Juniper smiled softly as a young hell hound rest a flower crown on her head. "I made this for you last night!" The little girl cheered.

"You did?" her gray eyes alit with interest.

"Mhm," she nodded. "My mommy said you were cooking a baby."

"I am cooking a baby, think you will teach him how to do the crowns one day?"

The hound girl nodded eagerly, waving goodbye and gripping her parents hand who were bidding goodbye to Raphael after giving thanks.

"This is a bit weird, no?" Juniper leaned over to whisper to her mate. The festival was being held in the town square, food was everywhere and gifts for the baby were being brought. Berserkers that haven't been seen in decades were traveling to speak to Raphael about alliances.

"Weird how?"

Juniper shrugged as she sat on her mates knee, "Just being the center of attention and everything. It feels weird so many people want to celebrate our baby."

Raphael hummed, "I know," he knew her fear of having to share their baby with the public. "These people just want the best for us. And we have allies here if not."

Glancing over her mates shoulder, she saw the Bordoa's standing behind them. Looking as intimidating as ever with their arms crossed and sides pressed tightly to one another. Elora caught Juniper's eye, shooting her a grin while her yellow eyes were shielded by dark glasses.

"Elora and Demetri are scaring people," Juniper muttered in Raphael's ear.

Raphael smirked a bit, "Good. They're mostly here for show, keep people in check."

"Elora also is rather interested in god mother duties," he hummed while kissing Juniper's cheek.

"Seraphina is the god mother. She can be an auntie or something," Juniper watched the couple approach.

"I'll settle for an auntie position," Elora smirked. Raphael rolled his eyes, knowing the two powerful supernaturals were listening in on them.

"How're your kids?" Juniper rest her cheek on Raphael's forehead as his own face rested against her chest.

"They're fine, Demi is supposed to be stopping by to congratulate with Grayson and Onyx. Our other children may accompany them as well. You've got quite the turnout Saint," Demetri noticed while observing the busy area around.

"I'm sure you're not using this as a political advantage at all," Raphael hummed.

Elora smirked, linking her hand with her lycans. "No wasted opportunities here. Not so much as political as us needing to snap their necks now. If they're not loyal to you then they aren't loyal to us much less. Any threat to your pup needs to be eliminated early on."

Raphael smirked, nodding as well. "We agree on something."

"But besides that, we do have gifts added somewhere in there," Demetri nodded to the large pile of things strangers and followers had gifted them.

Juniper nodded at them gratefully, "Thank you. We really appreciate it, we're lucky to have met you all."

Raphael grunted in mild agreement, the couple congratulated one another once more before going back to stand guard essentially.

"Try this," Raphael suddenly held up a fruit she didn't recognize. "It's native to the island."

Juniper bit into the fruit that reminded her of sliced peaches and hummed at the sweet taste.

Seraphina hopped up to the two, Phoenix following after. "Raphael the witches want to know if you want to let all the berserker's requesting entrance in?"

Raphael furrowed a brow, "Not anyone we aren't aligned with. Take Killer with you-" he waved for his uncle.

Slapping his nephew on the shoulder as he passed, Killer saluted. "I'll fuck up anyone lookin' funny aye?"

He was walking away eagerly. "Phoenix don't let him do that," Raphael instructed. With a nod, the three left.

Juniper was perched comfortably in his lap, his ear rested right over her heart as other approached and congratulated the untalkative couple.

When a vaguely familiar berserker approached, Raphael did decide to give him more attention.

"Foster," he sat up a little and held out a hand.

"Saint!" Foster, an old Berserker greeted in a booming voice, he was shorter than Raphael with stark blonde hair. His pale skin had a smirk on it, looking more aged than Raphael himself.

The two men clapped hands, Foster nodded at Juniper in acknowledgement. Juniper narrowed her eyes a bit.

"It's been too long, Saint," the blonde rest his hands on his hips. "Last I saw you was-"

"The funeral for my father," Raphael continued for him.

"Never did I think I'd be meeting you again under these circumstances. Bringing in the newest addition to the berserker race... never thought we'd see it happen again," Foster rubbed his hands together. Raphael patted Juniper's hip as they both went to stand, the pregnant woman grabbed the small gifts he brought and began organizing some of them while listening to the men.

"I definitely didn't think I'd be lucky enough to have it happen to me," Raphael squeezed his mates hand.

"I'm sure you're parents would be proud, they often talked about your future. They knew you were destined for great things."

Raphael smiled smally, Juniper could feel his pride mixed with grief at the thought of his parents.

"Of course, I'm not sure they expected that their grandson wouldn't be a pure blood," Foster chuckled while shaking his head.

