Mal slept for a day and a half, holding on to her mate, who only got up for short visits to the bathroom. Then it was right back to Mal's arms. The ordeal of the last few days and nearly dying had exhausted her. It had been more than a little while when Zelena didn't return one night, so naturally, the dragon got up to look for her. She knocked on the bathroom door, but Zelena didn't answer. It was unlocked, so she peeked inside and found it empty. "Zelena?" She called, walking through the farmhouse. She followed the witch's scent outside where the smell of burning wood assaulted her senses. Zelena was standing next to Tiberius's stall. It was already half consumed by flames.
"He killed Tiberius." Zelena said softly. Mal stood next to her and watched the flames devour the structure. "Gave him the Black Death. Black blood was everywhere. Tiberius couldn't even stand."
"I'm so sorry."
"I don't want any of that stuff laying around." Zelena sighed. "I want it all burned, all gone." She folded her arms and leaned her head against Mal. "I will miss my noble steed."
"I could find you another one. Maybe even get you a griffon."
Zelena chuckled, but her smile quickly faded. "I don't want another pet for a while. I just...I can't believe he killed my fucking Pegasus. Tiberius had nothing to do with this."
"It's because he was a gift from me." Mal said softly.
The witch sighed and turned to walk back into the house. Maleficent followed. Zelena didn't go back to the bedroom, she went and pulled a candy bar off top of the fridge.
Mal frowned. "Do you always hide candy all over your house?"
Zelena smirked. "Check the bottom of the coffee table."
The dragon arched a curious eyebrow and reached under the table. Sure enough, she pulled a Twix from beneath it. "I think we need to talk about you being pregnant, dear."
"Why? You know I'll do this right, Mal. I'll get prenatal care, I'll go to the doctor often, do yoga, eat right."
"Come here." Mal sat down on the couch and Zelena flopped down next to her. "Bearing a dragon baby takes a heavy toll on the mother. The egg will literally take all of the nutrients out of what you eat and you will need to eat almost constantly in order to sustain yourself. The egg is not my concern. You are. Dragons can go for weeks without eating without any problems. You can go days at least, but-"
"Then can't I get necessary nutrient injections?" Zelena cut in.
"I don't know. I don't want to scare you, but I am concerned." She would deal with any pain necessary, but she didn't know what she would do if Zelena was put in danger, if she was hurt because of Mal, because of their baby. She grabbed the witch and kissed her. Zelena giggled in surprise as the dragon carried her into the bedroom. She took the candy bar and tossed it to the side. The witch smiled against her lips as they continued to kiss. By now, she knew exactly what made her favorite witch go crazy. But something else was bothering her.
"Zelena?"
"Hmm?"
Mal looked down, planting a kiss to the redhead's collarbone. "What if I'm too old for this? Our child would look at you and see a beautiful young mother and then, look at me. I mean, I am old, Zelena. What if I can't keep up?"
"Mal." Zelena said, taking her by chin as the dragon had so often done to her. "You are the most amazing woman I have ever met. When our child looks at you, they will see a beautiful goddess and they will be proud because you are their mother. Your age is an astounding thing and absolutely nothing to be ashamed about."
Maleficent sighed and nuzzled against her witch with a powerful purr. She removed their robes so their naked bodies could touch and she could continue lovingly rubbing herself against her lover without anything getting in the way. "Zelena."
"Hmm?" Zelena giggled as she kissed Mal's throat that was gently vibrating due to her purring.
"I love you so much. I don't ever want to let you go."
Zelena suddenly sat up and kissed her. "I don't want to let you go either." She took a deep breath and smiled, looking into her dragon's eyes. "You are my world. You opened my heart, gave me a new life, and now a child. Because of you, Maleficent, I feel like I finally found a place in the world." Mal smiled and kissed her again, heart soaring at hearing the heartfelt words. "But I have to ask you something." The dragon sat up in concern. Zelena reached across her to the nightstand where the music box was sitting and picked it up. "We've been through so much in the last year and I would not give up a second of it. After everything, I just want to love you forever." Zelena's words were tender and sweet but Mal didn't quite understand the nervousness. "We have been tied together the dragon way, through bonding and mating." Zelena continued. "And I would like to tie us together the human way as well." She opened the music box and held it out. Maleficent revealed it wasn't actually the music box at all. The outside was the same, but the inside held a velvet lining cushion and inserted in that was a diamond ring with an emerald studded band made to look like dragon scales. It was beautiful. Mal looked up at Zelena. "Will you marry me, Maleficent?"
