The smell of the flowers made him relax, but the sight that actually captivated him was that of his wife, his beloved La Muerte, sitting on top of a small trunk in the middle of the flower field. Her beautiful dark hair caught the sunlight like a siren, while her voice as she hummed a small tune made his heart flutter and soar. Grinning mischievously, he approached her from behind silently. La Muerte had been collecting some flowers when she heard gentle footsteps behind her, she had the idea of who he was; smiling, she turned around in time as he picked her up by the waist and twirled her around, the both of them laughing until finally he fell on top of the flowers, La Muerte on top of him.

He didn't mind, however, he pulled her in for a playful kiss, which she gladly returned. Finally, they had to pull back to regain their breaths; Xibalba smiled as he stroked his wife's cheek. "Mi amor, I've missed you so much…"

"You did?" She asked him playfully, her finger twirling his moustache.

"La Muerte, about those things I said, I-" he was surprised when she placed a finger on his lips.

"I know why you did it. I forgive you."

His eyes were swelling up with tears. "You mean it?"

"I mean it, you silly."

They leaned in for another kiss…


La Muerte woke up with a start. She was not sweating, but she was mildly startled by what just happened. It was still late in the night, her lights were out, and her curtains from both her window, balcony door and bed were closed so she could better rest. What had just happened? She knew it was just a dream, but somehow, something made her feel it so real… She couldn't understand it. She repeated once and again that she now felt nothing but scorn for Xibalba, but her heart told her otherwise, told her that he loved her, screamed at her to go to him. But she resisted. He had made himself clear that he only used her, and never loved, nor even cared for her.

Her thoughts were interrupted when out of sudden her stomach flipped, and the contents from today's dinner started to come up. Taking a hand to her mouth, La Muerte quickly left bed and rushed towards her bathroom, turning on the lights of the bathroom as she headed to the toilet just in time to vomit the contents of her stomach. It took a minute before her stomach settled down, and she could flush the sink. Damn it, it was the ninth time this month…

She was very, very worried now. She had hoped this morning sickness and nauseas were only because off rotten food, but she was starting to doubt. It couldn't be, they couldn't be serving rotten food without realizing it, the cooks were very meticulous in the ingredients they picked and the preparation of the food, never had they served any food that made people ill. She remembered her conversation with Aimé two weeks ago on their way back from the orphanage. But the thought was frightening.

Not that she disliked the idea, she had always wanted to be a mother, but… in her current situation she didn't know what would happen, how her father would react if he found out. She herself wasn't sure if her suspicions were correct or if she was just making crazy assumptions, but she had to be certain. Speaking of which, after that throw up her throat was aching and feeling a bit acidic, not to mention out of sudden she craved for something sweet.

La Muerte put on her bathrobe and slid her small feet into her slippers, made her way out of her room and walked down the hall. At that hour all the servants were asleep, and she wouldn't bother them just for a craving. She made her way down to the desert kitchen, turning on the lights with a wave of her hand, walking over to the fridge to take a look inside. She saw a complete slice of chocolate ice cream cake. She took the slice out of the fridge and walked to the marble counter, taking out a fork from out of the drawers. She cut a small bit of the slice to take it into her mouth, the sweetness of the ice cream mixed with the chocolate and vanilla sated her craving and lifted her spirits a bit.

"Hey."

La Muerte lifted her gaze from the dessert and found her sister on the doorway, Aimé often came down to the kitchen for a late night snack at the same time as her, though it was unintentional, they always seized the opportunity to have some late night sister bonding time. "You can't sleep either, Amy?"

"Not quite." Aimé yawned, heading over to the counter and leaning on it to talk with her older sister. "I'm worried about what daddy said, wanting to invite all those bachelors to your birthday…"

"I admit, maybe it isn't such a good idea after all…"

"I mean, he should wait a bit longer, your divorce hasn't been approved yet."

"He says it could take a while. Separations between gods are very rare, remember?"

