Chương 24: Bad Timing or Destiny

Seraphina knocked gently on the door of the small house. It seemed inexplicably quiet and somber. The interior lights, usually brightly shining, were dim. She stood by the door, listening carefully for the usual sounds for this time of day. She hoped to hear the usual cheerful conversation around the dinner table, the dishes clanking as they enjoyed their meal, but tonight there was only silence. There was not so much as a hint of the aroma of food in the air, which made Seraphina's stomach churn with dread.

She knocked again, a little louder this time. Seraphina knew that Sheera was close to delivering her own baby. Maybe the child had come, and the small family was resting? she thought. If that was the case, she hated to disturb them, but when she looked down at Little Miss, she knew she had no choice. The baby needed to be changed. It had been hours since any of them had eaten. Celestia looked haggard and worn. Her muscles were screaming for a break louder than she could ever recall.

They needed a respite, a moment to regroup. She suddenly heard the shuffle of footsteps approaching the door. Seraphina could not shake the feeling that something was wrong, very wrong. When the door slowly opened, Seraphina's suspicions were confirmed. Something was wrong, very wrong. Illianna's eyes were red and puffy, her face weary, her slim shoulders seemingly carrying the weight of the world. Illianna burst into tears the moment she looked at Seraphina.

"How did you know?" she asked, not noticing the bundle in the fairy's arms.

"How could you possibly have known I needed you?" Illianna wiped her eyes.

"Please come in," she said, stepping aside to let Seraphina in. She appeared to be functioning through fog. Her mind was clearly elsewhere. She was coasting on autopilot and didn't think of checking for stragglers before closing the door. The door inched closed, virtually hitting Celestia in the process.

"Oh," Illianna said, surprised, "I thought you came alone," she added, looking toward Seraphina.

"Please accept my sincerest apology, young lady. I didn't see you there," she said, motioning for her to enter the house.

"It's fine, ma'am," Celestia said, hurriedly making her way inside.

"My name is Celestia. I work for Seraphina," she said awkwardly, extending her hand. Illianna briefly shook her hand before looking out the door to be sure there was no one else before closing it. She turned around, her already somber expression morphing into something closer to dread.

"I'm guessing this is not a social call then?" Illianna asked, motioning for them to take a seat on the large sofa. The living room was small but comfortable. The furniture, functional but comfortable, suited the space. It was obvious by the décor that they were of modest means, but most elves were. They relied heavily on nature and what it could provide. The race, in general, did not fall into the subtle trappings of material gains.

They never took more from nature than needed and always found a way to give back with interest. Both Seraphina and Celestia exchanged an awkward glance before sitting down. Illianna sat on the edge of an overstuffed chair waiting patiently for a response.

"We'll get to that. First, why don't you tell me what is going on?" Seraphina asked softly.

"Don't lie to me, Ill. I have known you far too long to not recognize when something is obviously wrong." Illianna cast an apprehensive glance at Celestia. It was clear she was uncomfortable having the conversation in front of a complete stranger. Seraphina tapped Celestia's leg and motioned for her to step outside so she could speak to her friend privately. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"If you will excuse me, ladies, I need to…" She paused, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"I'm just going to step outside and give you ladies a chance to talk," she said, standing up. Seraphina watched as Celestia made her way outside, then looked at her friend with care and concern in her eyes.

"What is it, Ill?" she asked, standing up and taking a seat closer to her dear friend.

"Where are Sheera and Rowan?"

"It happened again, Seph. She lost another one," Illianna said sadly.

"She was so close this time. Rowan is in the bedroom with her." Seraphina's eyes widened, her confusion giving way to shock, then sorrow, as she fought back the tears.

"When?" she asked, placing a hand on Illianna's knee.

"Just this morning," Illianna replied, placing a hand over her friend's.

"As you can imagine, they are both crushed." She sniffled, wiping an errant tear from her cheek.

"We haven't even buried the little one yet." Seraphina became more keenly aware of the weight of the baby nestled in her arms. Looking down at Little Miss, her heart ached. How could she expect Sheera to take on raising a stranger's baby while the grief of losing her own was so fresh? Guilt began to strangle her, making it difficult to breathe. Little Miss, as if sensing Seraphina's heartache and despair, decided to chime in with her own chorus of whimpers, catching Illianna's attention.

"Seraphina, what are you holding? Let me rephrase that. Who are you holding?" she asked, confused.

"Well, this," she began sheepishly, uncertain of how Illianna would react. She pulled back the wrappings, lifting the baby toward her friend.

"It's actually why we are here," she said, sorrow punctuating every syllable.

"Illianna, if I had any idea about what had happened, you know…" she broke off.

"May I?" Illianna interrupted, reaching out for the baby.

"Of course," Seraphina replied, looking surprised. The baby exchanged hands with quiet ease between the two experienced mothers. Illianna looked down at Little Miss, and smiled brightly at her.

"Well, what's your name?" she asked softly.

"You are a little sweetheart, aren't you?" Little Miss looked up at her with her big blue eyes, blinking.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" she asked, looking over at Seraphina.

"It's a girl," Seraphina replied. She watched as Illianna's face saddened.

"Sheera's baby was also a girl," she said mournfully. The sound of the bedroom door creaking open caused the women to look at one another. Panic and uncertainty filled their eyes, unsure of what Sheera's reaction would be to the tiny wonder in Illianna's arms. Bringing a baby to a home that had just suffered such a profound loss was cruel, regardless of the intent. Seraphina's heart slammed against her ribs as Sheera walked into the living room.

"I thought I heard voices," she murmured, her voice still thick with unrestful slumber as she rubbed her eyes. Her movements were slow and mechanical, as if her body was moving out of habit, not intent. Her eyes widened, fixing firmly on Seraphina.

"Auntie Phina!" she gasped. She darted toward the sofa. Her eyes fixed on the baby in her mother's arms. She stopped abruptly, staring blankly and slack-jawed. Seraphina and Illianna both braced themselves, watching Sheera closely. Neither woman could find words to speak. Seraphina held her breath as Sheera practically sat on her lap to get a closer look at Little Miss, who was still nestled in Illianna's arms.

"Hello there. Aren't you just a beautiful, little girl?" she asked, looking at Seraphina for confirmation. She reached out gently before taking the baby from her mother, not giving either woman a chance to protest. Little Miss looked up at her and seemed to smile brightly, causing Sheera's eyes to shimmer with sudden tenderness.

"Whose baby?" she asked, looking at Seraphina.

"Well, that's the thing, Sheera. She needs a home," she said, hopeful that maybe this potential disaster would turn out far better than she could have imagined. Illianna cast Seraphina a contemptuous glance.

"I'll take her!" Sheera replied without hesitation.

"Sheera, it's a very complicated situation. After I tell you what I can, you may change your mind," Seraphina said softly, treading lightly and tactfully. Seraphina did not want to devastate her goddaughter further by taking Little Miss, but Sheera needed to understand this was not a typical infant. The circumstances surrounding her were not by any means normal.

"I don't care how complicated the situation is, Auntie Phina! She needs a mother and a home," she said firmly. Her resolve strengthened as she looked down at the bright blue eyes staring back at her.

"She is not your typical infant, Sheera," she said, pausing to find the words.

"Well, let's just say… she's special."