The dragon smiled and chuckled. "Did you truly need to ask, my love?"
Zelena blushed and slid the ring on her finger. "Well, I felt that I should."
"I want to get you a ring." Mal said excitedly. "And I'll give you a wedding that will make any others look like crap. Do you want it green?"
Zelena laughed at her enthusiasm. "We can talk about it later. Right now, I think we should celebrate with some more mating."
"I completely agree."
It was sheer bliss for them both to fully commit each other in every way possible. Two souls once thought to be broken, were being healed just from the presence of the other. When they announced their engagement, Lily and Eric nearly crushed them in big bear hugs. They went out to the diner to celebrate and Maleficent noticed that Regina was beaming as well when she walked in with Robin. The queen pulled the dragon to the side and told her the news. She was pregnant.
"Tell me i didn't get you pregnant when I didn't have my memories." Mal growled immediately.
Regina looked hurt by her tone. "No, you didn't. The baby is Robin's, but you healed me when we kissed."
Thank the gods. "Well then, congratulations. Zelena is bearing a child as well. I need to get back to her." Mal quickly returned to the dining area and smiled at seeing her mate deep in conversation with Eric.
"I'm thinking." Said Eric. "If it's a boy, you name him Eric Jr."
"Oh yeah?" Zelena arched an eyebrow.
"Yeah, hear me out. If it's a girl...Erica."
Mal scoffed as she sat down. "Zeus believes it will be a girl and we sure aren't naming her after you."
"I don't see why not. I mean...look at me." He did a pose as though he some sort of male model.
"Eric, shut up." She smirked. He grinned in reply.
"Do you plan to stay, Eric?" Zelena ventured to ask. Mal looked up with interest, wondering as well if her lifelong friend would stick around.
"I do. I have a daughter to finish getting to know." He smiled at Lily. "As well as a wedding that I have to attend and a goddaughter to care for." He smirked at Mal, who rolled her eyes. But she was happy he was staying. Now she could have all of her family with her helping to protect and care for her newest child.
"Will you move to the dragon mansion, Zelena?" Eric asked.
They hadn't given thought to that. As much as Mal would love to have her fiancée live with her, she knew Zelena liked her farmhouse as well. "Perhaps we keep both houses and Zelena will live wherever she wants. Once the baby is close to being due she can live with us then. That way, you can keep your house. That is, unless you want to."
Zelena nodded her agreement. "I love it."
"Excellent." She glanced up as Ruby brought over their food. She pushed Zelena's plate to her. "Eat up." They would have to get the witch on a feeding schedule. There was so much to do. Not just with the wedding either. She needed to buy Zelena a new bed, something better on her back. They needed to build a nursery, get some toys and decorations for the baby, replace all of the gifts Zelena destroyed, find or make her some new ones, get her a new pet. She said she didn't want one, but Mal would buy her one anyway.
"Earth to Maleficent." The dragon blinked and looked down the witch's hand waving in her face.
"Yes?"
"Let me put your mind at ease, dragon." Zelena said. "Do not go on a spending spree."
"We both know I'm not going to listen to that, but okay." Mal nodded.
"Not yet at least. Let's just enjoy it for now. I think I'm still processing the fact I'm getting married and having a child."
"The two of you are getting married?!" Ruby said excitedly as she returned to the table. "That is awesome! Drinks are on me."
"I'm pregnant, I can't drink." Zelena said.
"Yes you can." Mal cut in. "The alcohol won't bother the egg."
"Really?"
She nodded. "One of the perks of being a dragon mother."
Ruby grinned and left, returning with champagne for the happy family. "To Mal and Zelena!" They each raised their glasses and clinked them together.
Maleficent looked into the bright blue eyes of her lover. "To us."
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