The twins were due any day, and Kharma was getting restless. She called out to her husband, Xavian, with a sense of urgency in her voice."Xavian! Xavian!" she yelled from their bedroom. Xavian quickly appeared from the other room, his curiosity piqued. He looked down at Kharma, who was laying in bed, clearly distressed.
"
Yes, baby?" he asked, concern etched on his face."How long does this take?" she asked, pointing at her swollen belly.
Xavian paused for a moment, unsure of how to respond. Finally, he replied, a mischievous smile playing on his lips, "How am I supposed to know that?" Kharma's face hardened. "Isn't your older sister the head doctor at the hospital in town?" she asked, her tone demanding an answer.
Just as Xavian was about to respond, the phone rang, breaking the tension in the room. A holographic figure emerged from the phone, revealing a tall, muscular man. It was Xavian's brother, DeArko. "It's an urgent message from my brother,"Xavian announced it holding up the phone. Kharma's impatience flared as she urged him to answer it.
Xavian clicked the answer icon, and DeArko's figure solidified before them. His voice boomed through the room, full of urgency and frustration. "XAVIAN, WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU?!" DeArko shouted, his tone filled with annoyance. "You were supposed to be here an hour ago! It's important." Xavian's face dropped, and he rubbed the back of his head nervously. "I completely forgot about the military meeting today," he confessed. His voice trembled with a hint of nervousness. "I was with my wife and completely lost track of time. I'm on my way now, DeArko."
DeArko's expression softened, and he grinned. "I understand, little brother," he said calmly. "Just make your way over here as soon as you can. Oh, and tell Kharma I said hey. I can't wait until my nieces are here. "With a determined look, Xavian responded, "I'm on my way right now. Give me twenty minutes." As he walked towards Kharma, she looked at him expectantly. "I heard the whole conversation, Xavian. No need to explain. Just meet me at the head council plaza when you're done."Xavian nodded, his eyes filled with love. "I will," he said, walking towards her. "Don't have me waiting, Kharma. I'll make sure to be there on time." As he leaned in to kiss her, she smiled and replied, "What's wrong with DeArko?" Xavian's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "You already know the answer to that question," Kharma said, staring back at him. "We'll finish this conversation when we get back home. Now go to the meeting. I know it's important." Xavian kissed her once more and whispered, "I love you." He then hurried out the door, leaving Kharma to prepare for her own journey to the council plaza.
Later on, Xavian finally made it to the board meeting room. The noise of sergeants and generals speaking filled the air. As Xavian entered the room, silence settled over the crowd, and all eyes turned to him.
"It's about time you showed up," said Sgt. Duff, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Xavian apologized, explaining that he had been caught up in family affairs. "But how's my Kharma and the babies doing?" he asked, a smile brightening his face.
"They're doing great, sir," Xavian replied. "Any day now." Before they could delve into more small talk, a general interrupted. "Enough with all the mushie mushie!" he shouted, clearly annoyed. "You called her before telling us the urgent news. So what is it?" Xavian and DeArko proceeded to explain the situation, their voices filled with urgency and concern. As they detailed the impending threat from the Xentagics, shock and grave concern spread throughout the room. "Have you lost your mind?!" exclaimed a man, gripping his head. "You would rather risk the safety of our people for the sake of your honor?"
Xavian's voice quivered with intensity. "I would have died if I didn't do it," he declared. "It would have been an honorable death." Two generals exchanged a knowing glance and spoke in unison. "It would have been an honorable death indeed." The meeting continued as they tried to figure out the best course of action. It was decided that they needed to inform the council members and prepare for the approaching threat of the Xentagics.
Just as the meeting was progressing, Xavian received a message from Nia, informing him that Kharma had gone into labor. His heart raced as he hurriedly made his way to the hospital.
Breathless, Xavian stormed through the front automatic doors of the hospital. He approached the receptionist, his voice filled with urgency as he asked for the room where his wife was. The receptionist pointed him in the right direction, and Xavian sprinted down the hallway, his heart pounding in his chest. Suddenly, a wave of intense pain coursed through him, halting him in his tracks. "What is this pain?" he wondered silently, clutching his stomach. Each surge of pain hit him harder and harder, overwhelming his senses. With great effort, he mustered his strength and continued on his quest to find Kharma's room.
When he finally entered her room, Kharma was in the throes of labor, her screams echoing through the room. Xavian's heart constricted in his chest, seeing her in so much pain. "Kharma!!" he cried out, rushing to her side. A doctor emerged from another room, reassuring Xavian that Kharma was going to be alright. "That must have been the pain I felt," Xavian thought to himself, still feeling the remnants of it lingering within him.
He held his stomach, contemplating the profound connection he shared with his wife. After twelve hours of agonizing labor, their beautiful twins were born. The little boy, Nika, and the little girl, Nora, had a golden-brown hue to their skin, a testament to their unique heritage. The doctor marveled at the bond shared between the twins. "Your twins' bond is incredibly strong and powerful," she said with a smile. "More than any twins I've ever seen." Xavian's eyes sparkled with wonder. "What makes you say that?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
The doctor continued, explaining, "When they were still in the womb, they were hugging each other tightly. They tried to come out at the same time, causing Kharma a great deal of pain. We had to push one back inside for them to come out safely." Xavian was awe-struck. "It's like they're connected," he whispered, in awe of the miraculous bond between his children.