Super excited for baby number two! Originally Jaime was baby number two but I like the idea of Estelle being the mature and older one... and I love the idea of Cass and Ess dressing Lindsay all cutesy(when she little of course).

"When do you think we should start telling people?" Claire asked, gently tapping the car seat behind her to try and soothe Cassidy who was wailing obnoxiously after the long car ride from the doctors. She was still behind the curb of where she was supposed to be, but she was gaining weight nevertheless and that's all that matters.

Jim's grip on the steering wheel of his mother's car loosened for a moment and his foot nearly slipped off the gas." We should wait," he said, noticing how Claire face turned to a deep scowl." What?" he asked in a high pitched voice.

Claire sighed, turning back to the front, hand still giving light taps against the car seat." Nothing," she said looking up towards the ceiling of the car before turning back down the floor." It's just insane. We're still figuring out how to take care of Cass and provide for her and now we have another on the way... "she sighed, choking back tears."Before keeping it wasn't a question but maybe it would be better, easier if..."

Jim was glad she didn't finish the sentence, mainly since he didn't want to agree with her. Though excited for another baby, he had to admit something about this one felt more irresponsible than Cassidy's conception. With Cassidy, it was a youthful mistake, with this one, they should've known better. That time around they had a daughter that they had to think for and make decisions so she could have the best life and chances even with young and broke parents. But he knew they couldn't give it up. He knew he couldn't and if Claire really felt like the timing wasn't right, she wouldn't be able to. He reached over, pressing one hand gently against her stomach."We've managed to not blow one baby up, I think we can manage another."

She laughed, taking her hand that was on her lap and pressing it against his." We're lucky she hasn't been blown up." she said, feeling only a bit better about it all."How are we going to afford everything? I know we can reuse all of Cass's furniture but she's getting bigger and will still be in a crib whenever it comes, we'll need another. and if it's a boy then it can't necessarily wear all of her clothes."

We'll we don't have to worry about that, Jim thought, half upset there was no surprise in the gender for him, but the other half was happy since he knew they could just have her wear all of Cass's old baby clothes."We'll manage. It's not like we're completely alone."

"I guess," she began, hand falling from its place on top of his and back down to her lap." If Blinky's right about everything with the dragon, then there's really no choice other than New Jersey. I'm not saying Cass and I should stay back but, it won't be as easy. We can barely afford groceries let alone an apartment and two kids!"

He didn't want to bring up the conversation they'd fought only twice about that was if Cassidy and Claire should stay if Blinky was right about the dragon in the caverns below the Heartstone. After just a few days of searching, Blinky and Aaarrrggghhh had managed to find where they thought the entrance to the caverns should be and he and Toby were going down to investigate that very evening, with the pacifist and book troll of course."Blinky says Merlin said that the New Jersey Heartstone was in a large cave below what's now Brown Mills New Jersey. I searched up the town and rent for crap apartments are just under a thousand a month but it said it wasn't the safest town either."

"How much exactly?" Claire asked, wanting to wait before she asked more about the crime. The old blue car pulled into the driveway and wheezed to a halt. Strickler's car was there as well, though at that point it had become more like his mother and Strickler's car ever since they had to use his mom's more often.

"Around seven hundred." Jim sighed, unbuckling, and pushing the car door open. As he walked around the back, pulling out Cassidy's tank while Claire unbuckled her, he could hear Claire mumbling to herself about how they would barely be able to afford a month, let alone live there full time. It was a moment like this where Jim hated the burden the amulet placed on him. Of course, he had to thank the amulet for bringing him and Claire closer, resulting in Cassidy and now Estelle. But it was making the hard task of being teen parents harder, adding the constant fear of the danger around, and the obligations that weren't always one he wanted to follow through with. And then he remembered everyone else. His mother and Claire's parents in particular. With Cassidy, they'd been so mad and disappointed(he still had the scars from Jhavier to show it), but finding out about this baby, he only expected to see disappointment."Have you felt sick at all?" he asked, fidgeting with his keys.

Claire shrugged, rocking the car seat back and forth to lull the crying baby." We're out of the car sweetheart," she said, always finding it interesting she hated the car. Perhaps it had something to do with the crash but Claire doubted that."No none yet. I've felt nauseous but haven't actually thrown up."

