Thank you for reviews and follows. I am really glad that everyone is enjoying the story so far. I have pretty much finished it except for the epilogue, so I should be able to post pretty quickly.
Paulina Ann and Guest – Thank you. I do think Keith would react something like that if faced with this situation. He would immediately go into problem solving mode, which led to Allura's frustration. And come on, it's Koran and Nanny. How do you think they will react?
Shoopdan – Do Koran and Nanny know? Was there evidence from their escapade in Dradin? Hmmmm…. some things to think about. Hopefully, you will get some answers about Baby Kogane in the meantime from this next chapter.
FroofyB- You have some really good questions and predictions. Things will be revealed in time. Here is the next chapter to satisfy some of your wonderings!
Limetwist - *Sigh* I know, right?
cubbieBlueMako – I had to run to the bathroom when I read your review. No, I don't think Keith loves Allura more than Allura loves him. Some of Allura's reaction could be hormones. But I think her frustration came from the fact that he pulled a typical Keith; he immediately went into commander, problem-solving mode while she agonized over the news for hours. She wanted to make him see the reality that they were going to have a baby and that it wasn't going to be an easy problem they could just fix. Thank you! I really liked the last part of that chapter/ Keith's inner monologue too.
animebookchic – Wait! That's all I can say, but thanks so much for enjoying and reviewing.
Again, this is rated M for adult themes and topics. Some of what this fic entails involves things of a sensitive nature. Please be warned and proceed at your own risk. By the way, I am not a doctor. Knowledge for this chapter came from my own experience and a little bit of help from the internet. Don't judge!
Disclaimer: Voltron and its characters and locations are property of WEP. I make no claim to them. The story is mine.
Chapter 4
Greeting the nurse with a "good morning," Allura sat anxiously in Dr. Gorma's waiting room. She told the team in Castle Control prior to Lion Practice that she wasn't feeling well. Keith had nonchalantly insisted that she should rest and maybe go see Dr. Gorma. The rest of the team had quickly agreed. Nanny had offered to come with her, but Allura had waved her off, insisting she was fine. Now it was almost nine o'clock, and it was time to face Dr. Gorma. Keith would be joining her as soon as he had finished his debriefing with the team. Allura looked up suddenly at the sound of the door opening.
"Good morning, Highness," greeted Dr. John Gorma. Allura had known the doctor her whole life. He had been the Royal physician since before the princess was born. He loved her like a daughter and looked at her with concern coloring his face. Allura gulped as she tried to predict his reaction to her news.
"Morning, Dr. Gorma," Allura replied as she followed him into the examination room. Gingerly, she raised herself up to sit on the exam table.
"What brings you here this morning, your Highness?" Dr. Gorma looked at the princess over the rims of his glasses. Crossing his arms, he laid one hand against his chin.
Deciding to face the issue head on, Allura took a deep breath and admitted, "I think I'm pregnant, Dr. Gorma."
Silence answered Allura. Dr. Gorma's eyes widened slightly. "You…you…you think you're pregnant?" he stammered, shock apparent in his voice.
"Yes," she responded quietly, casting her eyes down. "I have taken four pregnancy tests, and they have all come back positive."
Dr. Gorma composed his face and became all business. "Well, then, let me gather some information," he said matter-of-factly. Allura heard no judgment in his voice. "When was the first day of your last menses?"
Allura's face flamed red. "December 8," she answered.
"Uh-huh," the doctor said. "That puts you at about six weeks. We will do an ultrasound to confirm and to check and make sure everything is ok. Princess, I need you to remove everything from the waist down. We will need to do an internal ultrasound since you are not very far along."
"Wait," Allura interrupted. "I want Keith to be here." Allura watched the doctor as she admitted who the potential father was.
Understanding flashed in the doctor's eyes. He had always suspected that there was something between the princess and the commander, but was a little surprised that they were involved in an intimate relationship. He never thought Keith would actively pursue anything with the princess. Keeping his thoughts to himself, he simply nodded his head and waited for her to continue.
"He should be in the waiting room."
Dr. Gorma left the room so Allura could change. He walked to the waiting room to retrieve Keith. Opening the door, he saw the commander sitting nervously in one of the plastic chairs, an open book in his hands. He looked up when he heard the door open. The doctor looked at the nurse on duty and asked her to retrieve some medical supplies from the other room. When the nurse left the room, Dr. Gorma motioned for Keith to enter the exam room. "Commander," he said simply.
"Thanks," Keith replied. As he entered the exam room, his dark eyes found Allura sitting on the exam table, her feet swinging absent-mindedly with a blanket draped across her lap. Her eyes snapped up to his and she greeted him with a small smile.
Dr. Gorma glanced at Keith. "We are going to do an internal ultrasound, since the princess is not very far along. I figure she is around six weeks. What we are looking for is a gestational sac. We may or may not hear a heartbeat. Princess, I need you to place your legs in these stirrups and slide down to the edge of the table." He paused. "Do you want the commander to leave for this?"