"Say, La Muerte… I think you should know this."

La Muerte glanced at her sister. "Know what?"

"Well…" Aimé wasn't certain if she should tell her, but she already knew the answer. They had sworn ever since they were little that they would never keep secrets from one another. "I overheard daddy speak with Lord Tezcatlipoca. The reason it's taking so long it's because… Because…"

"Come on, Amy, you can tell me."

"X-Xibalba doesn't give his approval!"

La Muerte's smile disappeared and her hand stayed in mid air, holding the fork with the piece of cake. "He… what?"

"They've already sent him the papers through the month, but either he doesn't reply, or he sends them shredded and torn. It's like he doesn't want to…."

La Muerte scoffed. "He just probably doesn't want to hand over his 'property'." There was bitterness, but overall hurt, in her voice.

"Can you be certain of that?"

"He said it clearly, he only saw me as property he could discard when he got bored with it. He probably doesn't want me to start over with someone who can actually make me happy."

"Hermana…"

La Muerte felt her eyes were swelling up with tears. She decided to change the subject. "Hey, Amy, I wanted to ask you for a favor."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Could you accompany me to the physician tomorrow?"

Aimé grew alarmed. "Are you ill? Or is it because of your nausea and all the other things?"

"Both things, sort of. I need to know what is wrong."

"But Muertita… What are you doing to do if it's what we think?"

"I don't know, Amy…" La Muerte sighed, rubbing her forearms. "I don't know."

"Big sis, whatever happens, don't forget I will always be there for you." Aimé smiled as she approached her older sister, placing her hand on her shoulder. La Muerte smiled and embraced her sister tightly, allowing a few tears to roll down her cheeks. It was good to know she had someone to count on.


Xibalba's screams of pain echoed through his castle. Another epileptic attack had caught him by surprise, but this time it was both unexpected and much more grave than usual. So much the lizards had no other choice but to tie his arms and legs to his bed frame (after lying him on his side), they even had to gag him lest he bite off his tongue. Xibalba bit down into the rag with his eyes closed shut, his wings flapping unwillingly and wildly, letting out muffled screams of agony.

"Hang on, My Lord!" Emilio said, watching as Lorenzo did his best to keep the dark god on his side while avoiding being hit by his furiously flapping wings.

Despite his state, Xibalba managed to glare daggers at Emilio, and growled an incomprehensible thing through the gag, though Emilio knew him enough to tell he was saying 'what do you think I'm trying to do?!'.

Finally, after ten minutes (the longest one of his seizures had lasted) the contracting stopped and his muscles relaxed, all sore from his episode. He was sweating heavily, spitting out the rag from his mouth and taking deep breaths to regain the lost air while Roberto and Luis untied his arms and legs. Once he was free, Xibalba went back to lying on his back and relaxed, closing his eyes and trying his best to calm down. Damn it, it had been so long ever since he had a seizure this worse, and it seemed it would only get even worst than this. Just then, there was a knock on the door. Oh, great, just in the least opportune moment.

"Come in." he growled, taking his bathrobe and covering his torso with it.

An old god, apparently even older than Itzamna himself, walked into the room, but unlike Itzamna he had a more European air to him, his long red beard nearly touched the floor, and he wore a crown of branches and leaves, as well as an old robe of earthy colors that contrasted with his light reddish skin. He had tended to Xibalba's family for centuries, particularly Xibalba himself during his childhood due to his father's punishments, and as well as Selena during her pregnancies.

"Asclepius, so nice to see you." Xibalba sighed, though the old god noticed the sarcasm.

"What did you do know, kiddo?" Asclepius inquired, still calling him like how he used to do when he was a child.

Seeing his master would not cooperate, Emilio decided to speak for him. "He got another seizure, My Lord, and this one lasted much longer."

"How much?"

"Ten minutes."

Xibalba rolled his eyes. "Seriously, Emilio, you're exaggerating."

"Exaggerating? You nearly tore your bedframe apart!" Roberto stated.

