the day has come
You'd think, that, being nine months pregnant, Suzanne would have let herself off lightly. But there was much to be done, when your husband was a business man who travelled oftenly to different places, advertising his company, working with the bosses. With a three old son, and a one year old son, and now expecting two twins, she was finding everything very difficult. But at least she was finally getting a daughter, despite the fact that she'd be going through three sons to get one. Well, it could've been only two, but her daughter had a twin. A twin brother. So all of the hardships of motherhood were being tripled. That did not mean that she would resort to favouritism, or love them on different levels. She loved her sons, Stanley and Zacharius.
They were beautiful, like they should be. Stan had her fair hair, but his father's enigmatic green eyes that sparkled with mischief, and adorable little dimples. He was shooting up, so much that she was wondering whether or not she would be able to keep track of his height. As darling as he was with her, he was often troublesome at the nursery, and it had, on more than one occasion, occured to her that he might not grow out of it unless she did something about it. But it would have to wait, sorting him out. She had two children on the way and had no intention of stressing herself.
And then there was Zach, her one year old. One year old and four months. Zach, also, had her pretty blonde hair, and her blue eyes. He looked much like his mother, as she had been told numerous times by her neighbours. He was a quiet baby who never cried unless it was necessary, and she thanked Xanth for that. Anne did not think she could handle much more in her current state.
Suzanne had been hinting to her husband that perhaps it was a good idea to raise their children in Elysia, for they might not cope well if they decided to live there. They could always decide to stay on Earth - you could always find others of your race if you knew where, and what to look for - but it was her preference that they moved to Elysia. There, they would prosper better, she thought.
Hypocrite.
She had been born in a remote part of the Lake District in England, raised alongside Nature with her family, but had become a Nyad, unlike her Ayad family. She had only one other family member who had not been a Nymph of the wind, a cousin named Beatrice who had bound herself to Fire. Just like her dear Vincent.
Suzanne had met Vincent when he had been travelling, and immediately had known that he was just like her. Despite their opposite personalities, they had been inseperable. Opposites attract, Anne supposed. It was not long before she had found herself irrevocably in love with him, and a year later, they were getting married. The honeymoon in Alaska was a great success, and a memorable holiday. And here she was, at twenty-five years old, with two children and two more on the way, a husband who she was deeply in love with, and a more than comfortable life with a good income for her family. Vincent worked hard for them, he did. Maybe it was his personality that enabled him to be brilliant at what he did. It seemed that Stanley was going to be just like his father, rebellious and charismatic.
There were plenty of jobs to be done. Stan was at the pre-school for the morning, so at least she had one less thing to worry about. There was washing to be done, though. She lifted the washing basket and balanced it on her hip, already a little worn out. Bending over was hard. She didn't have the weight of one baby on her stomach, she had the weight of two. According to the doctor, however, the little girl was smaller than she should be. Great, just what she needed to reassure her.
Suzanne opened the washing machine door and tipped the clothes in, her face screwed up in concentration. The maternity clothes were not very glamorous, but they allowed her to move and shove her weight wherever she wanted to. And on top of that, she'd been having cravings for things she would never even dream of eating if she wasn't pregnant. Things like chocolate, pizza, things that were bad for her figure. The first thing she would be doing when the twins were born, which would hopefully be after Vincent got back in three days, would be skittering down to the gym to get rid of her excess body fat. Nothing like working yourself back into shape.
With the washing machine set off, Anne straightened up and waddled into the kitchen. Zach, hanging in his baby bouncer, raised his arms to her and squirmed. Obviously wanting to be out. She obliged, slipping her hands underneath his little baby arms and balancing him on her hip. He gurgled childishly and clutched his mother, giggling. Huffing slightly, Suzanne kissed his head and tickled his stomach, placing him carefully into the highchair.
"Stay here while Mommy gets you some breakfast, Zachy," she cooed lovingly, her eyes full of maternal love. Anne loved her kids.
The fridge shelves were lined with bottles of milk, and the bottle heater was plugged in next to the microwave. Suzanne took out a bottle and slotted it into the bottle heater. With a few buttons pressed, hey presto, one bottle of frothy, hot, thick baby milk ready for her baby. Zach drank it happily, his little hands clutching the small bottle tightly, as if it might disappear.
"Hey, slow down, honey." Anne rolled her eyes at him and turned to the sink full of small baby dishes, infant cutlery, bottles and her dinner from last night. She ran the faucet and touched the cool water that was slowly heating up, a sphere of water gathering just above the palm of her hand. Her family had disapproved of her going against their traditions, but that was how she was. And they would put up with it, like it or not. At least they could not keep picking at the subject; her current whereabouts was in America. Bangor, Maine. Beautiful, scenic little place.
Suzanne took a granola bar for her own breakfast, and glanced at the clock. Ten thirty in the morning. She'd pick Stan up at twelve, make him some lunch, give Zach another bottle, watch some daytime televison, then carry on with her chores. Zach's gurgling brought her back to reality. It took her a few moments to process that the bottle was finished. She turned off the tap and chewed the granola, putting the bar on the counter as she lifted Zach out and touched the end of his nose.
"Was that good, Zachy?" Suzanne kissed him and took him into the living room, where toys were scattered everywhere, and the TV was turned on. She'd planned the decor out well, making the room airy and bright. Zach was placed into his playpen, where he could safely play with his toys or go to sleep if he wanted. Toy trains, cars and building blocks all dominated one area of the pen. In another, there was a fleecy blue blanket. Hopefully Zach would not cry to be out.
Half an hour later, the washing up was done and the kitchen surfaces had been wiped down, the highchair disinfected. Zach was asleep in the playpen, his thumb in his mouth, his beautiful face serene and so infantile. Suzanne wrapped him in the blanket and lifted him out carefully, so as not to disturb him. Sharp stabbing pains invaded her stomach. She winced and sat down on the sofa for a moment, her eyes shut, Zach sound asleep on her chest, which was heaving. One of the twins must be sitting on a nerve, she thought as the pain subsided. That's when the dam collapsed. Suzanne groaned as she watched her maternity trousers become wet, and reached for the phone, her breathing laboured. Anne stabbed in 911 and exhaled exasperatedly, panic filling her. Vincent wasn't home yet, and she was about to give birth to two twins. Oh great. They couldn't have held on for a bit longer? Outside, the sun was shining. Summer babies.
"Hello, operator? Could you please send an ambulance to..."
Coding by Piper
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