AN: So major apologies to encoder, for me calling him a girl instead of a man and for the wait. College was really kicking my ass for a bit, but now since I have my holiday (basically), I can get back to writing! Oh Joyous day! Thanks to Yaya-Yuki for beta-ing this chapter for me this time, to all who read this story and big hugs to everyone who reviewed. Your feed back is really invaluable. Hope you enjoy this chapter, and more will come soon!
Chapter 3
"Simpleton needs more chocolate! And ice cream! More chocolate and ice cream!" Beckett screamed as Artemis opened the door for them to enter the manor.
"I don't think you need anymore ice cream Simpleton…" Myles said calmly, as he eyed his younger twin up and down.
"Myles, it isn't nice of you to call your brother a simpleton. How many times must I tell you that?" Artemis lightly scolded as he took off his grey pea-coat and helped the gyrating Beckett remove his.
"But he is a simpleton! He even agrees! Isn't that right, Simpleton?" Myles cooed as took off his own coat, not needing any help.
"I am Simpleton!" Beckett declared, pointing a proud finger at himself and grinned brightly before running around the foyer making airplane noises.
"See? What did I tell you Artemis? He is Simpleton." Myles said almost haughtily before he dropped his coat and ran off to chase Beckett. Artemis sighed and hung their coats on the rack. Myles was going to have to learn soon that it wasn't nice to patronize people like that to their faces, even if they didn't understand. Beckett wasn't stupid, not in slightest. He just wasn't as smart as Myles.
"Now you guys, what have I told you about running around the house when my favorite television show is on, huh?" Juliet said as she came into view beside the white-painted grand oak stairway.
"Julie!!!" Beckett and Myles yelped in unison, and ran to hug her knees. She bent over and hugged them both, kissing them gently on their foreheads.
"Did you two have good day at the museum?"
"It was splendid! We learned about the natural history of Ireland's geography, then, Artemis took us to an exhibit that showcased the Irish History form the 16th century to now! They had a picture of our house there too!" Myles replied to Juliet, obviously excited to re-counted his day to her and show what new things he's learnt.
"And Simpleton ate dirt!" Beckett said just as excitedly.
Juliet arched a thin blonde brow at Artemis, but smiled warmly at Beckett and ruffled his hair a bit.
"That's peachy, Beckett. Just wonderful. Now you two can tell me all about your day with your big brother right after you go eat a snack with your mum, okay? She's just dying to see you two!"
"Okay!" the two said in unison once more. Myles trotted off towards the kitchen while Beckett took time to mount his invisible horse and galloped his way there, yelling 'Getty up, boy! Getty up!' all the way.
"He ate dirt?" She asked Artemis once the boys were down the hall.
"That accusation is false. I had him on a leash the entire time. It would have been impossible for him to get a hold of dirt." He replied.
"Well at least that's better than last time you took him out." Juliet sighed. Artemis loved his little brothers, but he had the hardest time watching over Beckett. The last time he had taken him out, Beckett had managed to get his body behind the counter of the zoo's consecutions stand, steal a pocket full of coffee bean and ketchup and then lock himself in the car for an hour. Naturally, Juliet didn't tell Angeline. The poor women would die of shook.
"Juliet, nothing could have happen, honestly. Anyway, I'm off to the study now. I'm forwarding all calls from my mobile to the house line, so if any calls come in, please tell them to leave a message." Artemis said as he started to ascent the staircase.
"Artemis, can I have a moment please? Like now?" Her voice was stern and her once soft face had a hard line across her forehead. She wasn't going to take no for an answer.
"Juliet, we were no where near dirt. If he ate dirt, then he must have done it here, before we left. I watched him the whole time."
Juliet just rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Beckett eating dirt is fine. All kids do it. But that's not what I need to talk to you about. Something serious has come up with Minerva. I just needed to warn you not to freak out or lose your demeanor when you talk to her, okay?"
