> Lara PoV

*Knock knock*

I stop doodling on the piece of paper and look up from my bed at the door. We just woke up a while ago, but it should still be too early for breakfast.

“Yes?” (Lara)

“Girls do you have a minute?” (Ellie)

This is rare. Usually our moms have Nano or Ariel come get us whenever it’s time for supper or something like that. Maybe it has something to do with that creepy spider lady that was here yesterday.

“Yeah, come right in, Mom.” (Lara)

The door opens, and standing in the doorway is-

“Surprise! Guess who’s all better!” (Kira)

“M-mom? MOM!” (Lara)

She’s back! She’s standing all on her own and showing us a bright smile that could melt the sun! I’ll even forgive that ‘Ta-da!’ pose she’s doing for no good reason!

“You’re okay! I’m so glad you’re okay! We were really worried!” (Lara)

I run up and hug her across the stomach, while she hugs me back! Haah, I feel so relieved…

“Big sis was the only one worried though. Mommy promised she’d get better, so I was sure it would work out!” (Sophie)

That Sophie… why is she trying to act so tough? Even though she said all that stuff a few days ago she still couldn’t sleep peacefully out of worry. Big sister knows it all!

“Is that so? Then I guess you don’t want a hug to feel better, huh? Too bad…” (Kira)

“... Okay, I was a little worried… Kyah!” (Sophie)

“Wah!” (Lara)

Mom swoops in and scoops her up while hanging onto me with one arm! I know she got better, but is it okay to move around so much!? She could barely speak properly yesterday!

“MMWAH! MMWAH!” (Kira)

She plants a big wet kiss on my and Sophie’s foreheads! Not that I hate it, but that one was a bit gross…

“I’m sorry for worrying you two! It’s okay though, your mom’s back and she’s better than ever!” (Kira)

“Uhm, Mom? What’s wrong with your tummy?” (Lara)

Now that I’m properly hugging her, I can plainly tell it’s bulging out. I wasn’t sure before because of the covers and the blankets, but it’s really obvious when she’s walking around.

“Huhuhu, truth is, we have a little surprise for you!” (Kira)

She let’s go of us and steps back a little. She cradles the bump in her belly while our other mom hugs her from behind and puts her hands on top of Kira’s.

Wait, I’ve seen that sort of thing before, right? Where was it… I think it was just before-

“You’re going to have a little brother or sister soon!” (Kira)

-before Sophie was born…

“Really? Yay!” (Sophie)

Sophie gleefully celebrates with arms raised.

“Huh? No wait, isn’t that weird? I thought babies were born from the pure love between a man and a woman, right?” (Lara)

“Your mother and I love each other very much, you know.” (Ellie)

“Ah, right!” (Lara)

Of course, it makes total sense now that I think about it! In fact, it’s odd this didn’t happen sooner considering how close these two are!

“So when is it getting here!?” (Sophie)

“Uhm… about two months from now? Yeah, two months!” (Kira)

“Oh! Isn’t that close to Big Sis’s birthday?!” (Sophie)

“That’s right! Ah, I hope we don’t get the same birthday…” (Lara)

“Yeah, that would be no fun.” (Sophie)

“Why not?” (Ellie)

“There’d be less birthday parties! Less parties means less cake!” (Sophie)

No, that’s not what I meant at all! I was going to complain about how it’s supposed to be my special day. The first one since we became a familiy! I want to celebrate it properly! But when Sophie was born, I didn't see our first mom for several days! If that happens then my own birthday will be ruined!

“Sophie, just how selfish can you get?!” (Kira)

“Hehehehe! Just kidding!” (Sophie)

Plus, they might try to get out of buying me a present, saying our new sibling was their gift! Can’t have that!

No, hold on... This is a good chance isn't it!?

“Say Mom, shouldn’t we have a feast to celebrate your recovery?” (Lara)

I know Zublos, Kelly and Nano have been hoarding some special goodies for a while! I especially can’t wait to eat some more of that giant bird meat they brought back! It’s super juicy and really good!

