Nearly a month after their engagement had been announced, Colette knocked on Maric's door once more. He beamed when he saw her. She was the most beautiful person. He was excited to marry her. When he had told Cailan that he planned to marry her, the boy had been ecstatic. Colette was the closest thing to a mother he had, and she had been involved for most of his life.

"I have news, Maric. Perhaps you should sit down." she said, her voice sounding anxious. He frowned and asked her to sit beside him.

"What is the matter? You look worried. Has something happened?" he asked. She shrugged.

"I think we will have to delay the wedding." she said quietly. He tilted his head in confusion.

"Why would we do such a thing? Don't you want to marry me?" he asked. She smiled fondly at him and touched his cheek.

"Of course I do, my love. But I feel that if we get married now, the people and the Chantry will think we are only marrying because of the baby." she said.

"We're not getting married because of the baby, we're getting married because we are in love and we have waited...for...what baby?" he asked. She hesitated before pointing to her stomach.

"This baby." she answered. His eyes widened as he looked at her stomach, then back to her face.

"You're...we're having a baby?" he asked. She nodded slowly. He laughed joyously before kissing her. "We're having a baby!" he cheered.

"You're...happy?" she asked hesitantly. He laughed again.

"Of course I'm happy! We're having a baby!" he crowed. She beamed at him, eyes welling up with tears.

"I'm happy too." she murmured. He hugged her to his chest.

"You are right about the wedding though, I don't want them to think this is the only reason I'm marrying you. Are you all right with waiting? I will marry you right now if you aren't." he promised. She laughed.

"I am content to wait, Maric. As long as we are together, I will be happy." she assured him. He was beaming.

"We need to tell Cailan. He'll be so excited." he said, leaping up and taking her by the hand. His family was growing, and he couldn't be happier.