Cinderfella

Story: Cinderfella 2: A New Life

Chapter: 6 New Additions

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

Freedom of expression is precious. To do that Nifty needs help. Your donation is greatly desired. Give to http://donate.nifty.org/ or this story ends and all the others! That would be a crime!

The story never ends. As long as I'm alive, I will write. Again, guys with short hair, few beards unless I say otherwise, and none of those ballooning pant things. Pants! Your imagination is right with everything else.

New Additions

Samuel looked at the crowd of people in front of him. "All of them?"

The priest nodded. "All of them, Sire." Then he smiled, "They all have broken the law."

Samuel looked at Seth and me. "I can't rule against my brother!" Then he looked angrily at the priest. "I won't. He and Erik are both my brothers. If I rule against them, they will be executed."

"I hate to put you in this position, Sire, but the situation in Royal Valley has become..." he sought a word. "...intolerable for the other citizens of Royal Valley." He glanced to his side at Margret.

"Why are you putting me in this position? Did anyone here harm you?" Samuel asked Margret.

"They harm Royal Valley and Blethos. They are criminals." Margret said again simply. "I'm just upholding the law."

Samuel looked at all of us, then back to Margret. "What harm? What have they done?"

"They broke the law," The priest said.

Samuel nodded, "If I negate that law?"

The priest smiled, "Then I will challenge your right to rule at all."

Samuel's eyes grew, "Are you out of your mind!?" Then he glared at the priest. "How dare you? I am king!"

"A fact I will challenge," The priest said lightly. "I will challenge that the marriage between Seth and Erik is legal at all. That is the reason Seth became king and negates him taking the throne, therefore he couldn't pass the crown to you."

Samuel shook his head, "You have got to be..."

"Sam!" I said quickly stopping Samuel from going on. "No need to do it now," I grinned at him.

Seth walked over to me. "What are you doing?" He whispered.

I grinned at him, "Letting our priest hang himself," I muttered.

Seth looked puzzled for a minute, then nodded, "He doesn't know."

"Apparently, Arthur Thorne didn't share what he knew about the truth before he died." I grinned. Then I got closer to Samuel and the priest. "He can do that. The challenge by a citizen of Blethos can be raised. It is the law."

Samuel nodded, then looked at the priest. "With the understanding, if you lose the challenge, I can have two choices to offer. Death for treason, or banishment. What'll it be?"

"No one ever wants to die, so I'll be banished, but I make the challenge," The priest said a little too confident. "The throne should go to the heir, but as there was no heir, the application was put out. The marriage was done by the late king of Blethos and A'Dore's king, but it was immoral. I don't think the people will support it when I tell them who you and Seth really are."

Samuel nodded and looked at Margret, "Does he speak for you, too?"

The woman looked a lot less certain than the priest. "I wanted to withdraw the charges, but I was told it was done, so...yes."

Samuel nodded, "Fine."

"If I may, Sire," I said calmly.

Samuel grinned. "Go ahead."

"First, let's start with the law that allowed Seth and me to marry," I began. "And I can show you the law where it's written in modern language, so it's easy to read. A brief history lesson first. There were three kingdoms, Blethos, Darma and A'Dore. Once again there was lack of an heir for Blethos." I smiled at Samuel, "Not that it's a problem now." Samuel chuckled. "The king of Darma was in his fifties. He said that if he married a member of the extended family for Blethos' royal line, that person would become king." I looked at the priest and Margret. "He made it a law in Darma. He did marry a male member of the house. The ruling was done over two hundred years ago. That was when the two kingdoms of Darma and Blethos combined, so did their laws. The male member of the house was started the line that King Alexander descended from because it was a mere ten years before the king of Darma died. And the man he married loved the king, but seeing the need, he married a woman after the death of the king. They had four children. One was the grandfather...." I waved as I couldn't think about the number of greats involved. "...whatever of the line that sits now."

The priest shook his head and pointed at Seth and Samuel, "But they aren't of that line at all."

My eyebrows rose, "Really?"

"They're wards of the late Arthur Thorne," The priest said simply. "Who knows what line they have? The verbal claim that Seth and Samuel were of the House of Thorne doesn't really count. Not like blood. Who knows who they really are?"

I grinned. "I do," I looked at the priest. "So, you're saying that because Seth isn't the legitimate heir of the late king he wouldn't be king."

The priest shrugged. "He wouldn't."

I looked at the man that scheduled Samuel's appointments. "Please go to the archive library. There is a book about King Alexander's family. Could you bring it here, please? Second bookcase to your right, third shelf down."

Now Margret was looking worried. Even the priest wasn't looking as confident. The man scheduling nodded and bowed before he raced off. It took a few minutes before he came back with the book.

"Here is the entrance about King Alexanders' family." I read, showing the priest the pages. "Here is the recording of Prince Phillip's and King Samuel's births. Nothing remarkable...but note this." I pointed to the documented birthmarks. "See? They even sketched what the birthmarks looked like." I grinned as Seth was slipping his shirt off. I pointed to Seth's birthmarks. "He is Prince Phillip. King Alexander's son. The real crowned prince of Blethos." I took Samuel's hand. "This is his brother, Prince Peter. But he has gone by Samuel as he has his whole life, never knowing who he really was until a few years ago." I looked at the priest who was now terrorized. "You see? I married Seth because of what happened two centuries ago. It is the law. My choice as a ruling member of the royal family of A'Dore. So, even if you managed to get our marriage voided out, he would still have been king as the heir to the throne. He is King Alexander's firstborn son. He had the right to give that crown to Samuel as king and his brother."

Now the priest was a lot paler. Margret was horrified.

"You told me this was a sure thing!" Margret shouted at the priest. "You said he couldn't have been the king, but he was!" She started hitting the priest. "Now we're both banished! Banished!!"

