It was a bright and sunny day as there were few clouds in the sky. For most people this wouldn't be much of an oddity, but for the people of Burmecia this kind of weather happened once in a blue month, figuratively speaking. Most of the citizens were out and about with the adults chatting amongst themselves, the kids playing & running, and the elderly folk sitting around. Freya looked on as her husband Fratley rubbed her bloated stomach. He had been feeling the kicks of their unborn children as Fratley had his head gently laying on her tummy.

"The kids are hyperactive today, aren't they," Fratley commented

"Oh I think I know the answer to that," Freya replied with a chuckle. It had been over a week since Fratley was put in the hospital after a nasty battle with an antlion. Thankfully he managed to survive, but not without some severe injuries. The healers continued treating his wounds as Freya stayed by his side and after a week he was discharged and ordered to stay at home to let his body heal. The first night Fratley got back home the neighbors and the rest of the Dragon Knight squad decided to throw a celebratory party, not only to celebrate his recovery but to also help give him and Freya some food for the next few days to come.

This included fresh dragon meat that Heinrich and Georgette helped grab from dragons in Popo's Height. Needless to say Freya's eyes lit up that night as she gorged on the meat. After the party, the couple went off to bed as they cuddled for the first time in a while. Freya had remembered it well, she remembered Fratley's warm hug, the feeling of her stomach rubbing against his as their children squirmed around, her hormones setting in as she began to cry. However, those tears were instead of joy. After all that she had been through with not just Fratley's injuries but everything that happened within the past 10 years Freya was more than grateful for what she had.

"I love you Sir Fratley," Freya had told her husband as she slipped into slumber.

"I love you too Freya," she heard Fratley reply as he yawned and snuggled closer. This was the last thing Freya remembered as she went to dream land. The memory of last night alone had nearly caused her to cry out of sheer happiness again. She began to caress her husband's head as he asked a question, "How long do you thing until the little ones come out?" Freya couldn't help but ponder for a bit, her stomach had gotten just a tad bigger since last time. She was already 8½ months into her pregnancy.

"It might not be too long 'til I give birth my love," Freya said. Just then she felt a flurry of kicks in her belly. Fratley felt these two, prompting him to shake his tail in excitement. "oof... well it seems like the kids are really excited to come out of here. giggle I can't imagine how rambunctious they'll be when they get out." Fratley couldn't help but giggle as well.

"Looks like you might have a team of future dragon knights in your belly honey," Fratley said as he patted and rubbed Freya's stomach. Suddenly, Freya's face fell a bit at his statement. Fratley couldn't have noticed his wife's change in mood as he was focusing on her stomach.

"Fratley, I've been meaning to have a talk with you about our kids actually," Freya said as Fratley looked up at his wife. It was then that he saw her face as she looked a bit concerned.

"Is something the matter dear," Fratley got up slowly as he looked at his wife. She was looking down at her stomach as she began to caress it.

"Well, I've been wondering how exactly are we going raise our children," Freya said. Fratley could almost make out a hint of fear in her voice. "We already agreed that a while after I give birth I would return to the Dragon Knights. It seems like you'll likely recover by the time that happens. When that happens what will we do with the kids?" Fratley realized that his wife's concerns were valid as they weren't exactly sure how they would raise their kids. Being away on missions or guarding Burmecia would likely take time away from being able to spend time with your kids. It would probably be difficult to be both a full-time parent and a full-time Dragon Knight. He had questioned this a while ago, but mostly a passing thought. However now his wife was putting that question front and center for him. F

"I guess you do raise a good point Freya," Fratley said as he balled his right hand into a fist and rested his chin on it. "I mean we could get some of our friends to babysit on some occasions while you return to the team." Freya looked at her husband as he could now see the concern in her eyes.

"While that is possible, I still don't know how I feel about us spending a lot of time away from our kids," Freya replied. "Especially when they're still so little." Freya couldn't help but sigh for a bit. "Maybe we should've thought things through." This caused Fratley himself to become a little worried. He began to looked down at his wife's stomach as he began to think. Freya did the same as she continued to rub her stomach. Truth be told she definitely wanted to go back to being a Dragon knight, but she knew that first and foremost she had her responsibilities as a mother to take care of. Eventually Fratley spoke up.

"Maybe we should consider leaving the team then." Freya looked up at her husband, shocked, as he continued speak. "I mean we don't have to completely leave the team per se, but maybe we can act as instructors for future dragon knights. I mean, let's be honest Burmecia is in desperate need of more Dragon knights. Just the two of us and the others might not be enough for protection." Freya couldn't help but think over her husband's words. He did have a point that more Dragon knights could be helpful in protecting Burmecia from future attacks; plus, being mentors could be a good way to still active while still staying close to home. Heck, maybe they could bring the kids over to training. They could become dragon knights as well... it was then that another issue rose up in Freya's mind.

