Ais hummed lightly while she tied a knot behind her back, Bell would die for this sight, because she wore an apron. It had been a month since Bell proposed to her and she never felt this happy before in her life.
Today would be a special day and while she was a bit nervous, she was also looking forward to it very much. It was still early morning and she was in one of the kitchens of the Loki Mansion, it wasn´t really blocked at the moment for everyone, but most Familia members would not come here this morning.
"Make sure it is closed properly."
"Understood."
Ais wasn´t alone in the kitchen, the one who accompanied her...was Riveria. The proud elf also tied an apron around her body...the elves of the Familia would probably faint by that sight. Various tools and ingredients were spread out on the countertop.
They had planned to make something...special...a lunch set for two. But it wasn´t meant for them...or at least not Riveria, it was meant for Bell and Ais, for their quest today. A very special quest...one that made Ais Wallenstein more than a bit nervous.
"Okay, wash your hands and then we will start."
"Alright."
The sight of them side by side was really adorable...like mother and daughter. Riveria had agreed to Ais´ request, to show her how to make a fine lunch box. The elf didn´t showed it...but deep inside her she was too happy to help Ais with her "Wife training".
"Riveria?"
"Yes?"
"I see no meat, is that correct?"
"Yes, for starters I thought I would show you how to make an elven lunch box, like Aina and I did in the past when we traveled through the forest."
Ais was probably the only person that Riveria told much about her time back in the forest.
They worked slow and steady, at some point Riveria gently took Ais´ hands and showed her how to cut the vegetables...Ais was really good at chopping things to pieces...but cutting cooking ingredients was something else. Ais was a bit shocked that she wasn´t allowed to snack on the ingredients.
"Bell always let´s me do this..."
"And that´s why you don´t learn anything about cooking, and why I do this."
"Okay..."
"You asked me to do this."
"And I´m grateful for it!...Mom..."
Is this how it feels to be a mother? Haaa...
Riveria was really happy...at this point she couldn´t know that her motherly feelings would lead to a small personal "problem" for her in the future...a "problem" that would later give her joy that she never experienced before.
"Ais, the water is boiling, put the eggs into the water, use the spoon and do it carefully."
"Alright!"
The mother-daughter time was really precious for them. Loki joked sometimes that Riveria went full Mommy mode ever since Bell asked her for permission to marry Ais. And while said goddess would pay much money of the sight of her beloved cuties in aprons...she wasn´t at the Mansion this morning.
The goddess had some serious matter to attend to, and like always she was guarded by one of her children, today the lot fell on Bete. .
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"Hmmm~Hmmm~Hmmm! Strolling through the city with my wolf bodyguard! Hmmm-Hmmm-Hmmm! Come one Bete, hum with me!"
"Don´t wanna."
"Awww, you are no fun, come on...smile for me!"
Loki grinned, Bete only sighed. "You´re annoying."
.
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A bit earlier, at the Heart Mansion, Bell whistles by himself as he helped with the housework and used a feather duster at the windows of the ground, side floor. Not only Ais got help by her Familia members, Bell had asked his Familia for help too...for husband training.
This hallway ended at a big, double door, it parted the area of the Miach Familia from the Main Mansion, just like Takemikazuchi´s on the other side. Lately the far eastern god and his children had started to renovate their part even further, as well as a big part of the garden on their side, to give it a far eastern touch. Haruhime helped whenever she had time,
really enjoying to spend time with her childhood friends. And someone else helped them...Terry. He claimed it was only for the joy of simple labor...but not only the god guessed that he had a different reason...a reason with a bushy tail.
Bell made sure the window was perfectly clean, Haruhime would later check on his work and she could get really "angry" when housework was done sloppy. He had already seen Daphne and Cassandra, who went on a quest in the dungeon today, Bell didn´t knew what their exact destination was, but not too deep.
After being statisfied with the window, Bell wanted to move to the next when the door to the Miach area opened.
"Ah, good morning Mr. Cranel."
"Good morning, Ms. Amid."
The silver haired healer...the angel of Orario...nodded politely as she closed the door behind her. Amid wore a pink robe, with purple-white borders and something like a white poncho. Most of her hair was bound to a ponytail, only a few strains loose.
It wasn´t her work clothes, but something she wore in her free time.
"I see you are cleaning the house very early."
"Well the house is really big."
"Indeed it is. Please excuse me, Mr. Cranel, I have to go to work."
"Have a safe trip."
"Thank you...may I ask, how is your arm?"
Bell stopped in his work and pulled his left sleeve back, his level up to seven had done wonders for the healing process. The scar was still visible and would be forever, but aside from that it looked mostly normal.
