"Can I get you anything else, hun? A coffee maybe?"

Katie jumped and the waitress smiled serenely at her, gesturing to the pot in her hands. She looked pointedly at the glass of tepid water Katie had been nursing for the past half hour. Katie's mouth watered as the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted her way. The invigorating scent settled the unease in her stomach and she almost agreed - if only to chase her away - but she remembered herself.

"Uh... orange juice?" She wanted to finish the order with just that, but her stomach decided to make itself known then. She flushed, reaching down to rest her hand over her belly. Her bad eating habits had to go if she was following through with this. She glanced over to the food display and quietly eliminated the ones with deli meats. "Maybe a cucumber sandwich too."

"Sure thing, sweetheart."

Her leg shook nervously beneath the table. She checked the time on her phone again; he was running late. She sighed and leaned back into her seat, her hand still over her belly. She wasn't too eager to eat - not since her stomach decided to empty itself whenever she fed it. Her mother had told her to avoid caffeine, raw fish and other items she'd been too fuzzy-brained to take note of.

She'd bought a book on impulse on her way to the diner. It was sitting on the display of the bookstore innocuously, but it felt like fate was mocking her. As much as her fingers itched to devour it right then and there, she securely stowed in her bag, away from prying eyes. Giving the diner a cursory glance, she dipped into her coat pocket and pulled out a small, square picture. Her thumb caressed over it's glossy edge, but spotting the waitress returning with her order from the corner of her eye, she quickly slipped it back into her pocket.

"Freshly squeezed orange juice and a cucumber sandwich," the waitress smiled as she set down the plate before her. With a wink, she slipped a chocolate muffin wrapped in a napkin to her side. "Don't be afraid to treat yourself once in a while, mama."

Katie blanched. She stared at the muffin and back up at her but she had already turned to the table behind her to serve new customers. She shakily reached for the juice and gave it a tentative sip. If a complete stranger could tell, what were the chances people who knew her could as well?

The citrus scent was welcoming, and her stomach didn't immediately recoil as she took a more generous gulp. Unconsciously, her hand drifted to her belly again just as the anxiousness in her heart returned with greater fervor. Katie took in a deep breath, reminding herself that the stress was no longer just going to affect her.

The bell over the front door jingled and she sat up straight. Upon seeing a random old man greeting the waitress, she slumped back into her seat with an annoyed sigh. Did he forget? She reached for her phone again and checked the time. He was nearing forty minutes late now. Usually, she would be the one who was late - but she was never this late. As she took another gulp of the juice, the door opened once more and she choked.

"Pidge! I'm so sorry! Allura needed some help with things and it took longer than I expected."

"It's fine," she replied primly. She reached for the napkins and hastily wiped the juice off her chin and the table, ignoring the sinking feeling in her heart at the mention of his girlfriend's name. He looked curiously at the food and slipped into the booth across her.

"Are you on some weird diet?"

Her eyes widened and she felt her heart stop. She might as well be wearing a sign on her head. "No," she sputtered, mentally cursing her immediate instinct to lie. There was a reason she brought him out here and as much as she wanted to chicken out now, he needed to know. Her mother's voice rang clear in her head in place of her conscience.

"There's no way around this Katie. You will have to tell him. It's his right to know."

"He's back together with Allura! It's the last thing he needs to hear."

"You've made your choice. Right now, it's not about you nor him. It's about the little one there."

She'd looked pointedly at her belly, as though to emphasize her point. But her mother was right; Lance had the right to know. She finally lifted her eyes to appraise him - he looked particularly excitable that morning.

"Actually...yes."

Lance was distracted with trying to get the waitress' attention but turned back to her with a wide, handsome smile. "What was that?" Her stomach flipped and she wasn't sure if it was the nausea she's had since waking that morning, or him. Either way, she pursed her lips and shook her head.

"Anyway, Pidge, I have something to-"

"Lance, I need to-"

They both paused and she looked up at him curiously. Lance tilted his head.

"You first."

"Nuh uh, you spoke first."

"You called me here first!"

"Well, I want to hear you first!"

"Pidge, just spit it out already."

