"I honestly believe that there is a lot about Iva's gift that you and I might have never imagined," Drae replied. "And I didn't exactly mean one boy in four children. I meant five sons to one Rosenite woman, that was the impressive number. But if Iva is right, we'll be making it an even six," Drae smiled. "Of course I am excited. Excited, but on some level terrified," he admitted as she rested her head on his shoulder. He slipped his arm about her and rubbed her arm and shoulder affectionately. He chuckled at the notion of their child looking a lot like him. 

"Well, if he has my looks, you won't hear me complaining. We'll just have to watch out for the parade of girls he will inevitably bring home," he said, giving Angela a cheesy grin. He rested his cheek on her head and sighed, contentedly, then looked ever so slightly disappointed when she got up again. He did, however, allow himself to be pulled up of the bed. 

"Yeah, I guess you're right," he smiled. "The excitement is absolutely killing me," he added with a chuckle. The chuckle and playful mood faded for him when Angela moved his hand to her belly. She wasn't showing by any means, but he could almost sense the life force growing inside her. 

"Yeah. I can't wait," he replied softly. Truthfully, he was terrified. A lot of old memories were stirring, and though he would never admit to the fear he felt, he was hell bent and certain he would not let anything happen to Angela, or his unborn child. Come hell or high water it was going to be him who would have to pass to the afterlife first. 

"Come on, let's take that walk."

Drae was correct about Iva’s gift. She was no oracle and not even she understood the full powers that Iva possessed. She had certainly surprised them all in the long run. Laughing Angela thought about it even in her sea of daughters six sons were amazing. “Even if we were to have a daughter I would love the baby all the same.” The baby was part Drae after all. “Though I tend to be terrified as well but not for the same reasons. I have an imp that runs around my temple as it is. Can you imagine two of them?”

The goddess laughed as the prospect of their son being a ladies’ man. “It wouldn’t shock me at all. Even more so with his pedigree.” He rested on her for a few seconds before the jitters kicked in. A pregnant woman with the jitters was the worst as far as she was concerned. “Sorry, I don’t like to sit still sometimes.” She looked disappointed as well but still she pulled him up.

She hadn’t put his hand on her belly to feel her barely showing belly but rather to feel the power that their plum sized child. He was so small still but Angela could feel him even without the powers of her goddess. 

Angela knew that it would be hard for him. She always held her gaze on him just in case he needed her support. He had lost his first unborn child and she wasn’t going to let him hurt that way again. Squeezing his hand the goddess gave him a loving look. “Everything will be alright.” She leaned over to him and kissed his cheek. He didn’t have to tell her what bothered him.

She looped her arm around his as they made their way out of the room. Iva came running own the hallway and hugged Drae first. Her eyes were so bright as she moved to the belly her mother had. “Hi baby brother! I can’t wait to meet you. We’ll have tea parties and you can meet Winston.” She kissed Angela’s belly before flying off in the other direction. Angela started laughing.

“At least she feels better about everything.”

He was grateful that he didn't have to explain his fears to her, and the kiss she planted on his cheek left him reassured. After all, this was far different from last time. This time around, the love of his life had the power to level an entire city with a sneeze, really; and she was by no means a first time mother. That, and there was no fear in the child being discovered, because Drae knew that he had become the only man that Angela was 'attached' to so to speak. 

The kiss left a serene smile on his cheek and he allowed her to loop their arms together before they were walking out of the room and down the halls. Like a shot, Iva was there like a brilliant little red headed comet, and her arms were wrapping around his legs in a hug. He hugged her back before she was bouncing over to Angela and was placing her hands on her mother's stomach and speaking to the tiny baby still growing inside. 

Then she was off like a shot again, no doubt to go terrorize her sisters or find someway to make herself dirty before dinner. Drae's laughter met Angela's. 

"I think it is because she has been getting a chance to know him a bit more. Haven't you noticed that she hasn't really been having nightmares these past few weeks? I wonder if she is dreaming about the baby more and talking to him," he suggested as they walked out into the gardens. 

“I for one am glad that she is getting to love and know him.” She rubbed her barely showing belly and laughed. “I have, she’s been sleeping soundly through the night. Even when Winston falls out of bed because she is a bed hog.” Even though the child’s bed probably could have fit at least ten fold.

She put her head on his shoulder and sighed lightly as she thought about the light growing in her. “I want to name the baby after Iva’s father.” Her green eyes moved up to Drae. “He was a good man who did many good things for me. He gave us Iva and gods know she wouldn’t be the way she is without influence. It’s Rosenite tradition to name a child after person who has great influence over your life. I know it’s a lot to ask but Rohan is a good name for him. If the baby is really a boy.”

Her voice was very soft as she spot to him. “I also want to make a request of a good friend of mine. She was someone who owes Iva quite a few tea parties. The new goddess that rose a few months back would make a good godmother, I think.” It was something to consider. “That way if something were to ever happen… We know he would be in good hands with her.”

She pat his hands softly and smiled up at him. “I can invite her here so you can meet her. She's a good woman Drae and I know she will be of great help for us if we ever needed it." She kissed his cheek and smiled lightly. Finding herself a bench she sat down and laughed. "I've almost forgotten how tiring it can be guarding my babies." She rubbed her belly fondly and looked up at her lover. "Not to worry though. I'll never let anything happen to him or the girls."