Samuel smiled at me, then hugged me. "It's a good thing you studied the law here." Then he turned to the royal scribe. "I am making a ruling. No persons in a relationship with a member of the same gender; there will no longer be any charges based on that relationship in all of Blethos." He turned to the priest. "I'm not making a ruling to the Church. If they don't want to marry them, fine. There are other legal routes they can go to marry. Marriages for all people, providing they are legal adults and not under duress are hereby legal." Then he turned to the priest and Margret. "You two are to return to Royal Valley and pack. An armed guard will escort you home where you will decide what to take and leave Blethos. I don't care where, but you are no longer welcome here. I will notify the Church of your banishment, father, they will need to send another priest to Royal Valley."

The others there were so excited as guards came and escorted both out of the palace. That's when Curt grabbed Daryl and kissed him on the lips with a dip of Daryl, which Daryl returned happily. So did Gabe and Zeke. Hell, they all were!

Seth walked up to Samuel. "Nice going, little brother." He hugged Samuel.

Samuel chuckled, then stepped back a bit. Samuel's nose twisted a little. "You need a bath. Get you and Erik up to your room, have one. You both have clean clothes here and then come and meet your new niece!"

I grinned hearing that. "Terry wasn't due for a couple of weeks more!"

"Tell that to little Kristine!" Samuel chuckled. "She couldn't wait! She came yesterday." Then he shook his head. "Neither could Terry wait. She was hoping the baby would come out as soon as possible. She was tired of the swollen ankles and going to the bathroom every fifteen minutes." Then he smirked. "So was I."

"I can't believe it's been ten months," Seth shook his head.

"A long, long ten months," Samuel muttered, then brightened. "But she's beautiful!"

"Kristine or Terry?" I laughed.

"Both!" Samuel said happily. Then shook his head. "I guess you'll be busy for a while back at home."

"Why?" Seth asked.

"Who else can perform a wedding?" Samuel grinned. "The priest is leaving. You two are the only ones in Royal Valley that have the authority."

"We don't!" Seth balked.

"You do now!" Samuel grinned. "There will be others added, but for now...you're it!"

Seth and I were lucky, we had a room at the palace. We offered Curt, Daryl, Zeke, Gabe, and others a room for the night. Most wanted to head home to tell their future mates the good news. But Zeke and Gabe wanted to get back to tell their parents that all was good and they were still alive. Only Curt and Daryl took us up on it and decided to stay the night.

Seth entered our room and went to light the tank and heat the water. "Erik! Look at this!"

I walked into the bathroom. The old tub was gone. Now there was a new tub that was bigger. I chuckled, "I guess your brother realized we usually take baths together. He just made it easier."

Seth chuckled gathering me in his arms. "And we do like our time in baths." Then he smirked. "I bet they don't have those great soaps as we do."

I chuckled, "We've made it just fine before." I kissed him. "We'll be fine."

As much as we liked our bath time together, we were both excited to meet Kristine. In record time we were clean and dressed in clean clothes when we went to Samuel's and Terry's room. Terry smiled grandly as we entered their room as she held her new daughter as they were both in the huge bed.

"Seth! Erik!" Terry greeted. "Sam told me what happened, I am so thrilled he finally ruled on this." She hugged us both. "How wonderful you came! Not because of that, but to see your new niece." She pulled the blanket back to show a little round head of brown hair and a squirming infant.

Being the smartass he was, Seth shook his head. "It's a shame Sam told us a lie about her." He said sounding serious.

Both Terry and I weren't sure what he meant.

"He said she was beautiful," Seth said sadly, then brightened immediately. "She's gorgeous!!" He ran a hand over the tiny head of hair. "Just gorgeous!"

Terry laughed as I swatted Seth, but Terry nodded, "She is. Michael is a little jealous."

I shook my head. "He's three!" I said thinking that explained it all.

Terry nodded, "Yes, a three-year-old that doesn't like the idea of sharing his Mommy and Daddy with a little sister."

I frowned, "Christian was nearly ten when I was born. I don't think he was jealous."

Seth chuckled, "I don't remember being jealous. I don't remember any before I was five, so..."

"Let Seth talk to him," I patted Seth on the back. "He has a knack with children."

Seth groaned. "Here we go again."

"Aw, come on, Seth," I smiled. "You know you have it." I grinned at Terry. "My nephews and nieces in A'Dore love Seth, Edward wouldn't let him go. And your Dad was loved by Michael. It's a family thing."

Terry smiled, then her eye narrowed, "But...what else?" She looked at us. "There's something else."

Seth nodded, "We're looking at...getting a child."

Terry looked surprised. "Getting a child? How?"

"There are hundreds of children without parents," I said simply. "They need one, we're thinking of being that for someone."

Terry smiled. "That's wonderful! You two would be great fathers."

I gave Seth a slight shove. "See? No one really cares who they come from or where."

Terry shook her head. "Of course not. A child is innocent, but the need for love is the most important thing in their lives. You two have plenty of that for a child."

Seth nodded, "You're right, you're right." He grinned. "Okay, I'll talk to Michael, but a three-year-old!? How do you reason with a three-year-old?"

I kissed him lightly, "Softly."

Seth frowned, then smirked. "That didn't help much." He muttered then took a deep breath. "Okay, here I go." He rose and went through the door to the children's nursery.

I chuckled and looked at Terry. "He'll be fine."

"Michael or Seth?" Terry frowned.

Sam was a busy king, but he came a few moments more to check on his family. Then Seth brought Michael in the bedroom where his parents, sister and I was. If Michael was not happy with the baby, he wasn't showing it. In fact, he looked kind of proud. As proud as anyone three years old could be. Seth picked Michael up and put him on the bed with his mother and sister.

