In June. . .
"Things to worry about:
1) The twins coming back soon.
Problem: Their last mail told me they were both out growing their old clothes pretty fast, must find a way to give them a whole new wardrobe.
Solution: Use a bit of the emergency fund to buy even BIGGER clothes. It is a must as soon as they get home.
2) The restaurant business while getting better, it is not enough.
Problem: business is stable, but is no longer making continuous profit.
Solution: Travel once more for festivals along with the children, and some of my workers to promote the restaurant and set up new limited edition food and baking goods.
3) Primrose is in her EIGHT month of pregnancy at best.
Problems: She hasn't being able to find a more fitable housing AND has told me that Diane has been checking on her like she is meant to give the baby to her.
Solution: Help her to find a new place and get Meadow to set up a magic protection spell around Prim and baby. Best case scenario, the baby will arrive in a new home without Diane chasing. Worst case scenario, I'll have to evict Diane if she were to try to at LEAST breath near the baby.
4) Summer festivals coming soon.
Problem: the summer festivals are both in Silverwood and the other town where I found my baby girl and it takes time and effort to make it there without a bunch of food spoiling.
Solution: I have asked Meadow in advance to put a time stopping spell on the food or sep thing so it can help with the food not spoiling. She says she's working on it, so let's hope it works.
5) Baby girl's new name and birthday.
Problem: I don't know what to name her.
Solution: Asked around for names and these are the best names I was able to find the ones down below. When baby girl's birthday comes, I'll put these names in bits of paper and let her choose her name. It will be just easier than to decide by myself.
— Amorette: Little love.
— Ilaria: Joyful, happy.
— Diantha: Divine flower.
— Nimue: Lady of the Lake.
— Merida: honor, accomplishment, bravery, dignitiy.
— Roseanne: Graceful Rose.
— Enora: Foreign, other, honor.
— Alora: Dreamer.
— Aurora: Dawn, the one who brings the light of dawn.
— Auretta: Light wind.
— Illiana: Light of heaven.
— Evelina: Heavenly, wished for child.
— Althea: Healer.
— Viridia: Green
— Adamina: Earth, res.
— Dysis: Sunset.
— Fiona: Vine,
— Astra: Star.
6) Liam's new name (he days he cannot wait until he's older and wants to change both of them now). I've been able to avoid the inevitable by getting him to "help" me search for both human and elf names. Naturally, there are more human names than elf names because the sources for elf names is pretty limited. But these are what we found so far:
Human names:
— Edmund: Fortunate protector.
— Aeron: Mountain of strength.
— Lonan: Black bird.
— Hael: angel of kindness.
— Avalon: Paradise.
— Oryn: Golden.
— Maximillian: Greatest.
— Halen: hero, hall of light.
— Alastor: Man's defender, avenger.
— Aureo: Gold.
— Elio: Sun.
— Rune: Secret.
— Haoran: Brilliant.
Elf Names:
— Elvy: Light, elf warrior.
— Raihin: Warm welcome.
— Eatelin: Place of belonging.
— Alvar: Elf warrior.
— Viltarin: Wolf spirit.
— Bleddyn: Wolf.
— Oisin: Deer, stag.
— Fletcher: Arrow-maker.
— Slater: Unbreakable.
7. Diane being nosey when it comes to children.
Problems: she has been found by parents stalking the children that come to the restaurant, and has been found to almost "borrowing" a child from the restaurant while she was clearly aware that the mom was searching for them. Meadow hasn't protected the clients from Diane and has practically made an blind eye to her antics.
Solutions: Gave Meadow and Diane a final warning individually. If Meadow could not keep Diane in check, then I would be forced to oficially remove both Diane and her from my properties. And If Diane could not stop trying to take children that were not her own, I will personally escort her out of my property and make sure the whole town is sure about how dangerous fairies actually are, and how a human like her is willing to take the fae side instead of the human side.
—> Consequences: Meadow has finally stepped up and kept Diane far away from the restaurant unless she comes with Meadow to eat and leave as soon as they finish. Diane for her part, has reduced her stalking to a more tolerating level. But she keeps bothering Primrose which is still a problem."