"What's this about throwing up?" Barbara asked,d overheating their conversation as she began an attempt at meatloaf."If either of you is sick it's best to stay away from Cassidy. With her deficient immune system, it would be horribly for her to catch anything."

"Oh no, neither of us are sick," Jim stumbled, hoping it would go over her head. Sadly, he knew Barbara Lake, and she wasn't one to let something go, especially when it came to health.

Barabra's face tightened, able to tell with ease her son was lying."What's this about throw up then?" she asked, waiting a moment for an answer before releasing a quiet groan."Did Cassidy puke? It's okay if she did you used to a lot. How much thought? Did Dr. Kelley say she was-"

"Barbara, Cassidy didn't throw up, "Claire interrupted, receiving a frightened and questioning look from her fiance." Jim was just asking me if I had," she said, moving her arms that were holding Cassidy's car seat so they casually blocked her torso from view.

Barbara raised an eyebrow, turning concerned."Are you sick? This time is always to worst, I have medicine if you feel nau-"

"Mom," Jim said firmly, trying to not show the fear that was seeping through the wall he'd put up between him and his mother. He felt tempted to grab Claire's hand but chose not to. He didn't want it to be like when she found out about Cassidy because it wasn't. this time around they weren't to teens who'd been stupid and childish, no, now they were parents, young ones but they were parents." Claire's pregnant."

This time was somehow easier than with Cassidy. She was silent at first and her face turned angry but it seemed more shocked." Wha... how," she took a deep breath, grabbing onto the counter for support."What were you both thinking?" she asked, not a rhetorical question but a literal question.

"We weren't, like Cass... it was a mistake." her voice was choked and jagged admitting Cassidy had been a mistake." Sshh," she cooed as Cassidy began to cry again."I have to go get her in bed," Claire said, joyful she could escape for even just a moment to breathe. The silence between the mother and son didn't end after Claire and Cassidy exit. Jim prayed she'd wait till Claire got back to reprimand them both but, of course, she didn't.

"How could you both have been so stupid?" Barbara asked sternly, staring her son dead in the eyes." You both can barely take care of Cassidy, how do you expect to manage two?"

Jim tried to ignore to insult of her saying they weren't good parents but he couldn't."It was a mistake and we-"

"You both are living here in my house. I don't want to find out every few months you having another mistake-" Stay calm Jim, he yelled at himself wanting to scream how Cassidy wasn't a mistake though she technically was."Do you realize how lucky you two are to still get a chance to live your lives? It is so foolish to have another even if it's an accident. Do you both realize your consequences have actions-"

"Of course we do!" Jim fought back, anger bubbling to an overflowing point and stress rocketing through the roof."I-we get the consequences. Do you not think we're stressed out? We barely have normal conversations, they're always about what to do next, how we're going to make things work. Believe me, we're trying to get things right, but being called a bad parent doesn't help!"

Barbara was taken back, going pale as she thought over what she'd said."Jim I..."

Jim looked towards the ground, fighting back to tear begging to be let go." I'm trying," he said, pained that it seemed everyone thought of Cassidy as some mistake and their lives would be easier,r possibly better without her. Of course, he didn't agree.

"Hey, Jimbo you ready to goo..." Toby had rushed inside, seeing that both cars were there. He had his backpack, stuffed with three Diablomaximus Breakfast Burritos in case of an emergency or in case he got hungry. The pudgy boy halted when he saw the mother and son who'd obviously been fighting."I can leave if..."

"No, I'm ready," he said, grabbing the amulet and his bag with a flashlight and other things that could come in handy."Could you tell Claire, I've gone," he asked, receiving no reply but the same speechless expression form his mother. He sighed, talking straight past his best friend. He walked at a speedy pace to his bike landed against the garage door. He frowned looking at the bike he'd had since eighth grade. Another thing he and Claire had to worry about was a car. Neither had one and if the theory on the dragon was true and they were forced to move to New Jersey where neither had any family, they'd have to find some way to get around. "What the hell are we gonna do?"

"What's that Jimbo?" Toby asked, clicking his helmet into place and struggling to get on his bike.

"Oh, nothing," Jim said kicking his bike up. As they turned to exit the driveway, he could see throw his bedroom window, Claire lying Cassidy down. Maybe they should... no. He groaned, tired of this mental war. He knew she was happy and he was too but it felt like they'd never be fully settled. So far as parents, all their choices revolved around others, he just wished for once they could decide what was best for their daughter.

