Chapter 4

Chise heard the chirping sounds of birds and a bright light woke her up. She felt Elias' snout rubbing her neck which made her giggle and hug him.

Chise: "Good morning Elias."

Elias: "Good morning to you Chise." (nuzzles her belly) "And a good morning to you our little one."

Chise: "Hahahahahaha! Elias! I'm pregnant but that still tickles."

Elias: (hugs her) "I wish I could stay here like this with you Chise. I can't. I must work."

Chise: "I know. Work is important."

Elias: "We should write to Sanford to let him know you are not ill."

Chise: "I'll write to him. You should get ready. I'll…..no…..We'll be fine with Silver and Ruth."

Elias: (chuckles) "Sounds good. Oh!"

Chise: "Yeah?"

Elias: "Uh…We need to talk about your eating habits."

Chise: "Why?"

Elias: "It's making our friends…..uncomfortable.."

Chise: "How?"

Elias: "Your cravings for weird things."

Chise: "Maybe I have been a little bit weird."

Elias: "Just eat rationally love and you'll be fine. I'll be back later."

Chise: "See you soon." (rubs belly) "Say bye to Daddy."

As Elias left out of the room, Ruth came in in his Grimm form. He jumped on the bed and snuggled with Chise.

Ruth: "You seem very happy this morning. Is it about the baby?"

Chise: "Yeah. To think I was actually worried. Elias likes the idea of being a father."

Ruth: "I can tell. I will take care of the little one as well." (nuzzles her belly)

Chise: "What is with you two tickling me?" (laughs)

Ruth: "Breakfast is ready."

When they both got downstairs, Chise was surprised with a big hug from Silver. She's extremely happy that there's gonna be a new member in their family. Chise hugged her back and giggled as Silver rubbed her stomach too. Silver made her some meals courtesy of Elias which made Chise groan. Ruth did a little chuckle and went on to eating his breakfast. After breakfast, Chise fixed a plate and got some water. She went to the well to see Cartiphilus. When she got down there, she saw that he was sitting up his back facing her. She took a deep breathe went to face him.

Chise: "Knock knock."

Cartiphilus: "….Sleigh Beggy. Here to give me my daily breakfast I see."

Chise: "Yes. I am. How are you feeling Joseph?"

Cartiphilus: "Well it's not like I'm the one carrying a half-baked spawn."

Chise: "You heard huh?"

Cartiphilus: "Those pesky Ariels keep buzzing around here happily. I happened to have heard their conversation."

Chise: "Word will get around soon."

Cartiphilus: "So. Is it a girl or a bouncy baby boy?"

Chise: "I don't know just yet. I can tell you were being sarcastic by the way."

Cartiphilus: "Hmph. You must be pretty happy. You and your beast. But what about the baby? Hmm? What will become of it when you won't be around? That arm is keeping you alive. But not for long. When the baby arrives it will wonder where mommy is. How are you going to explain that?"

Chise: "I'll cross that path when I get to it. I came this far didn't I?"

Cartiphilus: "Yes. But the halfling did say 3 to 4 years."

Chise: "Yes he did." (leave plate) "Be sure to eat."

Cartiphilus: "…..Tch….Congratulations….Sleigh Beggy…."

Chise: (smiles gently) "Thank you Joseph."

When she got out of the well, Ruth was there waiting for her. He still doesn't trust him. Can you blame him?

Ruth: "He didn't threaten you did he?"

Chise: "No."

Ruth: "You keep giving him food to eat. How can you trust him? After all he's done?"

Chise: "I don't. But that doesn't mean I can't feel sorry for him. After all. We have a connection remember?"

Ruth: "I'm just looking out for you Chise. You and the baby."

Chise: "You really are a great big brother. And you'll be a great uncle too."