"No problems."
"Good...then I wish you a safe day."
"Until next time, Ms. Amid."
Bell continued his work while Amid went her way...in the second she turned around the corner and went out of sight...a thought came to Bell´s mind.
Wait...Why is Ms. Amid here in the first place?!
He blinked a few times, then looked at the door to the Miach area.
Maybe she visited them early? But that would be very early.
The door opened for a moment and a sleepy looking Naza´s head poked out.
"Bell...mnhml...is...*yawn*...Amid already gone?"
"She went to work a few moments ago."
"Okay...*yawn*...she get´s up really quiet..."
Naza vanished and closed the door again.
She gets up quiet?
Eeeeeeh?!
Bell never got to know what exactly happened between Miach, Naza and Amid, but it wasn´t the last time he saw her here in the morning...or the three together in the city. Dian Cecht blamed Miach for "seducing" his best healer...not that Amid would leave her Familia.
But at some point in the future, Bell would notice a ring on Amid´s hand...and a second on Miach´s. He knew that Naza and Amid were rivals...but he didn´t knew they loved the same guy...and it would be too personal to ask them how it came that Miach had two wives...
As long as they were happy, it was all that mattered for Bell. So he would never know about the talk between the three, Amid was quite adamant that Miach had to take responsibility, after the incident in the bath house, they had sat together naked in the hot water.
But not only Miach, Amid also demanded from Naza responsibility, during that talk Amid suddenly blurted out that now the guy she loved had seen her naked, she had no other choice than to marry her. In the end Naza agreed...as well as Miach...but she demanded the position of "The Main Wife".
Both women just couldn´t be honest with each other...but they found a common theme...how wonderful Miach was.
Okay, to the next window!
.
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Hestia walked herself to the door when she heard a knock.
"Ah, Loki. You are here early."
The small goddess glanced to the young man that accompanied Loki, somehow Bete looked like he was feeling a bit unwell.
"Much to do today and I wanted to get it done as soon as possible, there are many things to prepare."
"Then come in you two."
Hestia smiled to Bete when he got inside, he simply nodded to her. She led them to the big living room, someone waited for them there...Lena.
In the moment she saw Bete, Lena´s expression brightened. "Bete!"
"Morning, Lena."
"Ehehe."
He sat down next to her and she immediately snuggled up to him. After refilling her "Bete-Energy", Lena let go of him and sat up properly, looking at Hestia and Loki.
"So little Lena, are you ready and have everything packed?"
Lena saluted to Loki. "Yes! Everything I own is packed and ready."
"Bete, I expect you to carry her bags."
"Don´t need to tell me that, Loki." He shrugged his shoulders.
"Hehe, good boy."
Now Lena looked at Hestia.
"Lady Hestia...I want to thank you for everything! Please don´t think ill of me that I leave so early after you took me in!"
Hestia smiled motherly. "Don´t worry little Lena. I understand and support your reason, if you want to visit, the door is always open for you. Also...a family should be together, right?"
"Heheheh."
Lena Tally gently stroked her belly...finally her wish became true. Bete had kept his word at the festival, he wouldn´t let get away from him...protect her...and the result...was this now...she got pregnant.
One week ago the test that she used now and then had finally shown the right color, she had laughed and cried in joy at the same time.
So it was time for a few changes.
Lena put her hair to the side and revealed her mostly bare back to Hestia, it was enough for her to work. The young amazon sat on the couch and hummed.
"I~am~preg~nant ..I~am~preg~nant ..I~am~preg~nant ..."
It was a cute sight how happy she was about that.
"Hah...Loki this is the second child you take away from me, you know?"
"Lefiya belonged to me in the first place! And it isn´t my fault when Bete chases his girlfriend while he is in heat!"
"I can hear you, you know?"
Hestia smirked. "How about you let Ais join my Familia then?"
"Never!"
The small goddess struck out her tongue to Loki and continued to take her blessing away from Lena. Just like with Lefiya back then, Loki sat down and did her work, giving her blessing to Lena.
From the morning onwards that Lena had learned she was pregnant, she had to immediately leave the dungeon party. Next she informed Hestia and the others...more than one time...and eventually walked with Hestia to the Loki Mansion. While Hestia had talked with Loki, Lena informed Bete in his room that he was going to be a father.
Eventually Loki was done.
"So, welcome on board, Lena."
"Thank you a lot, lady Loki!"
"Loki is fine."
"Alright!"
Then Lena turned to Hestia and suddenly hugged the goddess, not really tight since she already was careful with her belly.
"Thank you for everything, Hestia-chan."
"I told you to stop calling me that!"
