Race for the Throne

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Serena handles the crowd in a calm manner and answers the people as they talk to them. “We are all in wonderful health, thank you for asking. The boys are doing well at this time and the doctor says that they are doing well. As for me I am certain all ladies who have been pregnant know how I feel right now.” She said joking with the people. “I promise you though that I am well. Both Vincent and I just want to have a nice evening out together.” She explained.

On that note a few of the people begin to disperse and give them space. Serena takes Vincent’s hand and smiles. “That is a little better.” She said.

~~

Brandon takes Annaleigh and smiles at her. “She is such a beautiful little girl. I am so happy for you both, Audra and Malachi.” He was holding her and looking into her eyes. “Hello there little one, your eyes are so beautiful.” He said as he gently went from side to side to sway her.

Audra smiled as Malachi put his arm around her. “She is so good. She keeps us on our toes but I cannot complain. I could not love her more than I do.” She said.

“Grayson, apologize to Jasmine! You know you are not supposed to be rough with people.” Scott said shaking his head. “You will have to excuse him, he is so happy to see you Jasmine.”

“It doesn’t matter that you have a bum shoulder, I still love you.” Brandon said as they left on the carriage. He is sitting beside of her as the carriage goes on. “I do miss them, now that I know they are there, it is hard not to think about them sometimes.” He said. “It will be good to see them again.”

~~

“That will be nice. I haven’t been up to the playroom in ages.” Serena said with a smile. She rubbed her stomach as she finished her smoothie. She then laughed at her mother. “You are silly mother. It will be good to watch the fireworks from there and the moon rise.” She said.

She stands up and looks at Vincent. “Let’s go look at the room.”