"Knock it off, all of you!" Asclepius stated, glancing at the lizards. "I'll take a look at him, meanwhile bring some mistletoe tea mixed it with some valerian root and lily of the valley."

"Claro, jefe." Roberto muttered sarcastically, only to yelp in pain when Lorenzo grabbed him by the fin and led him out, Emilio and Luis going after them, closing the door behind them.

Xibalba sighed once they were alone, he already knew the 'routine' for his check-ups. He lay down on bed, stretching out his wings and relaxing all of his muscles, trying to clear his head of any thoughts. Asclepius waited until his 'patient' got ready, and then he placed his hand on his forehead; it glowed a pale blue as he took a look through Xibalba's brain; since his epilepsy was caused by a traumatic brain injury, his seizures were completely unpredictable and varied in intensity, but lately all his seizures became more frequent, and more dangerous; in one occasion he nearly struck Regina in one of his attacks, though one of his wings did knock another lizard out, and it took them two hours to reassemble him.

Xibalba gave deep but slow breaths, clutching unto his sheets when Asclepius' spell coursed through his brain, giving him a slight headache, which in about half-an-hour would turn into a migraine. Asclepius continuing to soothe his brain cells, it would stop the frequency of his seizures, but then he took notice of something. A few seconds later he finally stopped his inspection, and moved his hand away.

"So how was it?" Xibalba said, sighing.

"Have you been under a lot of stress lately?" Asclepius inquired.

"I think ruling a kingdom is stressful enough, don't you think?"

"But I mean more than usual. Don't forget what I told you, though seizures just happen anytime and always when you least expect them, the more stressed you are, the more likely you are to suffer a seizure."

Xibalba shifted uncomfortably, rubbing his temples and muttering something about him not understanding. Asclepius's spell was not for reading minds, it was only an advanced healing spell for the damaged part of his brain, but the old god could tell he was upset by something. Very upset. He noticed a golden ring hanging around his neck.

"Xibalba, where is your wife, now that I recall?" Asclepius inquired. "I have not seen it ever since I arrived. What was her name again…?"

At the mention of his wife, Xibalba felt his chest starting to ache in longing yet again, and he grabbed the gold ring, looking away. "Gone."

"I see…" Asclepius had to admit. He was always the last god to find out of things that happened among the rest of the pantheons. He didn't need an expert to figure out what was bothering Xibalba, he had enough experience to now Xibalba would probably try to avoid the conversation and change the topic.

"So, any special care or something?" Xibalba asked out of sudden, changing the topic.

Asclepius sighed. "For now stay in bed and rest, for two days, at least. I will be telling your servants that you need two cups of valerian root teas a day, they may add a bit of sugar in case it's too bitter. And at night, a cup of burning bush tea."

"Couldn't you have picked a more bitter thing?" Xibalba growled, he had never liked the herbal teas he had been prescribed for his epilepsy, but alas, what could he do about it? It was his health they were talking about, after all.

"Stop complaining, it could have been much worse."

"Whatever."

As Asclepius left the room, going to talk with Emilio (who stayed outside the whole time, as it turned out), Xibalba was left alone in his room. His grip on the ring softened, he couldn't help but wonder what La Muerte was doing right now. Probably being courted by hundreds of perfect suitors who offered their abundant kingdoms, riches and other things he could only ever dream of affording. The thought bothered him, but if that's what would make her happy, he guessed he'd have to cope with it. A few minutes later, the door creaked open and Regina entered holding a cup of hot tea.

"Did Asclepius leave his long list of instructions of proper care again?" he asked.

"Don't tease him, he took the bother to come at this hour." Regina scolded him mildly, handing him over the cup.

As Xibalba was about to take a sip, he recalled the first time La Muerte witnesses his epilepsy after a small fencing match- Argh! Why couldn't he stop thinking about her?! He even recalled the tea she brewed for him afterwards, it was delicious; as soon as he took the first sip, his expression distorted in disgust at the incredibly bitter taste. "PUAJ! What the heck did you put in here?!"

