Sorry this took so long! I hope you enjoy it. It's all sweet and fluffy, for now.


"We have to remain vigilant…"

Maka was trying to concentrate on Kid's voice but the thundering of her heart was drowning it out in her ears.

"We can't be sure of the threat level since as of right now all we have to go on is scattered information…"

Soul's hand had drifted to her lower back, a modicum of comfort leaching from his fingers.

"But we have a forward unit looking into the whereabouts and the intentions of the witch Druscilla, and whoever she's been able to recruit…"

"You sure you don't want me to…" Soul whispered but even with his closeness it barely registered to her. He had to tap a finger to her back again before her head turned to him.

"Just do what you always do," Maka smiled warmly even with the trembling of her heart. "Have my back."

Soul smirked, "Always."

"We have to remember that we're a team. We protect each other, keep each other safe." Kid's eyes settled on Maka, the target he had been trying not to look at all along. "And with that, I open the floor to one of your teammates." Kid thankfully didn't motion for her to come up, just spotlighting Maka with a wave of his hand.

Maka took a deep breath, bolstered by Soul's gentle smooth up her back as she opened her mouth for the speech she'd written and rewritten a thousand times in her head. "First of all, I want to thank everyone in general for the well-wishes. It's been hard being away from you all so much and even more difficult not to share with you exactly the nature of my current condition." She needed to stop to breath again, struggling to meet eyes around the room. It begged to remind that this was her family, EATs being the center of her world besides Soul.

"We waited to tell you for some very obvious reasons, but I hope you'll forgive the tardiness." She took the time to glance back at Soul, the smirk on his lips still not wavering. "A little over three months ago, we found out I was pregnant, or I guess I should say that I am pregnant."

"You're pregnant?" Liz erupted whether Maka was done or not, rushing over to her as most of the room stood agape.

"Let her finish," Black Star barked.

"Like you're not surprised?" Liz shot back with a glare.

"I knew," Black Star shrugged before he hitched a finger at his weapon. "So did Tsubaki."

"Maka," Liz's voice climbed an accusatory octave. "How did this happen?"

"They had sex." Black Star got in one solid laugh before Maka's hand shot out menacingly.

Soul was quick to step in, grasping Black Star by the collar. "No one needs an anatomy lesson."

"But it wouldn't hurt your reputation for people to think you're actually getting laid." Black Star grinned before slipping out of Soul's grasp, getting him by the wrist and turning the tables. "Bet half the room was more surprised by the fact that you got some than accidentally-"

"You and I both know that's not what I mean by how," Liz interrupted. She pushed back her long, blond hair nervously, the perfect picture of a worried mother herself. "You didn't plan this, right?" The incredulity dropped from her voice as she pressed her hand to her mouth monetarily. "Oh, Maka, I'm sorry, that's terrible. I shouldn't…"

"It's OK," Maka let the ghost of a smile touch her lips. Especially since that's barely even the worst reaction, but that's something I'll have to tell her about later. "It is, technically, unexpected." A minute wash of relief came over Maka as no one bit at the statement, but as her eyes still wandered around the room she could see soft whispers coming from multiple lips.

"I think this raises a question." Harvar took a step closer, away from his aside with Ox. "And I'm going to ask for all of your rationality here."

Soul quickly wrenched himself free from Black Star and Maka could see that cord on his neck instantly tightening but his face trying to stay still, unphased. "What is it?"

Harvar pressed his visor up on his nose, affording Ox another glance before turning his attention to Soul. "As a team, I think we should come to an agreement as to whether or not Maka should be benched for the remainder of her pregnancy."

"Benched?" Maka could barely keep it from being a hiss. "I already went over this with Soul. We're staying in the fight."

"Maka, think about it," Ox stepped past his partner. Logical thinking was always something they shared but at least Ox thought he could offer something a little less calculating. "It's not just you that shares in the pain when you get hurt."

"And, to be frank, it's a liability to the team," Harvar added without skipping a beat. "Considering the timeline, that means your fainting incident was probably the antecedent to your diagnosis. If your body is weakened, you not only put yourself in danger but the rest of us."

