"Wow, that was a big one," Lucina looked to her mother in surprise to find her hand over her mouth reflexively stifling a yawn. She blushed lightly and lowered her hand onto her lap.
"Apologies. I have been having difficulties sleeping the past few nights."
"Nightmares again?" Sumia asked concerned from the chair across from her daughter. She knew despite Lucina's attempts to hide it that her daughter had suffered from chronic nightmares though they seemed to have subsided since Robin's return. She hoped that they had not returned.
"No," Lucina shook her head, "I simply have not been feeling well lately."
"Nothing serious I hope," Sumia's concerns were only slightly allayed. She hoped Lucina had not picked up something while traveling.
"No, I have just been feeling a bit nauseous," Lucina seemed deep in thought for a moment.
"What is it?"
"It's just, I rarely ever suffered an upset stomach. I've been fairly hardy most of my life even with a poor diet and sleep schedule."
"I see…"
"Perhaps it is nothing," Lucina forced a smile, "I would rather not spend our day talking about my queasiness."
"Right!" Sumia suddenly flashed a bright smile, "I want to hear all about your and Robin's survey of Eastern Ylisse."
Lucina's smile deepened as she started recounting her and Robin's trip. After his return and he got to get readjusted, the two went on a trip. Well, Chrom suggested they go after disguising it as work for the two to survey the eastern part of the nation. A region that was doing well and was relatively untouched by conflict.
"Oh, the town was lovely," Lucina practically cooed as their lunch arrived, "There was this amazing cottage we stayed at. It was so quaint and wonderful."
Sumia smiled at the glimmer in her daughter's eyes. After the recent few months without Robin on top of her troubled life in general, she deserved it. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."
"I did," Lucina expertly placed her napkin on her lap, "Though I'm glad for the chance to catch up."
"Agreed. Life has been such a rush, but with little Cindy's birth, life is slowly getting into a routine. As much as it can with a newborn."
"You always were an amazing mother," Lucina commented with a smile.
"You're too…kind…" Sumia trailed off when she noticed her daughter's plate. The meal was easily three times the size of her own. While nothing seemed particularly outlandish, Lucina had been a light eater as long as she had known her. Never mind the two desserts.
"Lucina, honey, did you order all that?"
"Hmm?" Lucina looked down at her plate, then at her mother's before blushing, "Sorry. Is it impolite?"
"No, its fine. I'm just not used to you eating so much. Not that you aren't active enough to burn it off, and I did think you ate too little at times."
"Really?" Lucina tilted her head in seeming confusion, "I often shared rations with Cynthia. I guess I came to see it as a normal amount. Still, I have been unusually famished lately. I hope you don't mind."
"No, no, of course not," Sumia smiled, "Dig in."
Now, Lucina had always impressed Sumia with her etiquette. One would not think she was a world class warrior by watching her eat. Her table manners were truly those of a princess. It seemed her etiquette lessons, or at least the ones she had experienced, stuck with her into adulthood throughout all the hardship leaving her surprisingly graceful at times. Even with Chrom as her father.
Which made it all the more surprising when Lucina actually did start to dig in. She was no slob by any means, but Sumia had never seen her tear into a meal quite like she saw before her. Even after going over a day without a proper meal, she had not attacked her food quite like this.
"You weren't kidding about being hungry."
"Mmm, sorry," Lucina wiped her mouth, "It was delicious though." As she stood up, she stretched, "So, I believe you wanted to go riding. After being pregnant, I imagine you missed it."
"Oh, it was well worth giving up for a time," Her mother replied, "But, um, perhaps we shouldn't do that in your condition."
Lucina sighed in response, "Mother, it's likely just an upset stomach. I promise not to do anything too outlandish."
Sumia gave a knowing look that made Lucina feel like she was not saying something, but Sumia shrugged it off, "Maybe, but let's just go for a walk. The gardens are lovely this time of year."
"…If you insist."
"They are lovely," Lucina smiled as she gently caressed a daisy. The flower reminded her of an amazing memory. One of her fondest and the start of her newfound happiness.
"I thought you might like them," Sumia commented from behind, "There is something beautiful about new life, wouldn't you agree?"
