Fanfic Time: My Baby Now (13)

Aldiirn didn't really believe he was Kosh's son until that Winter. The entire family journeyed down to Enclave Yaztel, babies and all. Including some volunteer nurses and staff to help with everything. Making certain that Kosh and the Lady Cordelia had time for Aldiirn.

The colony of Drow was flourishing. Buildings, crops, and infrastructure coming along very well. There was even architecture beginning to emerge. And one place naming itself the Whitekeep Embassy.

It was the twins who got to him first. Babbling as they learned to talk, they mastered 'mama', and 'papa' for Kosh and Lady Cordelia. They also had 'nur-nur' for their nurses, 'dow' for 'Drow', 'bah-wah' for each other... and finally, 'bee bah-wah'. For him.

Lady Cordelia pointed it out, having much more experience with their babbling. "They're calling you 'big brother'. I think it's wonderful."

They'll forget me. You'll forget me. You should be leaving me behind... Aldiirn's knees went out from under him as his inner world turned on its head. He couldn't fathom it. Big brother. Wonderful. Why won't they forget me?

The twins thought his tumble was hilarious, and toddled to hug him. Lady Cordelia was a lot more concerned, though she hid it from her babies. Her, "Oops-a-daisy," hid a lot more panic from them than from him.

It was in her eyes. She was concerned for him. Worried about him.

There was the fresh breath of Spring in her Druidic magic, and the scent of daffodils washed over him as she reached out her hand.

"Are you all right, my love?"

This--

This wasn't--

This wasn't how it worked.

He was useless. Forgettable. Regrettable. A burden. He was way overdue to be someone else's problem or punished for taking too much food from worthier mouths and stealing clothing from worthier backs or taking up too much space or being in the way or being too loud or...

Aldiirn couldn't breathe.

He'd made the babies start crying.

There was no air

He'd made Lady Cordelia cry.

There was no light.

"I'm... sor--"

There was no sound. No gravity. Was he dying? Was he dead?

Evidently not. He came to in Vhaeraun's temple. The priest was winding up an adapted dance with two baby Tieflings underfoot, and Lady Cordelia was putting her every effort into her own healing magic.

But she didn't have to.

"...wh--?" Aldiirn managed.

"Oh thank the gods," Lady Cordelia snatched him up in a hug, babbling about how worried she'd been, and how he was allowed to tell her if he was feeling unwell. She could help. She wanted to help. She was his mother, it was her job. It was her delight.

Oh.

She wanted to.

Oh.

She really wanted to.

He whispered, "Thank you, mum..." and realised then and there that he meant it. It would take him a few more years and two more baby siblings to cement it into his head.

He had a mum and dad. He had siblings.

He had a family.

Aldiirn had people who loved him and treasured him and were willing to help if he needed it and not hold him in debt over it.

This took a lot of getting used to.