The Red String Of Faith

This chapter is beta by Kylee.:)


Chapter Thirty-two:


“Is Jamie alright?” Caelane asked Jeffery as soon as he, Anders and Nicholas arrived with the doctor.

“Calm down Caelane, Jamie is fine. His baby decided to come much sooner than was expected,” Jeffery explained.

“But Nicholas said that Jamie and his baby’s life were in danger,” said Caelane.

“What?” Jeffery glanced at Nicholas.

“Hey, it worked didn't it? Anders is here with his doctor!” That was all Nicholas was going to say.

Jeffery shook his head at Nicholas before opening the door to let the doctor, Caelane and Anders inside. He stopped Nicholas from entering Jamie’s chamber and pulled him to the side.

“Sebastian wants you to find Arian. The man tried to kill Jamie again today. If your king and I had not arrived in time, Jamie would have been killed," said Jeffery.

“Are you telling me that Arian is the cause of Jamie going into early labor?”

“I don't think so. When Sebastian and I saw Jamie, he was already in pain and Arian was approaching him from behind with a long dagger in his hand. Arian was planning to kill Jamie. He stopped when he saw me and Sebastian. He turned and fled in a hurry.”

“You know Jeffery, I think that Arian thought you were a ghost. That must be the reason why he fled in a hurry,” Nicholas commented. He let out a short chuckle and looked up at Jeffery. “Take care of Jamie while I go to search for Arian and bring him to you and Sebastian for punishment.” Nicholas turned and left.

---------
The baby wasn't cooperating. Jamie let out a scream. The doctor knelt on the floor in front of Jamie to check the baby’s progress once again. When he completed his examination, he looked up at Jamie. The fear in the doctor eyes made Jamie worry. The doctor stood up and motioned for Sebastian to follow him to the other side of the room.

“The baby is not in the right position for the birthing. I felt a foot instead of the baby’s head.” the doctor whispered to Sebastian.

“You will do whatever you can to save both of them. If they die, you will follow them Doctor. Do you understand?”

The doctor nodded his head and returned to Jamie’s side. He was going to try something he had never done before, and he hoped to God that it worked. Jamie screamed as another pain hit him. The doctor almost stopped breathing when he felt the tiny foot. He softly said a prayer and searched for the other foot. He didn't have to reach far. Slowly he eased the tiny feet down the opening. The beautiful baby was tiny, with adorable chubby cheek's and black hair like his father. He had Jamie’s eyes, and tiny black wings behind his back.

Jamie was feeling so happy that it was finally over when he felt another sharp pain. Jamie gave birth to a second baby and he was also beautiful like his brother. Then he gave birth to a third baby who looked like a tiny version of Jamie with tiny silver wings behind its back. The doctor wrapped each baby in different colored cloths. The first in red, the second in white, and the third baby in blue.

Sebastian, Caelane and Jeffery held the triplets while the doctor checked on Jamie. He saw that the boy’s birthing channel was not torn, thank goodness for that. The doctor was also thankful that Jamie didn't bleed overly much. He gave strict orders for Jamie to stay in bed for at least three weeks. He told Jamie that his body would return to normal in a month. Then the doctor left.

"Caelane, what’s wrong?" Anders asked when he noticed a strange look on Caelane’s face.

Caelane looked up at Anders while still holding his nephew in his arms. “Anders I have the same hole in the same place as Jamie.”

“Caelane, it’s not called a hole, it’s a birthing channel that all life bearers have when they become pregnant. It opens up when your body is ready to give birth. It disappears a month after you give birth. When you get pregnant another time, it will appear once again.” Anders’ eyes flew open wide. "Caelane, did you just say that you and Jamie have the same...” Caelane nodded his head. Anders was at a loss for words. Caelane was pregnant, with his child. He stared at Caelane and realized that the boy did not even know that he was carrying a child. Caelane turned to his brother when he heard his name being called.

“Caelane!” Jamie called with a smile, interrupting the two. Caelane went over to his brother’s side and Jamie took the baby from Caelane into his arms.

