The next chapter is up! There will be a small time skip in this chapter. Enjoy :)
4 Months Later...
Raelyn sat down and leaned back against a moss-covered rock near the river.
A smile of content was on her face as she tilted her head back and let the warm rays of the sun caress her skin. She felt someone sit beside her.
Their large hand went to the large swell of her protruding stomach and lightly rubbed it.
A large grin decorated the pale yautja's face behind his mask as he felt his unborn pup move beneath his hand. The very active child then kicked out at his hand, making the mother squirm.
"Damn, I swear it's like her hits and kicks are getting stronger by the day. I'm probably black and blue inside." Raelyn said.
"That's good though. Means she is healthy." He replied.
Since they found out about her pregnancy, Raelyn has been doing everything she can to take care of herself.
For the first three months, she was on pins and needles, worrying about the possibility of a miscarriage. But once she hit four and a half to five months, she was felt a lot more at ease.
They found out not a couple weeks after her confirmed pregnancy, that she was having a girl.
Bhu'ja loved that he could spend each moment with his mate during this special time. At home, most males don't really spend any time around pregnant mates. If anything, they are hardly present during such a time.
Most males rather spend the bulk of their time hunting, between mating cycles. And for the most part, he was no different.
But it certainly was different when you have a Life Mate. It was amazing watching her body change and her stomach grow bigger with each month that passed by.
He was elated when he found out he was having a daughter.
And the scanners show she is growing strong and healthy, to both parents' relief. Raelyn was especially relieved, Bhu'ja knew she worried about complications or things going wrong during pregnancy.
Hearing their little girl's strong and steady heartbeat put most of her fears to rest.
"I like the name Amara." She says, as they sit there relaxing.
"So, I guess it's still a no with Guan Thwei-di then?" He joked.
Raelyn rolls her eyes, "Forget it, Boo. We're not naming her 'Night Blood' of all things. Plus, it sounds like a boy's name."
"That's why you put the 'di' at the end for the female variation. But if you don't like it, that's fine. We'll just go with Setg-in then." He continued to tease.
She just gave him a look.
"Honestly, are there any names that don't have anything to do with weapons, death or destruction?" She quipped.
"They happen to be strong warrior names. Unlike Penelope or Melanie. Those names sound ditzy or like a bimbo's name. And for that, you can't fault me for wanting to give my daughter a strong name." He countered.
Raelyn chuckled, "Bhu'ja, I was kidding when I mentioned those names. I would never name my kind either of those names. Because your right. They do sound ditzy and stupid. I'm almost certain one of my Barbie Dolls had that name when I was little."
He chuckled, "Well then, good to know you were kidding. Think I would've had a major issue if you named our daughter after a child's toy."
"You still never said anything about the name I mentioned before. The name, Amara." She mentioned.
Bhu'ja looked to the sky and tilted his head in thought.
"Sounds unique and different. Does it mean anything in particular?" He asks.
"I read up on names and their meanings before. The name Amara is derived from various different cultures on Earth. In some it means 'everlasting.' In others, it means 'grace' or 'immortal' or 'to love'. Those sound like strong enough meanings to you?" She teased.
"Yes, they do. Sounds like a nice name. Though in the end, it is your choice. As I mentioned before, the females name their pups. Not the males. But thank you for letting me give suggestions anyway." Bhu'ja said.
"You're welcome. I guess that is just where our cultures differ again. Back home, both parents are always involved with naming their kids. So, it's only fair to let you dish out names you would like. Half the times, a couple will like a name the father suggests." She says.
"Though, I sadly can't say that is the case this time." She added.
Bhu'ja grunted, "I still don't see anything wrong with my name choices." He muttered.
Raelyn leaned into his side, laughing a little.
"Because if you look at them, you may as well call this kid something crazy like 'Gladiator' or 'Annihilator'. And that is not going to happen." She joked.
He smirked, "But Annihilator has such a nice touch to it. Thanks for suggesting it."
Raelyn turned to him and gave him a look.
"Forget it, mister. Not happening. Banish that thought from your mind, right this instance." She said.
"Not even for a middle name?" He lightly suggested.
"No!" Raelyn blurted out.
This made him laugh.
He found it odd that humans have middle names or last names for that matter. He fails to see the relevance of having multiple names. But it just shows the differences and similarities between their cultures.
"So not funny. And don't even think about calling her that for a nickname either. Won't be happy if I hear you suddenly call out 'Little Annihilator' from down the hall or something." She joked sarcastically.
"Ok, I will." Bhu'ja says, continuing to tease her.
"Ok, have fun sleeping in another room then." She piped back.
He then does that playful little whine that never ceases to make her laugh.
"Nope. That cute little whine is not going to work this time." She says, between laughs.
At least he's wearing a mask this time. If he weren't he'd probably give her his famous kicked puppy look too.
It was then, Raelyn felt more movement down below, as the baby shifted once again inside of her. And her hand automatically went to her swollen stomach.
In the beginning, it was hard to fathom that she was pregnant, especially when she didn't look it.
But now, the proof was right here. Every time she looks down at herself and feel the baby moving about inside her stomach, she knew it was really happening.
"Bhu'ja?" Raelyn says.
"Yes?" He asks.
"Do you think...she will have a hard time because...she will be different from everyone else back on your home world. Will they...shun her for her parentage?" She asks, voice filled with concern and worry.
This is something that has been weighing quite heavily on her mind for some time now.
He lifts his hand and lightly runs it over her head and through her long, soft hair.
"She may face challenges in her life. But she'll never be alone. Not everyone will agree to our union or approve of the fact that our daughter isn't a pureblood but half.
But there will still be some that will accept her for who she is. And treat her with kindness and the respect she deserves. Plus, she isn't the only one who's a halfbreed.
There are others too. Like Kata'nu, his siblings, and his children. Yes, it wasn't easy for them. But they didn't let the word of others get to them. And they still manage to thrive and lead full, happy lives.
Our child will have that too and so will you. I promise." Bhu'ja told her.
He saw a smile appear on her face and light up her features.
"I believe you." She said.
The pale yautja wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his side.
Unbeknownst to the pair, another ship has broken through the clouds and landed off in the distance somewhere behind them. With someone onboard very powerful and a part of the young Arbitrator's painful past.
Until Next Time ;)