Exton

Star slowly opens her eyes and tries to focus on her surroundings. She doesnt feel any pain, just weak as a kitten and tired. She moves her fingers and feels some soft silky fur with just her fingertips.. Panther.... 


Her eyes begin to adjust to the dim light in the room. She sees Erik, sitting in a chair right next to her bed, his head and shoulders slumped forward on the mattress. She reaches for his head but it seems to take forever, like she is moving her arm through thick mud.

Erik feels something touch the side of his head and he looks up. Stars eyes are open and she is looking right at him.

He takes a long, deep breath, watching her closely. Her eyes are steady, clear blue. He asks very faintly, with a bit of a quaver in his voice...

“Star?” Can you hear me? Are you awake?”

She tries to smile, but even that feels like it takes forever. “Yes. So thirsty... where are we?”

“We are at the Manse. Do you remember what happened?” Erik takes her hand, kissing it and not letting go.

Star shakes her head, “I..I dont know... there were goblins...” Her free hand moves over her belly and her eyes go brown with worry. “The baby... is he all right? Where is he?” Her voice beginning to panic. She struggles to sit up but the pain in her belly when she moves suddenly makes her gasp and lay down again.

Erik all but lays in the bed and holds her close, kissing her face, “Gods, Star... I have been so worried...” His voice breaks and he stands, “Let me get him for you. Rowan can explain about his delivery...”

He goes to the make-shift cradle and takes his sleepy baby in his arms. “Its time little guy... time to meet your mother..”

Erik places their baby in Stars arms. Her eyes switch from brown to a soft pink as she gazes at the baby. “He looks like you..” She gently runs a finger over a soft cheek and over his head, happy tears slipping down her face.

Erik reaches out and wipes her cheeks with the back of his hand. Star looks up and smiles, “I love you. I'm sorry about all this...” and she looks around at the equipment next to the bed.

“Shh... none of this is your fault. I love you too.” Erik cant let go of her, afraid she will drift off and somehow leave him.

The baby stretches out a little hand and Star smiles, moving to capture it in her own. The baby startles and opens his eyes, his gaze serious at first, looking at his mother.

As Erik watches, his sons eyes fade to a similar shade of pink when the baby looks at Star. Tears start again and Star says, “Look... he is like me too.”

Erik nods, unable to say anything, afraid of the overwhelming emotions he is feeling for his family.

Suddenly Mya sits up, “Star!” and she flits over to her familiar spot on Stars shoulder. Mya wraps her arms around Stars cheek. “Mya happy now...”

“But your arm? What happened to it? Is that a cast?” Star is worried and her eyes darken to brown again.

“Stupid goblins... Miko get them... Arm fine now, baby fine, Star fine. Mya happy.” Mya sighs and sits on Stars shoulder.

Erik pulls his chair closer to the head of the bed and leans in, wrapping one arm around Star and the other around his son.

Thinking it was time to check on Star Rowan heads to her room but stops in the doorway, “Goddess be praised...” and watches silently at the wonder and love in Stars eyes as she gazes at her baby.