A Few Months Later...

"Seto has not announced the news of the heir to the public yet, but the members of the palace have been informed. The servants probably have all become aware of it by now as well." Atem shrugged. "You know how it is."

Teana smiled shyly and nodded her head. Atem reached out to touch her stomach, but hesitated and pulled back a little. Teana grabbed his hand and placed it on her stomach. She nervously smiled. "There is not much to feel." She told him. "I am still very early in the pregnancy. It will be a while until you can feel anything worth noting."

Atem pursed his lips and then shook his head. "I am sorry. I do not know much about these kinds of things. The only women that I have ever been close to before besides my mother are Isis and Mana; and none of them have ever had children before." He too, shyly smiled.

"It is quite alright. I can understand the feeling." She smiled, a little wider this time.

Atem reached out to take both Teana's hands and he kissed her forehead. "I may not know much about these sort of things, but I will try my hardest and best to give you and this child - our child," Atem shook his head smiling. "I cannot get used to that idea." He chuckled. "Our child," he restated, "and you, the care and time you deserve. The baby and you are of the greatest importance in my life."

"Atem..." She hugged him and chastely kissed him on the mouth. Withdrawing from the kiss, Atem did not let go of Teana's hands. "I expect that you see the healers daily." He told her.

Teana smiled at the concerned Atem. "Of course love."

Atem grinned. "Good. I shall leave you now." He said as he shuffled away.

Teana sighed and looked at her belly putting her hand to it. She didn't seem to have put on any weight really at all, maybe a little at most. She was really pregnant, wasn't she? Isis said so, didn't she? She saw that... wait what did Isis see exactly? Teana bit her lip. She really did want this child, for Atem and now for her own self as well. She was still frightened, but the thought of having a young one to spoil and cherish was a lovely dream. Teana always adored children. Sure childbirth would be painful, but it would be worth it. She didn't have reason to fear, fatal childbirth was very rare in Egypt and Nubia. It would be alright, wouldn't it? Wouldn't it?

A Few More Months Later...

The secret was out. The Queen of Egypt was pregnant with the future heir to the throne. All of the palace knew and a substantial number of the common folk in Egypt new as well. Teana took in a deep breath. Everyone was treating her differently; a delicate flower. Sure, she appreciated the help. There were some things she was thankful people were there for her to assist her, but people were taking it too extreme. She wasn't going to break! This reminded her of the chaos right before the wedding. The only problem? This wasn't going to go away anytime soon. She had months left! Months to deal with this!

Not only was the repetitive morning sickness annoying, mind you contrary to the name, morning sickness occurred at all different times of the day...and night! She was thankful that she wasn't one of those mothers to be who frequently vomited. That had only happened to her in the beginning and maybe once or twice after that.

Teana blew a flock of hair that came to the front of her face. She was sitting on her bed trying to read. Of course she was trying to read only to not be able to focus at all. 'Three more months.' She told herself.

She once again put her hand to her stomach. The bulge in her stomach had widened incredibly since the early months. There was no doubt about it, she was pregnant-pregnant with Atem's child and the future heir of Egypt and Nubia. Her massive stomach was proof of her pregnancy.

On the morrow she would be going back home, her old home that is, Nubia. Her parents wished to see her before she gave birth. Teana did not mind at all. She missed her childhood home. She missed her room, she missed the palace, she missed the people and most of all she missed her parents.

Atem was reluctant to have her travel such a distance while expecting, but Teana did plead and he couldn't say no to her. He agreed upon it by the condition that he at least accompany her to Nubia and stay with her for, but a week. Teana would remain there for two weeks longer and then return home with guards from Egypt. Atem was sincerely worried about his wife and their unborn baby. Teana had told him not to worry.

"Teana!"

Teana peered out of the book she wasn't reading and smiled. "Atem. You finished early!"

"Mm... that I did not." He chuckled. "The council was giving me a headache... with their new plans about distributing the surplus this year." He smiled. "Ra has blessed us with plentiful crop on the year of our babe's birth." Teana met his smile with her own as she placed her book aside. Atem proceeded to take off his tunic and climb into bed with her yawning.

Teana turned to face him. "How ever did you escape the council's wrath?" She chuckled.

Atem looped one arm around his head. "Alas, that is quite the tale. We cannot all be lucky like you and be blessed to be exempt from such a thing due to the unexpected bundle of joy."

Teana rolled her eyes. "I do not understand it. Although I am quite pleased with missing such events, I am perfectly able to attend the meetings."

Atem shrugged. "You are carrying the future heir of Egypt!" He smirked. "It would be wrong to put such a heavy burden upon thee to attend such a thing." He said in a mocking tone. "It Is quite the burden on the normal man, not to mention on the Pharaoh himself!" He yawned again. "As you can quite see, I am indeed in need of some sleep and a nap. We have a long journey tomorrow." He said making himself comfortable with his pillow. He peeped an eye open. "Are you still sure you want to go?" He questioned.

"Atem..." Teana sighed placing her hand on his. "We shall be fine."

"It is not us I am worried about... it is you and the baby. I shall be content when you are alongside me. I worry about your return, when I shall not be there."

"Just leave it in Ra's hands Atem. You cannot stay with me any longer, you must come back to Egypt. They still need you. Seto may be able to take over for a week and keep things in control, but he needs you back after that." She squeezed his hand.

"Perhaps you need not stay longer?" He suggested, not so innocently.

Teana rolled her eyes once again, smiling, catching on to what he was saying. "I have not seen my homeland in so long, Atem, nor my parents! A week is too short!"

"I know, I know." He said patting her hand. "Although I dislike this, I will do as you wish."

Teana smiled down at him, kissing his cheek. "Good, now get some sleep."

Mm, so now Teana and Atem are going to go visit Teana's parents in Nubia. An unexpected thing, huh? This chapter was split up into two time-periods so some months have passed in between. Teana is now showing greatly and is nearing her delivery date. She has three months left and now she's going back to her homeland! Atem will go with her and stay for a week, but then go back home. Teana will stay for two weeks longer and then return with palace guards. Hm, what else is in store for the couple next? lol Guess you're going to have to wait!

Until next time! Let me know your thoughts!

~Startistica