She had fuzzy memories of slipping in and out of consiousness a few times, but mostly there was just a cloud of confusion as to how and why she was here. Then, suddenly it came back to her: Tallan. She involuntarily shuddered at the thought of him, making Sinbad stir a bit as he slept. Maeve had to wonder how long she had been unconsious, after all, she had been sure that she would never wake up again after that mind-shattering display of power that sent Tallan to the burning pits of Hell.
Maeve smiled at the thought. How fitting that such a man should now share residence with all manner of demons, devils, and all things unhuman and dispicable.
Another thought came to Maeve - her son. Her and Sinbad's son. Where was he? Oh, god, she hoped he hadn't been killed or sucked into the portal along with Tallan. If so, she would go and face all the horrors Hell had to offer in order to get him back! Sitting up on her elbows, Maeve looked at the small bundle resting on Sinbad's other side, in his strong arm, and sighed with relief. She allowed her body to slump back down into the covers, and her movement awakened Sinbad.
"Maeve?" Sinbad said softly, "How are you feeling?"
"Like I've just been run over by a caravan," she replied. Sinbad smiled and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "I feel as if I haven't slept in days. My head is about to split wide open. My stomach is twisted up in knots. My muscles are so sore I feel like I've run a marathon."
"Anything else?" Sinbad asked with a sympathetic smile.
"No, I think that does it. Except... well, I'd really like to hold my -- our -- baby."
Sinbad knodded and turned on his side, carefully handing the precious bundle to his mother. "He's beautiful, you know," Sinbad said.
"Aye, just like his father." Maeve cradled the child gently in her loving arms. The baby started to cry and so Maeve sang a sweet lullaby of two lovers, a melody that carried the infant back into the comforting depths of slumber.
"Sinbad, how long was I unconscious?" Maeve asked.
"About a week. You drifted in and out a few times, but you were never really completely awake until now."
"Oh. What exactly happened after Tallan--" Maeve found herself unable to finish her question.
"You opened another portal that sent Doubar, Rongar, and Firouz and the baby back to the Nomad. You passed out, but the portal stayed open long enough for me to carry you through."
Maeve stayed silent for a few minutes before speaking again. "I suppose we need to name our son," she suggested.
"A wonderful idea..... Got any clue about what we should call him?"
"Well..... he looks just like his father. He gets cranky just like his father. I'm sure he's stubborn just like his father. Why don't we call him Sinbad, after you, love?"
"Hmmm..... Little Sinbad..... I like it!" Sinbad proclaimed. "But isn't that going to get confusing? I mean, how are you going to tell us apart?" he questioned with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
"Like this," Maeve leaned toward him and captured him with a soul-searing kiss.
"I think I can handle that." With those words the two laid down on the bed, in each others arms and with Little Sinbad between them, and fell asleep, happy to be a family.
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Cloudy Skies - Part 11