Chapter Text
It weighed heavily on Elizabeth’s heart that Nerissa still yearned for a second child. Years have passed since the miscarriage, and even though Nerissa seemed to not be as affected as she had been throughout the year that followed the event, there was still a yearning in her eyes whenever they went shopping and passed by the baby aisle.
Elizabeth would find herself lost in thought sometimes, thinking about their future. About Nerissa and Elissa’s future. They would outlive her, maybe for centuries, and she often thinks about a future where Nerissa would find another partner, mortal or otherwise, who could fulfill her dream of a larger family. The idea itself was unbearable, yet, in her most vulnerable moments, Elizabeth resigned herself to the possibility. Usually accompanied by a glass of alcohol.
She also knew that Nerissa would consciously mask her interest in babies, but Elizabeth knows her too well. Those small moments of yearning and fleeting silences spoke volumes. Elizabeth herself was terrified to voice her fears, worried it might push Nerissa away. The last thing she wanted was to plant the idea without her in Nerissa’s mind. It had already been a hot topic at the beginning of their relationship.
Late at night, she’d lay next to her wife, gently stroking her hair, wishing that the warmth of her love could fill the gaps that biology couldn't. She dreams of ways to ease her sadness, hoping that time would bring peace to their hearts.
But the world kept turning, time doesn’t stop for anyone, especially not for Elizabeth. She was determined to cherish every moment, to ensure that her love for Nerissa and Elissa would outlive her and outlast any shadow of doubt.
Nerissa was lying on her side, still comfortably under the blankets as she watched Elizabeth walk around the room. As usual, Elizabeth picks her clothes meticulously even though she works from home, her elegance evident in every moment. It was a routine that Nerissa had come to cherish each morning, simply watching her wife get ready for the day and also delighting on seeing her undress without being ushered to look away.
But today, her eyes were glued to Elizabeth for a different reason. Something felt different. She doesn’t really know what it is yet, but something about Elizabeth was off, like there was a subtle shift in her behavior. But at the same time Elizabeth wasn’t really acting out of the ordinary.
Eventually, Elizabeth notices.
“You’re staring,” she said softly, a bit of shyness in her voice.
“I’m your wife, I’m allowed to stare,” she shoots back with a cheeky tone. It was adorable that Elizabeth still got embarrassed by things like this after being married for years, something about it made her feel young. And she was already quite young as it is. But then, she decides to say what’s been gnawing at her. “There’s something different about you today. Are you okay?”
Elizabeth pauses her movement, putting down the hairbrush she had been using, a hint of confusion crossing her face. “Different? How so?”
Nerissa finally gets out of bed, walking up to her wife without really minding that she wasn’t wearing any clothes. She holds Elizabeth’s face with both hands, studying her partner’s face with careful eyes. “I don’t know,” she said, pulling on her cheek. Elizabeth startles before Nerissa moves back, her hands on her hips. “Not bad, just different.”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “I haven’t done anything different.”
She reached again towards Elizabeth’s face, but this time to put her index under her chin and tilt it upwards. Elizabeth’s face instantly turns as red as her hair. Nerissa hums, clearly amused. “Maybe it’s just me,” she shrugged. Then turns around and starts walking back to bed, satisfied with the reaction.
When she glances at Elizabeth, she was clearly second guessing whether she should keep getting ready or join Nerissa in bed. “You have work soon, darling,” she muses. Elizabeth huffs, frustrated.
“Well, if you figure it out, let me know,” she says before turning around and heading to the bathroom. Nerissa giggles at her attempt of nonchalance.
She stretches on the mattress, stirring to find a comfortable position. From the bathroom, Elizabeth says, “Remember to walk Elissa to the stop.”
Nerissa groans, kicking the blankets off her again.
.
Despite her stubbornness when getting out of bed, Nerissa loved these morning moments she shared with her daughter. Watching Elissa sleepily stumble out of bed always brought a smile to her face. Their breakfast ritual, simple buttered toasts, was their private time before the world awoke and demanded their attention. They walked hand in hand to the bus stop, the chill morning air biting gently at their cheeks.
“Did you sleep well?” she asked, her voice soft but cheerful.
Still half asleep, Elissa nodded. “Yes, Mama. I dreamt about flying kites with you and Mum.”
