the others out of the room before mentioning, “I will send Marci up to bring your elixirs and lunch shortly.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

When the rest of her family left, Twillow walked out onto the balcony and sat on one of the cushioned chairs to be near Kendrick. Kimi was still crying until Twillow positioned her and began breastfeeding her. The little baby made small happy noises as she suckled.

Kendrick sat watching his tiny new family with pride, “She’s...so beautiful.”

Twillow smiled up at him then took in their new daughter’s details. She had Kendrick’s gray skin color but much lighter and softer. Her hair was iridescent like the inside of a seashell and she had tiny pointed fae ears. She seemed a bit bigger than most new fae babies but not abnormally so. Twillow felt so calmed and relaxed feeding her, though it was draining her a bit. It wasn’t long until Kimimeyla finished and Twillow draped her over her shoulder for a burping as she’d been instructed to do by her mother weeks before. A tiny release of air and it was done.

Twillow held her close, rocking her until she smiled at Kendrick, “Would you like to hold her?”

Kendrick’s gentle expression fell and he looked away. He stared at his hands a moment, slowly moving his fingers before closing them into fists.

“More than anything...” his voice was quiet and far away.

Twillow gave him a sympathetic look, “You can hold her. Just hold out your hand.”

He looked at her for several long seconds, seemed to hold his breath, and very slowly unfurled the fingers of his right hand out in front of her. Twillow shifted baby Kimi so she was balanced between both of her hands and was about to place her on her father’s huge fingertips when abruptly his hand retreated back to his chest and closed.

“N-No. I can’t.” He stated gently even though Twillow could hear the pain in his voice.

“Kendrick...”

He shook his head, “I can’t...she...she’s too tiny. I could hurt her.”

Twillow looked at Kimimeyla and then at her giant mate. She wanted him to be able to hold and love their daughter, but he was genuinely afraid of his own size and strength. Caution was not a bad thing when dealing with a delicate new life, but she didn’t want it to cost him precious moments with his daughter.

“Well, I could shrink you.” She offered.

Kendrick nodded but sighed, “I’m willing... I just don’t want to get cursed every time I want to hold my daughter. Besides, you need to put as much power as you can into feeding her...not wasting it on me.”

Twillow gave an understanding nod. Cursing him to a smaller size did require a large amount of magic and the process both ways was painful for Kendrick. Hugo could do it for them but they didn’t want to curse him too often. Kendrick was correct: birthing and now breastfeeding Kimi required an enormous amount of magic energy. Much like a human mother would pour her body’s nutrients and antibodies into her baby, fae filled their babies with their magic energy. Hopefully when they returned to the Parliel Realm the Amethyst Well would be enough to sustain them.

She thought a couple seconds then said, “Lie down on your back.”

“Huh?”

Twillow motioned with her hand, “Just lie down on your back.”

Slowly, Kendrick did so on the lawn, eyes conveying confusion for her request. When he was reclined, she fluttered her wings and descended down until she was standing atop his chest. Kendrick lifted his head a bit, watching her. Twillow knelt down and tenderly placed Kimimeyla on her tummy against her father’s chest. Then she laid down in the same manner next to her. The little babe squirmed and fussed a bit at the change of position.

Kendrick made an uncomfortable face, seeming to dread the cry that would most likely follow. But then Kimimeyla calmed, her chubby fist at her mouth.

Twillow smiled at their daughter and patted the enormous chest beneath them, “Do you hear that, Kimi? That’s Daddy. Yeah...that’s your Daddy.”

Kendrick felt that familiar tightness crush his throat, but it was different somehow.

His mate pushed herself up and gave him a supportive smile, “All right. Now try.”

With the slowest movement Kendrick brought his hand up over his chest. He swallowed a lump in his throat and gingerly extended a finger to touch his daughter’s tiny form. But he was shaking and withdrew his finger. Twillow got up and held his fingertip. Much like her father had done when she was expelling her Life Water, she guided Kendrick’s finger to Kimimeyla’s little back. The giant gasped quietly upon feeling the soft, tiny body wrapped in a white blanket.

“H-Hello, Kimimeyla.” He whispered. “I-I’m your Daddy.”

His touch was so minimal he barely felt her, but the gentle strokes made the baby’s eyes close. Very soon she was asleep.

Twillow smiled at him, “She’s sleeping.”

Kendrick closed his eyes which were wettened by the emotions stirring inside him. Never in his long life had he envisioned such a thing for himself. He never thought it would be possible for him to have a family of his own. If not for a blessing of fate he nearly lost this most precious gift. Now he had one...a tiny one...and it was his and they filled his hearts to overflowing.

Twillow laid down next to Kimi and put an arm around her. After so much excitement she was tired too. Kendrick in turn cupped his hand over them in a protective “tent” and decided a rest would do them all some good. But...perhaps with one eye open.

...

Kendrick awoke with a jolt. Apparently, he was more tired than he thought and couldn’t keep “one eye open”. His fingers moved slightly to gently touch Twillow. But his fingers felt nothing. His eyes widened and he peeked under his hand. Both Twillow and Kimimeyla were gone! He shot up into a sitting position and surged toward the house in an instant.

His hand instinctually gripped the edge of the roof as he peered into the room, “Twillow?!”

Much to his relief Twillow was sitting eating her lunch whilst Marci sat on the bed cradling Kimimeyla. They were safe. Everything was fine.

They both jumped when he impacted the house, “Goodness, Kendrick!”

“I-I thought something happened...” he mumbled, feeling a bit foolish.