But the goddess returned the hug.
"Just make sure you let me see her when she get´s born okay?"
"They."
"...They?"
Lena moved a bit away and nodded, presenting proud her belly...which wasn´t swollen at this point.. "Yes, they. Didn´t I said that it will be two?"
Even Bete´s jaw dropped. "No you didn´t!"
"Woops...teehee." Lena bonked her head gently with her fist and struck her tongue out.
The quirky amazon had wished everyone goodbye, especially Haruhime. The renard had told her if she needed something, she should just say a word. At the day of giving birth to her daughters, Haruhime, Samira and Aisha would help her, all three were trained for the needed skills...and Lena wanted people she knew around her.
Soon Bete took all the bags of his wife-to-be and waited at the door.
"You better take good care of her mister...or I will send my Bell after you!"
For a moment it looked like Bete would snarl back...but Lena glanced at him from the side and used her fingers to pull her mouth up to a smile. The gesture was clear.
"*sigh* I will, goddess Hestia."
"Good, I´m sure you will become a great father!"
Loki grinned wide. "Hehe...I´m sure Tione will be suuuuuper pissed that she isn´t the first to get a child."
Bete sighed. "Somehow...I feel sorry for Finn now..."
"Another set of amazon twins?! Lucky me! Little Lena, how about you call them "Tonia" and "Tonie"?!"
Bete answered before the mother of his future children could answer. "No way in hell!"
"Awwww c´mon Bete...I´m sure Tiona and Tione would be wonderful big sisters!"
.
.
Needless to say that the whole Loki Familia got shocked...not that Lena joined their Familia...not even that she was pregnant with Bete´s children...it was more the fact that Bete actually had a girlfriend.
Ais´ shocked face was priceless. "Bete...a Papa?!"
She rememberred a moment after a big fight against Evilus, in the events that would lead to the incident in Knossos...when this special amazon had jumped onto Bete and hugged him lovingly.
"Bete Loga, make me a child right now!" Lena smiled as much in love as always.
"Bete...you just did what she told you?!" Ais got deep red.
"I didn´t!"
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"So Bell, do you have everything?"
Hestia waited at the door a while later, next to her stood one of Lily´s enormous backpacks. Bell had lent it from her for the weekend.
"Yes, Hestia. Everything we need."
"Then I wish you good luck with your quest. Will you two stay here when you come back?"
"Yes, for two days, I promised lord Miach and Naza to help them with something, then we will be the next week at the Loki Mansion."
It didn´t meant that Bell would be away for a whole week, he and Ais just changed the location where they slept every week.
"Hah...I still see the little boy before me...and soon...you are going to become a husband."
"Ehe...the time sure flies."
"Indeed it does, now go and have a safe trip."
"Thank you, Hestia."
"And bring me back a souvenir!"
"Of course."
.
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"Ais, do you have everything?"
"Yes, all packed."
"Then have fun and stay safe."
"I will."
She would meet Bell in front of Babel, Ais had a normal backpack for herself. Ais didn´t walked fast to meet Bell...she ran, Riveria smiled when she saw that.
Hah...she is so in love.
Riveria couldn´t be more happy...she was really looking forward to see her little Ais soon in a wedding dress.
I wonder how many wait!..It´s too soon for that...Hah...how much of a Mom can I be...
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Bell waited next to the entrance to Babel with his giant backpack, leaned against the wall and waited, as always he came a little earlier than agreed. For today he had decided to just take Vesta and his light, white armor with him, they didn´t intended to go deep into the dungeon.
A few adventurers that went to the dungeon looked at him and he heard a few mumbles.
"That´s him."
"The "White Flame"."
"The one who set the bar for marriage proposals so ridiculously high?"
Well...not every person in Orario liked the outcome of the stageplay...especially men who had planned to propose to their beloved themself.
Even when it was bright outside, nearly no clouds in the sky and it was warm...the sun went up for Bell when he saw Ais running towards him. His love...his...fiance. Her smile alone let the whole world around her look dim, his heart skipped a beat as always when he saw her.
"Bell, sorry for being late!"
"You are not late, right on time."
"Oh, that´s good then. Ehehe."
When she stopped in front of Bell, her hand came slightly up and the ring entered her field of vision, it let her giggle and smile happy again...this always happened when she saw the ring.
So before they entered Babel, Ais closed her eyes, leaned forward and waited. Bell smiled, leaned forward himself and gave her a loving kiss.
"Now then, shall we go?"
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Eina looked up from her counter, by chance she saw Bell and Ais walking towards the entrance of the dungeon. She smiled wryly, both were so into each other, that they didn´t even noticed her. Not that Eina saw Bell much these days...since she wasn´t his advisor anymore.
