Kaden yawned as he walked into the kitchen, checking the time on the microwave. It was still fairly early, only 7 in the morning, so he hadn't slept in as long as he thought he had. He wouldn't have to guess how long he had slept if Rivet hadn't accidentally crushed his alarm clock in her fist while talking to his son, but that's just how things go.

He did notice that, despite the hour, Ratchet hadn't put a pot of coffee on. He was usually religious in his caffeine consumption, so he looked around in wonder. Seeing no sign of him he figured Rivet had trapped him in bed for the day. Wouldn't be the first time nor the last in all likelihood. So he went to the drawer to retrieve the carafe and make some himself.

Only to be shocked when he opened the doors to find his son curled up in a fetal position and reading from a data pad. Neither shouted or made a noise, only made eye contact for a moment before Kaden glanced over his shoulder one more time to be sure no one was there. Satisfied that they were alone he knelt down to be eye level with him.

"Uhhhh… Everything alright there son?"

Ratchet sighed and put the pad down. "No. I'm hiding from Rivet."

Kaden nodded. "Yeah, I got that part. Can't help but wonder why though."

"Because it's like she's possessed!" He stressed his voice but kept it quiet. "Everyday she wants something new or weird. Like, do you remember seeing me around the house yesterday?"

Kaden thought about it for a moment. "No, now that you mention it."

"That's because I had to fly to Koress to get special eggs for a grunthor and snagglebeast omelette! And if I'm not running around the galaxy trying to satisfy her cravings I'm here trying to satisfy her! She's become this insatiable monster almost."

"Easy now son." Kaden said while patting the air. " It can't really be that bad."

"But it is. I love her and I'd do anything for her, believe me, but my body is breaking down with how much she's been hammering me. I think I've slept a total of 6 hours in the past 3 days."

"Did you talk to her at all, let her know how you're feeling?"

"I can't. I wanted to, but then I see her eyes staring back at me and I crumble."

"Ohhh, that kid's gonna walk all over you ain't it."

Ratchet sighed. "Yeah."

"How about you let dear old dad help? Cause if this doesn't stop soon you two will crumble in the face of the next set of side effects."

"There's more?" Ratchet asked in disbelief and Kaden nodded in response.

"A lot more. I think next is usually a rash, then swelling in *ahem* uh places, on top hot flashes. You've both still got a hell of a road ahead of you, probably best if you're walking it at the same pace."

"Alright." Ratchet said with a huff. "Just… Don't tell her where I am yet."

"Only if you give me the coffee pot."

"Deal."

Kaden took the coffee pot from him and then closed the cupboard door. He set the pot into the machine, hit start and then went out to go see Rivet. She'd been spending most of her time outside of the bedroom or bathroom these days in her garden, so that was where he went first. Lucky guess, since that was exactly where she was, in the middle of watering.

"Rivet, you got a second?"

She looked up at him from the dirt. He couldn't help but marvel at her. He hadn't seen a pregnant lombax since his wife, so he forgot just how much they glowed and radiated warmth, even if their biology meant that any baby bump was quite minimal. "Sure, what's up?"

"Well, it's about Ratchet. He's apparently having issues keeping up with all you're putting on him."

"That explains a lot."

"Yeah. I'm not asking you to stop with the cravings and o-other things, just try and make sure he's getting the rest he needs. You may be the one carrying the kid, but you are both in this together."

Rivet nodded to herself. "Fair enough. Thanks for volunteering yourself for niche food craving fulfillment duty."

"Wait, what?"

"Someone's gotta satisfy my cravings, and Ratchet's the only one that can do the night time ones. So that leaves food to you."

Kaden sighed, knowing how hopeless it was to argue with her by now. "The things I do for family."

"Murmur later, Cartessen pit snake meat burrito now. Oh, and tell Ratchet to get out of the cupboards. Mama is feeling frisky."

Kaden groaned and walked back inside.

Turns out father and son are more alike than they thought. Neither can say no to a pretty face.