The way she pronounces words is exactly like Elizabeth and Elissa is still only nine years old. Nerissa found it cute, especially with the child’s growing vocabulary that she loved to demonstrate. It wasn’t really a secret that the girl was especially attached to her Mum either, though Elizabeth always says that Elissa’s voice was as warm as Nerissa’s, though she doesn’t really know what she means by that.
Her thoughts drift back to the feeling she had that morning. “Hey, Lissa, have you noticed anything different about Mum lately?” she asks.
Elissa looks up, her eyes full of curiosity. “Not really. Why?”
Nerissa hums. Her daughter was incredibly perceptive for her age, noticing things that even adults miss. So the fact that she hadn’t noticed anything different only deepened Nerissa’s puzzlement. Was it really just her imagination? Or was there something so subtle that even Elissa couldn’t notice?
“Just curious,” she replies, giving Elissa’s hand a squeeze. As they reached the bus stop, Nerissa knelt to give Elissa a tight hug, the warmth of her daughter’s embrace a momentary balm for her confusion. As the bus pulled away, Nerissa watched until it disappeared from view, her mind still running around the mystery at hand.
Given that she didn’t really have a job other than performing from time to time at a jazz club, Nerissa spent most of her days quietly tending to their home. She finds solace in the simple tasks. Cleaning, washing clothes, making sure everything was just right. Elizabeth, on the other hand, spent hours in her office, emerging only for brief moments to grab a drink or stretch her legs.
During such a moment, Nerissa found herself in the kitchen, putting away clean dishes and glasses. The sound of the fridge opening catches her attention, glancing back at Elizabeth who was rummaging inside, her silence indicating that she was still thinking about work. Curious, Nerissa peeks over her wife’s shoulder. She watches as her hand hovers over a coke can, her usual sweet boost that kept her going through the long work hours. But, much to her surprise, Elizabeth instead reached for a water bottle.
Elizabeth turns around and their eyes meet. Nerissa’s confusion must have been palpable, because Elizabeth paused, a curious smile playing on her lips. “Is there something wrong?”
Nerissa tilts her head, her eyes narrowing. “You always drink coke while working. Why the change?”
Her wife glanced at the water bottle in her hand, then back at Nerissa, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “I'd rather have water today. Maybe I’m trying to be a bit healthier?” she said with a tiny chuckle, though slightly evasive.
Not really convinced, Nerissa nodded. It’s such a small thing, but it felt like another piece to the puzzle coming together in her head. “Well, if you start making a habit of this, I might actually join you,” she said playfully. Elizabeth scoffs before leaving.
Elissa’s arrival before lunch was a welcome distraction for an overthinking Nerissa. As soon as the child walks in, Nerissa greeted her with an excited smile. “Want to join?” she asks, pointing at the TV and waving her Switch controller in front of her.
Elissa’s eyes immediately lit up. “Yes!” she exclaimed, kicking off her shoes even before closing the door behind her.
They settled into their usual spot in the living room, with Elissa perched comfortably on Nerissa’s lap. Whenever they played games like this, Nerissa couldn’t help but remember when she did the exact same thing with Bijou, although Elissa was not as competitive as her tiny rock of a friend. As they go through the Mario Kart levels, Elissa begins recounting her day at school.
“Cegi got into a fight today at the playground,” Elissa said, her voice tinged with both concern and curiosity.
Nerissa hums, though she wasn’t concerned at all, more amused than anything. “Did she win?”
Elissa nodded vigorously. “She did! But the other kid got some punches in too.”
Nerissa chuckled. “I bet Gigi would be proud of her,” she says, referencing Cegi’s mother, who was known to get into fights too. “I’m glad you’re not a fighter though, can’t afford scars on that cute face of yours.”
“Mum trained me to be able to fend for myself, so it should be fine,” Elissa replies with an unconcerned tone, almost as if she was bragging a little.
“Alright, little fighter.”
A door opens behind them, and when Nerissa turns around, she sees Elizabeth heading to the bathroom. A few minutes later, she comes to greet Elissa with a kiss between their child’s horns. “How was school?”
“It was interesting,” Elissa nods. “Cegi got into a fight.”
Elizabeth, although a bit more concerned than the other two, ends up asking, “Did she win?”
Nerissa snorts as Elissa responds. Then, after Elizabeth repeats about Gigi being proud, Nerissa adds, “That’s the second time you’ve gone to the bathroom in two hours.”
Elizabeth raises an eyebrow. “That’s an odd thing to focus on, love.”
