Catra scrubbed her face as she walked onto the main deck, absently ruffling Violet's hair as she ran by, chasing after one of Entrapta's robots. "Mornin' Catra!" Bow greeted from up the front. Catra sighed heavily, dropping into the metallic Captains chair. "Oooh, I know that face. Rough night?" He asked. Catra groaned softly. "You could say that," She nodded. Bow handed her a bowl of liquid. "What's wrong?" He sat to her left, already spooning some of the liquid into his mouth. Catra sniffed hers cautiously. "It's protein slaw," He supplied. Catra hummed as she ate a tiny bit. "It's awful, but I'm too tired to refuse it," She sighed. Bow waited a few moments. The only sound to fill the silence of the room was the clinking of spoons against bowls.
"So… is everything ok?" He said quietly. Catra immediately knew what the archer was referring to… or rather, who he was referring to. "She's ok, I guess. She finally popped, apparently," Catra drank some more slaw. "We saw some old photos from a few months ago, and she's definitely bigger," Catra found her lips splitting into a warm smile. Bow grinned. "I loved watching her grow with Vi, and watching Glim grow with Angie… it's such an amazing thing to witness," He gushed. Catra nodded as well, but felt her smile slip slightly. "Problem is though, her back and feet have started aching more," She drank some more slaw. "So that means I'm up with her, rubbing and massaging until they're painless," She paused. "Also really sick still… but brighter I think," She put her bowl down with another sigh. "Problem is, the anti-sickness pills Amalthea gave her work a little too well," Catra admitted. "What do you mean?" Bow put his bowl down next. "She's not being sick is the problem," Catra began to scrape some of her unruly hair into a ponytail. "But… isn't… isn't that the point?" Bow hesitated. "I'm sorry, I'm just really confused," He added. Catra shut her eyes, desperately trying to cool her frustration. "No, it's fine. The pills are stopping her from being sick, but they're not stopping the nausea. So, she's stuck with dry-heaving instead,"
"Oh… that's shit," Catra hummed in agreement. "Yup. I'd argue it's worse, 'cus where she could sleep in between bouts, now she's up all night with stomach pain instead," Bow mewled in his throat. "Can she stop the pills? Maybe that'll help," Catra shook her head. "I've tried. She refuses. Apparently it's because we're in, and I quote, a condensed tin can with limited air flow,"
"Momma looka me!" Catra turned briefly to watch as the five-year-old half demon swung from the (probably unstable) bars in the room. Entrapta ran underneath, frantically jotting notes down. "Fascinating!" She scrambled furiously. "Wow, Vi!" She waved. "Be careful though! I'd rather you not break a bone on my watch!" All Violet did was swing wider and cackle. Abruptly, Catra was thrown into how Adora used to do the same thing back in the Horde… though hopefully Violet fell less.
"In any case, she said she'd stop taking them once we landed," Catra finished as she turned back. Bow hummed. "Well, you'll be pleased to know that we enter Eternia's orbit in two days. Then it's about eighteen-ish hours till we land," Catra raised her eyebrow. "So, three days?" She asked. "Incorrect! It's sixty-six hours until contact!" Entrapta shouted, hanging next to Violet on her hair. Bow nodded. "Three days," He agreed.
...
"Adora, baby, you need to come off of these pills," Catra combed her claws through Adora's loose hair, keeping out of the way, despite both parties knowing nothing aside from saliva and words were going to leave her mouth. "Ugh. I feel so gross," Adora managed to groan between her heavy breaths. It was the first coherent words Catra had heard come out of her mouth besides mumbling for hours, and she couldn't help but laugh at that.
"Don't laugh," Adora whined, slapping at her leg. "I'm serious." Catra shook her head, still smiling at her. "I know, I know," She soothed, putting her chin on Adora's shoulder, letting her left arm sling loosely around her wife's abdomen. "Then why-" a forced gag cut her words short. She coughed harshly, fingers grabbing tightly at Catra's leggings. The discomfort made Adora's eyes water, her mouth open in anticipation as she squeezed the tears out of her eyes.