I sighed heavily. Things have become more complicated now. I then decided to pause my brain for a moment and took my children and I to the library of the town. There, I went through some (yet very limited) books about "paranormal" and "fae" creatures. . . And felt like a pang of luck hitting me when I saw a book with the title "Protection agaisnt the fae: How to keep the fae away from the family and save the babies." I need it. I took the book and took out some notes.
"From what the book says, fairies and their look-a-likes, are severly allergic to iron. This is actually a HUGE relief, because Primrose Can actually get iron scissors or a small knife.
Another thing that could help, is salt. The books says that a lot of people put it in a circule around the cribs so the fairies cannot take them, and they put iron scissors under the crib for extra protection.
There is also some things more religious and more inclined to the church, like crosses, medals and even holy water that were blessed by a priest, and some other things, but yeah."
I ended taking notes and left the book back in its place, a few more minutes with Liam playing outside with baby girl following him while crawling and then went home.
In the office with Primrose. . .
'Here.' I gave her a list of things. 'If what I saw in the book is right, you should be able to get a few of these things to protect the baby from the fairies and other fae a-like.'
Primrose looked over the list and exhaled more relaxed while she pats her overgrown belly. 'Thank you so much.' She looked over the list again exhausted. 'I-I haven't found another place to live.'
I nodded understanding. Not many people are willing to take in someone already pregnant. I recalled the history lessons of how women were treated in medieval times in Europe, and knowing the fact that this place is practically the same (with more real fantasy and creatures), it only makes sense that women are undervalued at an extreme level. 'Look, I am not going to kick you out. First I kick Diane out before she becomes more feral towards children, but I am going to ask, are you really ready for this child?'
Primrose looked at me confused. 'Pardon?' She asked confused.
'You see, during my travels, I've seen a lot of women from making their own child suffer to abandon their child in the trash.' I let her know. 'Whether it is because they've been treated the same way, or whether they resent the child for literally just existing, they all have two similar features:. . . They are to young and they didn't want to be pregnant.' I told her. 'I will ask again, are you ready to have this child?' I asked her again.
Primrose looked thoughtful for a moment. '. . . Yes, I am.' She nodded determined.
'Good. Hopefully, you'll be still thinking and saying the same thing after giving birth.' I responded half-joking, which still made Primrose chuckle.
I then went to search for some things and found a knife and a pair of old, yet still useful iron scissors. 'Here take this swith you, while Diane is half-fairy, it will still burn her if she tries something.' I told her. Hopefully. I added inside me. Then I went to the kitchen and gave her a small pack of salt. 'Use this around the baby's crib if it comes to it.' I gave the sack to her. 'And the windows, just in case.'
Primrose nodded tearing up and extended her arms to me for a hug.
I hugged her as best a I could, because her womb would not let me get closer. I really wish to evict Diane, but because she has been obedient to some level, I cannot do much.I exhaled. I can only hope for the birth to end before it even starts.
. . .
A few days later. . .
I called the local doctor, his midwife wife, and priest came to check on Primrose's progress, for she calimed she felt "pangs of pain becoming more frequently."
'Well my lady, you seem to start going into labor.' The doctor declared as he packed his things up. 'You said it is only been eight months or a bit less, right Miss Steelbrave?' He asked with a serious face, yet worridsome eyes on her. Prim nodded slowly. 'Well, seems things are going to get ugly tonight, for it is pretty much an early birth.' He sighed grimly.
The priest was reciting prays to the "Great Gods" above us, and asking them to protect this tiny household. Me, being an athiest by heart, I did not really believed in god, but seeing the magic particles glowing gold and silver covering the tiny household, and forming what I could tell and describe as an actual "holy barrier," I could find myself being a more open minded about Gods and such.
Primrose and l looked at each other a bit distraught.
