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For Verrel's sixth nameday all he wanted was a picnic. His life, for as far back as he could remember was one of not enough. Not enough food or warmth. Varla did the best she could looking after him and eventually she found him a new family.
He still had Varla but he also had a brother and a little sister with another on the way. He had a Nonna and an Illario. He had a Tav and a Clara. A Teia and a Viago.
He had two Daddies in one body and a Mamae.
He was so excited for a picnic with everyone that Mamae had to cuddle him until he fell asleep.
---
There was no possible way to have a picnic. One of those storms Treviso got on occasion, sudden and hard that last for days started just a little before midnight. Mara was nothing if not adaptable and if her son wanted a spring picnic she would make it happen.
She pushed back the furniture in the large parlour and spread out blankets and cushions. And she recruited as much of the household as possible. Which is why, at 2am, Mara "Rook" Aldwir Dellamorte, hero, Lucanis Dellamorte, First Talon of the Antivan Crows, Caterina Dellamorte, former First Talon, Illario Dellamorte, her bodyguard Tav, her maid Clara, and a half dozen other servants were sitting together colouring in and cutting out large paper flowers. The flowers were then laced onto garlands which Spite helped place on the high ceilings.
They were all laughing and joking about the brood of children, sharing memories of mischief and cuddles. Occasionally Mara dozed off a little, her hand rested on the tight drum of her stomach. Whoever was closest would wrap a blanket over her. Caterina even kissed her temple when no on was looking.
Caterina adored how full of life the Villa was, so many great grandchildren and more to come. She had gone to great effort for a gift for Verrel's first nameday with them. Interlocking toy bricks from Orzammar wrapped in golden paper.
---
Mara woke in the morning on one of the deep soft couches with Lucanis holding her, his hand rested on her stomach and he snored lightly. The parlour was transformed into something like a garden from a fairy tale. Garlands of paper flowers. A stack of presents almost as tall as Verrel. Downstairs were baskets full of cakes as per his dream menu. Lucanis had spent all day previously baking.
When the children got up and were brought to the picnic their eyes widened in awe, especially when Mara, who had been practicing and training with her magic, waved a hand and softly glowing mage lights appeared hovering in the air.
---
Verrel was exhausted and full of cake when Mamae tucked him in. It had been the best day ever. He got his blocks from Nonna, a wooden sword from Daddy, a chess set from Mamae, they were going to learn together! Varian gave him a stuffed toy frog like the ones they liked to watch together in the gardens.
Varla had worked with a spirit painter and had managed to get an accurate painting made of the parents they had before and lost. Varla had held onto Mara's hand tightly as she spoke of the family she lost. Mara spoke quietly to the artist to get two extras painted. One for Varla's room so that she could have them near. Another for the large wall of family portraits. She had never met the lost parents but she was raising their children.
If that did not make them family she was not sure what did.
Verrel had been so small that he could not remember them really except maybe a voice and a feeling.
He had confided to Mara once that he worried he was letting them down by loving his new family. She had held him and told him that if she died (and oh how desperately he clung to her), that she hoped that all of her babies would find a new Mamae to love them.
"Love isn't finite Da'len, it grows and grows."
Her heart melted when he asked if he could get a portrait of her and Lucanis for his room too. He wanted all of his parents there with him.
---
He cuddled her to sleep again. Just before he drifted off he spoke once more.
"Thank you for being my new Mamae."
She kissed his forehead and brushed back a lock of his blond-copper hair.
"Thank you for letting me. Sweet slumber darling boy."