Author: Deathangelgw

Warnings: AU, sap.

Pairings: Pellaz/Calanthe/Caeru, hinted Calanthe/Caeru and Pell/Rue

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Two months after Feybraihatide, Caeru contemplates the new life he has been given.

Beta: As before, unbetaed. All mistakes are mine.

Spoilers: All six books.

A/N: Ok so I lied. Scar 'Verse isn't done...it's only just beginning! Cross posted to my LJ, raythoo LJ comm, and the Wraeththu Yahoo Group. Feedback is appreciated!

'thoughts'

The sounds of hara enjoying the night life floated up to Phaonica as Caeru stared out from the window seat that he was sitting on. A soft smile of contentment tilted his lips up as his hand stroked the soft mound his belly had become over the last two months. He was very close to dropping his pearl, he knew that much, and it filled him with anticipation and happiness, not like the last time. This time, he knew that both of his consorts would be involved with this pearl and nothing would keep them apart.

Thinking over the last few months, Caeru couldn't help but sigh in happiness. Calanthe had succeeded in healing him, but the final healing moment had been on Feybraihatide when he and Pell had created this pearl. It was almost even more sacred and powerful since it had been on the night when such powerful energies had been in the air. Even remembering that night made him shiver with longing and amazement.

Since then, Pell and he had begun healing their own time worn scars through their joy over what had been created. It was as if they were giving themselves a second chance where they hadn’t with Abrimel’s pearl. He had even nudged Cal with the idea of finally giving Pell a pearl, but they had yet to follow through on that. He had a feeling they also had some things to work through, but he knew that he would help them no matter what. He loved them and knew that they returned the feelings now with very little bitterness or regret.

Smiling sadly as he thought about the cause of that regret, Caeru looked down at his belly and sighed softly. Loki and Darquiel had also become very involved with his carrying this pearl and Caeru knew it was only a matter of time before they had more grandharlings. The thought filled him with a mixture of joy and sorrow even as he thought of his and Pell's grandhar Geburael. He looked so much like his father that it was painful sometimes to look at him and not long for his son, Abrimel.

A gentle hand brushing away his tears startled the Tigrina from his thoughts and he looked up into Pell's concerned gaze. "Rue, what's wrong?" Pell murmured gently as Caeru turned his cheek into the gentle touch.

For a minute, Rue felt his lip wobble a bit on his emotions as he remembered how even this touch had been absent from his life until recently. He reached up and cupped his shaking hands around the tender hand as he nuzzled it. He didn't say anything as Pell sat down next to him and let himself be drawn into his consort's arms as he breathed deeply in an effort to not cry. It was a joyous time, not one to be filled with painful memories.

But he could feel Pell's concern even as the other har stroked his back soothingly, so finally he whispered, "I wish Abrimel was here..." He had to give Pell credit that he didn't say or even do anything harsh in reaction, but he still felt his consort's body stiffen at the mention of their son. "I know...that you are still angry with him, but he's still my son. Our son. I wish he was here so we could be a complete family," he explained softly and couldn't stop the sob that trembled from his lips. He buried his face in Pell's shoulder as the Tigron relaxed under him and held him soothingly. He knew that Pell wouldn't say anything, but it was out there now. Caeru didn't blame Pell...he just longed for them to all be happy and together.  

He melted even more as strong fingers ran through his hair, massaging his scalp while another body fitted itself behind him. Cal was there, he knew that, and it made everything just a bit better. The warmth between them served to relax him and he didn't stop the smile that formed when their hands came to rest on his swollen belly. It was a loving touch, something he'd craved for so long and now had. And the best thing was that he didn't feel desperate to keep hold of it. He knew that it was there to stay and that alone made him the happiest har in the world.

His blissful moment though was shattered as he gasped in sudden pain when his stomach rippled sharply. Their holds instantly became protective as they whispered their concern when he curled in over his pearl. He cried out as another contraction hit him and he knew that it was time, but he couldn't find the breath to even speak the words much less relax enough to move. He didn't have to worry though as they both seemed to get it and Cal scooped him into his arms while Pell ran to get the healer. Caeru wrapped his arms around Cal's neck and whimpered as he was hit with another contraction, trying to remember if it had been this bad with Abrimel. He remembered the pain, but it had taken quite a while for him to drop the pearl of his first born. This one seemed intent on beating that record as the contractions came swiftly in succession. He found himself stripped somehow to just a shift and screamed in pain as the contractions became so intense that his body was curled in sharply. He was gathered into powerful arms and looked up blindly into Pell's worried gaze and that dulled his pain for a moment before another bout hit him.

