Another extra chapter is here!
Wishes, Dreams, and Memories
Chapter 39 – Preparation Troubles
"Here you go, everything you ordered is in this bag," Lest took the bag of medicines from the older nurse with a smile before he went to check the items inside.
"Okay, that's everything," Lest reclosed the paper bag, "Thanks Nancy."
"Just come by if you need anything or have Dolly bring her home next time she has her shift," as Lest was walking towards the door, Nancy suddenly stopped him, "Ah, wait. Speaking of Dolly, have you two been in a fight?"
"Huh?" Lest turned to Nancy with a confused look, "Not from what I can remember, though… The only thing I remember is she being a little too nice this morning. Pico was pretty happy with her actions anyway…"
"Is that so…?" Nancy looked confused, "I saw her crying at the observatory this morning before she suddenly got mad. I didn't have the chance to ask what's wrong… Ah! I assume that's the reason why…"
"D-Did I do something wrong?" Lest asked nervously.
"I think my little Dolly is having mood swings!" Nancy put her hands together in excitement, "Although this is something I probably shouldn't be excited about… While it's common in pregnant women, it might be best for you to be with her so the worst things don't happen."
"Yeah, maybe I should…" Lest replied with a nod, "She should be having her shift right now, but I haven't seen her around."
"Oh, that's right," Nancy remembered, "Jones and I decided to give her a few days off until her due date. I suggested that she visit her friends, so she could be with any of the other girls today."
"Okay, I'll go and check on her."
"Dolce?" Forte asked before stopping her training, "Yes, she and Pico came by this morning looking troubled. Although…"
"Although?" Lest looked at the dragon knight in confusion, prompting her to continue.
"She had quite an unusual request of trying to learn how to use swords…" Forte turned to weapon rack filled with all shapes of swords and spears, "To be honest I was happy when she said she was interested in learning it to be able to protect her child, but I can't let her fight until the baby is born."
"So… did you suggest an alternative?" Lest asked.
"I simply told her that I shall be there to protect them. It is my duty to protect you and your family along with the people of Selphia," Forte gave him a frown, "Unfortunately, they left looking quite disappointed. That was around an hour before I heard something breaking coming from the inn."
"I think I have an idea what happened, but I think I'll just check the inn for now…"
"You are looking for Dolce, yes?" Xiao Pai was standing behind the counter with a plate on her head, "She left after she asked for a cooking lesson, but I think I messed up with the cooking…"
"I don't think it's as bad as I think…" Lest laughed nervously, "But why did Dolly ask you for a cooking lesson?"
"She wants to learn to cook better for you and the baby, yes?" Xiao Pai replied with a smile before it soon turned into a frown, "Everything was going well until we finished cooking… because I broke the plates when we were going to put our dish on it…"
"Um…" Lest gave her a stare out of pity.
"You don't have to worry, yes? The broken plates are already gone by the time they left for the restaurant," the young inn keeper's movement managed to knock the plate off her head before it fell down, "Ah! I broke another one!"
"Uh… sorry, I need to go to the next stop…"
Lest went through the restaurant doors, only to be greeted by an empty room in the middle of the usual rush hour, "Um… is it open yet?"
"Oh, sorry!" Dylas ran over to Lest from the counter, "What's your order?"
"Sorry, but I'm not here to eat," Lest looked around the empty restaurant, "What happened here? It's usually a lot busier at this hour…"
"Ugh, don't remind me…" Dylas rubbed his collar uneasily, "Long story short, your wife just drove the customers away like a monster."
"Huh?" Lest looked at the long-haired Guardian in confusion.
"Dylas, you know that's not a very nice thing to say!" Margaret came from behind him, "Sorry about him, Lest. It's… kind of complicated…"
"It's okay, I think that's just her mood swing again which is common for her around this time," Lest let out a tired sigh, "So… what happened here?"
Margaret let out a smile, "Dolce came here wanting me to teach her how to sing some children songs, but the restaurant was very busy when she and Pico came by," her smile turned into a frown, "She was very upset when it was too noisy here, so she yelled them to be quiet. Dylas happened to be there when she yelled, so she more or less yelled on Dylas' ear…"
Lest turned to look at Dylas, "She's got a really loud yell… I can't believe you can put up with her everyday…"
Lest laughed nervously, "Maybe she does, but she doesn't raise her voice that often," Lest turned back to Margaret, "What happened next?"
"Dylas was upset, but Dolce pulled his collar when he tried arguing back. That's when the customers thought there was a brawl and everyone left," Margaret let out a sigh, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry on your family matters but… did you do something to upset her?"
"I hope it's just the mood swing," Lest nervously replied, imagining how the events played out in his mind, "Anyways, did they go anywhere else?"
