Rakshasa Girlfriend: Manette Part Five (complete)

I’m staring hard at the notepad in my lap. Several columns fill the white space, each line marked with ink - a name that could be the one for the baby. I sigh and look up, gazing at the sky as thick clouds go rolling by. It’s supposed to rain soon. The stormy season is coming in, and for the next few weeks we are expecting heavy rainfall and possibly other foul weather. Such is life on the Rakshasa coast.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Evelyn, and I hope she is doing okay. I know the journey to the Polar is a long one, and a tough one too, but she should be there by now. I hate how we left things, ending up in a fight. I said some cruel things to her and I truly wish I could take them back. 

“Ah, there you are,” Manette comes out onto the porch. She takes the notepad from my hands and smiles at it. “Still worrying over this?”

I sigh heavily. “Yeah. I just feel like we should have a name by now, you know?”

Manette joins me on my seat and wraps her arm around my shoulders. “The baby is still a long way away,” she reassures me. “We still have a long way to go before they get here.” She lays her paw on my belly, rubbing in slow, soothing circles. “Even after it is born, we can call it ‘hey you’ until we think of something permanent.”

I giggle and gently shove her before kissing her chest. “I am not doing that to our baby!” I fuss.

Manette kisses me, slipping her fingers under my chin. “We’ll think of something. No need to worry so much, my love.” She kisses my cheek. “For now, we should be focused on the marvelous blessings we have.”

“You’re right.” I sigh. I lean against her chest and rest my head on her shoulder. “I have so many ideas running through my head. Things for the future, things here in the present.” I close my eyes. “I get so many ideas, and they tumble about and I don’t know which one to tackle first. But when I imagine our baby, and I try to see their eyes and their face, I just want to call out to them - but I have no idea what to say.”

Manette tightens her arm around me. “They’re our angel, right?” she says softly. “Our little miracle.” She kisses my temple. She then smiles at me. “I’ve been working hard on the nursery.” She stands up and offers me her hands, helping me heft myself out of the chair. “I want you to come see all I’ve done.”

“Okay,” I grunt as I rise. I steady myself, feeling unbalanced due to my belly. I huff and chuckle. “My center is way off these days. I’m starting to think our baby is a golem and all stone.” I giggle.

“Perhaps Habbar had a hand in it,” Manette teases as she slips her arm around my waist. Before we get to the nursery Manette slides her hands around my eyes. “No peeking. I want you to see it all as a surprise.”

“Now you have me worried,” I giggle as she leads me through the door.

“Nothing at all to fear, my love,” Manette whispers. “You do trust me right?”

I tilt my head back. “Must I?”

Manette moves her hands from my eyes and I slowly open them. I blink a few times and look around. There are shelves in place that hold small books and toys. There’s a rocking chair in the corner with a blanket and pillow on the seat. In the back there is a wardrobe made of ash-colored wood. Then, in the corner, there is a bassinet covered in soft, sheer fabric with a high arch over it, and a mobile decorated with small stuffed toys.

“Where did you get all this?” I gasp.

Manette wraps her arms around me from behind. “When you were napping the other day I had it all snuck in.” She kisses my cheek. “I got the rocking chair from Mythri. She offered it to me last time I was at the palace. The wardrobe came from my ship, literally. It’s old wood we had removed, and I salvaged it to make this. And the bassinet,” she murmurs softly, “your mom sent. It’s the same one you and Evelyn used. The mobile is my touch. The little toys were mine when I was a baby.”

“How did you…” I stop as I gaze at her, my heart thrumming as if on the wings of a hummingbird. I smile proudly at her, kissing her deeply in hopes of showing her all my awe and gratitude. 

“I wanted to do something special,” she whispers to me as she cups her hands around my face. “Since you’ve been nothing but special to me.”

“This is so amazing. You’re wonderful!” I sniffle.

Manette wipes my tears away. “Aww, don’t cry now. You know I’ll start too.”

There is a knock at the door and Manette glares at it. When she goes to answer there is a Rakshasa guard standing there. “A letter from Queen Mythri,” he says, “for the Lady Evie.”

I step forward, taking the letter from the massive tiger. As I look it over, I see it’s a deed with Evelyn’s name on it. 

“What?” I gasp. “Thank you,” I say quickly to the guard before he leaves.

“Dear Evie, I’m sorry I cannot deliver this in person, but I’m afraid three of my children are dealing with a stomach bug and I do not wish to pass it to you. I received word from Czarina Katrina of the Polar a few days ago, asking to purchase some land and a house on the coast. It seems to be a payment made to your sister, who is doing work for them. I was told to deliver the deed to you for when your sister returns. I made sure to find land near your own home. You should be able to find the property a short walk away. All the best, Mythri.”

I glance towards Manette with an uncertain expression. “It’s for Evelyn.”

Manette furrows her brow. “Why would Evelyn ask for a house?”

I bite down on my lip as I fidget with the papers. “Well,” I start uneasily, “it might have something to do with the argument we had before she left.”

