Exton

Pandora awoke late; Ob had made love to her till the hint of dawn appeared... going to his rest outside the patio door at the last possible moment, a kiss for her and whispered words to his son as he caressed her belly on his way out the door.

She felt refreshed... and certainly her whole outlook was now changed; where she had feared what others might think of her son was now changed to... "We will all help mold your son to an acceptable boy".

She had felt overwhelming love as soon as she realized she was with child, and as she held her hand against her stomach now she whispered... "I will always be there for you my son... we might have challenges; but you are loved little one." The tiniest flutter seemed to issue from her belly and she knew he heard her.

Chloe came bursting into the room; the nanny fast on her heels... "Its ok, " Pandora said, laughing... and swept her daughter into her arms as the nanny returned to the nursery. Chloe enjoyed her mothers hugs and kisses; then squirming she sat up and put a hand on her mother's stomach... "My bruder is here?"... she had remembered Alise and Star's rounded  bellies. "Yes, love... your brother is growing there." Chloe sat still for moments... her hand laying gentle on her mother's lap. "He talks already "... she said, looking up at Pandora. "He loves us mama."

Pandora was overwhelmed at Chloe, and gathered her close, telling her she was her big girl... and she would have to help with her little brother. Chloe rose and stood in front of her mother on the bed... "I'll fly him till bruder walks"... she stated; flapping her wings she rose a foot off the bed, then abruptly landed with a soft thump... Pandora broke into peals of laughter... Ob's chuckle echoing in her head as he listened to his daughter's thoughts.

Pandora rose and taking Chloe with her they showered amid laughter and soapsuds and then Pandora dressed and took Chloe in search of clean clothes... donning appropriate clothes for a little girl's day of adventure. Absinthe hovered in the air, swooping and playing with Chloe while she tried to control her daughter's unruly rainbow locks. So like her father, she sighed.

Chloe toddled before her down the hall... and was soon tackling the stairs... she had worried at first when Chloe tried the descent alone; but soon saw that when she lost balance those little wings of hers flapped just enough to hold her upright till she regained her balance... and her triumphant look back at Pandora let her know she was aware of her role as a "BIG" sister now.

Chloe had barely entered the room when she saw the table full of warriors... and her favorite, Gunnar, was busily wolfing down sausages as she ran at him with arms wide... "Gunnar"... she slammed into him as he tried to empty hands to catch her... and the whole table laughed. "Looks like you have an effect on girls of all ages,"... one of the men guffawed... and Gunnar grinned as he swooped Chloe up into his lap.

She went silent for a moment when she spied Inari with Keon... an unfamiliar face, though she recognized her. Inari's quick smile disarmed her; and she was soon giggling and tugging Gunnar's pretty braided mustache.

Pandora appeared at the table with a cup of coffee, and milk for her daughter... Monty trailing behind with breakfast platters for them. Gunner grabbed Chloe's and sat it next to his; allowing the tot to eat from his lap; sharing proffered bites from her fork.

Pandora was soon laughing and conversing with the others... enjoying Inari's relaxed mood... she had seldom seen her when she was not on a mission; and she was delightful company as she listened to tales of her attack on Gunnar in the early morning mock battle.

Pandora could smell the scent of more food cooking... for Monty seemed able to read the thoughts of the family; and she commented... "From the smells in the kitchen I would say Alise and her brood will be appearing soon... and probably Star and Eric; once she has fed her son."

The men rose and pulled another table to the end of theirs... making room for the extended family... breakfast was a casual all together affair to them; and they welcomed the activities of family that were missing in their lives. Monty returned with more high chairs for the little ones... and  Patty was right behind  with fresh carafes of coffee and a pitcher of milk for the children.

It was a good morning... with the promise of coming spring in the greening of the grass  outside the tavern door.