"Easy," Catra muttered into her ear, pressing her forehead against Adora's shoulder. She could feel the heat radiating from her neck, worrying her even more. Did she have a fever now, on top of everything else? "Easy, baby, I've got you. Deep breaths in and out, yeah?"
"Can't," she coughed, spitting into the bucket. "It hurts- fuck-"
"I know, I know, I'm sorry," Catra pressed a small kiss on her neck, softly. "I really think you should come off of these pills," She whispered softly. Adora shook her head, the blonde locks tickling Catra's face. "Nooo," She mumbled, gagging over the side of the bed pointlessly. "Adora, this is your body telling you it needs to throw up. Stopping it isn't the best of ideas," She sat up against the headboard and began kneading Adora's shoulders. "I've got nothing left to throw up, that's the point," Adora hissed. Catra's tail flicked her leg. "Don't get ratty with me. I'm only trying to help," She warned. Adora whined loudly, collapsing to her side, winding both arms around her stomach and bringing her knees up close.
She sniffled softly, reaching up to wipe at her eyes. "I'm sorry…" She whispered. Catra's heart broke when her voice cracked. "I just… I feel really, really, sick, Catra," She whispered, her voice wavering slightly. "My stomach really hurts, and it- ohhh, ow..."
She whined as another cramp rolled across with a loud, bubbling gurgle, one that even Catra heard. She curled up tighter than before, screwing her eyes shut. Catra eyed her with concern, a soft frown on her face, eyebrows knitted together in worry.
When the cramps finally passed, Adora relaxed back into her arms, coughing and swallowing as she tried to even her breaths out. Catra dabbed the cold wet cloth on her forehead, laying her back on the bed, careful not to jostle her too much. "Are you good?" Adora shook her head. Catra gave her a soft, sympathetic smile, pulling the covers up to her shoulder. "I'm going to get you some orange juice, yeah?" Adora whined, shaking her head. "Stay with me," She whispered softly. "Baby, you need some liquids. I'll be right back, ok?" Catra pulled away, tugging her tail out from between Adora's knees, from where she'd locked them together in an attempt to stop the magicat from leaving.
"Please don't leave," Catra turned in shock. "Oh, Adora, don't cry," She pleaded. Despite her begging, the tears poured thick and fast from her wife. "I'm sorry," She sobbed quietly. "No, no, no, don't be sorry, baby," Catra sunk to her knees by the edge of the bed, cupping Adora's wet cheeks. "I'm not going anywhere far. You need liquids, good liquids. Do you not want orange juice?" Adora's eyes continued pouring tears as she shook her head. "The smell makes me feel sick," She admitted. Catra tutted, stroking some hair out of her eyes. "Why didn't you say anything?" She asked. Adora swallowed, shrugging softly. "You always brought it to me. I-I didn't wanna upset you," She whispered.
Catra mewled. "Aw, baby. If it made you sick, I would've stopped getting it. I could get you apple juice instead," Catra wiped some tears away with her thumb, kissing atop Adora's forehead when she pushed into her hand. "Oh god, that sounds so good," Adora murmured into her hand. Catra hummed softly, stroking the remainder of her bangs to the side. "Ok. I'll go and get you some apple juice instead,"
...
The next three days passed exactly the same. Adora was up all night every night, either with back pain, feet pain, or stomach pain. Consequently, Catra was up too. Once they were twelve hours out, Catra had finally convinced her stubborn-ass wife to come off the pills. "'Trapta says the pills will be out of your system a little over an hour after we land. That gives you time to get to the room and get up what you've been repressing for the last two weeks," Catra said. Adora hummed from the mirror in the corner of the room.
"Do you think it's obvious?" She asked quietly. Catra snorted from the bed. "Yeah, I'd say so," She agreed. Adora hummed as she pulled her breasts out of the way with her left arm, caressing the bump with her right hand. "I know I'm not very big," She whispered. Catra put her book down (tales of the Etherian war) and walked up behind. She wrapped her arms around Adora, and the little belly bump, tightly. She pressed a soft kiss into the crook of her wife's neck, sighing softly as Adora's head came to rest on top of her own. "My perfect little family," The former whispered quietly. Adora's hands came to rest on top of Catra's. "All we need is Violet," She smiled. Catra couldn't help but snort. "I don't think she's gonna wanna see her mama as naked as the day she was born," Catra pressed another soft kiss onto Adora's shoulder blade, peeking over it to admire the small bump beneath her swollen breasts.
