The trip back to Lukas' village was a bit rocky. Tolys and Julchen fought constantly. Erika dealt her hormones and carrying more weight in her front. This was a huge issue, as Erika's motivation and energy is what dictated how far they got each day. They had horses but it was difficult to get Erika on and off. Tolys told the group constantly that the baby was perfectly healthy. But did recommend that Erika should rest when she needed it.
"Stress and a growing baby is never a good match. It could lead to the mother getting sick and premature labor with several health issues and/or birth defects that would quickly follow." Tolys was once again scolding the group while Erika took a nap.
"I understand that but we won't get back to the village until winter if we keep going at this pace! It's the middle of fall and we got a month until winter hits." Julchen hissed.
"Either we keep this pace or Erika loses her baby. Would you want to be responsible for her losing her first child?" Tolys raised an eyebrow.
Julchen snorted and looked away, "Of course I don't want a baby to die. It would be like sending my sister to her grave . . ."
"Sister?" A head of blonde hair rode up to them on a black horse, "Did you achieve your mission?" She questioned.
Julchen froze, "H-hey Monika. Yes, we did achieve our goal. We saved Erika and Ivan has been shut up, at least for now. We were heading back to Lukas' village now but we're moving at a very slow pace." She explained.
Monika sniffled a laugh, "You're close than you think." She hopped off her horse and pulled away some branches, revealing the familiar village just a short walking distance away.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Julchen groaned and punched the nearest tree, "Tolys, you've been leading us in circles for the past month, you asshole!" She glared at him.
"I asked him to." Lukas spoke up, "Erika said she had been feeling sick so I was monitoring her health."
"If that were the case, we could've just brought her into the damn village so real doctors could've taken care of her!" Julchen snapped.
"I am an actual doctor." Tolys muttered.
"Shut up four eyes. You don't count." Julchen scoffed.
"I do not wear glasses all the time!" Tolys argued.
Julchen shrugged, "You still wear them so case closed. My insult still stands."
Monika face palmed, "Just wake Erika up and I'll give you a personal escort back home." She huffed.
Lukas nodded curtly, "Of course. Thank you for your hospitality." He walked over to Erika who was resting up against a tree. The blonde male gently shook the woman's shoulder. Erika moaned sleepily in response, rubbing her eyes with an irritated expression.
"Who dares to wake me up?" Erika huffed and glanced up at Lukas, quickly changing her toon, "Oh it was just you Luke. I thought you were Ned or Matthew." She cooed and pecked his cheek.
"No fair, she's so nice to you." Matthew pouted.
"Are you the baby's father. No, I think not." Lukas gave the boy a cheeky smirk, "Babies can hear just about everything so I want to be a good father even now."
"Aww that's so sweet." Tolys smiled.
Erika looked at Lukas, "So why did you wake me up? Is it important?" She asked curiously.
"We're heading back to the village now." Lukas pulled Erika to her feet.
"Oh, okay." Erika yawned.
"She's up. We're off then." Monika rolled her eyes.
xXx
"Oh Lukas, my boy!" Kielo ran up to Lukas and hugged him tightly, "You're okay. I'm so happy you're okay!" She swallowed thickly.
"Of course I'm okay." Lukas puffed out his cheeks, embracing his mother with one arm.
"Whoa! Your belly is so big." Emil gasped, glancing up at Erika.
'You are so lucky that you're Lukas' brother. Or else you would've been at the mercy of my rage.' Erika thought to herself, extremely irritated by the boy's comment.
"Emil be nice! That's your little niece or nephew in her belly." Kielo frowned.
"I'm sorry big sister Erika." Emil gulped. Erika put a hand on the boy's head.
"It's okay. You didn't mean to be rude. Just keeping calling me big sister." She smiled.
Emil giggled and hugged her arm, "Okay big sister."
Lukas smirked, "You just like being called big sister, don't ya?"
Erika pouted and poked Lukas' cheek, "I can't help not having any lil siblings. Let me have this."
"You better please your pregnant lady friend, Luke." Kielo chuckled.
"She's not my girlfriend. Don't assume things mother." Lukas looked away, blushing profusely.
"Yes I am. Admit it!" Erika teased, nuzzling the top of his head.