It was Artemis's turn to raise an eye brow at her. Him? Artemis Fowl the II 'freak out'? No, that didn't happen. He had only been at a loss of words twice in his life. He had a crazy sociopathic pixie chase after him, battled demons in a foreign time realm, raised two of his beloved friends from death, and had even become sort of an icon in the fairy world. And she was afraid that he was going to 'freak out' over something? He could hardly suppress his chuckle.
"I'm sure whatever the problem is, things will work themselves out over time for her. Minerva is an incredible woman, and I full believe in her abilities of problem solving. I'm sure that whatever the problem was, that she has already resolved it or has worked out a plane."
"Somehow, I don't think she can…resolve her problem so easily. It's more of a medical issue." She muttered as she looked down at her feet.
"Medical? Juliet, is she okay?"
"She's okay…ish." Juliet replied, with a nervous look on her face.
"Ish? Don't be oblique with me, not now."
"She's okay, but at the same time not okay. You know how that's like. Like…Geez, I told you all that I could tell you okay? Now, just go and call her and don't freak out! I have a T.V show to get back too…" she finally shouted out and throw her hands up in the air as she turned on her heels and headed back towards the family room, muttering incomprehensible curse under her breath.
Her frustration was nothing less than an odd site. Normally, when Juliet mentioned Minerva, her voice was filled malice and sarcasm. Yet, today, Juliet seemed too eager to have him call Minerva. Her tone was almost…caring. It was nothing short of odd indeed.
Nap time was for lazy people who have no ambition and little purpose in their lives, and it was the perfect time of day for Minerva. Now that she was going to be a mommy, all her hopes and dreams of becoming the youngest female to receive a Nobel Prize were thrown out along side her positive pregnancy test strips. No, now the genius Minerva would get to revel in the sweet luxury of day-time sleep. She was just about to sink underneath her cover when, her phone came to life beside her. Her first thought was to pick up the phone throw it across the room, but she thought better of it and check the caller ID. It read: Fowl, Artemis. So he decided to call after all. She punched the talk button hard and spoke into the receiver with a harsh tone.
"You, Fowl, have the most impeccable timing known to man, you know? Here I am, getting ready for a nice deserved nap, when you finally decided to call me."
"Minerva, I've just stepped back in from a day with the twins at the-"
"You could have called me earlier then!" She bit back quickly, much unlike herself.
"I've been busy, you know that. I'm on the verge of discovering the wizard world. My research is too important to stop. If I do, I might just miss a window of opportunity."
"Whatever then." She muttered, not really caring about his research at the moment.
"Juliet said that I should call you, which was most unusual to hear. Is there something wrong?"
"Well, yes and no." Minerva sighed heavily into the phone and grunted some. She hadn't a clue on how to begin.
"Minerva, don't be as cryptic with me as Juliet was. What's going on?"
"I'm pregnant." She said quickly, and soon began to feel sick with her turning stomach. She waited for his response.
"Well?" Artemis answered after a few moments. Minerva's annoyance quickly turned to anger. She had just told him that she was pregnant and all he could say was 'Well?'
"Seriously, Artemis. All you can say is 'well'?!"
"I was waiting for you to tell me what you were pregnant with? Happiness, sadness, some cyborg, a lad you met and implanted into your uterine wall?"
"Try your offspring."
"What?"
"That's exactly what I said."
"Are you sure?
"I've conducted 178 pregnancy tests, and only three were negative, so yes, I'm sure."
"There is still always the possibility of error."
"I have never missed my period then before."
There was a long pause over the line as Minerva awaited a response from Artemis.
"Well then, Minerva your supposed pregnancy trumps my witch hunt. I'll just have to see things for myself. We'll see you in about two hours."
And then he hung up the phone and sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Juliet?" He said just loud enough for her to hear from the family room. "Fire up the Lear will you? We need to make a quick jump to France."
AN: Okay, so this one was longer....PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!!! and maybe this time i'll give you a cup of tea : )