"See?" Seth pointed. "Your job is so important. She's little, so you have to take care of her."

Michael nodded and crawled over to his mother, he reached over and pulled the blanket to see Kristine. "I'll take good care of you," He said kissing her on the head.

Terry and Sam were staring wide-eyed as their son lay beside his mother, giving his finger to his sister who grasped a couple of fingers from her brother.

"What did you tell him?" I asked smiling.

Seth grinned and shrugged, "I just told him, as a big brother, he had a job to do, as I did with Sam here, because I was Sam's big brother. So, I knew how important the job was. I said that it took a big boy to handle that responsibility. He said he was a big boy and would do it."

Sam grinned, "And you did a great job as a big brother."

Seth shrugged. I smiled as I put my arm around him. "Still don't think you have a knack with children?"

We stayed a couple of days but returned to Royal Valley. We returned with many greeting us readily. I watched as the wagon in front of the house that the priest had was being loaded up with his belongings. Under the watchful eye of a guard to make sure he was leaving. I assumed the same was happening with Margret. The people that greeted us were very happy to see us, including Norton and his wife.

"I was so scared when Gabriel told us he was in love with Ezekiel," Norton confessed to Seth and me. "I was so sure it would get him killed. Then when that horrible woman made charges...I was certain he was going to die."

Seth nodded patting Norton on the arm. "I told you before we left, that wasn't going to happen."

Then Norton grabbed Seth in a hug, "Thank you. For saving our boy."

Eb, Zeke's father walked over, "Norton's such a worry wart." He chuckled as he grabbed me in a bear hug. "When Zeke said he'd made friends with you two, I thought he was joking, then we got that invitation...well. I'm glad they had friends in you two."

As the priest and Margret were escorted out of town, and out of Blethos as a whole, no one saw them off. Most were happy to see them leave.

"I hate they got banished," I frowned. "This was their home."

Seth nodded. "It was Margret's, but she wanted things her way. That wasn't going to happen. And I don't believe Father Markham will be missed."

I just looked at Seth. "Why?"

"For one, I don't think the Church really likes him too much." Seth grinned. "You see, Arthur paid Father Markham to say things from the pulpit. Things to keep the town under Thorne's control. None of that money ever made it to the diocese."

"Thorne was even more evil than I thought." I griped.

And Samuel was right, we were busy. Since Sam had given us the authority to marry people, Seth and I were performing weddings almost every day for a while. Most of the couples had been together for years, so a wedding was just the means to do it legally. A few couples did it together, the most were four couples doing it at the same time. Even Gabe and Zeke were married, but they had a real wedding. With vows and exchanges of rings. It was pretty. Most all of Royal Valley showed up for that wedding, and it was done at the manor. Where else was there room? Both parents paid for it, insisting that they pay us, but Seth and I told them to give the money to their boys, they were still just starting out.

As word that law passed. As in, no one in a relationship with someone of the same gender was to be punished and can even marry now, the massive influx of new citizens for Royal Valley stopped. It didn't stop altogether, but it slowed down. Now people were coming as word of a great town got out. Education available and jobs were equally possible. We now had...not one, but two inns! Our town's population doubled. People could come here on business and have a choice. If there were rooms available. There were a few times that availability was just not there.

I found many that chose that option or just didn't like the Church and its rules. Like those that divorced which was a no-no. Or were from other religious practices and didn't want to convert but to marry someone. I was surprised at the number of people in Royal Valley at chose that option. These people never were part of the Church. There were other churches all over Blethos. King Alexander believed in God sort of but hated the Church and the control of the people.

The vineyard suffered a weird cold snap in weather, we were certain there would be frost. But Seth's heaters worked!! Seth and I, along with some others ran up and down the rows, lighting the precious fires in the heaters to create heat, then watched to make sure they had enough fuel, either wood or coal. There was frost everywhere else, but not in the vineyard!! We lost nothing.

The town had their celebrations and parties, one man made up a holiday for the sole purpose of expressing love to that one special person in your life. He and a few other shops provided candies and other gifts to give. And the florist. If you didn't have that someone, you were encouraged to express affection for that someone you had your eye on and make it happen! Or you could be a secret admirer and hope they figure it out. Everyone loved that day. I was surprised to see some of the people that wanted matches from someone I never would have expected! Seth and I were having a great time. There were local musicians playing some lively songs we could dance to. I was pretty much tired after ten dances and sat at a table and Seth went to find us some punch they'd created using our wine. That's when Bent came and sat down, looking...well, confused.

"Can I ask you a question?" He asked.

What can I say? Old habits of a smartass. "Ya just did," I grinned as his eyes rolled. "Sure, what's up?"

He showed me a pretty little container of candies he'd been given. Like I said before, Bent was a nice guy. Really. While in my eyes his looks had none of the appeal that Seth had for me...although I don't know why. He was not bad looking. Brown hair and he was in his late thirties, and a widower having lost his wife seven years ago. No children. "I got these."

I grinned. "Great! That means someone here loves you."

Bent nodded, "Yeah." Then he looked across the dancers. "Him." He pointed to a man we didn't really see in town that often. He was a farmer, also a widower with three children. Because of his work in the field and life he leads, was fit, trim and I didn't see a problem. He was nice looking, also in his thirties.

I nodded, "I take it...you don't...like him?"

Bent shrugged. "I like Garth fine. He's nice. We're always friendly when he comes into town. He's a friend. But he's got kids! He was married!"

I chuckled, "So were you, so?"

That's when Seth came back with our drinks. "Hi, Bent!"

Bent waved, "Hi, Seth."

I looked at Bent. "Can I tell Seth?"

Bent nodded. "I could use all the advice I can get."

So, I told Seth, who just listened and nodded. "One question. Can you see yourself with him? I mean in a potential romance."