"Asclepius told me to make sure you drank it." Regina crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "He knows you still dispose of your medicines in the sink."

Xibalba cursed under his breath and kept staring at the black liquid; that doctor knew him as the palm of his hand, he recalled when he was a child and try to get rid of his medicines but was always caught. His mother would gently scold him, and Asclepius would stay to make sure he did take his pills this time. Yet, he'd trust his life to this doctor, he had treated him and his family for centuries, even Akrinok was a frequent patient when his battles left scars and wounds on him.

Oh, well, the sooner he drank it, the sooner he'd get it over with. Xibalba drank the tea with one gulp, and contained the urge to throw up at the horrible taste, quickly handing the cup back to Regina and sticking out his tongue. Regina couldn't help but smile a little, it was just like when he was five. Once he could get rid of the taste from his tongue, Xibalba lay back down on his bed, relaxing. Assuming her master would want to rest, the lizard headed towards the door, but as she was about to leave the room, Xibalba called out to her. "Wait."

She turned around when he called her. "Is it something else you need, My Lord?"

Xibalba was staring at her with a stoic expression, but there was a strange gleam on his eyes. She saw sadness and longing and… pleading? "Remember how you used to sing when mother passed?"

Unbeknown to outsiders and most people, Regina had a beautiful singing voice. She was very reserved, however, and she rarely, if ever, sang, she assumed Xibalba considered himself old for 'silly baby songs' and so decided to keep her songs to herself, though she did hum little tunes every now and then. "I do, but why do you ask?"

Damn it, he felt like an idiot. "Could… Well, if you don't mind… Would you sing something for me?"

Regina was caught off guard by the request. Why did he ask her that after all these years? But the look on his face… it made her recall the teary glance he'd give her after waking up from a nightmare as a child, silently asking her to sing a lullaby for him like Selena used to do. She had the feeling this had more to do with La Muerte, however; as much as he could try, he would never deceive her, she knew that he was dying for his beloved wife, he wanted her back, but he refused to even write her a letter. He was still bent on that ridiculous idea that she would never love him, when La Muerte had many times showed quite the contrary, even said so herself. But right now Regina didn't have the heart to give him a sermon, and much less with the pleading look he was giving her unknowingly. "Is there any song you'd like in particular?"

It took Xibalba a while to answer. "…Could you sing the one… she sang once?"

She knew it. He missed her, and tried to fill the void of her absence however he could. Regina was so compassionate, however, she did not try to convince him otherwise. She headed over to his bed and climbed on it, pulling up the sheet to cover him, while starting to sing.

Think of me, think of me fondly

When we've said goodbye

Remember me, once in a while

Please, promise me you'll try

Xibalba couldn't help it, when he heard the song his eyes started swelling up with tears. He still remembered when she sang to him, taking care of him after he was injured by the Forgotten Beasts, when he developed high fever and she stayed by his side all night, caring for him like his mother used to do. He remembered her angelical voice, her gentle hand stroking his cheek, even though he was acting all stubborn at that time, he appreciated her attentions.

Again his hand reached out for La Muerte's ring, his fingers fidgeted with it tenderly. He missed her with all his being, he would never be able to rip her from his heart, he loved her too much.

When you find that once again you long

To take your heart back and be free

If you ever find a moment

Spare a thought for me

As Regina continued to sing, Xibalba embraced La Muerte's scented pillow, and soon went back to sleep.


The next morning, at about ten o' clock, La Muerte and Aimé told their father they were going out for a morning carriage ride and spend some sisterly time together. Thankfully, Sol thought it was a good idea, it would drive his daughter's thoughts away from her horrid husband, and wished them to have fun while going to receive some new arrivals. They headed over to the carriage, which was already waiting for them outside, and it went on its way. The doctor they'd visit was the family doctor, Doctor Chamán, he was very renown across the pantheon, his specialty were pregnancies, but he had dominion over every medical field. He had treated Queen Esperanza when she was pregnant with both her daughters, and predicted the exact date of birth of both girls. In other words, he was a trustworthy, honest god.