"Well, she mentioned about seeing Amber and Ellie," Margaret replied, "She didn't mention what she was going to do there, but I know I heard her heading there."
"Okay, I'll be heading to their place then," Lest nodded before looking back at Dylas, "Dylas, do you want me to get Jones to check on you?"
"Nah, this is nothing," Dylas rubbed his ear, "Your wife is more important, don't you think?"
"Right. I'll see you two later then!"
Lest pushed door open, only to be surprised by a sudden yelling.
"I got you now, criminals… huh?" Illuminata came from behind the counter before she recognized the shocked Earthmate, "Oh, Lest! Your wife just left a while ago. Or did you come here to buy something? Or perhaps…" the elf fixed her monocle, "you have a mystery for me to solve?"
"I came here for Dolly and definitely not for the last reason," Lest replied as he approached the counter, noticing the sight of sleeping Amber on the chair behind the counter, "Is she sleeping there?"
"Don't worry, she won't be bothered if that's what you're thinking," Illuminata slammed her hands on the table, surprising Lest, "So… let me guess what you're going to ask…"
"Did something happen here while she's here? I'm checking if she's doing okay," Lest asked.
"Oh, you're not going to let me, the Great Detective to guess?" Illuminata stared at him for a moment, "She was just here to relax and have some tea. There seems to be a lot in her mind, but she didn't say a word about it."
"She's been through a lot in a single day," Lest spoke up, "She's been asking around the others for various thing about taking care of the child, but she never actually mentioned them to me… I can remember my childhood days so I know that I can take care-"
"I think I understand the situation," the self-proclaimed elven detective smiled, "I don't want to get involved with your family matters, so I can only give you one suggestion."
"What's your suggestion?" Lest asked.
"Talk to her," Lest looked at her in confusion, "There won't be a misunderstanding between you two if you just have a talk with each other. Don't you think so?"
"Yeah…" Lest answered slowly, before he nodded once he realized something, "Yeah, I think I should!"
"Well, I wish you luck! Don't make me sneak into the castle just to make sure you two resolve your problems!" Illuminata held her monocle proudly, "I can assure you that I can do such thing!"
"No, please… just don't."
Dolce had been lying on the king-sized bed with Pico looking at her worriedly from the side of the bed. The constant sighing and the silent treatment she was getting made her wish that she could say something to lift her mood for the better, even just for a moment. Pico's face brightened up when she saw Lest coming into the room, unlike Dolce who unenthusiastically sat up on the bed.
"Lest! It's great that you're back early!" Pico turned back to Dolce, "Milady is… kinda not herself…"
"Yeah, I know," Lest frowned as he took a seat next to Dolce, "I have myself to blame because I've been so busy in the farm or fighting monsters outside…"
"You don't have to dote on me like Nancy did," Dolce responded coldly, "I can manage on my own."
"Lest, can I leave her to you?" Pico asked as she hovered off the bed, "Dolly didn't allow me to tell you what she's feeling, but I know that you need to talk to her."
"Don't worry, that's what I'm planning to," Pico gave him a nod before disappearing from the room.
"There's no point in us talking if you don't know what you're going to talk to me about," Dolce said flatly before turning her head away from Lest, "Just leave me alone."
"No, because I know that's not what you want now," Lest closed the distance between them, "I know from the others that you're preparing everything for our child. But… you could have told me if you needed anything."
"When… when can I tell you…?" Dolce's reply was shaky with some sniffling sound heard, "You're only here early in the morning and very late at night… You're already gone when I got up and you're back when I'm already…"
"Yeah, and that's what I want to fix," Lest put an arm around her shoulders, "I'll spend more time with you and take care of your needs. If you just want to spend some time in a date, I'll make some time for you. And-"
Dolce threw her arms around him, burying her face on his chest, "Stop," she tightened her embrace around him, "You're working too hard… I know that already… I just… don't want to get in your way…"
"No, you're never in my way," Lest held Dolce in his arms, "I should be doing my part to help you through this whole thing, yet I'm spending more time with my fields instead of taking care of my own wife. I'm sorry…"
"Promise me one thing," Dolce whispered.
"What is it? I'm listening," Lest replied in another whisper.
"We will take care of our child together," Dolce fixed her position so that she was leaning on Lest's shoulder instead and put a hand on her growing stomach, "Let them be born in a loving family, just like we are."
"Yeah, I promise…" Lest put a hand on Dolce's stomach as well, before he felt something moving, "Huh… Did they just…?"
"Did you feel it too?" a smile appeared on her face, "They're very active in there, even at night. They must've taken after you, being a very active little one."
"Whoever they take after, I can't wait to see them!" Lest rubbed the little bump on his wife's stomach.
"Yes, me too…"