Chapter twenty-five, and the end of this second tale! Yeah I know, it's ending, and you're all so sad.

Raine: We are?

Well, we are. You're not. . -Sticks tongue out- But just wait until you read this last chapter, deary.

Raine: Oh, my...what have you done now?

Look on the bright side, it can't be much of anything bad...It's the last chapter, and I can't fix it. Let's go!

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At last they had been allowed the "Newly-Wed" time. The wedding had semed so far away, but finally she was able to feel like a new wife - which was an odd feeling for her. But not one she hadn't enjoyed in the past year or so. Yes, now the wedding was so far away, but she still treated the marriage as new. Most mornings now they would get up around the same time, mutually agree that he should cook breakfast, and then bid the other farewell as Regal went on to the Lezareno for a while.

This morning had been no diferent. An hour ago she'd watched him walk out the door to their comfortable home, and now she was simply curled up in a corner of theh sofa, reading a book. She had started feeling rather nauseas about fifteen minutes after he'd left, so now was trying to settle her stomach. Truth be told, it wasn't working well.

Grimacing, she marked her place in the book, and stood. However, doing so quickly only made her a bit dizzy, and she fell back down onto the sofa, hand on her head. Wonderful. She was ill. Raine gave a sigh. She knew exactly what Regal would have done for her - get a doctor. Perhaps it was an overreaction, but he'd be a little unhappy with her if she didn't take these precautions.

So, with a slight air of resignation, she sent for one, and once more was reminded awkwardly of the authority she had now. Even if people still resented his choice of bride, she was married to the Duke, and so commanded respect. As a teacher, she'd gotten it from her students. But that was a small school, and nothing compared to the discrimination of the rest of the world.

She shook her head and retreated back to her sof, curled up into a tight ball against the horrid waves of nausea until she had to get up for the doctor. That time, however, came all soon. Raine bit her lip and pushed herself up to open the door. This doctor was getting to know both Regal and herself very well, now. With Deryn's little stunts, and the Aelaes Maer. It had been the same Doctor through everything, she mused.

"Hello again," greeted the man, unable to hide a smile. "We've got to stop meeting like this, Mrs. Bryant." She led him in, quirking a half smile of her own.

"I wish we didn't have to keep doing it," she sighed. "Not to say, of course, that I don't enjoy your company." Her tone was wry.

"I understand. Most people don't find it a comforting thing to get to know their doctor as well as you two. What's the problem, then?"

"I feel horrible," she said, grimacing as another wave a nausea overwhelmed her. Raine explained her symptoms on demand, and the man studied her. Several more questions were asked on his part, and it was a fairly long visit. But at last, he told her what was wrong with her. Or, in his words, "right" with her.

After he'd left, Raine made her way toward the Lezareno with wide eyes, and a face flushed with...something. She looked as though she were in shock, and she knew several people were staring at her as she passed. But that didn't much matter at the moment. She had to tell Regal...

In the lobby of the Lezareno, she stepped off the Elemental Railway car, and asked to see him. Of course, she was admitted right away. He was her husband, after all, and she looked awful. One of the receptionists escorted her into the Elevator and up to his office. After she'd stepped out and Regal had looked around to see who it was, she asked the girl to leave them alone just as he was approaching her. "Raine?" he asked, obviously a bit startled and alarmed by her expression.

"Regal," she returned. He took her arm, and led her over to the desk. She sat on the edge, and looked up at him. "I'm sorry I had to bother you. But this is..important. I thought you would like to know."

Regal stood in front of her, holding her gaze with his own. "What is it?"

"Regal, you...like children, right?" she asked him. Raine could tell by his puzzled look that he thought she was changing the subject completely.

"I suppose it depends on the child, really. What has that got to do with anything?"

"It has everything to do with it all..." She took a deep breath. "Did you ever picture youself...as a father? Humor me."

"Perhaps, I don't know." He blinked at her. She saw the beginnings of suspicion in his eyes, but kept going. He hadn't voiced anything yet.

"Would you like to be one?"

"Raine, this is a very strange place to ask me that question."

"Yes, I know. But...I want to know your answer." She met his gaze steadily. It wasn't really a strange question right now. Well, not for her - she knew what was going on. "Would you like to be a father?"

"Sometime, I believe so...Raine, what's wrong?"

She relaxed a little. "Nothing's wrong, Regal..."

"Then what...?"

Raine looked down, wrapping an arm around her abdomen. With traces of a smile, she looked back up. "Surprise."

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Raine: O.O; I...I...

Yes, lovely. You are.

Raine: O.O

...Yeeeah. While Raine recovers the power of speech...Wow! Big news! Well, this concludes "The Last of the Salri Line!" I hope you enjoyed this fiction...I had fun writing both this one and its prequel. And who knows...maybe I just set up anooother one...

Please read and review. Adios!