EbonySapphire: Well, I hope that you like sappiness as well as humour XD
Sorry, I've been so ill. I've been off work most of this year and I'm practically a walking pharmacy. I will get this story finished by the end of this year, I promise you that :3
Chapter 98 – Do dreams come true?
'So, are you going to tell me the truth, or are you going to keep saying it's a future thing?' Kiana said simply as they travelled in the coach. Makatza's mouth dropped open and she stared at the queen who was simply watching Duncan snooze in her arms. Kiana cooed and smiled to herself as she waited for her best friend to speak. Makatza opened and closed her mouth, several times before managing a stutter.
'I-I-I, but, I,' she mumbed. 'I didn't. I don't. I mean,' She tilted her head. Then she sighed and put her head in her hands as she moaned. 'How did you know? I mean, I didn't, I don't know if I am,' she said softly. Kiana reached over and placed her hand on Makatza's shoulder. She rubbed her arm soothingly.
'It's okay. Call it mother's instinct. I saw the twinkle in your eye as we spoke and as you held Eleanor,' Kiana smiled. 'What's the matter? Aren't you happy about it?' She asked curiously. 'I mean, sure you're not married yet, but you're engaged to each other and you've been together through thick and thin.'
'It's just that, I'm only about two weeks late, and ever since Anders… died, I have been using natural preventatives that Isabela swears by. I don't know what went wrong. I mean. I was careful every time,' Katza said quietly without looking at Kiana. 'I don't even know if I am,' she repeated. She finally looked up with slight tears in her eyes. 'I'm scared Kiana. I mean it's everything I've wanted,' she mumbled. 'But what will Fenris think? Will he be happy? Or will it just ruin us?' Tears began to roll down her cheeks.
'Oh, Katza, darling,' Kiana hushed, she placed Duncan in the crib that was placed between the seats, before moving over to the other side of the coach and placing her arm around Makatza. 'I know it's scary. But I think Fenris will be happy. There's a mage travelling with us, if you don't mind we can get her to check you out,' Kiana says reassuringly. Makatza nods.
'You can't let Fenris see otherwise he'll instantly worry about what's going on,' Katza says simply and a little worried already.
'Well, the future's not too far off it seems,' Kiana laughs. 'Beside, we can arrange the wedding soon, within the month if I have my way!' She adds laughing. Makatza smiles brightly and wipes her eyes, sitting up properly.
'I'd really like that,' Katza says with a grin. She looked at her ring finger, 'I've been engaged far too long. I'm tired of being remembered as Lady Bavent, though admittedly, Lady Hargrove was rubbing off on people.' She twiddled her engagement ring, smiling to herself. 'When do you think I should tell him?' She asks.
'Well, when you're sure that you are. Also, when you've settled in. Give it a week or so, I'm sure he'll be happy whenever you tell him,' Kiana says simply. 'Look, if you've taken all precautions then it's just the way the world works. It was meant to be,' Kiana says kindly. She could see how much this was weighing on Makatza; she was clearly incredibly worried about Fenris would take the news. 'Let's get you settled in at your new home and then you can tell him. At a few weeks, you won't be showing for a while yet. If you are that is,' she adds smiling.
'Thanks Kiana, you've helped a lot,' Makatza says softly with a smile. She runs her hand through her hair and looks out the window, 'I think Fenris and I are going to be very happy here, no matter what happens,' she said, her eyes slightly hooded with sleep. She sat up and looked out the window properly. She wished she had a piano, she felt like singing. A song entered her head and she began to hum, it seemed to wake her up. Kiana stayed quiet hoping that Makatza would actually begin to sing the song that she was gently humming. When it was clear that she was lost in her own world Kiana simply sat back and let the melody roll over her.
...*...
'Oh my god-'
'Andraste,' Fenris says for her, Kiana winks at him as Makatza gives him the slightest of glares. Makatza rolls her eyes as she turns back to the cottage that Kiana and Alistair had found for them. It was like something out of a fairy tail. Surrounded by woods, it sat in a clearing that had a lake just to the side, the willows draping their long branches over the surface. It was a modest two bedroom, thatched roof.
'It's even got one of those giant wheely things on the side!' Makatza cooed. 'It's utterly perfect!' She spun around on the grass that was dominated by small blue and white flowers. She giggles as she falls flat onto the ground. Fenris chuckles and shakes his head slightly. Kiana whispered into Alistair's ear before giving him a twin to complete the set he was holding.