Nerissa shrugs, letting herself fall back on the couch, carrying a giggling Elissa with her. “Just noticing, that’s all.”
Her wife chuckles and glances behind her and towards the kitchen. “Lunch smells fantastic. Is it almost ready?”
“Yes, it’s in the oven and ready to eat,” Nerissa replies with an amused smile.
Without much else, she walks towards the door. “Lovely, I’m starving,” she admitted, a hint of surprise in her voice.
Nerissa hums as she follows Elizabeth with her eyes, not noticing that Elissa was doing the same. They both get up and follow her into the kitchen.
After lunch, Elizabeth returns to her office, water bottle in hand. Elissa’s keen eye made Nerissa feel less alone in noticing Elizabeth’s unusual behavior. “Mum is acting a bit off,” she commented, her tone curious.
Nerissa doesn’t hide her eagerness. “I know! But maybe there’s a lot in her mind, I don’t know.”
Elissa giggled at her mother’s excitement, but she dropped the subject there. “Can you help me with homework, Mama?”
She smiles. “Of course, darling. Go grab it.”
The child jumps off her chair and walks out the kitchen to go for her bag. In the meantime, Nerissa began cleaning the plates and putting them away in the dishwasher, her thoughts drifting back to that morning. Every subtle change felt so minuscule but it leaves her thinking. The hesitation at the fridge, the multiple trips to the bathroom, drinking water instead of coke. uncharacteristic of her wife. But at the same time, Nerissa felt like she was going insane by trying to find a hidden meaning to all of this.
She fills the dirty pots with water to clean later, a worried knot tightening in her chest. She hopes that whatever is different isn’t something serious. That gives her more reason to not rest until she figures it out.
Elissa’s voice called her, bringing her back to the present. “Mama, I’ve got my notebooks!”
Nerissa turned, the sight of her daughter’s smile bringing one of her own to her lips. “Alright, let’s get to it.” At least, Elissa’s homework was a welcome distraction. As they settled down to work together, Nerissa felt a sense of calm return.
The rest of the day flowed with familiarity. After finishing Elissa’s homework, they spent the afternoon playing games, Elissa’s giggles mingling with Nerissa’s laughter. And as the evening rolled in, Elizabeth finished her work for the night and joined them on the couch. The three of them cuddled all together, ready to watch a movie.
Midway through the film, Nerissa notices how Elizabeth was struggling to keep her eyes open. “Are you tired?” She asked, her voice soft with concern as she reached to brush some wild strands of hair that were covering Elizabeth’s face.
Her wife hums, giving her a small smile. “Just a little.”
That seemed like an understatement, given that her voice was one or two octaves lower than usual. Elissa, sitting comfortably in between the two of them, raises her hand towards Elizabeth, holding a spoon half covered in Nutella. The spoonful was a habit she had picked up from Elizabeth herself, who’s empty spoon was currently lying in a cup on the tea table. Elizabeth accepted the offering with a grateful nod.
“Thank you, sweetheart,” Elizabeth says, her voice tired but filled with affection.
Elissa nodded absently, her attention still glued to the screen. Nerissa couldn’t help but smile at the thoughtfulness of her daughter. It was moments like these that highlighted the kind and unconscious acts Elissa would do. Nerissa pats her head, even though Elissa doesn’t really react.
Yet, funnily enough, Elissa was the first to fall asleep as the movie neared its end. With the credits rolling, Nerissa carefully picked her up and carried her to bed, changing her into pajamas and tucking her in with a soft kiss. Her sleeping expression is so pure. It kind of reminded her of her brother when he was Elissa’s age.
As she lingered there, time seemed to stop. The sudden realization hits her like lightning, remembering what her eldest sister once told her.
When she came bursting into the master bedroom, Elizabeth was in the middle of slipping into her pajamas, her expression turning from tired to startled in the split second she turned to Nerissa, who probably looked like a maniac with the adrenaline coursing through her veins.
“Bloody hell!” Elizabeth lets out, her flame flickering like crazy. “You gave me a fright.”
Nerissa, half-breathless and eyes wide, blurted out, “Your boobs are bigger.”
Elizabeth blinked, too shocked to respond. She opens her mouth to say something, but Nerissa doesn’t give her a chance. “You’ve been acting really weird today. Drinking water instead of coke, running to the bathroom more than usual, and now your boobs are bigger? Malpha told me about it before, so I need to know now.” Nerissa pauses to breathe, her heart pounding. Finally, she asks, “Liz, are you pregnant?”