Raphael's friendly smile fell, face hardening. Juniper froze besides him.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Foster still kept it nonchalant, "Well call me old fashioned but the idea of hybrids just never sat right. Not with us pure breds walkin' around eh?"

Juniper's gray eyes trained on the large berserker, "You have something against hybrids?"

Behind her, Elora- the witch hybrid- who was listening nosily, began lingering behind the pregnant shadow demon. Her steely yellow eyes also staring at Foster suspiciously.

The blonde man held up his hands, smiling demeaningly. "I mean no harm, just saying that we all have our faults. Your son will just have trouble uniting the berserkers without being 100% one of us. He'll be looked at as weaker."

Juniper felt her hackles rise up, Raphael flexing his fists angrily.

"You know if I didn't know any better I'd say you sounded intimidated," Juniper hissed while swaying closer to Foster. Her eyes narrowed, "If you have a problem with hybrids I suggest you get the fuck out of my personal space. Wouldn't want to catch anything since we're so pathetic apparently," her teeth were bared at the berserker.

Foster's hand rose into Juniper's face, almost reaching out to touch her. His face twisted in anger.

Raphael shouldered Juniper out of the way quickly, Juniper didn't have to think twice before putting a safe distance between herself and the brawl. Snatching Foster's hand, Raphael shoved him back against the wall ferociously.

"Don't you ever even lift your fucking finger in her direction!" Raphael roared.

Knowingly, he couldn't kill the berserker. It'd take damn near forever to even knock him unconscious. It may be possible if Phoenix aided him, the only way to take down a berserker was with more berserkers.

And for a moment the deeper, more animalistic part of him wanted to put him down for becoming a semblance of a threat to his mate and child.

Foster began to wrestle against him, Raphael brutally pounding his fist into the man's gut and ramming his head into Foster's now swelling nose.

"Elora!" Raphael barked. The witches' ahead popped up, coming to the berserker's aid she opened a portal to god knows where. But from the frosty wind blowing out of the portal it was somewhere cold.

"Bordoa," the king of demons growled demandingly with a nod of his head while struggling to get Foster into a mean headlock.

Demetrius wasted no time, bones cracking as he halfway shifted while taking a running start. Using all of his body weight, he tackled Foster into the portal forcefully.

At the last minute, the two men wrapped their hands around the others forearm. Raphael heaved Demetri from the portal as it was closed.

Juniper was still seething as other demons came to check on her. Warren had just ran up to her side while shoving everyone out of the way to get to his friend.

The hectic atmosphere only became more so.

"Don't even think about coming closer! You leave her alone, she's had enough!"

Juniper stiffened at the sound of Seraphina yelling. Seraphina wasn't one to ever raise her voice.

Without another thought, the two ran to the nearest door. Elora who was closest to her followed after quickly, Warren and the witch stepping in front of the pregnant demon at the sign of danger.

Both women froze at the sight. Warren had sucked in a sharp breath.

"She's my daughter! I have a right to see her!" Elijah, Juniper's father, snarled while fighting both Phoenix and Killer.

The bluenettes jaw dropped as Elora looked at her in concern. "Uh- do you want me to stop them?" Her white brow rose in confusion as she lacked awareness on the family drama. But she knew complicated when she saw it.

Juniper struggled to answer, stuttered sounds coming out as the three berserkers dog piled and fought one another in a mess of fists and dirty fighting tactics. Warren approached carefully but couldn't find the right timing to break them apart. The berserkers were all going for blood.

"Probably not," she mumbled to Elora. "Sera come here," she beckoned her best friend over who was yelling at all three of them.

Behind the three women, Demetri and Raphael ran over and halted as well at the sight.

"You motherfucker!" Killer wrapped his arm around Elijah's neck and pinned him as Phoenix threw his fist endlessly into her father's face.

This made Juniper sick, "Stop... stop please stop!" Her feet stumbled forward but still she kept a wary distance while wrapping her arms around herself.

"Killer! Phoenix stand down!" Raphael held her while barking orders in a rather demonic voice.

The orders of the king rang through all the nearby demons bodies, even Juniper shivered. Killer and Phoenix panted while releasing Elijah.

They were both a bit bloody, showing that Elijah had a good amount of fight in him. Seraphina ran and fell onto her berserker while checking over his bruised face.

"He..." Phoenix rasped to his boss. "He tricked the witches at the portals into thinking he was close with Juniper. Guards recognized him and tried to stop him though. Fuck, you've got a mean right hook man."

"The cunt bit me!" Killer hissed while holding his forearm.