Bent looked at Garth, that wasn't looking like he was paying attention, but paying attention to not looking like he was looking at us. "I never thought about it."

I smiled. "Well, now you can." I sat forward, putting my hand on his. "A person is capable of love, not because you're supposed to or not supposed to. Is there anything wrong with what he proposes? He took a risk! He saw something in or about you that he was attracted to and wants to get closer. He was willing to tell you he thought of you as potentially more than just a friend."

Bent looked more confused. "But I don't know if I'm FSE."

"F.S.E?" Seth shook his head, not understanding. "What's that?" Neither did I.

Bent grinned. "That's short for what we call you. I mean people like you." Then he cringed, "It means Friends of Seth and Erik. You know, in a marriage, or wants to be with someone their own gender like you are."

My eyebrows rose and looked at Seth whose eyebrows were also raised.

"Really?" I asked. I pointed at Seth, "And we are..."

Bent chuckled, "Well, you are Seth and Erik." He shrugged, "Simple."

Seth shook his head as his mind was cluttered with other thoughts now. "Fine. Could you kiss the man?"

Bent thought a second, then nodded. "Sure."

"And mean it," I stressed.

Bent thought a minute, "If I have the feelings."

"Then go see him and find out if you can get those feelings for him." Seth waved him toward Garth. "That's what this day is about!"

Bent nodded. "Thank, guys," Then he stopped and looked back. "He has kids!"

"One hurdle at a time!" I rolled my eyes. "Just tell him! Tell him everything. If you have doubts, tell him. If you're not sure, tell him, but if it's possible going over there will tell him."

Bent shook his head, "I don't want to hurt him."

"If you ignore this, you will," Seth said softly.

Bent thought a second. "Yeah. Tell him." Then he walked toward Garth, who smiled as Bent came over.

"Friends of Seth and Eric, huh?" Seth grinned. "We've become a symbol." Then he shook his head. "We're seeing a lot of people that are...." He chuckled. "FSE. I wonder why?"

I shrugged. "Unlike other towns, the people here have seen us together for two years. Seen us kiss, the concept is not that foreign. Then all the others like us here. Perhaps they see possible attractions like ours are not that different. Not really. They've just had longer to adjust their thinking." I grinned at Seth. "They had to have something. So FSE it is." I chuckled. "I wonder if it will catch on elsewhere?"

Seth chuckled. "I wonder what Sam's reaction will be if one of the guards gives a gift like that to another guard."

I chuckled sipping my drink. "We were told there were some." I held the cup away. "This is good! Very grape!"

"Of course, it is." Seth nodded leaning over kissing me. "They're our grapes!"

"Isn't this going marvelously!?" We heard a man gush behind us as he rushed over. "This is what we needed!"

I grinned at Stewart. This celebration was his brainchild. "Love is always needed," I said. He was FSE, there would have been no doubt if it weren't the fact he had a friend already that came with him.

Seth nodded. "And we'll be seeing more FSE relationships." He pointed as Garth was taking Bent's hand and leading him to the dancing going on, "Now that the stupid law has been revoked."

Stewart was gushing more. "It's wonderful!!" Then he looked at us. "They want to do it again!!"

I laughed, "Hold up, Stewart. Things like flowers and candies and gifts are great but expensive. When do they want to do it again?"

Stewart shrugged, "I was thinking next month."

Seth shook his head, "Too soon."

"Why not next year?" I suggested.

Stewart put a hand on my shoulder. "Wonderful! An annual event. But what do I call it? Romance Day? Love Day? Cupid's Day?"

I chuckled. "You have a year to think about it."

As great as that celebration was, it was back to business, as usual, the next day. The grape yield was booming and so was our output. Not only bottles of wine, but barrels of the stuff! Profits were rolling in. And as that was coming in, things in the town were improving as well. Increased profits, increase in pay, more money spent, and more local taxes were paid.

Demetrius still delivered messages between me and Christian, and now we had deliveries from our nieces and nephews in A'Dore. We sent a picture, drawn by a local artist...and it looked just like us...to A'Dore, as a result, pictures were being sent by four budding artists from A'Dore. Pictures we hung in our room and elsewhere. Thomas was proud he was taking sword lessons now. But we hadn't heard from Demetrius directly in a while.

I was working in the house office when I heard another bell ring. I smiled, looking at the bell as it disappeared. "Okay. I'm ready."

Demetrius' head came out of the wall. "Just following the rules." He grinned and stepped in fully.

I nodded, getting up and hugged my godfather. "You've been busy."

Demetrius nodded. "And how." He exclaimed. "Being a creature with access to magic is demanding! She wants this, he wants that. Demanding, I tell you."

I chuckled, "So, don't do it."

He looked alarmed, "And then what do we do?" He shook his head. "We have to have something to do."

"So, why are you here?" I smiled. "Just to say hello again?"

Demetrius shrugged. "Would that be so bad?" He grinned. Then he looked around. "I take it Seth is in the vineyard."

I nodded, "And loving every minute."

Then Demetrius got a serious look. "I've not forgotten." He said, "About a child."

My heart began to pound. "You found one?"

Demetrius again sat without looking for a chair, which slid over under him. No shock from me at all now. "As I have said so often. I present potential opportunities, it's up to you to take them."

"Demetrius," I growled.

Demetrius shrugged. "I'm just reminding you!" He said helplessly. "Now, I said there will be a trauma. You know I can't stop or prevent injuries and stuff." Then he smiled, "But Seth wanted someone with a good family history behind them...this person has that, both parents do. She was very young when she married. Fourteen."

"Fourteen!?" I gasped. "It's only legal if her parents consented."

"Which her mother agreed," Demetrius said. "The girl's father was a nobleman, who didn't acknowledge she was his daughter, but she is. Her mother was of good stock. The young man was also the illegitimate son of a nobleman, not the same one, of course. Also, of good stock and barely eighteen."