The question hangs in the air for what felt like an eternity, Elizabeth still wearing nothing but underwear as she stares blankly at her wife. The words feel like something a madman would say, but the conviction with which Nerissa speaks makes her take them seriously. Elizabeth’s mind races, trying to process the possibility. All she could manage to say was a perplexed “Huh?” as she failed to come up with an answer that made sense.
“Nerissa, I… I don’t… I have never… Is that even possible?” Elizabeth finally stammered. “It just… it never crossed my mind.”
Nerissa’s face relaxes a little, her initial shock giving way to a more reassuring look, noticing Elizabeth’s nervous outburst. “Let’s not jump to conclusions yet. Maybe we should do a test first?” Though, she was frantic still.
Elizabeth’s mouth opens and closes, feeling a strange mix of fear and excitement bubbling up inside her. “Yes. Yes, we should.”
At that moment, Elizabeth realized how much the idea had already taken root in her heart. After Nerissa hurriedly leaves the room to go to the closest pharmacy, Elizabeth felt the room close in around her. Somehow, she manages to maintain some composure by completing her previous task of putting on her sleeping wear. She then sank onto the edge of the bed, feeling dizzy. Her flame was hot out of panic, burning her chin just a little.
She was not ready for something like this, and that made all of the panic settle in, thoughts swirling in a chaotic dance of fear and bewilderment. She always had imagined herself as the supportive partner, not the one with a life growing inside her. The idea alone felt implausible. As far as she knows, it was Nerissa the one who could conceive thanks to the magic that coursed through her veins. Elizabeth didn’t have such a thing. The prospect filled her with a mix of excitement and terror.
What did it mean for their family? For her role as a mother? It made her realize how unprepared she was, mentally and emotionally. Yet… the possibility of it being true stirred a flicker of hope. The dead dream of a second child didn’t feel as impossible anymore.
Elizabeth takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She knew she needed to stay calm, not just for herself, but for Nerissa and Elissa as well. In the end, she couldn’t stay still and started pacing around the room. When she heard Nerissa return, so did the anxiety she had been trying hard to suppress.
Nerissa walks in, and her eyes soften when she sees Elizabeth walking around the room like a caged lion. She had stopped by then, but Nerissa still comes over and gives her a quick, yet very passionate, kiss that immediately melted whatever tension was in Elizabeth’s body. “It’s going to be okay, Liz,” she whispered barely away from her face, the warmth of her words offering a fragile comfort, allowing a small space where Elizabeth allowed herself to take a deep breath.
With it, she lets the reassurance provided by Nerissa sink in as much as it could. It was barely enough, but it was sufficient to give her strength and go through with the test, grabbing the paper bag Nerissa was carrying and heading to the bathroom on her own.
“I’ll be right here,” Nerissa tells her, standing by the door. She sounded extremely calm right now, which does help Elizabeth to calm down as well.
It’s weird. She’s held pregnancy tests like this one before, but she had never obsessed over the image as much as she did now. She knew exactly how they worked, but in the heat of the moment she completely forgot and had to read over the instructions a few times before committing. Though at which point she was just prolonging the inevitable.
Then, they waited. That was the hardest part. When Elizabeth left the bathroom, Nerissa was still where she had told her she’d stay. It was interesting how the roles were reversed now. Elizabeth was sitting on the edge of the bed, about to have a nervous break, while Nerissa held her hand and tried to play the calming tone Elizabeth often used when reassuring her.
“Everything will be okay, Liz,” Nerissa said, nuzzling on Elizabeth’s side. Before, the scratching of Nerissa’s horns against her skin would hurt a little, though nowadays it felt more similar to a cat kneading her leg.
The reminder comforted her more than the words, in all honesty. But the weight of her worries was almost too much to bear still. “I’m not sure what would be worse,” she quietly admitted. “A positive test, or a negative one.”
She searched for Nerissa’s eyes, and found them quickly since her wife was already staring at her. Her eyes, usually goofy and mischievous, were filled by understanding, a familiar stinge of sorrow tainting them with memories from the past. There was a lot at stake here, and… “We’ve gone through enough disappointment already,” Nerissa says, voicing her exact thoughts. “No matter what it is, we’ll get through this too. Okay?”
Elizabeth withholds her reply, simply lingering on her wife’s face for a moment longer. There’s so many things going through her mind right now, but at that exact moment all she could think of was about how lucky she is to have someone like Nerissa by her side.
