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“Love, baby is craving fruit again…,”Felicity called as she rubbed her five month pregnant belly.
Astarion walked out of the nursery, carrying their two year old daughter Celestia on his hip, with an amused look on his face.
“Are you sure it’s not the OTHER type of craving?” Astarion asked.
Felicity rolled her eyes,” I am SURE. Baby number three wants fruit. FRESH fruit,”
Astarion sighs as he set Celestia down on the bear skin rug, near where Orion was practicing his twirls for dance class.
“Guess your devilishly handsome husband will have to brave the market square because his vixen craves fruit,” he said with a smirk,” I won’t be a moment,”
As Astarion went to lace up his boots, he heard the rush of little feet and looked up to see Orion running towards him. Astarion can still not get over how six years ago Felicity birthed him in the glade behind their cabin after they thought their dreams of parnethood would never come. But some God or Gods was listening to their year and a half of prayers, because they blessed them with this beautiful, darling boy that looks so much like Astarion, but is every inch his mother’s son. Those same blue eyes, soft nature, and love for dance. He couldn’t help the smile that formed on his face as he watched Orion scamper to his shoes.
“Papa, can I come with you?” he asked as he laced a shoe on his foot,” I want to help mama,”
Astarion looked over to Felicity, who only smiled lovingly at her two boys. They definitely were raising a good kid.
“I don’t see why not, my darling boy,” Astarion said standing up to grab their cloaks from the rack.
Orion’s eyes sparkled up at his father in excitement and he finished lacing up his other shoe.
“I go too!” a tiny voice called as Astarion saw his little princess toddle up to them,” I go too!”
Felicity, however, intervened and scooped Celestia up into her arms.
“Not today sweetheart,” Felicity said gently,” Mama needs some help here and you are mama’s biggest helper today while Ori is away,”
Celestia pouted for just a second until Astarion approached his two girls and laid his forehead to Celestia’s, nudging it gently with his. Celestia gave him a gentle nudge back.
“Take care of mama while dada and bubba are gone,” Astarion whispered,” Can you do that for me princess?”
Celestia nodded with a little ‘mhm’ before Astarion turned to his beautiful Druid wife. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips before nudging his forehead with hers.
“We’ll be back soon,” he whispered to her,” Don’t push yourself too hard while we are gone,”
“I won’t Astarion. Baby is quiet today. We will be okay,” Felicity said with a gentle caress to his cheek.
“I’m ready papa!” Orion called.
Astarion turned from Felicity’s warmth to see Orion holding his little money pouch Halsin made him for his 5th birthday, shoes laced up and eager smile plastered on his little face. He chuckled slightly as he walked over and draped Orion’s little cloak around his shoulders and helped him lace it tightly. Felicity set Celestia down and walked over to the pair, brushing some strands of white hair out of Orion’s face.
“Stay close to your father Orion. Don’t wander off,” she said.
“Yes mama,” Orion said as Astarion finished putting on his cloak.
With one last kiss, Astarion and Orion set out for the city to get the fruit. As they walked, Astarion’s scarlet eyes drifted down to his son, who counted his coins in his little money pouch.
“Planning to buy something?” he asked his son.
Orion nodded,” I want to get something for mama. Something pretty, just like mama,”
Astarion felt his chest tightened. How did he and Felicity get so lucky with a son as sweet as Orion? The boy is only six, but never thinks of himself. Always Astarion or Felicity first before himself. Even Celestia before himself. When Felicity was pregnant with Celestia, Orion didn’t care that she couldn’t play or dance with him like she used to for the time being. He only cared that she was okay and didn’t hurt herself or Celestia. Orion even helped Astarion prepare the creek for his sister’s birth instead of playing cause ‘everything must be perfect for mama’. He was only four at the time, but wanted his mother happy before himself. And now, he’s still like that. Orion is Felicity through and through, and it surprises Astarion each and every time. As they neared the city, Astarion reached out and grabbed Orion’s hand in his.
“Orion, remember to stay close,” Astarion said,” Don’t wander too far from papa,”
Orion nodded as they entered the bustling streets of Baldur’s Gate. The market square wasn’t too far of a walk from their little cabin. Their cabin lie on the outside of the city walls, but not too far so they could foot it to the city for supplies, appointments, and Orion’s dance classes. However, on a busy market day, it was almost impossible to maneuver. As Astarion scanned the market for a fresh fruit stall, Orion’s little eyes caught the sparkle of a pretty pendant at a different stall. The pendant was silver with a blue opal gem in the middle, just like mama’s eyes. It was the perfect gift for his mama. Orion tugged lightly on Astarion’s hand.
“Papa! Papa! I found what I want to get mama! Can I go buy it?” Orion asked pointing to the jewelry stall.
