April 20, 1890

Alois was honest with her, for the first time in a long time. She didn't act cold towards him. She didn't turn her back and walk away from him. Hannah was whole heartedly welcoming.

It was as if they were getting to know each other, truthfully, this time. There was little tension in the air. Hannah felt as if she could express herself to him without being scared. She could call his name comfortably without being the least bit shy about it. Alois felt as if he could tell her anything, he cracked jokes normally and did sweet little things that made Hannah smile. This, this was the beginning of something beautiful and they both knew it.

Was this what love felt like? To feel so comfortable? So care-free? Just... happy?

"I'm not saying it looks weird, but I'm saying it looks weird, you know?" Alois chuckled as he turned the baby doll in his hand. "I mean, where's the cock?" Alois arched his eyebrow. "And does it come in any other color than white? I'm pretty sure the baby won't be white. Maybe a…. Beige-ish color?" Alois shrugged. "Or brown, black and or blue. I don't discriminate."

Hannah gently giggled and held her stomach. "Jim it's supposed to be unisex, okay? And they don't see much black or brown people in London." She took the baby doll from him and put it on the changing table. Hannah inhaled and exhaled. "Okay, being serious now."

Alois slowly looked at her. Hannah slowly looked at him. Smiles grew on their lips and then they broke out into lawless laughter. They sounded like hyenas and they didn't care in the least bit. Laughter came easily in the past few days. It was a part of honesty.

The laughter died down and both held their stomachs, cheeks hurting from all of that laughter. "Okay, Okay," Alois exhaled and composed himself. "No more jokes."

Hannah nodded and composed her own self. She pushed her hair back from her face and tied it with a wide rubber band. She knew she looked basic today. She didn't dawn one of the many expensive gowns Alois bought her. She wore a simple white gown made of cotton, her feet bare and of course, her hair tied back. Alois looked similar. He ditched his suit vest and coat, only in his dress shirt and that wasn't even buttoned up. He wore his shorts and his socks, his boots left in his closet.

It was late afternoon. The mail boy had just delivered the practice baby Alois ordered for parenthood practice. Hannah insisted that they started right away. Something along the lines of 'The baby could come at any minute!'

Hannah fixed the baby on the changing table and then took a cloth diaper. She handed it to Daddy, A.k.a Alois. "Here, you try, Jim." She said.

"I'd rather not Hannah." Alois handed the diaper back to Hannah. "I won't be doing…this." Alois crossed his hands and casually looked on.

Hannah arched her eyebrow at him. "What? You've never seen a cock? Or a vagina?" Hannah questioned. "Because I'm pretty sure we both have them and have seen them at least once or twice." Hannah's tone was sassy, but Alois loved it. Her 360 from quiet and introverted to well-spoken, intelligent, sassy but not quite social was just… Beautiful.

Alois chuckled and shrugged. "I mean, I would rather not do that part. I'd feel like Former Lord Trancy."

Hannah turned to Alois and took his face in her hands. He looked at her and she locked his eyes in a sincere stare. "This is your child, Jim. This is our child. " She said. "Nothing about this is sexual, it's all about love, caring for our child and picking them up when they fall. They are our holy grail. "

Alois stared at her, taking each word she spoke. They hit home. He slowly nodded, closing his eyes. Alois sighed. "Alright… Alright." Alois opened his eyes. "But don't you think it's a bit odd for a demon to be talking about something holy?" Hannah rolled her eyes and patted his cheek. "I don't know about you, but this is my child and they'll be the light of my life until I die."

"If you do die." Alois said. "And why can't my intentions be the same as yours? Huh?"

Hannah shrugged. "Because I honestly do not know about you." She said.

Alois clasped his hands together. "Right." He said. "Show me how this baby thing works."

"Then you wrap it like that…and then…tuck… and done!" Alois held up the practice baby, swaddled in the blue baby blanket Hannah had knitted. Hannah smiled and clapped. "Finally,." She said.

"Hey!" Alois said. "I put in so much effort because you can't have the meat falling out of the bun."

"Taco." Hannah corrected.

"You know I mean the curry buns!" Alois sighed as he put the baby down. Hannah smirked, a tiny unnoticeable smirk. She liked messing with him and making him angry, knowing he wouldn't harm her in anyway.

Hannah picked up the practice baby and began to rock it in her arms, swaying her body. "Can you feel the heat on my skin," Hannah gently sang. "Can you feel all my loving~ You and me, we're standing on the sun." Hannah caressed the plastic head and smiled. "Can you feel the heat on my skin,"

Alois leaned on the changing table and watched Hannah, smiling. Alois never thought things would take a turn for the best, especially with her. Hannah was just… so quiet and sad before and now she was just…Happy.

"So," Alois said, calling Hannah's attention. "Next month the doctor is coming over to go over the birth procedure."

Hannah paused and looked up from the plastic baby. She quirked her eyebrow. "As in… Natural birth or caesarean section?"

Alois shrugged. "It's up to you, really."

"Wait a second, I can't even fathom why you would call a doctor? Aren't I perfectly capable of having my baby alone?"

Alois arched his brow and gave Hannah look. "What? So you're gonna go into a room and then come back out with a baby?" He shook his head. "No, it doesn't work that way, Hannah. I'm gonna be there, the doctors gonna be there too. You can't do something like this alone."

"But why can't I do it alone?" Hannah questioned. "I don't need everyone looking at my vagina while I'm pushing out a baby."

"Because I said you can't do it alone." Alois lowered his tone. "Is it wrong for me to be worried? To want both of you to be safe?"

Hannah stared at Alois for a few seconds, trying to fathom and comprehend what he just said.

'Did he just…' Hannah looked down at the baby. 'Did he just say I love you discreetly?'

Hannah blinked and looked up from the plastic baby. "I don't see why the doctor has to be there, but since you really want it then it's not my place to deny you."

Alois leaned off of the changing table and walked over to Hannah. He took the plastic baby and tossed it aside. Then he put both hands on her stomach. "If you're that shy then we can use a blanket, to cover your lower half."

Hannah nodded and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'd like that." She said softly, nothing more than a whisper. Alois looked at her pretty face for a second. Then he leaned in and kissed her, pressing his pale lips to her dark lips. Hannah's eyes fluttered close and so did his own. When the kiss broke, their blue eyes locked. The exchange was mutual.

Hannah reached up and placed her hand on his cheek. Then she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. She opened her mouth to whisper those three sweet words, words she'd pined to say. But she decided against it. Hannah was too shy. She was too scared she might be pressuring him into something he did not want. If it took 30 years for Alois to decide then so be it. She would wait faithfully.

"Are you okay?" Alois gently asked.

Hannah nodded slowly. "I… I am tired. I feel light headed." She whispered.

"Do you wanna sit or lay down?" Alois' hands found their way to her waist.

"Lay down." She answered. Alois slowly helped her over to the bed, his hands on her waist. Hannah held fast to his shoulders to fake her light headedness. He lifted her up with much effort and set her down on the bed, lying next to her. Hannah used his arm as a pillow and held the other over her swollen belly.

"Are you feeling better? Should I get Claude?" Alois asked.

"No, please don't." Hannah softly protested. "I don't feel safe around him…"

"Then what should I do?" Alois asked. "I don't want you to be sick."

Hannah sighed and turned onto her side, burying her face in his chest. "Just hold me."