Chapter 3: Changing With the Times

Atem had never been happier as he got used to his new life as an average teen. But he did notice after about a month later, he noticed subtle changes in Hali's mood. Small things would tick her off, which was not usual. He thought back on this as he was hanging out with the guys. "Earth to the Pharaoh!" Joey snapped his fingers in front of Atem's face and he blinked. "You there?" Joey grinned as Atem blinked and focused on him.

"Sorry, just thinking. What were you saying?" Atem replied meeting his gaze.

"Are your thoughts about a certain brunette you've been hanging out with a lot lately?" Joey guessed, sharing a smirk with Yugi and Tristan.

Atem blushed, which Joey pounced on. "What is it?" he demanded. "Come on, kiss and tell ol' Joey."

"It's nothing. It's just…She's been acting a little strange lately and I have no clue what's going on."

Joey and Triistan exchanged knowing looks. Then Tristan asked, "Have you guys done it yet?"

"Excuse me? Done what?" Atem asked blankly.

"You know, slept together not in a brotherly way." Tristan's eyes sparked with mischief at these words.

"I'm not going to tell you that." Atem shook his head at once, his hackles raised.

"Aw, come on. We're just trying to help you figure out what's wrong. It might be connected. If you have, well maybe she's got a bun in the oven."

Atem's eyes widened, needing no translation for that euphemism. "You mean she's pregnant?" he asked quietly.

"Women act even stranger when they are, it makes perfect sense if you guys did take that step. And since she isn't exactly from this time and they had their own ways, she probably doesn't even know yet."

"We never had kids back then, so maybe not. What?" Atem raised an eyebrow at the guilty looks on the other three guys' faces.

"Talking about me behind my back?" Hali snapped from behind Atem, sending a sense of dread shivering down his spine. "I thought you were better than that."

"See ya, Atem." Joey shot out of his seat and led the guys out of the room.

"Let me explain, Hali." Atem held up his hands as she walked around to face him., trying to diffuse her mood.

"Why were you talking about me? I thought we were…dating." Hali still wasn't sure about modern customs.

"Hali, sit. We need to talk." Atem gestured to the chair Joey had vacated.

A hurt look crossed her face. "You are breaking up with me? Tea told me that was what they called ending a courtship."

Atem lowered his head, trying not to laugh and make it worse. "No, Hali. I've never been happier with my current life. I think something is going on with you. Do you agree?"

Hali bit her lip, something she picked up from Hailey. "I seem tired all the time and I feel like I am going to throw up, too. I just want to throw out your cologne so you will stop wearing it because it makes me sick all over again just hugging you. That is probably why I have been taking it out on you. I am so sorry, please forgive me, my King."

Atem wanted to hug her so badly he had to use all his strength to not, since her confession. "I'll wash and stop using it. But do you know what that sounds like?" he asked, cupping her chin with his hand, lifting it so she had to look at him.

"No, what is it?" Hali asked softly.

"It sounds like you're having a baby. Would you be willing to try the way we find out in this time? It's a lot easier and faster than the old method, I hear."

Hali smiled weakly. "You would be okay with my having your baby?"

"Hey, pharaohs were all about breeding for the next line of his dynasty. I've always wanted kids and now that I've found my memories and my love for you, I would have as many as you are willing to have." Atem smiled at his joke.

Hali giggled a little at that, blushing. "Let us work on the one before we talk dynasties."

"David, Ali, and Grandpa won't be happy. It's big del when teens our age have a baby. But there's nothing they can do to stop us from having it if there really is one." Atem took out his cell phone and dialed a number.

"Who are you calling?" Hali asked, having recognized what he was doing from seeing it with the others.

"Calling Hailey." Atem whispered. Then he heard an answer and said, "Hailey, it's Atem. Could you get a pregnancy test?" Atem rolled his eyes at the response. "No, I'm not pregnant. We think Hali might be…Yeah, yeah, it would have helped me put on weight. Will you get it?"