There was nothing she could teach him anymore, after he leveled up to seven. The Floors he would visit soon with the Loki Familia, were the ones only they had notes about. Also it had to be the Familia to explain him how they moved in these Floors. While the guild acknowledged her good work with Bell, they had also more adventurers that needed an advisor.
And many asked to get Eina as an advisor now, so many that she wouldn´t have time for Bell anyway. She had to take these tasks seriously and drill into the adventurers that Bell was an exception from the norm, that they shouldn´t try to level up as fast as possible. A good example was Bell losing his arm in the fight with the hydra, while it got healed, she drilled into them that he was lucky.
"I´m happy for you...Bell."
What would help to brighten her mood, was the promotion she would be surprised with next week.
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A few adventurers would get shocked when the "Golden Wind" and the "White Flame" moved through the upper and middle floors of the dungeon. Both asked a few groups of adventurers politely if they could clean up the magic stones that they left behind.
The adventurers were too happy and followed them as much as possible, it was almost symbiotic. Not that many magic stones fell down like this, Ais and Bell avoided monsters wherever possible.
So it didn´t took them long to reach their destination...the 18th Floor.
"Mmmmnh! Finally here."
Bell took a deep breath, he really liked the 18th Floor.
"Mhm..."
"Ais?"
"N-Nothing!"
She looked a bit nervous.
And soon...
"So Ais..."
"B-Bell?"
"Take them all off...your clothes I mean..."
"B-Bell?!"
Ais clutched her body and backed away a bit, her knees shook.
"Come on..."
She watched in horror when Bell started to undress himself, she shook her head and backed away more.
"I can´t...Bell...please don´t force me!"
"Force you?"
Bell looked confused at her while he pulled his swimming trunks out of his backpack.
"You asked me to help you, to learn how to swim."
"Hiiii! Don´t say this word!"
She tried to cover her ears with her hands.
"Ais.."
Bell stepped to her and gently took her hands.
"I will always be by your side and hold your hands, at all time. I promise."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Really, Really?"
"Really, Really."
"Mmmh...okay...now...turn around please."
"Okay."
To surprise her a bit, Bell leaned in for a quick kiss, Ais squeaked lightly but it helped.
Back to back they changed into their swimming clothes, they wanted to keep a bit shyness around each other, even when they knew how the other looked naked. And also...it made the moment when Bell turned around and saw Ais in her bikini even better.
"Hah...you are so gorgeous."
"Y-You don´t look too bad too.."
She fidgeted lightly and blushed, being alone here with Bell was nice...and to focus on him helped her to ignore what would now come...
.
They were on a part of the 18th floor that rarely anyone came to. There was small lake here, a bit deeper than the one that the women had bathed in back then...perfect for learning how to swim. Ais looked still very uneasy when they stood near the water.
"Ais."
"Bell..."
He held his left hand to her and smiled, after a few seconds, Ais took it with a shaking hand.
"Hah-Hah-Huuuuh. Hah-Hah-Huuuuh. Hah-Hah-Huuuuh."
"Ahm Ais.."
"Huh?"
"I think...this breathing technique is for giving birth." He smiled wryly.
"Bell!"
Suddenly she jumped at him, in a reflex he catched her in a professional princess carry, Ais immediately burried her face in his neck...he could feel that she was shaking heavily. It might sound silly, even funny for some people...but Ais had a trauma against water after all.
Hah...what by the heavens did you do to her, Ms. Riveria?
Slowly, step by step, Bell walked into the water, soon it reached up to this thighs. The water in the little lake was just deep enough to fill Bell's chest. As he walked, clutching his trembling fiancee to his chest, Bell whispered soft vows of love into Ais' ear to calm her.
Before her feet or butt would touch the water, Bell stopped.
"Ais, you will now feel the water. It is only deep enough here to stand, so by no chance you can drown here and I will keep holding you. We will slowly get down into the water, okay? It is basically a big bath, nothing more."
"Mhm!"
Even when she shivered, that she let him carry her into the water was already a huge proof of how much she trusted him. Ais squealed when her feet and her butt touched the water, Bell stopped and waited for a few moments, before he slowly went further into the water.
Step by step they moved further into the water, Bell kissed Ais´ forehead when he stopped.
"Ais, try to stand up, okay?"
"Mh.."
Slowly he moved her in his arms, until her feet touched the ground. Riveria had warned him he shouldn´t spoil Ais too much...but it was very hard for Bell. Especially since Ais pressed herself against him, he couldn´t help but enjoy the soft feeling of her body.
"Bell...can´t we just cuddle while we bath?"