"Her mom doesn't seem to mind it," Adora whispered seductively. Catra's tail began flicking of its own accord. "No, she doesn't," She agreed. Adora laughed softly. "That's because her mom is a horny cat," She moved Catra's hands slightly further up. "Oh? Have you gotten the two of us confused?"
Nevertheless, Catra spun Adora in a circle, encasing her perfectly pink lips within a kiss. Adora sagged into it, sighing lightly. Catra pushed her to the edge of the table, lifting her up to sit. "Maybe I have," Adora was breathless. "You might have to remind me," She looked down to Catra. The magicat paused to retract her claws. "Maybe I will,"
"Oh… Randie," Marlena whispered quietly, grabbing her husband's arm tightly. "She… she looks just like my mother," Randor's hand came to clasp her own. "And Adam. They are identical," He felt the tears brewing in his eyes already, and they'd yet to even exchange words with their long-lost-daughter. "Is Adam aware?" Marlena asked. Randor shook his head. "As much as I wish to include our son and Teela, you and I both know that boy couldn't keep his mouth shut, even if you removed it," Randor gently said to his wife of thirty years. "And… we must follow protocol. I promised them my word that we would allow them the night to settle before we discuss anything," He eyed his wife. "That includes telling our daughter who she is," He reminded gently. Marlena exhaled shakily, smoothing out her dress. "I think I can manage. After all, I've waited twenty-one years. What's one more day?"
Randor rubbed her back softly, guiding her forwards. "Welcome, Etheria," He splayed his arms wide. A short, stubby, but rather pretty young woman, bearing the tiara of Queens, lead the charge in a deep purple Eternian based gown. Behind her, in an archers attire, a tall man followed. Perhaps he was her security detail. He shook the hands of the first two arrivals. "Your majesty," He bowed. "Please, none of that," The Queen replied. "I'm Glimmer, and this is my husband, Bow," She gestured. The latter bowed deeply. Randor nodded back in respect. "Are there more to your party?" He asked, subtly gaging who was here. Glimmer nodded. "Yeah. There's another three, though I suspect one of them will take a little longer," She smiled a knowing smile at her husband.
"Ah, I see," He did not see. Before much thought could be given, a young child in a purply/pink dress wizzed out, dragging some poor woman in a red Eternian designed dress behind. "Mom! Come on!" The child whined. "Jesus, Violet, you're gonna pull my arm out!" The mother scolded from behind, despite running anyway. They both skidded to a stop just behind Glimmer. "Your majesties-"
"Randor and Marlena is fine," He interrupted. Glimmer nodded. "This is Catra, and her daughter Violet," The former bowed at the neck in respect, whereas the little girl looked up at the pair, confused. "Mom, dat lady looks like mommy," She pointed to Marlena. Catra quickly scooped her up, shushing her. "Vi, you can't do that to royalty. You've gotta be polite, like we taught you, yeah?" Randor felt his wife's grip tighten on his arm. Without glancing her way, he knew her thoughts. Violet was the spitting image of Marlena's mother, and by proxy, their own daughter.
"Mommy?" Marlena asked quietly. Violet grinned. "Yes. My mommy," She paused, her little red eyebrows furrowing. "She's poorly dough," Randor felt his heart quicken. "Poorly how? Is she ok?" He couldn't help but ask. Violet shrugged, turning to the woman she called mom. "Yeah, mommy's fine, isn't she, Vi-Ra?" Marlena let out a wet chuckle. Violet looked around. "Can I go play?" She was already squirming. Randor crouched down to her level. "How about I get my son to show you the horses, hm?" He asked. Violet's eyes lit up a brilliant hue. "Yes, please!"
Randor waved his trusted guard over. "Can you take her to Adam and ask him to show her the stables?" He asked. Teela nodded, and took Violet's hand. "I'll go with them, if you don't mind," Bow stepped forwards. "She's like my niece, and we both love horses, don't we?" Bow took her other hand, and off they went.
