Materfamilias

by Wendie Nordgren

Once I was seated, I dug in with ravenous need. It all disappeared too quickly. “More, please, and some fizzy water.”

  Ross returned to the line for me.

  I started stuffing my face as soon as he placed the tray in front of me. Glancing up, I saw Clark, Stayton, Levi, and Tyler watching me with disbelief. Scowling at them, I gave my attention to my food. A cadet walked by with a fluffy piece of white cake. “Oh, I want that.”

  I was about to start in on my third slice of it when every cadet and instructor stood at attention, their own plates forgotten. I turned in my seat and saw Momma, Grandmother, Aunt Seyla, and Uncle Kagan entering.

  “Teagan!” Momma called out as she rushed over to me and trapped my face in her boobs, totally embarrassing me in front of everyone.

  “Twins!” Grandmother exclaimed. “Oh, Teagan! Twins!” Grandmother sat on a chair someone offered to her, pulled me away from Momma, and kissed me all over my face until I was giggling.

  “Teagan, you should be resting at home,” Uncle Kagan said in his authoritative, bossy tone.

  “Do I look like I’m struggling? I’m just doing coursework. I’m not doing any physical training. You can ask my teacher.” I pointed at Rovek.

  He saluted Uncle Kagan.

  Uncle Kagan slowly observed every face in the room, as though committing them to memory. “See that she doesn’t lift a finger.”

  “Yes, Admiral Kagan,” Rovek said.

  “Oh, my sweet, let’s go home. You should rest.”

  “Momma, I’m at school. I’m not done yet. I’ll be home later,” I whispered.

  “Neema, let her be. She’s fine and needs something to do. Otherwise, she’ll get bored and go off in that warship your husband spoiled her with.” Grandmother winked at me.

  “She’s right, Momma.”

  Frustrated, she said, “Oh, Teagan.”

  I shrugged. “If I sit around at the Palace, I’ll spend my time worrying about Quaid, Eric, and everyone.” I glanced over at Clark and wondered if he knew about his dad’s capture and that my husband was probably having him telepathically tortured. “Anyway, my team is watching out for me. Ross didn’t let me hit the floor.”

  “Hit the floor? What do you mean?” Aunt Seyla asked in a horrified tone.

  “I fainted. I’m fine. Promise.”

  “Oh, Teagan.”

  My family seemed to say that a lot. I didn’t understand why they found me to be so exasperating. Uncle Kagan shook his head at me.

  Grandmother said, “Come along, Neema. We need to make plans for an expansion of Teagan’s wing. She’s going to need a bigger nursery.” Momma was wringing her hands together, but she kissed my cheek and allowed Grandmother to lead her out.

  I mouthed, “Thank you,” to her.

  She winked at me.

  After my family had left the cafeteria, Rovek said, “At ease.”

  I started to get up. “What do you need?” Binder asked.

  “I was going to get a cup of coffee.”

  “I’ve got it.” He rushed over to the beverage dispenser.

  Hushed whispers surrounded us making me blush. Rovek had gone stiffly professional beside me. “Oh, don’t be that way,” I scolded him. I sipped my coffee and leaned back in my chair. “I feel much better. Thank you, gentlemen.” I moved my chair back to stand.

  “Let me help you. I’ll bring you anything you’d like,” Cedrenus said.

  “I’m going to the restroom. I’ll be fine.”

  Thunderdrop climbed to my shoulder and chirped at him.

  “He won’t let me fall.”

  As we made our escape, conversation levels increased. A huge and very un-lady-like yawn and burp combination brought tears to my eyes. “Don’t tell,” I warned Thunderdrop.

  “Chirp.”

  In the restroom, he found his own stall. Once we had finished and washed up, we found the team waiting for us outside of the door. Ross gave me his arm. “Have you grown taller?” I asked as I looked up at him.

  Grinning, he said, “A few inches here and there.”

  “Knock it off,” Cedrenus growled.

  Finally getting the joke, I laughed.

  “Teagan, perhaps you should work on your political science while we spar. Do you mind?” Ross asked.

  “That’s fine. I need to catch up. I haven’t been spending much time on my studies.”

  “I’ll get your vid-screen,” Binder said as he ran off.

