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Jora was still shaking a little when she finally let herself really look at them—both of them—wrapped up and perfect and impossibly small. Her chest felt too tight for all the love in it, tears slipping down her temples even as Sage pulled her close. She leaned into his touch, breathing him in, grounding herself in the feel of his hand against her skin. “I didn’t do it alone,” she murmured softly, voice hoarse but warm. “I had you.” Her fingers curled weakly around his sleeve, a small smile breaking through the exhaustion. “I always have you.” She turned her head again, eyes flicking between the two tiny bundles, awe washing over her all over again. “I still can’t believe it,” she whispered. “Two hearts. Two little lives.” Her breath hitched, a soft laugh bubbling out. “I knew I was big, but… stars.” After a moment, she swallowed, expression turning thoughtful. This mattered. Names always did. “Sage,” she said quietly, eyes lifting to his. “We should talk about names.” She glanced back to their daughter first, something tender softening her face. “I’ve been thinking about her… and I really like Kaiya.” She said it gently, like she was already afraid of waking the baby just by naming her. “It feels strong. Warm. Like she already knows who she is.” Her gaze drifted to their son then, brows knitting slightly as she smiled. “But I don’t know yet for him.” She looked back at Sage, thumb brushing lightly over his hand. “What do you think? About Kaiya… and about him. What feels right to you?” Her voice was quiet, full of hope—and trust. |
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Sage had laughed alongside her, shaking his head when she mentioned being big. "I knew you were bigger than time around but I just thought the baby would have like...a big head or something," he agreed with amusement. When she mentioned names he nodded, looking back at the babies, squirming around in their blankets as the older women checked them out. Made sure they were both healthy. It seemed like they were. "Right," he mused with agreement, watching the babies for a moment as she started speaking again. He peered back down at her when she started rapid fire questioning him and he chuckled softly. "Easy there, you've gotta rest. Don't strain yourself," he chided her gently. "But I think that's a lovely name for her," he agreed softly, cocking his head as he thought about their son. They hadnt expected a son. Jora had been certain of another girl. She'd been right.... mostly. "Maybe....Ivan," he suggested. "Or Caspian." He would like either of those names. Either way, he was just so glad to have them both. "Lyra will be so excited when she wakes up tomorrow," he thought out loud after a moment or so, suddenly so impatient to let her meet her siblings. |
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Jora’s lips curved into a soft, exhausted smile at Sage’s suggestions, her hand still resting lightly on his arm. “Ivan… Caspian…” she mused aloud, letting the names roll around in her mind. Both felt right in different ways, strong and sure, just like them. She glanced down at their son, little chest rising and falling gently, and her heart swelled all over again. “I like Caspian,” she murmured finally, voice soft but sure, leaning back against the pillows with a small sigh. “It feels… adventurous. Like him already.” Her hand brushed over his, squeezing lightly. Her gaze drifted back to Sage, exhaustion still heavy on her, but her eyes bright with happiness. “I can’t wait for Lyra to meet them,” she added, a laugh bubbling up despite the weariness. “She’s going to be over the moon. I just… want her to see how amazing they are, how much love is here.” She leaned into him again, head resting lightly against his shoulder, letting herself relax a little now that the babies were here, safe, and healthy. “We did it,” she whispered, half in awe, half in gratitude. “We really did it.” |
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Sage nodded with a grin when Jora mulled over the names and decided on her favorite. "I like that one best too, I think," he agreed, grinning down at Jora excitedly. 'oh, she'll be delighted." He chuckled softly as he thought about how happy Lyra would be. "She's expecting one to help take care of, but there's two now," he added, still clearly in awe of it all. The babies had been wrapped up by then, and joras nother handed the girl to her while selene offered him their son. His breath caught. Eyes welled up as he reached for the baby. "They're so small," he noted with wonder, cradling the small bundle gently. Almost heasitantly, like he was afraid of hurting him. Lyra was already much bigger than these two when he'd met her....it had been nearly a year before they'd been reunited. This was new for him. Wonderful. But new. And he didn't want to miss a second of it. |
