Chapter 3
April 21, 2022, Skjald-Mills Home
Regina padded quietly to the room that sat across from hers, opening the door as gently as possible so as not to awaken its tiny occupant. She made her way in the room, and it became obvious that its tiny occupant was not only awake but had company. The giggles coming from underneath the blanket got louder as she got closer to the bed. Regina’s smile grew so big her cheeks hurt. Just as she reached the bed and was reaching out towards the covers, they were flung down and a tiny little body flung itself at her, a mess of blond hair and baby kisses.
“Good morning Princess Zoya,” Regina cooed. She squeezed the tiny body closer to her, inhaling the soft scent of vanilla still clinging to her skin. She always had loved the sweet smells that came with small children, always a soft smell that called to some part inside her. She was made to be a mother.
“Dood monin Mama! I missed yu toe much,” came the sweet reply.
Regina giggled a bit at her funny little way of talking. At three, her baby’s speech was still in that stage where it was still cute baby talk. She always made sure to speak properly to her so as to help her diction grow. She didn’t want her baby girl to get stuck in that awful stage of being a big kid who still spoke like a baby.
There was giggling coming from the bed still and just as she was going to make her way back over, the door opened again. Regina spotted messy blond hair out of the corner of her eyes and smiled.
“Look Princess, someone finally woke up and decided to join us. Maybe we can ask her to help us figure out why your bed is still giggling,” Regina said, tickling her little one sides gently.
“Mommy, mommy!” she laughed, “my bed laffin! Help us mommy! I tink is a monsur!”
Blue eyes squinted in the sun coming from the window, and lips pursed tightly, head cocking to the side, surveying the room. A lithe, limber body slid across the floor, a shadow looming across the twin bed.
“I guess I better get my armor and my sword,” a ragged whisper floated towards the bulge in the bed, “You know just to make sure this bump isn’t dangerous.”
A second little body exploded from the bed, flying around the room before perching on Regina’s shoulders, wings spread and fluttering.
“No mommy!” the little one laughed, “It’s just me, your favorite Valkyrie!”
Tamsin turned towards Regina, her arms out, reaching for the girls. Zoya jumped into Tamsin’s arms, her white, blond hair whipping around Tamsin’s face, and began peppering kisses all over her face, making the Valkyrie laugh. Ilya flapped her wings while remaining perched on Regina’s shoulders and crowed, a loud, rowdy call that startle the birds outside. At seven years of age, she was getting a little too big to perch on people but Regina was loathe to tell her to stop. Her messy auburn hair sat in a lopsided pony tail at the top of her head, adding to the dramatic image. Regina laughed, loud and happy as Ilya flew around the room a few times before landing in Tamsin’s arms also.
“BANG-A-RANGGGGG!!!!,” they all shouted boisterously.
Outside, Emma stood gazing up at the window, silent witness to the happy moment happening inside of 108 Milffin. She sighed, turning her head to look down at her daughter Varya, who was silently gazing up at her, her little face a carbon copy of Regina, her other mother. Lavender mist swirling at the edges of the 7 year old, her magic eager to poof her inside. Emma released her little hand, allowing her daughter to run up the brick walkway, the little witch only making it halfway up the walk before she poofed herself inside. Emma watched for a moment longer, as her sudden appearance was meet with another round of joyous laughter and crowing. She spotted Tamsin's daughter flying around the spacious nursery, cheered up by the girls and their mothers. Emma took a deep breath once again and walked away.Regina and Tamsin spared her only a passing glance, after all, it was another great morning in the Skjald-Mills home.