She nods, not really trying to force herself and say unnecessary things that might make Nerissa and herself sad. The memory of Nerissa’s traumatic miscarriage loomed large over their shoulders, a shadow that refused to fade. Even now, Elizabeth could feel the weight of an unborn child cradled in her arms.
“Liz, stay with me,” Nerissa calls her, squeezing her hand once. Elizabeth glances at her, musters a smile but doesn’t say much else. She wants to cling to Nerissa’s reassurance, but the scarring in her heart is something she was still learning how to live with.
The sound of a beep sliced through the heavy silence, making Elizabeth’s head turn to the nightstand next to Nerissa. Her wife reached for the stick so she didn’t have to, and Elizabeth watched her face turn pale, her body tensing as she stared at it. Panic and hope reignited Elizabeth’s defeated mindset, overridden by a whirlwind of emotions.
“Nerissa?” Elizabeth’s voice was quiet, vulnerable. She leaned in, desperate to see the result for herself.
Her breath gets caught in her throat. The word “Positive” stared back at her, clear and undeniable.
It is impossible to describe whatever was happening within her head the moment that succeeded the revelation. She felt a rush of joy, fear and disbelief, the room spinning slightly as if the reality of the situation was too much to process. Her free hand immediately went to her stomach, a protective gesture she made out of sheer instinct.
Nerissa’s eyes shift to meet hers, filled with a blend of shock and awe. There were worlds rushing across the crimson in her eyes, starting to fill with tears as Nerissa lets out the most fragile yet genuine laughter she’s ever heard. A second later, Elizabeth is pinned on the bed by Nerissa’s near bone-crushing hug.
“Liz, Liz, Liz!” She kept repeating with her voice full of glee.
But Elizabeth was still in shock, the magnitude of the moment sinking under her skin. Her eyes are on the ceiling, one hand on Nerissa’s back.
Three years ago, she had found Nerissa in this room. The traumatic scene replays itself in her mind, so vivid and raw. Nerissa almost died. Their son died. Their dream of a second child died with him. Nerissa couldn’t conceive again after that, Fauna said it would be extremely difficult and risky to do so. And they had accepted that.
But now Elizabeth was pregnant. Neither of them knew that was even possible.
Nerissa, possibly concerned by Elizabeth’s silence, moves away from on top of her. Curious eyes look at her, but Nerissa’s face is blurry through welled up tears. Elizabeth reaches out, holds Nerissa’s face with her hand, rubs off her tears with a thumb, though they keep flowing.
“We are having a baby,” Elizabeth whispers weakly, her words surreal, yet beautiful and true.
Nerissa’s face softened, a smile flourishing at each end of her lips. She nods.
Elissa was enjoying the luxury of sleeping in on a Saturday morning when she was gently shaken awake by her mother. She rubbed her eyes and sleepily asked, “Mama?”
Crouching next to her bed was Nerissa, a large smile lighting up her face. “Get up, Lissa. There’s something we want to show you.”
Curiosity piqued, Elissa gets out of bed and follows her mother to the kitchen. Inside, she sees Elizabeth sitting on a chair, holding something in her hands. She turns the moment the door opens, a tender smile and warm eyes greeting her good morning.
Elissa, still groggy, asks, “Is something happening?”
She’s pushed forward by a gentle tap of Nerissa’s hand on her back. Elissa steps closer, her eyes widening as she faintly recognizes what Elizabeth is holding. She offers Elissa the pregnancy test, and she inspects it closely. She ceases all movement when she reads the word “Positive” on the front.
Shock washes over her, and she looks up at her mothers. Nerissa, moving to be next to Elizabeth, smiles even brighter as she said, “You’re finally getting your little sibling, Lissa.”
It takes her a moment to process the words coming out of Nerissa’s mouth. But when they did, Elissa was overcome by a flourish of emotions so strong that it took her breath away. Her vision blurred with tears, and before she knew it, she was crying. She practically throws herself at her mothers, clinging to them as she choked out “I’m so happy” in between sobs, her small body shaking with the intensity of her feelings.
Elissa was too young to remember exactly everything that happened, but she vividly remembers the guilt that filled her chest months after losing the baby. She vividly remembers loving the little brother that was not allowed to be born. All of this pain morphed into a profound joy of a dream, as faint as it was, that could finally come true.