Catra chuckled softly, rubbing the back of her neck. "I'm sorry she was a little brash. She takes after her mom, I'm afraid," Randor waved his hand. "Pay no mind. We remember the brashness of childhood all too well," His eyes switched to a new figure emerging from the ship. "May I ask who that is?" He addressed the Queen. Glimmer glanced back, her eyes widening. "That's Adora. She's She-Ra," She supplied. "But she's also Violet's other mom, but Vi calls her mommy or mama, if you ever get confused," Marlena's grip tightened. As Adora approached, Randor noted the traditional Eternian princess dress hugging her figure nicely, accentuating a small bump on the front. She was well fed then… something about that made him feel good.
Glimmer began talking to them both, but Randor found his gaze firmly on his little girl… well… not so little, anymore. Strong and proud, Adora stood to Catra's side, wrapping an arm around her waist. Catra's arm wound around Adora's side, squeezing her shoulders in reassurance. "You ok?" She asked softly. Adora's hand came to rest on her stomach with a grimace. "The pills have definitely worn off," She pressed further into Catra's side, to which the latter kissed her cheek.
Randor flashed a small smile at Glimmer. "If you'll excuse me, your majesty, I must talk with She-Ra. It will take but a moment, then I can escort you to your rooms for the night, and we can continue either over dinner or in my study afterwards," Glimmer's face held no resentment, only a thinly veiled warning. "Ok. Just… please remember what we agreed upon," Randor nodded once. "I gave you mine and my wife's words,"
Randor stepped closer to his daughter, Marlena following in his steps. Marlena was a head shorter than he, only just coming up to his shoulders, yet, Adora came to his eyes. She wasn't too much shorter than Adam, and dare Randor say, a tiny bit taller. Her hair was the same dirty blonde as Adams, who'd both inherited it from Marlie's mother. Where Adam had his mother's eyes, Adora had inherited Randor's own grey/blue.
"She-Ra," He greeted. "Or, Adora, if you'd prefer. I understand you are one and the same," Adora was pale, though not her neck. "Your majesties," She smiled. Catra cleared her throat softly, a cue, if Randor had ever seen one. Adora's cheeks flushed. "I- I would curtsy to you both, but I'm worried if I bend down, I'll fall down," She brushed some loose hair out of her face. Randor waved his hand. "Pay it no mind," He said. Marlena took a step forward. Randor gave a warning squeeze to her hand. "Violet mentioned you were unwell. Are you ok? We can take you to your room now, if you need the rest," She said. Adora's jaw ground, despite her smile. "Violet can't keep anything to herself, can she?" Marlena chuckled lightly, flashing back to the same sentence Randor had spoken to her less than an hour ago about their son.
"Don't worry about it. Our son's the same. He'd talk even if his mouth was removed," She laughed. Adora snorted softly. "To answer your question, I'm fine," Catra's brow raised. Adora sighed resigned. "I am," She insisted. Catra continued levelling her with a deadpan glare. The dynamic the pair had was incredible. It reminded Randor of Adam and Teela deeply so. Perhaps looks weren't the only thing the twins inherited.
"Fine. I'm not "ok", but I am fine. It's nothing to worry about, and it's not contagious," Adora placated her wife. Catra hummed. "Where is Vi, anyway?" Adora asked. "Looking at the horses. I can take you, if you'd like?" Marlena offered. Catra's tail twitched. "Yes, please, I love horses," Adora slipped out of Catra's embrace. "We'll be back soon,"
...
Marlena laughed as she helped Violet onto the horse with Teela. She trusted the latter implicitly, and was happy to watch them ride together. A sound pulled her attention, however, just as the horse moved into a canter. Marlena hoisted her dress up a little as she followed it around the stables, at the back, closest to the fields. A lone blonde woman in a purple dress stood, hunched over, hands on her knees, breathing heavily.
