Astien swallowed his food and blushed. "What can I say? I'm eating for two."

Willow chuckled. "I know how that is."

"I'm sure you do, given how many children you have. Aiden demands lots of food. If I'm the least bit hungry, I have to feed him."

Willow nodded. "That sounds about right."
"Just imagine if you were having twins," one of the sisters said with a laugh. "Not only would you be hungry all the time, but you'd be so tired from carrying two babies."

"It does feel like I'm carrying twins though," Astien said as he rubbed his belly. "I eat enough for three, and gods know Aiden is taking up space for two. If Marius hadn't told you, you'd think I was having twins, wouldn't you?"

"Probably," Willow said. "But there's nothing wrong with having one big baby. Marius here was quiet the little pudge when he came out."
"For most of his childhood too," Barus stated.
"It didn't help that he kept sneaking sweetcakes out of the kitchen," the eldest sister said.
"Thank you, Juniper," Marius sighed.

Astien chuckled. "Aaww, you were a little pudge-cake? That's adorable. I've always been skinny, myself. I still am. Well, not now, obvipusly, but before I was pregnant. I was especially skinny at 11, when I was living off the streets."

"Why were you on the streets?" Barus asked.
"Barus," Willow said sternly.

"It's alright. I'm from Havard's Pass, you see. And since I'm a mage, well... Magic is a thing that's frowned upon there. When my magic manifested at ten, they put me to the stake to burn me. My sister helped me escape, though, and afterward, before I found the academy, I lived on the streets for… gods, what was it? One year? Two years? I can't remember."

"Wow, you've been through a lot huh?" Juniper said.

"I suppose so. But, life's just one big adventure, isn't it? Supposedly, anyway."

"That's how we look at it," Willow said.

"Heh, it's kin of funny. One day, I'm looking through old, forgotten ruins, and now I'm pregnant and settling down. Life does take you to strange places."

"Must have been some romantic encounter," Juniper said. "Too bad the father decided not to stick around."

Astien blushed. "It's for the best. He isn't half the man Marius is."

"Obviously, it's not everyday you find a man who's willing to raise a child that isn't his," Juniper said. "

Astien blushed and looked down sheepishly.

"So how much more of this wedding do you have left to plan?" Willow asked.

"Catering, floral arrangements, still need to find suits, musicians..."

"We could help you out if you want," Willow offered.