A short offering this time, hope you all like it!

Part 5: Together

Saber couldn't believe how fast time was flying. It'd already been ten months since his best bud dropped a bombshell on an otherwise placid afternoon. Ten months since his best bud started filling all his spare time with anything and everything baby related. It was a span of time both short and long, depending on how you looked at it. And either way you looked at it, Saber was amazed at how much his best bud had grown up since that life-changing day.

Even once he was a legal adult and living on his own - especially once he was a legal adult and living on his own - Vector continued to give off that vibe of someone who had never quite finished growing up and was proud of it. He loved being immature whenever possible (even when some would argue it was inappropriate) and indulged in things other buff mice his age would have long since given up as too childish.

He still did those things, just not as much as he used to, and not to the same extent. His life was now filled with studying how to be a good father. Saber even heard him mumbling to himself from time to time about certain habits he needed to give up. He wanted to set a good example.

There was still plenty of time for fun, though, which was why they'd come here to Slingshot's after work. After dinner they headed into the arcade, where they mostly played competitively, while Joy either watched or butted in whenever she felt like it, shoving one (or both) of them aside and taking over. Some things never changed.

For the most part Vector seemed like his usual light-hearted, wise-cracking self, but for months now, no matter what he was doing, there was always something behind his eyes. A sense of distraction, a hint of sadness. More than once Saber caught him looking at either his or Joy's wedding rings, only to pretend to be looking at something else when he realized Saber had noticed.

Joy noticed too, and she flashed her older brother a sad, knowing smile. "You've done really great, you know that?"

Vector merely shrugged, his eyes going distant. Saber could tell that the interest in games had faded, so they headed back into the main part of the bar and grill and ordered one last round of their favorite drinks before heading home. When it came time to say goodnight, Saber felt twinges of guilt over his best friend going home alone, while he got to cozy up with his wife. He could only hope Vector's punishment came to an end soon.

It felt a lot like that night, so many months ago, when he'd drooped at the thought of going home alone while everyone he knew was paired off. But go home alone he did, where he turned on the lights and took a good long look at everything. A lot had changed in the last ten months. He'd baby-proofed the entire place, converted a spare room into a nursery, and completely overhauled his bedroom. It was actually clean in there now, the hodgepodge furniture he'd put in at random swapped out with matching pieces. He'd repainted too, giving the room a soft, red-brown color that was both inviting and cozy. It was a room built for two.

As he looked around at the rest of the rooms, Vector felt a cold ache swell in his chest. It was an ache that faded at times but was never completely gone, and grew worse at times like these, when he really took a good look at himself and his situation. He was living alone in a place designed for a family. And there was a chance that would never change.

With his mind full of things that could possibly never happen and that ache still lingering in his chest, Vector shut the lights back off and went to bed. He wasn't scheduled to head into work until later in the afternoon, so when he woke up the next morning he lazed around the house for a while. He sat down at his computer, but there weren't any messages waiting for him today.

And then, just as he was thinking about getting up to grab a root beer, he felt it. It was so faint and so slight it didn't register to him as anything other than his own feeling of hope and excitement that he always felt when he checked for updates from Chloe. So it wasn't until he'd gotten up and was leaving the room did it dawn on him that the feeling wasn't going away. It continued to brush against the very edge of his senses, fainter than a whisper and softer than a breeze.

As if in response to him noticing it, the feeling of excitement spiked - barely perceptible but definitely there. And Vector could only imagine one reason why that would be.

With his heart popping in his chest in disbelief, the white rodent nearly tripped himself as he bolted forward. Guided completely by instinct and that faint touch of feeling, he found himself in the rec room.

A figure with cotton candy pink skin and snowy white hair was waiting by the sofa. She stood with a teary smile on her face and her slim hands cupping her large belly. If it weren't for that Vector would have all out tackled her when he lunged for her, but instead he pulled back at the last second and gathered her gently in his arms, holding her as close and tight as he could as he showered kisses all over her sweet face.

Maybe it was how happy she was to see him, or maybe it was how far along she was in her pregnancy, but there was a fresh brightness in her eyes and a glow in her cheeks. She'd never looked more beautiful, and he told her so as he buried his face in her downy hair.

Chloe let out a quiet laugh as she stroked his cheek. "I was so worried our bond would have faded by now," she said, "but as soon as I transported over here I felt it. It may be faint but it's so wonderful to feel it again."

And Vector hoped it wouldn't be long before that bond started strengthening again - and more than just physically. But he didn't know if their separation was officially over or if this was just a short visit. He pulled back a little and took her hands, his eyes searching hers. "Are you staying?" he asked, both eager and afraid to hear the answer.

"According to my father, that's up to you now. You have to understand he did this to protect me. He wanted to make sure you didn't end up getting tired of me or interested in someone else. And if you did, he wants me to find that out before the baby is born."

Vector gave a nod. "I do understand. And about that..."

He gave her hands a squeeze before letting go and darting out of the room. Chloe didn't say anything or try to follow him, but he felt a distinct sense of separation anxiety, almost like she was silently crying out 'don't go yet!'

He was only in his room for a second before running back to her. Face warming with both excitement and a touch of embarrassment, he fumbled with the small velvet box in his hands for a moment. When he had it open he held it out to her so she could see its contents. "I know Imeerans don't get married, but, so I can prove to you and everyone else how serious I am, I want you to wear this and let me promise in front of everybody to love and be with you forever."

Chloe went quiet as she studied the engagement ring - a gold band with an aqua stone - before a grin burst across her face and fresh tears dampened her eyes. "How soon can we do that?"

"As soon as you're ready to."

Judging by how eagerly she reached for her ring, she would exchange vows tomorrow if she could. Chuckling, Vector gently grabbed her hand before her fingers closed around the band and slid it onto her ring finger for her. He then drew her into his arms again and pressed a kiss to her forehead before resting his cheek on the top of her head. One hand absently went to her round belly; he felt a flutter of movement there, making his heart skip a beat.

"How's...?"

"He's fine," Chloe said softly. "He's just fine. Perfectly healthy and ready to be born."

Barely aware he was doing it, Vector rubbed the tips of his fingers against his future wife's middle as he tried to imagine what was going on in there. He knew how advanced Imeeran medical scans were and just had to ask. "Any idea what he looks like?"

Chloe gave a casual shrug. "Only a little. It didn't seem fair for me to take a look at him when you couldn't."

Touched, Vector stroked her hair as she went on. "But I did learn one thing. He has fur."

There was no denying this revelation made his heart speed up in excitement. He knew this could mean just about anything, but the thought of cuddling his downy son when he was born definitely gave him a thrill. Which made it take a couple of seconds for it to sink in that if their baby was furry before birth then he wasn't going to come out looking like a mouse.

He admittedly felt a little disappointed - but only for a second. There were more important things to worry about.

"So," Vector said casually, as he lifted his head and gazed in her eyes. "Will you be staying here for now, or...?"

Chloe let out a laugh. "I'll be staying here forever, thank you."

"And your parents won't mind?"

"Not anymore. I'm already pregnant, what other trouble could I get into?"

Grinning, Vector put her arm around her and squeezed her shoulder as he started for the door. "Come on, let me show you around. I've got the place all fixed up for you two."

And just like that, in one afternoon it felt like all the pieces had fallen seamlessly into place. He knew that the future would be full of challenges for them both - but he was eager to face them now because he knew that neither one of them would be facing them alone.