Hope you enjoy!
3
I can count with one hand the amount of times I've been left frozen by the shock or realization of a certain event or revelation. The first time happened when I saw Antiope get shot and then have her die in my arms. The second time happened when Ludendorff gassed Veld, murdering all those innocent men, women and
children after fighting so hard to safe them. The third time was when my brother, Ares, told me I was the Godkiller. The fourth was when I saw that plane explode with Steve still inside. The fifth and last time was when Antiope and Steve escaped the Underworld and came back to us.
Up until Steve and Antiope came back, I was always aware that those moments that left me shell shocked were unbearably painful; either by the sheer brutally of it or because it meant someone had lied to me or sacrificed themselves for the greater good.
Now though, as I stand in the infirmary looking at Epione as frozen as I have ever felt, as speechless as I have ever been, I realise that all of those moments have led me to this exact point in time.
But I still don't believe it.
"Say that again," I tell Epione aware that my voice sounds monotone.
She smiles and obliges, "You are with child."
Sensing the same shock in Steve she turns and tells him,
"You are going to be a father, Captain. Congratulations,"
I exhale loudly just realizing I had been holding my breath and shake my head.
I love children. I always have and not just because they are the purest human beings ever are; so unburdened and filled with hopes and dreams just like I was when I was a child, but in general I love them. And whenever I see any child in danger, my instinct to protect increases tenfold.
But Steve and I haven't discussed children.
And to be completely honest with myself, it hadn't even occurred to me to have any. Steve has only been back for a year. There are things we are still learning from one another. My apartment in Paris has truly become ours in the last six months. Steve has been adding things of his own little by little until it was obvious more than one person lived there.
And I guess now there's going to be another one.
"You're saying that – She's… that we're going t – That I'm going to be a f-,"
If it weren't for the shock that threatens to leave me speechless for the foreseeable future, I would've laughed and reminded him that Etta used to do exactly that when caught by surprise.
"By your reactions, I take it this is quite the surprise. Why don't you both sit? As amusing as it is to watch you stumble over your words, Captain, and as comical as it is to watch your eyes get rounder and rounder, Diana, you both need to start acting normal again." Mother says a little annoyed at our strange reactions.
I back up a couple of steps until the back of my knees hit the examination table and I flop down on it. I feel myself slowly come out of the cloud of confusion and shock and… by the love of Hera I'm going to be a mother!
"Steve," I manage to squeak out and stretch my hand out to him.
He seems to snap back into reality at the sound of my voice and walks towards the table, taking my hand and sitting down next to me.
"I'll give you some privacy, Your Majesty," Epione says moving to leave.
"Thank you, Epione. Do not go far. I have a feeling once they both come out of their stupor they will have plenty of questions for you,"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Epione smiles at us and leaves us alone with Mother.
Mother moves to stand in front of us and her eyes soften a little. She takes hold of both our chins gently and starts rubbing our cheeks with her thumbs.
"I know this is a surprise. I know how you feel, even if my case was a little different since I knew I was supposed to get with child,"
I look at her and frown a little. I've never really asked her how it was like for her. I mean, when I first came back to Themyscira she told me she never thought of me as a living, breathing thing until she held me for the first time. But how did she feel during her pregnancy?
She continues, "Bringing a child into the world, any world, is a very frightening thing. Especially when you have the responsibilities you two have."
I feel Steve squeeze my hand.
How are we going to perform our sworn duties with a child to take care of? How am I going to fight with a huge belly?! That's going to be a sight.
Oh God, I'm going to go viral!
"But you are not alone. You have a family here in Themyscira. You have a group of friends in Man's world who I am sure will help you should you need it, and you have the Gods of Olympus watching over you," She says pointing up.
I nod. Yes, we definitely have a great support system and I have Steve. But that still doesn't change the fact that this is a complete surprise and in the last 15 minutes I've only said four words.
Mother looks at us and sensing our states of slight catatonia, she looks over her shoulder and seems to come to a decision.
"Would it help to know what you are having?", Mother asks us searching our eyes for any sign that we are listening to her.
We both stare at her and then I turn to Steve. He seems to understand I can't quite verbalize what I'm thinking, but I'm thankful to the Gods that we are able to communicate with just a look and he nods, knowing what I want.
He nods to Mother.
"Aphrodite, the Goddess of love, beauty and fertility bestowed upon us a gift. This gift, we thought, was quite strange,"
Mother turns and walks towards the wall facing us, pulling a loose piece of rock from the stone wall of the cavern. She turns it over to reveal it's hollow and from it, she pulls a medallion.
"We thought it strange because this medallion could tell us the sex of a child before it was born, but none of us would ever be able to conceive a child since there are no men here. Then I came to Epione with the exact same symptoms you just told her, Diana, and her and Ersa deduced that was the reason why Aphrodite gifted us this medallion - to know whether I was having a boy or a girl.
But as soon as they said that out loud, we realized that that could not be it. On this island there are no men. We knew you were a girl before they used this medallion on me. But, we used it anyway. East to west, it is a girl. North to south, it is a boy. Now, I think, I know why Aphrodite gave us this gift. Extend your right hand palm up, Diana,"
I think back to the Venus de Milo. A marble statue of Aphrodite found in Milos in 1820 and that now calls the Louvre its home. I've cleaned that statue many times and wondered at the artistry it took to make such a marvellous work of art. From now on, every time I look at it, I'll remember the moment I was told I'm having a…
"Wait. Which way is north?", Steve asks just as Mother is about to move the medallion above my hand. Mother and I point to the stone wall behind me without saying a word.
"Oh, okay. Go ahead,"
The medallion starts moving…
"East to west. You are having a girl,"
AN:
See you guys next week!