“They are all so beautiful Jamie,” commented Caelane. “What are you going to name this one?” he asked referring to the baby Jamie was holding in his arms.

Jamie smiled at his brother. “Caelane, why don't you name him for me?”

“Oh Jamie, I'm so happy! Can we call him Ana, after my pet bird?”

“Ana it is.” Jamie gazed down at his second son. “Ana,” Jamie said softly with a warm smile. Then he looked up at Sebastian and Jeffery. Sebastian sat down still holding his first born in his arms. He smiled lovingly at Jamie. “What shall we call this stubborn little one Jamie?”

“I want to name him after my father. Would that be alright with you Your Highness?”

“You can call him whatever you like Jamie. It doesn't matter to me because he’s our little boy.”

Jamie smiled and gently brushed the baby’s cheek. “Your name shall be Jeff you stubborn little one.” Then he looked up at Jeffery to see him shedding a few tears. Jamie wondered why the king of Aria was crying. "Your Highness is there something wrong?" he asked softly with concern for the man.

“Nothing is wrong Jamie,” said Jeffery. He lay the third baby next to Jamie and excused himself from the chamber. He was almost out the door when Jamie called him. He stopped and turned to face Jamie.

“Your Highness if you don't mind, I want you to name my third son,” said Jamie.

Jeffery smiled. “Fey,” he said, then he left before he blurted out to Jamie that he was his father.

“Why Fey?” Jamie asked Sebastian.

Sebastian grinned, “Because our third son looks like a little sleeping fairy don't you think Jamie?”

Jamie laughed, “Yes I guess so, if you put it that way Your Highness. He is the smallest.”

“Sebastian, I trust that you and your family will be leaving soon," Anders said out loud, interrupting Jamie and Sebastian, and not bothering to hide his irritation.

“We will be leaving Anders, but not until Jamie is well enough to leave. I hate being here but for Jamie’s health I am going to have to stick around a little longer,” Sebastian said with a sneer.

It took all his self control to stop himself from killing Sebastian right then and there, in front of Caelane and Jamie. If the two had not been present, he would have drawn his sword out and attacked Sebastian by now. Instead he calmly walked over to Caelane, took the boy’s hand and dragged him out of the room.

Jamie glared at Sebastian, too exhausted to lecture his king of his improper behavior. Tomorrow would be as good a day as any to give his king a lesson or two on how to behave as a guest.

-------------
Arian stared at his reflection in the crystal clear water. He closed his eyes and image of the man who looked like his dead husband Jeff, standing next to the king of Zhanthia came rushing back to him. He had wanted to kill Jamie then, thinking that Jamie would ruin everything for him. When he saw the man who looked like his dead husband Jeff, his heart stopped beating and he dropped the dagger that was in his hand and fled the scene.

Arian leaned back against the big tree behind him and stared up into the dark sky. Jeff was the only man he had ever lost his heart to. He let out a soft laugh. Everything had become very clear to him now. He wanted to kill Jamie because every time he saw Jamie he was reminded of the man he loved. The man he betrayed. Jamie was created with love. The sound of footsteps approaching got his attention but he didn't move from his spot. He turned his head to the side and lifted it up to see Nicholas staring down at him.

"The king of Zhanthia wants your head Arian," said Nicholas.

"I'm not surprised," remarked Arian. "That man with your king, he looks like the man I love. Who is he?" Arian asked.

“He is the king of Aria,” answered Nicholas. “I'm surprised to hear you say the word love Arian. I thought that you only loved yourself,” commented Nicholas.

Arian laughed out loud. “True, I do love myself, but a long time ago I fell in love with a kind stranger who helped me when I had no one to rely on. That kind stranger was Jamie’s father. His name was Jeff. No other man could compare to him, not even Leon or Anders.”

“Then why did you leave him for the king of Siren?” Nicholas asked although he already knew the answer. He was taken by surprise when Arian answered him.

“I didn't leave him because I stopped loving him. It was the opposite.” Arian refused to say anything more regarding the true reason why he left Jeff and Jamie. The truth did not matter now, he had changed. He was no longer the sweet Arain that Jeff fell in love with, and he was no longer a loving dad to Jamie. He didn't want to recall those painful memories that led him to leave Jeff and Jamie. He stood up. “I'll go with you but I have a request.”

