Esma and Razian stayed over for a few days, guiding and helping the expecting couple in every way possible before returning to Lahoire with a promise of visiting them soon.

Yurian, Frila, Irlana, Rivan, Rumail and Zirius were overjoyed at the news of Aselia’s pregnancy. They frequently visited her, bringing her fruits, juices and healthy food which didn’t make her nauseated.

Even Silver Wolf and Rubisha called and congratulated them and shared tips from their own experience relating to pregnancy.

Aselia began to ease in with her condition and followed the guidelines given to her by the doctor. Nausea persisted especially whenever she smelled meat. Being it her favourite, Aselia was disappointed beyond words that she couldn’t eat it.

"I wish I could eat meat," she sighed while munching on an apple. She was comfortably seated in Xiran’s lap, outside in the garden chair, surrounded by flowers and a gurgling fountain. Daydreaming about charcoal meat.

"I can feel your pain and disappointment through the bond. It’s so tangible," Xiran teased and she playfully shoved him in the chest.

"I am serious," she offered him a bite and he took it, relishing the taste of the juicy apple.

"I know my love, just a few months and then we will eat a lot of meat, as much as you want," he lovingly caressed her bump. She was in her fifth month now and elves had a seven-month pregnancy period.

"Oopss, they are kicking, they are kicking again," Xiran could feel them writhing and moving inside her belly. His heart brimming with warmth and love for his progeny.

"I bet they are wrestling inside to decide who gets the bigger piece of the apple I am eating," she chuckled as Xiran kept caressing her bloated belly.

"I think they are fighting over who will be Mommy’s favourite?"

"Both will be my precious babies, I will equally love them," she took another bite.

"What do you want? Boys, girls or one boy and one girl?" Xiran’s touch had them settled and they stopped squirming around.

"One boy and one girl, so I can be done in one go. Phew! I am already tired," she leaned her head on his chest.

"Heee! You know what I want? Two little girls who would look just like my pretty Leia. I would make ponytails of their lush gold hair, won’t that be wonderful," he pinched Aselia’s tiny nose.

"Only a month now and we would know," they had refused to ask Dr. Wanstine about the gender of the babies, trying to keep it a surprise.

"Leia! Let’s go meet the kids," he had been wanting to take Aselia to the orphanage but she had been feeling so sick that the opportunity wasn’t presenting itself.

"Sure," as soon as the words left her mouth, he picked her up and gently carried her to his car. Settling her inside it and fastening the seat belt he took the driver’s seat and off they went.

"Let’s get some gifts for the kids," Aselia asked and Xiran nodded in approval. They stopped at a toy store and then at a candy shop to get tons of stuff for the kids.

Elrine had permanently taken up the orphanage and Xiran had made her the head, giving her the executive position for she was running it effectively, managing all the duties and showing strong leadership qualities.

They soon reached the orphanage and Xiran assisted Aselia in getting down from the car and led her into Elrine’s office. She was sorting some papers and her eyes sparkled seeing the two of them.

"Good morning! It’s good to see you both. How are you doing?" Elrine quickly got up and greeted them.

"Good morning, not bad. Still nauseated and can’t eat meat," Aselia disappointedly added, making others laugh.

"Only a matter of time now, please be seated," she offered a generous smile as they settled down and continued their discussion.

"Mister Xi!!!" The excited voice of a lovely little girl had everyone turning their heads.

"Casvia!!!" Xiran’s misty eyes lit up with affection and love for the little girl he had found on the streets and she rushed to him on her tiny feet only to be swept up by Xiran.

"I missed you," she confessed, wrapping her tiny arms around his sturdy neck.

"I missed you too," he pinched her stub of a nose between his thumb and index finger and she chuckled. Aselia and Elrine watched the exchange with content smiles. Aselia knew he was exceptional with kids and theirs would be in capable hands.

Finally, Casvia turned to Aselia and gasped, putting her tiny hand on her mouth and whispered to Xiran:

"You brought the princess?"

"I surely did. Isn’t she pretty?" he answered back in an equally hushed voice.

"Very much," Casvia slightly blushed seeing Aselia’s gaze on her. "Can I meet her?"

"Of course, why not," Xiran gently lowered the little girl to the ground and she extended her tiny hand to Aselia.

"It’s very nice to finally meet you little one," Aselia warmly shook her tiny hand and Casvia wouldn’t stop grinning, shyly.

"I am happy you returned to Mister Xi, he was very sad without you," she whispered to Aselia. Xiran and Elrine pursed their lips, trying hard not to laugh.

"Don’t worry sweetie, I am not going anywhere. Your Mister. Xi is stuck with me now," Aselia winked at her and she giggled in her tiny voice.

Extracting a teddy bear and a box of chocolate from the bags they had brought along, Aselia offered it to a little girl and she excitedly smiled at her before accepting them.

"Thank you so much," she cuddled with the teddy bear and gave hugs to both Xiran and Aselia before running outside. They watched her in satisfaction.

Elrine then led them outside so they could meet the kids and hand over the gifts to them. Kids were excited to see them and they were soon surrounded. Their whole day was spent with them, telling them stories, answering their questions and having meals with them.

By evening Aselia was exhausted so they decided to head home.

"Please! Come again soon. I will miss you both," Casvia tugged at Xiran’s shirt and he picked her up again.

"I promise little one, we will visit soon enough," Xiran pinky promised her and she pecked his cheek.

With a heavy heart, Xiran and Aselia said their farewell to the kids and headed back home.

"Xiran, I am so glad you built this orphanage and these kids are in capable hands, getting all the love they deserve," she gently squeezed his arm, while her other hand rested on her belly.

"Yes, I wanted kids to have a safe place, where they would be loved and protected, where they wouldn’t be weaponised," his heart still ached thinking he had somehow failed Aselia, shoving her into an orphanage where her childhood was stolen from her.

"They won’t be, and with Phantom gone, vampires will remain within their limits now and the peace we have brought along will more likely prevail," she sighed, remembering how their own childhood had been. The thought that their children will most likely have a brighter future filled with promising aspects was heartening. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Seeing him with kids today cemented her belief that Xiran would be an exceptional father, nothing like what his father had been and this brought her immense satisfaction and it showed on her face.

Xiran stole a look and found her smiling, "My Leia is pleased."

"Yes! I am extremely lucky, Xiran. You saved me in so many ways that I can’t even tell you," her smile widened.

"We were meant to be. You crave ice cream?" he suddenly asked.

"Pleaseeee!" Her pleading made him guffaw and he took her to the same ice cream parlour where they had gone during that rainy night.

"Rocky Road?" he winked, rolling down his window so he could place the order.

"Yes," she flipped her tongue on her parched lips. Her mouth was already watering as a wrestling match commenced inside her belly again. Xiran placed the order.

"And they are excited to eat the ice cream too," Aselia pointed to her tummy, bringing Xiran’s attention to it, making him lovingly caress it.

"Can’t wait to bring them along so we all will be able to eat it together soon. By the way, this is the first time we are going to eat ice cream in the open and without any interruption or fear," the ice creams arrived meanwhile and Xiran handed Aselia the biggest cup of Rocky Road she had ever seen.

She accepted it with gratitude and fervently began to devour it.

"I told you we would eat it outside one day, Thank you for this," her eyes were filled with love and Xiran could only soothingly smile back at her. Seeing her heartily eat her favourite ice cream satisfied his soul. He had fulfilled another one of her dreams and he knew he would complete all of them.