a/n: Okay. I'm gonna fill in a hole in my story here. I've never been to California so I dunno what whether there is like in winter or early spring. But I'm gonna assume that it's at least a bit chilly. The hole I'm filling in is the time of year (everything has to make sense with me. All pieces must fit together, and I have a specific plan for the future here, so I'm gonna start building in detail)

Anyway, Reviews are appreciated, and tell me if you find any plot holes ^^ I'll try to fill them in when I write later chapters.

An early spring chill had settled into the morning. Layla had decided she was comfortable inside by the fireplace and didn't quite want to go out and face the day. Since the wind chill was getting harsher as well, Leon had decided it was probably a better idea anyway.

And so, here the two were, huddled in a blanket and thinking about they were going to go through with things.

Slowly Leon arose. He turned around for a moment and gazed softly down at Layla who was giving him a curious expression. Leaning forward, putting a hand on either side of her head, he brought his face close and whispered.

"I am going to boil some water. Would you like some hot chocolate?"

Layla hummed in a sighing manner, feeling calm and even secure in his actions.

"Actually, I would like some tea" she replied lightly.

"No tea" Leon said rather bluntly. Layla froze for a moment, looking confused. Though, it didn't take long for her to relax again.

"And why not?" She asked, trying not to sound offended.

Leon's lips quirked slightly and his eyes shone with care as he answered gently.

"Caffine is bad for the baby"

Layla remained blank for a moment before she scoffed and tried to hold in her snicker. She looked up at his in mock defensiveness, but it was clear she was amused.

"It will be fine... Tons of women do it"

"Yes. And tons of women also end up with children who are less capable than they could have been" Leon argued "Wren't you the one who was so worried about this? So careful and hesitant?"

"Yes" Layla replied calmly "But that is with things that could physically hurt the baby... I'm not too worried about diet"

""hmmm" Leon hummed, his expression taking on a thoughtful one "I think you should be... It is more dangerous than you know"

"Well aren't you mister baby expert?" Mocked Layla. Amusement could be heard in her tone, but it was clear she was feeling a little offended and skeptical as well. Though, who could blame her? Leon, the man who people would think knew little to nothing about children, was acting like he knew everything... Or so she thought.

"I am just trying to be protective... You may tell me to back off at any time... Unless I absolutely think you will harm yourself or our child... I do know what I am talking about, believe it or not. I read many things. And I do have a few medics in the family"

Layla seemed to calm down, and looked both surprised and interested to hear about Leon's living relatives... She had thought he only had a sister, who's short existance ended too tragically to talk about.

"You're relatives?"

Leon could tell he had peaked her curiosity. But, he didn't answer. He merely stood up straight, and walked over to the kitchen (conveniently placed beside the main livig area in a way where one could see through the large double doors from a sitting position on the couh) and boiled some water.

Layla was a bit upset with his action, but she really couldn't blame him. She knew she had probably hit a sensitive chord. And so, she waited quietly and patiently until he returned from the kitchen, two mugs in hand.

He handed one to her and sat down beside her once more with his own mug. After taking a sip he casually placed it on the coffee table and sat back. He carefully pulled Layla against him and let her take a few sips of her (not so hot) hot chocolate.

"This is more like luke warm chocolate" Layla playfully complained, trying to lighten the mood.

Leon chuckled.

"That is just me being cautious. I do not know if extreme temperatures are harmful or not, but I personally would think so"

Layla nodded and sighed, getting comfy against his side. A moments silence fell upon the room before it was broken by Leon.

"My family" he began, grabbing Layla's full attention "They do not care for me so much... I have not had contact with my foster parents since I was ten. Their son, my cousin, I have spoken to, but not even within the last year" he paused, gathering his thoughts "I studied many things as a child. Some of them because of Sophie, such as the medical information, which she thought was interesting and wanted to know more about. Being a family person as she was, she was particularly interested in child birth and development. Only as a hobby, and of course this was in her teen years"

"ohh" Layla replied, her voice almost unheard. Leon turned his head and smiled down on her.

"I never expected it would come in handy for myself though" He said lovingly.

"And are you happy about that?" She couldn't help but ask.

"Very" Was his simple reply.

Quite untimely was the ringing of Layla's phone. With a click of her tongue she made an exasperated noise, pulling her phone out and flipping it open with ease. Her eyes slightly widened upon seeing the caller ID, but she tried to school her features and calm herself.

Now slightly frazzled, she took a deep breath and answered in a restrained tone, clearly trying not to squeak.

"Hello Father"

Leon's expression was that of realisation and he quickly but carefully took Layla's cup and placed it on the coffee table so she could talk confotably without spilling if she moved. A silent 'thank you' was mouthed in his direction, to which he nodded curtly.

"Yes Father... Yes... Yes, I... Have something I would like to speak with you about... In person" Layla continued speaking with her father, now sounding at least normal. Calm and collected enough to pull it off before the news was bromen anyway.