'Please be calm.' The midwife took Primrose's hand. 'The fairies that live around will not be able to get here thanks to you early precauciones such as salt and iron weapons.' She reassured us. 'Believe it or not, this is not the first time a half-fairy wants a baby that is not their own, so we know how to proceed and what to look out for.'
I exhaled a bit more relaxed. Primrose took my hand with her free hand. 'Is something wrong, Prim?'
'I. . . Do not know how to do much for me or my baby. . . But I know you do, and might be able to help me in life.' Prim looked at me with a tear in her eye. 'If anything happens to me, please, take her of my baby.' She requested to me.
I raised my eyebrows. 'Like. . . Their, godmother or something?' I asked a tad confused.
Prim's eyes shone like never before and nodded. 'Yes, please be my child's godmother.' She seemed to plead this time.
I nodded and smiled to her. 'Don't worry, you will live to see your child.' I encouraged her.
Prim nodded in return putting my hand on her forehead.
I looked at the midwife who smiled encouragingly as well.
'If, you are willing to become the child's godmother, I might as well prepare some parchtments for you two to sign.' The priest joined the conversation. 'That would be able to secure Mss. Baker's position as the rightful guardian of the child. Just in case.'
Prim and I nodded at the same time. Then I looked at her smiling with kindness and relaxing my trip. 'I see to the papers right now, the midwife will take care of you while I am not here, rest a bit because, unless I am wrong, childbirth will NOT let you sleep.' I joked a bit.
The priest and midwife chuckled to the bad joke, which encouraged Prim to sleep a little. I then left the midwife with her while the priest, doctor and I left outside and, since it was midday and the fae and people were taking care of their jobs and such, we felt relaxed enough to talk about it in a low voice.
'The fairies are keeping an eye too close to the child. Whether it is the pure fae or the half-human, it is clear that their magic has affected her body and mind.' The priest scowled immediately.
'I-I am truly sorry.' I quickly apologized.
'It is not thee fault, my lady.' The doctor assured me. 'Believe it or not, while it is not the first time we've had to deal with fairies, most of the time, the fairies themselves see humans as "not see physical appealing" or "ugly," which is why, most of that time the fairies do not even bat an eye at the pregnant mother nor the child after birth. Therefore, we all did not thought much of your letters, until we met the half-blood fae.' The doctor explained as he lit a cigarrette and started to smoke. 'What the priest and I find odd is the fixation of the mixed-breed in the pregnant lady.' Remaked.
'Well, I am not defending her with this, but Meadow, the pure fairy, has told me that Diane, the half-fae lived among fairies for most of her life, which it means she has not had a lot of contact with humanity.' I explained things to them. 'Also, Meadow told me that Diane lost a child a while ago, and since then, she has become "child obsessed," so to speak.' I added.
'For the gods.' The priest murmured as he pat a hand on his forehead. 'Not another one of those again.' He grumbled.
'Excuse me?' I asked confused and worried.
'The half-human Diane, must be what fairies call a "child adopter," or, a we humans would call her, "a wanna-be mother."' The doctor responded smoking a bit more. 'Ah. . . Wanna-be mothers can be dangerous, to the point of even killing the mothers right after birth to keep the child for themselves.' He smiled a bit more. 'From what the priest has said, it seems as Diane has been playing with magic knowing full well that it might be "her chance" to "have a child" for herself.'
I felt the color drain from my face and stumbled a bit. 'And I have her in my complex and close to my babies.' I whispered terrified.
The priest out his hands on my shoulders. 'Rest assured. I have created a holy barrier that will keep her magic away from now on.' He patted my shoulders. 'But, it would be best if you were to, you know, throw Diane out of the building, along with the, so called "Guard" you have.' He suggested.
I nodded, feeling hot tears in my eyes.
'There is another way, though.' The doctor interrupted. 'Priest, do you know anyone inside the "anti-fae" guards?' He asked.
'Hmm. . . Yes, why—' Something clicked on his head. 'Oh, oooooohhhh, I see. . .' He nodded along.
'The "anti-fae" guards? Who are those?' I inquired.
