The Fire and The Storm - The Nexus of Kellaran #2 novel Chapter 154

Part 23

No one spoke for a moment, then Val asked her mother; “Are you and father going to have more children in the time-bubble?”

Alilia laughed and glanced and Mark and Talia for confirmation before she answered. “No. Mark’s new children have to be raised in the time-bubble, and you three have to remain outside, and there’s nothing we can do about that. But it’s sad that you’re going to have dozens of new brothers and sisters and you’re not going to be able to be there with them as they grow up. We didn’t choose to have them and we’re making the best of it, but we’re certainly not going to do that to you again on purpose.”

“Besides, you three have turned out to be a lot more than we expected in almost every way except the number of problems we’ve had with you.” Mark chuckled. “Even though you’re far more self-sufficient than other kids, there’s still been times when raising you has been all that we could handle.

“I’m sure raising the new forty-four of them is going to be all that we can handle too, even with copies of me and all the Volunteers to help raise them. But…”

He paused and raised a strong Privacy Shield around them. “But I think it’s obvious that you kids are a product of three very strong bloodlines, and that’s why you’re so incredibly exceptional. The Volunteers are all fine young elves, and many of them are exceptional in various ways, but by any objective assessment none of them are in the same league as your mother and Talia. I therefore don’t expect my children with them to be quite as exceptional as you. And as a parent I’m glad of that, because with forty-four of them I’m sure there’ll be no shortage of challenges already.

“But to choose to have more like you while raising the forty-four of them inside a time-bubble? No thanks, that’s more than any sensible man would take on no matter how many copies he made.

“Believe me, your mothers and I definitely will have more children together, but it’ll definitely be after you and the forty-four are all fully grown.”

“Why?” Fire teased. “We’re fully grown enough to take care of ourselves now, why not have more when you come out of the bubble?”

“Maybe you can take care of yourselves now,” Talia assured her, “But you’re still seven years old, and there’s no doubt that you’ve no more finished maturing and developing and fulfilling your potential than any others your age. Like most parents, I’m not looking forward to your puberty, and your uniqueness increases the chance that you’ll have unique problems and challenges as you mature and develop.

“After you’re at least thirty or so we might have more, when we’ll have more time and attention available and we’ll have the lessons learned from raising you to go by.

“Now it’s time to go. Everyone’s meeting on the beach again.”

“Please, allow me.” Karz said as he Resumed his dragon form, and Translocated the entire group to Homestead beach. He had to bring them in high since the beach was already fairly crowded.

“Good one.” Fire told him with a grin as a space was cleared below them.

“Thanks, that’s the most I’ve ever jumped, by weight anyway.” Karz told her with a grin as they alighted.