In her wildest dreams and delusions, Lina woke up to herself holding a pregnancy test. She let out a shaky breath of disbelief whilst staring at the clear "Pregnant" letters on the white device. She couldn't believe her own eyes.
After four years of trying, they had finally gotten pregnant. The immortality might've cured her fertility, but she didn't think it would take this long. Endless visits to the doctors, a variety of procedures, and none bore fruit. They had reassured both parents they were fit to have children, but the odds were against them.
Right when Lina and Kaden had gotten into one of the worst fights, a miracle fell onto her lap. What had triggered it? Was it Atlantis finally getting a child of his own? Was it the Heavens finally appeased by the way that fate unraveled for them?
"Lina? Earth to Lina?" Mia called from the bathroom whilst pounding on the door. "Your guests are about to leave for at least two years! Come and say goodbye at least!"
Lina didn't know what overcame her to take their never-ending supply of pregnancy tests in the master bathroom. The items were stocked in a drawer and seldom open, for she hadn't missed her period at all for the past four years. But seeing Mia holding her baby with Atlantis and his gentle smile, Lina had been overwhelmed with emotions. She pictured Kaden doing the same and had been anguished beyond words.
Kaden swore it was not her fault, but she still blamed herself.
"Lina?" Isabelle called out. "You're beginning to worry us."
Lina dropped the test from her fingertips. Her period had only been two weeks late, but she wanted to see it anyway. Unable to comprehend the letters, she placed the test onto the counters. Then, let out forced laughter.
"Sorry, sorry, I think I have food poisoning from last night's questionable sushi from the gas station," Lina nervously said whilst walking out of the bathroom.
"I told you to not eat it," Mia groaned whilst glancing over her shoulders.
"Perhaps," Lina choked out in an attempt to hide the relief and horror on her face. She wanted to be happy, she really did, but the odds were against her. What if it was a false test? What if she miscarried? All sorts of horrendous thoughts ran through her mind.
Then, Lina raised her head and saw him.
"Shhh…." Atlantis softly reassured his daughter with a gentle expression. He swayed and patted the baby to sleep, with so much contentment, that you'd think he was the happiest man in the world right now.
Lina's throat tightened. She kept on seeing flashes of Kaden doing the same. Would it be possible? Is it really true? Was she actually pregnant? When Atlantis and her made eye contact, he tilted his head, almost in confusion.
"W-where are you two going again?" Lina asked, turning to Mia.
"Wraith," Mia grumbled. "It'll be good for our daughter's lungs, her asthma isn't improving from all these skyscrapers and pollution in Ritan. The countryside in Wraith is, unfortunately, much better than here."
"Oh," Lina breathed out, ignoring Isabelle's knowing glance.
"Do visit us," Mia insisted as Lina and they headed for the doors. They had a private flight to catch and wasting fuel to stall was never her plan.
"Lina and I don't have the best memories at Wraith," Atlantis wryly said. "But the countryside will be a nice change of scenery, I promise."
"At least you know," Lina laughed whilst bidding them off. The entire time, she watched as Atlantis tended to his daughter. Mia soon joined them and the couple glanced back for a final wave.
Lina could only watch as Atlantis slid his free arm around Mia's waist and pulled her close. He must've said something sweet, for Mia's face burned red and she glared at him with accusation.
"Another destiny-defying couple," Lina murmured under her breath, just as Isabelle tilted her head. "To think they'd end up together…"
"Well, it was going to happen sooner or later with how dependent they were on each other four years ago for comfort," Isabelle commented. "You told me Atlantis confided in Mia for the longest time, despite how much he loathed her. Now, the man is sick in love."
"Yes, this life is much better for them," Lina agreed, for her thoughts were stuck on their first life. To think a miracle could be performed upon star-crossed pairings.
"What was that on the bathroom sink?" Isabelle asked the second the couple got into their cars and were already driving off. They waved out of the windows, and the duo did the same.
"A pregnancy test."
"You're shitting me," Isabelle gasped out.
"A positive one," Lina breathed.
"Oh my god, catch me, I'm going to faint!" Isabelle squealed, grabbing her friend's hands. She was going to force Lina to jump, but knew that'd hurt the baby. So, Isabelle jumped up and down by herself whilst gasping with joy.
"Is it accurate?" Isabelle asked in disbelief.
"I-I don't know," Lina muttered. "I don't believe it. After so many years of trying, I—"
"Well, we have to tell Kaden!" Isabelle insisted. "He's on his way to the airport to bid Atlantis and Mia farewell, we can still—"
"I need to schedule an OBG-YN meeting to confirm," Lina responded with a dizzy head. "I'll call Estella."
"No!" Isabelle shouted. "You, Missy, take a seat on that couch, breathe, drink some water, I'll call Estella."
Lina could barely register her big shot friend's advice. She felt herself being pulled to the couch. Her head was on cloud nine at this point. The thought of seeing her baby, the idea of Kaden holding their firstborn, and how loving he must be. Lina didn't even realize she had a loopy-crazy smile on her face, until Isabelle whispered into the phone.