“I told you, she was overreacting!” Manette huffs. “That wasn’t your fault at all.” She gives me a scowl before her expression grows soft and gentle again. “Your sister didn’t mean what she said. You weren’t being ungrateful.”

I lower my eyes and sigh. “I could have been more supportive of her. After all, she was going off to fight a dragon. What if-” I stop at the thought.

“Hey,” Manette says gently. “She’ll come back. She’s not going to let a dragon get the best of her. Remember when she fought those Orcs?”

I look up into her eyes and nod. “Yeah. I know, but-”

“You’re letting the baby do too much thinking for you,” Manette chuckles. “Come on back inside. I’ll make you some lunch.”

“No! I can do that. I can still make food for you,” I try to argue, but Manette already has me in my favorite chair. 

“Nonsense. You’re creating a whole person. The least I can do is feed you.” She smiles at me, then places my knitting work into my lap. “You keep making those way-too-cute hats and socks. That’s what I want you to do.”

“You sure?” I pout.

Manette presses a gentle kiss to my forehead. “They’re important. If this baby is going to be anything like you, they’re going to have cold feet all the time.”

“Hey!” I fuss but grin up at her. I watch her as she walks back to the kitchen, and I start back on the booties I have been knitting. Ever since I learned about the baby I have been knitting like crazy. I’ve made blankets, bibs, booties, hats, just about everything.

One day Manette goes to look at the property belonging to Evelyn, just to see what it’s like.  Not long after she leaves, I hear thunder overhead. I get up from my seat and go outside to see heavy storm clouds. The sky is black on the horizon, and I can see the storm over the water. I step out into the yard, hoping to see Manette return before the rains reach us. 

I sit on the porch to wait. I keep messing up on my stitches, because I keep looking at the horizon and checking for Manette. The sky is growing darker and there is still no sign of her. I finally set my knitting down, knowing I am not going to accomplish anything with it until Manette returns.

The first drops of rain hit the porch as the rumble of thunder threatens above. The drops grow and grow, eventually becoming a downpour. 

“Dammit, Manette,” I scoff as I stare out into the rain.

The wind buffets and lightning flashes, but I still wait on the porch for Manette to appear. I hope she is inside Evelyn’s new home and not caught in this horrible mess. Suddenly, the wind picks up, beating harder and making me almost lose my footing. It gets darker for a moment, and then something heavy drops to the ground. I nearly scream when I see the dragon in the yard, landed right in my vegetable garden.

Someone dismounts from the dragon’s back and races up towards me. As she takes her hood off, I gasp in awe as Evelyn charges into my arms. She picks me up off the porch and hugs me tight.

“I’m so happy to see you!” she gasps.

I hold her fast, not wanting to let go. “You’re okay!”

Evelyn spins me around and peppers my face with kisses. “Did you ever doubt me?” She grins as she sets me down.

“No!” I quickly respond. “I would never! Of course I didn’t!”

Evelyn chuckles proudly then turns as the dragon steps onto the porch. He’s huge, barely fitting under the roof. “Well, well,” his voice is deep and raspy. “Is this the sister you have been telling me so much about?”

“Evie,” Evelyn places her hand on the small of my back. “This is Gryndren,” she tells me. “He’s my dragon.”

“Oh, wow-” I gasp. I step towards Gryndren. I’m not sure if I should bow or curtsey. I’m not too sure on how one greets a dragon. I bend at the waist, then decide to go into a curtsey when my belly won’t allow a bow. “How do you do, sir?”

Gryngren chuckles. “You’re right. She is cute.” Gryndren comes close, nuzzling my cheek. “Your sister has spoken very highly of you.” He then leans down and sniffs my belly. “My, my, quite the litter you have going on.”

“Litter?” I gasp.

Evelyn places her hands on my shoulder. “Ignore him. He’s the teasing kind.”

“Teasing?” Gryndren sneers.

“Where is Manette?” Evelyn looks around. “I thought she would be home by now.”

I take hold of Evelyn’s hand. “She is!” I reply quickly. “She went to go visit your new property and she hasn’t come back yet. I’m terrified she got caught in the storm.”

“Oh dear,” Gryndren murmurs. “Should I go looking for your bride?”

“She’s probably waiting out the storm in the shelter of the house. No need to worry so much.” She turns to Gryndren. “I don’t think you going looking for her would be a safe bet. She probably has a dagger or two on her.” She points up. “You could calm the storm, though.”

“As the lady wishes.” Gryndren steps off the porch and lifts off, flying up into the sky. The air swirls around us, turning into vortex and then evaporating. The sky is still grey, but the thunder and rain have faded away.

“What was that?” I gasp, stepping off the porch and looking up.

“Some dragons breathe fire, others swallow storms.” Evelyn smiles at me. “Of course he’ll be able to use that storm later.”

“Of course,” I whisper in awe as Gryndren floats back down to the ground.