"I´m sorry Ais, but I promised to help you...and I keep my promises."
"Hauuu..."
"When we are done, I promise to you we will have a nice barbeque, I bought the food at the pub."
"Really?!"
Immediately her eyes shone.
"Promise, when we are finished. And also..."
"Hm?"
Bell blushed lightly by his next words.
"You know...the day might come when...we...I mean...when we have...children...and...I would love...to swim...together..with them...and you."
Her eyes widened, that Bell already thought about children...her love for him only rose.
To teach Ais how to swim was like handling a mixture of a scared child and a cat. She lowered herself slowly in the water more than one time, only to jump up and hug Bell in fear, until he calmed her down again, at least these sudden movements spared them from getting cold in the water. .
.
"Bell, you are holding me properly, are you?!"
"Yes I am, I won´t let go of you, don´t worry."
Ais was on her stomach in the water, Bell had his left arm around her ribs, the right around her hips. He only did it to help her, Bell absolutely didn´t enjoyed the softness of her body and the sight before his eyes, absolutely not! Well...maybe a little bit.
She made careful swimming movements, making sure her face was above water at all times. It was good that nobody came to this part of the floor, it would be too embarrassing for her that she didn't learn to swim until she was twenty. Stroke after swipe, moving her arms and legs, Bell carefully moved her through the water, never deeper than where it came to his waist.
"You are doing good, Ais."
"Really? Ha-puh, Ha-puh."
"Yes, it looks really good."
"You won´t drop me, won´t you?! Tiona did that in the past!"
"No I won´t."
A while later Bell held her hands while she moved her legs, only looking up to him. The trust in her eyes was complete, Bell was again enchanted by these wonderful, golden orbs. Without her noticing it, Bell slowly moved deeper into the water, until it got up to his chest. Walking backwards and turning them slowly, Bell gave Ais a feeling what it meant to move through the water.
"Ais?"
"Mh?"
"Do you want to try to hold your head under the water? I will keep holding your hands, you can stand here, there is no danger at all."
"Mmmh...Ey!"
Taking a deep breath, Ais ducked her head under the water.
"Puha!"
She came up again after a few seconds, smiling oh so proud that she did it.
"Very good, my love!"
"Thank you, Bell!"
Again...Ais beamed all over her face.
.
It took Bell the whole weekend to teach Ais how to swim, slowly she lost her fear of the water, she persuaded him to do it without clothes, for the whole purpose of giving her the feeling that they only bathed...he even had to call the small lake a big bath. It helped a lot that Bell cuddled with her a long time in the shallow water after the swim lessons...and that she received a kiss after mastering each stage...well...and the anticipation of the barbecue. And Ais got really happy when she saw how happy Bell was about the lunch box, and that he praised the taste.
At the last day, both swam around in the small lake, smiling at each other...this time with their swimwear, a step forward for Ais.
It would still take a long time for her to dare to swim in deeper water, and Bell had to be present...but it was a start.
.
.
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But...Ais still screamed in horror when Riveria asked her to go to swim with her some day... Bell was also needed to help Ais to be able to swim together with Riveria...he was also surprised how elegant the swimsuit of Riveria looked. Only due to the fact that he would technically become her son-in-law, Riveria allowed that Bell saw Riveria in a swimsuit.
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Authors Note: So the first one of the three Slice of Life chapters. A bit love for everyone, since Bete had to suffer in my last story, I will give him a bit happiness. Also Amid deserves it too, it was hinted that she has feelings for Miach.
Also why so many other people in this chapter? Slice of Life, simply as that. Also writing all the time "Ais and Bell that, Bell and Ais this" will look strange, since there are other people here too.
The next one will be the OVA style chapter. Which means it is a bit absurd, lewd, crazy and other things, don´t take it too seriously.^^ The third one is planned to be emotional, yet sweet.
About the bedroom scene in the last chapter, I did it simply because I found it was funny like that.
To answer a question from Bell.420
I don´t really know what you mean with Bell growing wings. For Alfia, I will give you all as much information, she will be an important character in the third story, but I will also play with her sickness, which means she won´t have her full power, it would be boring and pointless to have one of the three strongest people in the whole story there all the time. But she will be important for the story and for Bell.
To the point that Bell and Ais getting OP, I can only say wait for the dungeon Arc, also we know that the Zeus and Hera Familias were way, way, way stronger than them and still didn´t had a chance against the OEBD.
For your last point...well they did it like rabbits in the last chapter, but I don´t get what you mean with Revis.
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For mairsarmy321: Ais uses the special tea, which means she is on birth control...but will that always be the case? Hmmm...^^