Marlena approached, placing a hesitant hand onto her back. "Adora? Are you ok?" She asked softly. Adora's back jumped with a quiet retch and heave, with something splattering into an old bucket. "I'm so sorry!" She gasped out, retching again. Marlena grabbed the loose blonde strands from out of her pale hands and held it against her back, rubbing it softly. "Violet mentioned you were unwell. If we'd've known, we never would've asked you to come," Marlena mentioned. Adora shuddered, retching again. "I promise-" She heaved. "It's nothing you can catch,"
Marlena hummed softly, pulling a clean tissue out from her sleeve. "Here," She passed it over. Adora took it and wiped her mouth, standing up again. Her face blanched quickly as she stumbled back. "Steady," Marlena chastised. "Come, sit against the wall," She guided her long-lost daughter down, sinking to her backside next to her. "Head in between your knees, come on," Adora pulled her legs up around her bump and put her head down, breathing heavily. "Sorry," She mumbled. "I-I took a sickness suppressant on the flight here," She took a steadying breath. "It's all coming out now,"
Marlena stayed quiet to her side for a moment, simply letting the blonde catch her breath. Eventually, she pulled her head up and rested it against the stable wall. "It's genetic from the mother, apparently," She mumbled eventually. Marlena perked up, despite herself. "So... at least that's one thing I know about my mom," Despite the situation, Marlena felt her heart flutter happily. "What ails you, then?" She asked softly. Adora lowered her legs, gesturing to her abdomen. "I'm five months pregnant, so it's some kind of extreme morning sickness… HG," Marlena's hand flew to her mouth in a sharp gasp. Adora frowned. "Don't worry, your majesty. I had this before, when I was pregnant with Violet," She gestured. "Wherever she is,"
Marlena's heart desperately wanted to sob. "I just…" Her voice broke. "My daughter-in-law, she had morning sickness too, with her littlen," Adora nodded. "Yeah… it sucks… like… a lot," Marlena knew first hand how much it "sucked", having experienced HG when she was pregnant with the twins, her first and only pregnant. She wanted more, but after Adora was taken, she couldn't bear the thought of another child. "It's all good though. I'd go through this again and again if it meant my babies were born healthy," Her hand rubbed the underside of her slightly swollen belly. "Do you know what the babe is yet?" Marlena asked. Adora shook her head. "Catra thinks it's another girl… but I'm not convinced," Marlena smiled warmly. "The mother in which babe resides knows best," She said. "Plus, they're lying differently to how Vi was, so I think it's a boy," Adora smiled. "But we'll see. I've only got four months left,"
Marlena wiped a stray tear away. In twenty one years, her baby had been kidnapped, taken upon the mantle of She-Ra without guidance, destroyed the Heart of Etheria, saved the entire universe and had a family of her own.
Knowing she was one more harmless sentence away from a full-fledged heartbreak, Marlena stood and extended her hand. "Come. I believe your wife is concerned for you, and you need your rest before dinner," Adora's face blanched a little. "If you can stomach it," Marlena added it. Adora took her hand and allowed herself to be hauled up. The (granted unknown to the latter) mother-daughter duo began to walk back to where Randor stood, talking to the Queen and Catra. "Between you and me, Adora," Marlena began. "When I had my twins, I also had HG. There was only one thing I could eat without being sick immediately afterward," She smiled. "If you cannot stomach dinner, I will bring it to your room before bed,"
Adora smiled graciously. "Thanks, Marlena,"
Marlena passed her off to Catra, watching as the two immediately slotted into one and other, as if they were made for each other. "I'm sorry to cut this short, your majesties, but my wife is unwell. Could we be taken to our room, please?" Marlena swallowed her sudden influx of tears, turning to "observe the horse riding"
Wife? Adora had married too?
God… what was left for Marlena to enjoy with her little girl?
"Of course. My guards shall take you. I have to speak with my wife before we return… and I have to admit, she is looking rather pale," Randor conceded, ever the professional. "Dinner is usually around six, but we shall send a servant to alert you thirty minutes beforehand," He gestured to a carriage. "I hope you find your stay here peaceful and enjoyable,"
Adora waved once as she stepped into the carriage, instantly curling into Catra's side through the glass pane. The carriage drove off, with the Queen's shortly after. Marlena held onto her resolve until they were beyond eyeline, quickly slipping to her knees in emotional pain. She grasped and grabbed at her husband, wailing and sobbing about everything and and Adora had spoken about.
Randor simply held her as she sobbed, silencing his own tears within her auburn hair.