  In the gym, my team refused to allow me to sit on the bleachers. Instead, they found a cot, pillows, and blankets. After I was reclining against the pillows with my feet up and all covered, my team was satisfied enough to leave me with my vid-screen. They went to change so they could spar in the ring.

  “Chirp,” Thunderdrop said in approval of how I had been treated.

  “So much for being treated like an equal,” I muttered.

  Clark squatted beside me. He wore an exercise shirt that left his muscular arms bare. “Are you alright? Do you need anything?”

  “I’m fine. I’ll just stay right here and read. Promise.”

  With a nod of his head, he went to join his partner on a sparring mat. My classmates had progressed to sparring with rubber batons. I doubted I would ever get to learn to fight like that. I watched Cedrenus and Bishop going at it in the ring. Their muscles rippled under their skin as they moved in a graceful series of strikes and parries. Without realizing it, I fell asleep with Thunderdrop curled up on my stomach.

  How long I slept, I wasn’t sure, but when I opened my eyes, I focused on a pair of black pants and followed them up to weapons and more weapons. It was Kaoti. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’ve been with you since you left the Palace.”

  “I didn’t see you.”

  “No one did. Rovek almost pissed himself when he came over to take your vid-screen and straighten your covers. No offense.”

  “You’re not going to let that go. Are you?”

  “You wet yourself. It seems you were the one who let go.”

  I sat up. “Whatever, Kaoti. So, you heard?”

  “Yes, by now everyone has heard. House Galerius is quite pleased.”

  “Chirp! Chirp!” Thunderdrop was pleased, too.

  “I didn’t complete my assignments.” I was disappointed at how far behind I had gotten in my studies.

  “You will. Don’t worry. Perhaps, tomorrow will be less eventful.”

  My team walked over to us from the locker room. Binder asked, “Do you feel well enough to shop for some modified uniforms?”

  “What time is it?”

  Kaoti said, “The children do not expect you at home for an hour and a half.”

  “Alright. I only need a few things. After I tell Momma, she’ll take care of my uniforms.”

  We left the Academy and drove to a boutique where I selected a knee-length, unadorned black dress, a black shirt, and a new stretchy black skirt. “This is enough to get me through a few weeks.”

  “Or days with the way you are putting the food away,” Kaoti said.

  “I’m eating for three.”

  Kaoti grinned at me.

  When we arrived at the Palace, Fitz greeted me at the entrance with a bouquet of roses that trailed the ground. “Oh, Fitz! They are beautiful!” Red, pink, orange, and white roses filled the air with their intoxicating scent.

  “Chirp.” Thunderdrop showed me an image of a pond in the gardens where he would be.

  “Have fun.”

  “Chirp.”

  Fitz kissed my cheek while I smelled the roses. Kaoti took my bag and shooed my team away.

  Fitz whispered, “My beautiful wife, you have fulfilled my deepest desire.”

  I got lost in the depths of his brown eyes. “Oh, Fitz. You know how desperately I wanted another child. Now, we are having two!”

  “Well, I desperately want for you to rest and put your feet up. You’ve been at the Academy all morning.”

  Kaoti said, “She spent more than half of the time i
n the infirmary, cafeteria, and napping in the gym.”

  “Is that so?” Fitz asked with a grin.

  “She ate three servings of seafood pasta and two and a half pieces of vanilla cake.”

  “I couldn’t help it. I was starving.” As we walked along the Palace halls, I caught sight of Ambassador Stine and Director Sapor as they entered Papa’s office. I tried to follow, but Fitz prevented me from doing so.

  “Niklos wants to show you what he learned today,” he said as he held my hand and led me away. I glanced between him and Papa’s office. “Now is not the time,” he cautioned.

  Acquiescing to his political expertise, I went along with him. At least Ambassador Stine of the Galaxic Militia was still in the Empire. It gave me a small shred of hope. In my wing, Otto took the bouquet of roses from Fitz, and we went out onto the patio.

  Niklos waved at me from the lawn. I didn’t recognize the officer who was serving as my son’s instructor. “Watch me, Mommy!” Niklos showed me how he had learned to stand at attention.

  Clapping, I called out, “Very good!” Aside to Fitz, I asked, “Who is that man?”

