CHAPTER 3 | BIG NEWS

"What?" I gasp.

Doctor White sits down in front of me, looking happy and perhaps slightly disappointed that I'm not happy as well.

There's a good reason I'm not happy. This has happened before, and it didn't end well. Now that it's happened again, all I feel is a twisting worry deep in my stomach and suddenly nausea overwhelms me. I sit forwards in the seat, holding my head until the sickness fades, and I straighten up to face Doctor White again.

"I'm..." My voice is suddenly raspy. I clear my throat. "I'm with child?"

Doctor White nods.

I sit back in the seat. I'm suddenly exceptionally worried, and thoughts of what could possibly happen to this child start to fill my head. And how will I tell Connor?

"If you'd like, I could give you some tips on how to care for yourself, and the baby." The Doctor says.

I nod, only half listening to him.

~!~

I sit on the front porch, waiting for Connor to come back from the hunt. I want him home, here, with me. I need his support, because right now I have no idea what to do.

Suddenly, I see him through the trees and I wish he was still on the hunt, so I wouldn't have to tell him again. I wonder how he'll react. Will he be happy? Sad? Angry? I gather my courage, put on my brave face and stand up to face the music.

I walk towards Connor, smiling, and as we reach each other he pulls me into a gentle kiss.

"Konnorónhkwa." He says, smiling at me.

"I love you too." I reply.

Connor walks away from me, towards the house.

"Ratohnhnaké:ton, wait." I say. He stops and turns around, and seeing the expression on my face he approaches me again.

"What is it?" He asks, concerned.

I take a deep breath and, my heart beating, I talk.

"Ratohnhnaké:ton, I'm... I'm with child." I say nervously.

Connor's expression turns from concerned to completely blank.

He stands there for a few moments in a state of shock, before he looks down at me, disbelieving.

"You're pregnant?" His voice quiet and at least an octave higher than it usually is.

I nod.

Connor steps forwards and pulls me into a gentle hug, my head under his chin. We stand there for a moment before Connor breaks the embrace and sits down. I sit next to him.

"Are you okay? Are you happy?" I ask him.

"I am alright." Connor says, looking at me. "Are you?"

After a moment of consideration, I speak. "I think so."

Connor suddenly smiles. "And I am happy." He almost sounds surprised. "We will be careful this time."

"Yes, we will." I say.

~!~

I sit in the living room, reading a book. One hand rests on my very slightly round belly, feeling the tiny child that sleeps inside. Now that the initial shock has faded, I find I'm actually happy about the child. Now, instead of worry, anticipation comes. I wonder what the child will be like. Will it be a boy or a girl? Will he or she be short? Tall? Athletic, like it's parents?

There are so many questions, all of which will be answered in 7 months. I find myself wishing the time away, so that I can finally meet the thing that grows inside of me.

I've been thinking about baby names for the past eight weeks. I must have gone through the entire English language, and even though it would be nice to name the child something from Connor's background, I don't know any names besides Ratohnhnaké:ton.

Nothing seems to fit.

I considered naming the child Alice, if it was a girl, but somehow it doesn't feel right. Names like John and James went in one ear and out the other; they were too common. The child needs a unique name, or at least a less common one.

I feel as if we should have an English name, to use in the cities, like Achilles did for Connor, but a name in Connor's language as well.

There are so many options to consider, so many things to think about, so many questions to go unanswered. I can barely stand it.

I stand up and walk outside, wanting fresh air. I walk around slowly, before I hear a shout.

"Clara! Miss Clara!" A man shouts. I turn around to see Terry and Godfrey walking towards me. When they reach me, Godfrey speaks.

"We heard a rumour that you were with child, Clara." He says.

"It is true." I say, grinning foolishly.

"Ha! I told you, ya old bastard!" Godfrey exclaims, pointing his finger at Terry. "Congratulations." He adds, glancing at me guiltily.

I laugh. "Thank you." I say, smiling.

As Terry and Godfrey walk off, I see Terry hand over a few coins.

"Bet you it's a boy." He says, challenging Godfrey to another bet.

"You're on." Godfrey growls.

I seem to be stuck in a permanent smile these days. It never leaves my face; Connor said that even when I sleep I have a smile.

From that moment on, every hour a new person arrives to congratulate me. I wish Connor would be here, so that they could tell him too, but I settle with just reminding everyone who comes to congratulate him as well.

As the sun begins to set, I hear footsteps on the porch. Exhausted from the flood of well-wishers, and probably the child as well, I hope to God that it's Connor and not some far-fetched relative from England. The door opens to reveal Connor, and I smile gratefully.

Connor sees me standing up in the living room and crosses the room in two strides to help me up.

"I'm not a cripple, Ratohnhnaké:ton." I say with a smile.

"I know." Connor says, also showing a smile. He pulls me into a kiss, and when we separate he puts a large and rough hand on my belly.

"What did you do today?" Connor asks as we sit down again.

"Terry and Godfrey heard the news. It seems they had some sort of bet going." I say.

Connor looks angry. "That is rude." He says.

"It was just a bit of fun. Don't worry." I say soothingly.

Connor relaxes as I touch his arm.

"Konnorónhkwa." He says, pulling me into him and planting a kiss on my lips. Suddenly, I pull him forwards and kiss him passionately. Connor seems a bit confused at my sudden change in mood, and to be honest, so am I. I pull away, with effort.

"I'm sorry. Doctor White said I might experience mood swings." I mumble, embarrassed.

"Do not fret." Connor says simply. He looks me in the eyes steadily, and then kisses me gently, his hand coming up to my cheek, his fingers brushing my jaw.

And once again, I smile broadly.

So, let me know what you thought of that chapter! Sorry I didn't update for a while, but my Internet decided to... I dunno, get drunk and be knocked out for the entire weekend. Anyway, the point is I'm back and should be updating regularly if my Internet is okay with it.
Also, I'm writing an Assassin's Creed 2 fanfic, called Blossoming Affection. The title's pretty gay, but it's actually a good story, if I don't say so myself. And it has an Ezio\OC, and because it's Ezio there's going to be some... action ;). But I won't go into much detail. It's like the fluff in Rain. This isn't 50 shades of grey.
I think that's all I have to say... Oh well, I'll see you guys in 5 reviews!