It was sometimes so surreal to Lucia that she was pregnant. She could feel it, certainly, but the thought that she was growing another life inside her scared her as much as it excited her. Just a few years ago, she'd been in high school, and now she was pregnant with her first child. It was safe to say she hadn't expected her life to turn out in this manner--not that she was unhappy with the outcome.

She was slowly nearing her due date and that was something she anticipated greatly. As much as she loved her son, he was heavy. She also couldn't wait to hold him in her arms and more often than not, the Lahote woman wondered what he would look like. Would he have her nose? Paul's eyes? Would he be a carbon copy of her husband? He was set to be born any day now and Lucia eagerly counted down the days until his arrival.

Paul was rather sad that he wouldn't see his wife like this much longer. He'd grown quite fond of her form during her pregnancy. There was a perpetual softness in her features, enhanced by the gentle swell of her cheeks and the warmth in her eyes. Not to mention the swell of her stomach that reminded the both of them of the life growing within. Their beautiful baby boy they'd welcome into this world not too long from now.

Paul had adopted a habit of staring--though he adamantly told her he was admiring her. And as he leans against the wooden beam outside, he watches her tend to the garden she'd taken to during her free time. A smile pulls at his lips, arms crossed over his chest. It's as if she sensed him before she saw him, pausing and turning towards the porch, catching Paul's gaze. Her smile grew upon finding him watching, crinkling her eyes with affection.

Paul pushed off the beam and descended the shallow steps towards her, his arms falling to his sides. He spies the red that lines her cheeks despite the hat on her face, knowing she'd been out here longer than anticipated. "How long have you been out here, sweetheart?"

"Since late this morning," Lucia admits with a sheepish smile when she notices the stern gleam in her husband's eye. "I took a break, I promise, but I got bored just sitting around doing nothing."

"I know you're bored but you can't put a strain on yourself because of it." Paul ran his hands up and down her arms. "Our boy will be born soon, and you'll graduate not too long after that, so just hang tight, yeah? No overexerting yourself because you are bored."

Lucia rolled her eyes good-naturedly, a smile lining her lips at Paul's worried. He'd been attentive more so than usual throughout her pregnancy and she loved every second of it. She loves him. "I won't. Promise. Besides, I'm almost done. I just have to water the planted seeds then I'll head inside."

Paul's eyes follow her as she walks away, admiring the way her dress sways with every gentle step. She picks up the watering can and waddles around the garden, lightly watering the planted seeds, ensuring not to drown them. Paul walks towards her, taking the watering can from her hands, a confused look decorating her face.

"Why don't you go and take a seat on the porch? I can do the rest." He spots her narrowed eyes, watching him sceptically drawing an amused eye roll from the shifter. "How hard can it be? Just a little water here a little there. I don't think I'll mess it up."

"Just make sure not to drown them, all right? I'd hate to see my little seeds go swimming," Lucia replies, her tone light but earnest. A look of faux hurt plays on his face, his hand coming up to rest over his heart. She stifles a smile at this. "Gentle is key, okay? They need love, not a flood."

Paul smiles, amused, and leans down, pressing a kiss to his wife's sun-kissed cheek. He nods to the porch. "Go on. I've got it from here."

Lucia smiles up at him and makes her way inside, leaving the sliding door open behind her. Paul walks around their garden--which had become far more vibrant since Lucia had taken up gardening as a hobby--watering the planted seeds with care. The rhythmic sound of water hitting the soil meets his ears as he drizzles water on the ground.

It's not long before Paul is done, placing the watering can back where it belongs and heading back inside. The late spring breeze tousled his hair from behind as he entered the home, a quiet chuckle escaping him as he saw his wife in the kitchen. He thought she'd gone inside to rest but he was wrong. Lucia couldn't sit still for long, that much he'd learned in their years of being together.

"I thought you'd come inside to rest, Lou," Paul says playfully, rounding the island counter to get to the sink and raising an eyebrow at her.

Lucia glances over her shoulder, smiling at him before returning her attention to the task in front of her. She presses the lemons, the juice flowing into the glass measuring cup. "I was, but then I wanted some lemonade, so I decided to make some."

"I could've gone to the store to go and buy some, you know." Paul dries his hands and stops beside her, watching her effortless movements in making the drink. He rests his hand on her stomach, gently caressing it over the fabric of her emerald summer dress. "You're going to wear yourself out before the baby arrives."

Lucia laughs, the sound melodic and warm, before she measures out the sugar and pours it intimate the pitcher along with the freshly squeezed lemon juice. "You worry too much, Paul. I know when I've reached my limit and I'm not there yet. Plus, store-bought lemonade will never live up to lemonade made at home."

Paul hums in agreement, watching as she adds cold water and stirs the mixture gently. She adds a few slices of lemons to the pitcher and pours two glasses of the yellow beverage, adding a few ice cubes to it. She hands one to Paul, taking a sip of her drink and smiling in satisfaction. She places her hand over Paul's hand which rests on her belly, feeling the kicks of their baby boy.

"Have you thought of any names for him yet?" Lucia inquired. "I have a few ideas."

Paul shakes his head with a smile, one filled with excitement. It was hard to believe this was how his life turned out at times. "I'm sure whatever you've thought is beautiful. I'll just name our next little ones."

"Next one? How can you be so sure this won't be our only child?"

"I want a few little ones running about," Paul admits, setting his class down. He cradles her cheek, thumbing the reddened skin from her being in the sun for too long. "Maybe three or four."

Lucia smiles bashfully, taking a sip of her lemonade to hide her smile but Paul saw it before she did. "That doesn't sound too bad."

Paul grins at her, his hand sliding from her cheek to cup the back of her neck. He leans in, brushing his nose against her affectionately before kissing her softly. She returns it with ease, placing her lemonade on the counter and reaching forward to hold his bicep. It's passionate yet still tender, filled with all the emotions they couldn't put into words.

"Before I forget..." Lucia pulls away from the kiss. "... we have dinner with Charlie and Susan tonight. They have some news they want to tell us."

Paul furrows his brows. "You didn't tell me before."

"It was last minute. Charlie called this morning after you left for patrol to invite us over."

"Is everything okay?" Paul asked, lines of concern etched across his face.

"Yeah, everything's okay with them. They say it's good news."

Paul eyes her for a moment. "Are you sure you'll be okay to go? You've been on your feet all day. I'm sure you must be tired by now."

"Paul, I'm fine." Lucia swats at his arm, an affectionate look crossing her face at his concern. "Besides, we only have to head out by seven so I'll have enough time to rest until then."

"Then you better go take a seat on the couch, darling, so that you can rest. Pick out a movie and I'll bring the lemonade over," Paul instructs her, his voice firm but not unkind. Lucia smiles amused at this, pressing a kiss to his cheek and doing as he requested.

He retrieves their drinks and heads to the couch where Lucia had chosen her favourite anime, Whisper of the Heart. The two relax and watch the movie unfold on screen, Paul messaging Lucia's feet as they do so, all the while curious as to what news Charlie and Susan have for them.