  Fitz gave me a quizzical look. “You don’t recognize him? He’s on your Military Advisory Committee. That’s Major General Ridley Varro of Naxa.”

  I scrutinized the man. He was bald, older but fit, and seemed to be patient. He had replaced Luca. “Oh, yes.” Sadness was heavy in my voice. I glanced up at Rolf as he placed refreshments on the table.

  “None of that. We are celebrating each day until our twins are born.”

  “Then, what will we do once they are in our arms?”

  Fitz grinned at me. “Then, we will have parties. Father is overjoyed. He is having plans drawn up as we speak for a play area on the estate, complete with water slides and splash pools.”

  “Oh, that sounds like fun.”

  Niklos ran to me and climbed onto my lap. I kissed his hot, sweaty cheek. He took my water and slurped it down.

  Fitz asked, “How did he do?” He motioned with his hand for Ridley to join us.

  Ridley said, “He’s a natural. It must be a Cassian thing.”

  “That’s my daddy,” Niklos said. “Where’s Daddy?” He turned on my lap to look at me, waiting for an answer.

  “He’s on Apellan with his troops. Shall we call him?” Niklos Tavere Cassian nodded his little head of dirty-blonde hair. I kissed his nose. “You may take after your daddy, but you look like me.”

  “You’re pretty, Mommy.”

  “Aww!”

  Fitz activated his vid-screen and called Nico for us.

  When he answered, he saw us and smiled. “Two of my favorite people in the universes have called me. How are you?”

  “I miss you, Daddy. When you coming home?”

  “Soon, are you being good?”

  Niklos looked to me for an answer. “Oh, yes. He’s been very good. Ridley says he’s a natural at his training.”

  Niklos smiled at his daddy. “Okay. I go to Gama, now. Bye,” Niklos said as he crawled from my lap and ran inside.

  Ridley followed after him.

  Nico asked, “How are you, woman?”

  “Excellent. Fitz and Dario have given me twins.”

  Nico’s eyes crinkled in the corners as he laughed. “Congratulations. I’ve got some gifts for you. My officers have made certain that the Palace freezers will be stocked with plenty of game.”

  “Thank them for me. I have a powerful appetite.” I dropped my playfulness and asked, “When are you returning to me? I miss you. The children miss you.”

  Nico was in his office on his military base. He was dressed in uniform and seated behind his desk. It was a desk upon which we had made love. I longed to kiss his lips and hold him. “My presence is required here for the time being.” He smiled at me. “You aren’t alone. You have the children, Fitz, Yukihyo, Zared, your ladies, and your parents. You are surrounded by those who love you.”

  “You’re not here. You’re there all alone.”

  “Actually, my brothers are here. Mother is with Orson.” I heard Peter cry and turned my head. “Someone wants his mommy. Go. I’ll talk to you again soon.”

  “I love you,” I whispered.

  “I love you,” he said as he ended the call.

  Fitz took the screen and then made certain I was steady on my feet before he released me. In the sitting room, Lorca sang to Peter and tried to placate him, but my son wanted me. Once I had him with a hand on his back and an arm supporting his bottom, he was happy and content on my hip. Laughing, I said, “I love you, Peter. Let’s go find your brother and sister and see what they are doing.” Zared stood near the door. He was in uniform, and his long, dove-grey hair was loose. Lifting up onto my toes, I kissed his cheek. “Will you give us a hint?” I asked as I gazed up into his solid black eyes.

  “I will do better than that and escort you to them.”

  “Did you hear that? Zared will take us to brother and sister.”

  Peter laughed. Then he said, “Find them.”

  Well, I knew it was what he had said, but I translated for Zared. “Yes, we will find them.”

  With his little arms around my neck, he laughed and made all of my worries disappear. Together with Zared and Fitz, we walked along the halls and ended up in the front, formal sitting room where Momma, Aunt Seyla, Grandmother, Lady Dacia, Terre, and Violet entertained some society ladies.

  Grandmother said, “Teagan, come sit with me.” I knew she wanted Peter and not me. Everyone wanted him. He was adorable.

  After handing Peter over, I made the rounds and kissed the Lady Cassie Avitus on the cheek. Aside from being an environmental activist, which I respected, one of her sons, Dr. Avitus, served as my cousin Kane’s Chief Medical Officer. Her other son, Colonel Dorian Avitus, had been doing his best to court me. I was taken by surprise to see Dario’s mother, the Lady Lillith Galerius.

