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Six summers passed since you saved Faerûn, and Gale Dekarios was freed of the ever-hungry Netherese Destruction Orb. He promised to marry you, and marry you he did. One year later, you gave birth to a baby boy with a thick head of brown hair, just like his father. Two years after that, you gave birth to a baby girl with eyes that sparkled like the weave itself. Gale sacrificed his tower in Waterdeep for a more suitable, family-oriented home. He still had a deep love for magic, literature, and wine, but his priorities had changed. The ambition that once almost led him down a path of ruin was no more. He was satisfied with the simple life of a simple man.
Currently, you were in the kitchen cutting potatoes while your husband held your hips and lightly kissed the nape of your neck. His hands then slid over your belly, and you were pulled into a tight, warm hug.
“I cannot wait to tell our guests the wonderful news,” Gale said cheerfully. “But, I’m half tempted to cancel the dinner and keep you all to myself.”
Gale continued to kiss your neck, and you stopped cutting the pale vegetable. Turning around in his grasp, you teasingly pointed the tip of the knife to his chin.
“Careful, wizard,” you jokingly threatened. “I’ve got a knife and I’m not afraid to use it.”
Your husband touched the tip of the knife with his index finger and guided it away from his face. His smile evolved into a mischievous smirk that you mirrored.
“Best I stay in your good graces then.”
You put the knife down momentarily and wrapped your arms around Gale's neck. Both of you were lost in a deep, loving kiss as the meat crackled underneath the fire and the gravy bubbled. There was much to do, and so he reluctantly released you with a soft chuckle.
“I’ll go check on the children.”
You nodded in agreement, and Gale gave you one last quick kiss before leaving the kitchen. In the family room, Elminster sat in a large chair near the burning hearth and held a chalice of wine in his hand. He moved his hand, the wine splashing, as he told a watered downed version of the Heroes of Faerûn versus the Elder Brain. Gale’s mother sat on the couch with your daughter in her lap and your son at her feet. Gale rolled his eyes upon entering and took a seat next to his mother.
“Spinning tales of my exploits, Elminster?”
“I would have spun a tale of my own exploits but the children specifically requested that I retell the stories of Gale of Waterdeep. They do love them so.”
“I’ve retired that title long ago, Elminster. Nowadays, I tend to go by ‘daddy' or ‘father.’ ”
The little girl outstretched her hands towards her father, echoing the word 'daddy.' He took her from his mother, and she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Elminster took a sip of wine to remedy his dry throat from his storytelling.
“And how is dinner coming along, my dear boy?”
“Splendidly, if I do say so myself.”
“Marvelous. Simply marvelous.”
Elminster took another sip of wine as Tara strutted into the room and stretched out. She then looked directly up at Gale while your son moved closer to pet her.
“Mr. Dekarios, may you spare a big juicy piece of meat if you would be so kind?”
Gale chuckled softly as his daughter turned to look at Tara. She outstretched one of her hands toward her while saying her name.
“Of course, Tara. I didn’t forget about you.”
“Well, you do have your hands full now, Mr. Dekarios… but I do my fair share of looking after the children. No one gets past me without a stern talking to and a claw in their backside.”
“And we are grateful for your diligence, Tara.”
Gale put his daughter down so she and her elder brother could pet Tara. The Tressym raised her head higher, the girl scratching her chin, the boy running a hand down her back.
“Tara has gotten spoiled,” Gale commented. “The children simply adore her.”
Tara purred and then rolled onto her back as the children continued to pet her. Then, a knock called Gale’s attention to the door to welcome the first of your companions. He stood and went to the door to reveal Wyll with a sack in hand.
“Wyll, it is good to see you, my friend.”
“The same to you.”
Both men embraced, and then the children abandoned Tara as soon as they caught sight of Wyll. He never came emptied-handed, which earned him the title of a favorite uncle. They ran toward him, and he kneeled to catch them after parting from Gale.
“And it is good to see you two,” Wyll said, embracing the children. “Let me have a look at you both.”
Gale shut the door as the children took a step back and stood at attention. The boy mimicked the salute of the Blade of Frontiers that Wyll had taught him. His sister stood on her tip toes in an attempt to seem taller than she actually was. Wyll saluted the boy back and remained on one knee.
“Happy, healthy, and much bigger than when I last saw you,” Wyll commented. “That brings me great joy.”
“Uncle Wyll, what did you bring us?” Your son asked.
“Heh. I’ll show you.”