After Atem hung up, he smiled at Hali. "She'll be over with it."

Hali was a little nervous. "It does not hurt, does it?"

"No, it's painless." Atem assured her.

Hailey arrived a few minutes later with a paper bag. "Do you need help with this?" she asked, holding up the bag.

"Is it that hard?" Hali asked, eyeing the bag nervously.

"No, but you'll need me to help you interpret the results. Come on, let's get this done so you know the results."

Hailey and Hali went into the bathroom and Atem paced nervously. Grandpa entered the room and spotted him. "What's wrong, Atem? You're wearing a hole in the carpet."

"Grandpa, I need your help." Atem led him into the kitchen and sat down on the chair at the table.

"Okay, you know you can tell me anything." Grandpa sat across from him at the table. "What's wrong?"

"I think I got Hali pregnant." Atem met his eyes, his fear showing through.

Grandpa took a moment to process this. "What are you thinking?" he asked softly.

"I feel like I messed up our lives. I've heard the horror stories about pregnant teens that have to drop out of school. I don't want that for her. She deserves to have a life without this weighing her down."

"But Atem, those teens didn't have a support system to help with the raising of the baby. You will have me at least. I will do everything in my power to make sure neither of you have to drop out of school."

"I need to get out of here. Can you tell Hali I'm sorry?" Atem stood up.

"Where are you going?" Grandpa asked, startled.

"I just need to think." Atem muttered, heading for the front door.


After she found out the results, Hali realized Atem had left the house. "Where did he go?" she asked Grandpa when he appeared in the doorway.

"He needed to think. Don't worry, he'll be back." Grandpa assured him.

Hailey sighed. "I need to make a call. There's only one person that can get him out of this mood."

Atem sat on the pier's edge, his boots dangling over the water. He sighed, lost in thought. "You need company?" a Brooklyn-accented voice asked behind him.

Without looking back, Atem replied, "No offense, Joey, but I want to be alone."

"Yeah, I get it." Joey ignored his request and sat down beside him on the pier. "You remembering the last time we were here?" he asked, glancing at Atem.

Atem sighed. "Are you trying to make me feel better? You're doing a great job of it." He replied sarcastically.

"I'm just trying to point out something. Remember that you did everything you could to bring me back from Marik's clutches." Joey reminded him, staring out at the water.

"That was Yugi. He was the one who fought for you. I was just the one who did everything he could to win." Atem sounded bitter.

"Yeah, that's right. You will do anything to save someone. You fight for anyone as long as it's the right thing to do."

Atem sighed again, too downtrodden to follow the train of thought. "What is your point?"

"That is a great trait for a father, you know. And I know what makes a great father since I had a crappy one." It was Joey's turn to sound bitter.

"You really think I'm going to be a good father?" Atem finally looked at him, a small smile on his face.

"Absolutely. You fight for what's right. It's the best thing about you, Atem. You will fight for your son or daughter in any situation. You will be their biggest advocate."

Atem lowered his head, hiding a smile. "Did she ever find out whether she's pregnant?"

"Yeah, she's pregnant all right. Congratulations, man. Now go make it up to her. She's sick as a dog and can't stop crying because she's afraid of how you're reacting." Joey pointed out. He got to his feet and held out a hand.

Atem took his hand and got to his feet. They headed back to the Game Shop where Hailey was waiting for them, an angry set to her mouth. "Where have you been?" she demanded.

Atem looked sheepish. "I was freaking out a little about ruining her life. Where is she?"

"Upstairs in the spare room. You better do the best sweet talking of your life, Atem. She's very upset."

Atem sighed and headed upstairs to the spare bedroom. He knocked and heard Hali reply, "Who is it?"

"Atem, I want to talk to you." Atem sighed.

"I am not opening the door. You have five minutes to explain yourself, Atem."

"Hali, I've heard stories of teens whose lives were ruined by a baby. I was afraid that the baby would be the damper on the flight path of your life. I didn't want to be the cause of it. I'm sorry I handled it so badly. Are you still listening?" Atem hadn't heard anything, so he wasn't sure.