"Okay," I nodded.

"He died about three months ago in an accident," Demetrius said. "The girl is here in Royal Valley."

Here!? Of course, she was. "So, she's what fourteen still...fifteen?"

"She's seventeen," Demetrius corrected. "She already has a son and expecting another. Soon." Then he hurried on, "I mean she's been in labor a few hours."

My eyes widened. "Where is she? Is there something about her I should know?"

Demetrius nodded. "Her son, who is approaching two is deaf."

"Deaf!?" I repeated.

"But he's smart," Demetrius said, "But no one these days will see that. Not generally, but you will."

"How will he communicate?" I asked. "He can't talk."

"And?" Demetrius asked. "You can communicate with your hands! You've dealt with it before. He sees just fine." He took my arm, "Just get Seth, go to the Royal Valley Inn. She's there. Meet her, and her sons. You will be surprised. If nothing else, if you decide not to take them, you can assure the mother someone will." He looked at me seriously, "Please."

I shook my head, "You said you can't do anything about injuries. What injuries?"

"She has been seriously damaged giving birth. The sort of damage not uncommon with some women who are pregnant. She won't survive." Demetrius said sadly, "But you can assure her before she does, her children will be fine. Her baby will be fine."

"What of her family?" I asked. "Won't people be looking for her?"

"No one. She was guided here," Demetrius said. "Now go!"

I ran out the door and hurried into the vineyard. Seth and the men were working on the vines again when I grabbed Seth.

"We have to go to the Royal Valley Inn," I said hurriedly.

His eyes widened at my urgency. "Why?"

"There's a girl giving birth any minute," I explained. "She won't survive."

Seth was working what I said in his mind. "Demetrius?"

I nodded, "He told me she was guided here. We need to at least meet her...and her sons."

"Sons!?" Seth asked. "She already has sons?"

"She has one son and is having another now," I said grabbing his arm and hurrying toward town.

"Wait!" Seth stopped. "Who is she?"

"She's a young girl in trouble. Her husband is dead. She has no one." I replied taking his arm again and making him move again.

He hurried with me to the inn. Entering, the owner was looking worried up the stairs.

I stopped at the desk of the inn. "Is there a young woman here having a baby?"

The man looked at me and nodded. "How did you know?"

Seth shook his head. "He was told. Is she here?" He asked urgently.

The man nodded as a woman nearly screamed in pain. "She's upstairs, my wife is up there with her and the midwife." He groaned. "I knew better than to let her check in. She had no money, but my wife insisted we take her. She couldn't bear to let her go as she was so close to delivery."

"We'll pay for her stay!" I said hurrying to the stairs and took them two at a time, closely followed by Seth.

A woman came out of a room with very bloody sheets. "Don't go in there, a guest is having a baby." The woman said to us.

I nodded, "We know, that's why we're here."

The woman looked surprised, "Is she family?"

"Who cares?" Seth groused, "Is she alright?"

The woman shook her head, "She's bleeding badly. Her baby's fine, but the bleeding won't stop."

"Where is her other son?" I asked.

Again, the woman was trying to figure out how we knew. "He's with my husband, right now he's in there." She pointed to another door. "Odd child, he doesn't respond."

I nodded. "He will to Seth," I took Seth's hand.

"Wait," Seth refused to move. "Why won't he respond? What else do you know, Erik?"

I hesitated, "Because he's deaf."

"Deaf!?" Seth balked. "Then he can't respond. He can't talk!"

I sighed. "He can see." I put my hand on Seth's arm. "His mind is fine. There are others that are deaf that get along well, we'll just have to talk to him with our hands."

"How do we do that?" Seth asked.

"Well, we'll just have to come up with a sign for things," Then I smiled at Seth running my finger over his face. "You have a face that appeals to almost everyone, that includes children. It won't fail us now." Then I led Seth to the door and knocked.

A man opened it looking perplexed. "What?" Then he saw who we were. "Sorry. I thought it was that annoying Harlan again. He's sort of upset, with my wife helping that girl in childbirth."

"Is there a little boy here?" I asked.

"Sure." The man nodded opening the door wider. "He's right there. Odd, though, he doesn't turn around when you call him or talk or nothing."

I nodded. "Did you have him look in your face?"

The man looked at us curiously. "Why?"

"Because he can't hear you," I explained walking in. The little boy was about eighteen to twenty months old, but he was a beautiful child with brown hair. Getting in front of him, I sat down on the floor and smiled at him. I waved to him and said so he could see me speak. "I'm Erik," I spoke clearly and made sure to say it making sure he could see my mouth. Then I pointed at Seth, which the boy looked where I pointed. I waited until he looked back. "This is Seth."

Seth watched as the boy looked and seem to follow everything.

I was sure his mother spoke to the boy, knowing he was deaf or suspected he was, so he probably read our lips to a degree, but he was very young so may not have understood. He pointed to the door and the direction of his mother.

I nodded. "She's very sick," I explained. "She had a baby," I said rocking an invisible baby in my arms.

His mother had obviously used motions before because he nodded and was making motions I didn't know.

I stopped him gently. "Okay. I don't know what you're saying yet. You will have to show me. Seth and I are here to take care of you. Okay?" I asked and I reached up to Seth and pulled him down beside me.

"How will we do this?" Seth asked me. "What do I say? How do I say it?"

"He obviously has some signs he uses, but we will have to learn them." I smiled at the boy. "Just remember to smile," I said smiling again at the boy. "And when you do speak to him, make sure he's looking at you and enunciate clearly. He will read your lips."

"Read my lips?" Seth asked, "But he can't hear!"