'Well, Fenris,' she says slyly. 'It'll be good when you want to expand your living situation,' she laughs as she runs over to Makatza and lands in the grass next to her. Fenris looks at Alistair with worry, Kiana had but certain inflections on certain words.
'What did she mean by that?' He asks curiously, with a slight pit in his stomach. Alistair doesn't say anything but winks as he hands the children to the hand maidens, and goes to pick up his wife, who was decorating her adopted cousin in small flowers. 'Hold on, what did she mean by that?' He asks again as he follows. He wondered if Kiana was just playing with him, it's the sort of thing that she would do. She loved teasing him.
They were shown around the cottage and if Makatza's squeals of joy were to go by, it was everything she had ever dreamed. It made sense to Fenris, she had never been comfortable in the large mansions that she had previously lived in. She kept getting lost in the Keep, more often than not Fenris would have to go find her, she would often just be sitting on the floor. Amusing the people that passed her to see their Viscountess sitting on a polished floor clicking her heels together in boredom. She was too stubborn to ask for directions and she would get frustrated and pout if Fenris found her. So he would leave the room without her and within a few minutes he would hear her high heeled shoes tapping on the stone as she ran to him. He wouldn't say anything as she clung to his arm as he led the way and she could pretend that she didn't help getting back to the right room.
'So, what do you think?' Alistair asks as they end up outside, Makatza had wandered off with Kiana back to the coach. Fenris looks around and lets a half smile play along his lips. Makatza had insisted that he not wear his armour on the long journey over, so dressed in a light tunic and leggings he already felt very aware of his surroundings.
'It is more than I deserve,' he says softly. 'Thank you for making her so happy,' he adds looking past Alistair to where Makatza was talking to another woman. He was heavily shunted to the ground as Elgon finally caught up with the party, and knocked him over before barking happily and racing off into the woods. Fenris swore under his breath and sat up on his elbows. Alstair chuckled and offered him a hand which Fenris politely took as he stood.
'From what I hear, it's the least you two deserve. Now, the place is full of food and Kiana is insisting that Makatza gets chickens and a goat? Apparently she had them when she was a girl and she loved them, so I dared not argue. They'll be delivered next week,-'
'There is no need-' Fenris began.
'Oh be quiet, trust me, when you're married you'll realise that arguing is useless,' he laughs lightly. 'Anyway, you'll be too busy with life,' he says winking again. Fenris tilts his head and looks at Makatza.
'Are- Are you talking about children?' He asks with a slight pang of worry. Is that what Kiana was teasing him about? Alistair smiles and pats him on the back.
'You think that getting married will be the greatest day of your life? Well imagine holding your child and looking over at the woman you love, so strong, so tired and she would insist that she looks horrible after hours of labour. Yet, all you can see is her true beauty, that moment, my friend, that moment will be the best day of your life. When you can see your wife's features in the face of that little baby, then you start to recognise your own,' he smiles remembering. 'And then the little terror starts to cry. That's the worst moment,' he teases lightly. 'But, you have time before all that,' he chuckles as Fenris had turned slightly pale at his prodding.
'Ali!' Kiana scolds, 'what have you said to the poor man? He looks like he's seen a ghost,' she sighs. Makatza wanders over.
'No, that's not that look, that look normally means that he's been told that the he has to look after the children at the orphanage. Violet normally induces that look,' she laughs. 'They did tease him so, but that's what children do,' Makatza smiles as she takes his hand. 'Are you alright?' Fenris visibly pulls himself together and gives her a proper smile, forgetting that the King and Queen were feet away.
'Yes, I am fine,' he reassures. He looks around, 'is this what you wanted?' He asks worried that she's not happy, or regretting her choice to come to Ferelden. Makatza rolled her eyes and stood on tip toe to kiss him, his ears blushed heavily as they had an audience but returned her kiss nonetheless.
'That answer your question?' She says softly. Fenris chuckled and nodded as she smiled at him. He caught a couple of servants taking their luggage to the cottage, Makatza also spotted them. 'Oh, just leave it outside, we don't mind unloading it,' she says to them. They nod and simply leave it near the front door.
'Well, we'll leave you to get settled,' Alistair said with an arm around Kiana's shoulders. 'We'll pop back later in the week to see how you're both getting on,' he added, prompted by Kiana's elbow in his ribs.