"So what were you and Dr. Lake talking about?" Toby panted, struggling to keep of with Jim who was using his anger as energy to pedal towards the canals.

Jim breathed through his mouth, pace quickening, and slowing as he thought over the brief conversation with his mother." Claire's pregnant." he said simply. It was definitely easier getting used to it all than when she was expecting Cassidy. But he had this gut feeling this pregnancy would be somehow harder.

Toby went still, nearly falling off the bicycle as Jim zipped ahead."Wait!" he called out, panting as he pedaled harder than ever to catch up with his friend."What do you mean she's pregnant?!"

Jim sighed, rolling down the hill that led to the canal."What else could I mean Tobes?" he asked but his friend's faces still searched for an explanation."It means we're having another baby,"

"Wooaahh..." Toby said, shook."So wait were you guys trying, or was it an accident?" he asked, though, by Jim's unhappy and uneasy behavior, he could predict they hadn't been trying.

"Accident," Jim said, hopping off his bike and leaning it against the wall. Toby tossed him the horn gazel that he created the doorway to the market with. The two friends entered the cavern with a crystal stairway they'd walked down at that point over a hundred times.

"So what's you know, Claire, and your thoughts or plans, thinking if all this dragons tuff is true?" Toby asked as they walked down the stairs.

Jim shrugged."We're still talking about what exactly we're doing but if Blinky's right about the dragon and we have to evacuate, we kinda have to go to New Jersey. Money's obviously a problem since we have none and I don't have any relatives up there and neither does Claire. Then of course affording things for Estelle makes things harder and you saw my mom's reaction so I can only imagine what the-"

"Wait who's Estelle?" Toby interrupted, a quizzical look on his face.

"It's the-" Jim stopped himself, remembering that no one else knew about the future and Claire had woken up describing a weird dream she didn't know as true."The baby, just a name I like."

"First you gotta know if it's a dude or not," Toby laughed, slapping his friend on the back."Don't worry Jimbo, you know if you need a world-class baby sitter, couch to crash on, pro detective, or Troll ass-kicking Warhammer, just call me."

Jim chuckled, forever grateful for his childhood friend."I know Tobes. In times of need, you're on my speed dial."

Toby moaned."You've been spending too much time with the Nunez's,"

"Master Jim, Tobias!" Blinky bellowed."Where on Earther have you both been!?"

"Sorry Blink, some uh family matters came up," Jim said, wanting to erase his and his mother's conversation from his mind.

"Well because of your tardiness, we are behind schedule." He yelled at the two teens." Every moment is precious as we must predict the unpredictable when dealing with dragons!"

"Chill Blinky, we've got all the time in the world," Toby said, spreading his arms out in front of the troll.

"Actually no we don't, or might I remind you we are dealing with a fire-breathing dragon, world-decimating sprites, and a dying Heartstone which is the very source of our existence," he said sternly, arms crossed, pouring it all down on the two of them.

"Speaking of sprites, any word from Douxie and Nari?" Jim asked.

Blinky shook his head, eyes closing as a sigh."Negative. No news from Hididoux nor Nari but do not fret, once this is settled we will be able to focus on defeating the Arcane Order."

"Well said Blinkous," Toby said, speaking like he was a rich British man, which made his transition to a bro even stranger."Now let's kick some dragon ass!"

. . .

"Ugh, it stinks down here."

"I know Tobes,"

"And god why's it so hot."

"Because there's a goddamn dragon!"

"Oh ya... oh sorry."

Jim moaned, rolling his eyes back in annoyance. Luckily the fuming scent of burning mold covered the scent of Toby's inner gas exiting. Sadly, as they moved forward and Toby tripped back onto Jim, Jim was front row to the scent."Gross Tobes!" he shouted, pushing his friends off of him, causing him to fall into a strange muck.

"Sorry, Jimbo. Maybe I shouldn't have had two of those tacos. Even I can't handle that much spice." he said, attempting to stand up but finding he was unable to."U Jimbo..."

Anger and annoyance rushing through his veins, Jim turned around."What Tobes?"

Toby looked worried as he continued to try and get out of the muck he was now thigh-deep in."I think we have a problem." he said, kicking frantically as he tried to get out but found that only made him sink more.

