Marcell sat down abruptly as the news hit him like a ton of bricks. He and Pauline had just been married and had only spent a single night in their new home together. And now, before their first year anniversary, they'd be parents! They'd have a family together! A family, the very thing that they both dreamed of for many years. Still holding the small red hat, one modeled after his own, he felt his tearing up.
"P-pregnant?!" He asked with heavy emotion that made his voice quiver. "A... A baby?!"
"Yes!" Pauline gushed as she wrapped her arms around him. "We're going to have a baby!"
"A-Are you sure?!" Marcell was too excited to speak without stammering. "I-I-I mean we've only... And it was... You know... This SOON?! How can you tell?"
"Marcell," Pauline hugged him tighter. "I'm a Sorceress, remember? I'm far more attuned to changes than the average person. Besides, I had morning sickness today, remember?"
"Yeah..." Marcell stared at the red hat. "So... Can you tell if it's a boy or a girl?"
Pauline laughed at the question as she joined him at the table. "I'm not THAT attuned!"
"But you're having symptoms at only two weeks! Isn't that kind of early?"
"Yeah, a little. But no two pregnancies are the same. Maybe I'm just more sensitive than the average person, as well."
Queen Orchid and Prince Moral decided that they wouldn't reveal the big news to the rest of the Mushroom Kingdom until later on in the pregnancy. Moral was worried that something would go wrong, while Orchid wanted to throw a celebration and have everyone invited. It'd take some time to get everyone involved and she wanted everyone included. Which meant King Koopa as well.
"Moral," Orchid had been planning in secret with Toadsworth in the Grande Library and was now seeking her husband in the audience Chamber. "are you feeling any better about our little change today?"
The cautious Prince had been sitting on his throne lost in thought when his beloved wife addressed him. "Oh?" He looked up and smiled. "Yes. I'm... I'm actually getting pretty excited!"
"Wonderful!" Orchid sat on her own throne next to his. "I'm so happy you're feeling better."
"Me too."
"And I know we wanted to keep it quiet for a while longer, but..."
"I know, you want to tell Pauline and Marcell!"
Orchid blushed. "Of course I do! She's practically my sister which would make her our future child's aunt!"
Moral laughed at her response. "Already thinking about family reunions, huh?"
Orchid squeezed his hand. "I never stopped thinking about family reunions. I had Toadsworth send a letter to Pauline and Moral. This time we used the proper mailing requirements on their world, so it should arrive in a couple of days."
"Shall we prepare their inevitable arrival?"
"Of course!"
...to be continued...