Not long after, Manette returns home. She’s damp, but safe. “I’m so glad to have you home!” She greets Evelyn with a hug. “Your sister has been worried to death about you.”

“I don’t know why,” Evelyn sighs. “I was an absolute monster when I left.”

“Speaking of monster,” Manette glances at Gryndren, who has his head through the window and is lapping tea from a bowl. “What is this about?”

“He’s my pet,” Evelyn says with a smirk.

Gryndren looks up at her. “See how much she cares about me?” He turns to me sitting in the chair. “At least one of you is nice.”

Evelyn shows us the treasure she earned from ‘defeating’ Gryndren, whatever that means. She offers us a large portion in to set aside for the baby and whatever emergencies come our way. Manette and I only agree to take it because we think having a savings for the future is a good bet. Evelyn and Gryndren move into the new house, and she comes by to visit and check on me every day.

Then, finally, the day arrives and the baby is born. It is a hurricane of activity as Manette and Evelyn try to handle everything. To my surprise, Gryndren provides much comfort and calm during the situation. He stays with me as Evelyn goes to fetch the doctor and Manette prepares everything for the birth.

“You’re in for a long journey,” Gryndren whispers to me. “You have this litter to contend with, so breathe and try to relax as best you can.”

“You keep saying litter!” I huff. “What does that mean?”

“Well,” he murmurs. “I heard three heartbeats the day I first met you. Yours and the two of your babies.”

“What?” I scream at him.

“You’re lucky,” Gryndren chuckles. He reaches his claw through the window and massages the top of my head. “Two beautiful little… I dunno… what is Manette? Puppies? Calves? Whatever they are, they are going to be brilliant, beautiful, children.”

I whine and cry out. “It hurts!”

“Children often do.”

Once Evelyn arrives with the doctors, things happen rather smoothly. The first baby arrives swiftly. The second one takes some time to coax out, but once they arrive, the room is filled with the beautiful sound of screaming.

“A boy and a girl,” Manette is weeping joyfully as she places both in my arms. They’re swaddled and fussing as they grow used to the world.

“Oh, wow,” I whisper as I look down at them. They’re both slightly gray, with black spots that resemble smeared ink. Their mouths are so perfect and pink, and their little mewls squeak like toys. One is slightly fluffier than the other, but aside from that, I can barely tell them apart.

“I didn’t prepare names for this,” I gasp in awe.

“Surely you must have something!” Evelyn beams as she sits by the bed.

I take in a deep breath, and as I look at the babies it suddenly becomes clear. “Almanzo,” I whisper to the boy. “And Aveline.”

Evelyn chuckles and kisses my forehead. “Perfect.”

The next few days are a blur. I barely sleep and everything bleeds together. Eventually, the days become clearer and everything starts to even out. Manette and I grow used to the babies and finally find a balance.

One afternoon as I am feeding Aveline, I look across the room at Manette snoozing in the rocking chair with Almanzo in her arms. The little one is snoring, matching his mother perfectly. I giggle and look down at Aveline as her tiny, pink paws knead at my breast.

“Oh,” Manette’s voice croaks. She sits up, propping up Alamnzo more as he continues to snore. “Did I fall asleep?”

“You and Alamnzo looked so cute. You have the same snore,” I beam happily.

“You need a nap?” Manette stands up. “Looks like this one is done.”

Aveline is pushing against my breast, trying to get rid of it now that’s she’s full. “She certainly is fussy,” I sigh.

Manette hands me the sleeping Alamanzo as she rubs Aveline’s back to try and burp her. “I can take the kids. Why don’t you go lay down?”

“I’m fine,” I sigh dreamily as I watch her. “I have a feeling little Manly will be up in a second, and he’s always hungry.”

Manette smiles at me. “Little Manly?”

“Cute right?” I kiss the top of his head.

Aveline burps and then starts kicking her chubby legs. “Speaking of fussy.” Manette sniffs her butt and hisses. “I’ll clean this one up before it gets too horrible.”

I nestle back into the chair with Alamanzo, gently stroking the top of his head. His eyes open. The bright blue of them will fade to green soon, or yellow, depending on who he takes after. He stares up at me in awe and wonder. He blinks a few times and his little mouth opens with a small crackling sound.

“Hello there,” I coo to him. “Did you sleep well?”

A soft purr escape his throat, and his eyes slowly shut. His tiny pink tongue sticks out as he settles back in contentment. 

“That’s right,” I whisper. “No need to worry about anything in this world.” I kiss the top of his head. “Your Mommies are here for you, always. Not to mention your Auntie and your Uncle,” I coo. “He’s a big dragon. I’d sleep soundly too if I knew he was my uncle.”

Manette comes back into the room with a sleeping Aveline in her arms. “Want me to set them in the bassinet?” she asks.

I offer Alamnzo to her, then try to stand up as she lays them down. I look inside and see them sleeping peacefully. I rest my cheek on Manette’s shoulder and smile.

“They’re perfect aren’t they?” Manette sighs.

I kiss her cheek. “Just like you.”