"Okay stop moving, I'll uh... I'll get you out, don't worry," Jim assured his friend, fishing the amulet out of his bag and summoning daylight. Turning back to Toby he saw that he was still thrashing about and now waist-deep."Okay, stop moving." he said, bringing his sword up implanting it into the muck. The daylight which the sword was made of burnt the muck, freeing the sword and returning to normal once he'd pulled it out."Tobes this is gonna hurt."

"Wait what are you doing?!" he shouted seeing that Jim was holding the sword right above him. Thinking his friend could've gone insane, Toby shut his eyes, preparing himself for his demise. To his surprise and relief, Jim did hit him, but only slightly, just scraping the skin. Luckily the daylight injected the muck, burning it just enough Toby."Quick, pull me out!" he shouted, holding his hand out that Jim grabbed. Grunting, Jim struggled to get his overweight friend out, but once he'd pulled him closer to the edge, toby was able to get his foot on stable ground and kick himself out. Both teens flew back, breathing heavily from what had conspired.

"Not the worst we've dealt with huh?" toby asked, traumatized greatly."Awesome," he said breathlessly.

After a minute to rest and regather their thoughts, both were back off on their journey through the caverns below the market. the caverns were hot and gross. The halls were covered with destroyed ruins and molting vines. They had to avoid pools of the muck which was similar to the ones the Koobara had in their swamps. The deeper they traveled, the hotter the caves grew and the walls were no longer the deep blue but similar to the ash rocks that were infecting the market and now Heartstone.

"Well, on a lighter subject, wanna be my best man?" Jim asked, quite seriously. He held his sword tightly, Toby cowering behind, clutching his Warhammer close to his chest.

Toby looked surprised but his face quickly turned serious."Yes but not the right time." Jim chuckled, jumping over a larger muck pit."So what are your and Nunuez's plans for that and the baby?"

"We only briefly talked about the wedding but we plan on it just being in the backyard of my mom's house. Just close friends and immediate family. There isn't a set date yet but we're thinking January or February. As for New Jersey, we haven't spoken to our parents about it all. We don't want to but we have to ask for some money, just for the first few months. Of course, we plan on repaying them but you know my mom and the Nunez's." he sighed, just wishing he'd miraculously win the lottery like Toby's parents had.

"For the whole parent stuff all I can say is good luck," Jim laughed. He could always depend on toby for a laugh even when they were younger."But for the wedding stuff, you better bet I'll be there. Now for theme what were you both-"

"Okay, we've got a dragon to hunt, and personally I don't want to meet Wedding Planner Toby," Jim said as they neared a dead-end neither noticed.

Making an elongated face, Toby sigh in agreeance."That might be best, he's an ass." Another laugh was cued but short-lived when they finally became aware they were at a dead end."Great, just great. We walk all this way, my butt explodes, I'm nearly eaten by mud and for what?!"

"Shush," Jim ordered looking at the wall closely. He observed that engraved was what looked like animals, all different colors."Strange, it's like a pattern."

"Oh, I love codes!" Toby fanboyed, pushing past Jim and touching the plaque of an orange jaguar. the plaque moved in but nothing happened."Well that's a buzz-" he was interrupted by a series of darts being thrown towards them. Jim moved in front of Toby, summoning his shields and blocking the darts." Wooaahhh, so cool!" he exclaimed forgetting that they'd nearly been impaled seconds earlier.

"Wait!" Jim shouted, pushing his friend's arm away before he could touch another tile." We can't just touch them. As you said, it's like a code." he looked closely at all the different animal species."We need a specific one," it was then he noticed the shape of an animal in particular that he was unsure existed. It was a griffin, a yellow one to be exact. His blue eyes widened."Amarillo Griffin," he said, recalling that along with Wyvern which was the dragon's supposed species, Cassidy had clearly said Amarillo Griffin or Yellow Griffin.

"Yellow right?" Toby asked, worse at Spanish than Jim."Hey Jimbo, you there?" he asked, noticing Jim was entirely focused on that one tile.

Without a second thought, Jim pushed the tile in. The ground rustled and both grew fearful they'd chosen wrong. But then everything went still. Entirely still. The door then collapsed in on itself, giving them a dusty path. Coughing up gravel, both stepped slowly, making sure to be cautious. What they saw next was the thing most kids dreamed of. The thing they feared.

"Holy shit."