Lucillia’s ears twitched, and a sly smile crept onto her face. “Did you forget, little Songbird about my sensitive hearing?”

Marcelia froze for a moment but quickly refocused, doing her best to ignore Lucillia’s teasing. She softly hummed a soothing melody, weaving her bardic magic into the air as her hands hovered gently above Lucillia’s belly. Her magic whispered the results of Lucillia’s vitals to her blood pressure elevated, oxygen levels stable, temperature within normal range. Marcelia frowned slightly as she noticed the elevated cortisol levels, which were often tied to anxiety or stress. That could explain the rise in blood pressure.

“Lucillia,” Marcelia asked bluntly, knowing that sugarcoating wouldn’t work with her old friend, “what’s causing your anxiety?”

Lucillia’s playful expression faded as her pale red eyes softened with sadness. She hesitated for a moment, her voice quieter than before. “Marcelia… this is technically my third pregnancy.”

The weight of Lucillia’s words hit Marcelia like a wave. She hadn’t realized Lucillia had experienced two miscarriages. Marcelia’s heart clenched as understanding dawned. Lucillia’s anxiety wasn’t just about her current condition: it was the fear of losing the twins, of another pregnancy not reaching full term.

Lucillia took a deep breath, her hand resting on her belly. “I try not to think about it, but it’s hard, you know. Every time I feel them move, I wonder if it’ll be the last time…”

Marcelia’s heart ached for her. She reached out and placed a comforting hand over Lucillia’s, the warmth of her magic extending like a gentle embrace. “We’re going to make sure everything is okay,” she said softly. “I’m here, and I won’t leave until these babies are born healthy and safe.”

Lucillia nodded, her eyes misty but filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Songbird. I trust you.”

Rayner slipped back into the room quietly, his demeanor unusually subdued. Marcelia noticed immediately that one of his horns was missing, leaving only the right one, from which delicate lavender-like flowers bloomed. These flowers seemed to hum with a subtle magic, their calming energy filling the air. Rayner, with a sheepish look, wedged himself between Marcelia and Lucillia on the couch, ignoring any protests as he gently laid his ear on Lucillia’s belly. Marcelia was about to say something when she felt the shift in the room-the stress that lingered like a heavy fog over Lucillia began to lift. The flowers on Rayner’s horns pulsed softly, releasing magic that soothed Lucillia’s tense body and even caused Marcelia to feel lighter, as though the cortisol was being drawn out of the air. The aura of anxiety slowly dissipated.

Rayner, his voice barely above a whisper, murmured, “Shush, I’m listening to their life force.”

Lucillia’s pale red eyes softened, and for a moment, the room felt wrapped in a peaceful stillness, the magic of the fae blending harmoniously with Marcelia’s own bardic magic.

“They say they’ll be ready tomorrow or the day after… you’re further along than you realize,” Rayner’s voice was like a gentle embrace, soothing in it’s tone. “You have nothing to worry about. I’ll go purify the water in your birthing room.”

Marcelia blinked, surprised. “She has a water birthing room?” Her tone was a mixture of shock and excitement.

Rayner nodded, sitting up slowly. “Of course. She’s the healer of the village, which makes her the midwife as well. I might be slightly terrified of Lucillia, but I respect her deeply.” He glanced foundly at Lucillia, then back to Marcellia. “So whenever I get the chance, I purify the water in that room. It keeps the village healthy, and it’s the least I can do for her.”

Lucillia’s eyes softened, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “You know how to take care of your friends, don’t you, Rayner?”

Rayner nodded, his expression momentarily distant. “They took me in when I had nowhere to go and couldn’t find my way home. The villagers were there for me… they treated me like one of their own.” A hint of sadness filled his voice at the mention of home, his eyes clouding briefly with emotion.

Marcelia, sensing the shift, chose not to press him. She figured he would tell her more when he was ready, as their bond grew over time. For now, she respected his silence.

With a quiet nod of understanding, Rayner left to purify the water, disappearing into the back of the cottage to handle his task.

