Maria POV
"Uuuhhh… Who is the cutest baby of all? Who is it?~ Who is it?~"
"Ghwwahahaha~"
[So cute!]
In the quiet but usually monotonous life of a simple country girl, spending time with my little Sarah was always more than enough to make me smile.
She was the only light left in my life after the death of my beloved husband.
Sigh… how I wish he was here and saw his daughter smile.
"Buahhh~" My daughter yawned tiredly, which was a sign that her nap time was coming.
"Aww… Are you tired already my love? ~Don't you want me to tell a bedtime story?~"
At my question, Sarah obviously didn't answer, after all it was still too early for her to start talking.
"It doesn't matter... mom will tell you a nice story so you have sweet dreams my little sun~"
I lay down on my bed putting my daughter to one side, and while I gently caressed her pretty face I began to tell her a story.
"Once upon a time there was a star in the sky, it was a very beautiful star that accompanied whoever felt lonely at night"
My daughter put her little thumb in her mouth and started sucking on it with her little eyes closed.
[She's so adorable that I just want to hug her, pamper her, tell her that mommy will always be there for her no matter what and that I will never stop loving her no matter what she does…unlike a certain couple of religious fanatics who called themselves parents]
"One day, a couple of lovers who had escaped from their city made a very strange request to the star, who did not know that he was listening to them"
At this point it was obvious that my daughter was already sound asleep, however, I continued telling the story that I had invented for her and only for her.
"The couple asked the star to guide them to a town far from everyone and everything to be able to raise their little daughter quietly, as they feared that she would suffer the same horrors as her parents"
I closed my eyes remembering that night when my lover looked me in the eyes and promised me that he would make me happy for the rest of his life.
[It wasn't as much as I would have liked… but I will always be grateful because at least he didn't leave without leaving me with so many good times of him and me together….]
"The star complied with their request, leading them to an isolated village in the most peaceful plains of their native nation... where their love finally blossomed and one night in sight of the star, they decided to create a new life."
[His face of pure joy to know that he was a father…. It was definitely the smile of the happiest man on the continent]
"What no one knew was that the star that guided them, could not help feeling for a moment as alone as those they once accompanied. She kept everyone company, but no one wanted to spend time honestly with her. Therefore, seeing that the couple wanted to have offspring, the star had a great idea… To become his little girl!"
I opened my eyes to look at Sarah's face, resting on my chest, I noticed that my dress was slightly damp... because of a bit of drool that had escaped from her mouth.
"And they called that little baby that was born on the first… their little Sarah"
[I will tell you this story until I lose my life daughter… not a day will pass when I stop telling you how much I love you]
I gave her a kiss on the forehead, and although I would like to spend more time with her, I had to cook dinner for myself, so I took it as carefully as I could and put it in the crib in the corner of my room.
"Sweet dreams my little star in the sky~"
Leaving the room, I slowly closed the door, and when I was about to light the wood to heat the water in the cauldron.
Knock Knock knock
[Hmm? A visit at this time….? I wonder who it could be]
"Wait a second~" A little taken aback by the unexpected visit, I couldn't contain my surprise when I saw who had visited me.
"Gwendolyn?!" My eyes widened as wide as humanly possible, unable to accept the sight before me.
It was the magician who came to town just over a year ago!
And yet, what made me gasp in disbelief wasn't that, but the fact that she…carried a baby in her arms.
"And you have a baby?!" .The instant I noticed the little one, I leaned over to try to get a better look.
[But she never gave any indication of being pregnant! Was the little one stolen from somewhere?!]
"Erhm… you said that… well…. c-as you always said that I could visit you at any time….". Gwendolyn made a face that I couldn't tell from embarrassment or embarrassment, maybe both.
"But what are you saying! No need to explain to you! Come on, come on! I won't let that baby catch a cold on my watch!"
I immediately made her enter my humble home, and offered her a seat in one of the only three chairs.
