Bioware owns Dragon Age and all the characters, I own Jaya, though...

The King's Rose
Chapter 15: A True Blessing

"Good choice. I followed those exact words. Though, she told me everyone was out for themselves." Alistair said. "That was after seeing Goldanna, my half-sister."

While they were talked, Jaya was surprised how much she was eating as she talked to Wynne and Leliana, who also noticed. "Honestly, I can't get enough food or I wind up sick. I think it's all the stress from the wedding." She explained, sipping water, since she wanted to feel hydrated for tonight, which, the thought of it made her flush and her insides warm up.

"Ahh, she's flushing again." Leliana chided.

"I am not!" Jaya stated.

"Of course not. We're just seeing things yet again, aren't we? I think you are eager for him to swoop you up and carry you away." Wynne said, chuckling at Jaya's rise in blush. "Now that you are married, I assume you know where babies come from?"

Jaya frowned. "Wynne... Two Grey Wardens aren't able to have children due to the taint. If they do, the child might turn into a darkspawn itself. It's wishful thinking, that's all. It's what I have come to terms with as a Grey Warden. As a woman, yes, I'll mourn not being able to carry Alistair's heir and that alone is the lone reason I'm actually jealous of Morrigan. She has his child, while I can't."

Leliana tsked. "Jaya... Who ever said they couldn't have children? And what if they weren't darkspawn, but healthy normal babies?"

"Then I'd wonder if I died and was reborn again." Jaya stated as she chewed on another snack, wondering when the weight will slam into her before remembering that her training would keep it away.

Wynne sighed. "What if I did a quick exam before you change? Would that help?" She asked.

Jaya nodded and the three women went to slip her into her dress that Oriana wore. She held still as Wynne scanned her from head to toe with her magic, hovering on her waist twice before smiling. "What? Is something wrong? Is the taint moving faster?" Jaya questioned, worried about if that were true, she would have even less time with her beloved husband than either expected.

"The taint is dormant, not making any move, though it is still there. However, there is a reason to celebrate for both of you tonight. You are with child, dear. Two and half months, to be precise." Wynne announced before Jaya passed out. "Oh, dear..." She gasped before Leliana wiped away some sweat with a towel and Jaya awakened again. "Please do not scare us again."

"Sorry. I thought I heard you say I was with child.." Jaya stated, shock still in her face and voice.

"You are. Do you think I would lie?" Wynne asked.

"No.. But... A child.." Jaya said mystically, resting a hand on her waist, where their child rested. "Was there taint in the child? And do not tell everyone else, please. I want it to surprise everyone else."

"It's too early to say, but I will be staying here throughout the pregnancy, to keep track of it. And I shall keep it to myself, as will Leliana." Wynne stated as they returned and she hid her smile as she and Leliana passed Alistair to leave the two alone again, though both only managed to resist until they had a grin.

"What are those two grinning about and why do you look like you're confused, dear wife?" Alistair questioned.

"I have a very special thing to tell you, my husband. And I would suggest we sit, least you pass out like I did." Jaya said, tugging him to sit at the nearest chair, perching herself delicately on his lap.

"What it is it with you and telling me things and sounding ominous?" He asked, blinking. "Just tell me already."

"Well, you know I love you. What I found out is amazing news. We're with child, love." She announced right before getting swept up and spun around, which caused her to laugh. "Alistair!" She squealed.

"Truly? A child?" He asked, placing her back on her feet, the grin on his face making her laugh even more.

"My husband, have I ever lied to you?" She asked.

"Never in my knowledge. That's amazing, my love." He said, kissing her deeply before pulling to look at her. "Maker's breath, this gives me yet another reason to love you."

"So, are you happy?" She asked.

"I'm thrilled to be having a child with you, love. I am surprised, yes, that two Grey Wardens now have a child together, but mostly because that it's with you." He stated and, seeing a protest about Morrigan rising, he kissed her lips. "That doesn't count. I despise Morrigan and was actually thinking of you the entire time." He explained.

"Good." Jaya chimed, giggling and kissing him as deeply as he did her earlier, lingering a little longer before she pulled back. "When shall we tell them?" She asked.

"Well, by now everyone knows the nature of our 'relationship' prior to our marriage, so they might be surprised, shocked or happy to hear. Did Wynne tell you how far?" He said.

Jaya put a thinking face on. Two and a half months, which would put their child being conceived at Highever when they visited. "Two and a half months. And, if I'm counting right, that puts us at Highever. Ironic. Our child was conceived in the one place that had once held my nightmares. It still will and it'll take a few more visits before it vanishes, but now... Now it also holds a very happy memory."

"That it does. You really wanted to sleep in Highever?" He asked.

"Not really, but, as long as I had you, I'd have been able to face those demons of that day head on and move past it." Jaya explained, resting her head near his neck.

"Whenever you're ready, we'll let Fergus know we'll start visiting more often." Alistair stated before they walked to rejoin their friends and family, bursting with the news he was eager to share.

"Alistair, you look like you are about to burst, my friend." Zevran stated, raising an eyebrow. "Did you get too much in you already?"

"Nothing like that, Zev. In fact, we wanted to announce it to you guys before telling the people. Jaya's with child." Alistair stated.

Fergus's eyes widened before he whooped, something he rarely did unless he was thrilled before he picked his sister up and spun her around. "I'm going to be the uncle now! Congratulations!" He cheered.

"There's going to be little pitter patter of pike twirlers here, huh? Way to go, son. I'm proud of you. To the happy couple!" Oghren belched before drinking again.

"My dear friend, you apparently did not need my advice to please her, as it appears to have worked out well." Zevran teased, getting the two to flush.

"It and the other Warden are having another fleshly sack? I congratulate it and the other on the news." Shayle stated, sounding confused.

"I wish you, kadan, the best of luck and will be glad to see your offspring grow to be like you on the field." Sten stated, a little ego in his tone.

Caican barked happily before yipping to say he'd guard that child like he has done to Jaya, and to an extent, Alistair.

Jaya knelt down and rubbed his head. "You'll never leave the child alone, which may be a bad thing. But, good to know it'll be so well-guarded." She said, smiling when Alistair even got a lick to the hand.

Mallol smiled. "I am very happy for you. I also suspect your parents are very thrilled right now. If I were them, I'd be watching over you even more closely. They would have spoiled the child, for sure." She stated.

"Spoil is an understatement." Jaya muttered lightly. She wondered what the gender would be, since she was already thinking of names to name the child.

Gilmore smirked. "I bet you'll have them trained on weapons by seven or six. That'll give you exercise." He chuckled. "If anything, that child will no doubtingly be like their mother in some way, sorry, Alistair."

"I wouldn't mind. Just means more to love." He replied, not taking the bait. Him and Gilmore were constantly on their toes around Jaya, despite her being his wife. He had a hunch that the warrior loved Jaya as much as Alistair himself did.

Jaya huffed, feeling the tension rising between her best friend and her husband and stood up. "Andraste's flaming arse. Relax, will you? I can almost see the blighted tension. Both of you know exactly how I feel about the other." She married the man of her dreams and her best friend was constantly taunting him with the fact he knew her since she was three. She prayed Gilmore would get over it before they went to Highever, or so help her, he'd be her next dummy to practice on.

Yes, she is pregnant! It's later than I even planned in my timeline, but I can't exactly zap pregnancy into a person. This story starts off three months after the end of Origins and, if my mind is right, the PC's romance(s) can begin roughly four or five months into the year that Origins takes place... So, if that were the case, Jaya and Alistair have been involved for just over a year with no pregnancy until now...
~~Skittles~~