“What is it?” Nicholas asked.

“I want that man who looks like my husband Jeff to be the one to end my life.”

“I'll ask him for you,” Nicholas pulled out his iron shackles and cuffed Arian’s wrists together. Then he led the man back to Anders’ castle where Sebastian and Jeffery awaited them.

The next morning Nicholas went to see Jeffery. He knocked once before stepping foot inside Jeffery’s chamber. He forced a smile on his face and told Jeffery what Arian’s last request was.

“What?” Jeffery couldn't believe his ears after hearing what Nicholas just told him.

“He wants you to end his life Jeffery. Don't you feel honored?” Nicholas mocked the man.

Jeffery ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. “Tell me you’re joking with me Nicholas,” he said softly.

Nicholas shook his head with a grin. “Sorry, I wish it was a joke but it isn’t. Arian really wants you to be the one to end his life. If you are wondering why, I suggest you go down to the dungeon and have a talk with him before Anders or my king gets their hands on him. Besides I think that you might want to hear the real reason why he left you and Jamie.”

Jeffery looked up at Nicholas with confused eyes. “Real reason? What do you mean by that Nicholas?” he asked.

“He told me that you were the only man he ever loved Jeffery and he hinted to me that there was another reason why he left you and Jamie. I think that you are the only one that he will tell the truth to."

After hearing what Nicholas said, Jeffery left his room right away making his way down to the dungeon. Arian turned around to face Jeffery the moment he stepped inside his prison. He walked over to Jeffery and gently touched the man’s face with his hands. He gazed directly into the man eyes. "You look so much like Jeff." He said this with a sad expression on his face his voice soft like a whisper, filled with sadness.

Jeffery gazed into Arian’s sad eyes. “Do I really look that much like him?” he asked.

Arian nodded his head then put his hand back down. He turned away from Jeffery to face the wall. Jeffery didn't miss the tears that trailed down Arian’s cheeks as he turned away from him. He had to fight the urge to comfort the man in front of him. He reminded himself that this man was no longer the sweet and gentle Arian that he loved long ago.

“Nicholas tells me that you want me to be the one to end your life Arian.”

“Yes,” was the only reply Arian let out.

“I will grant your last request if you tell me your reason.”

Arian sighed and shut his eyes. “Ten years ago, Jeff’s father paid me a visit while Jeff was out with Jamie, who at that time was only ten years old. They went to the town festival and I was home alone in our little cottage. Jeff’s father showed up and threatened me to leave Jeff. I refused and he raped me. Two weeks later I found out that I was pregnant. I wanted to kill myself because I didn't know how to face Jeff. I tried so many times to tell Jeff what happened to me but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Then I met Leon. One week after meeting Leon, I forced myself to lie to the man I love the most that I couldn't bear to live with him any longer because I wanted a better life. Eight months later, I gave birth to Caelane and I became what I am now.”

Arian turned to face Jeffery. “Please do me this favor Your Highness King of Aria. I will die in peace knowing that I died by the hands of the man I love.”

Jeffery whole body was shaking with anger at what he just learned, Arian just gave him another reason to kill that bastard father of his. “Tell me Arian is the reason why you hate Caelane so much is because Caelane is...”

“Yes,” Arian cut Jeffery off in a sharp voice. “I hate Caelane so much because every time I look at him I am reminded of the man who raped me, Jeff’s father. That's right, Caelane is not Leon’s child, he is Jeff’s father’s child. If I was to put it another way, Caelane is Jeff’s half brother. The father of my son is the older brother of my second son. Do you see how it is?” Arian threw his head back and let out a hysterical laugh.

Jeffery watched as Arian spun around in circles laughing like a crazy person. Arian had lost his mind. His father had done this to Arian. His sweet Arian. He stood there and watched Arian with tears in his eyes.

Jamie stood outside the dungeon cell with his hand over his mouth. Tears streamed down his cheeks, his back against the cold stone wall as he listened to his dad’s crazy laugh.