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Jora’s heart felt like it might burst right out of her chest as she watched him take their son. The way Sage’s hands trembled just a little, the way his whole expression softened into something raw and unguarded—it undid her completely. She accepted their daughter from her mother with a careful breath, instinctively adjusting the tiny bundle against her chest. The baby let out a small sound, barely more than a sigh, and Jora smiled through the sting in her eyes. “Hey there, little one,” she whispered, voice thick. “You picked a good day to arrive.” When Sage spoke, she looked over at him, really looked, and the sight stole what breath she had left. “I know,” Jora murmured, stepping closer so they could stand side by side. “It’s terrifying, isn’t it? How something so small can matter so much.” She shifted slightly, angling her daughter so Sage could see her face better. “But they’re stronger than they look,” she added softly. “And so are you.” Her gaze met his, steady and full of warmth. “You’re not going to miss anything. Not a single first. Not this time.” Her eyes drifted down to their son again, watching the way Sage held him like he was made of glass and starlight. “Lyra’s going to love them,” Jora said with a quiet laugh, emotion breaking through. “She’s going to take her job very seriously. Two babies to protect.” She leaned her shoulder gently into his, careful of both bundles, grounding them together in the moment. “This is it,” she whispered. “This is our beginning. All of it—every sleepless night, every laugh, every messy, beautiful second.” And for once, Jora allowed herself to believe it fully. |
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Sage had barely noticed selene and joras mother slip out of the room after handing the kids off....he was just focused on the little bundle of joy in his arms. The baby had moved to reach for him, curling into his hold and wrapping it's tiny litter fingers into his shirt. His breath caught, and felt another tear slip down his cheek. They were just so precious. "I just can't believe it," he murmured softly, letting out a small laugh. "I never would have imagined any of this would happen," he added, voice still thick with emotion. Laced with awe for both the new arrivals and Jora herself. "No wonder you were always so hungry, you were eating for three, not two," he teased her after a moment, nudging her gently with his knee and giving her a grin. When she mentioned Lyra though, he nodded excitedly. "She'll be thrilled," he agreed softly. "Why don't you try and get some rest before she wakes up," he suggested after a moment though. "You've done a lot of work tonight," he added, shifting to brush her hair behind her ear gently, making sure to keep the baby in his arms cradeled correctly while he did so. |
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Jora watched him, really watched him, as the baby curled closer and clutched at his shirt like he already knew exactly where he belonged. The sight made her chest ache in the best, most overwhelming way. She laughed softly when another tear slipped down Sage’s cheek, reaching out to brush it away with her thumb. “I know,” she murmured, voice warm and a little shaky. “Sometimes I look at you and Lyra and think… there’s no way this is my life. It feels too full. Too good.” Her gaze lingered on him for a moment, openly tender. “But I’m glad it’s you. All of it.” She rolled her eyes fondly at his teasing, a tired smile tugging at her lips. “Hey, I had an excuse,” she shot back quietly. “Two excuses, actually.” Her hand drifted to cradle the baby in her arms, fingers gentle and reverent. “And I’d do it all again.” When he suggested she rest, she hesitated, instinctively reluctant to let the moment go. But when his fingers brushed her hair back, careful and loving, her shoulders finally relaxed. “Alright,” she agreed softly. “Just for a little while.” She leaned in, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to his lips, then another to the baby’s tiny head. “Wake me when Lyra stirs,” she whispered. “I want to see her face when she meets them.” With one last look—at Sage, at the child in his arms, at the family they’d made—Jora finally eased herself back against the pillows, exhaustion settling in now that she knew, truly knew, that everything was safe. |
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Sage had grinned at her when she protested using her excuse ...or two excuses as she'd put it, for eating so much. He hadn't minded of course ...but he could still tease her a little bit over it. When she brushed the tear from his cheek, he just looked at her, eyes glowing, taking her hand and pressing a light kiss to her palm before letting her drop it and wrap the arm around their daughter again. When she agreed to rest, he nodded, kissing her back and then shifting to just lean against the wall next to her, nodding when she mentioned waking her when Lyra woke. "Of course I will," he hummed softly, checking the time. "You've still got a couple hours most likely," he added, knowing Lyra was never really an early riser. He just watched her as she drifted off then, gaze moving between their new family members and his wife, who was rather adorable while she slept. He wasn't sure he'd ever told her that....but she was. He loved them all so much, more than he could ever express himself. |
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Sunny and Warmer