Doctor Chamán lived in the part of the Remembered City where the rich families (or at least those who had been rich in life) lived, and he gladly treated any spirits who needed medical advice, even though they were dead and illnesses were completely rare and scarce. The carriage stopped in front of a small victorian-looking manor, and the coachman helped the princess climb out. La Muerte and Aimé climbed up the stairs, though Aimé stuck close to her sister in case she had a fainting spell again, and knocked the door when they were in front of the red doors.

"Coming!" a male voice called from the other side, and a few seconds later an old god who still had vestiges of youth in his face opened the door. "Can I help you?"

La Muerte and Aimé pulled back the hoods of their cloaks. Doctor Chamán instantly recognized them.

"Princesses? My, what a surprise!" he laughed, giving them the correspondent bow. La Muerte and Aimé smiled, they were glad to see him after so long.

"It's nice to see you, doctor." La Muerte said, smiling.

"Why, please come inside!" Doctor Chamán led the sisters inside his home and closed the door. The inside of his house was spacious and elegant, it had almost a medieval air to it, with a mixture of his Aztec heritage. He could tell this was not only a particular visit, however. "Is there something I can help you with, my ladies?"

"Actually, doctor, my sister would like that you check on her."

He grew alarmed. "Oh, my! Is something wrong?"

"I'm not certain, I've been having certain… symptoms." La Muerte replied nervously, trying to wrap herself further in her cloak.

"What kind of symptoms?"

La Muerte was hesitant, but Aimé squeezed her hand reassuringly. Finally she gathered the courage to speak. "I've been vomiting in the late hours of the night, or very early in the morning, I've fainted a few times out of sudden, and lately my taste for food has been a bit… picky."

"Anything else? Any detail could be important."

"Well, I…" there were a few things she hadn't mentioned yet. "My… My period, it's… it's overdue, but two days ago I found a few drops of blood on my"

Doctor Chamán nodded solemnly. He had the feeling of what as going on. "My lady, would you allow me to do a small test?"

"What kind of test?"

He sighed. "My Lady, I think you're enceinte."

La Muerte's eyes grew wide. Aimé took a hand to her lips in utter shock. "A-Are you certain?"

"The symptoms you have are related to pregnancy, but to be certain I need to make you a pregnancy test."

She was afraid. What if it was positive? There so many probabilities of what might happen, if it was found she was expecting… Her father was no fool, he'd realize how she got pregnant, he'd realize the real reason she left Xibalba. But she had to be certain. Finally, La Muerte nodded. "Very well, doctor." She sat down on the couch. "You may do the test."

Doctor Chamán nodded and walked closer to the goddess, placing his hand on top of her belly, and a magic aura emanated from his hand. Pregnancy tests in gods were simple, it consisted of a simple spell that could detect an aura within another; unlike humans and mortals, when gods conceived, the unborn child already developed an aura different from that of his mother's, sometimes it was hard to detect if it was done too soon. If the aura on the doctor's hand glowed blue, it was a positive result, if nothing happened, it was a false alarm. As much as La Muerte longed to be a mother, right now she was hoping with all her might it was just a false alarm, and she imply had stomach problems. Now was not a good time for her to bear a child. Doctor Chamán was running his hand down her abdomen, checking for anything strange within her; a few minutes passed, and relief started to overcome her, maybe it was just a false alarm…

But then the aura turned a bright blue.

La Muerte froze, trembling lightly as she saw the blue light emanating from the doctor's hand. Aimé gasped in shock, and quickly grabbed her sister's hand to offer her some physical comfort. Doctor Chamán removed his hand from La Muerte's abdomen, and turned to her solemnly.

"My Lady, you're 5 weeks pregnant."