Lucas POV
"Um...what?" Harper gave me a surprised look.
"Yeah, Luxor pulled me aside and told me about it."
"Are you sure? Can you check?"
"Yeah."
I then placed my hand on her belly and expanded my senses a bit. There it was. Faint, but undeniable. A small, budding spark of life. I pulled my hand back and let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. It was around 4 months old, but it's there.
"Yeah...you're pregnant."
"What?!" Harper exclaimed.
"I'm more surprised that we didn't notice any symptoms."
"Maybe I chalked up any signs of stress or exhaustion." she responded, "Well...congratulations to us, I guess."
"You're trying so hard to stay calm."
"Okay, fine, I'm losing it a little. I mean... oh my gods, Lucas, we're going to be parents! Do you think they'll have your eyes? Or mine? Or what if they have a mix of both? And names! Oh gods, we need names. What if it's a boy? Or a girl? Do we go classic? Something unique?"
"Girl, breathe."
"Well, someone has to plan ahead! We're going to need to start thinking about schools, and clothes, and-"
"Babe, calm...we should tell Mona first."
"Okay!" Harper then got off the bed and opened the bathroom doors and presumably jumped on Mona, because I heard a yelp and a loud thud as they slipped.
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As the night went on Harper's energy eventually crashed and fell asleep first. I was trying to sleep myself, but it wasn't working, this Typhon situation is way too stressful, even for me. At least the gods are doing something this time and helping us. I can definitely see a future where the gods send me to this Hallow Terra thing for some long mission, a mission that I can't refuse.
Mona then moved next to me as Harper was sleeping in the middle tonight. We snuggled next to each other for a bit before we spoke of anything.
"Don't worry too much, if you have to go, go." She advised, "We can handle ourselves."
"That's not what I'm worrying about...it's just that the possibility of me not return-"
"Don't finish that sentence."
"You know my job, it is dangerous."
"...Fair, but be a little bit more optimistic for once...besides, if this problem is solved, we can finally go back to things like this everyday. Our future children, the bakery, traveling...and just relaxation for the rest of our lives."
"Thank you."
"Seriously, you feel sad way too often, what would you do without us on these missions?"
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"Scared that a woman out there would use my vulnerabilities to become my 3rd wi-agh, okay, stop pinching me."
"Hmph." she pouted, "You're lucky that I'm in a happy mood for Harper's pregnancy. I never thought she'd beat me to it."
"What's this? Are you actually jealous?"
"What? No! I mean...maybe a little." She huffed and turned in the other direction, "Ugh, don't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"I just...it's not like I want to race or anything. It's just...okay, maybe I'm a little jealous, but only because she gets to go through that whole...thing first."
"I thought women didn't like being pregnant."
"I don't think I'll enjoy it, but it's just...you know...besides, it's a little bit embarrassing to lose to a woman who mostly took it up her ass." She grumbled.
"I thought you're not supposed to make fun of each other's preferences."
"She's asleep, so it's fine."
"We can try again once we're home if you want."
"...Maybe we should just let Harper do this first. Having both of us pregnant at the same time might be a bit difficult in our current situation."
"Fine, we'll just do it for fun once we get home."
"...Should I break this to my parents in the morning?"
"It's up to you."
"My parents still like the both of you, it's just that they find it hard to accept the fact that we're married without a proper ceremony, so to them, we're just an eloped family and not legitimate...I'll ask Harper and everyone else in the morning."
"It's all up to you two, I'm just here along for the ride."
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At breakfast, Harper broke the news to everyone in the house and Riley responded with how we should name our future son or daughter after her and how Riley is a perfect name.
"No offense, Lucas is a great guy, but what do you see in him?" Evan asked.
"I'll kill you, Evan."
"I know you love me."
"I don't."
"You're in my house, just say that you love me as a thank you, it's not going to be that bad."
"I'd throw up."
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Mona's family home, the Avalon mansion, was enormous. Calling it a house felt like an insult. It stood like a fortress, with tall white walls and gleaming windows that reflected the morning sun. The estate sprawled out with perfectly trimmed hedges and fountains that looked like they belonged in some kind of royal palace.
Lisa couldn't hide her awe. Her eyes darted around, wide with wonder, as she took in the sight of the towering mansion. I couldn't blame her. I was also impressed when I first got here...well I also thought about not fumbling a wealthy girlfriend. The head butler, a sharp-looking man dressed impeccably in black, greeted us at the entrance. He gave a respectful nod to Mona, though I caught the slight hesitation in his gaze when it shifted to me. Not unexpected.
Winston Von Avalon, the head butler, was the only one who was vocal about our relationship. Rightfully so, I wouldn't want someone close to me to marry a person who possesses another partner. He is Mona's mentor and the reason why she wants to become a teacher.
"Miss Mona," he greeted, "Welcome home. Please, allow me to guide you to the meeting room."
"Long time, Winston."
It's Mrs now, but I'm not going to correct him. We then followed him to their meeting room. I'm hearing chatter and whispers of Lisa from the servants as we walked by, but we ignored it. Winston himself was making occasional glances at Lisa while giving me a few glares, mostly from me winking back at him.
Ben Avalon, Mona's father, was already seated at the large table in the center of the room. His wife, Cassidy, stood by his side, her sharp eyes focused on us as we entered. Mona went in to hug them both and introduced Lisa to both of them. Her parents then went to formally greet Harper as if she's still the saint, which...to be fair, she's one of the few who can hear Luxor's voice and contact him directly.
Harper was the one who broke the news to them that she was pregnant, and the 2 of them called for a celebration and ordered Winston to arrange a feast. We were all catching up and discussing a few recent events before Ben handed me a letter. It had a familiar golden seal on it.
"It's a summon, from Queen Bramblewood." He said.
"How urgent?"
"Well, I wouldn't ignore a summons from a queen of a foreign country. You were there with your squad before, maybe it's related to that. I planned on sending it to you later, but after receiving the letter from Ramona informing us of your visit, I'd figure that now is the right time."
"I...hope it's not."
What could she want now? That was the only thing running through my head as I stared at the letter in my hands. It's been years since I've been in the Elven nation. I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck as I turned the letter over in my hands. And if it was tied to my time there with the squad...well, let's just say that wasn't exactly the best chapter of my life.