Chapter 156 - Babies!

Babies started coming fast and furiously. Corrie and Pete’s babies came first. A little girl and a little boy, they named Sidney and Liz, both vampires much to Corrie’s dismay and Pete’s delight.

Jewel was the next to deliver a month later. Her little boy Ethan was born without issue. Ethan would without a doubt grow up to be a very strong witch.

Delia called her grandmother to let her know about Jewel and Egypt. “Hi Dee!" she said cheerfully when her grandmother answered the phone. "Guess what? You are a great-great-grandmother again and again and again!" she exclaimed.  

“What? Jewel had triplets?!?”

Delia laughed. “No, but you do have three new great-great grandchildren! Jewel’s little boy Ethan was born two days ago. I can tell he is going to look like Cheyenne! Mother and son are doing quite well. But, Corrie surprised us all with a shotgun wedding to Pete and delivered twins a few weeks ago. Of all of my girls she is the last one I would expect to ever have children and she had twins. I am pretty sure it wasn't a planned pregnancy. I think it must be fate that gave her twins. Divine intervention! She was so jealous of Alia and Joy growing up and now she has to raise her own set of twins. At least it is a girl and a boy. Liz and Sidney. They are precious, but both have vampiric traits, not genie. I think Corrie is not so happy about that but of course Pete is thrilled. Alia’s twins are due in a couple of months.Then Joy’s baby will follow a couple of months later."

“I wish I could be there! I am sure they are adorable. When do you think we could come back to begin to work on Adele's ritual?”

Taking on a more somber tone, Delia replied, “Cordell and I discussed it at length Dee, and we decided to wait until after Alia and Joy's babies are born. That will give Jewel plenty of time to fully recover from childbirth and get Ethan sleeping all night so she won't be tired and will be able to focus. In the meantime I can work to prepare the potions needed to bring her the rest of the over, cure her and reverse her aging. All of this takes time.”  

“Oh…” came the voice on the other end of the line obviously not happy.

“I know you are disappointed Dee. I asked for Newt for a year and he agreed. We need it now more than ever with all that is happening," then trying to move the conversation to a different subject Delia asked, "speaking of Newt, how is he?”

“He was down when we first came back. But he found a job with the fire department. He told me what you said to him. It is helping him get through the days since he has something to work towards. He is saving money to build a home for he and Adele.”

Relieved that her father was indeed healing she replied, “Oh Dee, that is wonderful. I was so worried about him. Also, just so you know, Cordell and I are going to take a vacation after Joy gives birth.”

“What!?!!” exclaimed Dee, “I thought we were going to begin working on the ritual as soon as Joy’s baby was born.”

“Dee, Cordell and I, we need time together.  Away from all of this. This whole mess almost destroyed our marriage. It's only for two weeks. We are going to Egypt. We will do a little more research while we are there. Maybe you and Niall can come and stay with Stone and Mira while we are gone. You will be able to see all the new babies!”

Dee was quiet for a second before responding then said sadly, “I am sorry you are suffering because of us.”

“Stop it Dee. It is what it is. Just come stay with the kids and the rest of this crazy messed up family while we are gone. It will give you some bonding time with everyone.”

“That sounds nice. I will see what Niall wants to do. I am sure Newt will probably stay since he is working now.” 

“That’s great!" said Delia much relieved, "When we get back from Egypt I want to talk to you about something that I found in one of Mother’s spell books about the “Power of Three” when performing rituals. I think this might make it safer for all of us. I haven't mentioned it to Jewel yet because, well the baby and all."

“Delia, I don’t know much about that, but I am sure Donnovan does or at least knows someone that can tell him more about it. In the meantime I will see what I can find out before we arrive."

"One more thing, while we are in Egypt, Cordell has some old contacts that said they would be able to put us in touch with some of the locals that have knowledge of the supernatural. They may be able to help us as well.”

"Please tell Cordell hello for us. We owe him everything and can never repay him. I know he and Newt got off to a bad start, but I think Newt is beginning to realize that too. Also, tell Jewel and Donnovan congratulations and Corrie and Pete too. We love you and your wonderful crazy family very much.”

"Of course. I love you too Dee. Tell Newt and Niall the same for me. I look forward to seeing you in a few months. Bye now."

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Chapter 155 - Reconnecting

Things began to return to a new sort of normal between Delia and Cordell after their promise to each other that any decisions about the planned binding and subsequent resurrection of her mother were an “Our” decision not a mine or yours decision. They consciously tried to make the most of the time they had together before Jewel’s baby was born.

They spent time “relaxing” in the hot tub once the kids had gone to bed...

Just sitting and talking...

"Date nights” out before Delia’s concerts began to be a favorite. Delia had always got dressed and left while Cordell stayed home with their plethora of children. Now they left together early and sometimes he would even stay for the concert. 

