I'm out of school now! Which means more updates! :)

Enjoy!

--

"Mom, Dad?" I found my parents, Jordan, and Jackson, as well as Quince, all waiting for me just as I requested.

They looked up when they saw me, Jackson saying, "You called us?"

I bite my lip and nod, glancing nervously at Lucy. She put a hand on my arm and squeezed it reassuringly, her amber eyes encouraging.

I took a step forward and scanned the faces of everyone, glancing outside after. Leto was laying by the window and gazing at me with an expression of worry and concern, despite her being mad at me not long before.

My parents and Jordan seemed solemn, assuming that the news was grim. Quince and Jackson shared a long glance, possibly thinking it had to do with our research. Boy, they had a big surprise coming their way.

"First, before I tell you what I want to tell you," I started, fiddling with the sleeve of my shirt and nervously fidgeting. Lucy kept her hand on my arm as a sign of comfort, squeezing it again. I glanced at her gratefully and then continued, "I want you to know that it doesn't.. Well, it does change things. But it won't change a lot, in my opinion."

Lucy glanced at me, disagreement in her expression, but she stayed silent and I continued, "I'm pregnant."

Jackson fell out of his chair, my parents raised their eyebrows, Jordan was open-mouthed, Quince was grinning, and Leto was calm.

"You don't look surprised," I said to Leto while I let the others take a moment to take my news in.

Leto blinks at me, releasing a huff. "Little One, I am not stupid. I've known you were with child all week."

"What?" I was shocked, my eyes widening at the dragoness. "How?"

Leto buffer again, rolling her icy blue eyes. "Dragons just know. We sense things many other species cannot. We know a human is with child the moment one conceives."

"So you've known more than a week?" I asked, biting my lip and looking up at her with a worried expression.

"No. I didn't suspect enough."

"Oh."

Jackson cleared his throat, making me turn to him. His eyes were both scared, excited, and shocked, and happy. I couldn't tell which emotion was strongest of the four. I played with my wedding ring that rested on my finger, lowering my eyes from his.

I heard a chair drag against the wood floor as if being pushed, and saw a figure make its way over to me from the corner of my eye. I bit my lip and finally move my gaze back up, with Jackson now only a few inches from me.

"Don't be mad," I whispered, my eyes wide as I searched his gaze for anger.

"Mad?" he asked, frowning softly at me. "Never.." He wrapped his arms around my waist, hugging me close.

I sniffled slightly, closing my eyes as I felt his warm body wrap around my own, deep relief flowing through my body.

Mom and Dad looked at each other for a long moment, a private conversation seeming to occur between them. I ripped my gaze away from them and everyone else, looking up at Jackson. "I thought you'd be upset."

Jackson frowned again, his handsome face concerned. He put two fingers under my chin and tilted my head up until our eyes met. His brown ones mixed with my silver and blue ones. "I'm not mad, or upset. Yes, I'm surprised that this happened. The doctor said-" he stopped and shook his head. "I will admit, I'm a bit scared. But I am also excited."

"I'm scared," I admitted as well, needing to share my fears with him. "What if something happens. My rate of successful carrying.."

Jordan was at my side now, her hand clasping tightly on my hand. "Faye, thinking about that will not help okay?" Her eyes were soft.

"So it may not help," I replied, forcing down the rising feeling of despair in my chest. "I-I.. It's hard not to think about, Jordan."

"I know. But just think," Jordan told me, her hands now on my shoulders and a smile on her face. "You conceived, Faye. You had less than a one percent chance of doing that!"

Jordan was right, of course. Just conceiving had been a miracle in it's own self, and that was something I had to be happy about. I shouldn't think about the negatives right now, or at all. I needed to be strong.

"Are you alright?" Jackson asked me gently, his had sliding to my cheek. I leaned into the touch, the warmth of his hand relaxing my nerves a bit.

"Yeah," I murmured, putting my hand over his and closing my eyes. "I'm just stressed a bit. Somewhat tired. Scared."

"I know," he replied softly, his thumb starting to trace a pattern on my cheek. "But it's going to be okay, it all will be. I know it will be."

"So optimistic," I mused, opening my eyes again and smiling at him.

"It's my job." He chuckled, leaning forward and kissing my forehead.

I smiled once more at him and then turned to my parents, who were discussing in hushed tones. I couldn't read their expressions, or make out exactly what they were talking about. "Mom? Dad?"

They stopped their discussion and turned to face me, sitting up in their chairs.

"Are you mad?" I asked cautiously, walking over to my parents and looking from one to the other.

"We aren't mad," Dad replied, shaking his head. He then sighed, which made me increasingly worried as I bit my lip.

"I feel like there's a but."

"We're shocked," Mom explained, squeezing my father's hand as if to reassure him, sharing a glance with him. "The doctor's words.. They scared us a lot.. We didn't think you could have children."

I smile weakly at her, laughing meekly. "Me too, Mom.."

"And now that we are you can, we're so happy and proud of you," Dad added with a blink. Oh my.. Was my father actually crying?

"Dad," I said, smiling a bit more. "Don't start crying on me now."

Dad cleared his throat, straightening up. "I am no crying, thank you."

"Sure you weren't."

Mom sent me an amused look, shaking her head with a soft chuckle. I shrugged and then turned to Jackson again. "So.."

"So.." Jackson placed his hands gently on my waist, his thumbs rubbing gentle circles on my stomach. I leaned against him and clasped his hand in my own.

"When are we gonna go back to training?" I ask casually, ready to defend my reason.

"Whenever," Jackson replied, making me completely off guard. Did Jackson just..

"Wait, what?" I said stupidly, blinking wide eyes at him. I don't think I heard him right.

"Whenever," he repeated, shrugging his shoulders.

"You're not going all protective and caveman on me?" I said suspiciously, narrowing my eyes at him.

He raised his eyebrows. "Caveman? Seriously?"

"That's not the point. Answer the question."

Jackson rolled his eyes. "Butterfly, since when has my orders of not doing something ever stopped you?"

I open my mouth, then thought for a moment. Again, Jackson made an excellent point. "Never," I admitted, sheepish.

"Then I won't try to stop you." He chuckled and kissed my head. "But if you're injured or near injury, that's when I'll step in."

"She won't be," Mom assured, looking serious as she spoke, "We'll do some easy training."

I opened my mouth, but then shut it. At least I wasn't being treated like I was a fragile object needing constant care.

--

Hope you enjoyed. :)

-Grace xx