Page 45 of Fire in Cabin 27
“I am,” though it was through my tears. “Can Papa hold you too, Kael?” His tiny wings flapped but weren’t big enough to carry his body yet. I handed my phone to Juni as soon as Kael was in my arms. “We waited so long for you and your sister to find us. Can you tell your sister it’s not so scary and that Daddy and Papa love you both very much.”
“Oh, that’s a picture we are framing for sure.”
Keegan is here, brother. He’s magnificent.
As is Kael. I can’t wait for them to meet. Our tiny princess is taking her sweet time.
A mirror image of Juni’s personality, I’m sure.
Too right you are, brother.
“Kobalt said Keegan has arrived.”
“It’s so funny how everything pregnancy wise was timed perfectly for Azure and me. Now we just need our princess to come out so we can spoil her too. Come on, sweet girl,” Juni whispered. “We’re ready for you.”
I placed Kael beside his sister’s egg and thought for a second I heard them communicating. He didn’t jar it or tap on it, Kael sat there peacefully waiting in his tiny dragon form. This was interesting to witness. I’d always seen baby dragons be born and shortly after transition into their human form until their teen years. But now it was as if he waited for his sister before he did it.
Juni steadily took pictures, which I was thankful for. Had I thought ahead I could’ve set up a video camera, but this would have to do. I gathered the pieces of Kael’s egg while we waited and set them aside until we could ask my siblings what they did with them. Honestly, I was of the same mindset as Juni to save them, but not so much in book format. Possibly a shadow box of sorts with a few of today’s pictures attached.
Yes. I think I’ll surprise Juni with that. “Be right back.” I picked up the pile so it wouldn’t get lost or trampled on and ranit down to the shop then came right back. I wasn’t about to miss a moment of our princess’ grand entrance.
“Anything yet?” I parked myself back in place and gave her egg a once over.
“Nope, she’s a stubborn one.”
“Just like her Daddy,” her giggle came through the bond just as the first crack emerged. “There you go, sweet girl. Come out, come out so we can play with you.”
Kael and his wide eyes that were half the size of his head, I swear, waited as patiently as he could. It was the cutest damn thing I’d ever seen. We could hear her scratching at the inside of the shell. Were her claws not strong enough to break through?
“Kyson, we have to help her,” Juni cried.
“We can’t, my love. That’s not how this works.” It broke my heart not to lend a helping talon. Hell, even Kael was sad and I hated that. I wanted laughter and love, no sads, even though I knew better. There would be good times and bad, kids would be kids after all, but this was a task Kalliope and Kalliope alone had to conquer.
The longer we sat there, the more Juni cried, and the sadder Kael got.
My love, you’re making Kael sad, and I’m sure it’s radiating through Kalliope’s bond. Think about happy thoughts, joyous ones, and share those with her.
What if she’s not strong enough?
We must believe in her and let her know that or she’ll never believe in herself.
“Kael, my boy, send your sister love and tell her you’re waiting to play and you love her.” He got a thinky face, one that appeared to be a cross between a thought and filling a diaper up. But whatever works and all the blankets were machine washable if it happened.
As a family we sat there feeding happy thoughts and love through our connections. Kalliope’s responses were few and far between. I was terrified. Juni was terrified and Kael wasn’t doing well either.
“Please, sweet girl,” Juni sobbed. “Please come to Daddy and Papa. Kael is waiting right here beside you. We’re all here and we promise you’ll be happy. We love you so, so much.”
Her egg shook, then it stopped again and I feared that was the end.
Mom, I think Kalliope has given up. I can’t bear the loss of her, and it’ll do Juni in.
Have faith, son. She’s a tiny princess with a strong will. She will persevere.
Not long after that the nursery was filled with family, all sharing their love and happiness with Kalliope. Finally, a piece fell and Kael peeked inside. Kalliope’s giggle at her brother’s silly antics shot through the room, as did our collective sighs.
“Sweet girl, pretty girl, come to Daddy and Papa, please,” Juni begged.
Kael hopped back and the egg split in two. Kalliope popped out, wings spread as is if to say, “Ta-Da!”