"You've never dealt with a deaf person before." It wasn't a question. "They are just as smart as anyone. I wished there was a standardized language to use with our hands, but he will learn, and so will we." I said to the little boy as much as Seth. "But there were two in A'Dore I knew of. They had symbols they used, I remember most, but..." I smiled at Seth. "We'll have to make some up ourselves. He is bright..." I grinned. "He's following everything. He can read lips to a point." Then I reached out to him, and the little boy took my hand. "He's beautiful!" Then I remembered a sign I knew for beautiful, and I used it pointed to him and mouthed "You are beautiful." He probably didn't understand it, but he could see my face. Seeing that I was not angry or upset, perhaps he saw a reason to trust, for he got up and crawled into my lap. I grinned at Seth. "See?"

The woman came into the room. "She wants to see Toby," She said like we would know what she was talking about.

"Is this Toby?" I asked pointed down at the boy.

The woman was now smiling at what she saw. "That's what she said his name was, Tobias. Toby for short. He seems to like you."

I smiled picking Toby up having him face me. "Sure. I'm a likable person." I grinned at him. I patted Seth's arm. "This is Seth. He's a very nice man. You'll love him," I said to Toby and passed him to Seth. "Smile, Seth."

Seth did as he took Toby. "Hi," Seth said to the boy.

The man rose. "They're doing better than I did. How is the girl, Helen?"

The woman shook her head. "She's not going to make it. She's trying to nurse the baby, but she has no strength. She lost a lot of blood."

I rose. "Can I see her first?" I asked. "We'll bring Toby to see her, but in the meantime, can I see her?"

The woman shrugged. "I don't see why not." Then she looked at us curiously, "Are you the ones that are taking the boys?"

I frowned. "Why would we?"

"That's what she's saying," The woman explained. "She said she was told to come here. That her boys would be safe, to be taken by two guardians."

Seth looked up. "Really?" He looked at me. "Why would Demetrius tell her that?"

I shrugged. "I don't know he did. But, of course, we will." I knelt down, turning Toby's face to me. "I'll be right back."

The boy, again I couldn't tell if he understood, but he was fine.

I went with the woman into the other room. The girl was indeed very young. Blonde. I couldn't escape them. But she was deathly pale, and she had been through a rough delivery. She looked up from the baby that wasn't latching on to her breast. Seeing a young woman's breast didn't bother me. I felt nothing at all.

"Are you one of the ones taking Toby and Dennis?" She asked me.

I sat on the bedside, "Who told you we were?"

She smiled. "This nice old lady on the way here, told me there were two guardians that would take care of them."

I looked at the newborn only a few minutes to an hour old. Dark hair matted still with the fluids that came with birth. "So, this is Dennis." I smiled at her. "Toby is fine with..." I hesitated. "...my husband."

She smiled. She didn't frown hearing I had a husband. That was encouraging. "Toby's deaf."

I nodded. "That's okay. I've dealt with those that are deaf before. In the limited form, but I'm familiar with them. He's very perceptive."

She nodded, smiling after she heard that. "He's learning to read lips and he can understand most of what I say. He's very bright."

I nodded. "I can tell." Then I took a deep breath. "Understand. You're very sick."

She nodded, "I know. I'm going to see Tom." She smiled. "That what I called my Thomas, it was my husband's name."

I grinned. "Thomas is my nephew's name, too. Good name."

"My name is Sarah." She shook her head, "I knew this was going to happen." She said sadly. "We were told another birth was very dangerous after Toby. And that it would probably kill me." She smiled. "I guess it did." Then she looked at me. "You believe in the afterlife, right?"

I nodded. "Absolutely," I said with confidence. "God created a wonderful world, but I know we are more than just animals that know they're just animals. I've seen some amazing things, all of which tell me there is so much more. I'm Erik. Seth is my husband."

Now she was smiling even more. "You're Prince Erik? And your husband is King Seth!?"

I gave a shrugging nod. "Well, yes...although Seth is no longer king."

She had tears coming out of her eyes. "But he was king! And you both are the royal members of the royal family that owns Royal Valley vineyard and winery." She closed her eyes as she was giving thanks to...God? "This is wonderful! I never dreamed..." she put her hand on my arm. "Please take my sons. They will be good men, I promise. They'll be good boys."

I nodded. "They will be Seth's and my sons," I assured her. "We will love them. I think Toby is working his magic on Seth now. Seth and I love children. Seth has a charm with them." I laughed lightly, but this whole thing was sad.

"Can I see him? Toby?" She asked.

"Of course," I nodded. "I'll bring him and Seth in here to meet you, okay?"

She nodded.

I went back to the other room, where I was delighted that the Seth charm was working on Toby who was laughing at Seth because of something.

"I think Toby needs to say goodbye to his mother," I said to only Seth.

Seth looked up sadly. "So, she is dying."

I nodded. "But she knew before, so..."

Seth smiled at Toby, "We need to go see your mom." Toby looked at me.

Seth rose and carried Toby as I led them to the room where Dennis and Sarah were. Sarah smiled at her other son.

"Sarah, this is my husband Seth."

"It's an honor to meet you," She greeted Seth as he brought Toby over as Seth put him beside Sarah. "Hey, Sweetie." She said holding her arms out to take Toby. She was smiling while tears were coming down. She hugged her son. "I don't know what you'll understand." She said to him clearly. "I have to go see your daddy."

He understood that. His face lit up.

"No," She shook her head. "You can't see him yet. I don't want to, but I have to leave." Then she pointed at Seth and me. "These two men are taking care of you from now on. They will be your daddies. And they are going to love you as much as I do." She assured. Then she hugged Toby but made sure he could see her face. "I love you, baby. I will always love you. You will not see me, but I'll be watching you. I promise."

But Sarah was weak, very weak and in just a few hours, and she would be gone.

As Sarah was dying, I went to Helen, the midwife.

