N: New

Captain Amelia wasn't necessarily a fan of 'new'. She had always believed that a routine of normalcy was the key to staying alive in this Navy. Surprises were expected, but she would rather they come as a result from a brush with the enemy rather than something as 'meaningless' as a birthday party.

But the newest thing she'd ever experienced, that hadn't bothered her, was the warmth in her chest she felt when she realized she was falling in love with the Canid astrophysicist that had once infuriated her so.

A nuisance from the start, she found his oft-bumbled comments and questions an annoyance. She had also initially found his overall appearance displeasing, the mute browns and burgandys he was so accustomed to wearing causing a dull ache in the back of her mind when she saw him. She wouldn't have minded seeing some variety in his wardrobe, perhaps a new pop of color in his otherwise dreary attire.

But after the end of the Treasure Planet voyage and a few weeks of really getting to know him, spending time with him on Montressor and getting more comfortable with his company, she began to find his maddening qualities endearing.

She supposed she started seeing him in a new light when he cared for her on Treasure Planet. She experienced the sweet, gentle, protective side of him, and that had intrigued her to the point where even after they'd docked back at Crescentia, she couldn't imagine not spending more time with him.

She hadn't been able to tell him at the time, but the way he tended to her once she was admitted to the hospital had evoked a new sensation in her that she wasn't sure she could figure out on her own. She'd been injured before, but she wasn't accustomed to being so severely injured that she had to be hospitalized. Previous injuries resulted in a few quick stitches and a warning to be more careful in future endeavors. She was even more unaccustomed to waking up to find someone sitting attentively at her side in said hospital as she struggled through the fading effects of painkillers, but she wasn't upset at the feeling of tender warmth that spread through her when his eyes landed on her and he realized she was awake.

The minute she was conscious enough to form proper, coherent sentences, she made a point to let him know how appreciated he was. He hadn't been sure how to respond, but had stuttered and mumbled through a long-winded explanation of how important he felt it was for him to be with her at the time.

Relationships were not a new concept to either of them. Delbert had been in a few when he was a student working towards his degree in Astrophysics, and Amelia had had one or two significant others before she signed on as a cadet in the Royal Navy. But both had dropped their relationships to pursue their dreams. Romance wasn't an ideal part of being Captain Amelia, nor was it important when it came to being Doctor Delbert Doppler.

True, Amelia had wondered occasionally what it would be like to come home from a voyage to a slew of messages from a loved one, telling her of what he'd done in her absence and reminding her how he felt about her. But most men she encountered opened their conversations by mentioning how 'unladylike' her profession was, so she figured there couldn't be a single man alive that she could find companionship in.

Delbert had also wondered about finding love. The idea of having someone to come home to at the end of a long day, someone to curl up with on the couch as he relayed the details of his latest lecture to her, someone to call and check up on when he knew he'd be home late… It was more than just a little appealing. But his tendency to be more bookish and academic than most women preferred, had forced him to come to the conclusion that being in a relationship wasn't for him, and so he'd come to terms with his relationship status.

What was new to them, was the way they'd fallen so hard for each other, so fast. One minute, they couldn't stand the sight of each other, and the next they couldn't imagine being apart for a day.

Looking down at her significantly larger tummy, Amelia couldn't help but grin as she remembered her aversion to new developments when it came to she and Delbert's relationship. She'd originally been appalled at the idea of getting married at all.

"It's an antiquated idea that society has forced us to believe we must partake in. A ceremony that legally binds two individuals for life in front of both friends and strangers is a ludicrous concept."

"...It sounds awful when you put it that way, love."

"It's how I feel."

But she'd had to throw those feelings out of the window when he proposed a few days after that conversation.

"If I'm forced to be legally bound to anyone for the rest of my life, I would love if it could be you."

Amelia had had to agree with him and accept his proposal, quickly changing her long-held beliefs about marriage, love, relationships, and the like... in the ten seconds after she'd practically tackled him to the floor of the Benbow.

Feeling the tiny kicks against her abdomen, Amelia grinned at the new sensation. They'd been kicking for hours now, and she had decided to wait until Delbert returned from the Academy to give him the news. She knew that if she called him and told him what was happening, he might not be able to finish his lecture series due to the sheer excitement he'd be feeling.

It still amazed her to think that there were little bitty copies of she and Delbert bouncing around in there, just waiting until it was time to meet them. The newest development was that there were twice as many babies than originally thought. Delbert had been excited, but Amelia had been slightly bothered. She'd been going through enough changes as it was with what she thought was two… She could only imagine how much more intense the changes and struggles would be with two more.

Delbert came home as he usually did, exhausted and a bit sore from being on his feet all day. Since Amelia had to go on maternity leave, Delbert decided to give a few extra lectures to keep himself occupied while she rested at home. He only did so because Amelia told him how 'utterly annoying' he had become. She knew he meant well, but his constant meddling and asking how she was doing was driving her a bit insane.

He found her in the living room, reading a book, one hand gently rubbing her tummy. He smiled, kissing her forehead. She smiled at him, then waited until he settled himself on the couch next to her before she set her book down. He looked over at her quizzically, confused when she took his hand and placed it right above her navel.

"Amelia, what is-?"

She said nothing, cutting him off by putting a finger to her lips. He closed his mouth, suddenly very focused on what he felt against his hand. His eyes widened when his mind registered what new sensation he was feeling. He grinned at her, chuckling when he saw the smallest glint of happy tears in her eyes.

"I would have called earlier when they started…"

"Why didn't you?" he asked softly, taking her hand in his and kissing the back softly.

"I know how you are, Delbert. You could have very well had a brain aneurysm and been unable to finish your lecture had I called and told you."

He laughed softly, blushing slightly.

"You… You have a point there."

The 'newness' of their relationship had been startling at first, for both of them. Neither had been prepared for the rush of emotions, the sudden change of perspective, the new roles they had to fit into... But realizing they could tackle the new obstacles and developments together, the word 'new' stopped being quite so daunting.

A/N: Why. Just...why. I REALLY STRUGGLED WITH THIS CHAPTER OH MY GOSH. LIKE YOU DONT UNDERSTAND I HAD TO DELETE AND RESTART LIKE 13 TIMES AND I WAS JUST LIKE "WHAT IS THIS WRITERS BLOCK". Aaaanyway I hope it's decent, and next chapter will be better :) review please!