"Aselia... can I come in?" Irlana calmly asked from their bedroom door. Hearing her voice Aselia slowly removed the blanket and sobbed.

"Yes," she sat up in the bed and leaned against the headboard. Irlana quietly entered and took Aselia in her arms, embracing her.

"Everything aside. Just tell me how you are doing?" she wiped away the tears that were still spilling out from her turquoise eyes.

"Not good, I am so lost. I didn’t want to get pregnant yet," she lamented.

"I understand your fears and your point too. This is not an easy situation and it will take time for you to adjust to it. Firstly, let yourself breathe and come to terms with your pregnancy. Accept the process and accept the life growing inside you. They haven’t even seen the world and if their mommy is sad, how sad babies will be," Irlana gently stroked her hair and explained the situation.

"He lied to me, he should have told me, I would have more time to prepare myself. I am still in shock that I am going to be a mother in a few months when I have zero knowledge of what that’s like. I don’t have motherly nature," she sobbed on Irlana’s shoulder.

"Aselia, as far as I know, you have such a caring heart and mark my words you will make one fine mother. And you will not be alone, I will assist you as much as you would want. Plus, brother will be there with you every step of the. Don’t think I will let him slack. And hear him out, please," Irlana further consoled her. She didn’t want them to fight at such a crucial part of their life.

"Thank you, Irlana. But I don’t want to talk to him yet," she closed her eyes and could feel the bond tugging her to him. Refusing to let her be alone at such a special moment.

"You want me to stay with you," Irlana kindly asked and Aselia affirmed with her head. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"I am right here with you. Would you like something to eat? Brother Xiran told me you haven’t eaten anything since yesterday. Tell me what you are craving and I will bring it for you."

"Can I have some fruit?" Aselia asked, lifting her head.

"Anything for my sister-in-law. I don’t have words to tell you how happy I am on learning that," she beamed at Aselia before getting up so she could get her something to eat.

Getting out of the room she saw Xiran was sitting with a grim expression and Irlana understood he must have been listening to their conversation.

"Still not ready to talk to me or give me a chance to explain?" he asked in a hurt tone.

"Give her some time, she is still in shock. Don’t push her and she will come around sooner," Irlana answered while taking a knife and plate and slicing some apples she had brought along.

"At least she wants to eat something," he brooded and Irlana laughed at his reaction.

Irlana stayed with Aselia till late. Rivan finally turned up to fetch his girlfriend and congratulate his best friend.

Once they had left, Xiran mustered up enough courage to return to his room. Aselia was busy with her phone, she had called Yurian, Rubisha and Esma. And now she was checking her messages which had been accumulating for the past seven months.

He stood in the doorway watching her for some time before making his way to her.

"Leia! How are you feeling?"

"F*cked and reaping the fruit of that, thanks to you," she spat out without sparing him a glance.

"Solana forgot to inform you about the sacred tree and by the time I learned about it, we had already done it. Telling you at that point would have ruined our whole weekend and I didn’t want that. Besides I didn’t think you would get pregnant on our first try, so I am sorry for causing you distress. Forgive me but let me be by your side," he shuffled closer to her but she didn’t acknowledge his presence.

"Doesn’t justify your lying and hiding the fact. Maybe, if you had shown a little more trust in me instead of assuming, I wouldn’t be this mad," she fumed, putting away the phone and finally facing him.

"I accept my fault and I apologise," he touched his ears and pouted, hoping she would smile but she didn’t.

"I am fatigued so I am going to sleep," she lay down and closed her eyes. Xiran slipped into bed beside her and tried to take her in his arms but she refused to cuddle with him, turning her face in the other direction.

He sighed but didn’t force her, his left-wing protruded and blanketed her with its warmth and protection. That’s something she didn’t resist and with a faint smile spreading on her lips she went to sleep snuggling with his wing.

Xiran watched her back, The thought of kids warmed his heart and he couldn’t help but be content before finally drifting off.

Nausea woke Aselia up and she rushed to the bathroom to empty her stomach. Xiran helped her as she kept throwing glare after glare at him as if everything was his fault. He would only give her sheepish smiles too afraid to open his mouth.

He fixed her a mint drink and she sat on the sofa in the living room, sipping it. He sat at some distance with only his wing comfortably wrapped around her but no other part of him was touching her.

Their door knocked and Xiran went to open it. It was Esma, Razian and Rony. The brown and white dog had turned out huge. He sprinted inside and dashed straight for Aselia.

"My buddy, my lovely boy," Aselia squealed in excitement as Rony leapt up in her open arms.

"Woof! Woof!" He greeted and licked her face, his tail madly wagging behind him and she hugged him tightly.

"Hello! Welcome, I am so relieved to see both of you."

Esma and Razian were greeted by Xiran and he took their luggage and helped them place it inside before guiding them to Aselia.

They rushed to her. Esma had tears streaming down her face, and Razian held an affectionate smile for the girl they considered their daughter.

"Leia! My lovely girl," Esma heartily embraced her as she let go of Rony.

"Mom, I am so relieved to see you," Aselia forgot all the tension that had her heart and mind clouded as she gave herself into Esma’s motherly embrace.

"We thought we had lost you again my dear girl. You gave us a scare," Razian stroked her hair and patted her head.

"I am sorry."

"Don’t be dear. We are here now. How are you?" Esma inquired as all of them settled down in the living room.

"I am not good, look what he has done to me?" She accusingly pointed to her tummy where a small bulge had formed. Aselia had told Esma on the phone that she needed her but didn’t tell her about her pregnancy. Xiran shook his head.

Both of them were stunned for a moment before hearty smiles played on their faces.

"Goodness, you are pregnant. That’s such good news, we are going to be grandparents," Esma threw her arms around Aselia and embraced her again, rocking her back and forth. Razian congratulated Xiran and beamed at him. Xiran was grinning like a madman.

But Aselia wasn’t reflecting their enthusiasm and began to cry openly making everyone stop in their tracks.

"Oh! Honey, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?" Esma took hold of her face and turned her towards herself. Rony had placed his paws on her lap and whined loudly, seeing her cry.

"I want to talk to you alone," she said between sobs, addressing Esma.

"Of course," Esma threw a questioning look into Xiran’s way.

"Please talk to her because she won’t listen to me. You can have privacy in the bedroom, I will fix some refreshments," Xiran showed Esma the way and both women went inside with Rony on their trail.

Razian remained in the living room and Xiran offered him the TV remote so he could keep himself busy.

"Is Leia alright?" Razian questioned, a bit perplexed, on why she was crying.

"She is overwhelmed by the sudden pregnancy and I think she was missing everyone and didn’t know how to handle the situation. Hormones and emotions are not a good combination," Xiran added with a long sigh as he fixed drinks for them.

"Oh! Yes, Esma used to turn into a whole new person during pregnancy. Ready to bite my head off even for existing so I can imagine. Buckle up boy, it’s going to be a bumpy ride. Elves get meaner during their pregnancies," Razian added with a chuckle and Xiran couldn’t help but follow his pursuit.

"Believe me I know and with Leia, it’s never easy. She wouldn’t even let me touch her," he shook his head as he brought the drink for Razian and handed it to him before slumping on the sofa beside him.

"Well, let’s drink to make the days easier for you and a healthy child. All will be well, don’t fret," he clinked the glass with Xiran.

"Children, we are expecting twins," Xiran beamed, obviously proud of his sperms and Razian couldn’t help but thump his shoulder in appreciation.

"More the merrier."