Vincent takes Serena up to the play room. They are joined by Kalista as promised. They both give her easier tasks to do while keeping track of Reginald. He finds some markers and colors by Jasmine's painting. "Well isn't that cute."

~~~~~~

Jasmine snuggles up to Brandon thankful that he brought a blanket. Soon the carriage slows slightly. "Majesties, it is nice to see you. We are here to escort you to the castle." A Rosarion guard informs them.

Jasmine crinkles her nose. "I was hoping we would stay at the house. Oh well, at least we can stay in the same room this time."

Serena was keeping herself busy. She finally had to take a seat in the rocking chair in the play room as she was watching Reginald.

Iverson gets word from the guards that the carriage from Moldova is close by. He smiles and makes his way up to the play room to let everyone know that Brandon and Jasmine were almost there. He heads up the secret passage way and walks into the room. “Brandon and Jasmine will be here soon, we should head down to the carriage house.”

“I wonder if Serena has had the baby then.” Brandon said as he raised his eyebrows.

“Not yet, Majesty, but she is due anytime now.” The guard said. they then escort them to the castle.

The carriage stops and the guard helps Jasmine out of the carriage. "Oh it is so good to see everyone. Serena you look great. I bet you are so ready to hold these little guys in your arms." She puts her hands on Serena's stomach. "I hope you guys are being good for your mommy."

She then hugs Vincent. "It is nice to see you as well."

Vincent flinches and bites his bottom lip when Jasmine hugs him. "It...is nice...to see you."

Serena smiles at Jasmine. “It is good to see you Jasmine, how are you both?” She asked as Brandon gets out of the carriage. “The boys are being good actually.”

“Audra and Annaleigh send their regards for not being able to make the festival this year. Annaleigh is not yet ready for travel.” Brandon said as he put his arm around Serena. “I am doing w….” He was cut off by Serena.

“Oh Jasmine, be careful! Vincent’s back has a small fracture in it.” Serena explained.

Iverson walked over and shook Brandon’s hand, though Reginald wanted Jasmine so he was reaching for her. “I think someone wants you.” Iverson said to Jasmine.

Jasmine cringes and releases Vincent. "I am so sorry. This is not Reginald. Look how big he getting." She takes Reginald and twirls with him. Reginald squeals in delight. "What did you do now Vincent? Tell me inside, it is freaking cold out here."

Kalista laughs. "Typical Jasmine. Let's go in and get some food."

"It was a training accident. I am fine though, just on restrictions for a little while." Vincent tells Jasmine. "However, I am out of the archery competition."

Serena waddles into the castle with her hands on her back. “He saved another man’s life while in training.” Serena said as she walked. She stopped a moment and rubbed her lower back. “I don’t know how much longer I can deal with this.” She said with a sigh.

Brandon smiled as they walked down the hall. “Well that sounds like it might be good for others in the tournament. When Jasmine found out that there would be a tournament for the crossbow, she was rather excited.” He opened the door so everyone could go into the dining room. The fire was lit in the fireplace making it nice and cozy in the room.

“I had the fireplace lit for you Jasmine.” Iverson said.

"Yes, pick on the Moldovan girl for being cold. So is this little man walking yet?" Jasmine put Reginald in the high chair.

"Not yet, but he is close." Kalista tells her.

"I bet your back is sore. Have you been treated to a nice back massage? I think it will help it out. I think we should kick the guys out and have some girl time." Jasmine proposes to Serena.

Vincent helps Serena to her chair. "I would not mind that. I do need to catch up with Brandon. I won't be able to lift much though."

Iverson shook his head. “We have tempted him, but he’s not ready to walk on his own. Now he will take steps if he is pushing something¸ but nothing on his own.” He explained.

The attendants bring out dinner after everyone is seated Brandon looks up at Vincent and nodded his head. “It will be nice to have some time out. I have had my head in the books for the past few weeks so I am super tired of studying. I feel like we could get into some stuff. Even if we went out and helped set up for the festival. Did they say what kind of fracture it was or just a fracture in general?” Brandon asked.

“Cadence said it was a hairline fracture.” Serena explained. She took a sip from her mug and shook her head at Jasmine. “A back massage sounds heavenly. For that matter sleep sounds heavenly. It is hard to come by these days.” She said as she sat the mug down.

"I bet he will be walking before we leave. I have experience with getting kids to walk." Jasmine tickles Reginald's chin. "Please let me feed him."

"Practicing for something?" Kalista raises her eyebrow.

"Very funny Aunt Kalista. Didn't you hear Brandon, we've been so busy lately." Jasmine retorts. "Not all of us get pregnant before or on our honeymoon."

"Have you started any military training Brandon." Vincent asks more to change the subject. "If you want, I will show you my war wounds later."

"Be careful, he likes to make messes and eat with his fingers." Iverson said chuckling.

"I haven't had any military training yet. Grandpa said that after I get the basics in from history and laws that I will start training." Brandon explained. "I would like to see that Vincent. It sounds rather painful."

Serena laughed. "It's not like we were expecting to get pregnant while on our honeymoon. It just happed that way. So when should we expect your first child?"

"When the Goddess deems it is time for us to have one." Jasmine replies not missing a beat. "You forget how much I fed Daniel and Lucas when they were babies."

"Don't let them pressure you guys either. I know with Serena and Audra having babies you may feel that. Or even as heir to the thrones." Kalista tells them. "Iverson was the one who got baby fever when Madeline was pregnant with you."

“I couldn’t help it. We had been married a few months and there was so much pressure there for us to have a baby. I started to feel that we would never had a child.” Iverson said.

“Right now we know that we just have a lot on our plate. We are not pressured right now to have children.” Brandon said as he finished his dinner.

Serena yawned slightly. “Tomorrow the festival starts. I am excited. I also see Cadence before we go out. Jasmine, I hope we can get into some mischief.”

"Mischief, me? I am a married woman." Jasmine acts with fake surprise. "I don't know how much trouble we can get into. I am going to be entering in the crossbow tournament, and I promised to dance with Brandon."

"As if marriage will slow you down. So how many paintings have you done as Princess Sentali?" Vincent asks. "I do wish you luck in the tournament. The archery contest will be interesting this year."

"We presented our first treaty to Altiere. Annaleigh is so adorable." Jasmine tells them all.

Brandon chuckles. “We know the two of you won’t be dancing for a while, not with a bad back and not as heavily pregnant as you are Serena.”

“Oh just tell me how fat I am already, I feel like a whale.” Serena said in a dramatic fashion. She looked at Jasmine. “Oh isn’t she though? She is the cutest little one I have seen in so long.” She said talking about Annaleigh.

Reginald was beginning to get fussy so Iverson stood up. How about we take him off your hands for the night? I’m certain that Serena can show you to Brandon’s room.”

"I know how to get to Brandon's room. I will go to Serena's room for some girl time. Brandon should know his way. It hasn't been that long that we have been away."

"I have no problem hanging out with Brandon. We will compare notes. And I can show him my battle scar." Vincent tells him.

"Have fun and we will see you later." Kalista stands and leaves the room with Iverson and Reginald.

"Come on Serena, I can girly you up for tomorrow." Jasmine goes over to her.

“I could go for some girly time. I have been too busy cleaning and making sure everything is perfect for you two and the babies that I haven’t really taken time for me.” Serena said as Jasmine helped her up. She leaned over and kissed Vincent’s forehead. “Enjoy your time with Brandon, you deserve it.” She then heads with Jasmine up to her room. “I cannot tell you how ready I am for these babies to come. I am so tired of being pregnant.” She told Jasmine.

~~

Brandon walked over to Vincent. “Well now that it’s just the two of us, come on we can go have some manly time and scratch and grunt.” He said chuckling. He helped Vincent up out of the chair and they headed up to his room. “So how is your back doing and how exactly did you do it?” he asked as they headed up stairs.

Jasmine goes into Serena's old room. "It is so odd not to be next door to you." She pulls out Serena's pedicure set. "I am going to do your nails. I bet you are sick of being pregnant. You look great though." She starts working on Serena's feet. "It is almost over, and then the real work begins."