"It's more than just a little reassuring that she is sleeping soundly," Drae smiled as he slipped his hand into hers and rested his head upon hers. He was a little surprised at her announcement as to who she wanted to name the baby after Iva's father. He wasn't entirely sure how he felt about that. He understood the reasoning, but he felt a little cheated in seeing that Angela had picked a name without really consulting him. That was if the baby even ended up being a boy as Iva claimed he would be. Drae had no reason to doubt Iva, but something about the entire thing stung him. He didn't respond at first, but when it was brought up about asking Dalanesca to be the godmother to the baby, Drae actually smiled. 

"I think I can wrap my head around that," Drae replied. "Dalanesca would make an excellent godmother, and I know I would feel safe letting her watch after the baby. I don't know her personally, as you do, but I would trust your judgement in this case far more than I would trust my own," he replied with a smile. Angela wanting to set up a meeting between him and Dalanesca intriged him. "I am more than willing to meet Dalanesca. I would be honored," he said nodding and then sat down upon the bench beside Angela. 

"I know you can," Drae said, having complete faith in his love's ability to protect those she loved. 

Angela looked deep into her lover’s eyes and sighed a bit. “It’s not because we were lovers. It’s merely a suggestion as well. I’m not doing anything without you. I’m so sorry that I didn’t bring it up as I thought about it. It’s been a long time since I’ve even had to consider someone else’s feelings on the matter.” She kissed the side of his head. “It’s because I think it would comfort Iva. I want to give her something tangible. I thought if I associated the name with the new baby as well, that it might help her stop talking to someone who won’t answer.” The goddess appeared bothered by it. “I just want them both to be alright.”

She liked that her other idea was well received and nodded. “She will make an excellent choice. I think she’ll like having him around as much as she likes Iva.” She took his hands and held them tight. “I never meant to hurt your feelings Drae. I have my flaws like everyone else, I’m just sorry you had to see my selfish side. Too many decades have I been doing this by myself. Even with Iva, I raised her. This is the very first time I’ve ever had someone to help.”

She reached up and gently pushed back his hair. “I’m sorry my love.” She whispered it softly as she kissed him. “I hope you can forgive that lapse in thought.” She held his hands tenderly and frowned. “It was never my intention to hurt you at all. I would love to hear your thoughts on names for him.”

Drae pressed a hand over Angela's as she smoothed back his hair and apologized for picking a name without consulting him. Her plea for forgiveness made his heart ache and he felt bad for making her feel this way, and gripped her hands firmly. 

"I know you didn't, Love. And it isn't so much your choice that upset me, it really isn't. The truth is, I think I am more upset with myself… you see…" Drae sighed as he leaned against the wall railing that lined the garden path. "I wouldn't even be able to put forth a name that had any meaning to me," he admitted. "And for that I am actually rather ashamed. Your choice in the name, it makes complete and total sense. I only wish I had gotten to know the man before he passed. The name given has to carry significance, and I am more upset that I could not provide my own name for consideration," Drae sighed. "I have not had the good fortune of having those kinds of influences of good in my life…" he explained softly. "And for the same reason, I want to make sure that this Rohan is as good a man as you claim he is. It isn't that I don't trust you, Angela… but sometimes you have to be able to judge for yourself…" he said softly. 

"Would you allow me to do that?"

Drae’s hand comforted her a bit. Her green eyes held a sadness for fear that she had driven her Love away. However, it would appear that Drae had the same thoughts as she did. Returning his grip the goddess gave him a gentle smile. She was glad that Drae was more understanding, but it hurt her to think she hadn’t thought about that possibility. She had a lot of room for growing.

She brought his forehead down to her and kissed his softly. “You will be fine Drae. I understand the pain that our baby brings out in you.” Her words were blunt but they were soft so no one else could hear. “You never got this far before and you lost everything. I can understand that you have so much more on your plate than what I do.”

“You are my rock Adraejen.” She put her hands on his cheeks and smiled. “When you originally showed up here, you were not the man you are now.” She watched him lovingly for a moment. “You’ve changed, I don’t know what it is but you have.”

After a light sigh and thought, she nodded. “If you think it would help you figure things out Drae I would gladly let you do it.”

Drae smiled and kissed Angela's palms as she held his face. "Becoming a father, I think, will change a man in any circumstances. In my case, undoubtedly I have changed for the better, and I am grateful for it," the warlock replied softly. 

"Thank you, Angela. I'll go up to the Unbroken Courtyard tonight during the Witching Hours to do my work. It will not be invasive, and will not require much. If he is willing to speak with me, all should go well, I do hope," he explained. "And if all goes as planned, I should know the man better by the end of the night…"

He slipped his hand into Angela's and squeezed tightly. "I do not think you have any reason to fear. I do believe that part of his spirit still resides here, as a protector of sorts. I've sensed a calm energy on occasion, when Iva has had me tag along for the tea parties," he mentioned lightly as he watched his surrogate daughter dancing in the distance with her black plush bear, skirt and feet muddy as they typically were. "He is still here, watching over her, and you I think," he smiled.