"Fratley dear," Freya said to her husband, "do you think maybe it would be best not to encourage our kids to be dragon knights like us?" It was now Fratley's turn to be shocked as he was bewildered by his wife's words.

"Why would you say that," Fratley asked. "From what you and the others have told me you and I have dreamt of being dragon knights since we were younglings." Freya looked away from her husband as she sighed.

"It's just... I want our kids to live as much of a peaceful life as they can," Freya said as she looked at her husband. Now the worry and shock in her eyes were replaced by deep sorrow. "I don't want they're lives to be dictated by blood and war like ours have been. I want them to be able to not worry about rather they'll see their friends and family again on a nearly daily basis." Freya couldn't help by looked down again. It didn't take much for Fratley to realize she was still wounded by all that happened in the past few years. The genocide of their people, the destruction of Cleyra, the loss of his memories, and his own near-death experience. All of it had clearly taken a toll on the Burmecian's mental state. It's not really something that surprised him as it was clear that the first three scarred her in many ways, with the fourth one having possibly nearly tip her over the edge of despair. It was then that Fratley began to think her words over and come to realize Freya had a good point. Putting his hand on her chin, Fratley spoke to his wife.

"You're right my love," Fratley said with a warm smile. "Maybe it would be best if we tried raising our kids to live more peacefully. I don't want them to suffer the same loss that we did." Freya smiled as well as she put her hand on her husband's. "However, that doesn't mean that I won't teach our kids some self-defense maneuvers. I don't any creep trying to snatch our young ones." Freya couldn't help but chuckle at her husband.

"Alright, fair enough," Freya replied as she went to rest for a bit. Deciding to do the same, Fratley laid down as he wrapped his arms around his wife.

"No matter what happens we can get through it together," Fratley said.

"Of course my love," Freya said as she and Fratley touched their foreheads together. "And whatever happens let's make sure we let our kids live the best lives they can."

"Of course my love," Fratley repeated as he and Freya looked intimately into each other's eyes. It felt like an eternity in paradise for the two. It was like all their worries and troubles were put on hold and all they had were each other and their unborn kids. Freya and Fratley closed their eyes as there lips reached each other and they stayed that way for a good minute... until...

BANG!

Freya and Fratley opened their eyes and ceased the kiss as they looked in the direction of the sound. It sounded like it came from the front door. However a rather familiar voice pierced the now deafening silence.

"HEY LOVEBIRDS ARE YOU IN HERE!?" Both Fratley's and Freya's ears shot up at the sound of the voice.

"Amarant!?" The two said in union. A second voice joined in.

"GOOD! FRIENDS HERE!"

"QUINA!?" The Burmecian couple was already getting up from the bed as Fratley helped Freya walk over to the front door. When they arrived they saw two of their old friends Amarant, a huge, blue-skinned, red-haired human, and Quina, a clown-maid-looking chef with a big tongue, standing in the doorway with the front door now on the floor.

"Godsdammit! What is it with people breaking our front door," Freya said with extreme anger.

"There you two are," Amarant said as he ignored his friend's fierce fury. "We heard down the grapevine that pretty boy got some booboos. So Monkeyface and his wife pretty ordered us to visit. Plus, it finally ain't raining in this flood bank of a city." This prompted Quina to turn to her "friend" with a puzzled look... at least what someone probably assumed a puzzled look from them would look like.

"Zidane no tell you to come. I see you in field and te- mmmff," Quina said right before Amarant covered their mouth with his hand. They squirmed trying to get his hand off them.

"Oh Quina, you really know how to tell the stupidest jokes," Amarant said as he gritted his teeth. He turned his attention Freya and Fratley, the former of whom was still seething at her broken front door and the latter of whom who just down right confused at what was happen. "Anyways, we came to bring you food, medicine, and other junk." Quina stopped squirming as they went outside to get some stuff. They came back inside as they were carrying a bunch of bags as well as baskets.

"We bring yummies," Quina exclaimed as she walked over to Freya. Still angry about the door, the pregnant Burmecian looked at Quina and then stared at Amarant.

"Listen, I appreciate you guys bringing all of this stuff but I don't why the hell you the fu-" Freya's rant was interrupted as Quina took out a scaled fish filled with spiced potatoes and stuffed it into Freya's mouth. Freya's expression turned from one of pure anger to one of astonishment as her eyes dilated. Freya swallowed the food and stared vacantly. "That is quite possibly the best meal I have ever had." Fratley looked even more puzzled, with a hint of concern, as Quina looked proudly at the soon-to-be mother.

