Rosaria surprised herself when she brought up the question at their dinner. Maybe it was the conversation she had with Mona or curiosity. Whatever it was, they all stopped when she asked them:

"How many kids do you all want?"

Lisa giggled. "My, it's a bit early to think about that, right? Did baby fever strike you already?"

Blushing, Rosaria shrugged. "Just…making conversation."

Mona spoke, "Well, I think I'd like two: a boy and a girl. How about you, Fischl?"

"Oh, um," she stammered, rather unusual for the normally confident adventurer. "One has entertained ideas of nursing a triad."

"What Mein Fräuleinmeans is she wants two girls and one boy," said Oz, which earned a scowl from Fischl.

Lisa chuckled. "Three's a good number. Me personally? I want a big family. Six."

Amber whistled. "Wow, big number. Ah…I think one or two is fine with me."

Chiori shrugged. "I'm not picky. Of course, Aether would play house husband while I continue my work."

"He probably would," said Dehya with a laugh. "Mercs don't usually start families. Putting down roots ain't in our nature."

"So, no kids for you?" Asked Candace.

"Hell no. I'm making twins with that man. A girl and a boy."

"Same," chimed Beidou as she downed her flagon.

"Um well," Collei fidgeted nervously. "I kind of want a lot. Maybe five."

The others turned to her in amazement. Lisa let out a moue of laughter. "Wow, our little Collei has big plans."

"I don't know," said Collei. "It doesn't have to be that many. What about you, Madame Faruzan?"

"Just one or two. Any more would complicate my research."

"Same," said Lynette.

"Yeah, I'd have to say one," said Charlotte. "Being up and about all the time wouldn't make it easy for me to raise a lot of kids."

"Yeah," said Yanfei. "I'd go for two, maybe three at most."

"Well, I'm with Collei and Lisa," said Cryo Cincin Mage. "I want a big family. The more the merrier!"

They all laughed hearing that. Hardly a surprise Cryo Cincin Mage wanted many people to keep her company. The girl craved companionship.

Barbara grinned. "Two kids for me. Two boys or two girls."

Kokomi said, "Officially, the divine priestess must conceive a daughter to continue the role. I suppose I'd keep going until then. Or whenever I had enough."

Shenhe said, "On average, a mortal woman can conceive about 29.9 times before menopause. I'd aim there about."

They all stared at her. Mona raised a questioning eyebrow. "How do you know that?"

"I did the math."

"Still, 29 kids?" Amber whistled. "That's a lot."

"I want the most children possible," Shenhe explained. "Making my own family…it would be nice."

"Can a woman even give birth that many times?" wondered Mona.

"I should be strong enough to manage it," said Shenhe.

"Well, if it makes you happy," said Ganyu, "that's what really matters. I think three's enough for me."

"I'd like one more than Ayaka," said Keqing.

"Funny," said the heiress. "I was about to say the same thing about you."

"I want baby girls," chimed Nilou in a singsong voice. "Then, we can form a dancing team!"

Furina studied her reflection in the mug. So long her life had been solitary. Imaging herself with Aether's children brought a smile to her face.

"I think I'm with Shenhe," she said without thinking. The others glanced at her, which made her blush. "Um…that is to say, I'd be open to a few kids. Honestly, if I liked having one around, I suppose I'd like a second. And a third. Maybe even a fourth."

"I'll take all of them," said Yae Miko.

Furina blinked. "What do you mean 'all of them?'"

"Exactly what you think."

"I share Miko's sentiments," said Ei. "Given my immortal body, I could have hundreds, perhaps even thousands of children over my lifetime. I'd spread them out, of course."

"I guess you two win the baby contest," said Amber.

"Was there ever any doubt?" snickered Miko. "What about you, Rosaria? You raised the question."

Rosaria's face fell. "I'd adopt a sweet baby girl."

To her surprise, the others all smiled.

"We'll love her like she's our own," said Lisa.

Yae Miko nodded. "That should go without saying. I'm going to spoil your kid rotten."

"You'll be a great mom," said Barbara. "That girl's lucky to have you."

Rosaria permitted herself a smile. "Yeah, I think she will be."

The girls talked long into the evening about their baby-making goals. By the end of it, baby fever had taken its hold over them. Thankfully, Aether was exploring Natlan so they couldn't act on the impulse even if they wanted to. Just as well. For Aether, they could wait—they'd always wait.