Different. Different. Everything's different.
The nurse excitedly confirmed Byleth's suspicions. Too many nauseous mornings, too many strange sensations, too many days feeling sore in places that had given her reason to reach out to the royal physician.
A baby.
She should have felt ecstatic, been absolutely delighted. Her marriage with Dimitri was only a few months ago and already they were to be blessed with the fruit of their union. However, as the realization sank in after the nurse left, her breath became hitched.
Her, a Mother?
Her mind wandered back to thoughts of Sitri, and her hand hovered over her chest. This gift of life brought her guilt on quiet days. She had found some peace with the passing of her parents, but the truth behind her survival had brought her much pain. She remembered how her Mother had been described as fragile, how Byleth had been stillborn and only by a miracle was saved.
Her palm gently fell to her stomach in curiosity and hesitant happiness. Her child. Dimitri's child. The thought made her smile, but then fear rose like a wave within her. What if they lost this precious gift? Byleth had been granted a new life by the Goddess, and she mouthed a silent prayer that the Goddess would bless her growing family, that the child would be a healthy one.
Her anxiety swelled. She knew nothing of motherhood. If her child survived how could she, raised to fight and not to nurture, be a good Mother? What if she also didn't survive childbirth and left her own baby behind? She imagined Dimitri raising a family alone, or the despair it would bring if the baby were to also be stillborn, and realized she is terrified of telling him. Every blessing came with one more thing they could lose. Her mind flashed back to battles from the war, and she was flooded with memories and emotions. She tried to ground herself, and slowly pulled back into the now. She had to become even stronger, and the pressure of looking forward and back overwhelmed her.
Tears escaped as exhaustion took hold. She had told the nurse to keep the revelation private for now, to allow her to surprise Dimitri herself. He had been revising new orders for reconstruction in Southern Faerghus, and had been busy late into the night the past few weeks. She wondered when they might next have the chance to talk when the door to her chambers creaked slightly.
"Beloved? The royal physic notified me that you needed me urgently. Is something wrong?"
Byleth turned to Dimitri, hand still on her stomach, and froze.
He entered the room and walked over to join her when he noticed her posture. His mouth gaped slightly, eyes widening.
"B-beloved... is that, are yo- I mean... are we...?"
Byleth raised her head to meet his gaze, and in his eyes she found all the hope in the world. The corners of her mouth found themselves reaching up through her fears as all she could feel was this moment.
"Yes."
He took a deep breath and let out a soft laugh. Disbelief and awe filled the space between them.
"A family. I never dreamed..."
"Neither did I." Byleth swallowed, envious of her younger self's stoicism. She began to shake slightly, closing her eyes.
"Beloved, are you alright?" He quickly came to her side, kneeling to wrap his arms around her.
"I... a mother... but... Sitri... what if I..." She broke down into his embrace. He held her tightly, holding her as she released all the apprehension that had built up within her.
After a few moments, he gently cupped her cheek and looked at her, wiping away the last of the tears.
"Don't cry Beloved. This is a happy time." Dimitri's eyes were glistening as well. "We will make this our home together. This is the most joyful moment of my life, and I know by your side there will be many more moments of joy together."
Byleth's eyebrows gathered in uncertainty. "I don't want to leave you alone."
"Byleth. You are the strongest person I know. I believe in you. I believe in us. I love you no matter what happens. We will do our best... to live this life."
Dimitri placed his hands on hers, and peace washed over her.
"Yes. I believe in us too."