The contractions seemed endless as he labored to drop his pearl, but both of his consorts never left his side and kept a hold on his hands and himself the entire time. Finally, with a grunting scream, he pushed the pearl from his body and sagged against Pell, gasping for air as he was wiped down and covered in a thick fur blanket. He reached out blindly and the pearl was placed in his arms and he couldn't help smiling as he felt the powerful pulse of life from within. This harling was indeed a blessing. With a smile, he fell asleep, curled around the pearl under the warm blankets. He didn't see the fond looks his consorts had directed at him nor did he feel them curl around him and the pearl protectively after the healer had left. But he didn't need to see them to know their presence and relaxed even more in sleep.

*~*~*

"Are you sure he's going to be ok? He's been out for a day now."

Loki's soft inquiry woke Caeru up and he chuckled as he curled more around the pearl. He heard his name being whispered in relief and smiled up at Loki and Darquiel, who were on the bedside watching him worriedly. "I'm fine, you two. Come to see your brother?" he teased them as he shifted into a more comfortable position.

"And you, silly Caeru," Loki chided before leaning in and pressing a kiss to Caeru's head.

"Pell and Cal had to go and make an announcement about the pearl and they had to take care of some stuff, so we thought we'd stick around in case you woke up," Darquiel explained when Caeru glanced around for his consorts.

"Ah, makes sense," Caeru murmured fondly as he reached for his other son. His smile turned gentle as Darquiel took his hand carefully and held it close to his heart. "How long did everything take?" he asked as he then took Loki's hand into his. "And where is Geb?"

"Geb's with Cobweb and Snake. He knows how much he looks like his father and didn't want you to be hurting again when you saw him," Loki explained quietly, though his eyes were sad when Caeru looked up at him in surprise. "But he was worried...you labored for five hours. And it was intense, Pell told us. Something tells me that this harling is going to be a match for Darq," he added and grinned as his half brother socked him on the shoulder.

"Behave you two," Caeru teased good naturedly while stroking the pearl. "It won't be long till we see what this one has in store for him. I'm glad you both are here. Please tell Geb that I'd love to see him too," he said as he smiled at the two younger hara before him.

"Honest?" Loki asked doubtfully and Caeru's smile was sad this time.

"Honest. He may look like Abrimel, but he's all I have of my son. I would like it greatly if he would be here, in only that I don't want him to hate me as well," Caeru explained sadly and looked down as a tear rolled down his face.

"No one hates you, Caeru," Loki cried as he hugged the Tigrina tightly, careful around the pearl. Darquiel nodded silently as he watched solemnly, and then went into the hug when he was tugged in.

"Thanks, Loki..." was all Caeru could say as he hugged the two who were his children, whether by hosting or raising.

The next few days passed slowly for Caeru, but comfortably. He was usually with his pearl, but his consorts took their turns in holding the pearl so that he could freshen up and move about, stretching healing muscles as they watched him and the pearl. He also had many visitors, whether family, close friends, or some of the members of the Hegemony. All of them wanted to see the miracle pearl that had been created when no one had thought it would happen again for Caeru. Caeru was grateful and happy to see everyone, but his heart was still sad when the one har he wanted to see never could come.

He was thinking about Abrimel as he stroked his pearl one day, about a week after he'd dropped. It had become almost a constant thought on his mind since this was his second harling with Pell as the father and it was bringing back many memories. Things were, of course, very different from that time since both Tigrons were with him, but it still was something he thought about. He sighed softly as he rested his cheek on the softened shell. The little one would hatch soon for sure and he honestly couldn't wait. But another part of him was afraid that this little one would look like Abrimel and he didn't know how he'd react.

A soft sound at the doorway alerted him to another har's presence and he looked up with a welcoming smile. But his smile froze as his breath caught in shock when he saw who it was. Pell was there, but next to him was who had captured his gaze as Abrimel smiled a bit next to his father. "Abrimel..." Caeru managed to whisper as he sat up and reached for his son, who strode instantly into the room.

"Caeru...I've missed you so much," Abrimel whispered and Caeru sobbed as he gathered his son to him when Abrimel sat on the bed. He couldn't believe the peace and happiness that was all but radiating from his son, but it didn't matter to him how it came to be. Nothing mattered as he held the har he had hosted so many decades ago and who he had thought lost to him because of Pell. Now it was as if things had come full circle and were healed. He could handle everything that life threw at him from then on with his consorts and harlings around him. And that was all that mattered.

It seemed that the harling felt the same as they heard a soft crack. As one, Caeru and Abrimel looked down in surprise as Pellaz came over to the bedside and they watched in amazement as the shell cracked and a hand pressed out. Caeru reached out and let the small hand grab his finger before another hand poked out and pushed the shell apart further, cracking the shell into smaller bits. Caeru smiled brilliantly as the harling looked up at him knowingly before he gathered the newly hatched harling into his arms. He cuddled the harling and smiled in joy up at Pellaz and then at Abrimel. Nothing made him happier than being with his family and Caeru knew that his scars had healed completely.

The End

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