~~~~~~~

"It is only a hairline fracture. I bet the healer in you wants to see it. I do need some of the creme rubbed on it." Vincent takes him to the study. "It happened during the obstacle course, I took a beam in the back. I still finished though."

“I am almost ready for the real work. I can’t sleep at night, I can’t sleep for long, and my days and nights are mixed up. I can’t even see my feet anymore.” Serena said wiggling her other toes as Jasmine worked on the other set. “I feel like I complain all the time. My lower back hurts, my feet swell, I could go on about the sleeplessness. How are you and Brandon enjoying the married life?”

~~

Brandon’s face cringes as he imagines a beam hitting Vincent in the back. “That sounds painful.” He said as he walked over to the counter. There was a tube of cream there left there from the night before. “Is this the tube of cream?” He asked. “Though the healer in me would love to see your back, it not often I get to see a hair line fracture in the back. You have to tell me though, were you not paying attention to the beam to be hit by it?"

"Ugh you sound like mom." Jasmine groans. "You should be excited. You are so close to be holding the babies in your arms." She continues to paint her toenails. "Marriage is wonderful. It feels nice not to have to sneak around any more. I have to show you the picture dad added to the mural of our wedding."

~~~~~~

Vincent sighs as he slowly takes off his shirt. "If you undo the wraps, you can see the injury. It was not I who wasn't paying attention. There was another who would have got hit in the head. They are calling me a hero, but I don't think I am."

Serena wrinkled her nose. “You will understand someday. Don’t get me wrong, I am looking forward to holding my boys in my arms. That time couldn’t get here fast enough, but I feel like a fat cow, my body feels swollen, and I can’t sleep right now.” She said. “I bet it is a beautiful picture that he did. My nails feel so much better, thank you.”

~~

Brandon is gentle as he takes the wrap off of Vincent. He sucks in his breath. “This has to look better than it did. I can see the initial hit zone here.” He said gently circling an area on Vincent’s back. “And the outer area’s here are a light purple so I think they are healing. I can guarantee that it looks better than it did.” He gently began to put on the cream on Vincent’s back. “Well if that beam was going to hit the man’s head that would make you a hero, but I can see why you don’t want that. You are no different than anyone else and they would have done it for you.” He started to wrap Vincent up in a fresh wrap.

"You are not a cow. That will come after the babies are born." Jasmine finishes painting them. "Now they need to dry. So are you going to breastfeed them. Have your parents given the the teamwork lecture yet? It really does work."

~~~~

"Thank you, finally someone who sees it like I do." Vincent sucks in a breath at Brandon's touches. "I will be out at least 6 weeks. Although I am under restrictions now. I can't lift more than 10 lbs. Which means I may not be able to hold both boys at once." Vincent it quiet for a moment. "Serena's getting to close, I am scared and excited at the same time."

Serena chuckles slightly as she listens to Jasmine. She stretches out her legs and then looks at Jasmine. “I have been given the lecture by both of them together and apart.” She said chuckling. She sighed slightly. “I want to breast feed but both mom and Cadence has said that it will be difficult to breast feed both babies, that I may not have enough milk to feed both.” She said. “I know she said that your mother had a hard time that they had to take you and Nathaniel off of breast milk early because she couldn’t keep up.”

~~

Brandon takes a seat on the opposite side of Vincent and listens to him. “Well I wouldn’t think I would be a hero for something like that.” He said. He nodded his head about the restrictions. “They tell you that so that you don’t make the fracture worse. You don’t want to make the healing process worse than it already is.” He explained.

He cleared his throat and then smiled at Vincent. “I can’t say I understand how you feel. I can only imagine how afraid you are for her and about parenthood but yet excited that you are able to see your son’s and hold them. She looks like she could pop any day now. What has the doctor said?”

"Well actually she switched us off. We were early teethers too, Nathaniel bit mom hard enough to draw blood. He and Levi are looking to adopt. They are still getting the paperwork done as we speak. I am so excited for them." Jasmine start on Serena's hands.

~~~~~~~

"Why do you think we are here? They said it would be better for us to be close. And also because of my back as well. We have everything set up at home, so you guys would be staying here anyway." Vincent slowly puts his shirt back on. "Thank you so much. Now I know why Jasmine was so pigheaded back in Altiere. It is rough asking people to do things for you."

Serena winces as she thinks about being bitten. “That sounds painful. Ohh I am so happy for them! I hope they get what they want. They will be such wonderful parents.” She said as Jasmine began on her fingers. “I see Cadence tomorrow for my weekly checkup. I told mom the other day that the babies aren’t moving around like they were before and that I have started leaking some milk. Oh Jasmine, I am so excited and at the same time I am really scared.”

~~

“That I can understand, It is hard to ask for help sometimes. Serena has done really well about holding out on her pregnancy so far. A lot of women don’t make it this far when they are pregnant with twins. I wouldn’t be surprised if the boys are very healthy when they are born.”