"Harvar, lay off," Kilik snapped.

"He's got a point," Kim's eyes couldn't find Maka's, more interested in looking around the room for fear of meeting the death glare that had developed. "If we're relying on her in a fight, we need to know she can operate at a hundred percent."

"I'm not useless!" Maka shrieked, her eyes falling from face to face, seeing the same thoughtful furrowing of eyebrows and shaking of heads. "Tell them I'm not," she spat at Soul.

"Maka, chill." Soul took hold of her wrist, pulling Maka towards him. She hesitated at first, getting just close enough that he could change his grip to her waist. "Look, I hear you, and I can't deny that Maka's safety was my gut reaction, too." He turned his gaze to Maka as his hand gently ran up her arm. "And we know it's not just us making this decision." Maka went to snap her mouth open but Soul flexed on her arm. "That's why I think it's better if we all take a few days to think about this before any of us blow our tops."

"And it's not about voting Maka off the team." Liz took another step forward, that protective barrier between Maka and the group.

Kid's mind had been running like he was working on a doctoral thesis, point and counterpoint piling as each person had their say. Ultimately he would have to admit a prejudice in all matters Maka-related, but he wasn't just a teammate anymore, technically a boss and with that, there was no room for bias. "I would like to hear everyone's opinions," Kid scanned the faces in the room, "But I believe that no matter what the final decision will fall to me."

Maka's frustrated glare touched on Kid before she ripped herself from Soul, fully aware that she was stomping away like a spoiled child but unable to stop herself. Soul let out a withering sigh, taking just enough time to say, "Come by later," to Liz before heading after her. Damn it, could those long legs be fast when they wanted to and Soul found himself breaking into a jog to reach her. "Maka," he tried not to make it sound like he was chiding, but there is was.

"What?" she snapped back, her eyes filled to the brim with tears.

"I get it," he put up his hands innocently. "I'm gonna say again that as far as our team goes our decision stands. We only work the missions we absolutely have to."

"But apparently that doesn't matter," she groaned before throwing her hands into her hair. "Oh, Soul, I just, I feel so-" Maka cut herself off with a sob. Soul was immediately there, hands searching to soothe and it helped keep her from completely dissolving into tears. Instead, she pulled herself together with a hiccup. "Just tell me I'm not useless."

"Still the most courageous person I know," he murmured before pressing his lips to her forehead. "Still the best meister. Still get done more in a day than I probably do in a week."

She let out a soft, rueful laugh, "That's not true right now. I'm still pukey and tired."

Soul sighed as he kissed at her hairline again. "You're allowed to be. This kid isn't taking it easy on you." He brought his hands to her hips, pulling her back so he could see her eyes again. "Let's go home and I'll cook and we'll watch movies and I'll do whatever the hell else you need, OK?"

"Can you punch Harvar in the gut?" she mumbled.

"Play nice," he grinned. "The rest of the team does kind of have to think about themselves. I wouldn't want Black Star half-assing it if it put you in danger."

"But I'm not half-assing," she growled back.

"Fine, the kid's half-assing," he tried to grin back at her but it wasn't catching, her frown just stretching deeper. "Maka, you just said it yourself, you're pukey and tired. You think that and missions are going to mix? You think once you start filling out a little more that swinging me is going to be easy?"

Her eyes welled up with tears again but Maka checked the attitude she was ready to throw, the childishness she was ready to give in to again. "Soul…"

"But maybe I will still punch Harvar for you," he grumbled. "Still didn't appreciate the cold-hearted approach. He should know by now to let Ox tone it down." His hands left her sides before he grabbed one of hers, starting a slow walk. "Come on. If we're going to argue, I wanna do it at home."

"It's not an argument," she sighed before picking up the pace to get alongside him. "You're right."

Soul put a hand behind her ear, turning in her direction. "Can I hear that again?"

Instead, she swatted at his hand as she huffed out a discontented sigh. "Being smug is just going to add to the list of things you have to do when we get home."

"That's a threat," he laughed. "What am I at so far?"

"Cooking, watching Pride & Prejudice again-"

"Oof," Soul mimicked a hit to the stomach.