"Thank you…." She said, although for some reason the discomfort was more than evident on her face.
I would have said something if I had come alone... but right now there is something much more important.
"Who is that cute baby? ~Is he a nephew of yours?~" I reached out to touch him, but Gwendolyn pulled him away as soon as she noticed my intentions, so I thought it best to give up for now.
[She won't leave without me grabbing that little baby cheeks!]
"E-Eh… n-not my… nephew…." Gwendolyn said very insecurely.
"Oh no? Then? What your relationship with the baby? I looked at the baby, then at her, then at the baby.
[They have to be family, she's like a baby Gwendolyn! There's no way they're not related by blood!]
"…." For a few moments he seemed speechless, searching the ground for some answer until he took a deep breath and spoke with unexpected severity.
"This baby… a-actually… it is my son…." Gwendolyn finally dropped the hammer on the anvil.
"WHAAAAAAAATHHHH?!" I had to cover my mouth to prevent my scream from reaching the other room and waking Sarah.
[I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT THE INSTANT I SAW IT!]
"I-I had no idea! I-If I had k-knew, I w-would have g-gave you a much more motherly welcome! You have no idea how happy I am for you Gwendolyn!"
I got up from my chair to give him a hug.
"N-No need t-that!" He immediately cut me down on the spot, making me fall defeated in the chair.
[B-But … I-I thought she had come just for that…. Wait a moment!]
"Uhm…. Not that I'm upset, but… How come I just found out you had a baby?" I said with a slight frown
When she got here, I didn't see the slightest hint that she had things for anyone but herself, much less any hint that she was in the last stages of pregnancy.
[That baby you have is the same age as Sarah…. Half a year or more if I'm not mistaken]
To my reasonable doubt, Gwendolyn became very flustered, and although she was slow to respond, she gave a spoken answer without any stutter on her part.
[Seeing her hesitate and stumble over her words is very surreal, is this woman the same girl who had a look of sadness and barely uttered words with anyone?]
"I… when I got to the village, I didn't want anyone to know…. I was going through very hard things for me… that's why I used illusion magic so no one would notice, especially you… Maria". I noticed some pain in his eyes, not as much as when he got here, but there was still a deep pain in them.
"Oh… so that was it…" I started to understand her reasons when she gave me that pained look.
When my husband died… my loved one… I just wanted to be alone and cry. I was very scared, as I was in my seventh month of pregnancy when I got this horrible news.
Fortunately the townspeople were very kind. The local mothers and widows against my will kept me company until I gave birth.
It wasn't until I held Sarah in my arms that between tears of sadness and joy I had the courage to thank them for everything.
[She didn't know that I went through something like that… it was obvious that she wouldn't open up so easily]
And yet I couldn't help but feel horrible about myself. I have no idea what her birthing experience was like, but I barely had any strength after Sarah was born.
[But…. She's a powerful mage… maybe that's why she could realize the luxury of shutting herself down all this time but still….]
I smiled bitterly before speaking.
"…When you came here I was just a cranky pregnant…and I can understand that after my personality change you didn't have the confidence to seek me out…" I gave him a faint smile of understanding. "I just want you to know… that I'm not bothering you… it's okay… I can understand… you don't have to hide or put up with anything alone Gwendolyn anymore… we can learn to be moms together…. Don't you think? I gave her a gentle smile that, from the quiver in her eyes, should make her feel a little guilty.
[Of course, there are also the other women of the town, but I think the message is understood, right?]
She soon recovered, and breathed a sigh of relief. Being much calmer, some tears escaped her eyes.
"... T-Thank you very much for understanding... you really are a woman full of love, Maria."
"Hehe... my husband used to say that to me too~... fufu... thanks for bringing back that memory." I covered my slightly flushed cheeks from a particular memory I had shared with him.
We both enjoyed the moment of closeness before Gwendolyn's haunted look snapped me back to reality.
