After that painful farewell, we went on with our lives in the newly built mansion.
My new home is very comfortable, with enough space for everyone living here, and thanks to the children, it's always lively.
At first, Avrora was sad, but over time, she regained her smile, even though she's not very friendly with me or my mother. Luckily, both Alfred and the maids adore her; in fact, the maids have even been teaching her to fit in as one of their own.
I'm sure everything she learns here will help her in the future.
Everything is going wonderfully. My children are growing up without pressure, my mother is much calmer and happier than she was in the old mansion, and Leonard has joined Interra's defense force as a commander.
However, life isn't all sunshine and roses.
"Honey, I don't think I'll be able to have any more children…" I place my hands on my belly, worried.
"Why do you say that, my love?"
"You've noticed, haven't you?" I reply, feeling a lump in my throat.
"It's just a matter of time, don't worry." Leonard holds me gently, trying to reassure me.
I don't understand—no matter how hard I try, I can't get pregnant.
I decided to wait six months. Not much time had passed since I gave birth to Eleonor; maybe my body just needs to rest.
"Love, have you noticed any change?"
"No… I haven't noticed any change," I reply, my voice subdued.
"Dear, don't rush things; you'll have a baby when the time is right. The same thing happened to me with you." Mom places her hand on my right shoulder and smiles. "Don't be discouraged."
I have no reason to doubt her words, but a strange feeling keeps me from being at ease.
Three more months pass, and no matter what I do, there's no result.
The doctors in Interra ruled out any issues with Leonard or me, so… why? Of course, I feel frustrated not being able to be a mother again… Perhaps this is Deus's way of telling me I'm not meant to have another baby.
With pain and sadness, I finally resigned myself. I never neglected any of my children, so I continued teaching and guiding them, preparing them for life.
We're in the mansion's garden, enjoying a pleasant day outdoors.
"Mom! Alaric won't share his candy with me!" Astrid tugs at my dress.
"Astrid, you already ate yours."
Hearing my answer, Alaric sticks his tongue out at Astrid.
"Mom!" She tugs harder on my dress.
"Alaric! How many times have I told you not to do that?"
Watching the scene unfold, my mother gives Astrid another candy.
"Thank you, Grandma!" She hugs my mother.
"I want one too!"
Leonard speaks in an exaggerated, gentlemanly tone:
"Alaric, gentlemen must let their little sisters have extra candy."
"Really, Dad?" He looks at him expectantly.
We all laugh, and Leonard, who's holding Ely, seems to have made Alaric forget he has one less candy.
Just as I'm about to say something, a strong wave of nausea hits me. I rush to the nearest bathroom and throw up, feeling a sudden, overwhelming sickness that takes me by surprise.
"Fayna! Are you all right?" Mom asks, worried.
"Love, does something hurt? Are you feeling unwell?" Leonard helps me steady myself, wrapping his right arm around me.
I stay silent for a few seconds. I've felt this before.
"I'm pregnant…"
"Are you sure, love?!" Leonard grips my shoulders, filled with excitement.
"I don't have any proof yet, but that's what it feels like…" I smile, a bit embarrassed.
Leonard looks at me, his face glowing with happiness, while my mother hugs me. She was always right; it happens when you least expect it.
Time passes, and my suspicions are correct: I'm pregnant.
My children always arrived after nearly nine months, so I don't understand why this time I'll give birth at eight months and one week.
I'm in Interra's hospital, and this is turning out to be the hardest delivery of all. I'm exhausted. After so many complications, all I want is to hold my baby boy or girl in my arms.
"Ma'am, I'm very sorry…" The doctor looks at me with sorrow.
Hearing those words, my heart freezes.
"Excuse me, what do you mean?" I sit up in bed. "How is she?! Is it a boy or a girl?!"
The doctor approaches with my baby in his hands.
"It was a girl. We did everything we could. I'm so sorry."
I feel a crushing weight on my heart, my mind goes blank, and time seems to stop around me. I lower my gaze, my long red hair covering my eyes.
"Please, do something!" I look up, crying out in desperation. "I'll give you anything you want, just save her!" I shake my head. "I can't accept that there's nothing more you can do!"
I pound my fists against the bed with all my strength.
"You don't know how hard I worked to be able to have another baby! Do something…!" I wrap my arms around myself. "Please…"
Leonard embraces me, trying to soothe me.
My heartbreaking sobs fill the room. In the background, I hear the nurses quietly crying, and the doctor lowers his gaze, frustration clear in his eyes.
"It's not fair, Leonard…" I scream, my voice thick with despair. "I did everything I could to make this work! Why? Why is this happening to me?!"
"Love, let's try to calm down…"
I'm about to respond, but seeing the tears in his eyes—eyes as clear as the sky—I realize his pain runs just as deep as mine. She was our daughter, after all.
In an instant, the little flame that never had the chance to burn fades away, taking with it every dream I held close. I would give anything to hold her in my arms. I want to care for her, hug her, kiss her; I need her with me. I want to protect her until she can stand on her own… No, even if she could, I would never let her go!
Leonard and I hold each other, sharing our grief in silence. My beautiful girl, forgive me, forgive me for not doing things right. I'm a terrible mother; I should have…
Suddenly, a nurse shouts, "Doctor! The baby's breathing again!"
The doctor rushes over to her.
"It's true! Let's check her vitals!"
His words breathe life back into me. Though uncertain, a seed of hope is planted.
"Thank you, Deus…" I whisper, bringing my hands together in prayer.
"Thank you for this miracle!" Leonard says, wrapping his hands around mine.
The seconds feel like years. The nurses and doctor are speaking, but their words fade into the background. In my mind, I'm silently pleading, begging that this isn't just an illusion, that I won't wake up to find it was all a dream. I couldn't bear it, not after everything we've been through.
Finally, the doctor approaches us with our baby in his arms.
"Congratulations, ma'am! It's a girl," he says, smiling with joy. "It's truly a miracle—she's out of danger."
"Thank you so much, doctor!" I bow my head in gratitude.
While Leonard talks to him, I focus all my attention on the little angel cradled in my arms.
"Hello, my beautiful girl. You sure gave Mommy a big scare." I gently caress her soft ruby-red hair.
She gazes at me intently, looking a bit dazed.
"Come here, love. I think she wants to see you."
Leonard steps closer, offering her a warm smile. I'm almost jealous; I never thought he could outshine his smile from our wedding day.
"Aren't you going to hold her?"
"I want you to enjoy her a little longer, love."
I listen to the doctor and nurses talking, still discussing the strange events that just happened.
"Now it's my turn." Leonard takes our little girl, who looks at him with a confused and tired expression.
"I'm so happy you're alright, my little one," Leonard says softly, cradling her in his arms.
The baby stares at him, wide-eyed, for a moment before her trembling lips burst into a full-on wail.
"She's crying! After everything that happened, I didn't even realize she hadn't cried at all."
"Love, I think she doesn't like me much," Leonard chuckles gently, passing her back into my arms.
Her cries grow louder; her strength surprises me, but more than anything, I'm so relieved that she's alright.
Carefully, I rock her, and bit by bit, her cries soften until she finally drifts off to sleep.
"You just wanted to be with Mommy, didn't you, my beautiful girl?" I murmur, gently stroking her tiny cheek. "Oh, and by the way, I won again. I've already chosen her name."
"That's three in a row for you," Leonard laughs. "Alright then, tell me, love."
"Her name will be… Hanae!"