New Life [Brone]

[Brone Van Estra]

"Perfect." Brone said looking right into Serena's eyes. He kissed her tenderly for one sweet moment. Victorious light..... their mothers names..... It was beautiful. They had overcome Tobais and their fathers. Serena and Brone had been through so much, and here was the prize, the light at the end of the tunnel. Their baby. Their daughter. Lucinda Victoria Van Estra

He rubbed his love's back softly as he smiled down at the two most important women in his life-- his love and his child. "Now all we need to do is get married." he teased her lightly. As far as he was concerned though, they were a family, they belonged to each other. Simple vows would just be for state. They were already one.

[Serena De Lorme]

It was the best feeling in the world, the amazement that they had made something so precious and dear to their hearts despite it all. Serena leaned back into his hand just a little, enjoying the feel of him rubbing her back while her mother and bisabuela cleaned up her and the bed. Her attention was completely soaked up by the tiny thing she held in her arms, counting her fingers and toes, making sure everything was there and just as perfect as she seemed to be. Lucinda yawned and just looked at her parents with such tiny round eyes, before starting to whimper for food. It was as if it were a second nature, letting her shift strap down and making it so their child could latch onto what she wanted. Even feeding was adorable.

Serena laughed softly at his tease, looking back up at him while their daughter fed. "Can I take a nap first? Then we can get right on that," she teased back, winking at him. To Serena, they became one a long time ago, their vows said back when they believed they wouldn't see each other again, the ceremony when they were fighting with their lives to stay together despite Tobias' determination, and this was the "I do's". A poetic way of seeing things, but it was so true. The wedding would be nothing more to change her name. Not her heart.

[Brone Van Estra]

Brone smiled as Serena fed their baby. He chuckled softly at the fact that part of him didn't like that he had to share Serena's body, but he'd get over that. He loved their baby, and she was beautiful. And it gave him a chance to really know the truth about being a family. His own family had changed so drastically, and now he had his own to look after. As well as a kingdom to look after. His father was in the ground. The crown was officially his, the people had found out that morning. And now, he was also a father, someone would have to announce it to the kingdom.

"Of course you can sleep first," He said with a soft smile, stroking her hair lightly, looking down at their baby. A miracle child, that had survived so much. No doubt would be hungry for blood at some point.

Brone looked up at Victoria with a soft smile. "Thank you." He couldn't pinpoint what he was thankful for, he owed her so much. "Will you help me make the announcement?" He asked her. "Unless you feel up to it." He added looking down at his love.

[Serena De Lorme]

A soft purr escaped Serena's lips as Brone stroked her hair. She couldn't help it, it felt nice, and she was just glad to be resting. She watched as their daughter ate her fill and then just yawned and closed her eyes. The simplicity of the movement was just...beyond her ability to describe. So innocent and yet so filled with promise. She couldn't wait to spend time with her, raising her and teaching her all there is to know.

Victoria smiled softly at the two, nodding her head at the king's thanks. "No need to thank me, your grace. You did most of the work, besides my daughter." The other woman was walking around the room now, making marks on the wall in key places, that created glowing symbols that faded only moments afterward. Good luck charms if you will.

Both De Lorme women looked at each other before turning their attention to Brone about the announcement. Victoria was laughing softly as Serena's eyes widened. "Me? I'm sure I look a mess... And I'm not dressed for the occasion..." "I believe your queen-to-be should make the announcement with you, your grace. The people should get to know their queen sooner or later." "Thanks mom..."

[Brone Van Estra]

"With all due respect Victoria, Serena's the one who did the work," He said with a gentle smile. Serena did look a mess, her clothes rumpled and now a bit big, sweat making her hair stick to her forehead. Buts he was still beautiful, she was always beautiful.Brone just smiled at her.

"You can sleep first, then clean up and then we'll tell the adoring public." he said with a soft wink. The public might not be too adoring, but they liked Brone better then they did Vlad. You could almost tell, the air was slightly different. He would never say so out loud, he didn't want them to think him cocky, but he'd always been a gentler person, and those who wanted the war over were so happy to have him on the throne.

[Serena De Lorme]

Victoria went to the adjacent bathroom and came back with a damp cloth to gently wipe off Serena's face and neck, cooling her down. Serena let out an audible sigh at that, relaxing a tad bit more against Brone, the full effect of her fatigue washing over her now. "Would you like to hold her while I sleep? I bet she'll love being with her daddy since she kicked me to kingdom come when you were around," she teased, letting her mother take the baby while she turned around and curled up some against Brone, asleep before her head rested against his chest.

Getting a gentle poke in the side, Victoria looked at her mother and mentally kicked herself. "Your grace, forgive me, but I would like to introduce you to my mother, Esmeralda De León. She can speak English but refuses to." The older woman just laughed softly and bowed towards Brone, moving to pick up her cloak and replace it on her shoulders.

[Brone Van Estra]

Brone laughed faintly at Serena's comment. the baby had always seemed to love him, and he was about to make a joke about her being 'daddy's girl' and take his child into his arms, when instead Serena fell asleep against his chest. He wouldn't disturb her for the world. he stroked her hair and kissed her forehead gently. She'd been through so much because of him----but also because of him--she'd gained so much, and gained a way out. Tobias would have come back either way, Brone was sure of that.

Her mother? Victoria's mother had seen him kill Tobias. Great. But now she was family, and he bowed his head deeply to her since he could not get up and bow properly. Then he looked at Victoria, and speaking softly so as not to wake Serena he said, "Tell me how I can thank her in her own language for everything she has done. Please." Please was never supposed to be a kings word, but it was the only one that kept a man real.

