The time since the great Goddess battle feels as though it hasn't passed. Every time I go to the kitchen in the castle and see Reuben with mine and Edmund's coffee, I can't help but see his sweet, innocent face bloodied. I know with time it will become just a bad memory. Perhaps even more like a bad dream.

"Princess Elli!"

"Reuben, you sweet boy. You have the coffee ready."

"Yes, ma'am. I made cookies this morning too. D-do you want some?"

"You made cookies?"

He nodded his head shyly.

"Absolutely! One of these days you are going to be the greatest chef in the entire realm."

His smile spread from ear to ear as he rushed to grab a plate he already had made up. I tosseled his hair before kissing his forehead. He turned and hurried back to his work as I left.

"My love," Edmund said, taking the tray of hot drinks and cookies from me.

"My love," I said back.

"What do we have planned today?" he asked.

"I'm sure the usual. We have meetings with your father and the counsel. There is talk of a rogue pack forming who want to officially rejoin the kingdom."

He nodded and sat the tray on a table in the library as I browsed the books. "That would be very good if we could get a peace deal."

"Indeed. We're also going back to Moon Mist tonight."

"Oh?"

"Harmony is due to give birth to her first pup shortly. I would like to be there for her. Moral support and all that."

"Already?"

"I know. Her pregnancy has gone by so fast. I'm so excited for her. Imagine having a young pup running around the castle hallways." I smiled longingly.

"It would be nice to have a young pup running around."

"You know that it's going to be a handful. I'm betting just like Harmony."

Edmund let out a low chuckle before sipping his coffee. "Can the realm handle another Harmony?"

I sat beside him on the couch, accepting my coffee while flipping through the pages to where I'd left off yesterday in the story.

"Ready to keep reading?"

"Yes."

"Chapter six," I said aloud.

***

Our day went by as quickly as it usually did when it was filled with matters of the realm. King Orsand began shifting more and more of his work to us so he could spend more time with Queen Amelia. That brief time she died seemed to have flipped a switch in him. He couldn't get enough of her and it was the most wonderful thing.

I fidgeted in the passenger seat of the big SUV, fidgeting with the knobs on the radio until I was able to find something to listen to that wouldn't put us both to sleep.

"Thank God Reuben made us an entire thermos of his coffee."

"He's a good boy," Edmund said.

"He is. I enjoy having him around."

"Moon Mist isn't that much further."

"Thank Goddess. I'm exhausted!"

My parent's estate was bright with light and people bustled about. Odd, but not that odd for the Beta's residence.

"What is going on here?" I mumbled.

"Could Harmony be in labor?"

"No. No? I mean she's not due for another few days."

"So? What if she's in labor early?"

"I guess. Hurry up!"

He pressed on the gas and sped the rest of the way to the house. I didn't wait for him to come to a complete stop before jumping out of the car.

"Mom! Dad!" I shouted running through the door.

"Aaahhhh!" I heard a scream echo throughout the house.

"Harmony?"

"Oh, Princess Elanor! You're here!" an older maid said, dipping into a quick curtsey, her arms full of linens.

"What's going on? Is Harmony having the baby?"

"Aye, ma'am! The young future Luna has gone into labor! How exciting!"

"Oh! It's baby time!" I exclaimed excitedly.

I followed the woman to the top of the stairs and down the hallway to Harmony's old room. "Why is she here?"

"She was more comfortable here and wanted to be near your mother."

I nodded. "Makes sense."

The woman hurried into the room. I hovered around the door and peeked in.

"Ellie!" Harmony cried between grunts as she pushed. "You're here!"

I cautiously walked up to her side and took her hand. "Of course, I am dear one. I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

She gripped my hand and bore down and let out another scream. "It hurts."

"Shhh, my sweet girl. I know," our mother said softly, pushing Harmony's hair out her face. "Hello, sweetheart. We are so glad you made it!" Mother looked up at me.

"I didn't think she would go into labor yet. We wanted to get here earlier but meetings and kingdom matters went a bit longer than we expected."

"How are things in the Royal City?" father asked as he came into the room with a bowl of steaming water.

"Everything is going wonderfully. Lots of peace."

"Not to. *Grunt* Interrupt *Grunt* But I am having a baby!"

I chuckled lightly and looked at my sister. Her face was red and covered in sweat and her belly swollen with child. "I'm sorry, Harmony."

"How is everything?" Edmund called from beyond the door.

"The prince is here?" Harmony asked in alarm.

"Of course. I wasn't going to leave him behind."

"He can't come in! He will see absolutely everything."

I let out a loud laugh. "I already warned him that unless he wanted to see more of his sister-in-law than a brother-in-law should ever see to not come in the room."

"Oh good. Good."

"You are doing such a great job, honey. I am so proud of you," Alex said, leaning down to kiss her cheek.

"Okay, Harmony. One more big push and the baby should be here!" Doctor Withers said from the end of the bed.

"You can do it, Harmony!" I encouraged as she squeezed my and Alex's hands.

She let out one final scream as she pushed again. Her guttural scream replaced with the tiny cry of a baby.

"Baby is out!" Doctor Withers declared. "You have a beautiful baby girl!"

Harmony burst into tears as the baby was wrapped up and placed on her chest.

"Oh, she is absolutely beautiful!" I cried.

Harmony kissed the tiny forehead of the new babe that wriggled against her mother. Tears welled in my eyes as I watched my sister and her new baby. I stepped back quietly, giving her and Alex some room and rejoined Edmund.

"Done already?"

"Apparently we missed most of it,"I chuckled.

"How is everyone?"

"They are wonderful. Just wonderful."

He smiled and pulled me into a tight hug. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. A little nauseous. Tired. I want a big bowl of boar stew really, really bad."

"What?"

"Yeah, I've been craving it for the last few days. Mom's is the best."

"I see," Edmund said, just holding me.

"I want that and I really want a pumpkin milkshake."

"What is wrong with you, weirdo?"

"Well, you know how you said you wouldn't mind the sound of little pups running around the castle?"

"Yeah?" he asked, pulling away from me a little.

I smiled up at him.

"Yeah?" he repeated.

I smiled bigger and pursed my lips.

"For real?" he asked.

I nodded. "For real."

"For real for real? You're not lying?"

I shook my head. "I promise, no lies."

"I'm going to be a dad? I'm going to be a dad?"

"Yes. But shhh, not so loud. I don't want to tell anyone just yet. Besides, this is their time."

He pulled me back into his body before lowering his head to mine. He kissed the mark at the crook of my neck lightly before pressing his lips to mine.