Both children were at ease as Wyll stuck his hand into a sack. He pulled out a stuffed bear and handed it to your daughter.
“A bear, for the lady.”
Wyll reached into the sack a second time and pulled out a large book. He handed the book to your son.
“And a book of the undead, for the gentleman.”
The little girl squeezed her new bear as the little boy’s eyes lit up. He immediately opened the new book and attempted to read it. Wyll straightened and stood beside Gale while watching the boy.
“Amazing that he can read complex texts at his age.”
“Truly,” Gale agreed. “I thought he just inherited my love of books and magic but Elminster tells me Mystra blessed my children.”
“How generous of her to do so.”
“Regardless of what transpired between us, I am grateful that my children have a strong connection to the weave. Now let us hope he does not repeat the mistakes of his father or worse. His fascination with necrotic magic does concern me… But I won’t deny him of his interests.”
“He has his father to guide him in the right direction,” Wyll said, putting a firm hand on his shoulder. “A damn good father if I may say so.”
Gale smiled softly and put a hand over his friend’s with a nod. Wyll then removed his hand and approached the couch to make light conversation with Gale’s mother. Another knock prompted Gale to open the door and reveal Karlach.
“Oi, where are the little ones?”
“Right here.”
Gale gestured to his children, who gasped and tossed aside their new gifts. Wyll may have been their favorite uncle, but Karlach was their favorite aunt.
“Com’ere, you!”
The large woman simultaneously snatched both of them up and threw them over her shoulders. The kids screamed as she spun them around, and Gale shut the door. You could hear the commotion from the kitchen and knew that at least Karlach had arrived. After putting the potatoes to roast, you came out and greeted Wyll with a hug.
“Looking stunning as usual,” Wyll complimented you. “Motherhood has been most kind to you.”
“Thank you, Wyll. That is kind of you to say.”
You smiled sweetly and then turned toward your screaming children. Karlach slowed down and caught you in the corner of her eye.
“Dizzy yet?” She asked them.
The children only giggled in response, so she began to spin them in reverse. The house was filled with screams of joy once again until she eventually put them down. Both children wobbled and then fell onto the floor with a giggle. Karlach then strutted toward you and offered her hand.
“Put it there, soldier.”
You took her hand and were yanked into a tight hug. There was nothing quite like a good hug to remind her how grateful she was for finding a way to stabilize her engine permanently.
“Kids are looking big,” she said, pulling back from the hug. “Growing up fast, huh?”
“They were just babies yesterday.”
“I know, right!? I remember they were this big!”
Karlach made the shape of a ball with her hands and laughed. You echoed her laugh and tried to save your big news for the dinner like Gale wanted.
“Anyway— I’ll let you get back to making the food. If you need someone to taste test, just ask!”
You nodded in agreement and returned to the kitchen to continue prepping the food. Karlach greeted Wyll with an even bigger hug, picking him up, his feet dangling. Your daughter seated herself on Karlach’s lap, and your son chose to sit beside Wyll. They listened to the two grownups talk about their recent adventures and occasionally asked some questions. Gale picked up the bear and the book and set them aside. He then popped into the kitchen to check in with you as you chopped up some herbs.
“Need anything, love?” He asked you.
“I’ll handle things in here. You can keep our guests entertained.”
“I think they can entertain themselves.”
Your handsy husband came behind you and held your waist. He kissed your neck again as you attempted to ignore him. Then he stopped and rested his chin on your shoulder, moving as you chopped.
“I never pictured my life being so… mundane.”
You paused, his sudden words causing some concern. Gale picked his head up and realized that he mused aloud.
“…Mundane in a good way— I’m happy with my life, believe me. I just didn’t imagine it… like this.”
You thought deeply about your life and the drastic turn it took. Warrior, hero, and now wife and mother. It had been a long time since either of you went on a grand adventure together.
“Neither did I,” you admitted. “If I’m being honest.”
“So you understand then.”
“Do you have any regrets?”
“No. Not a single one.”
“Neither do I.”
Gale sighed with relief and kissed your cheek. That could have ended very badly if he had not clarified himself.
“Now stop bothering me.”
“Right. I’ll do that.”
You glanced at him in the corner of your eye, and he quickly left the kitchen. He then jumped into the conversation with Wyll and Karlach until the third guest arrived, Shadowheart. The mysterious and ever-beautiful aunt who was stronger and wiser than she gave herself credit for. Gale welcomed her into the home, and she took a moment to look at the domestic scene in front of her.
“Well Gale, you have a cozy home,” Shadowheart commented. “And a lovely little family.”