As predicted, Lucillia began to experience Braxton Hicks contractions, a subtle reminder that the real labor was still on the horizon.

Lucillia went into labor around midnight the next day, the quiet of the village interrupted only by the sounds of hushed whispers and hurried movements. Rayner, to everyone’s surprise, became a valuable asset, his presence more than just a hovering bystander. He controlled magic in ways that Marcelia could only marvel at-fluid, natural, as though the Weave itself yearned to sing for him.

As Lucillia gripped Edward’s hand, breathing through the contractions, Rayner stood by the water’s edge, his fingers trailing above the surface, keeping it at the perfect temperature. “How do you do that so effortlessly?” Marcelia asked in a brief lull between contractions, her voice filled with admiration as she kept a close eye on Lucillia’s vitals.

Rayner’s lips curved into a small smile, eyes glinting in the dim light. “I was born with it,” he said with a slight air of cheek, “It’s in my blood. Besides, I’m only doing the easy part.”

Lucillia groaned from the water, though there was humor in her voice. “Easy for you to say-you’re not the one about to push two babies out of your body.”

Rayner winced slightly, glancing at Marcelia. “I think I’d rather fight a pack of wolves than… that.”

Edward chuckled, though he didn’t let go of Lucillia’s hand. “Don’t let her fool you, Rayner. I’ve  seen her take down a wild boar without breaking a sweat. This-” he nodded to Lucillia, “is nothing compared to the wrath of Lucillia with a polearm in hand.”

Marcelia laughed, her tension easing at the lightheartedness. “Remind me to stay on her good side.”

Rayner’s magic kept Lucillia’s pain at bay, allowing her to focus on the task at hand, and Marcelia to monitor the situation, moving swiftly but with practiced calm. As another contraction hit, Lucillia let out a string of color curses, making Rayner visibly cringe.

“I thought you fae were used to loud noises,” Lucillia teased between breaths seeing his discomfort.

“Not that kind,” he replied with mock horror, though the flowers blooming on his horns shimmered softly, releasing a calming fragrance that quickly filled the room.

“You’ve got this, Lucillia,” Marcelia said, her voice soothing as she placed a comforting hand on her friend’s shoulder. “The twins are almost here.”

Within the hour, the twins were born, five minutes apart from each other. Marcelia, with a beaming smile, carefully passed the firstborn into Lucillia’s arms, a girl named Elliot with a full head of jet-black hair. “Well, would you look at that!” Edward cried, his voice thick with emotion as tears welled in his eyes. “She has my mother’s hair. Lucillia, do you see it?”

Lucillia, utterly exhausted, smiled weakly but radiantly. “I see it, love. She’s beautiful.”

Moments later, their son Jasper arrived, his snow-white hair a striking match to Lucillia’s. Both babies looked entirely human, except for their floppy bunny ears and small fluffy tails, a detail that drew a laugh from Marcelia. “Well, there’s no denying they’re yours, Lucillia.”

Rayner, standing back with a fond expression, looked to Marcelia and gave her a nod. “Told you they’d be ready,” he said quietly, his usual playfulness replaced by a rare moment of sincerity. “You’ve got two little fighters there.”

After the delivery, Marcelia and Rayner stayed in the village for a few days, helping Lucillia recover and ensuring both parents adjusted to the new changes. Edward, despite his tough demeanor, quickly melted under the twins' gazes. “I think they already have you wrapped around their tiny fingers,” Marcelia teased as she found him cradling both babies while humming softly.

“I don’t stand a chance,” he admitted, eyes bright with love as he rocked them gently. “And I wouldn’t have it any other  way.”

Lucillia, tired but peaceful, watched from her bed. “We’ll be fine,” she said, voice soft but filled with contentment. “Thanks to you both.”

Rayner, who had been loitering near the door, cleared his throat. “I’ll just… purify the water again. You know, to be sure.” His eyes darted between them all before quickly retreating, and Marcelia couldn’t help but smile.

“He’s really not as tough as he pretends, is he?” Lucillia whispered with a smirk.

“Not when it comes to you,” Marcelia replied, shaking her head foundly.