[Serena De Lorme]

Nodding, Victoria walked over to Brone and leaned down to murmur in his ear, "Gracias tanto por todo que usted ha hecho." Her granddaughter squirmed slightly in her arms, sensing someone she liked much better near by and even started to fuss a little because of it. The woman laughed and showed him how to hold Lucy with one arm so she didn't start crying and wake up her mother. Esmeralda walked closer to sit at the edge of the bed, as graceful as a swan in movement.

[Brone Van Estra]

Brone nodded softly and used his one free arm to hold his baby to his chest. Holding the mother of his child against the other side of his body. "Hello Lucy." He murmured softly. The baby smiled up at him before fluttering her tiny lashes and burrowing her face into his chest with a little yawn, curling up to him.

When he looked up, his grandmother in law was sitting on the end of the bed. He wasn't even aware enough to know if she was a witch or a vampire or a combination. And he didn't even care. "Gracias tanto por todo que usted ha hecho." He said carefully, pronouncing each word as he had heard it. Brone wished he knew what she thought of him. Why her opinion was so important he wasn't sure.

[Serena De Lorme]

"De nada, mi Rey. Veo promesa en usted." Victoria smiled as her mother nodded in approval and folded her hands into her lap. The grey that sprinkled her dark mane of ebony curls gave her a distinguished aura, drawing from her eyes that she had seen much in her life. The loss and the gain of the years had done her justice and she still stood tall. It was definitely a trait that ran through the women in that line: resilience.

"She said not a problem. And she sees promise in you. Her way of saying she approves of you." Victoria patted Brone's shoulder before moving to the other side of the room where she spotted a chair. There was pain evident in the way she sat down, but even that was almost perfectly hidden. You would have never known unless you looked into her eyes. Such a glorious day, and even for her, it was marred by past decisions. But she would never regret anything she did for the good of her family, of her daughter.

[Brone Van Estra]

Brone smiled at both Victoria and her mother. He sighed softly as Victoria crossed the room, looking down into at his baby, and then at his love. He had so much ahead of him, a family, a life, a wife, a kingship, a new sister, a family he had to pull back together, a kingdom, a people, a world. He felt maybe he could do it too. Maybe. Lucy was breathing softly, like her mother was. How his father could harden his heart to sights like this he would never understand.

But thinking of Vlad brought so much back, Keelin, the fight, Serena being tied in the sun, Tobias..... he looked up again, carefully almost, the resistance against his impulse to jump up obvious. He looked at Victoria. He knew she was strong, but all the same... "I never did help after what I did to... Tobias." He began, looking away again. "Your husband must not have been happy...." Such an understatement. "I..... I should not have made you so involved in that." He had no idea what De Lorme had done, but he knew that man was cruel. "I should have known better."

[Serena De Lorme]

Esmeralda clenched her hands in her lap at the mention of her son-in-law, on the verge of sensing a slew of curses towards him when Victoria gave her a look and murmured "Silencio, madre,". The older woman got up and contented herself with gently moving her granddaughter from Brone's arm and laying her down so that Serena could rest properly. She also started combing her fingers through her hair and straightening her hair, giving her a small project.

Victoria on the other hand, looked towards Brone and smiles softly, shaking her head. "Your attention was focused correctly, your grace. I would much rather you had made sure this day could happen instead of dealing with such a small problem as my husband. Besides, this isn't as bad as the beating he gave me when he found out what I was on our wedding night." She shifted her weight in the chair slightly, reaching up to run a hand over her hair. "I chose to be involved, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. The look of shock on his face when I told him Tobias was dead by the prince's command was reward enough."

[Brone Van Estra]

Brone was reluctant to let her take the child, and move his wife from here she was. he felt suddenly naked without them, as if they would disappear if he wasn't touching them. But he stood so he could look down at Serena as she slept, and at his new grandmother in law as she held his daughter. He didn't want to lose them for the world.

He listened quietly to Victoria's words. he wanted to believe her that he had done the right thing. And granted, Tobias planned to attack once the baby was born, so truthfully, he had saved them. he had no doubt the Victoria loved telling her husband the truth but even so.... What kind of life must she have been living? Being beaten for who she was.

Brone crossed the room and took one of her hands, getting down on his knees so his face was level with her. "Please, don't call me your grace, you are part of my family." He said very quietly. "If anything, I have much to learn from you, you are the one who deserves more respect."

[Serena De Lorme]

Victoria gave Brone's hand a gentle squeeze, looking into his eyes with kindness to spare. She wasn't sure what she could teach him or what she had done to gain respect as such, other than just doing what she must in order to help her daughter. The woman had neglected her family trying to stay away from her husband. But now she wanted to help as much as possible.

"I am just a mother who wishes she had been there to help her daughter, Brone." Esmeralda cleared her through, making Victoria look up with a sigh, nodding. The elder woman walked over, still holding her great granddaughter, shaking her head. "You are strong. Like I raise you. He get what coming to him." There was a gleam in her eyes as she turned to keep a watchful eye on the sleeping mother. But Victoria knew what that meant. "What did you do mother?!" she asked, only to get a soft chuckle in return.

[Brone Van Estra]

Brone smiled softly. "You did help her, she always talked highly of you. You were the only one she missed." Brone told her. Serena hated her father, never spoke of her brothers, but it was her mother that she craved. "And you've helped me, by helping her, but not doubting in me, by helping Serena know who she really was, and that's made all the difference." He had almost called her mother, almost kissed her cheek, she was his family now, he really felt that she was. His won mother had secluded herself a bit, getting over Vlad's death. She'd never really been a mentor, the way Victoria seemed to be.

The older woman speaking english threw him off. Victoria was strong, he knew that, but this 'he' getting what was coming to him, did she mean De Lorme? Or was it him? What was even going on? Should he be worried? Brone stayed quiet and followed her gaze to the sleeping Serena, then his baby in her arms.