Keith looked stricken. Allura chortled. "It's not like it's anything he hasn't seen before," she quipped. Seeing Dr. Gorma frown slightly, she sobered. "No, I want him to stay. This is as much his baby as it is mine."
"Uh-huh," was the only reply that came from Dr. Gorma. Keith walked around to stand near Allura's head while the princess shifted on the exam table as Dr. Gorma had directed. Placing her feet on the stirrups, Allura flushed slightly as she watched the doctor place gel on the internal ultrasound probe. "Now relax," the doctor instructed. "I will insert this into the vaginal opening and we will be able to see what's going on in your womb."
Allura lay back on the table as the doctor inserted the ultrasound wand. She shivered at the iciness of the gel. Looking at Keith, she reached for his hand. He entwined his fingers with hers and flashed a tender smile.
Dr. Gorma's eyes studied the view screen for several minutes. "Congratulations, Princess, Commander, you are indeed going to have a baby," the doctor stated emphatically. Sharing a small smile, Keith and Allura turned to stare at the grainy, grey picture on the screen. They weren't sure what they were looking at. "That thing that looks like a bubble is the gestational sac. Inside you will see something that looks like a comma; that's your baby." He drew an arrow on the screen so that Keith and Allura knew where to look. "And that fluttering inside? That's your baby's heartbeat." A rapid thumping sound filled the exam room as Dr. Gorma turned on the speakers to amplify the quick heartbeat.
Tears filled Allura's eyes, not from fear or regret, but from happiness. "That's our baby," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. She reached out to embrace Keith.
Keith leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her forehead before he touched his head to hers. "It is," he concurred.
Smiling, Dr. Gorma stood back and watched the young couple come to terms with the official news. He saw nothing but love between the princess and commander. Clearing his throat quietly, he regretted having to interrupt their private moment. Two sets of eyes flitted over to where the doctor stood. "Commander, why don't you come with me to my office? Princess, get dressed and then join us. It seems we have much to discuss."
VVVVVVV
An hour later, Keith and Allura walked slowly out of MedBay. Their heads were swimming with all the information Dr. Gorma laid out for them: trimesters, doctor's appointments, prenatal vitamins. Allura clutched a small brown sack in her arms. Inside it was the book, What to Expect When You're Expecting, chocked full of information for the expectant parents. The sack also contained some prenatal vitamins that the princess was to begin taking immediately and a list of things to look out for and be aware of. He insisted that he be called if anything came up. Neither Keith nor Allura noticed the curious glances that came their way from various castle staff as the princess and commander walked together, their heads bent closely as they discussed the new information they had been given.
Allura was six weeks along. She had just begun experiencing morning sickness, which would continue for several more weeks. Though she wasn't showing yet, Dr. Gorma warned her that she would begin showing by the beginning of the second trimester. He calculated her due date as mid-September. He also warned Allura to try and avoid unnecessary stress. It wouldn't be good for her or the baby. Keith sighed as he thought about how they could make telling Koran and Nanny as stress-free as possible. That was one of the things Keith and Allura were discussing as they made their way back to Allura's office.
"I think we should just do it tonight after dinner," Keith stated. "Let's get it over with and just face the music. This time tomorrow, it will be done and we can plan for what's next."
Allura shook her head anxiously. "I'm just not ready yet, Keith. Let's give it a couple of days. I want to let it settle in with us. I just can't face them yet. Please?" Allura's sapphire eyes pleaded with Keith. "I think we need to worry about us right now and what this means."
Blowing a slow breath out that ruffled the wisps of hair around his face, Keith finally relented. "Fine," he said. "But we need to tell them by the end of the week. No exceptions."
"Agreed," Allura replied. "By then, I think we will be in a better place, both emotionally and mentally, and we will be better able to face whatever my guardians throw at us." They had reached the door to Allura's study. Allura was just about to reach out and embrace the commander when a movement at the end of the hall caught her eye. Two maids, who should have been sweeping the hallway, stopped and were watching their interaction with interest.
Allura took a sudden step back and said aloud, "Thank you, Commander, for your assistance with those diplomats. I am sure they enjoyed meeting the commander of the famous Voltron Force."
Confusion gave way to clarity when Keith noticed the maids. He bowed deeply. "My pleasure, Princess. I shall take my leave now. Have a wonderful afternoon. I understand the sunset will be magnificent. You should check it out."
Grasping the hidden entendre of his words, Allura gave a small curtsey. "I will for sure, Commander. Good day." Flashing him a quicksilver smile, she turned to her office door. After keying the code, she disappeared inside as the door swished closed.
Without glancing back, Keith turned on his heel and made his way back down the hall towards his own office. He flashed a friendly smile at the two maids, but didn't notice the excited whispering that began as soon as he passed.