'Those are guards who protect the humans in this kingdom against dangerous fae like the half-fae you have in your domain.' The doctor responded. 'While I have connections, they tend to responded faster to priests and nuns inside the holy church, so they'll be able to respond quickly and faster.' He proposed. 'You see, killing a human with magic is considered "dark magic" or "curse of death," depends on who you ask, therefore, the half-fae has been committing a horrible crime agaisnt the kingdom. If they get here fast enough, we might be able to arrest both fairies under the assumption of murder. The half-fae for doing it on purpose, and the fairy as an accomplice for not even warning the mother nor the owner of the tiny housing complex.' He proposed.
I nodded along. 'Yeah, yeah that would work. But, I would rather get the godmother's thing done as soon as possible, just in case. . . The worst happens.' I clarified my first steps.
The priests taps me on the shoulder. 'I will come back in a few hours for the parchtments to sign in. But I would really like it if you were to find witnesses for the documentation.' He suggested and went into deep thought for a moment. 'Preferably trusted fellow humans.' He added.
I nodded in agreement and felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders.
A few hours later. . .
Primrose and I decided to call Elara, Amandine and Ivy to being witnesses in the documentation.
The priest and the doctor were a bit sceptical to the gnome, but when I told that the gnome was a woman, they were less sceptical since they knew that low-level fae females tender to be more trust worthy and more capable of empathy. Usually.
And fortunately, Ivy was cool with being trusted, saying that it gave her "a reason to stick around," and other stuff.
The priest helped Primrose write her name on the documents and then blessed her in holy water because he could still feel the magic of Diane working. Then, I signed the document and then the priest blessed me with holy water as well. Once everything was done, the priest pulled me aside. 'I have tried to stop the half-fae's magic working on her while the anti-fae guards arribe, but the half-fae's magic IS that strong, so I am afraid, that, while she might survive, she will not do so without horrible pain.'
I nodded understanding the situation grimly situation.
'Em, Amelia?' Primrose asked for me from her bed.
'II'll be right there!' I told her and nodded once more to the priest who then went on to talk with the doctor.
The girls and I stayed close, but not too close so the midwife could keep track of things.
'As, most of you probably don't know. . . My child will be half-elf.' Primrose opened up to the rest of them. All of them except Ivy looked surprised (Ivy just knows how to hide her emotions well). 'Therefore, I am open to suggestions for both elf and human names.' She let us know.
'I have a few names I picked from both female and male elves during my travels.' Ivy raised her hand. 'I'll make the list, and let you to hear it, that way you'll decide which name would suit him the best—BUT! Be warned, that the fae name needs to remain a secret.' She let Primrose know. 'You can make an exception with lady Baker over here because she will be the godmother of the child, BUT otherwise, it is best if you were to use only the human's name in public.' She warned. 'Otherwise, both humans and fae folk might use the power of the fae name for their will, and let me tell it will NOT be pretty for the child.'
Primrose nodded profusely to Ivy's understanding worry for the child.
'I have a few human names for both male and female. I will also make a list and you will decide which ones would be better.' I proposed.
Primrose smiled and we all laughed excitedly.
'That sounds all lovely girls, but, I am afraid that, despiste being half-elf, there's still a big chance of the baby dying before a year old.' The midwife interrupted our happy bubble. 'You can decide on the names for both a boy and a girl, but it is best if you were not to name the child yet until the child has achieved a year of life.' She suggested.
We all nodded.
'I am still going to make that list.' Ivy promised. 'We gnomes don't get such priviledge unless it is for your own baby or to give options to a close friend or family member. I'll make sure to bring the best names I can remember!' She jumped off the still she was stood on.
'Hold up!' I stopped her. 'We should come up with a code word first.' I proposed.
'Code word?' The whole room asked.
'Yes, because, unless my extremely faint and limited knowledge about fairies is wrong, they, can change their faces and shapes to look like any of us with. . . What was it called, "glamour," right?' I reminded them. 'Where are they right now?' I asked quickly.