“Excellent idea, Lara!” (Ellie)

“Ohh!” (Kira)

Ellie suddenly grabs Kira and holds her in front with both arms! This is the so-called princess carry, right?! Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Shalia get carried like that at all…

“Come now, Kira! Let’s be off to tell the others!” (Ellie)

“Oh my… Well then, I’ll be in your very capable hands ~♡!” (Kira)

Ugh… Somehow I feel like I want to throw up…

*SLAM*

And off they go, completely lost in their own world again. They won’t go nuts and get double-pregnant, right? Is that a thing that can happen?! No, Ellie is also a girl so she might get pregnant too!

Ack! Those two never hold back in anything! At this rate the house will be filled with babies! I mean… I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing, but it’s definitely going to get super crowded!

“By the way Big Sis… When are we going to tell them?” (Sophie)

“Ah! I completely forgot! Well… maybe we should wait until we get back to the capital.” (Lara)

No need to ruin the good mood we have going for no reason…

“... Think they’ll be mad?” (Lara)

“Our Mommies never get mad, though. Not at me, anyway!” (Sophie)

“Well yeah, but that’s because you’re a good girl.” (Lara)

I on the other hand keep getting lectured over tiny things...

“Ehehehe…” (Sophie)

She’s weak to direct praise as usual. Watching her giggle gleefully from just a few words, I can still hardly believe this day would come.

Oh!

“Let’s go tell Fluffles and Puff! I’m sure they’ll be happy!” (Lara)

“Yeah! Great idea big sis!” (Sophie)

I take her hand and we leave the room, heading towards the grand staircase and up to the fourth floor. This used to have just Mom’s magic study room, but Nano put a roost for the gryphons up here too! It appeared overnight after they were finally able to fly, it was amazing!

I open the newly installed door and enter the gryphon’s room. It’s a bit colder in here, but Fluffles and Puff don’t seem to mind. Well, we call it a room, but it’s really just a large covered balcony with a huge door that they can fly in and out of easily. Apparently they’ll get even bigger than this, so they won’t fit through the front door pretty soon.

I see Fluffles is laying down on his bed to the right, while Puff seems to be out somewhere. Maybe it’s closer to a nest since it’s made of straw?

“Fluuufffleees!” (Sophie)

*Pomf*

Sophie immediately leaps at Fluffles and lands face-first into his side, trying her best to give him a hug.

“Kwa? Kraaa! Kraa!” (Fluffles)

“Heee heee heee… SOOO FLUFFEH!” (Sophie)

She’s always like this, as if trying to burrow under his feathers. Yes, he’s soft and warm, but he’s a proud beast! Not some blanket!

“Hey Fluffles! You sleep well?” (Lara)

“Kwa.” (Fluffles)

He nods with a chirp and bends his head down over to me. I stroke the soft feathers on his forehead and just under his beak. Fluffles seems to break out into a pleased smile, even though he has a beak. Uncle Brand was right, you just somehow know how they feel!

“Where’s Puff?” (Lara)

I turn towards the box on the wall and ask. Well, even if we can understand his feelings, answering questions like that is impossible for them.

“He went outside just now to greet your mother. Seems he realized Kira got better and couldn’t help himself.” (Nano/Speaker)

“Kuaa?” (Fluffles)

Fluffles stood up in an instant at the sudden news.

“Yeah! She’s all better! Better than ever she said!” (Lara)

“Kwaa! Kuak kuak kuak kuak!” (Fluffles)

He gave off a series of pleased-sounding noises and jumped up and down a few times. Even when he’s still big like this he acts like a little kid! Well, technically he’s not even a year old yet, so it’s fine right?

“Uu… Big Sis and Nano are mean! I wanted to tell him that!” (Sophie)

Hmm? Come to think of it didn’t Sophie’s voice come from somewhere up high?

“Ack! Sophie, get down from there! You know you’re not supposed to be up there without a saddle!” (Lara)

She’s climbed onto his back the instant my eyes were turned!

“It’s fine! We’re not going to fly around this time! Ah, that’s right Fluffles! Our moms are gonna have a brand new baby! Isn’t that neat!?” (Sophie)

“KACK!” (Fluffles)

“Huh? What’s wrong Fluffles? You froze up all of a sudden…” (Lara)

“Um, big sis? His back seems to have gotten a bit damp for some reason…” (Sophie)

“Maybe he ate something weird for breakfast? Come on Sophie, get down from there already!” (Lara)

“Aww… Okay…” (Sophie)

*SLAM*

Just as my little sister finally got off Fluffles’s back, the huge double doors to the outside opened with a cold gust of air! Puff walked in from the small landing platform beyond the door, but…

Why is he walking backwards? How did he even open the door like that?!