"She's my daughter!" Elijah husked out while pushing himself to his knees.

Juniper's cheeks heated up as everyone now was privy to her personal problems. Her conflicting emotions hit her like a truck as tears welled in her eyes, not once did she let them fall though. She would only cry in front of her mate or her two closest friends. Not in front of everyone here.

Not once did her father ever do something like this, fight for her. So to see him fight not only the demon guards but two fellow berserkers when he prided himself on his demon heritage, it meant the world to her.

But the voice of reason spoke up almost immediately after, too late. It's too late like always. It'd been a month and a half since his wedding, fleeting messages of empty apologies were sparse. Not until earlier today actually did he really begin to harass her with calls.

"Juni," Elijah croaked while staring up at his daughter with teary eyes. "Why didn't you tell me?" His voice cracked and Juniper felt a stab through her heart.

"Can we have a minute?" she sniffled to everyone around them.

Raphael crooked his head to the door, Seraphina kissed Juniper's cheek quickly on the way out. Warren pecked her forehead, "Take a breath," he mumbled into her hair before following after Seraphina and Phoenix.

"Let us know if you need us," Demetri offered while tugging Elora back. Her worried eyes were focused on Juniper.

"Maybe we should stay-"

"I'll be okay," Juniper cut off Elora's offer. A strained smile was given to the witch, "Thank you."

When everyone had given them space, Juniper turned to her mate.

"No," he shook his head.

"Just a few minutes, he wouldn't hurt me. A few minutes with you by the door? You don't have to go inside?" Juniper brought Raphael's strong hands up to her mouth, kissing his knuckles while peering up at him.

Sighing, he kissed her pouty lips gently before relenting.

With the demon king a decent distance away, she looked at her haggard father.

"Why'd you come?" Juniper rasped. Elijah went to stand, his daughter held up a hand however. She held her small rounded stomach while slowly crouching, sitting on the ground across from him. Elijah's dark eyes were trained on the mini baby bump.

Tears swarmed his gaze.

"Why wouldn't you tell me about my grandson?" He answered the questions with a question.

Juniper rubbed her face tiredly, so many years of this same pain made it all familiar.

"Why wouldn't you see me a year and a half ago when I tried to visit you?"

"Is that what this is about?" Elijah balked. "Because I couldn't see you one time? Dana and I were having a tough day, it was a bad moment you caught us in. You're the topic of many... of all of our fights."

"That brings me comfort," Juniper sighed. "It's the very least I can do for her," she smirked a bit. The sight made all the memories Elijah had of Juniper's mother come rushing back. A pang straight to his chest.

Juniper continued, "I had been attacked right before I came to you," she rest her cheek on her fist. Her words were bland, tired of retelling the same story no matter how traumatic it was.

"Witches and warlocks had tried to kill me two nights before. Because some asshole saw my future without my consent. She saw everything, meeting Raphael, the baby. She saw that my baby would be strong and become a leader. So she tried to kill me."

Her lips twisted and Elijah tried to speak up despite his shock but his daughter flared at him. It was a quick look to shut the fuck up.

"I found Raphael by accident, I didn't know who he would be just that my mate was a berserker. I tried to push him away, because I didn't want to put anyone else in danger. But we're mates for a reason- that much was proven. He saved me from that coven. From the woman trying to kill me. But I went to you first."

Her lips trembled and her voice wavered but she continued, "I went to you because you're my dad and I wanted you to protect me. And I wanted you to tell me it was okay, that I was safe." Juniper inhaled sharply as if she was holding her breath, "I came to you even though you never did any of those things after you met Dana. You chose her daughter over me every time and I still came to you."

Juniper wiped her hot tears strolling down her round cheeks.

"Juni I'm so sorry little one-"

"I came to you and you wouldn't even see me," she cried. "I could see you in the window and you just let that woman scream at me to leave."

Her shaky hands wiped her face again and again but the tears never stopped. "I didn't tell you because you never put me first. I'm going to put my baby first, he deserves that."

"Juniper I never meant for it to get this bad," her father rasped while reaching for her. Juniper didn't push him away, he held her shoulders and rest his forehead against her own. The two cried as she gripped his warm hands.

"I always knew, I always knew I was bad. I just always thought there was time to fix it," he whispered while shaking his head. "I thought there was time to fix it and it all just got away from me. You're mother passing, the guilt, I thought it would go away but it never did."

Elijah swallowed and looked at the woman who was a spitting image of the love of his life, "You're so much like her. She'd be so proud of how strong you are, Juni."

Juniper suddenly pulled away from him, shaking her head while wiping under nose roughly. "Don't tell me that, it's too late for talks like that."