His voice softened and his eyes were so gentle on her; his concern obvious. She didn't know why she was ever worried in the first place. It was not like Lance was the type of man to abandon a woman - least of all, his best friend. A glint caught her eye and she stared down at his hand. There, on his left ring finger, was a silver ring that she'd never seen before. Her heart froze over.

Lance flushed, noticing her stare and twisted the ring nervously. "It was what I needed to tell you today. Allura and I eloped over the weekend."

Her stomach churned and Katie locked her jaws, willing herself not to spew in front of him. She forced a smile, praying that she didn't look as weird as she felt, but hid a grimace into her glass as she took another sip of juice. It explained why all her calls didn't go through, he was busy getting hitched.

She realized too slowly that he was looking expectantly at her and perked up immediately to inject fake cheeriness into her voice. "Oh, um, congrats! I…I didn't expect that."

He laughed heartily at that and she averted her eyes before he could see them mist over. "Well, neither of us did! It really was a spur of the moment type of thing, y'know? We figured we had to be in love if we kept coming back to each other and we just really wanted it to work this time. And, well...bam." He lifted his hand to point at the ring.

"I'm happy for you guys," she offered, another strained smile on her lips; probably first of many to come.

Married? There was absolutely no quiznacking way she could tell him now.

Lance waved his hand dismissively and the glint of the ring made her sick to the stomach again. She hid her retch with a cough into a napkin. Unfortunately for her, it didn't escape his attention. "Are you okay? You look a little pale," his brows furrowed and before he could feel her forehead, she swatted his hand away.

"I'm fine!" she grumbled. She felt him hesitate across her, but seeing the dark expression on her face must've made him rethink asking her again.

"So...what was it that you wanted to tell me?"

Katie gulped and her grip on the glass tightened. Her other hand drifted to her pocket again and her thumb caressed over the glossy surface while she forced her brain to spit out a solution.

"I'm...moving." Perfect. It was the absolute truth and big enough news to warrant telling him.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, to live closer to my parents." He didn't need to know why; he had no place in her life anymore. He was building a new life - on a whole other planet, no less - with someone else.

"That's great! And I guess you need help with moving and all that? Hunk and I got you covered!"

Even if she did need help with moving, - which she didn't as most of her things were already in her new place - Lance would be the last person she would ask it from. Not when her mother had already dragged out her old cot from the basement and began picking out designs for the nursery.

Thinking of her mother set off the small, annoying voice in her head again, begging her to tell him. But before she could part her lips, he spoke again.

"And that makes the two of us then," he continued with a sheepish laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Allura wants us to move to Arus. She wants the official wedding to be on the same week as the opening of Altea City."

She knew she had gone too silent as the smile on Lance's face dropped. His hand slowly reached out - his right hand, mercifully enough - and rested over hers. "We'll visit often," he promised, his voice softening. "I'd miss my best friend and my whole family; I can't stay away too long!"

"Yeah," she forced a weak laugh, the ends of her smile struggling to keep up as her other hand moved discreetly out of her pocket to rest protectively over her belly. Her heart thudded in her chest and tears had begun to cloud her vision. She blinked them away quickly.

"We'll miss you."

Katie watched her mother rub her temples tiredly. Colleen sat heavily on the couch before her, resting her palms over her eyes.

"I still think you should tell him," she sighed finally. "But I understand why you'd hesitate now."

Katie shifted uncomfortably before her mother. "Are you...mad at me?" she asked, feeling oddly childish in asking something like that. Her mother had always been proud of her and her accomplishments. Even her biggest 'blunder' - sneaking into the Garrison after running away from home - didn't earn her disappointment. At most, she'd been frightened she'd lost another family member (grounded her for a year when she was far too old to be grounded) but she'd never expressed disappointment.

"Mad? No, of course not." She lifted her head to give her a sad smile. "I just...I just wish things were easier for you. It's not easy being a single mother, especially when you're so young." She stood up and headed towards the kitchen. " Not that it'd be hard. You have me, your father and I suppose Matt as well, to help you," she called from the other room. Katie heard her rummaging around the cupboards and finally return with a bottle of pills in her hands. "Here, I forgot to hand you these the other day. They're prenatal supplements."

Katie quietly inspected the bottle in her hands as her mother sat back down. She didn't even think of something like this; she needed her mother a lot more than she anticipated. Her eyes flicked upstairs where she heard the shower turn on. Her father was at work and her brother was in the shower. Nevertheless, she dropped her voice. "I...kind of don't want to tell Dad and Matt who the father is."