"I'm listening." Atem was startled to hear her voice whisper just on the other side of the door.

Atem leaned gainst the door frame. "I love you, Hali. I want a life with you; a family. I was just freaking out about how soon it was. It had nothing to do with my desire to raise this baby with you. Grandpa says that he'll help us. He will make sure that we can stay in school. Just please let me see those beautiful eyes."

The door finally opened to his relief and Hali flung herself at him, hugging and crying on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry," she whispered through the tears.

Atem ran his hands through her hair. "It's the hormones, I'm going to have to get used to them."

Hali pulled back slightly, her brilliant green eyes finding his. "I love you, too, Atem."

Atem lowered his mouth to hers in a tender kiss. He stopped after a few seconds and pulled back, frowning. "I just thought of something…"

"What?" Hali asked, frowning.

"We'll have to tell David and Ali. Since you're staying with them, they're bound to notice when you start showing."

Hali sighed. "You are right."


Atem and Hali arrived at David and Ali's house and Atem knocked. Ali answered the door and smiled when she saw who it was. "Atem, Hali. Come on in. What brings you by?"

"We have something to tell you. It's kind of important." Atem explained as they entered the house.

"Sounds serious. Sit on the couch. Do you want something to eat?" Ali asked, nodding to the kitchen.

Hali's stomach rolled and she ran for the bathroom. Ali raised an eyebrow. "That's what we wanted to talk to you about."

"She's pregnant?" Ali guessed. Atem stared, open-mouthed. "I assumed that with how close you were that sex was bound to come up. Well, I don't know about David, but I will help you any way you can. It's very important to have a support system."

Atem nodded. "How am I going to tell David?" he wondered, horrified.

"Let me handle that. You take care of Hali. By the way, I have a question." Ali tilted her head to the side.

"What is it?" Atem asked, dread a lead weight in his stomach.

"What are your plans for the future now that she's pregnant?" Ali asked, giving him a stern look.

"I haven't had the chance to consider that. I would love to make it permanent. Ever since I found my memories and discovered that I loved her, I have felt that she is the one. But can teens get married?"

"If their guardians gave permission, yes. And if it meant having two parents that were together and focused on each other and the baby, I would do it in a heartbeat. I have every respect for you, Atem. Hailey and Luna explained your situation."

Atem smiled. "Well, I'll have to go get a ring, then."

"I think I can help with that." Ali went to her purse and took out her checkbook and a pen. She turned to a blank check and wrote it out. She handed it over to him. "If this isn't enough, I'll be happy to give you more."

Atem's eyes widened at the amount the check was written for. "This is very generous, Ali."

"No problem. Just do one favor." Ali replaced the checkbook before turning back to him. "Let her pick out the ring. Since you don't have experience with it, let her pick it so she's not disappointed."

"I will do that, thanks." Atem glanced up as Hali returned, looking pale. "You okay, Hali?"

"I will be. You ready to go?" Hali asked.

"Of course." Atem stood and Hali hugged Ali. They left the house. "Care to make a stop before we head home?" he asked, glancing at her as he drove.

"I guess. My stomach is still…not right." Hali's lip quivered as if she was about to cry.

"Hey, I'm here for you, okay? You don't have to be strong for me." Atem touched her cheek and she leaned her head against his hand.

Hali took a deep breath. "Okay, let's go."

Atem drove them to a bank and disappeared inside. He returned, tucking the money in his pocket. He then drove to a jewelry shop. "What is this place?" she asked, staring at the shop window.

"You'll see. Follow me." Atem got out of the car and Hali did as well, following him.

A well-dressed man stood behind the counter and smiled warmly at the couple. "May I help you?"

"Yes, I was wanting to surprise my girlfriend with one of your pieces but I wanted her to pick it out." Atem explained quietly as Hali wandered over to a display case across the room.

