Lana was nervous. If she understood everything correctly, this next tree was integral to her research. If it weren't for the books she got from Quinn's castle, she wouldn't have this valuable knowledge. She promised to be a better friend to him if this worked and chuckled to herself.
Sil took her hand in his, loving being in an environment where it was safe to do this. "What's the plan, Beautiful?"
She giggled at the compliment, still not used to them. "Growing extinct plants. The things I need no longer exist. The question is, did I gain enough information in my studies to bring them back to life. I believe I did or I wouldn't be trying it but there is always the chance to overlook something."
Sil nodded. "Do you need anything from me?"
"Um… Well, I don't know if it will help but could you hold the twins and we can see if it will help my concentration?"
Sil smiled, "any excuse to hold our little angels!"
He took the little ones from her and sat on the ground a bit away from where she was going to work so if they cried, they would not disturb her. Caser stayed by his side while Shalt stood near her but looking away from her. They could see dumping baits in the background that were closer than Shalt would have liked. He didn't think they could reach this far but he was more worried about the children in the shelter if they came out here. He decided he would talk to her about it.
Shalt looked back at what Lana was doing and saw a gnarled black tree rising from the ground. He could actually see a bead of sweat on her brow from the deep concentration. By the time she was done, the tree was 80-feet tall and had pink flowers on it. It had the feeling of being very old.
Lana opened her eyes and saw before her the exact tree she saw in her mind and sighed in relief. As long as she didn't screw up its properties, it should work. Lana was proud of her work and was trying to remember the other tree she needed but this one was the most important. This specific tree could be used in so many ways.
She decided to go sit with her husband and watch him feed their babies. "You're so good with them." Lana smiled.
Sil smiled up at her just before she took a seat. "I had a great teacher!"
Lana chuckled, "I think it's instincts."
She took his hand in hers, "I want to thank you for giving me a chance. You've made me so happy."
Sil's smile could have lit up a room, "You gave me a family I thought I'd never have." He looked down at his son happily eating in his arms while his daughter slept in his lap. "Is it too soon to ask for more? Am I being greedy?"
Lana giggled, "I was already planning on us having more. I know how much you love children. I will give you everything for as long as you love me."
"That will be forever then." Sil's smile brightened even more. "Have you thought more on what that tree told you about your mother?"
Lana shook her head, "I don't have much time right now. She said get stronger which could mean so many things. For right now, I will learn the sword and research the energy bars. I also need to be training people in my ability. I need more volunteers. I need to field some agents or we risk Quinn being forced back to the vampire world. I know you'd go with him if he went and I don't know if or when you guys would return to us."
"Who are you thinking of going with the agents on mission?"
"I'll need to hire travelers to go with them. It needs to be small teams though. One or two people to travel with her. I need to get some females trained on my ability before I start worrying about that part. They should be easier to train on their portion of protecting my agents."
Sil nodded. "Are you going to start working in your lab today?"
Lana laughed, "Well, it's so passed dinner time right now…. How about we go eat and work on research tomorrow?"
Sil chuckled and nodded.
In the kitchen of their home, Sil did much better at helping though he still had a long way to go. He insisted on learning so one day he'd be able to cook for her the way she cooks for him. The babies were put down in the bassinet with Shalt watching over them. After dinner, Sil drew a bath, stripped his wife and gently placed her in the warm water. He insisted she needed some relaxing time.
Sil did notice, though, the people here didn't seem to bother her much. Anything that needed her attention was brought up at breakfast and she was able to function the rest of the day. He wondered where she found such caring people. He looked around the bathroom for smell-pretty stuff to put in the water. He knew she made all this stuff herself but had no clue anything about it, much less what it was called.
He noticed a shelf near the tub, "Do you want one of those scents in there?"
She smiled, "You choose."
There were over a dozen glass bottles. He decided to go with red since it never failed him. He poured a small bit into the water and got delectable scent of roses with a small hint of strawberries. He thought it a strange combination but his body did not. He decided to go get a chair and place it at the end of the claw-foot tub. He wanted to hold his wife and smell the amazing aroma coming from her bath water.
When she started becoming a prune, he pulled the plug and reached in and lifted her from the tub. She started laughing. Never in her life had she received such service with a bath. However, who was she to stop her husband from doting on her. They needed to take the time while they had it and they both knew it. He found a towel, still thinking it strange their towels were as big as small blankets, and dried his wife off before carrying her to bed. He didn't allow her to get any clothing, just the harness contraption that allowed her to capture the milk from her breasts.
He tenderly placed her in bed, turned off the light and held her tight to his body. They were both soon asleep. Until the babies woke them, that was. Sil insisted he take care of them. He didn't know what would happen once Quinn's plans kicked off of taking over other factions. It could be a while before he could see his family again and he wanted to truly be there for them.
The next day at sword practice, Lana was trembling like a leaf just standing there holding her sword. Sil was worried for her safety so he handed the babies over to Mandy and took Steven's sword from him. He stood beside her and copied the motions Steven was trying to get her to do. She still didn't move.
"Lana, look at me," Sil said tenderly.
She looked up with fear-filled eyes.
"I'm here, you're safe." He watched her gulp. "do what I do."
She nodded and complied. By the end of the training session, she was no longer trembling and Sil smiled at her proudly. He passed the sword off to Steven and leaned in to give his wife a passionate kiss.
Steven was in awe of what he just watched. "Sir, if you're so capable, why am I the one teaching her?"
Sil chuckled, "I hate swords. I can use many forms of weapons but I prefer using my ability. At least for now." He looked at his wife, "If she needs me to, I will but I don't really want to."
Steven bowed slightly to him, "you two are fortunate to have one another."
Sil smiled, "I agree." He looked at his wife. "Are you planning to go to your lab?"
She nodded, "as soon as I gather a few samples from the tree."
"Is it safe for the babies and I to go below and pick an area for the kids?"
Lana nodded and smiled, "Take Caser with you."
"We'll take you to your tree then your lab before going down."
Lana looked to Steven, "Thank you. Tomorrow's lesson will be easier."
Steven smiled at her. "I feel I need to remind you to take breaks to eat. You are still feeding babies after all…"
Lana nodded and the family went out to do their things. Mandy hung out with her in the lab watching her techniques. She was sure they would be in the books but if she could watch, Mandy felt it would be more beneficial than reading it.
Lana decided she would work on copying her books while she was waiting on her mixtures to do their things. She was also wondering if she should share all her notebooks or just the information that worked. She decided when writing the notebooks for others, she would just put in the stuff she knew worked rather than the failed trials as that would make their learning go faster. She didn't have another lifetime to get these ladies trained. She needed to do her part to protect Quinn from the Vampire Council. Her new notes would be exact to prevent confusion.
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