The same day, Fauna arrived to check on Elizabeth, her excitement nearly matching that of the family. Elissa lay on her stomach on her mothers’ bed, watching with wide eyes as Fauna worked her magic. Golden light emanated from Fauna’s palms as she gently placed them on Elizabeth’s stomach, filling the room with a warmth and calm aura, similar to the one that often accompanied Fauna’s presence.
The kirin’s smile lit up the room. “The baby is as healthy as can be,” she announces, her voice overflowing with joy.
Nerissa, who had been in the exact same position as Elissa, practically bounced out of bed with happiness while Elissa’s face hurt from smiling so much, overcome by the same bliss as her mother, though she was more moderate than her.
She remembered the dark days following the loss, the sadness and the pain and the grief. Today, they feel so far away, a contrast that couldn’t have been more profound. A single tear escapes her when she squints her eyes. The future was bright, and Elissa couldn’t wait to meet her new sibling.
.
At the beginning, many family members and close friends would visit to celebrate. During the first few weeks, Elissa would come back from school to sounds of laughter and cheerful voices filling the house. For a week, she had to share a room with three of her cousins, though she couldn’t complain since she loves her Mama’s family. There were also days where Cegi and her would come back together, since her moms would be visiting Elizabeth to help out and celebrate. Those few months she would always remember fondly.
The following months were filled with a delicate balance of excitement and care. Elissa watched intently as her family adjusted to this new rhythm, ensuring Elizabeth could focus on relaxing and staying healthy.
Despite not experiencing any pregnancy sickness, Elizabeth took every precaution, as did everyone else around her. Both Elissa and Nerissa were especially protective towards her, with the smaller one eager to help whenever the chance came up. The two of them took on household chores with newfound determination, sometimes making it into a game to see who could complete tasks faster.
Elizabeth’s work life also shifted. Cegi’s moms and Raora were thrilled by the news and took much of her workload off her shoulders so she could relax, something Elizabeth didn’t approve of at the beginning, but she decided to submit rather than argue since after all, it was an act of kindness to show how much her friends cared about her, telling her to focus on what truly mattered at the moment, nurturing the life growing inside her.
Meanwhile, Elissa already thrived in her role as the future big sister. She would often bring Elizabeth snacks she liked, sure she stayed hydrated, and often read for her and the baby. She found comfort and joy in helping her mother relax. One of Elissa’s favorite routines was placing her ear against Elizabeth’s growing belly, listening closely and talking to her future sibling. She would sing them songs, hoping the baby could hear her and feel the love already surrounding them.
As the second trimester progressed, Elizabeth’s pregnancy began to show a visible sign of life growing inside her. Elissa felt a surge of excitement every time Nerissa announced a new centimeter added to her Mum’s expanding stomach, which they would often celebrate despite Elizabeth telling them not to spoil her so much. Although it was clear that she loved it as much as they did.
After becoming quite proficient at doing their menial tasks around the house, they started singing around the place to keep the house alive. Whenever Elizabeth would walk into the room both of them would sing silly songs to make her laugh, which often worked. Especially during the few times where Elizabeth would feel back pain even though she hadn’t exerted herself. According to Nerissa, it was probably because of the horns the baby must be growing already.
By the end of the fifth month, Elissa would start hearing the soft and mysterious sounds of the baby. Sometimes, Elizabeth would fall asleep while Elissa was lying on her lap. In those quiet moments where it was just her, she would tell the baby about their family, about their home and how much she loved them, her words having more and more meaning each passing day.
The end of the second trimester brought with it an eagerly awaited moment. They learned that the baby was a boy. A baby brother. She would always remember that moment, how Nerissa jokingly apologized that it wouldn’t be a little sister after all, but Elissa laughed it off.
“It doesn’t matter!” She said, “I’m going to have a baby brother!”
During the third trimester, Elizabeth’s days were filled with quiet contemplation. Once the baby room was ready, painted with light blue walls, the anticipation had reached a peak. Nerissa was beyond excited, bouncing off walls whenever the topic came up in any conversation, while Elizabeth became… more reflexive. Without the distraction of work, she found solace in the simple act of sitting outside, her gaze often lifted to the sky, her hands protectively cradling her baby.