The midwife opened the window curtain and saw through it. 'Both fairies are having a tea party with the senior lady and the old librarian.' She let us know.
We all exhaled and relaxed.
'Well, in that case, let's come up with a very specific word or combination of words that we ALL can remember and it is difficult for others to figure it out.' I encouraged them.
They all started thinking.
The priest raised his hand, eating us know he came up with something. 'Ancestral reliquary.' He told us softly. 'That is my suggestion.' He declared.
'Ancestral reliquary? That sounds good.' Ivy agreed. 'Two words from human religion makes it harder for high fae to figure things out, for, well, reasons.' She told us.
We all nodded.
'In that case, the code word will be "ancestral reliquary." Let's keep things between us, and, if it is needed or if you can, lie about it.' I asked.
They all nodded.
'I'll be going then!' Ivy sped out of the apartment to her own apartment.
As for me, I already had my book and started to write a few human unisex names as well as their meanings.
"Unisex names:
— Sky: Like the blue sky
— Willow: the Willow tree.
— Rune: secret.
— Alex: nickname for either Alexander or Alexandra = protector of mankind.
— Harley: Hare valley.
— Casey: Brave one in battle, vigilante observer.
— Zephyr: light breeze.
— Briar: Bramble bush, hawthorn bush.
— Indigo: color associated with the intuition, spirituality, and mystery.
— Navy: army, strong blue color.
— Cameron: crooked nose.
— Crimson: intense red color.
— Poppy: flower associated with rest, the dreams, and the memories.
— Brooks: plural word for streams; the one who lives close to a stream
— River: a large water body associated with the fluidity of change and movement."
'Here we go.' I declared. 'Just so you know, these names can be used for both male and female, depending on how the person sees it.' I let them know.
They seemed to giggle at that. While confused, I started to tell them what names I had for the baby, and the smiles become bewildred and the faces went from "you are joking, right?" To "oh, she wasn't kidding."
'Well, what names did you all like?' I asked them.
Primrose raised her hand. 'I-I liked the color of names such as Indigo, Crimson and Navy.' She admitted deep in thought. 'I also liked the names Willow and Brooks.' She added.
'I also liked the Indigo name, as well as the names Sky, Poppy, and Navy.' Elara said.
'I-I think I liked the names Willow, Indigo, Poppy and Harley.' Amandine said.
We heard the door being opened slightly by the doctor, who we heard the question "what is the code word?" And after a few seconds, Ivy was let in. 'Here I am!' Ivy exclaimed as she tan back to stand on the stool. 'Here are the names for the little elf.' She gave the names to me, since I am the one who knows how to read.
'Thank you, my dear Ivy.' I thanked her.
'Hey Ivy.' Elara patted Ivy's shoulder getting the gnome's attention. 'You are picky with names, right?' She asked the gnome, who then nodded profusely. 'Good, can you tell us what human names do you prefer?' Elara asked Ivy giving her my list with meaning.
'Sure! Let's see.' Ivy checked the list from top to bottom. '. . .' Briefly checked me out and then checked the names once more. '. . . River, Indigo, Poppy and Harley.' She declared crossing her arms like the boss she was raising her chin and beard up.
'Oh! Great, which means Indigo and Poppy stay.' Elara determined.
Wait really?!' Ivy asked. 'Wait, what did I missed?!' She scratched her head. 'Also, are these male or female names because. . . I'll be honest I cannot tell.' She admitted.
'Hehehe, that is my point.' I let her know. 'I find it easier to have names that can be used for both boys and girls instead of making two whole lists.' I explained things to her.
'Oh, wow. . .' Ivy went into deep thought. 'Well. . . My veridict is this: use both names.' She declared. 'The baby shall be name: "Indigo Poppy Steelbrave." How does that sound?'
Primrose smiled happily. 'Sounds like a wonderful name.' She said.
'Ha! Ivy does it again!' Ivy celebrates with a little funny dance for us.
We all laughed in that little cramp apartment, with the experts in birth and magic working while smiling with us.
We all hopes that things would be for the better.