They danced...something the two of them hadn't done together since Jewel was born. 

Having a drink after Delia's concerts and simply enjoying each other's company.

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Stone and Mira were not immune to the drama that had ensued over the past year since Cordell found Delia’s grandparents. As much as Cordell had tried to protect them they had suffered as had Angie who simply moved out to escape the tension.

 Delia knew she needed to spend some quality time with their two youngest children to help repair those relationships before they too wanted nothing more than to move out. Not that she didn't want them to become independent young adults, but because she wanted exactly that. 

A good first step was quality family time. Delia and Cordell took Stone and Mira along with their granddaughter Cheyenne to the Festival so they could concentrate on their children. It also gave Jewel a much needed break before Cheyenne’s little brother was born. Hot dog eating was first on the agenda.

Everyone had a fabulous time - well except for when Cordell. He lost his dinner while watching his family shove hot dogs down their throat even though he didn't eat one dog! 

Stone reigned victorious even though Mira did her best to keep up. 

Next was roller skating. They all tried their and quickly discovered skating is totally impossible for the genies. When they move fast their feet naturally come off the ground. Even Stone, the only real fairy of the bunch, had a hard time keeping grounded. Delia and Cheyenne, however, loved it. 

Later is was time to bond over snow cones to get rid of the hot dog aftertaste!

And it wouldn't be right without the obligatory family picture to commemorate the event.

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A few weeks later, while Delia and Cordell were getting ready to go see Jewel, Cordell's phone rang.  

"Is that Jewel? Tell her we will be right there." said Delia. 

"No," frowned Cordell, "It's Corrie." Corrie rarely called them since she moved in with Pete. 

"Hello Corrie," said Cordell as he answered the phone while Delia looked on, "How are you?"

"Hi Daddy. I am okay I guess."

"You guess?"

"Well, it's just I need to tell you something so please don't get mad."

"Oh...Corrie...what's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong Daddy. Pete and I got married last night."

"Married?"

Delia grinned. She couldn't hear the other side of the conversation and figured that Corrie and Pete were going to get married. She didn't care for Pete but they had known him since he was in elementary school and he seemed to care about Corrie. 

"Yes. And there is more."

"More?"

"Daddy, I am pregnant. Pete and I are going to have a baby, well babies. I am having twins. They are due in a month - we just found out and I have to deliver them early."  

"Twins?"

"Daddy! Are you okay you keep giving me one word responses."

Now Delia was even more curious. Twins she thought? Is Corrie pregnant? 

Cordell took a deep breath. "Yes baby, I am fine, just a little shocked. You should have told us before now."

"You and Pete don't like each other. And anyway, I wasn't going to marry him even though I found out I was pregnant, except, well twins...would you please tell Mom." 

"Sure baby. We love you and miss you. You do know you and Pete are welcome here. I know things have been weird here, but it's better now. We will see you soon. Goodbye."

As Cordell hung up the phone Delia couldn't stand it any longer. "What??? Who is having twins? Did Pete finally ask her to marry him? What?"

Cordell was in shock at what his daughter had just told him and had a hard time keeping a straight face. 

"Brace yourself, said Cordell in attempt to prepare Delia, "You are NOT going to believe what Corrie just told me...she asked me to share it with you. I think she was embarrassed. Anyways, she and Pete got married last night because Corrie is pregnant with Twins."

When Cordell told her what Corrie said Delia and Cordell just looked at each other for a minute as a slow smile began to cover both their faces. Then together, then they both burst out laughing. "Corrie - married," and then after another bought of laughter she added "and having twins!" 

Delia finally got herself under control enough to be able to talk. Her sides hurt from laughing so hard. "Oh Cordell. We are horrible! We shouldn't be laughing at poor Corrie's expense, but she is getting paid back for her petulance in spades! I certainly hope Pete makes a good father. I know he wanted her to marry him. She is getting ready to have to put on her big girl panties...twins..." The thought made her laugh again. 

Delia just realized that their already very large family was getting ready to explode. Corrie's twins made it six children soon to be born. And adding her mother at some point soon after brings the total to 7. "Cordell, we need a real vacation. Just the two of us. These last months have been wonderful and it made me realize that we have never had any time alone together."

Cordell beamed, "I LOVE that idea. We could spend a week somewhere far away. France or maybe Egypt."

"Not France. Bad memories there, but Egypt sounds interesting. But we have to wait for all of these babies to be born...just in case and I don't want to miss out."

"Sure, but before..."

"Yes Cordell, before my mother." 

Cordell grabbed Delia and hugged her. "Then Egypt it is! We might even be able to find some information about the ritual with some of the merchants that deal in the occult while we are there."

"I love you Genie!!!"

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