Contrasting the first few months, Elissa would come back from school to find her mother sitting in the front garden. Lost in thought, sometimes whispering soft words or singing lullabies by herself. Sometimes, Nerissa would also be sitting beside Elizabeth, their hands intertwined as they shared quiet moments. Elissa would smile each time she saw the two of them there, Elizabeth leaning on Nerissa’s shoulder while they talked amongst them. The love between her mothers was palpable, so tender and peaceful. It was hard to believe that they didn’t get along at all when they first met, Elizabeth would often tell Elissa that if she were to show her past self the life she was currently living, she’d be losing it. It always made her laugh.
When Elizabeth went into labor, it was a winter wonderland. Snow was gently falling outside, blanketing everything in a serene white. The tranquility stood in stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions indoors. Fauna arrived in a rush, flanked by her partners, Kronii and Mumei.
Elissa sat on the couch, her leg bouncing with nervous energy as she saw the kirin and Mumei disappear through the door to the bedroom, leaving her, Nerissa and Kronii in the living room. One would imagine that Kronii, as cool as she acted, would be at peace amongst the storm, but she was equally on edge. It would have been hilarious if Elissa wasn’t as nervous, Nerissa pacing back and forth across the room, her worry evident in every hurried step.
The moments seemed to stretch into eternity as she sat there, trying to focus on whatever story Kronii was trying to tell with a trembling voice, but her thoughts kept drifting back to her mother and little brother. She’d also keep glancing at Nerissa, who was chewing on her lip while counting the strands of hair in her head. Elissa knew she was clinging to the hope that everything would be okay, because she was feeling the same. Her hands are clammy, her tummy aches.
Then, the world seemed to stop the moment they heard the baby’s cry. Nerissa halted her pacing, her attention snapping immediately to the door at the end of the hallway. Elissa and Kronii jumped from their seats, hearts pounding with anticipation.
A few seconds later, the door cracked open, and Mumei’s head peeked out. Her chestnut eyes shone with warmth, a soft smile spreading across her face. With one hand, she gestured gently for Nerissa and Elissa to come inside.
Her legs felt like they were made of jelly as she moved to take Nerissa’s hand, who looked even more frightened than her. Playing the tough part, she puffs up her chest and tugs on her Mama’s arm, leading her down the hallway to meet the new member of their family. Though all of that bravado ended the moment the door opened for them to enter.
Inside, Elizabeth lay on the bed, clearly exhausted yet radiant, her eyes shimmering with happiness as she held her baby. Excitement immediately ignited something inside Elissa, and Nerissa could only yelp when she’s pulled to the bedside by an impressive strength for a ten year old.
Elizabeth even chuckled at that, a smile as tender as it could get, she pulled the cover, revealing her newborn son.
“Meet your baby brother, Lissa,” she whispered, her voice slightly coarse yet filled with love.
Elissa leaned in, peering at the tiny face wrapped in the blanket. The resemblance to Elizabeth was already baffling. His tiny head was adorned with the same bright red, identical to their mother’s, a vibrant and unmistakable hue. His eyes, although new to the world, were scarlet, the same shade as both Elizabeth’s and Elissa’s. A tiny blue flame shone on his chest, flickering with curiosity as she looked back at his big sister. The little stubs on his head were the only testament that he was also Nerissa’s baby.
And talking about her, Elissa feels arms being wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her close as they gazed at their newest family member. The room was filled with a sense of completeness, like they were finally whole.
The baby wriggled slightly in Elizabeth’s arms, tiny fingers grasping at the air. Elissa and Nerissa reached out, and the baby boy grabbed their hands, almost like a tiny handshake. Nerissa joked that he already has Elizabeth’s manners, though Elizabeth shoots back asking if that’s really the first thing she wants to say to the baby. Elissa wasn’t really focusing on either of them as her brother’s eyes connected with hers on a silent vow.
Elissa smiled as wide as she could, leaning closer, their noses almost brushing. “He’s perfect,” she says, her voice filled with awe.
The boy blinked at her, a joyous baby giggle filling the room and silencing her mothers’ banter. Elizabeth eventually passed the baby to Nerissa, who immediately started bouncing in place boasting about being the second one to hold the baby boy, only to be shot down by Mumei saying she’s at least the fourth.
In the meanwhile, Elissa lets herself laugh a little. She already felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility and excitement, eager to share her world with her baby brother and guide him on every step of the road ahead. She silently vows to protect him with all the love she had.
When it was finally her turn to hold the baby, she did so with extreme care. He grabbed her face as soon as he came into reach, and finally, Elissa got the chance to say what she had been wanting to for years.
“Welcome to the world, Elias.”