"Be nice or I'll take the next thing off the list," she threatened.

He tossed one of those gorgeous smirks her way, the kind that still sent her heart aflutter. "What's that?"

Maka leaned a little closer, bumping her shoulder against his. "Undressing me."

Soul chuckled as he ditched holding her hand to throw his arm around her shoulder. "I'd sit through a million mini-series for that."


Soul made it through the first two hours, his eyelids sort of drooping as soon as they hit the hour and a half mark but Maka let him be. Unfortunately, it wasn't her touch that woke him from his half-slumber but the door, visitors who didn't understand the concept of just ringing the bell once. Maka was up before he could grab for her, his want now to make sure he got an 'I love you' or a kiss before the next person to walk through the house ruined the mood. Worst yet, it was his own damn fault this time, Liz's voice echoing through the hallway as soon as the door opened. "Maka, I'm sorry."

"Seriously, it's fine." Maka made way in the hallway for Tsubaki and Liz, both with numerous bags in tow. "But what's all this?"

"Soul told us to come by later," Liz thankfully didn't hear the huff that elicited from Soul's throat because she had just barely turned the corner. "And after how stressful today must have we thought you might need some stuff." Liz herded Maka to the couch, ignoring Soul almost completely who at least received a wave from Tsubaki.

"Teatime," Soul muttered before he planted a kiss on her cheek and started past the gaggle of girls.

"Thank you," Maka called, still discombobulated by the bags that both girls were leaving at her feet. "But what is it all?"

"Go through it," Tsubaki urged as she sat at Maka's side.

Liz made a Maka sandwich, her cheek pressing against Maka's shoulder. "I shouldn't have said what I said, Maka. It was just a gut reaction-"

"Again, fine," Maka dipped her head to rest gently against Liz's. "Trust me, your's was tame compared to the parent reactions."

"Oh, I'm sure Spirit had a cow," Liz snorted.

Tsubaki gently put her hand on Maka's arm. "But Soul's parents…?"

"Next week." Maka's stomach dipped again and she tried to blame it on the kid. She had met Wes once, almost in passing and definitely before Soul and she were even together. Now she was about to show up on their doorstep, announce their relationship and a baby? If only that nausea was morning sickness so nibbling crackers could abate it. "But my mom was here."

"Was?" Liz snapped. "She left?"

"Well, yeah," Maka whispered, feeling the crinkling starting in her nose, the burn in her eyes. "But she said she'd be back in two months." Soul had thrown a full-on temper tantrum about that, ready to outlaw her altogether, but Maka was still trying to hold on. Two visits in a year would be a first, and if that behavior could just start sticking…

"Then that's when we'll do the baby shower," Tsubaki chimed.

"Baby shower?" Maka blinked.

"Duh," Liz nudged into her again. "Pregnancy can suck, so at the very least other people should buy you stuff for it. Tsubaki and I were talking about it today, and we can totally plan it for you. We're just going to need a list of all your people, Soul's people, and we'll take care of DWMA."

"DWMA are my people," Maka laughed softly, "and I guess we'll find out Soul's next week, but… you don't have to go through all that."

"Maka, don't be ridiculous!" Tsubaki took one of Maka's hands, drawing her attention Liz. "We're family, right? And you and Soul are going to need plenty, so we want to help."

Any control Maka had over the tears reserved for her mother was gone and she got in one good, lip-trembling sob before getting crushed between the two girls, arms circling and fingers comforting.

"Don't smother her, please," Soul grumbled as he walked back into the room, tea tray in hand with cups for all. There was a pot for the girls but Maka had her own cup which she was completely unable to focus on, still fighting off the remnants of the tears. "Maka, is that kid tears or real tears?"

"Kid tears," she murmured with a sniffle.

Soul was about to sit when Liz finally emerged from the jumble of arms. "Hey, put this one in the freezer."

He reversed his trajectory, snatching the bag from Liz's fingers. "Ordered around in my own house," he grumbled until he reached the hallway, throwing back a call, "And like we needed more ice cream here."

"Never enough ice cream," Liz shouted back before turning to whisper to Maka, "Has he been OK?"

