Naomi was really enjoying having Lisa around.
They were sitting up now, and not sleeping as much, and required much more attention.
So it was ever so nice having someone there all the time to help entertain them...
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Bianca had been looking forward to visiting Naomi and her babies again, and she brought all the girls with her.  "I hope this is a good time."  "Yes, the babies should be waking from their naps right about now."   "They are so beautiful."  "Would you like to hold one?"  "Yes. I love babies."  "Rex and I have been hoping for another child."  "But....it's just not happening."  Faye and Judith were more interested in the babies' toys...  But Lisa, Bianca's ward, loved babies.   "Would you like to hold him?"   Naomi was touched by Lisa's gentle demeanour.  But then, when Naomi had met Lisa at Faye's birthday party last winter, Lisa had told her that she really missed her younger brothers and sisters, and especially the youngest baby.   "I'm wondering if you have found a position at court yet?"  "No, we haven't. And her mother isn't too pleased that it's taking this long." Naomi had liked Lisa from the moment she first met her at Faye's birthday party. "How would you feel about taking a position here?"  "Really?"  "Yes. I could use some help with the babies, and you are clearly very good with them."  "You would be their live-in Nanny."  "I would love that."  The other girls had been distracted by the toys...  ...and finally turned their attention to the babies...    When it was time for Bianca and the other girls to leave, they left Lisa, who was eager to start her new duties.  "Thank you for taking her. Her mother will be pleased that she has finally found a position. I'll have her things sent later today."  Naomi introduced Lisa to Baron, and told him that she'd offered her the position of live-in nanny to help with the children.  "Thank you so much for offering me this position. I promise you won't regret it."  Baron was only too happy that Bianca had found someone to help with the children. And Naomi knew it was going to be a beneficial arrangement, not only for herself, and her babies,  but also for Lisa.  With twins it seemed that very day was laundry day. And everything had to be done by hand.  It was a lot of work for the maid, so Naomi helped as much as she could...  And Dominic would often come out to watch the babies.  He enjoyed spending time with his grandbabies....  "He's so good with them."  "Yes, he is."  "How is it going? If you have something else you need to do, then I can take over."  "No, I don't have anything more important to do right now." and he turned to little Daniel, "Don't you agree?"  "I enjoy spending time with them."
"They grow up so fast."  So Naomi went back to helping with the laundry...    She kept thinking just how lucky her children were....  ...to have such a loving grandfather...  Thanks to Covid, we are a month behind where we'd normally be at this time, with it being less than a week until Christmas. The tree, which is usually up at the end of November, is still not fully decorated. There's still boxes of ornaments left to hang up....   And the fruitcakes which usually get baked in the end of November, just got made yesterday...  And there's a festive room set up on my dining room table just waiting for someone to be photographed in it.  So, until they are, I'll just continue with the story about Baron and Naomi's babies, and Christmas will just have to come late this year. But then, Orthodox Christmas isn't until January 6th, so I guess there's still plenty of time to get inspired.
While the menfolk mingled, getting to know each other, Naomi sat down. It had been a long day, and she was tired.  Agnes joined her   Not only had they discovered that they were sisters-in-law,  ....they had clicked immediately and were looking forward to becoming good friends.  Bianca couldn't keep her eyes off the twins, and had taken every opportunity to hold one of them when she could.  She and Rex had one daughter, and her heart ached for another baby, but it just wasn't happening.   Paige was playing with Fiona...  "She's so cute."     "if you'll excuse me, it's getting well past the children's nap time. So I think I'll take them somewhere quiet and hope they can fall asleep."  Naomi took her twins out on the terrace, where it was nice and quiet. Bianca came with her.  "This is an interesting thing you have here. It's like a baby bed on wheels. I've never seen anything like it."
"Where I come from many mothers have something like this. It's called a carriage. I drew up the design and the local blacksmith made the bottom for me, and the basket weaver made the bed for the top.  "It's a wonderful way to take the children with you without having to carry them. And the babies get lots of fresh air, which tends to make them sleep better. "  Yvette came out to find her sister.  "Isn't this carriage wonderful?"    "I think I should put Fiona down with Daniel now. They could both really use a nap."   "Sweet dreams, little one."  With all the introductions taken care of, it was time to just relax and enjoy the time together. 