"It's not too late," Elijah begged while fisting the ground. "It can't be too late, I-I have so many things to talk to you about. So many things to learn about you. I'm so sorry, I want to be here. I've always wanted to be here for you."

"Then why weren't you?!" Juniper yelled while throwing her arms up. "You have no excuse dad!" she pointed at him angrily.

"There's no excuse," Elijah heaved.

The blue haired woman and the large berserker sat in silence for a moment, it weighed heavily on both of them.

"Does she know you're here?"

"Yes," he wiped at his face. "We fought. I left for here."

"Then you'll go right back to her."

Elijah said nothing. Only peering up at his daughter, "I want to meet my grandson. And I want to be there for you."

"Why now? I-Is it because Raphael is powerful? Do you just want to get to him through me?"

"No!" Elijah swore while rubbing his forehead stressedly. "I don't give a damn about who you're mate could've been. As long as you're happy, I just want you happy and safe."

"And you had to come tell me today of all days?" The festival for her baby had officially been ruined.

"I just heard this morning, I-I wasn't thinking before I came. I was reaching out before to talk about what you said at the wedding and then word about your pregnancy came my way. I wasn't thinking I'm sorry," Elijah shook his head with conviction.

Fisting his hands tightly, his knuckles turned white. "You're mothers pregnancy was so hard on her," he trembled with his words. "The thought of you going through something like that- I had to... I had to come check on you."

Her gray eyes were downcast at the thought. "I'm stronger than her, physically. I have better chances than her," her tone was quiet and apprehensively reassuring.

"I know, I know," he stressed. "But what if-"

"I'm going to be fine," Juniper met his gaze determinedly. "I'm going to meet my son, I'm going to raise him."

"You always were so stubborn," he chuckled sadly.

Juniper and Elijah stared at one another, slowly she scooted further away from him. A choked cry echoed from his throat, watching his daughter run away from him.

"I need time," Juniper swallowed while standing shakily. Without even hearing him, Raphael was behind her and supporting her strongly.

"I need time to think. I'm not making any decisions now, whatever I decide isn't going to influenced by a guilt trip and sudden stupid emotions." Her words was strong and stern, emotions slowly wiping from her face despite the strain to her voice.

"I understand," Elijah stood slowly.

"You..." Juniper grit her teeth. "You can stay on the island in a hotel for the next few days. If I want to speak to you I'll come get you myself. If you leave, let the witches know so they can notify me beforehand."

Raphael linked a witch to come escort him immediately. Juniper swallowed down the tightness in her throat, going to take a step before her knees buckled.

Her mate hissed and lifted her up, Juniper pressed her hand to her forehead as her fingers trembled. "I'm-" nausea waved over her. "I'm okay."

"No you're not," Raphael whispered to her while lifting her up easily.

Leaving Elijah there as he watched the pair with pained eyes, a witch approached him timidly.

Carrying his Juniper, he approached the group as the festival had continued to avoid any suspicions. Still she squirmed to stand on her own.

"She's not feeling well," he rasped to everyone. "Phoenix tell everyone Juniper is tired, thank them for coming and the gifts. Tell them they can stay as long as they'd like. Seraphina and Warren get the gifts together for us to go through later. Elora and Demetri you can come back to our house if you'd like or your welcome to explore the land. The guest house besides our own is always open to you and your children if they're still coming."

Elora piped up, "I can open a portal to yours and make an elixir that would help her gain her strength back. Calm her nerves."

Raphael looked at Juniper who was brushing her toes against the floor to stand on her own while looking at nothing in particular, her eyes unfocused and blank.

"Thank you," he nodded while accepting her offer. Discreetly, they left the festival and stepped into their kitchen.

"I believe Seraphina has herbs left in the bottom drawer, I'm going to get her to the living room," he nodded for the things she could use for the elixir. The Bordoa couple nodded and Demetri helped her get started as Raphael took Juniper to the couch.

The pregnant woman rest her cheek on the couch cushion, rubbing her belly. Raphael cupped her chin, forcing her eyes up on him.

"Talk to me gorgeous," he begged in a quiet voice.

"I'm okay," she repeated.

"Talk to me," his dark eyes were sad as he ran his thumb over her cheek.

Juniper sniffled, resting her forehead against his jaw and rubbing his arms.

"I don't understand why I don't hate him," she admitted.

Raphael sighed, holding the back of her head and bringing her to lay against him. "There's no one way you should be feeling. No matter what that may be it's all valid, sweetheart. I hate that he's hurt you so badly, the stress isn't good for you." His warm hands rubbed her back.

