Chapter 161: 2.41 Exciting News
Nine months passed in Paradise and everything continued smoothly. There weren’t any rumors with Hades and Brie held her stomach gently.
"Sora, I can’t believe I’m pregnant again!"
"You look beautiful and you’ve only been pregnant for a month!" Sora said cheerfully as he kissed his wife on the cheek.
"I’m glad Xander’s been spending so much time at home with us. I can’t believe how quickly Hope has grown up! She’s already an adolescent phoenix!" Brie exclaimed.
"She’s beautiful! A white phoenix with golden feathers and a golden flame. She’s a perfect mixture of both her parents," Sora said with a smile.
"It was nice of Athena to create our own realm. I’m glad the other gods and goddesses were understanding."
"Well I’d certainly hope so, Sora! They all have their own realms, why shouldn’t we?"
"We’re not gods and goddesses of Paradise and we’re only visiting? I don’t know anymore babe. All I know is I’m happy our family is happy." Sora said with a wink.
"Don’t undervalue us. Your father has his own realm, although it’s not used anymore. From what I’ve learned and what Athena told me, there are a lot of realms not used anymore. She leaves them for her siblings in case they ever choose to flip and help her." Brie said with a frown.
"You mean help us?" Sora smiled as he set down a blanket on the grass in their backyard.
"Here, come sit with me. Xander and Hope are trying out some of their bonding techniques. I was shocked when Tej let his little girl leave Athena’s realm to play with Xander."
"Aw, thanks babe." Brie said as she took Sora’s hand and cuddled him on the blanket. She laid on her side with her head in his lap and watched with Sora.
Hope landed with Xander, who was grinning ear to ear.
"Nice one Hope! You’re so strong!" He cheered.
"Nice job you two! What else are you going to show us today?" Sora yelled in encouragement.
"Ok Hope, I think we have this whole telepathic communication thing down. Can you copy abilities like your mom or do you have foresight like your dad?"
"I’m not really sure. Sometimes I think I see visions, but then I realize I’m just daydreaming. I haven’t been able to copy your time spells, so I’m not exactly sure what I can do!" Hope answered.
"Well, you can carry me, which is impressive because you’re only 9 months old! You can breathe fire, manipulate fire, negate some of my Mom’s water spells and we can communicate telepathically. What else do you think we should try?" Xander asked excitedly.
"My mom said she can sense Athena from almost anywhere in Paradise. Why don’t you try running to one side of this realm and I’ll fly to the other and see if we can sense each other and talk?" Hope suggested.
"Great idea! Let’s go!"
******
"What on Earth are they doing Brie?" Sora asked as he watched Xander sprint in one direction and Hope fly in the other.
"They were clearly just speaking telepathically. I could see it in Xander’s eyes. Maybe they’re trying to see how far they can stretch their bond?" Brie said while sitting up and motioning for a shoulder rub.
Sora laughed and started rubbing her shoulders. "I think you might be right. I’m surprised how much a 9 month old phoenix can do. Xander’s getting so big. He’ll be six next month."
"Is it really January already? That means our next child will be born in March, right?" Brie asked while trying to do the math in her head.
"Yes babe. All this time stuff is really confusing. I like how we have a great view of Exteria from our realm though! It looks like Levi and Sasha are in Haven and Jubelle, Ox and Mindy joined Lucious, Sera and Iris at the settlement. It’s nice to see the elves are back and everyone’s treating Shawn so well. He seemed like a nice guy." Sora said in a calm voice.
"I still can’t believe you made a seal through a dream. That’s amazing! Ok, I can’t see Xander or Hope and I’m getting worried." Brie said as she began to shake nervously.
"Relax, they’re fine. Xander promised he wouldn’t open portals without us and all the ruptures were destroyed. I’m sure they’re just pushing their limits." Sora whispered as he continued massaging Brie’s shoulders.
"Hope, can you hear me?" Xander asked nervously.
"Yes! I also know where you are. I can sense it in my head. You’re a little golden dot that never goes away!" Hope said excitedly.
"Woah! Your dot is white for me! That’s so cool. That means we can always sense each other’s presence. I wonder if we can teleport to each other like the members of my dad’s party can. You’re my companion and the other companions can teleport so I should be able to..." Xander said as he teleported to Hope.
"Surprise!" Xander exclaimed, which scared hope.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" Hope screamed, flicking a fireball at Xander.
Xander laughed and knocked it away effortlessly as he caught his falling Phoenix.
"I didn’t mean to scare you, I’m sorry!" Xander said with a frown.
"Aw, don’t be sad Xander. It’s ok. That was fun! Maybe we should fly in for the day, it’s getting late."
"Ok sounds good. Do you want to teleport or fly?"
"Do you think we can scare your parents?"
"Oooooh. I like your thinking. On the count of three... one... two... three!"
"WHAT THE!" Sora and Brie yelled as Xander and Hope landed right behind them and Hope used her wing to tap both of their heads.
Sora and hope started laughing while Xander said, "Gotcha!"
"Xander!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Brie exclaimed angrily.
"Sorry Mama..." he pouted.
"Remember when we scared Sasha on her first day with us, after she tried my blood for the first time?" Sora laughed while calming down his flustered wife.
Brie smiled. "Ok, I might have over-reacted. Come here Xander, give Mama a hug that was cute."
Xander gladly ran up and gave his mom a hug.
"Tell your mom I said I’m sorry!" Hope pleaded, holding her head low.
"Hope says she’s sorry." Xander said politely.
"Oh, it’s ok you two were just having fun. I’m just a little more sensitive with the baby! That’s all. Hope, don’t be sad! I’m glad you two figured out you could teleport together. That was very clever of you." Brie said while reaching her hand out and petting Hope’s head.
Hope gladly accepted the scratches, flapping her wings gently in excitement.
"Well it looks like you had quite the day!" Athena said as she appeared in front of them with Skylar perched on her shoulders.
"Hi SkySky!" Xander said cheerfully.
"We had so much fun today! Why can’t we figure out Hope’s magic though?" He asked curiously.
"Tell Xander that Tej and I think she’ll eventually develop our abilities, it will just take time. If they’re already linking and teleporting to one another, she’ll eventually awaken some of her genetic abilities." Skylar told Athena.
Hope understood her mom clearly and "cawed" in approval.
Athena passed the message to Xander, who smiled and thanked Skylar.
"Well, Xander, are you ready to open a few portals?" Athena asked confidently.
"Yes Nana Fena! Aren’t you worried we might open a bad one with Mama pregnant?" Xander answered nervously.
Athena thought about it for a moment.
"You know what, I think you’re right Xander. Let’s hold off on that."
Sora and Brie relaxed. They were both grateful Xander wouldn’t be opening any portals. They’d gone almost 2 years without any bad news, and they didn’t want to risk it.
"Well, Brie, how are you feeling?"
"Great. Just tired. Definitely not as exhausted as I was on Exteria, though. Thanks for asking."
"If you have any troubles or notice anything strange, please let me know right away ok?" Athena asked sternly.
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