         
  They all returned back to the castle just as the other guests started arriving. "That was a lovely ceremony. And I want to wish you a very Happy Birthday."  "It's been quite the year for you. First that terrible attack and the lengthy recovery, and then finding your father, and learning about where you really came from."  "And now you're a Father, with a family of your own, and with an extended family you never knew existed. Monica and I are both very happy for you."  Then two strangers arrived...  Dominic took the young man over to Miho. "This is my son Matias. And this is Miho, my partner."  "My Lady, it's good to finally meet you. I'm very happy that my Father has been able to find love again.""  "And this is my daughter-in-law, " continued Dominic, "the Lady Agnes."  Miho was a little surprised, "It's so lovely to see you again."
"Yes, who knew back when we were at the baby shower a while back, that we were actually family."  Then Dominic gestured to Baron. "I want you to meet your brother..."  "This is Matias, your younger brother."  Baron didn't quite know what to say.  "So, you're my big brother. "I'm hoping in time that we can become close, like real brothers."  "As do I."  Then Matias introduced his partner. "This is your sister-in-law, the Lady Agnes."  "It's so lovely to meet you, my Lady."  Naomi recognized her immediately. "It's so nice to meet you again."  "Yes, who knew at your baby shower that our husbands were brothers? And now here we are sisters-in-law"  Then Baron introduced Matias to Lawrence...  "It's a pleasure to meet you Sir."   Then Monica stepped back,  and Lawrence approached with baby Fiona...  The Bishop again addressed Baron and Naomi.  "What is the name you have given your daughter?"  They told him her name.  The Bishop sprinkled some Holy water on her little forehead....  "I hereby Christen you Fiona Amelia Elizabeth."  "We wish you long life and much happiness."  "May you continue to bring great joy to your parents,"   "..and to your grandparents, and all those who come to know you."
"May beauty delight you and happiness uplift you and your brother."  "May wonder fulfill you, and love surround you both."  "May your steps be steady, and your arms be strong."  "May your hearts be peaceful, and your words be true."  "Today is the beginning of a lifelong journey for all of you. May you seek to learn, and may you learn to really live..."  "May you live to love, and may you love - always."  Monica approached the baptismal font with baby Daniel...  The Bishop asked Baron and Naomi what they had named their son.  Then he sprinkled a few drops of Holy water on the baby's forehead.  "I hereby Christen you Daniel Ian Alexander."  "Today we officially welcome you into the faith."  "We wish you long life and much happiness."  "May you continue to bring great joy to your parents..."  "...and to your grandparents...."  "...and to your family and friends,"  "...and to all those who come to know you."  It was going to be a very special day. Not only was it Christening Day for the twins, but it also happened to be Baron's birthday. So the castle had been decorated for the party afterwards. Naomi had sewn two beautiful Christening gowns for her babies, and before heading off to the cathedral, they all posed for some family portraits.     The Christening was going to be a private affair, with just the parents, the Godparents, and the Grandparents in attendance. Lawrence and Monica were already at the cathedral, when the others arrived...  The Bishop greeted Baron and Naomi,  ...while Miho and Dominic held the babies...  "I'd like to welcome you here today."  "Today is a special day, as your children take their first steps in their lifelong journey of faith. I understand it's your birthday today as well, Sir. So, it's a doubly special day."  Then the Bishop addressed the Godparents and Grandparents... "Welcome to each one of you. We are here together today to participate in the Christening sacrament, and to give thanks and celebrate our joy in the arrival of these precious children."  "Baron and Naomi have invited you to share in their joy today. They are aware of the great responsibility that is now theirs. A great deal of their lives will now be involved in caring for their children, and guiding them through the many paths of life, and they look forward to your continuing involvement with their children's lives in the years ahead."  "As the years go by, their role as parents will be assisted and enhanced by each one of you here today."  He turned to Baron and Naomi, "Baron and Naomi, will you do all that you can to provide your son and daughter with love, comfort, encouragement, sustenance, shelter, and protection from harm?"  "Yes, we will."  "Have you chosen Godparents for your children?"  "Yes, we have. Their Majesties, the King and Queen have consented to be their Godparents." The Bishop addressed Lawrence and Monica. "Will your Majesties do all that you can to help and support Baron and Naomi in the bringing up of their son and daughter?" "Yes, we will."  "I now ask for the Godparents to bring forward the children to be Christened."  So Miho and Dominic passed their grandbabies over to Lawrence and Monica...  |
AuthorMartha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes. Archives
July 2025
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