"I know," she pouted. "I don't know what to do."

Raphael combed his fingers through her hair soothingly, "You don't have to do anything."

"But I want to make the right decision for Santiago," her nose nuzzled into his chest.

"You need to make the right decision for yourself, Juni baby. Our son will be okay, he'll be okay because he has us. I don't like your father, but if you based your decision on how he may affect our boy it would completely neglect whatever unresolved feelings you may have. Cutting him off without any closure wouldn't be fair to yourself."

"I don't need him for closure," her lips tugged into a frown. "I've never needed him for anything."

"I know," the berserker kissed the top of her head. "I know, but just because you don't need something doesn't mean you don't deserve it. If you never want to see him again, I'd be completely content and happy the burden was lifted from your shoulders." He massaged her tense back, "If you kept contact with him, I'd be completely content knowing that you made the best decision for yourself. I'd worry about you and how you're feeling, but I'd know you did what you have to do."

Juniper traced her fingers over his muscular abdomen, sighing.

Knocking on the wall caught their attention, both sat up a bit. Elora held up a mug, steaming with a floral scent wafting off of it.

"This will make you tired," she informed the shadow demon quietly. "But it'll calm you down and get rid of any nausea you feel. You might sleep a little longer than normal but it's just regulating your body back to normal."

Juniper wrapped her hands around it, nodding gratefully. "Thank you, Elora. For all your help today, both of you."

Elora smiled, Demetri nodded at the couple as well. "Can I give you some advice?" The brown skinned woman scratched her white hair in thought.

"Shoot," Juniper took a sip of the bitter tea. Raphael wrapped his hands around her two holding the mug, seeing her shaky grasp and helping her bring it to her lips again.

"Don't force yourself to forgive anybody. You don't seem like the type but just so you know. You're not doing anyone any favors playing nice just because you feel obligated to. Forgiveness is earned, whether you give someone the chance to do that is your own power."

Juniper licked her lips in thought, nodding.

The couple went to leave before Demetri turned to the two before walking out the door.

"Don't let him stop you from celebrating your son," he gave them a parting wave before they both left.

Juniper pinched her nose, downing the rest of the tea before wretching at the taste as soon as they were out of ear shot. Raphael rubbed and patted her back. Turning her face, he pecked her nose.

"I'm glad they're our friends," she let him kiss her gently, over and over again.

"They come in handy," Raphael admitted while rubbing her temples to relieve her headache.

Juniper inhaled slowly, bringing his hand down to rub her growing stomach. "Will you lay with me until I fall asleep?" she yawned cutely.

"As if I'd be doing anything else," he smirked down at her a bit. Juniper smiled as her pretty eyes fluttered shut with slow blinks.

"Can you tell me how much you love me?" Juniper's words slurred.

"Would you like a rough estimate or an exact calculation? The math may take a bit."

"Rough estimate I guess."

"Mm," Raphael hummed mockingly as he mimicked he was in deep though. "Oh I don't know... about infinitely. Yeah that sounds about right, infinite love."

Juniper hummed happily with a grin spreading across her lips. "Damn you got me by one."

"You love me less than infinitely?" he asked with a dramatic gasp.

"Infinitely minus one."

"What's the minus one for?"

"For not giving me a kiss this morning." Juniper had woken up alone this morning and pouted about it openly.

Raphael did this time make a noise of surprise and disagreement. "I did! You were asleep you ass," he pinched her butt. Juniper giggled at his defensive tone.

"No proof, the points already been docked."

"Guess I'm shit outta luck," he sighed dramatically.

Juniper trailed circles over his bicep that flexed under her touch.

"I may be able to convince the judges with an immediate makeup kiss..." Juniper could barely get the words out. Her chin was lifted and Raphael kissed her gently, albeit passionately on the lips. The two smiled against each other.

"Happy?" he pulled away and rolled her to lie besides him on the large couch.

Juniper nodded with a dazed smile and closed eyes, peeking one open as he bent to kiss her tummy for good measure.

"There. Just to start on a good foot with the boy," he wrapped her up again safely in his arms.

"He's so lucky to have you," Juniper cupped his face and kissed his jaw.

Raphael sighed happily, allowing her to rest all of her weight atop of him as sleep weighed heavy on her eyes.

"Can we talk more about it tomorrow?" Juniper referenced her father.

"Yeah sweetheart, we can talk about it tomorrow," he could feel her relax as she fell asleep completely.

~

v long chapter and this was low key therapeutic

what do we want juni to do? I know where i'm leaning towards but what do u guys think?

this was really sweet to write at the end and also hard to write the obvious parts but it was necessary for poor Juniper