As soon as he walks in, he closes it using those talons of his. He turns around to look at me, then Sophie, then Fluffles.

“Kw-kweee…” (Puff)

That weak cry seems to snap Fluffles out of… whatever he was doing. He slowly turns his head to face Puff and lets out a similarly weak voice.

“Kwaa…” (Fluffles)

The two nod several times, then walk over to their beds and lie down.

“Aww! They’re still sleepy!” (Sophie)

Sophie gently pats Fluffles who really seems to have drifted into sleep. Somehow I don’t think that’s exactly what’s going on, but they’d let us know if they felt sick so it’s fine, right?

“Let’s quietly leave so we don’t disturb them.” (Lara)

She nods to my whisper and we sneakily leave the room. They worked hard to bring that big spider lady up last night, apparently she’s really heavy. Fluffles was grumbling about it for almost 15 minutes! Mom still won’t let me meet her though.

*Clack*

We gently close the door behind us and start going down the steps.

“Wah! Sophie we forgot to get dressed!” (Lara)

I just realized it, but we’re still in our pajamas! No wonder the tower feels colder than normal!

“Oh no! Let’s quickly get back before we get scolded!” (Sophie)

Getting lectured is one thing, but catching a cold just after Mom finally got better would be terrible! We rush back into our room and start getting dressed.

“Still, to think we’ll have a little sister, I can’t wait! I just know it’ll be a super cute baby!” (Lara)

“Big sis…” (Sophie)

Why is she pouting like that? Oh, I get it! She makes the same face whenever I pet Fluffles or Puff for too long! She gets in a bad mood whenever I don’t pay enough attention to her. It’s probably because she we could only rely on each other for a long time.

“Don’t you worry, Sophie! Your big sister will always think of you as the cutest girl in the world!” (Lara)

Her pout melts into a small smile and she gets a bit embarrassed. As expected, she’s weak to praise.

“R-Really?” (Sophie)

“Yup, yup! No doubt about it!” (Lara)

“Yay! Thanks big sis!” (Sophie)

She hugs me around the chest and I pat her head to reassure her.

I’m not just saying these things, either. The way her face lights up at even the smallest things these days is completely adorable! Especially those puffy cheeks! I want to pinch them, but she gets mad when I do that...

“Hmm? But big sis, you know it’s going to be a new sister?” (Sophie)

She looks up at me with a curious expression.

“Kids always look like their parents, right? Like how Shalia is almost exactly like her mom. Therefore, because both of our moms are girls, the baby must also be a girl!” (Lara)

“Wow! Big sis is so smart! Could it be you were a genius all along!?” (Sophie)

“Is that so? It’s possible that I was actually a genius, huh?” (Lara)

“But sis, where do babies even come from?” (Sophie)

“Well, I’m not really sure. Whenever I asked an adult they kept saying we’ll find out when we’re older. I just know the mom and dad, or in this case the mom and mom, love each other a lot and then the mom’s belly slowly gets bigger and then a baby appears.” (Lara)

It’s a bit vague… but nobody will tell me the details! Well, I’ll find out eventually, so no need to rush. Besides, it’s my loss if I mind it. And I don’t like to lose!

“Wow! Big sis might really is a genius!” (Sophie)

“I see, I see! I guess I was a genius all along!” (Lara)

“Then, big sis! When we get older can we have a baby too!?” (Sophie)

“Huh? Where did that come from?!” (Lara)

“Well, Mommy seemed really happy just now! Won’t big sis be happy like that too!?” (Sophie)

“Hmm…” (Lara)

Well, I do love my sister quite a lot. And we’re already family. Having more family means more good times, right? I don’t think I’ve ever seen either of our moms smile like that before, so it must be really great to have a baby.

Also, it’s impossible to deny those eyes filled with expectation! Therefore, there’s only one answer!

“Sounds good! Then in preparation, let’s do our best looking after our new sister! That way when we have our own baby we’ll be the perfect moms!” (Lara)

“Ah that’s right! Just like Mommy says, preparations are important! Big sis is really reliable after all!” (Sophie)

“Heh heh heh! That’s right! You just let your big sister handle everything!” (Lara)