Her father had took the news of her pregnancy as she had anticipated; worried for her, tense but all in all, calmly acceptive of the situation. Her brother, on the other hand, demanded to know the exact coordinates of the baby's father to which she'd meekly responded she'd been too drunk to remember. Matt didn't buy it at all. She had good reasons to want to keep him a secret - the both of them could walk into Lance at any time in the Garrison or during Coalition meetings. She didn't even want to think of the kind of confrontations that can arise from that. Her eyes cautiously looked over to her mother to gauge her reaction. Her lips had pressed into a thin line - not a good sign.

"Sweetheart, the worst thing your father can do is leave the room in a huff. If Lance is supposed to be afraid of anyone it's your brother and me ." Her mother sighed and leaned back against her seat. "But you should tell your brother soon. While he's still here, at least." Her mother ran a hand through her short hair. With a slight ache in her heart, Katie noted the streaks of grey between her mother's brown locks.

"I don't think I can tell Matt especially- "

"Tell me what?"

She froze as Matt descended down the stairs, a towel slung over his shoulder and his long hair wet. Seeing him out of his rebel gear and in an oldStar Wars shirt and sweatpants was strangely jarring.

"Tell me what Pidge?" The crease between his brows deepened and she gulped. Her mother gave her a look that told her she was on her own for this one. Matt, someone she'd known as her infinitely patient big brother, was clearly not that man he usually was at that moment.

"So... you do know the father?" The edge in his voice told her that he already suspected who it was, and probably did for a long time. "How long were you going to keep it from me?"

"It's not important."

"Pidge, this moron impregnated you and left you to fend for yourself."

"'Fend for myself-' Quiznack ! I'm not a helpless damsel Matt!"

"Enough! The both of you," her mother sighed, moving to stand between them. "Katie doesn't need the stress and again, the most important thing we need to consider is the little one's well-being." She turned to her son, her arms crossed while she gave him a pointed look. "That means no intimidation tactics nor irresponsible use of the Coalition's resources to stalk the father and," she turned to her sternly. "No secrets kept within the family. This family."

Matt kept his gaze on her and she shifted uncomfortably. She'd never seen her brother this angry before. Her mother tilted her head forward, giving her an encouraging nod.

"It's...Lance."

Matt closed his eyes and took in a heavy breath as though to calm himself. For several moments, he was so silent that Katie almost wished he'd yell instead.

"I'm not attending that asshole's wedding," he mumbled, tugging his towel off his shoulders to dry his hair.

"Matt, you have to!"

"No, I don't have to. Do you honestly think I'm going to shake the hand of my future niece or nephew's father and not want to pummel him for abandoning my baby sister?"

"I'm not a baby, Matt. I'm literally carrying one. And he can't abandon me when doesn't know. It's not his fault! And need I remind you, it takes two to-"

Matt winced and waved a hand dismissively. "I do not want to hear anymore about that . But Pidge, how the hell do you not see how fucked up this is?! You're willingly watching the father of your kid marry another woman?"

She bit her lip and hugged herself. Obviously, she didn't enjoy it. The thought alone literally made her puke. But she didn't have a choice on the matter. It'd bring more attention to herself if she refused to go and the last thing she wanted was more attention.

"He's still my best friend-"

"Oh for fuck's sake -" Matt pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm definitely not going."

She rolled her eyes. "You have a seat in the Coalition's Council, you can't miss it." She shakily seated herself back on the couch, feeling her knees go weak. Matt's lips parted for a rebuke, but seeing her tired form must have made him rethink it.

"I'm not going," he repeated firmly, resolute in his tone. He wrung his towel in a way that she hoped he wasn't imagining Lance's neck, and made his way back up the stairs.

The day of his wedding marked the end of her first trimester.

As promised, her brother didn't make an appearance, citing a small (imagined) conflict in the outer regions of the galaxies that needed to be resolved. Her parents attempted talking her out of attending, but it was to no avail. It'd be far too glaring if one of the paladins was missing and she'd already promised Lance that she'd be one of his groomswoman.