"Yeah, your Boss might also need a visit to the psychiatrist, she's smiling like a creep right now," Isabelle mumbled whilst covering herself.
Isabelle glanced back to see Lina touching her belly, this time, with a dazed far-away look.
"Screw the psychiatrist, we might need an MRI too…" Isabelle mumbled in time to see Lina laugh to herself. My god, what was happening to the world?
- - - - -
Lina attended the appointment alone. She insisted for Isabelle to return to her work, for she had just been promoted to Editor-in-Chief. For a journalism company, that was practically the highest that a writer can expect to obtain at the company. Isabelle was the head and in charge, finally reaching the dream she's always wanted.
In fact, all three women's lifelong goals had been accomplished. When Lina received the news from the doctor, she could only feel as if every chapter of her life had been completed. There were no unwritten pages, except the happily ever after lives of children.
"Dove of mine, you're beginning to scare me."
Their first life ended on this very spot. His wedding proposal took place here, so Lina only deemed it fit that this announcement had to be here. She turned on her heels with a giddy and nervous expression.
"What is it, dove?" Kaden chuckled as he approached her. She had been staring up at the temple until his arrival. The night lights of this closed-off national treasure had never looked more beautiful—only because she was present.
The soft glow of the street lights, the gentle hues of the glowing artificial flowers tucked into bushes, and the glistening of the stars, all of it was enthralling. Lina was like a goddess basking under the moonlight that guided lost souls. Kaden vowed he had never witnessed a beauty like this, except at their wedding.
"Do you still want to be a father?" Lina asked him out of the blue, turning her head in time to see her curious stare.
"Only if you can be healthy," Kaden responded in a heartbeat. He slid his arms around her, hugging her from behind. He rested his palms upon her stomach, just in time to hear her breath hitch. He tilted his head in confusion.
Lina was shrouded by the warmth of his coat. She was comforted by the walking presence of "home." HER home, to be exact. The one and the only place she'd gladly return to without questions asked. She relished in his arms and closed her eyes.
"I'm immortal, how healthy can I get?" Lina asked in breathless laughter, her heart bubbling with anxiety and nervousness.
"Well, you're beginning to scare me and I feel a heart attack coming if you continue keeping me on the edge of my seat, so perhaps not so healthy," Kaden retorted.
Kaden bent his head and brushed his hand upon hers. He ran his thumb across his family heirloom ring. He had never seen a more beautiful gem on her hand. When their wedding had ended, Atlantis returned the ruby ring he stole from Lina. Now, both of them adorned her fingers, the stones weighing her down at this point.
Kaden lifted her ring finger towards his mouth and kissed her knuckles. He had never felt more complete than having her in his arms. She was all that he wanted in life. Now that he had it, he was practically on cloud nine.
"You've always wanted children with me, but you never told me if you liked kids or not," Lina mumbled.
Kaden raised a brow. "I hate children."
"I—"
"But I'd love ours, unconditionally," Kaden reassured her. "Without a doubt in my heart, I will cherish what bears your flesh and bones."
"T-then you better start preparing your heart," Lina stammered out. She turned around and revealed a hesitant grin. "Because you're going to be a father."
Only a split second passed. Kaden's brain short-circuited. His face turned cold in disbelief. Then, he blinked. The words rang in his head. Finally, when he processed what she meant, he sharply glanced at her. Then, he let out a thundering laugh.
"I'm going to be a father?" Kaden asked in disbelief, grabbing her by the waist.
Lina let out a delighted giggle just as he spun her around. Her dress swished against them and she suddenly felt like a ballerina being carried across the stage.
"Yes!" Lina responded with wide eyes. She felt a mountain slide off her chest, just as relief filled her entire body. She was truly the happiest woman in the world right now. There was not a single place she'd rather be than without him.
"Truly, dove of mine?" Kaden said in an almost pleading manner, with so much hope in his gaze, she thought it was Christmas.
"My dear tyrant, you're going to be a father!" Lina insisted.
Instantly, Kaden's lips twisted into a face-breaking grin. He let out a burst of loud laughter whilst continuing to spin her around. Then, he crushed her into a bear hug so tightly, that she felt her bones being crushed. He could barely contain his excitement. Suddenly, the private man felt the urge to shout it to the entirety of Ritan—or perhaps, the world.
"I-I'm going to be a father!" Kaden murmured, testing the words on his tongue as if he couldn't believe his own ears.
"Dove of mine, you make me the happiest man in the world, and you know it's true because I hate cheesy lines," Kaden mused, bending to kiss her deeply.
Lina laughed against his eagerness. She smiled up at him just as he kissed all five points on her face.
"Will you cherish them?" Lina asked. "Just as you do me?"
"Of course, dove of mine, they are my children too, how could I possibly not adore them? How could I possibly not love my own flesh and blood?"
Lina couldn't possibly picture anything else than that. For the longest time, she believed him, all the way until her water broke that fateful morning.
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