Long Time skip: Axel's POV
I sighed, looking around at the remains of our camp.
We had packed up, and now all that was left were bags to take on the trip.
I looked over to Olivia, her reassuring smile making me calmer.
I... guess I was just nervous to go home.
"Axel!" Shouted Jester, already on a chocolate brown horse with Petra. "You comin or not?!"
"Give me a second, Jester..." I growled, helping Olivia onto our grey horse. "Not everyone gets ready as fast as you."
"But you're taking FOREVER!" He groaned, twisting the reigns in his hands.
"FINE ALREADY!" I shouted. "IM ON THE NOTCHDA-"
Olivia poked me, signalizing for me to stop.
I rolled my eyes, our horse setting into a canter.
Olivia had her arms around me, hugging me tightly.
"You nervous about Jess?" She asked, burying her face into the back of my coat.
I thought about it.
Yes.... I was extremely nervous about her.
"Y-yes... actually..." I confessed, keeping my eyes on the terrain ahead. "I'm... just.... ah.. i Dont know what's wrong with me. Jess and Lukas are happy- and I should be, too."
"Axel... they've been married for (insert number of years you chose) ! They're fine."
I smiled.
"I don't mean to sound overprotective of Jess. I... just miss her being my little sister. She's grown up so much, and i-"
"Don't cry, now!" Objected Olivia, sounding sad.
"I-I'm not crying." I mumbled, feeling my phone vibrate.
I pulled it out of my pocket, handing it to Olivia.
"Can you answer it?" I asked.
"Sure." Replied Olivia, accepting the call.
I kept looking forward, determined to overhear the conversation.
O: Jess! Long time no see! How have you two been?
J: *laughs* we've been fine, Olivia. No need to worry.
O: tell me about the baby!!
J: there's nothing much to tell... I've been for an ultrasound, but I'm not going to say any more... but you guys won't be back for a few more days, right?
O: right. But we'll see you guys soon! EEEE IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU TWO!!!
J: p-please Olivia! Don't freak out!
O: TOO LATE
L: is that Olivia??
J: *looks off screen* Yeah... she's right here!
L: hey Olivia! Tell Axel and the rest I said hi!
O: will do!
J: *turns back* are you on your way now?
O: yeah... it's kind of a bumpy ride... this horse is much more annoying than a car.
J: *laughs* now you know how I felt!
O: I don't even know how you managed it!! I know you get motion sickness easy!
J: well... not much anymore. I'll see you guys later- I've got to go!
O: okay... bye!
J: Bai!
*click*
Olivia ended the call, handing my phone back to me.
"So... are you still nervous about seeing Jess?" Asked Olivia, still holding tightly onto me.
I forced a smile.
"Uh.... not really. I-I'm sure she fine... I mean..."
"They're happy, Axel." Sighed Olivia. "And that's all that matters."
Time skip: Jess' POV-
I walked into the kitchen the next day feeling like death.
Okay... just.. breathe, Jess. You're fine. You're probably just sad... right?
I sighed, seeing Lukas staring out the window.
He... didn't see me yet.
I hugged him from behind, feeling a smile creep up onto my face.
He didn't jump like he normally did. In fact, he seemed... calmer.
"Morning darling." Said Lukas, turning to face me.
He looked at me with the sweetest smile, his eyes filled with warmth.
It seems as if he cares even more than he did before.
What are you talking about?! Of course Lukas loves you. Maybe even more than he did.
"Is something wrong?" He asked, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
Is there something wrong with me? I don't know.
"No... I guess.. heh. I guess I'm just nervous." I replied, my voice wavering.
He looked at me, still smiling.
"You'll be fine, Jess. Everything's going to be okay."
"Lukas. I'm not worried about me! I'm worried about-"
"I know. I'm.... worried, too." He mumbled. "But... we've got to stay positive.... right?"
I smiled.
"Right."
Lukas hugged me gently, careful not to hurt me.
"You know... it's not like I'm made of glass." I teased.