“Thank you, Shadowheart. Though, I’m afraid it’s not so little anymore.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
“Later, I want to wait until everyone is here.”
“Hmph. Don’t hold your breath on Lae’zel.”
Shadowheart greeted all that was in the room, including the children. Soon after, as if she had heard Shadowheart and wanted to spite her, Lae’zel arrived. She stood in the doorway holding a sharp long sword in each of her hands.
“Gifts. For the children,” Lae’zel said. “May they learn to tear into the flesh of their enemies as expertly as their mother and burn flesh as expertly as their father.”
Gale took both the blades and tried to force a smile of gratitude. It was agreed between the two of you that Lae’zel would never be left alone with the children.
“Thank you, Lae’zel. I’ll just… hold onto these…”
Gale excused himself to put the swords in your treasure trunk. All sorts of powerful magical items and dangerous weapons were kept inside that locked trunk. He then returned to the family room to find all his former companions gathered together except for one.
“Looks like we’re all here, except for Astarion,” Shadowheart commented. “I can’t say I’m surprised.”
“I would like it if he came, but Astarion will do what he pleases,” Gale responded. “And he’s never gotten along well with my children.”
The crying and the pooping was something Astarion could not deal with when they were babies. Clinging to him and following him around everywhere was something he refused to deal with now. However, there was a knock on the door, one final knock.
“Well, speak of the devil,” Shadowheart said. “That must be him.”
Gale went to answer the knock and opened the door to reveal the white-haired vampire holding a bottle of red wine. The two small children slipped between their father’s legs to look up at their eccentric and fascinating uncle. He wore a fanciful red and gold doublet with stylish boots.
“Astarion,” Gale said. “Good of you to make it.”
“Yes, well… I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d drop by.”
“Very fortunate for us then. Would you like to come in?”
Astarion nodded and was permitted to pass the threshold and enter your home. Gale stepped aside to make room for him and then shut the door.
“Hi, Uncle Astarion.”
The vampire looked down at your son, looking up at him with big eyes and a wide smile. He unenthusiastically returned the greeting with a lazy wave. Your daughter held her hands up, requesting that he pick her up.
“Oh darling… I just got this outfit… Can we not wrinkle it yet?”
“If you don’t pick her up, she’ll cry,” Gale warned him. “And you already know how hard it is to get her to stop.”
“Oh gods no… Anything but that.”
The girl waved her hands around, and Astarion handed the bottle of wine to Gale. With a deep sigh, he leaned down to pick her up. She put her hands on his face and giggled when he frowned.
“Watch the face, dear. It’s irreplaceable.”
“I think I’ll go put this in the kitchen.”
“Actually, I could use a glass now, thank you.”
Gale returned to the kitchen, and Astartion approached the other guests while holding the girl. Your son followed him, his interest in all things undead fueling his fascination with Astarion.
“How old are you?”
“Not a day over twenty-seven.”
“Wow… I thought you were a hundred!”
“And you’re supposed to be five. Go play with something, please.”
“Do you have a soul?”
“You're not going to stop, are you?”
“Are you evil?”
“Depends on the day.”
“Do you drink blood?”
“Yes, I do. I drink the blood of little boys who ask too many damn questions.”
“Play nice, Astarion,” Wyll warned him. “Gale won’t take kindly to you threatening his children.”
“I am playing nice. Besides, Gale isn’t the one I would be afraid of.”
Astarion felt the piercing gaze of some predator and turned around to find you with your arms crossed. Tara walked between your legs and hissed at the vampire as a warning.
“Darling! Hello! The children and I are getting along quite well, they’re simply adorable.”
You took your daughter from his arms and remained impassive. He laughed nervously and thought you were either going to kill him or kick him out.
“Dinner is done.”
Astarion sighed with relief and followed everyone into the dining hall. Gale poured each dinner guest a glass of Astarion’s wine. He raised a chalice and prepared to make the announcement he had been waiting all night to make.
“Friends, it brings us great joy to gather together like this every now and again,” Gale stated happily. “And it brings us even greater joy to share with you the expectation of our third child.”
Gale reached over and took your hand while offering you a loving smile. You returned his smile as Wyll, Karlach, and Shadowheart gave you their congratulations.
“Another one?” Astarion complained. “Honestly, get a hobby!”
Shadowheart kicked Astarion underneath the table and he raised his chalice with a wince. All of your other companions, Gale’s mother, and Elminster raised their chalices as well. You raised your cup of water and then tipped your head back to drink it.