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Hertha was holding one bairn and his sister Ingrid the other when Bhric entered the room, but Bhric glanced at them both fleetingly. First, he wanted to go to his wife as did Fen, reaching her before Bhric did and getting a generous ear rub.
“Two. I delivered two,” Tavia said proudly.
Bhric leaned over her to place a kiss on her brow. She was sitting up in bed, dressed in a fresh nightdress, her cheeks flushed lightly and a brightness in her eyes that brought a smile to his face.
“You did well, wife, actually, more than well,” Bhric said prouder of his wife than he ever imagined he could be.
“I was right,” Ingrid called out. “My brother is a potent man to plant two bairns inside you.”
“Ingrid,!” Bhric warned and all the women laughed.
Ingrid walked over to him and handed him the swaddled bairn. “Your son. He was born first.”
Bhric took the small bundle and stared at his son as he let loose with a wide yawn, then returned to sleep. He had a thatch of hair the same light color as Bhric’s and fine features.
Tavia stretched her arms out to him. “I will take him so you may hold your daughter.” Fen sniffed at the small bundle as she took her son. “Family, Fen, he is family.”
Hertha placed the little bundle in Bhric’s arms, and he stared at her amazed of how beautiful she was, dark hair like her mum’s and the most beautiful blue eyes.
Marta came to stand next him and whispered, “She is the picture of my daughter when she was born.”
“She is beautiful,” Bhric said for all to hear.
“Between Astrid and your daughter, you and Sven are going to be busy fighting off the men,” Ingrid said.
Bhric cringed. “I do not want to think of that now.”
“Why? Because you know what is on a man’s mind all the time?” Ingrid teased.
“Ingrid, go to your husband and daughter,” Bhric commanded.
“It is time for all of us to leave the new parents with their newborn bairns,” Greta said.
“I would return to see how you do,” Hertha said, “but Marta assures me she will look after you and fetch me if I am needed.”
“Aye, Marta will take good care of me and the bairns,” Tavia said.
“Of course, she will, she’s family,” Ingrid said with a grin and walked out the door. All but Marta following her.
“I should send my sister back home,” Bhric said, now wondering if she had actually discovered the truth.
“And lose all entertainment?” Tavia said with feigned shock.
Bhric laughed glad to see that his wife teased and looked so well.
Marta approached them after Bhric went and sat on the bed beside his wife. “I will leave you now and return to help you when it is time to feed the bairns.”
“Before you go, Amma,” Tavia said, “Bhric and I would like you to know the names we have chosen. We had discussed it and had a name chosen for a son and a daughter and now we can use both.” Tavia smiled softly. “Our daughter will be named, Eydis, after my mum and our son will be named Brant after my da.”
Marta could not stop her tears from falling. “I believe your mum and da would be immensely proud of you just as I am, as well as the da who raised you to be a strong woman.”
Tavia smiled, pleased that she acknowledged Newlin, the only da she had ever known.
Marta quickly wiped her tears away. “You should rest. Let me put the bairns in the cradles. You can rest while they sleep for once they wake they will be hungry and keep you busy.”
Marta took the lad from Tavia, but Bhric stood and placed his daughter in the second cradle, seeing it was the one Astrid had outgrown.
“Rest,” Marta ordered before closing the door behind her.