"But I should be treating you like you are." Retorted Lukas, his tone playful.
I stifled a laugh, still hugging him.
I still can't believe that the other girls before me... how they broke him. How they made him so depressed.
And yet... he still smiled.
I looked at him, seeing the faintest smirk on his face.
And that's what scares me. He was able to fake a smile so many times before... why not now?
"Jess?" He asked, his smile melting. "Are you okay? You look pale."
I forced a smile, my head feeling fuzzy.
"I'm... I'm fine. I think I just.. need to.. sit down.."
I took a step, feeling my legs crumple beneath me.
Lukas caught me before I hit the floor, bringing me into his arms.
"Come on..." he sighed. "You need to rest."
This sucks. It happens a lot... me getting dizzy. I told my doctor about it, but he just said that my body was reacting strangely to this. That I'm just more sensitive than others.
Lukas places me down on our bed, pulling covers over me.
"Do you need anything?" He asked, his voice filled with concern.
I forced a smile.
"Yes, actually.... could you stay with me?" I asked.
Lukas's concern melted.
"Sure."
Time Skip: Lukas's POV
Jess was sleeping soundly beside me.
I had a book in my hands, reading about remedial potions.
You... never know when they could come in handy.
This is why you should never, EVER,
Mix gunpowder with blaze powder. Even the tiniest contact with each other could result in a powerful explosion, similar to that of a charged creeper. Remember to always keep your potion ingredients separated, and don't forget to-
The doorbell rang, making me put my book down.
Jess has always been a light sleeper, so she woke up instantly.
"Wha-?"
"It's okay, Jess. It's probably just the post... or who knows what."
I pulled back the covers, walking out of the room.
It was still midday, so the brightness of the rest of the house was sort of blinding me.
I opened the door, wincing at the sunlight.
"LUKAS!" Screamed a ton of voices, their blurry figures making me confused.
"W-who are-"
"Lukas, you got glasses?!" Asked a female voice, sounding shocked.
"What?!" I retorted, my hand wandering to my head. "I don't have.... oohhhh... you guys are talking about my reading glasses."
I took the off, folding them together.
I looked back up, my friends looking back at me.
That's why I couldn't see anything. I'm already loosing it.
Olivia crushed me in a hug, squealing.
"Lukas! We're all so happy to see you!" She squeaked.
"Nice to see ya Blondie." Said Jester, smirking.
Petra smiled, stuffing her hands in her pockets.
"Y-you guys aren't supposed to be back this early! I'm glad to see you!" I exclaimed, trying to smooth back my messy hair.
"Looks like you weren't quite ready to see us, either." Teased Axel.
"Har har." I growled. "It's Saturday. Chill."
I opened the door the rest of the way, letting them in.
"Nice place you got here." Said Petra, still smirking.
"Don't touch that!" Growled Olivia, taking something from the hands of Jester.
"What?!" Objected Jester. "Just trying to have some fun!"
"Will you guys keep your voices down?!" I hissed. "Jess is trying to sleep!"
That shut them up.
"So.... how have you two been doing?" Asked Petra, her wedding ring catching my eye.
I almost forgot she got married to Jester.
Almost.
"We've... uh... been doing great, actually." I said, scuffing my feet on the floor.
"Actually, we've been doing better than great." Came a voice.
I turned to see Jess walking from our room, looking extremely tired.
"JESS!" Screamed Jester, crushing her in a hug.
"I.. Jester... you're crushing me to death." Grunted Jess, her tone angry.
"Oh! Sorry, Jess. Almost forgot about your.. uh.." jester awkwardly cleared his throat, turning red.
"So... you're having the baby shower tonight?" Asked Olivia, clearing the awkward silence.
"Actually... it's tomorrow." Corrected Jess, smiling.
Jess' POV
I... couldn't wait to tell them.
They've all been pestering me about the baby since they said they were coming home. I can tell that they actually care.
I can't wait until tomorrow.