"Yes of course, I can make it. I'll be bringing a friend too if you wouldn't mind... Yes of course... You know me too well Father... I love you too, bye bye"

With a soft beep she hung up her cell phone and casually spoke, at first not bothering to face Leon and recollecting her mug in her hands.

"Father has time to see us this afternoon... Better sooner than later, yes?" It was clear she still really didn't want to tell him, especially not so soon, but was forcing herself to go.

"You are not comfortable with this" It was supposed to be a question but it came out as a statement.

Layla sighed "No, but I need to do it... Just like I needed to tell you"

Leon let out a rumble sort like a sigh and kissed her on the forehead.

"I will be there the entire time"

"Thank you"

The building stood high, looming over them. After taking a quick trip back to Sora's dorm room to let Layla put a suit skirt and dress top on, they had hopped in Leon's car and come to The Hamilton Hotels' Main Office. Layla's father was on the top floor, and so they made their way into the elevator, in no real rush toget to where they were going.

With a soft knock on the door Layla waited for her father to answer so that she may enter. When a muffled 'come in' was heard, she took a deep breath in and Leon was surprised to see how composed she looked.

'she has had much practice' He thought idly.

Opening the door a crack, Layla peered in and smiled at the man behind the desk.

"Layla" Mr. Hamilton greeted in a drawn out and endearing tone "Please, come in. Since when do you hesitate to enter my office?"

Layla smiled a bit wider and entered fully, waving Leon in behind her.

"It's just, a little bit of an awkward circumstance Father" she made her way over to the couch and sat down. Leon followed her in, but didn't take a seat, preferring to stand. Mr. Hamilton syed him curiously, he had thought something was amiss when Layla said she would be bringing a friend. He had a hunch he knew what she was going to say.

"If I remember correctly" Mr. Hamilton began "You are Leon Oswald, correct?"

Leon gave a curt nod and tried to speak as formally as possible.

"Yes, I am Leon Oswald. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance"

'Huh' Layla thought 'Not bad. He doesn't even sound like he's tryin too hard... Nice job Leon'

The clearing of Layla's throat brought the attention of both men.

"Father, you already know I have something I need to tell you. Would you mind if I get right to the point?"

Mr. Hamilton gave a waving gesture, urging her to continue.

"Perhaps there are two things actually. First of all, I should inform you that Leon and I have been seeing eachother... Intimately... For about a month now"

Mr. Hamilton nodded, no expression on his face "I figured as much when you brought a male 'friend' into my office... Congradulations to both of you, I expect you are handling this wisely? Leon does not strike me as an immature sort of man"

Layla cleared her throat a little awkwardly "that, brings me to my next matter of subject... You see father, I find myself being... Pregnant, with Leon's child"

Mr. Hamilton stared blankly for a moment.

"Excuse me?"

The silence was nerve wracking. Emotions of anxiousness, anticipation, and worry flooded throughout the couple. Their composure remained calm, although it wasn't hard to see that they had become tense.

"Layla..." Mr. Hamilton began again "would you care to tell me, what exactly you were thinking?" His voice was tense and strict, yet still calm and not quite angry.

Leon was surprised that he wasn't the one getting the blunt end of sword here. When exactly was a good time to speak up? It was hard to tell. He couldn't exactly pinpoint the best moment, but judging by Layla's expression, it was time to prove what he had been telling her.

He would be there for support.

"Monsieur Hamilton" That grabbed his attention pretty quickly. The old man's head snapped towards Leon in an instant. It was only then that he realized that both he and his daughter had a talent for silent rage.

"I would like to say, that this is entirely my fault. I made the first move. I told her it would all be okay. And I intend to take full responsibility"

Layla seemed to inwardly sigh in relief at hearing Leon's words. Her father seemed to be schooling his rage. The old man cringed and gritted his teeth, but carried on with his questions calmly.

"And I assume you are also going to marry my daughter and continue to be supportive?"

"Yes" Leon replied evenly, gaining even more points from Layla for his composure in the situation "although I do believe that it is most wise to allow Layla to go through this pregnancy without stress or hardship before planning any sort of wedding. I intend to let her have a safe child birth first. Then, once everything is alright, we will see about wedding arrangements"

"And Layla has agreed to this?"

"I would ask her yourself. I believe she has but she is still in the room and able to speak for herself"

All attention was turned on Layla, who then replied "Yes, I have agreed to this. There is nothing he has not run by me or vice versa"

Mr. Hamilton sat back in his chair with sigh that sounded more like a growl.

"Although I do not like the situation, I do not believe in abortion. I hope you know what you are doing Layla"

"I'm a little scared, to be honest with you Father... But I would appreciate your support..." Her voice got quieter towards the end and she seemed to trail off a little.

Mr. Hamilton got up and made his was over tow sit beside his daughter. He reached a hand over and pulled her head to his chest, kissing the top of her head. Layla didn't want to break her composure again for the millionth time, but she couldn't help the little sound that escaped her, and the small tear that somehow made it's way down her cheek.

"I will be there... I nearly lost you before by not being supportive. I'll be here now"

"Thank you Father" Layla whispered.