Indigo's POV
It felt like an eternity had passed before I was able to hold my children again. Shortly after my son was breathing again, the pack doctor had arrived and whisked my children off to perform some of the necessary tests.
I was currently waiting in the newly cleaned bed with Valen trying to coax me to eat something.
My stomach was in knots, but I forced myself to nibble on a bowl of granola for his sake. I kept glancing over his shoulder, trying to get a peek at what Aislinn and the doctor were doing.
Valen sighed.
"Do you want me to go check how much longer it will be?"
I nodded my head and he rose from the bed. Artemis quickly took his spot.
"How are you feeling?" she asked me delicately.
"Physically? I feel like I was run over by a truck. But I'm glad my child seems to be okay now. I was so worried for a moment."
She looked at me with tender eyes and glanced down to my now black hands.
The previous gray color from healing Von's wound had almost disappeared.
Now, it was back and darker before. I wasn't going to admit it to her, but I was worried about the aftermath of what I had done.
Even though I'd do it all over again to save my son.
"I'm sure everything will be just fine," she said as if she sensed what I was feeling and gave my shoulders a light squeeze.
"Well, at least now you'll know what to expect," I joked with her.
She threw her head back and laughed.
"I'm really hoping it's nothing like what I just saw. No offense, but I really don't want to be at home when I give birth."
She laid her hand tenderly on her belly, which was now just beginning to poke out.
I smiled at her. "Do you know what you're having yet?"
"Yes, we found out last week. We're having a little girl."
"Congratulations! I bet Von is so excited for a daddy's girl."
Her smile grew and her eyes lit up.
"You bet he is."
Valen approached us then, cradling two little bundles in each arm. I sat up straighter and reached for them.
"Our son," he said while handing him over first.
I tucked my perfect little boy into my arms. He had soft, white blonde hair and his small mouth was puckered into a tiny smirk. I smiled at him lovingly before reaching for the next one.
"And our daughter."
I gasped.
"Daughter?"
Valen smiled and nodded his head.
I had been so sure that they were both boys, but I was ecstatic to have one of each.
Valen gently placed my daughter in my arms and I gazed at her porcelain face.
Her skin was ivory and her hair was as dark as night. She had a serene expression on her face and I couldn't help but admire her beauty.
"They're perfect," I whispered and Valen stroked their heads.
"Alright, tell us already. What are their names?" Artemis asked impatiently.
I tore my eyes away from my children and realized everyone had gathered around the bed. I smiled at each and every one of my family members.
"This," I said while leaning down and kissing my daughter's dark hair.
"Is Ruby. Ruby Madeline. We wanted to be able to name them after the people who raised us."
I glanced up and saw Valen discreetly wipe a tear from his eye. Artemis leaned into Von and he kissed her head.
"And this," I kissed my son's fluffy head.
"Is Maddox Von. Named after one of the strongest, most noble wolves we know."
Von gasped and tears spilled down Artemis's face.
"Thank you," Von managed to get out. Valen approached him and threw an arm around his brother.
"I thought you'd like it," he said with a wink.
Von laughed and the rest of the group joined in until the pups started to stir. I pressed them to my chest a little tighter.
"I think they're getting hungry," I announced.
Anton took my hint. "We'll leave you alone to have some privacy now," he said while ushering everyone except for Aislinn out of the room.
"Congratulations, your majesties," he threw back over his shoulder.
Aislinn smiled at his retreating form and then approached me.
"Let me help you get them positioned, and then I'll head out as well."
I nodded my head at her and let her guide the way.
Once both babies were properly latched, she squeezed my shoulders and quietly left the room.
Valen sat beside me on the bed and put his arm around me. I rested my head on his shoulder.
"You did amazing," he praised me.
"I couldn't have done it without you."
We sat in silence while the babies finished feeding. Once they were done, I handed Maddox to Valen so he could burp him and I positioned Ruby on my shoulder.
I caught a glimpse of her eyes and gasped before I could stop myself. Her eyes were the exact same shade of blue as her father's.
"What's wrong?" Valen asked me.
"Nothing, she just looks so much like you."
Valen studied her face and smiled.
"I'm sure I'll be scaring boys away all her life."
I laughed at that and began to burp her.
"What color are Maddox's eyes?" I asked him.
Valen patted his back a little more until he released a small burp and turned him to look at his face.
"They're.... they're violet," he said, amazement clear in his voice.
"What? How is that possible? I thought only female wolves could have violet eyes?"
A sinking feeling began to form in the pit of my stomach.
"I don't know. I'll make sure we check into it, though. Tomorrow, Anton and I will scour the palace history books and see what we can find."
"What.. what if he's like me?"
Terror clawed at my heart. I didn't want my kids to go through what I had to go through. I glanced at my hands and winced.
I wanted a happy, simple life for them.
"Hey, it'll be okay. He's got you for a mother. If anyone can help him, it'll be you. Everything will be fine," Valen soothed me.
I nodded my head but didn't respond.
Soon, both babies were beginning to fall asleep. We quickly changed their diapers and swaddled them back up, before laying them in their bassinets. I pulled them closer to the bed so I could keep an eye on them.
I yawned and looked at the time. It was only three in the afternoon, but I was exhausted.
"Sleep, my love. Everything is as it should be."
I cuddled into Valen's side and let my heavy eyes close as I watched my children sleep peacefully.
"I love you," I murmured. "For now, and forever."
Author's Note:
AWWWW.
And, that's it! The story is done!
I hope you all enjoyed and will stay tuned for upcoming stories on my page!
Please Vote and Comment if you love their babies as much as I do!
Xoxo,
CrimsynIris