A/N: Here's the second chapter of Fourteen and Counting! Enjoy!
By the way, if anybody is wondering how Ready to Roll is coming along, I'm still working on chapter nine. The Last of Us is also still a work-in-progress and I'm currently working on a TF2 oneshot involving Medic/Heavy and Soldier/Zhanna. Well, ciao!
Galena was busy typing up a thanatography on one of White Diamond's Pearls while she kept a lookout for her mate. She was so invested in trying to multitask that she didn't even see Khaidarkanite come in behind her and wrap her arms around her distended stomach.
"Eek!" Galena squealed. "Kai, what are you doing? You're supposed to be combat training!"
"I know," Khaidarkanite sighed. "But I don't like having to spend time away from you or the kids. It sucks."
"I know it does, Kai, but be patient. One day, we might join you in a war."
"Cool." Khaidarkanite firmly let go and cupped her hands at the bottom of her mate's abdomen. "So how have the eggs been treatin' you?"
"Pretty well."
"Great! Whatcha doin' right now?"
"I'm giving White Diamond a report on what happened to one of her Pearls. Apparently, there was an accident earlier that claimed her life."
"That sounds really sad. Well, Pearls are Pearls; I'm sure she can just get another one." Khaidarkanite then fondled the subtle outline of one of the eggs in Galena's belly. "So how many do you think we might have?"
"Hopefully, not many. I don't suppose I could handle more than five gemlings at a time."
"But are they gonna be like us or like our fusion?"
"We've never fused before, at least not with each other."
"I know, but I might be in there somewhere."
"That's not so far-fetched, actually." Galena then gently pried Khaidarkanite's hands away from her stomach. "Well, you better get going. I'm sure your instructor's looking for you."
"I'd say!" As she was walking off, however, she paused and craned her neck to face her mate. "Oh, one more thing: you think the gemlings know we already love them?"
"I doubt it. They probably won't be able to think about anything, much less how we feel about them, until I've already laid the eggs. Keep up the PDA, though. It'll help them develop into fully-fledged members of Gem society."
"Really? That sounds cool!" She resumed what she was doing and went away. "See you... whenever."
"You too." Galena then went back to working on the thanatography.