"And well... the reason I'm here... is so everyone knows... about him..." Gwendolyn will slightly strengthen her arms to let me have a better look at the baby she was carrying.
"Him?! It's a boy?!"
[And Sarah's age….?!]
Before my mind could hopefully imagine a thousand different scenarios where they both ended up at the altar, Gwendolyn continued again with anguish in her voice.
"…. Unlike you… I-I don't feel like they take the news well after being isolated for so long." With that said, I couldn't help but ask as soon as he finished speaking.
"Is that really what's bothering you?" I asked frankly surprised by his hesitation after explaining his fear.
I can understand her being scared that everyone feels a little betrayed that she kept something like this from them for so long even after all the kindness they showed her. On the other hand….Isn't that a sign that all the smiles and gestures of kindness that we always gave him were worth it in the end? That it wasn´t in vain?
[Sigh… this girl has to learn to read the environment]
"I always thought that you didn't want to live with the people because you didn't want anyone close….". I expressed one of my thoughts about her.
"Uhm…partly." Gwendolyn admitted.
"But now I see that you're just kind of socially awkward." I said without holding back my smirk.
"E-Excuse me?! A-Awkward …? M-Me…?". My comment seemed to have affected her more than I expected, as she stared into space muttering something I couldn't quite understand.
"E-Even a villager who knows me calls me awkward... Was Miriam right all this time...?"
[Miriam? Is it some old friend of hers?]
"W-Whatever!" Gwendolyn dropped the subject as soon as she snapped out of her trance rather hastily. "C-Could you help me… let everyone know about it?" Once again Gwendolyn spoke to me with fear and anxiety, but also with hope.
"Don't doubt it for a second Gwendolyn...". Again I got up with the intention of giving her a hug, to which she, although somewhat reluctant, ended up accepting, not putting up any more resistance.
[You don't have to be alone in this…]
As I hugged her, little by little I could feel her body relax, which only made me feel much more satisfied with myself.
We both closed our eyes to enjoy the warmth of finally finding someone to trust, when a certain very familiar sound caught our attention.
"…Mmm… Gwhaaaaa~…" . The little boy woke up, and yawned so sweetly that I could have melted in that moment.
"HE IS SO CUTE! LET ME CHARGE IT PLEASE!"
[My little Sarah is definitely prettier, BUT FOR ALL FOUR! I NEED TO KNEAD THOSE CHEEKS OR I WILL BECAME CRAZY!]
I exchanged glances with the little boy, and he remained expressionless for a few seconds before smiling with incomparable joy.
"Mwhaaaa~!" He spread his hands out full of emotion.
[FUCK! WHY COULDN'T I HAVE TWINS?!]
"I-I think that was enough for now!" Alarmed, Gwendolyn stood up and not-so-subtly put some distance between me and the baby.
[Awwww, did she get jealous because she smiled at me?]
An evil idea lit up my head when I saw Gwendolyn flustered.
"Oh come on… Just five more minutes! Come with mommy!" I began to approach them both with both hands in the air, as if I were some kind of bear from the high caves.
"Bwaahahaha!" The baby gave a slight smile that only confirmed the fact that this amused him.
"Come here! Come here! Mama bear is going to eat you! Grawrrr!"
"Mwaaahhhhhh!" The baby reached out her hands to me, while Gwendolyn hardly believed her eyes.
And the moment I swooped down to knead that beautiful face…
"T-Thank you for everything! See ya! [Teleport]." Gwendolyn was lightened slightly before fading as if she had never been.
"…Mohh~! It's not fair~!" I stepped onto the hardwood floor, disappointed that I hadn't done my job.
[But… even if it was just for a moment, I could see her smile… so this time I will forgive her]
I smiled very happy for the new mom in town, and without hesitation I went for my little Sarah.
"Come my love~…we have to make some visits~".
And when I was about to leave the house, I remembered something that made me stop and hit my forehead for being so clueless.
"For the four! I never asked what his son's name was!"