Astarion looked over to the jewelry stall and gave his son a gentle smile.
“Let’s get mama’s fruits first and we will grab it on our way back, okay?” he explained gently to the small boy.
As they continued their search for a fresh fruit stall, Orion’s face fell into a frown. What if the pendant was gone by the time they got the fruit and went back for it?
“Ah ha! Finally! Found one,” Astarion exclaimed as he walked Orion over to a stall full of delicious, ripe fruit from juicy apples to filling watermelon.
“Hello value customer! What would you like? I have oranges fresh from the orchards of Waterdeep, just in for today! Or would the boy like some fresh strawberries?” the stall owner explained as he gestured to his goods for sale.
Astarion eyed all the fruits as he listened to the stall owner babble on, letting go of Orion’s hand for just a second to pick up a mango.
“They are actually for my wife, the boy’s mother,” Astarion explained,” She’s in her fifth month and baby wants ONLY fresh fruit, you understand?”
The stall owner laughed,” I understand sir! My wife was like that with our youngest! had to keep her from eating the stock if you get my joke! If I may, let me pack you a sack of some of my freshest picks today. I am sure your wife will love them,”
Astarion nodded as he went to grab his coin purse from his belt, but as he looked down to grab it from his belt, he noticed a certain someone missing from his side. Orion. Astarion looked around him and the stall. No Orion.
“Orion?” Astarion called out.
His chest begin to tighten. Not from anger or annoyance, but from fear. Panic begin to claw its way through his throat as he called again for Orion. The crowd was too packed now that even if Orion was there, he couldn’t see him. Astarion began to feel the helplessness, the fear of centuries under Cazador’s control return as he frantically shoved through the crowd calling for his son. When he held that boy in his arms for the first time since his birth, he vowed to Felicity and to whatever gods would listen that he would protect him, never lose him to the dark just as he was lost.
“ORION!” Astarion screamed now, his voice rising in panic.
Some passerbys turned to look at him confused. Others in helplessness. Astarion felt his eyes begin to sting. He began to silently plead to the universe. Don’t take his son…Not his little boy…Not their miracle…As he searched under and behind various stalls, calling Orion’s name over the roar of the crowd, there was one question that plagued his mind above all else…Where was his baby boy?
~~~~
Orion didn’t mean to wander far. When they found the fruit stall at last, Orion realized it wasn’t too far from where he spotted the beautiful pendant. Once Astarion let go of his hand, Orion turned and headed back the way they came, shoving past huge walls of people to get to the stall. However, what Orion didn’t think of was how BIG the market was compared to his tiny body. It didn’t take long for him to realize he made a wrong turn somewhere in the crowd of bodies that he ended up at a flower stand and not the jewelry stand. Orion decided it was best to head back and wait for Astarion to finish at the fruit stall, but when Orion turned to head back, he couldn’t see his papa or the fruit stall anywhere. Panic began to rise in Orion’s chest as his little breaths began to quicken.
“Papa…?” Orion meekly called out.
But the noise of the barkers and the barters drowned it out. So he tried again.
“Papa!”
Still no answer over the noise. Orion’s little eyes began to sting as he backed up into a nearby alleyway, out of the crowded streets. His lip quivered and he clutched his little money pouch tightly in his hands. He tried to remember what his mama does when she feels like this. He began to fiddle with the tassel on the pouch, twirling it in his fingers to help calm his emotions. He took deep breaths, just like his mama taught him, and tap tap tapped his finger against the velvet of the pouch.
“Daddy…,” Orion whimpered as he continued his little stims his mama taught him,” Daddy, where are you…?”
“Hey kid, you lost or something?” a gruff and slightly aggravated voice asked.
Orion froze, his body tensing.
“What? Tressym got your tongue?” the voice asked a little more annoyed.
Orion slowly turned his head towards the voice, coming face to face with a pair of bright yellow eyes. A tiefling with dark horns and long brown hair stood behind him, dressed in the cloak of a wizard and wearing the crest of Ramazith’s Tower upon his breast. The tiefling’s eyes suddenly widened when he and Orion locked eyes.
“Wait…Orion?”
Orion blinked up at the tiefling in confusion.
“Sorry, but…do I know you sir?” he asked.
The tiefling knelt down to be at eye level with Orion, his golden irises softening as they stared into the cool pools of Orion’s eyes.
“You have your mother’s eyes…,” the tiefling whispered before clearing his throat,” You’re…You’re Felicity and Astarion’s son, aren’t you?”
