The Story of Ice and Aaron: Chapter 23

Aaron knelt between Ice’s spread legs. “Okay one more push ought to do.” He looked up at his husband awkwardly moving his own belly into position so he could catch Ice’s baby. Next to Ice on the bed, Onyx screamed out with the pain of his own contractions. Snow stood next to him ready to take the baby. The other girls were safely occupied in the nursery, but Aaron knew they couldn’t help but hear the screams of pain. Suddenly Ice one last big push and his second child came safely into the world. Next to him, the infant’s wails were echoed by its siblings protest as it entered the world. Aaron cradled Ice’s son, Blake while Snow held Onyx’s son, Boyd.

Aaron smiled down at the boys. Ice slipped his hands around his waist. “They are beautiful children, aren’t they?”

“Yes. It will be your turn next.”

“And then Snow.”

“And then Snow,” Ice repeated.

“Will we have another child of our own?”

Ice laughed, “I just gave birth last week and you are almost due and you are already talking about another child. You must be a glutton for punishment.”

“I don’t mean right way. In a year or two.”

“Ask me again in a year or two. I do not even want to think about another child right now.”

“Fine, but if you’re hoping all have forgotten about by then, I promise you I won’t have.”

Aaron’s labor happened so quickly that he gave birth in his garden. It was a healthy baby boy they named Brandon. Three weeks later Snow was unavoidably detained outside as the sun rose high in the sky. The locals caught her feeding and attack. She crawled desperately home. She wanted to get home before giving birth. She knew her injuries were too severe for her to survive. Aaron was outside tending to his garden when he saw her crawling along toward him.

He rushed to her, “Snow, what happened?”

She shook her head, “Protect the baby, all the babies.”

At that instant she turned into dust, leaving her unborn child behind.

Aaron picked up the girl and rushed her downstairs. The men’s combined efforts succeeded in reviving the child. Ice looked at his hands while Aaron related what had happened.

Onyx swallowed and in soft voice said, “Now what? What will happen to me? Where will I go?”