Title: Surprise!

Rating: K

Summary: Winter has a surprise for Jacin.


Winter had been avoiding Jacin all day. She was scared for his reaction. Not so much scared as nervous.

Lately she hadn't been feeling good. Nauseous, exhausted, lazy. Jacin was on hyper-alert but had no idea what was going on. Surprising, since he was the one who had wanted to be a doctor as a child. However, Winter had a slight idea, thanks to talking with Cinder, who already had a baby boy with Kai.

Winter had visited the palace doctor that morning and found she was correct. She was pregnant.

Now she had to tell Jacin. Then her friends. Then Luna. Then Earth. Winter took a deep breath. Oh, stars, this day couldn't end fast enough.


Jacin knew something was wrong. Well, wrong-er than usual, with all Winter's strange eating habits and random pains. But she hadn't said a word to him all day long and he couldn't help but feel worried.

He wouldn't see her much until that evening, since, although he was supposed to be king, he had kept his guard status. Luna would be in shambles if he ruled it.

Jacin was so nervous that he couldn't focus on his job, so when his shift was over, he rushed to the throne room. Winter wasn't there. He checked the dining hall, the doctor's office, the meeting room, searching for his wife's beautiful face. Nope, no, and nil. He was going to give her a good tongue lashing when he saw her next.

He finally trudged up to their room, hoping to find her there. She usually never was in their room before 18:00, and it was only 17:00. He threw open the door.

And, lo and behold, Winter was pacing back and forth, looking anxious. All Jacin's anger melted into worry.

"Hey, what's wrong, Trouble?"

Winter looked up at him, her eyes wide.

"Is everything okay?" he asked. Winter nodded mutely. Jacin frowned. Something was changed, and he had a nagging suspicion in the back of head that he knew what it was. He dismissed the feeling and replied, "I don't believe you."

"Jacin?" Winter began, sounding nervous. Why was she nervous?

"Yeah?"

"Would you– would you ever, um..."

"Spit it out."

"Unprugnan," she said quickly. Jacin's brow furrowed.

"What?"

Winter took a deep breath. A second passed. Then two. Then three. Five eternities, it had felt like, had passed in those seconds. Jacin lifted an eyebrow.

"I'm... I'm pregnant."

Jacin's eyes widened as he stared at her. You should probably do something, he thought, yet he did nothing. Winter but her lip and backed up a little.

"Jacin? I'm sorry, I–"

"Why're you sorry?" he interrupted. "You shouldn't be."

Winter opened and closed her mouth several times, like a fish. "D-Do you not want a child?" Silence. She straightened up a little. "Well, I want one!" She sounded defensive. Jacin realized he must be looking like he was disappointed or angry.

"I-I never meant... Oh, stars. Winter... I'm going to be a father."

Winter looked surprised. She let loose a giggle. This clearly wasn't the reaction she was expecting. "You'll be fine," she said as she flung her arms around him. Jacin pulled his head back a little placed a gentle kiss on her lips. When he pulled back, he noticed she looked worried.

"What is it?" he asked.

"So... You don't mind the baby?" She bit her lip. It was Jacin's turn to laugh.

"Why would I ever mind? I'm excited. Very scared, but excited."

Winter kissed him again. "Thank you, Jacin."

"Why?"

Winter took on a mischievous look. "You're part of the reason the baby was made, after all."

Jacin could feel his face turning red.

"Although," she added, "I really hope it's nothing like you."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"

Winter giggled and kissed him again. Jacin kissed her back for a couple seconds before realizing something. He pulled back.

"What are we going to name it?"

"Look at you, the responsible father."

"I'm going to be a horrible father."

"No, you won't be," Winter tsked. "Because if you are, I'll will personally punish you."

Jacin smirked. "Of course, My Princess."

Winter pulled out of Jacin's arms, and she smoothed out her dress. She headed towards the bathroom. Jacin couldn't blame her. Carrying that thing in her couldn't be easy. He'd bet she was exhausted. Winter turned around one last time.

"And, for the record, I think you'll be a wonderful father."