The Surprise of a Lifetime (Finale) (Page 46)

Two... We're having two kids. I don't know how Geralt or Yen will react when they find out. I look to the lady who has helped us tonight. "If there is anything we can do to help you. Let us know." I inform her that I'm ready to do anything she asks. She's been a great help. I look to Ciri and see that she's just smiling at me. The lady walks over to her desk and hands me an envelope.

The letter has no distinguishable markings. "I need you to take this to a man named Francis Bedlam. Once he gets this letter, you'll have paid your debt to me." That sounds simple enough. I don't know if I should bring up Mar. She probably already knows, I look at the picture one more time, and I feel a need to tell her.

Mar is younger in the painting. I wonder how old this lady is... This looks like it was taken a lifetime ago... She walks up beside me and stares at the picture too. She must know I want to ask her something. "Is this man your son?" I point to Mar in the painting. She stays silent and rubs the picture of him. She misses him.

She takes a shaky breath holding back her tears. "Was..." She would want to know that her son died protecting a family... I glance at the pocket where I keep Lara Dorren's diary. He knew what it was before anyone else did. Without him letting me keep it, I would've died after leaving Kaer Morhen with Gaunter.

She can tell that I know something about Mar. She grabs my hand and holds it with her two small ones. "I knew who Mar was... He was an amazing person and terrific mage..." Mar didn't deserve to go out like that... The lady looks at me to finish. "He gave his life to save a child... His sacrifice led to this boy having a family and friends with a future ahead of him..." I just watch as the tears fall from her eyes when I say that.

She doesn't know everything that happened that day. "I know that he saved your life, Cera... He talked about you and your abilities the day before he died... I need to tell you something that is very important..." She looks at a crystal ball, and she holds her hand out. The ball comes flying at the command. "This is a seer crystal... All those years ago, it showed me a glimpse of what you would do... I need to warn you that you aren't who you think you are." That's ominous.

Ciri walks over, hearing the strange things she's said about me. "My son, Mar, was an amazing mage. He never listened to me. With all his power, he refused the one thing that could save him." I think I know what she is talking about. Yen spoke of a potion that can grant an immortal life. "I'm sorry I never told you my name. I'm Feralda Kemora. I needed to see if you would tell me of your own volition." I had never heard of her before. Yen never talked about her friends or enemies.

After listening to her, I have faith in whatever she is about to tell me. "The only thing that came through was that you would have to face your birthright and take the mantle your ancestors left." I only know so much about Lara and her daughter Riannon. She used the diary as a way to improve her own power. Not write down every moment of her life... She did write something, though.

After hearing that, Ciri grabs my arm and clings to it. This information matches up with what that lady in my dream told me. "Thanks for all your help, Feralda. I'll be sure to bring your message to Mr. Bedlam." She looks at the painting one last time and walks over to her rocking chair. She sits down and looks directly at me with a smile showing happiness.

She reaches over to the table next to her and picks up a pipe, and starts to smoke from it. "Thank you for being honest and telling me about my son." We make it outside, and the sun is beginning to set. I was not prepared for today. I feel that the rest of our time in Novigrad will only get more exciting from here.

Ciri hasn't let go of me since the vague warning I received. I kneel on my knees and turn my back to her. "Hop on... I promised I'd carry you..." She runs her hand through my hair as she leans on my back, and I pick her up. I start to walk when I feel Ciri's freezing hands in my shirt. "Ohh!! Your hands are ice cold, Ciri!!" She laughs hard at my reaction.

She sighs and asks me a question. "Can you believe that we're having twins... Feels like a dream..." I agree, and I can't say I didn't expect her to be pregnant... Geralt and Yen never really drilled safe sex is a must... They're both infertile, so they wouldn't think about that. All they ever said to me was all it takes is once. I didn't understand at the time, but I get it now.

I feel a need to make a joke where none is intended. "Pretty soon, I'll be holding your hair while you puke. I also won't be able to give you piggyback rides when you start to show..." You can't tell she's pregnant right now and for a while longer. When she does start to get big, I'll have to do all the work. She'll be twice a big since there are two in there.

She laughs at my terrible joke anyway. "Then you'll have to compensate with extra massages..." She's so special to me... Now, we have a family on the way... I can see my breath... That means Ciri must be freezing... "Cer-Cera, can yo-you warm me u-up..." Poor girl is shivering. I can raise my body temperature with magic, but it makes me tired, and I tend to sleep in. I haven't done it yet because I haven't had to, now seems like a time I should. Ciri asked me anyway.

I close my eyes and focus on my heart. My magic flows through, and my body begins to warm up. "Is that better?" It should be hot enough for her. She just moans in happiness and snuggles as close as she can. She's so soft... I wonder what she thinks about my body.

She leans her head on my shoulder and relaxes. She looks at me with a smile and bashful face. "Yeah, that's better... Thanks, Cera..." She has a tone and mood when she feels embarrassed, and this sounds like it. I carry her back to the Rosemary and Thyme after a long walk in the cold of night. I'm tired from using my magic.

Ciri cuddles against my warm body. We're both naked under the cold blankets. She wraps around me and sighs. I continue to use my body heat to warm her up and the blankets until it's nice and toasty. I start to fall asleep as I turn off my magic. Ciri is on her way to dream land too. She did take a nap earlier, but she's probably tired from the stress we went through today.