"As a midwife, you have to know if there's a woman nursing now," I said to her.

"There are a few," Helen nodded. "There is two nearby."

"Contact them and see if any of them are willing to wet-nurse," I said. "They, of course, will be paid."

Helen smiled. "So, you are taking the boys?"

I frowned. "Why not? The only thing we can't do is nurse," I smiled then. "Dennis needs to eat."

She nodded. "I'll see if Doris can come, she's had her third baby. She's got plenty believe me." But Helen stopped as she was leaving and looked back. "It's a wonderful thing you and Seth are doing. You'll both be excellent fathers."

I smiled. "I hope so."

Seth sat with Sarah who was cuddling Toby and still trying to get Dennis to breastfeed. Then she sighed, "I just can't do it."

Seth nodded, not looking at her breasts. "I know we'll find someone."

Sarah nodded. Then pushed Toby away who whined. "Please, take him. I don't want him to see me die."

Seth took the boy and left the room.

It was only a half an hour before Helen returned with a woman that to me, looked as if she had plenty of milk. She'd had three children, so she was a little heavy and still had the weight of the last one. Her breasts were enormous! Dark hair about thirty-three with her hair pulled back.

"This is Doris," Helen introduced to me. "She's more than happy to wet-nurse the baby. Her child is now six months old, so she's still breastfeeding the baby."

Doris nodded, shaking my hand. "I've got plenty and Sandy, that's daughter number three takes a lot, but I've got more." She grinned, "So where is the baby?"

Helen took Doris to where the baby was and began to feed him.

I sighed. For now, one problem was being solved. I went back to where Seth was with Toby. Seth was talking with Toby, but of course, Toby didn't really understand what was going on, but he knew it was bad and he wasn't happy. Not crying or behaving badly, but not happy.

Seth smiled up at me, "How's it going?"

I nodded. "I hired a wet-nurse for Dennis, he's being fed now." I walked over and touched Toby on the head, he looked up and smiled briefly. I brushed his hair gently as I sat by Seth. "Sarah's going to die."

Seth sighed nodding. "Demetrius knew this."

I shrugged. "He did. Dara, too. They could either let her die on the side of the road, let Dennis and Toby die, but they gave her an alternative."

Seth frowned. "I know, it's a shame no one can do something about it."

I smiled. "But we are!"

Seth brightened. "We are, aren't we?" Then he looked at me. "We know when Dennis' birthday is. Today! When's Toby's?"

"I'll find out," I said.

Seth looked at Toby. "I'm glad we're taking a child." He grinned. "But we get two?" He shook his head. "And no one else is coming? For any of them?"

I shook my head. "Not according to Demetrius. Do you want them to?"

"It's just a shame," Seth said. "He's a great kid!"

I put my hand in his arm as I rested my head against him. "Our kid." Then laughed. "Our kids." I smiled saying that. "And diapers!"

Seth moaned. "Diapers." He repeated and grinned, "You mean nappies."

"Only in Blethos," I smiled as I ran a hand over Toby's head. "Is he...he's not even two!"

Seth grinned, "We did have one incident." He shrugged, "It was just pee."

I looked at Seth surprised, "But you changed him."

Seth frowned. "Of course, I changed him. He's barely more than a baby." He defended. "He is a baby. And I figured it out. I'm smart enough."

"Yes, you are," I chuckled, "But you never did before, did you?"

Seth grinned. "It's a square piece of cloth. With pins in, not his skin, it was pretty simple to figure out."

"Good, now we start potty training."

Seth rolled his eyes, "Yay." He said sourly at the thought.

I watched as Toby curled up in Seth's lap and was blinking heavily. I made sure to caress the small head as Toby drifted off to sleep. "You're a good daddy," I said to Seth.

I did get Toby's birthday from Sarah. He was nineteen months old. But soon she was gone. Doris stayed a little while, feeding Dennis again.

"I guess I need to hire a wet-nurse for the manor," I said. "And a nanny."

Doris smiled. "If you don't mind me bringing Sandy, I'll do both. My daughter still needs me, but I can help out. Hannah has a baby; she'd be willing to help I bet." She shook her head. "My other two can stay with their grandmother while I work. Frank, my husband wouldn't mind. As long as I'm home for dinner. Well..." she chuckled. "...he'll mind at first, but once he sees the reason and understands, he'll be fine. Dana, my oldest can help at home. She's twelve now. No problems."

I smiled. "Sure," I nodded. "We'll work out the pay." I looked to see the sun had gone down hours ago. "It's late. Seth and I need to get them home."

Doris nodded. "I'll help you. If you can get their things. The Undertaker is in there with Sarah. Poor thing." She said sadly. "I'll be happy to help you two. I have some nappies you can use for now. I'll get Sandy."

I smiled. "Thank you."

The sun was about to rise as we got the boys to the manor. Doris took the baby and little Sandy to a room that she would use for the day to be able to feed them as needed. We took Toby with us to our room. I couldn't let him wake up alone in a strange house in a strange room. Demetrius rang a bell softly, if you can figure out how he did that, but he did. But didn't wait for our okay and was just there.

"Well?" He smiled looking at Toby, who was still fast asleep in Seth's arms. "Did we come through?"

I grinned at Demetrius. "You all did." I frowned. "It was a shame about Sarah."

Demetrius sighed. "It was indeed." Then he called softly. "Dara, I told you it was okay."

I watched as Dara walked in, "I wanted to be sure."

Seth smirked. "We're not having sex with a baby in the room!"

"You might." Dara shrugged. "People do. There's nothing wrong with it." She smiled. "He'll only see it as wrong if you think it is."

"If he sees it. That's not what we'll let him do." I said firmly. "Right or wrong."

She smiled at Toby. "Isn't he beautiful?"