"Worried, a little mother-henish at times, but totally sweet." That thought was enough to stop up her tears. "I think… he's done a lot to grow-up in a short time. Maybe he doesn't see it, but every day he's better."

"Soul, an adult?" Liz scoffed as Tsubaki reached around to give her shoulder a shove.

"Could he teach Black Star a little something?" Tsubaki sighed wistfully.

"I don't know, Tsu, try getting pregnant and maybe he'll man up too," Liz smirked.

"Stop," Tsubaki hissed.

Maka managed to laugh as she reached out for both of their hands. "No one else is getting pregnant for a while, OK?"

Liz gave Maka's arm another squeeze. "I don't know, maybe you'll start baby fever."

"Once I tell you what's happening to my breasts, you'll no longer be interested," Maka groaned as she leaned back into the couch, letting the two exchange a look in front of her. "But what else did you get, other than ice cream?"

Tsubaki reached for the first bag, displaying a myriad of items. "Some spa stuff for you."

Maka made the expected 'oohs' and 'aahs' as her fingers touched over the items.

"And some cute stuff for the baby," Liz cooed as she showed off the inside of a second bag.

Soul sauntered in, trying not to draw the attention of the gaggle and hoping against hopes he could finally sit down to just experience the mood swings that he knew were coming. 'Kid crying' was becoming a thing, quick leaps to tears that could either be happy or sad dominating moments were there usually were none.

"And something for Soul!" Tsubaki grinned as she reached across, sifting through until she found what she wanted from Liz's bag. She hopped to her feet, extending her hand with a minty green bundle of cloth.

His smirk wavered while he looked from Maka to Tsubaki as if he were asking for permission. He reached his hand out slowly, plucking the gift from her fingers. As it unraveled in his hand, Soul held his breath, first shocked by the size of it. It was too small to even cover the entirety of his forearm, a onesie with bright bold lettering. "Daddy's Little Monster," he whispered.

"Yeah, since we're ninety percent sure it's going to be a little carbon copy of you," Liz joked but it didn't even seem to make a dent in him.

None of it occurred to him, eyes completely focused on the tiny bit of fabric in his hands. Suddenly he was out of the seat, pushing past Tsubaki and quickly disappearing into the hallway.

"Soul?" Maka sat bewildered for only a second before waving Tsubaki and Liz to stay put, her feet pounding down the hallway almost as hard as her heart. "Soul?" she repeated again as she turned quickly into the bedroom, finding him half in the closet like a child caught in the midst of hide-and-seek.

"Close the door." His voice was so gruff she had no choice and knocked the door closed behind her. As soon as the sound reverberated through the room a second sound hit her, the rough scratch of his sob filled its place.

"Oh, Soul," Maka murmured as she came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "What is it?"

"I just…" Soul sucked in a trembling breath. "The kid's going to be this tiny. I'm going to put him in this and he's going to be so tiny and perfect."

"Soul," she squeezed him tighter, hiding a laugh in the back of his shirt. "You're being adorable."

"And I swear to Death if you tell them," he growled as he wiped the tears away from his eyes. "Maka Albarn, you're swearing right now on everything that you're not going to tell them I'm in here crying about a fucking baby shirt."

"A onesie," she corrected playfully.

"Maka," he growled.

"OK, OK, I swear!" She let her hands travel up his chest, rubbing at his shirt. "Daddy."

"Don't you dare," it was another rumble from his chest followed by a hiccup of air.

"What?" she ran her fingers over his shirt again. "You're going to deserve that name, Soul."

Soul choked through another wave, just narrowly keeping the tears back. "I don't-"

"Sh," she cut him off quickly. "I won't let you argue. It's just like what I said before - we balance. I need you, he needs you."

"You called it 'he' again," he murmured.

"So did you," she replied softly. "Maybe in a month we'll know for sure, but I still see him. The little soul. I… think it kind of looks like yours."

He finally turned in her arms, hands coming quickly to her stomach as if he was going to grip that vision in his fingers, the onesie slowly unfurling across her stomach. "Like me?"

"Yeah," she smiled brightly. "And he's going to be just as protective, loyal, loving, and cool as his dad."