Brew 26

The wedding between Seraphina and Blaise had been the talk of Aethera.
The eldest daughter of the Alderbranch family settling down had made headlines across the realm. Her family urged her to return to Amberwood, to raise her family within the safety and prestige of their estate, but Seraphina had other plans.

After the ceremony, the couple moved to Willowmere—a peaceful village on the far side of the Thistlewick Forest. Willowmere was a place of quiet wonders, where humans and beastmen coexisted and where the waters stood still and silver. It was the perfect home for Seraphina to continue her work in legislation while Blaise could study the forests and their magical ecosystems.

On a warm summer night, Seraphina gave birth to their first child—a son, born into the world they were helping to shape for him.

While Seraphina rested, attended by nurses, Blaise held their newborn for the first time. He was in awe. Wrapped in soft blankets, the boy stared up at him with wide, curious eyes.

Blaise quietly stepped outside, onto the small porch of their cottage that overlooked the forest edge. The same forest that had once been the backdrop of his youth—his joys, his mistakes, and his first love.

The baby fussed and cried softly. Blaise rocked him gently, whispering,
“It’s all right. The forest isn’t scary.”
He chuckled to himself. “It can seem frightening, but it’s more mischievous than anything. There’s beauty hidden in those woods—you’ll see.”

There was a soft giggle from behind, startling Blaise. He turned around, freezing as he saw Aria standing beneath the trees, the moonlight tracing the silver in her hair.

Hello, dear Blaise,” she greeted, walking forward with something folded in her arms. She knelt beside him, reaching a delicate finger to touch the baby’s tiny hand. “What a beautiful child.”

Blaise’s breath caught as he watched Aria interact with his son. “He’s mine,” he whispered, his eyes stinging with tears. “Aria...”

“I’m sorry,” Aria smiled, cupping his cheek. “It’s selfish of me, but I wanted to say hello. There was talk in the forest about a witch and wizard who had moved in. Somehow, I knew it would be you.”

Blaise smiled, lifting the baby slightly. “We haven’t chosen a name yet. We’ve been... debating for months,” Blaise chuckled thinking back to the many hours of discussing baby names and having Seraphina’s parents insisting on the most prestigious of names.

Aria chuckled. “The right name will come.” She glanced up shyly. “May I hold him?”

Blaise nodded. He gently helped her cradle the infant, supporting his head as she rocked him. Her voice softened into a forest lullaby, soothing the child into stillness.

She perched gracefully on the old fence, eyes full of wonder as she studied the baby. After a moment, she shifted the folded item in her arms.

Blaise recognized it at once. “The cloak,” he murmured, taking the cloak from Aria. “The one you wore to the village that day.”

Unwrapping it, he found the soft fabric carefully mended and a small wooden flower tied to it with ribbon. “I thought Seraphina might appreciate something for a quick recovery,” Aria said, blushing.

Blaise clutched the cloak and carving to his chest. “Thank you, Aria. Thank you for showing such kindness to my family.”

Aria smiled, tears gathering in her own eyes. “And thank you, Blaise. For showing me the world beyond the forest. I never did properly thank you for that.”

Blaise leaned forward and kissed the top of her head. “You showed me how to find joy again,” he whispered. “And in doing so, I was able to find a wife and have a beautiful child.”

They embraced quietly—no words needed. Years of longing and growth had brought them to this moment.

“You should come for tea sometime,” Seraphina smiled, her voice weak as she walked outside onto the balcony.

Blaise jumped up, rushing to her side and wrapping the cloak around her shoulders. “You should be resting,” he insisted.

“I couldn’t miss saying hello to our guest.” Seraphina smiled; her eyes warm. She held out her arms. “May I?”

Aria nodded as she passed the baby gently to Seraphina. “He’s adorable,” she whispered, being sure not to disturb the baby’s slumber. “Just like his parents,” Aria chuckled stroking Seraphina’s hair.

“I mean it,” Seraphina said, her voice firm and full of affection. “Come for tea. Truly.”

Aria laughed softly, her blush deepening. She reached into her sleeve and withdrew a stained-glass teacup tinted blue. “I hope you don’t mind,” Aria blushed. “I have my own cup.”

Blaise chucked seeing the cup. It was the replacement cup he brought for Aria before he left for the capital. He left it with Mama to give to Aria should she ever return to the village. “I see Mama gave it to you,” he smiled widely.

“Then it should stay here,” Seraphina said, accepting the cup. “I’ll keep it with ours.”

Blaise took a long, deep breath, his chest tightening. His first love and his true love, standing side by side, joined by the child who represented their shared past, present, and future.

A scene he never imagined he would be blessed to witness.