"Absolutely," Lucina nodded leaning up from the flower, "I absolutely adore spring when it arrives. Even afterwards I love seeing what new flowers have thrived here. It's a reminder that its over. That I can finally be happy with my own life."
"Yes, you are all an adorable family. Though, Lucina, honey, I want you to be honest with me, are you sure you're just a bit nauseous?"
"What else would it be?" Lucina asked genuinely confused and Sumia knew she was not hiding anything which only made her smile soften.
"Lucina, I think we should get you a checkup."
"I really don't know what you expect to find," Lucina commented as they finished the examination. For some reason, her mother has summoned Maribelle for this even though they had a royal doctor. In fact, her mother had been acting rather strange for most of the morning.
Maribelle raised her brow and looked at Sumia, "The poor girl really doesn't know much about how this works, does she?"
"She missed out on a lot of the proper teaching," Sumia answered with an almost apologetic smile.
"I still know enough that it is rude to discuss someone in their presence," Lucina huffed with an annoyed scowl.
"Quite right," Maribelle refocused on the bluenette, "I will get straight to the point. Lucina, dear, you are pregnant."
Lucina blinked a few times as she processed the information. Eventually she not so eloquently expressed her thoughts, "What?"
"You are with child," Maribelle repeated quite calmly, "It explains everything from your upset stomach to your ravenous appetite. I am surprised you never recognized the signs."
"I just…I never. It was only…" Lucina suddenly turned a deep crimson, "C-can you at least tell if the baby is healthy?"
"I'm sorry, but it's a bit too early to determine that. Nothing appears wrong at least, and you look to be in good condition yourself."
"That's good," Lucina seemed a bit distant prompting her mother to worry.
"Are you alright?" She knew that it was certainly a lot to take in initially.
"Y-yes, it's good news. I just…never really thought of myself as a mother. I've always been so focused on merely surviving and completing my mission that…it always seemed like a fairy tale." She put a hand over her stomach, "But it's real."
"Yes," Sumia smiled, "And I'm right here for you the whole way. We all are. Me, your father…Robin."
"Robin," Lucina's eyes widened, "I still have to tell him."
"I'm sure he'll be excited," Sumia reassured, "Just tell him. You'll be fine."
"You're right," Lucina took a deep breath, "I'll do it. I'll just tell him. How hard could it be?"
"Hello, Robin," Lucina rose to her feet too quickly as her husband walked through the door.
"Good evening," Robin smiled as he planted a chaste kiss on her lips. Oh, he was feeling bold today.
"How was work?" Lucina avoided the issue.
"Not bad. Still got some logistical issues, but Plegia seems willing to cooperate. Seems two mad tyrants in the span of three years is more than enough for them."
"That's good. I hope everything works out."
"Agreed," Robin's smile fell as he took Lucina's countenance in, "Is something wrong? You seem rather tense."
"Oh, um, maybe you should sit down."
"Okay?" Robin slowly sat down while Lucina fiddled nervously with the hem of her skirt. It was not like her to be so nervous. It was enough to trouble Robin by extension.
"I'm pregnant," Lucina blurted out and waited for Robin's reaction.
"You are? Really?" Lucina had trouble gauging that reaction.
"Yes, I just found out today."
"That's great!" Robin suddenly jumped up and pulled her into a tight hug before pulling back, "Sorry, that wasn't too tight, was it?"
"No," Lucina giggled before turning somber, "I'm a bit nervous, Robin. I'm terrified of being a bad mother. I don't have a lot of a childhood to go off of myself."
"Well, neither do I. Not that I can remember anyway. We'll just have to figure it out as we go. Like most people, but if you're worried, then don't be. I have every faith that you will be an absolutely amazing mother."
"Really?"
"Yes," Robin smiled, "Remember how you had similar doubts before we got married? Well, I can confirm that you are the best wife I could ever ask for. I just know that you'll rise to be the best mother as well, because you, are amazing."
Lucina giggled again in response causing Robin to grin, "Too thick?"
"Absolutely, but I never said to stop."
A/N: I didn't make this as propaganda initially, but let's go Chrom in the next CYL.