"Ah, she doesn't know she's getting jewelry?" the man asked, a knowing smile on his face.

"Yes, I want you to show her engagement rings. No price too much." Atem requested and the man nodded. Atem headed over to Hali and touched her arm. "You see anything you like?"

Hali looked up at him, a look reminiscent of a child in a candy store. "These times are more obsessed with gold than we were."

Atem chuckled. "Pick anything you like that he shows you, okay? I will buy you anything you want."

Hali wandered over to the counter where the man stood, Atem following. The man had already taken out a velvet display of rings. "See anything you like?" he asked.

Hali studied the rings, her hand hovering over one in particular. It had a row of emeralds surrounding a large diamond. It had a gold band. "Oh my…"

"Does the lady like it?" the man asked, chuckling. Hali nodded, unable to speak. "Shall I check the size and ring it up for you?" he asked Atem.

"If that's the one she wants, yes." Atem smiled down at Hali. "Do you want it?"

"It's beautiful." Hali smiled.

"Hold out your hand and I will check the size for you to make sure I don't need to resize it." The man took the ring out of its slot as she held out her hand. He slid the ring on her finger. "Ah, perfect fit."

Atem paid for the ring and they left. Atem dropped Hali off at David and Ali's house, taking the ring with him. "I want to keep it." Hali whined, unwilling to part with it.

"Trust me, you'll get to have it soon." Atem replied with a chuckle. He gave her pouty lips a kiss. "I'll see you later."

Atem drove to the shop where Grandpa and Yugi were tending to the shop. "Hey, how did it go with Hali?" Yugi asked. "Grandpa told me."

"She is pregnant and I'm planning to marry her if she is willing." Atem set the ring box on the counter. "Ali helped me buy a ring for her."

Yugi opened the ring box and gasped in surprise. "That must have cost a fortune." He breathed.

"Ali gave me enough and it's the one Hali wanted. I just need to decide how to ask her. Any ideas?"

Yugi got a huge smile on his face. "I may have one that will work."


Hali arrived at the Game Shop that evening to discover the lights out except for a flickering light in the window. "What is going on?" she asked as she entered. Candles were strategically placed around the living room.

Atem appeared in the candlelight, wearing the Ancient Egyptian tunic he had arrived in. "Hali? I have an important question to ask you."

"Oh? What is it?" Hali placed a hand on his waist.

"Wait, I want to do it in the tradition of this time since we live here now." Atem lowered himself onto one knee and pulled out the ring box. "Hali, will you marry me?" he asked, gazing up at her.

"I am confused." Hali frowned.

"See, in this time when a man decides that a woman is the wife he wants, he does this and shows the ring. The one you chose." Atem smiled.

Hali smiled and knelt before him. "My King, I would be honored to be your queen again. This lifetime and any other lifetime we have together."

"Then you can have the ring back." Atem took her hand gently and slipped the ring on, kissing her knuckles. "I guess we have a wedding to plan, then."

"You might want to do it before she starts showing if you want to keep it a secret." A voice pointed out from the door.

Atem looked over and saw Yugi and Grandpa in the doorway, watching. "The only thing I don't want to keep a secret is how much I love this woman."

Hali blushed. "Right answer."

"Congratulations, Hali. Welcome to the family." Grandpa went over to Hali and helped her up before enveloping her in a hug. "My great-grandchild will be a great addition to the family."

"But I'm not really your grandson." Atem pointed out with a frown. He stood, hugging Grandpa as well.

"Since I first met you, you have become my grandson in every sense of the word. Family is not just blood. Do you consider your friends part of the family?" Grandpa raised an eyebrow.

"You're wise beyond your years, Grandpa." Atem chuckled.

"And let's not mention how many years it is normally, thank you." Grandpa headed back to the shop.

Atem chuckled and shook his head. "That man is really something."

"I agree. He does have lots of wisdom to give. Thoth would be proud." Hali smiled.

Atem chuckled again.