Selena stared at Theo, aghast. "He volunteered for this!"

Cedric waved a hand to stop the bickering. "I did volunteer," he assured. "I don't mind it."

Theo rolled a hand. "Just because you don't, doesn't make it not weird, is all I'm saying. Why are you okay with it, anyway?"

Cedric tapped his chin thoughtfully as he considered it. "I don't know, honestly. It does make me feel a bit better, sometimes."

"Sometimes?" Daisy raised an ear at him. "Have you let us do something that you didn't enjoy?"

"No! Nothing like that." Cedric started to squirm free of his dress, shedding it to the ground. "It fit well, by the way, even while working."

"Noted," sang Selena as she took a fresh note.

Cedric smiled and leaned against Daisy with a sigh. "Sorry, where was I? Oh yes! It makes me feel more relaxed." He nodded and glanced around the room. "But I think being with you all makes me feel more relaxed."

Daisy wrapped her arms around him and settled into the softness of the bed along with him. "If you're up for it, tell us when you weren't so relaxed. Did someone not play nicely with your trust?"

"Um." Cedric swallowed nervously, but accepted the hug regardless. "It was just one girl today. I went to clean a restroom and—"

Daisy gave him a serious stare. "Like you usually do. You are a janitor. Did someone really get upset at that? Seriously?"

Cedric blushed and nodded, his ears drooping as he looked down. "Yes."

Theo snorted from his place. "I don't know why you don't just drop the job and mooch off Daisy like the rest of us."

Selena prodded Theo. "What are you talking about? I don't ask Daisy for money."

Cedric smiled awkwardly. "I think you're the only one that does, Theodoren."

"Full name just to call me out." Theo folded his arms. "Fine, the option's still there though. Feel pretty sure Daisy would cover your tuition in a heartbeat."

Daisy raised a hand, nodding. "I would. I do what I can to make my friends happy."

"Well, thank you!" Cedric smiled and hugged her arm happily. "I'll think about it. But you're an expecting mother, and you plan to keep them. That has costs. I want to help, not rely on you." He nuzzled into her neck, snuggling her form. "Let me support you. Let me help. It feels good to work, anyway, you know?"

"I do." Daisy nodded along with that. "I'm not just lying here and getting fat. Well, not just." She ran a hand down along softening lines. "Ugh, I hate it. Going on a diet and amping up my workouts the moment this child is out in the world."

Selena blinked. "What? You look gorgeous!"

Theo folded his arms. "You do look pretty good, to be fair."

Cedric laughed nervously. "I don't mind it either."

Daisy wilted under the concerted approval of her family. "I'm allowed to be healthy. I'm eating what I feel like eating, right now, since I remember faintly that's a good idea for an expecting mother. I want what's inside me to get everything it needs, but me, afterwards, can lose a few pounds. I'll still be soft in all the right places, promise."

Cedric nuzzled into one of her breasts, making his feelings clear on the subject. "I don't know if your weight really matters. You're already bigger than me." He gestured down over himself.

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Daisy barked into laughter. "That's a low bar, considering our height difference." She easily pinned Cedric down and blew into his belly, getting laughter out of him. "Sweet little thing." Her hand slipped under his shirt, but paused as she looked at him inquiringly.

He gave a small nod, and smiled at the touch as she dragged her hands along his soft belly. With permission given, she casually pet him and enjoyed the touch of his soft rabbit fur. "If there's one thing." She leaned in, nose to nose with Cedric. "One thing I don't regret, it's this family. Love you all so much."

"We love you too," Cedric murmured back. He brushed his hand along her side, enjoying the warmth that radiated from her body. "I'm sorry I got accosted by a student again."

Theo lobbed an eraser that bounced off Cedric. "Stop apologizing for other people being complete jerks. Cedric, you need to stand up for yourself. You did nothing wrong." He pointed at Selena. "She's the one who made you wear those clothes for a day."

Selena waved a hand dismissively. "I'm pretty sure it's not related to the clothes." She paused. "I think?"

Cedric gave a soft chuckle. "It wasn't, I promise." He poked Daisy playfully on the nose. "Besides, you like me in dresses."

Daisy giggled and patted his belly. "I like you whatever you're wearing, or not." She drew her hand back and rolled over. Internally, she looked to the status that refused to go away. "Just a few more days. Then we get to greet them. Oh, what's the officialities I need to go through for that?"

Selena hummed, looking thoughtful. "Usually there's an application. It's pretty easy for a registered parent. The baby needs a checkup, the parents are asked to care for it, and then they get registered." She snapped her fingers. "You do this with a quick visit to the church, or they'd do it for you if you're doing this at any clinic."

Daisy blinked softly. "Wait. Church? You have a church? You have a religion?!" She slapped the side of her face. "This is the first I heard of it!"

Cedric laughed nervously as he sat up, rubbing his belly where he was tickled. "I don't really think about it much." He tapped his chin. "It's not like it's really a part of our daily life."

Theo rolled his shoulders as he scribbled. "Speak for yourself. Some people are really into it. Some aren't. Not like it's a mandatory thing. And it isn't just one church."

Selena nodded along. "It's like any religion, really, you can be part of it or not, or be into it casually. Some people take it very seriously, some don't." She hiked a thumb at herself. "Mine's pretty cool, and not very popular, which is a point in its favor in my book, thanks."

Cedric huffed a sigh. "I don't worship anything." He paused, looked over Daisy, then nestled in close. "Let me correct that. I will worship at the altar of Daisy any day."

Daisy giggled, poking his belly softly. "It is good to gain my first faithful, but I can't promise fantastic rewards for your praises, good sir. Could one of you get me a book on the popular religions going around? I feel so stupid not knowing about it."

Theo shrugged. "It hasn't come up in conversation before."

Selena let out a breath. "You know, it's not like we talk about religion much, anyway. It's kind of a personal thing."

Cedric nuzzled in until he was half buried in breast. "I'll get you a book on it, promise." He smiled, feeling safe and happy in her presence.

She gave him a firm squeeze. "Thank you."

"Any time." Cedric hugged her back. "And, um, I'll also look into getting the paperwork for having kids ready."

Theo made a quick swipe on the paper. "And, done!" He stood up and stretched towards the sky. "No more schoolwork for today. Oh, that reminds me. I saw Dhiren earlier today." He smirked at Daisy. "He asked how you were doing."

Daisy smiled back. "Oh? How is the old lion?"

Theo laughed. "Not sure if I've ever heard him called old. He's barely thirty." He shrugged, his tail swaying behind him. "He and his girl finally moved in together, they're fine. Seems both of you got into the family way of things."

"Wow." Daisy rubbed her neck, blushing. "And here I am, pregnant first." She shook out those feelings. "But I get the impression that doesn't have the same impact as it would where I'm from originally."

Theo shook his head. "It means very little. Some schools are harsher about pregnancy than others, though. It's often considered a distraction. We're supposed to be focused on our studies." He pointed at Daisy. "Lucky for you, you're not a student here. You're a lab mouse. Speaking of, you tell Elina about this?"

Daisy blinked. "I didn't, actually. Shoot, that's bad of me." She sat up slowly. "I bet this is affecting the milk. Wonder how she'll react." She put a finger under her chin. "I'll go see her right away. What an awful little test subject I'm being."

Cedric laughed softly. "You're doing your best." He patted her on the thigh as he got to his feet. "I'll grab those books for you while you do that."

Both headed for the door on their different missions, leaving Selena and Theo behind.

Selena glanced aside at Theo. "We have the room to ourselves."

Theo poked her in the belly. "You're not very subtle, are you?"

She laughed as she shoved him back onto the bed. "I don't need to be!"