“Yes. Something did happen.” Marci changed her voice as she talked to him and Kimi at the same time, “I brought Mommy lunch so I could hold this little angel. Yes, I did.” She touched noses with Kimi. “Yes, I did. Aww! I knew you were going to be a girl. Now your uncle Hugo owes me a favor. Yes, he does! He owes me a favor.”

The baby grasped at her face, almost trying to smile.

Twillow smiled, eating a small triangle of sandwich, “Sorry, I didn’t want to wake you sweethearts.”

“I’d prefer you did...so I’m not...worried.” Kendrick mumbled again.

Marci gave a big grin, “It was so cute seeing you all napping together. I wish I could do the Memory Eyes spell. That would be my favorite.”

She continued to hold Kimimeyla, fawning over her as everyone had done before.

Marci’s face fell a bit, “You two will be going back to the Lower Realm soon...won’t you?”

Twillow looked at her then at Kendrick. He nodded and she did as well.

“We’ll be here another month or two probably just to ensure Kimimeyla gets all the magic infusion she can here. But we will return and live there, yes.” Twillow confirmed.

The light purple-skinned chef seemed sad hearing that and stared at Kimi, “I don’t want you to go. I want to hold you forever and ever.”

“Well...maybe you can come visit sometime?” Twillow offered.

Marci smiled and seemed to think, “Me? Go to the Lower Realm?”

“It’s not as bad as Twillow’s mother thinks it is.” Kendrick stated. “It’s actually very peaceful in my woods.”

“I haven’t taken a vacation in a hundred years!” Marci laughed, “But...I think that might be JUST the favor I can get off of your brother.”

“You would be most welcome, Marci.” Twillow smiled.

...

The first two weeks…

It was an adjustment for Twillow and Kendrick; Twillow in particular. She’d never been a mother before nor had Kendrick been a father. Granted there were plenty of arms ready to hold the new little one, plenty of help to go around in caring for Kimimeyla. However, Twillow was insistent that she do most of the care. (She would have to when she left to the Lower Realm.) If Kimi was hungry, she fed her, if she needed changed, she did that, if she cried, she was there to scoop her up and figure out what was wrong.

Kendrick wanted to help more but it seemed most tasks involving a new baby were delicate and too fine-tuned for his huge hands to accomplish. However, he was the first to awaken and reach into the room during the night if Kimimeyla cried, offering a fingertip for her to touch. His hands also made a wonderful “bath” to cup warm water for Twillow to bathe Kimi in. It seemed Kimimeyla liked the water more than most fae babies did. (Getting their wings wet was not something they enjoyed.) But she would smile and wave her arms to splash.

Kimimeyla was a relatively quiet baby but very curious. She would watch everything going on around her with those wide violet eyes and didn’t hesitate to investigate with tiny grasping hands. She was very accepting of most people holding and talking to her and rarely fussed about it.

But one evening she was having none of the attention.

It was a small gathering of close family and everyone was enthralled over the new baby. For a time Kimimeyla was happy and fine with the attention but soon she began to fuss. She was passed to Gelilah for a time which worked but then she fussed again, starting to cry.

“Shh. Shh. It’s alright Kimimeyla. Don’t cry…don’t cry.” Gelilah rocked the baby in her arms.

However, Kimi kicked and squirmed, raising her little voice in a squall.

Quickly, Twillow came over and took her daughter, “Aww. Aww. Shh, Kimi. Shh. Are you hungry? Hmm?”

She positioned her baby and tried to feed her but she turned her head, wailing repetitively. Twillow did a full check but none of the usual cues were apparent; not warm, not wet, not hungry. She guessed that left tired as the culprit of her unrest.

“I think Kimi must be tired. I’ll go put her down for a nap.” She explained.

Twillow flew from the veranda around the house to her room’s balcony.

Kimimeyla’s crying always put Kendrick in an alert mode. He sat next to the veranda overlooking the activities whilst talking with Aemond. The moment his daughter’s familiar cry started he was on edge. He scented. She smelled…distressed. He watched Twillow fly over to her room to put Kimimeyla to bed. But even after several minutes her crying could still be heard.

Most of the time, Twillow could shush little Kimi or console her with a gentle song and soft rocking. But she was having none of her mother’s attempts as she cried louder and even pushed away from her.

“What’s wrong, baby? Huh? What’s wrong?” Twillow asked sweetly even though she knew their daughter couldn’t respond.

Finally, Kendrick got up and moved around to Twillow’s window, “She’s still crying? What’s the matter?”

Twillow sighed, bouncing the baby slightly as she rocked her, “I don’t know. I’ve tried everything I can think of. She has to be tired…she just won’t settle.”

Kimi seemed to resurge her crying efforts and Twillow looked exasperated.

“Here. Why don’t you try to hold her?”

Kendrick blinked, not certain that would help anything. But he nodded and leaned back to provide an inclined surface.

With a quiet flutter of her wings, Twillow flew the crying infant outside, landed atop his vast chest and placed her down. Kimi cried more for a moment but suddenly she heard and felt the distinct booming thump of her father’s hearts and sniffled. Her crying faded into tiny hiccups until she was quiet. The new parents both looked at each other.

“She just wanted you.” Twillow stated with a tired but happy smile.

Kendrick couldn’t stop himself from smiling as his fingertip delicately stroked her tiny back, “You just wanted me, Kimi? Is that what all that was about? Huh?”

The baby girl just laid on the mountain that was her father’s chest, quiet and content.

“Don’t you worry little one…Daddy will always be here for you.” He whispered, still stroking her with all the delicacy he could muster.