For these children. For Larus. For this impossible family they'd created.
She sat carefully on the edge of the bed beside Larus, still holding their daughter, while the midwife brought their son to rest in Larus's weak arms.
They sat together like that—exhausted, overwhelmed, terrified, and happier than either of them had ever been.
A family.
Against all odds, despite every obstacle, they had become a family.
"What should we name them?" Larus asked softly.
Heena looked at her children and thought carefully.
"For the girl," she said slowly, "I'd like to name her Solene. It means 'sunlight' in the old language. Because she's brought light into our lives."
Larus smiled. "It's perfect."
"And for the boy?" Heena asked. "You should choose his name."
Larus looked down at his son and said quietly, "Caelan. It means 'victorious warrior' in my homeland's language. Because he fought to be born, and he won."
"Solene and Caelan," Heena said, testing the names. "Our daughter and son."