"C'mon Pidge! You won't get food like this back on Earth!" Hunk dropped off a plate piled high with unfamiliar alien cuisine. If her senses weren't completely out of tune and her palate not entirely reprogrammed to accept only citrus and peanut butter flavoured foods, she would have happily taken an experimental bite.

"I...Um, I feel a little nauseous. Probably the nunvil Coran made."

"Uh oh, want me to-"

"No, no. I don't need anything. I'll say goodbye and turn in early."

She felt Hunk's concerned gaze on her back as she made her way to the small crowd that had gathered around to congratulate the newly weds.

Her nausea had escalated throughout the ceremony - through the loving gazes the couple gave each other, through their vows and finally their first kiss. Altean customs were followed next and beyond the exchange of juniberry garlands and the handing of Balmeran crystals, Katie's mind had been too fuzzy to pay attention to any of it. As soon as the couple made their way back down the aisle, she'd discretely slipped away and bolted to the lavatories.

"Pidge!"

Lance pushed past curious guests to watch the newly-crowned King of Neo-Altea scoop her up into his arms. She squeaked, feeling him squeeze her tightly to his chest. "You ran off after the ceremony. Are you okay?"

Somehow in all the fanfare, he'd noticed she had gone missing. He set her down gently, but his arms still firm around her. She was grateful for that, her feet were already angled towards the nearest exit. Katie bit her lip, wary of the eyes on them. She looked up, taking in the polished silver crown in his hair, Balmeran crystals glinting in the dim lights of the hall. Her eyes dropped to meet his and her heart throbbed painfully and her chest constricted.

She looked over to Allura - Lance's wife - and looked on as she dazzled wedding guests with her wit and practiced, regal charm. She quickly averted her gaze to her heels. They pinched at her ankles and she'd wanted nothing more but to fling them into space and run away screaming.

"Pidge?" his soft voice broke her thoughts and she blinked.

"Oh, sorry. I'm just...a little dizzy. I think I might call it a day."

She was telling the truth too. The mere thought of getting back on her ship made her stomach turn. If she'd known pregnancy would give her motion sickness she didn't have before, she would have sworn into nunhood.

Above her, she was sure Lance was frowning. "Should I get someone to-"

"No, please. I came on my own jet. I'll be fine."

She lifted her head and met his gaze with forced confidence, giving him a wide smile. Lance's worried frown didn't ease, but she knew he relented when his shoulders slumped. He pulled her into another hug. "Take care of yourself, okay?" he murmured into her hair. Her eyes flooded with tears and she squeezed her eyes shut. She wanted to hate him so badly; it would have made not telling him a great deal easier.

"You too," she whispered into his shoulder, feeling guilt for any feelings of animosity she held for him. He deserved none of it. "I'm happy for you, Lance. I'll miss you so much."

Lance chuckled and ruffled her hair lightly. "Why are you making it sound like we're not going to see each other anymore? When I get back, I'mtotally going to destroy your high score on Killbot."

She laughed weakly in response, a tear escaping her eyes and sliding down her cheek. She hastily wiped it off. As soon as his arms loosened, Katie turned on her heel and disappeared into the crowd of well-wishers.

She couldn't fly her shiny new jet at break-neck speeds with her condition. After sending in her coordinates to the Garrison's teleduv, Katie curled up in her seat . Her mother was waiting for on the other end, ready to comfort her, she was sure. As she waited for the familiar blue ring to materialize before her, Katie rummaged through her coat, finding the ultrasound picture once more.

Her hand caressed her still-flat belly and she allowed her tears to fall. She let the emotions she bottled up all these weeks flow freely, sobbing onto her console. It hurt. Everything hurt. None of it felt fair and she had no one but her own cowardice to blame.

After what felt like hours (in reality, was about fifteen minutes), her screen lit with a notification. Earth base had received her coordinates. She'll get a portal back home in five minutes.

"Hey little one," Katie sniffled, speaking down to her belly. "I'm sorry I couldn't give you a daddy." She brushed her tears away resolutely. "I...I don't know how to be a mom...but I promise I'll try my absolute best." She looked to the ultrasound again - one that she had wanted to hand off to Lance that day in the diner - and her thumb tenderly caressed over the blurred, white spot.

"Guess it's just you and me Peanut."

A/N: Penny for your thoughts?