Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Childrens

Odette rode up to the lake. Then she dismounted. Then she sat down on the swing. Just then, her husband, Derek rode up and stopped.
Then he dismounted. He sat down on the swing next to Odette. He noticed two things. One was that Odette 
looked like she'd been crying. Secondly, Odette's stomach was huge. Odette was crying. He got off of the swing. He said:" What's wrong ?" Odette got off of her own swing and ran into Derek's arms. The force from Odette launching herself into his arms knocked him down. He sat beside her in a gentle, comforting way. Odette cried into Derek's shoulder.  Derek gently held her close and let her cry into his shoulder before gently pushing her back. He said:" what's wrong ? Talk to me."  Odette was just about to speak when they both heard the sound of flapping wings. Odette and Derek looked up at the sky. Odette said:" Uh-oh. We have company. Derek, did you bring your bow and arrows ?  " Derek gently helped Odette up. He said:" yes. But, I will not allow you to fight in your condition. But, I'll leave you with the bow and arrows only to defend yourself. Should something or someone come and try to hurt you while I'm gone, you use it. Remember what I taught you." And so Derek walked over to his horse and retrieved the bow and arrows. Then he handed them to Odette. He checked and made sure his sword was in place. Then he ran back over to Odette and stood beside her. Odette saw Rothbart diving in towards Derek. Odette thought quickly. She stepped in front of Derek. Odette said:" Derek, stay behind me. I want you to stay in back of me that way if something should happen to me, Then you can go get help." Derek said:" But, you'll surely get injured or killed !" Odette said:" Then I'll have died protecting you. I'm not afraid, Derek. Just do one thing for me. Should I die I want you to promise me this:" That you won't become bitter." Derek said:" I promise." Then Odette closed her eyes and started to sing. Derek caught on and started to sing along. Rothbart started to transform. Then he vanished completely. Odette  
turned around to Derek. Derek said:" you saved my life." Odette said:" you would've done the same for me. When I saw Rothbart diving in towards you, I knew that I had to do something. So, I thought quickly and stepped in front of you. I shielded your body with my own body. Even though it put me in danger." Derek was surprised. He said:" you would've given your life just to save mine ?"  
Odette said simply:" I love you." Derek opened his arms. Odette stepped into his embrace. Then she laid her head on Derek's shoulder. Derek held Odette close. Derek said:" how far along are you?" Odette looked up. She said :" I'm in my third trimester. How long have you known ?" Derek said:" I've known for a while now. Why, Odette ? Why didn't you tell me sooner ?" 
Odette said:" I was afraid that you'd end up rejecting me." Derek said:" Oh, Odette.  
I'll never leave you. Our love is as constant as a star. I could never reject you." Suddenly a contraction seized Odette and she collapsed on the ground. Derek held her close. They were close enough to the palace for Derek to be able to carry Odette to the palace. He set Odette on his horse. Then he climbed up behind her. Then he tied Odette's horse to his. Then they rode back to the castle as fast as they could. Soon they reached the castle. Derek jumped off the horse while it was still moving with Odette in his arms. Derek said:" hang in there, Odette. You're going to be fine. The vow I made was for you. You're going to live, Odette. I need you in my life. I can't live without you, Odette. Don't leave me. I will always love you forever. Stay with me. I love you and I need your love for me. I need to know that you still love me. Please tell me you still love me." Odette weakly reached up with one hand and caressed Derek's face. She said weakly:" Oh, Derek, I do love you and I will always love you forever. I also need your love for me. I need to know that you still love me too." Derek said:" I'll always love you forever and ever for eternity." Just then Odette shivered. Derek took off his cloak and wrapped it around Odette like a blanket. He held her close to him to keep her warm. He ran into the castle. He said:" I'm not going to give up on you, Odette. I love you too much to give up on you now. We've come so far together and I'm not going to let that bond be broken." He ran up the winding staircase with  Odette in his arms. He knew he couldn't give up on Odette. All the world seemed to be falling apart around them. Derek was afraid of losing Odette. He thought back to all the times that Odette had tried to talk to him only to find that he was either busy or that he had brushed her off. He had taken their relationship for granted. And now, he might lose her. He started to sob. Derek needed Odette. A single tear fell on Odette's dress. Suddenly there was a powerful transformation in Odette. The transformation spread outward. Derek had reached the top of the staircase and set Odette down. He said:" What's happening?" The magic swirled around them. Derek knelt by Odette and gently lifted her up. Odette opened her eyes. She said softly:" you saved my life and Christmas and it wasn't even on your wish list." Derek shook his head and said:" no. Christmas saved us all. Come on, I should get you to bed. Do you think that you can sit up just enough for me to be able to pick you up?" Odette nodded. Then she managed to push herself up just enough for Derek to pick her up. Then he carried her into the bedroom. Then he set her down on the bed. Then he sat down beside her. He stroked her hair.  
Suddenly, on impulse, Derek gently picked Odette up and held her close to him. Then he started to cry. Odette slipped an arm around Derek's neck. She said softly:" Derek. It's okay. I'm alive. I love you." Derek just held her close to him and cried. Odette held him close and comforted him. He  was so happy that Odette was alive. They fell asleep in each other's arms. The next day, Odette woke up first. She gently detached herself from Derek and went downstairs. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she heard someone pounding on the door. Odette placed a hand on her stomach and walked over to the door and opened the door. Even in her condition, Odette was strong. She yanked the door open. She gasped and slammed the door shut and locked it and fled back up the stairs and ran into the bedroom where Derek still lay sleeping. She shook Derek awake and then hid. Derek woke up and saw the hint of white that was Odette's dress. Derek gently slid his legs over the side of the bed and put his cloak on. Then he walked around the side of the bed. He saw Odette weeping. He knelt down next to her. He said:" Odette, are you okay ?" Odette shook her head. Derek said:" well, what's wrong ? " Odette said:" Oh Derek, It was horrible. You should've seen it. I don't even know how to describe it."Derek was silent for a moment. Odette looked at him with pleading eyes. Finally Derek said :" Come on. We'll do this together. Let's go." And so Derek gently helped Odette up. Then he placed one hand on her back and he slipped his other hand into Odette's hand. Odette's right hand was on her stomach. Her left hand was in Derek's hand. Then they walked down the stairs. Then Odette broke free and scampered back upstairs. Derek sighed and jogged back up after her. When he came in to the bedroom, He saw Odette sitting on a chair and crying. He walked over to her and sat down in front of her. He took her hands in his. Odette got up and sat down in front of Derek. Then Derek let Odette lean up against him. Odette gained strength from Derek's presence.