"Me make yummy. Me bring more yummies for you and children in belly." Quina took out a whole basket full of the same type of fish and gave it to Freya. Immediately she began munching down on them as she buried her face in the basket. This prompted a hearty from Amarant.

"Geez all it takes is to have food stuff to make calm a pregnant lady down," Amarant said. Freya briefly stopped eating and looked up at her ally.

"Don't think I'll forget about the door. You will pay for it one or another," Freya said in probably the most serious tone Fratley, Amarant, or Quina have ever heard her speak in. The tension was then broken as Freya resumed stuffing her face with the potato-stuffed fish. Clearing his throat, Amarant took out a letter hidden in his hair.

"Monkey Boy and his wife wanted to send you two a letter," he said as he gave it to Fratley. The Burmecian decided to tuck it away in his shirt as he wanted Freya to read it as well.

"Thank you two very much for bringing us all this stuff," Fratley said with a warm smile.

"Wve rveally apprweashiate it," Freya said with her mouth full. She swallowed and continued to eat.

"Meh, not like I had anything better to do," Amarant replied coldly.

"Me love helping friends," Quina said as they rapidly searched for the kitchen and dropped the rest of baskets there. Returning with the bags still in hand, they gave them too Fratley. "These medicine for you and Freya and clothes for babies." Fratley decided to put the bags on the couch.

"Please tell Zidane and Garnet we gave out thanks," Fratley said.

"Very nice talking to you," Quina said as they walked out, leaving Amarant with the couple.

"Looks like that's my queue," Amarant said as he followed the Qu. Before leaving, however, he turned around and pointed at Fratley. "Don't do anything else stupid that'll get you killed. I don't need her crying her eyes out to us all day long." Amarant shifted his attention to Freya. "Oh and Freya? Try not to eat too much. You don't wanna end up as big as that Brahne lady." Amarant had barely enough time to finish that sentence as the freshly-emptied basket came hurling his way. The large human just barely caught it in time to prevent any head injury.

"Choke on a chocobo's leg," Freya said, right before she burped. "Excuse me." Amarant chuckled as he turned around to leave, shaking his head. He picked up the door on the floor and somehow fixed it back in.

"Geez, you two really are made for each other," he murmured to himself as he left. Fratley looked on as he sighed.

"Well, at least we won't have to ask Benjamin to fix the door again," Fratley said as he titled his head. He turned his gaze to Freya as he heard her burp loudly as she patted her stomach.

"Those fish were even better than the dragon meat we had last night," Freya said as she felt like she was in dreamland from how tasty the fish were. Fratley couldn't help but giggle.

"You sure do know how to pick your friends dear," Fratley said.

"I consider Quina a friend. Amarant is more of a rash that I've learned to tolerate," Freya remarked.

"That's definitely one way to describe your relationship with him," Fratley replied as he remembered the letter. "By the way, Zidane and Garnet sent us a letter." He took out the letter and gave it to Freya.

"Oh did they," Freya said as she opened up the letter and began reading it aloud.

Dear Freya,

I hope you and Fratley are doing fine. We heard about Fratley's battle with the antlion. Sorry couldn't visit you. Things have been hectic here, especially with Jane and Sarah now entering their Terrible Twos. Anyways, I hope you liked the treats you got. Aunt Hilda insisted that she pick out clothes for you, Fratley, and the kids once their born, so she sent us the clothes to deliver them to you. She made sure to find some more maternity dresses for you Freya. Oh and Eiko says hi. Also Quina was dying to make you guys some food. Quina kept insisting since as she/he said "She eat for maybe twenty". Sadly I haven't seen Amarant around lately, but you know how he is. Guy's a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. ZIdane sends his regards to his favorite "rat-faced, pot-bellied friend" and Steiner says he might actually visit sometime soon. Hope you guys enjoy the gifts and hopefully you give birth to beautiful children.

Your friend,

Dagger.

Freya couldn't help but smile after reading the letter. Somehow a tear had dropped down her cheek. "I really do know how to pick friends." Fratley smiled too as he hugged Freya.

"What did I tell you," Fratley said as he and Freya rubbed their nose together.

"We should check out the clothes that Hilda sent. It'll be nice not having to wear the same clothes everyday," Freya said as she grabbed the bags that she could feel had clothes in them. She and Fratley headed to their room. Fratley couldn't help but think.

Even if parenting won't be easy, at least we have friends to help us out.