Orion nodded,” I got lost from papa…and…and now I can’t find him…I promised mama…I promised mama I’d be good…,”
It wasn’t long before Orion let the dam he was holding in break in front of this stranger who knows his parents, but his little body is frightened, scared. He wants his papa. His little body shook with his silent sobs, but then he felt a warm hand take his tiny one. He looked up to see the tiefling smiling softly at him.
“It’s okay little one,” he said,” I’m sure…I’m sure your mama and papa won’t be upset with you. If anything, your papa is probably worried sick about you and tearing the market apart right now looking for you, if I know Astarion,”
That got a small giggle from the boy causing the tiefling to smile brighter.
“Now, let’s go find your papa, okay?”
Orion nodded as he held tightly onto the hand of this strange tiefling.
~~~~
“ORION!”
Astarion was in full panic mode at this point. He looked everywhere around the market, even went back to the jewelry stand that Orion wanted to go to. The stall owner said she hadn’t seen a child at her booth all day. It wasn’t long before Astarion collapsed in exhaustion, worry, panic, and fear on the edge of the plaza fountain. Laying his head in his hands, he let out a shuddering breath.
“Please…,” he whispered in a wobbly breath,” Please…If anyone is listening, help me find my son…,”
“Daddy…?”
Astarion shot his head up and looked towards the source of the voice. Standing not too far away from the fountain was Orion, hand being held by a very familiar tiefling. Astarion quickly stood up and rushed towards the pair, tears freely falling down his face.
“Orion!”
The little boy’s eyes watered once more before he let out the loudest wail and rushed to his father.
“Daddy!” he cried as he stretched his hands out towards his papa.
Astarion, in the blink of an eye, scooped up his son tightly to his chest, little child hands wrapping around his neck. He then collapsed to his knees in relief as he kissed his baby boy’s white curls and rocked him gently.
“It’s okay…It’s okay…Daddy’s here now,” Astarion whispered,” Gods…I thought I lost you, my darling…Where did you go?! I was so worried!”
“I…I…tried to go get mama the pendant I saw…Got lost…,” Orion sniffled,” I’m sorry papa…,”
“Shh…Shh…It’s okay, my sweet boy,” Astarion said letting his son cry into his neck,” I’m just happy you’re safe…Listen to me, alright? YOU matter more to mama than some pendant, okay? You do,”
Orion nodded. Astarion just held his son tighter as he cried, but then his scarlet eyes met the golden ones of the tiefling that brought his son back to him.
“Rolan,” he greeted.
“Astarion,” the tiefling, Rolan greeted back.
“Thank you…Truly,” Astarion murmured, voice low but sincere.
Rolan only nodded as he watched Astarion stand up, holding the whimpering boy tightly to his chest.
“He’s a good kid…You and Felicity are raising him well,” Rolan said,” I…I hope she’s doing well. Give her my regards?”
Astarion nodded,” I will. You know she’ll invite you over for dinner one of these days, especially after she hears how you found our lost son,”
“I…I would like that. Truly,” Rolan said before turning to leave,” Have a good day Astarion,”
Before Rolan was fully out of earshot, Orion slowly turned his tearstained face to watch him leave and muttered one last thing.
“Thank you…Uncle Rolan,”
~~~~
Felicity stood out on the porch, wringing her hands together as she watched the path. Astarion and Orion have been gone for hours now and she was starting to get worried. She rubbed her pregnant belly as Celestia toddled up beside her.
“Papa! Papa!” Celestia called out as she pointed down the path.
Felicity looked from her daughter back to the path to see a familiar figure trekking up the path. Astarion held Orion in his arms as they made their way up the dirt path to the cabin, his red eyes spotting his pregnant wife and daughter waiting for them. He smiled as they came to meet them. Felicity looked worried as she saw Orion’s tearstained face, but then it turned to shock when her little boy held out his hand to reveal a small pendant.
“I did a bad mama…But I got you something pretty…,” Orion whimpered.
Felicity only smiled and gently took her sweet boy from his father into her arms, kissing his little brow as she sat down with him.
“Papa found you…That’s all I care about little star,” she said gently as Celestia came over and hugged Orion.
Felicity looked up into Astarion’s eyes, seeing the fear and panic still reflected in them. Using one hand, she signed to him.
You found him. That is all that matters.
Astarion blinked through the last of his panic and signed back:
Rolan actually found him. I just panicked…You should be upset with me. I almost lost our son.
Felicity shook her head at him and then signed back:
He’s safe…because you didn’t stop looking for him. Rolan may have found him, but so did you…
Astarion could only shudder at his wife’s words, but then he smiled and signed back:
I love you. All of you. So much.
Felicity smiled and tapped her chest twice with two fingers before extending it out towards Astarion. Their special sign. The sign that says ‘I love you, I see you, I found you’. He returned the sign back to her, two fingers tapping twice to his chest and then extended out towards her.