  She stood and with trembling hands embraced me. “My darling, I hope it is alright that I have come. You are so very dear to me, and I wish to care for you.”

  “I’m very happy to see you.” The two of us sat together on a couch.

  Momma smiled as she watched Niklos and Poppy. They were playing with blocks. Neema was on her stomach, coloring a picture. Grandmother and Aunt Seyla had knowing smiles like the one on Momma’s face. I started to wonder what they were up to.

  In my mind, Zared said, “The Lady Lillith does not know.”

  So, she had no idea that I carried Dario’s child. She must have missed the news during transport. Her family must have decided to let me be the one to surprise her. “Lady Lillith….”

  “Oh, darling, please, call me mother.” She smiled sweetly at me. She was all softness and kindness. She was one of the sweetest people who I had ever met.

  Blushing, I said, “Mother, I have news.”

  Lillith gave me her full attention but waited patiently for me to speak.

  “I am having twins. Dario and Fitz have each fathered one of my babies.”

  Her eyes became huge, and she held trembling hands at her chest. “Oh! Oh!” She looked around the room at the smiles on Momma, Grandmother, and Aunt Seyla’s faces. Violet and Lady Avitus were the only ones to share her surprise. “Oh!” Lillith’s hands found mine.

  Gently, I placed one of her hands over my bump. “You are going to be a grandmother.”

  “Oh, Teagan! Does Dario know?”

  I nodded. “He seemed pleased by the news.”

  Fitz laughed. “Pleased? You’ve made us the happiest males in the Empire.” He kneeled at Momma’s feet. “Empress, your daughter is the greatest joy in my life. Your act of selflessness in bringing her into the world has given my life meaning, purpose, and hope.” He kissed her fingers.

  Momma was getting blotchy and red, like she was about to cry. “She is my greatest joy as well. She is the reason I survived when all I wanted to do was give up.”

  My nose started to tingle, and I started sobbing. I was being pampered,
fussed over, presented with roses, and being hand-fed. Momma had been Nathan Green’s prisoner while she had been pregnant with me. I could only imagine how traumatic that had been. Zared lifted me and held me, stroking my back and calming my emotions.

  “Oh, brother,” Neema said in exasperation.

  Momma said, “Little princess, that isn’t nice.”

  “Well, why’s Mommy crying? What’s hurt?”

  Zared gave me a silk square. “I’m not hurt. When a mommy has a baby in her tummy, she gets emotional easily, and I’ve got two babies in my tummy.”

  “You gots two?” Neema asked. Her jade-green eyes stared at my stomach. “Can I see ‘em?”

  “No, they’re not done yet.”

  She shrugged. “Okay.” She went back to coloring.

  Grandmother said, “Oh, my sweet daughter, many years ago Tavere said something similar to me about you.”

  I wiped at my eyes. It was so cute thinking about Papa being mushy about Momma. Meanwhile, Lillith continued to look as though her joyous emotions to the news might shake her apart like a thermo-resonator missile might tear apart a ship. At any moment she might dance or cry, both out of delight.

  Grandmother’s attention to me turned into scrutiny. “Teagan, what are you wearing?” Her expression made it seem as though she smelled something unpleasant. I checked Peter’s diaper just to be safe.

  “Sadly, my cadet uniform no longer fits. My team took me to get a couple of things.”

  Zared said, “No one would think less of you if you were to leave the program.”

  “I know, but I just want to see if I’m smart enough to complete the academic portion of the training. I realize that without your help, I’m no physical match for even the youngest of the male cadets. However, with a weapon, I’m badass all on my own.”

  “Teagan,” Momma scolded.

  Cassie said, “You are more than capable of completing the Inquisitors’ educational program. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

  Meeting her eyes, I admitted, “I’ve never felt very smart. I’d like to know if I can do it.”

  “Well, you have my support,” Violet stated.

  “And, mine,” Aunt Seyla said.

  “Well, of course you have our support,” Grandmother said.

  “We’ve already designed some uniforms. I’ll have them altered to accommodate your changing figure. Leave it all to me,” Momma said.