The goodbyes were short and sweet, Makatza insisting on holding the twins once more before they finally left. They watched until the coach and party were no longer visible from the clearing. Makatza turned to Fenris and squealed in joy before running back to the cottage, her happiness seemed to light up the dwelling. He laughed and after a glance at the path where they once came he followed her. He found her upstairs opening the wardrobes and drawers, measuring the space that they had for clothing. 'You seem very happy,' he said as he hugged her from behind and dropped a kiss below her ear.
'I'm ecstatic,' she corrected with a giggle. 'This place is amazing and I can't wait to be settled in,' she adds with a grin. She bounced slightly. 'Let's get our stuff,' she says softly as she makes her way back down the stairs Fenris following.
'Well, actually before we do,' he says as they get outside, he takes her hand and stares at her deeply. Makatza already felt the blush hit her cheeks, he was staring at her so intently. She could feel her nervousness and her heart racing. 'Alistair, he said some things that got me thinking,' he mumbled, his eyes never left hers. 'Then the Queen-'
'Kiana,' Makatza said without thinking. The pit in her stomach growing larger every moment. He smiled and nodded.
'Kiana, she made a few, references. Inflections on her words. And I wished to know if she was just teasing or if there was something I should know; because, it seemed too much like a coincidence that they would both say such things, and I think that you know what I am talking about,' he speaks softly, his facial expression giving nothing away about what he was feeling. Makatza bit her lip and looked at the floor before taking a deep breath.
'Okay, well. I don't want you to freak out,' she said worried as she looked at him. 'But, uh, I was looked over by one of Kiana's servants and she confirmed it,' she mumbled, her hands slipping from his.
Fenris took her hands back and kissed the fingers of one hand making her smile. 'Confirmed what?' He asked, his nervousness clear, but there was another tone to his voice that Makatza couldn't pin. She looked him straight in the eye and he could see that they were welling up.
'I'm... well... We thought that I might be...' She stuttered. Fenris was becoming impatient, and he felt like shaking her, he couldn't stand the delay. Makatza smiles as a tear rolls down her cheek.
'You're going to be a father,' she whispered.
Fenris stared at her for a moment, why was she crying? He let go of one of her hands, wiping away the tears that streamed down her cheeks. She opened her mouth to say something else, but he placed his finger on her soft lips, feeling how they trembled. 'I am going to be a father?' He repeated. Silently she nodded. Shock, panic and dread hit him like a tidal wave before a feeling of happiness and pure love washed over the initial shock.
'I'm sor-' Makatza started before Fenris picked her up and spun her around.
'I am going to be a father!' He said in joy as he carried her. Makatza began to laugh out of surprise.
'Yes, yes you're going to be a dad,' she giggles as she wrapped her arms around him. He carried her inside and sat her on the kitchen ledge, he cupped her cheeks and kissed her deeply, wiping away any tears that had fallen.
'Oh, my Katza,' he said with a chuckle. He ran a hand through her hair, the other hand trailing to catch hers. 'I do not, I mean,' he laughed before hugging her again.
'I thought you would be angry, or, or scared,' Makatza said muffled.
'I thought I would have been as well, but, maybe that would have been my reaction a few years ago, but now! Now, I have you and we have, have this place and...' he looked at her, his eyes searching her face for an explanation he couldn't put into words. 'I have you.' He said finally and realised that was all he needed to say.
'You're going to be a daddy,' Makatza laughs through tears as she places his hand on her stomach. 'Me and you,' she sniffs, 'we're going to be parents.'
Fenris stared at where she had placed his hand, there was a life growing inside her, a life that he helped create. It would be theirs. He looked up at her. 'You have made every dream I never thought possible become a reality.' He said softly. Makatza gasped lightly.
'Darling, don't cry,' she whispered kissing him. 'This is a good thing.'
Fenris chuckled feeling his own tears fall, 'it is the greatest thing I could have ever imagined.' Makatza sniffed and hugged him tightly. Her hand pressed against his, against her stomach.
...*...
Kiana insisted that they stop just outside the grove, out of sight. She held her children and wouldn't answer her husband's questions. Within about twenty minutes she heard the laughter and cries of joy from the cottage. She smiled knowingly and looked at her King.
'Ah, I see,' he laughs lightly. 'I wondered how long it would take,' he smiles. He kisses his children before kissing the love of his life gently. 'It looks like they'll have their happily ever after,' he says softly. Kiana smiles at him and shakes her head.
'I think their life is just beginning,' she says with a wink before getting into the coach. Alistair takes one last look in the direction of the cottage before getting in as well.
Please let me know what you think, i was really nervous writing this chapter and the reveal XD