(AN: Don't forget Erika is taller than Lukas. I almost did. XD)
"Whatever you want it to be called. As long as you don't touch my hair without permission." Lukas mumbled. Erika grinned and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. This only caused the shorter male's face to darken.
"You two are so precious." Kielo clapped her hands together.
"Mother, where's father?" Lukas bit his lip.
"He went to do some trading for our village so he won't be back for a couple weeks." Kielo stated, "However, there are some people who want to see you." She chuckled. Lukas raised an eyebrow but glanced behind his mother. Two young man were running up to them. One was a caramel colored brunette and the other a blonde.
"Ah, Vladimir and Arthur." Lukas waved to his friends.
"Lulu! It's so good to see you." Vladimir cheered, "I haven't gotten talk to you and your lady friend."
"Just don't stress her out Vlad." Arthur rolled his eyes, "She is six months pregnant."
"It's okay. I don't mind a little excitement." Erika shrugged, "Just don't touch me without permission."
Vladimir looked at Erika expectantly, "Can I hug you?" He asked eagerly. Erika nodded reluctantly. The brunette bounced in his place and gave Erika a quick squeeze.
"Is he always like this?" Erika muttered.
"99 percent of the time, yes. Yes he is. That's just Vlad." Arthur shrugged, "I'm Arthur, love. It's a pleasure to meet the girl who captured Lukas' heart."
"Pleasure's all mine." Erika blinked, "You're so polite."
"He may seem like a gentleman but he can be just as grumpy and sarcastic as Lulu." Vladimir snickered.
"Vlad, keep your mouth shut!" Lukas' eye twitched.
"You love me too much to hurt me Lulu." Vladimir cackled.
Lukas snorted, "You got lucky you doof." He placed his fist on Vladimir's head.
"Lulu? That's an adorable nickname." Erika giggled. Lukas huffed and looked away.
"It was the only unique nickname he could get out of my name. It just stuck and no one will let it die." He murmured.
Erika gently took Lukas' hand, "I find it cute and endearing."
"No, you may not call me that. It's exclusive to just Vladimir. I don't even let my mother call me that." Lukas rolled his eyes.
"Boo, you're no fun!" Erika whined, puffing out her cheeks.
"I care for you but I'm not making any exceptions for that nickname." Lukas gently kissed her knuckles.
"How you can be such a sweetheart and a dick at the same time?" Erika pouted.
Lukas shrugged, "That's just me being me."
"Your friend is very quirky." Erika slumped, resting her head on Vladimir's shoulder.
"Yeah we know." Vladimir and Arthur laughed in agreement.
xXx
When getting back to the house, Kielo spoiled Erika with a feast. Erika's eyes sparkled at the sight of all the food. Ned and Matthew were amused by Erika's excitement. However, Lukas was embarrassed by his mother's overwhelming hospitality.
"Mother, you really didn't have to cook all this food." Lukas gulped.
"Nonsense! It was no trouble at all. Plus, a growing baby needs plenty of food. I want my grandbaby to be well fed and healthy." Kielo waved him off and hugged Erika's large abdomen. Erika didn't seem phased by the treatment of her stomach.
Lukas merely slumped in his chair, "Mother please. You're embarrassing us." He muttered.
"Erika doesn't seem to mind." Kielo cooed.
Erika shrugged, "As long as I'm getting love, affection and food, I don't mind your family."
"You have no shame Erika!" Lukas blushed.
"Why should I? I might as well be myself around your friends and family." Erika smiled.
"I like her. I am so jealous! She's pretty and very confident." Vladimir cooed.
"Not to mention prideful to who she is." Arthur winked.
Lukas blushed and put his head on the table, "Why can't my family be normal . . ." He groaned.
"Because being normal is boring." Emil giggled.
Oh my god. This took forever! I put it off for so long, it's not even funny. I had a tough time trying to end the chapter. But I did it! By the way, might as well make the catch phrase of the story Being normal is boring. Ned has said it and now Emil. That's the motto of one of my good friends who is a total dork and nerd like me. Anyhow, I'll get started on the next chapter as soon as possible. It will be a nice chapter filled with DenNor fluffiness. Until next time my fellow Hetalians, hasta la pasta! ~Churro