Ruth: (tail wagging happily)

Chise: (giggles)

A few weeks have passed. Chise's morning sickness has stopped for the time being. Her back became sore for a bit but she was able to move around for a bit. She watched Elias stay up reading about babies and grading papers at the same time. She came in to sit with him as he works. She just smiles when he sees something that puzzles him it gives him a headache. To soothe his stressful mind, she strokes his horns making him purr uncontrollably. He found it helpful. He grabbed her and sat her on his lap. They kissed passionately. He saw what she was doing. She was trying to make him feel better. And it worked.

A couple days passed, Elias took Chise to the park for a picnic. Elias had a gift for Chise. She was confused because it wasn't her birthday. He opened the gift and it was a T-shirt that said "I'm a GOOD MOM!"

Elias: "Happy Mother's Day Chise."

Chise: "Aw. Elias. But I'm not a mom yet."

Elias: "Hmm?"

Chise: "You give it to me when our baby is born. Not before."

Elias: "…Oh…I'm sorry…..I didn't know…..I thoug-"

Chise: "Shh. It's okay. I'll keep it. I love it."

Elias: "I feel embarrassed."

Chise: "…."

Elias: "Chise? What's wrong?"

Chise: "This day hasn't been very happy for me."

Elias: "Because of your mother?"

Chise: "Mhm. What so happy about a woman trying to kill her own daughter then kills herself instead?"

Elias: "Don't think like that."

Chise: "It's the truth. It's how I feel."

Elias: "It's alright. It's in the past."

Chise: "Elias?"

Elias: "Hmm?"

Chise: "What if I'm the same way? What if I'm like her?"

Elias: "Don't say that!"

Chise: "But-"

Elias: "No buts! I don't want to hear such thoughts ever again. You will never be like your mother. You are a good person. I know you are. I see it in you every single day we are together." (rubs her belly) "And I know for a fact that our child will see that too. He or she will see that you love him or her. And the other way around."

Chise: (hugs him tightly) "Thank you. For saying that. I needed to hear that."

Elias: "I'm glad."

As next month came around, it was time for Chise's first ultrasound. Shannon knows a colleague in the human world. So, they went to see him. Chise was very excited to see the ultrasound but Elias was uneasy. What if it shows that the baby has horns? What if it shows a tiny wolf's skull? What if it shows a fish tail from his Chimera form? Those questions were buzzing around in his head the whole trip there. Chise saw that face all too well. She held tightly to his arm telling him not to worry. He relaxed after that. He was still worried though. He can't help that. When Chise lifted her shirt, the doctor put the gel on her. She reached for Elias' hand and he held it tightly.

Doctor: "You're doing good Miss Chise. Your child looks healthy."

Chise: "That's good. Isn't it Elias?"

Elias: "Yes."

Doctor: "Very incredible."

Elias and Chise: "What?"

Doctor: "It has a very strong blood type. Very rare."

Chise: "Uh…. Probably from me."

Doctor: "I don't think so. Probably you Mr. Ainsworth."

Elias: "Uh… yes. Possibly."

Doctor: "Oh my goodness…"

Elias: "Is something wrong?!"

Doctor: "Listen."

Elias and Chise listen closely. They were hearing two sets of thumps coming from the ultrasound. It was very odd to them. They never heard anything like it.

Doctor: "Two hearts.."

Elias: "I knew it…. The child is like me."

Chise: (whispers) "You have two hearts?!"

Elias: "I…don't know."

Doctor: "No, no, no! The baby doesn't have two hearts." (laughing)

Elias and Chise: "Oh…." (nervous laughing)

Doctor: "You have two babies."

Elias and Chise: (stop laughing) "HUH?!"

Doctor: "There's another baby in there. You're having twins Miss Chise!"

Chise: "Oh my God! Twins?! Elias we're having…..Elias? You okay?"

Elias: "Tw-twins…. We're having…." (faints)

Chise: "ELIAS!" (gets up)

Doctor: "Oh dear. This happens all the time with new fathers. I'll get an ice pack."

Chise: "Please do! Elias? Speak to me."