Seth was nodding before I was. He'd already fallen in love with Toby. Falling in love as a parent would for a child, not the other kind. He walked over to our bed and laid Toby in the middle and covered him up.

"Tell me," I said grinning at Dara. "You were the old lady that told her to come here?"

Dara smiled and did a curtsy. "I'm her," And before our eyes, she changed into this near elderly woman, then back to herself. "I was helping Sarah after her husband Tom died. The poor boy." She said sadly. "He loved Sarah and Toby. Toby was named after Tom's mother's father. Dennis is named after his mother's grandfather." Then she smiled. "But when we heard you were looking for a child, well...he would have been fine as a single father, but her condition was known. They tried to be careful, but birth control is limited and love..." she shrugged. "She knew would die if she had another child, but she did. Almost didn't tell her husband until she was in the second trimester." Then Dara smiled. "And I could think of no one able to handle a child that's deaf."

"And Dennis?" Seth asked.

Dara waved concern off. "He's perfect. Sees and hears...everything." She shrugged again. "Toby got Scarlett Fever. He was born hearing but lost his hearing due to it. He was just six months old!" She said moaning sadly.

I nodded. "He hadn't developed language skills yet. And still hasn't much."

"But he's sharp!" Demetrius said.

I chuckled. "He is! Don't worry, we're taking them both." I assured.

Dara smiled. "Toby already trusts you both. Love will come." Then she bounced. "You two are already good fathers, so I knew it was a good match. I guided Sarah here, telling her that the future guardians were here."

Seth smiled. "That's pretty gutsy, we could have said no."

She shook her head. "Not after looking in their faces. I just knew it." She claimed triumphantly. "Now there are some things I need to share with you. Toby will sign. I've taught him some."

I looked surprised, "You taught him."

Dara nodded. "Like this is a sign for juice." She drank from an invisible cup. Really it looked like she was drinking from her thumb. "Really it's a sign for drink, but he knows it as juice." Then she grinned. "You're not short on juice here, are you?"

I laughed. "In a vineyard? We have juice everywhere." I shook my head. "As long as it's grape."

Seth sat on the bed and began rubbing Toby's back, "We'll need a cow."

"And diapers," I added, then grinned at Seth. "Or as they call them here in Blethos, nappies."

Dara looked at Demetrius. "Are we not godparents? Shouldn't we give them a gift?"

Demetrius smirked but didn't say no. "Gift away." And waved his arm to Dara.

"Normally, new parents have a baby shower, but you need things now." She waved her wand at the bed, which I hadn't seen when she got here. Suddenly there were dozens of white cloths and a bowl of white powder. And some things I had seen before, but they were rare, bottles of glass with red rubber things shaped so a baby could suck on it. There was also a bowl of cream I didn't know. Then I smiled at some papers that had very good illustrations of the human hand forming shapes and what they meant. Even the alphabet, each with the hand sign for each letter. "And you will find a very gentle cow in the stable, she gives very nutritious milk." Then she looked with a smile. "He's just beginning to learn the alphabet, so he will learn as you do. And how to spell." Then she pointed to the bowl of powder. "This is cornstarch, to prevent the rash children often get." She moved to the cream and put the lid on it. "This is for when they do get a rash, it will soothe."

Demetrius shook his head but was smiling at his wife. "She always overcompensates." He smiled.

"They need these things now, you know that, " Dara patted Seth's arm. "You'll be fine." Then she looked up suddenly. "Someone's coming!" Then both Demetrius and Dara vanished.

Grace walked in and gave a little start. "I'm sorry, I expected you to be in the vineyard." She said to Seth. "I assumed you'd be in the office." But then she saw the items on the bed, her eyes widened.

"We sort of had a busy night," Seth grinned still rubbing Toby's back. "We had a baby last night." He chuckled as Grace's eyes widened even more. "Two in fact."

I motioned toward the other room. "There's a one-day-old infant in the other room with a wet-nurse, Doris is her name. Do you know her?"

Grace walked slowly forward quietly. "Of course, I do." The town isn't big, remember? She smiled at the sleeping form of Toby but was speaking softly. "But how did you..."

I touched Grace on the arm, "It's okay. This is Toby, you won't wake him being noisy. He's deaf."

Telling her that just made her face melt into a kind, compassionate look. "Aw...he's deaf?"

Seth nodded, "And of course there will be a lot of new jobs, which we don't expect you to take on alone. There are two women we're looking to hire as nannies and wet-nurses. Hannah is the other woman if she's willing." Seth looked at me. "We'll need someone just for laundry."

I nodded, "And clothes for the boys." Then I grinned, "And toys."

"Yes, toys!" Seth chuckled.

Grace looked at Toby and her compassionate look was one that was melting into love, "He's so beautiful."

"He is!" Seth grinned. "And they're our sons now. Their mother was thrilled."

I gave Grace some quick information about Sarah's death after the baby was born. "Now, Dennis is fine, but we'll all have to learn to communicate with Toby." I showed her the papers. "Here is what we need to learn, Seth and I will, too."

Whatever Grace may have thought about Seth's and my relationship, which she never seemed to care about, she was beyond happy we had two new lives with us now. She hugged both of us. "Don't worry, I know how to cook for children. When Dennis gets a little older, I know how to prepare meals he can eat." Then she hugged us again. "This is wonderful!" Then she caught herself. "It's horrible what happened to the mother, but...." Then she was happy again. "...this is wonderful! You'll both be great parents." She gathered the cloths. "I'll put these in the other room. I guess that's the nursery, right?"

I shrugged. "They'll need one near us."

"This is great!" Grace stated and walked out. "I can't wait to see the baby!"

We both laughed as she left. "We need to rest," Seth reminded me.

"We're parents," I grinned. "Rest is going to be the last thing we get."