Disclaimer: Game of Thrones is D&D's property, after being GRRM's property. Or else, Lancel would be the happiest kid in Westeros, should it be mine.
Summary: Lancel's wife had a secret, a heavy cross to bear. Lancel would not let her be crushed by any burden ever again.
Author's note: A huge thank you to Assassin Master Ezio 91 who helped in making the chapter guide and in brainstorming with me !
Author's note 2: English isn't my first language, it's french. If you see any mistake or issue with the language, feel free to tell me so that I can improve.
WARNING! THIS FANFICTION CONTAINS MATURE THEMES SUCH AS SEXUALITY AND ABUSE. IF THESE TRIGGER YOU, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SKIP THIS FANFICTION. THANK YOU.
Lost and found
Chapter 14
Amerei smiled as she saw Ashleigh on Lancel's laps, trying to read from the book he held, managing to recognize some words. She still couldn't believe all that Lancel had done for her. She knew it was done, she had to get over it, but she was still astonished by all that he had done with the mere justification that he loved her. Lancel had offered her the most perfect happy ending. She was already happy but he made her even more happy, to a point she considered herself the happiest woman on Earth. Lancel had listened to her, and instead of judging her, like so many others would have done, he accepted it and put himself on a quest to find out the truth. He had saved her baby from a horrible life and he loved Ashleigh like his own baby girl, a full Lannister now. She could only imagine her parents' shock in jail, learning that their son-in-law wanted her bastard as his own.
"Daddy, can I go and play with Janei today?" She asked
Amerei smiled. Ashleigh was less and less afraid of the outside world, of people, only shyness remained, but her sweetness had melted everyone's hearts. She remembered Genna's party, held in the child's honour. Tywin had come, couldn't stay for long, but the mere fact he showed up showed he accepted Lancel's choice. Ashleigh had been intimidated at first and she couldn't blame her. Tywin Lannister, despite his age, was still tall and straight and his charisma great. Once Lancel had explained her he was his uncle, she had shyly step out of Lancel's shadow, went to Tywin, smiled and said:
"Hello Mister Lannister. I'm Ashleigh."
Short, simple, but she seemed so composed she had looked like a little lady and Lancel didn't fail to hear his uncle tell his father he understood why he had grown to like that child so much. Her husband's voice, telling their child that he'd have to check with his parents first, took her out of her thoughts. That, and the phone ringing.
"I'll catch it." She said
"Hello, Mrs Lannister?" A voice asked
"Yes?"
"Doctor Swoldstein, from the clinic. We have your test results."
Amerei felt her blood become cold. She didn't feel sick but some illnesses started that way.
"Our congratulations. You are pregnant."
Pregnant.
The word had made her freeze and her brain stop, numbed.
"What did you say?" She managed to say, in a low, unsure voice, a hint of hope in it
"You and your husband are going to have a baby, Mrs Lannister. And from what we have, the baby is as healthy as it can be."
Pregnant.
She was pregnant.
She was expecting Lancel's child.
She couldn't believe it. She wondered how or why it had happened, when so any other unsafe intercourses had failed. She wasn't barren. She could still have children. She could give Lancel a child of his own, from his blood. She was carrying one right now. Her parents had damaged her but they hadn't destroyed her. Lancel really was a miracle maker, first he had made her feel safe, he had made her feel the yearn to be someone's wife, he had found and saved Ashleigh, reuniting them and now, he had managed to entrust her with his child to grow up safely in her womb, nutured by her. She thanked the doctors and after she put down the phone, she could feel a tear rolling down her cheek.
"Is everything okay?" Lancel asked, coming from behind
He had heard the change in her voice. His worries grew as he noticed she was crying. He hugged her immediately.
"Amerei, what is it?" He asked again
"The hospital called."
She managed to give him a small smile.
"We're pregnant."
She watched in amusement the change in his face, from worry, to confusion and once the idea had made its way in his head, an explosion of joy as he had the brightest smile she had ever seen on his lips, except, perhaps, the day she agreed to marry him. He hugged her tightly and so happy, he actually made her twirl, her feet not touching the floor. He kissed her and she could feel all the love he had for her.
"I can't believe it..." She admitted
"I can and I do! I can't wait to meet our child! Is it a boy or a girl? Oh, maybe both!"
His excitement made her smile.
"They didn't say, but I'll have the full results soon, we'll know. And besides, don't wish for twins. Having one gender at a time gives us the occasion to try again."
"I love you."
"I know you do. I love you too."
From the living room, Ashleigh's voice came in, making the couple laugh.
Lancel kissed his wife again, his hand on her belly.
He loved their baby already.
To Be Continued