Elias: "W-we're having twins…..?!"

Chise: "Yes. We are. Are you okay?"

Elias: "I don't know. I feel like I will explode."

Chise: "Yeah I see. Listen. Are you still okay with this?"

Elias: "It took a lot out of me but I'm still here."

Chise: "You hit your head really hard."

Elias: "I will manage. I felt lightheaded."

Chise: "I got you."

Doctor: "Here you go Mr. Ainsworth."

Elias: "Thank you."

Doctor: "I'll inform Shannon immediately."

Chise: "Right. Elias. Why don't you go clear your head. I can handle it from here."

Elias: "You are sure?"

Chise: "Yes. Go. Get some air."

While Chise talked to the doctor, Elias went outside for a walk to clear his head. Twins he said over and over in his head. He's somewhat happy yet scared at the same time. He came toward the park and looked at the kids running and playing. He looked relaxed until he felt two tiny bodies grab his legs.

Elias: "Woah there."

Father: "I am so sorry! Come on you two. Off the man's legs. You know better. Go play."

Elias: "They're yours I presume?"

Father: "Yeah. They're a handful."

Elias: "I see."

Father: "Uh hey uh."

Elias: "Yes?"

Father: "See if some parents see you with your hands in your pockets looking around at the kids, they're gonna think you're a shady guy. So unless you have a kid some-"

Elias: "No. I'm not a suspicious fellow. I'm a father. Well I will be soon."

Father: "Oh! You're having a baby?"

Elias: "Babies."

Father: "You're having…"

Elias: "Twins. Yes."

Father: "Congratulations."

Elias: "Thank you. I just saw the ultrasound today. I was speechless so to speak. But all in all, my wife and I are ecstatic."

Father: "That's great to here. I'm sensing a "but" ."

Elias: "I have no thought what to do when my children arrive."

Father: "I knew I was sensing something from you. This is your first time being a dad isn't it?"

Elias: "Yes."

Father: "Well if you're having twins, that takes a lot of money out of you."

Elias: "I don't have to worry about money."

Father: "You seem like you're all set then."

Elias: "Be that as it may, I have been reading how to be a parent. What I must do to tend to the child. What I must prepare. Everything. But I still feel like I need to know more."

Father: "Sometimes reading helps. So you should continue to do that. But other times, books don't always help. You have to feel it in your gut that you know what you have to do. Understand?"

Elias: "I believe I do. You seem to know more than me."

Father: "Yes. I have 4 children."

Elias: "The little ones that grabbed my legs. What those the first 2?"

Father: "Actually the second 2."

Elias: "Where are the others?"

Father: "It's a complicated story. It's really sad. I shouldn't bore you with my tale of my life."

Elias: "Do you have moments with your children?"

Father: "Yes. They're good moments and they are bad."

Elias: "Hmm…"

Father: "Trust me. When your kids come, you'll be so happy." (looks at time) "Aw damn. I have to get ready for work and they'll have to be dropped off."

Elias: "Thank you for the conversation."

Father: "No problem. I come to this park sometimes. If you want, I can give you more advice sometime."

Elias: "That would be more helpful. My name is Elias."

Yuuki: "It's a pleasure. My name is Yuuki."

Elias: "Yuuki?"

Yuuki: "Yeah I know."

Elias: "No, no, no. That never crossed my mind." Why does that name sound familiar?"

Yuuki waved goodbye to Elias. And so did the children. Even he thought that was cute. Then as they left, Chise came and sat on the bench with him.

Chise: "Hey. Feel better?"

Elias: "I do now."

Chise: "Oh? What changed?"

Elias: "One of the fathers gave me some advice. He was here with his two daughters."

Chise: "Aw. I wish I could've met him."

Elias: "You would've liked him my love. Shall we head home?"

Chise: "Yeah. Wait till everyone find out we're having twins."

As they went home, Elias let that advice sink into his head not knowing who it was that gave it to him.