Serana had met the Companions a handful of times; back when Nero called on them to fight the Dawnguard, when they worked together to defeat Ursus and the werewolves, and when they'd appeared for her and Nero's wedding over a month ago.
And now she met them for an equally daunting task; to tell them she and Nero were having a baby.
Well, not exactly ALL of them, ideally the circle; Serana didn't know all the companions too well, save for Aela and the twins. She was happy to see Aela again, who now stood atop the dead giant, bow in hand, looking as fierce as ever. Serana remembered there was a time when she used to be jealous of Aela. Now, she just saw a very good friend.
Nero went to Farkas and helped him up.
"Harbinger!" exclaimed the companion, "I'm sorry for breaking your wagon. I lost my balance and the giant threw me."
Nero laughed, "it's no problem, Farkas, it's just a wagon. Just glad you're not splintered to death."
Aela and Vilkas came over to them as the three came around from begind the wagon.
"Harbinger!" exclaimed the other twin, "you're back!"
"Good to see you too, Vilkas," Nero took the companion's hand and bumped his shoulder, "can see you clearly had this under control."
"Bahhh, rogue giant, been giving the local farmers problems, stole one's cow. We went to get it back for him and... well, you saw how that turned out," explained Aela who looked to Serana, "nice of you two to step in."
"We thought you could handle it," joked Serana who embraced Aela.
"I think this calls for a drink," said Farkas.
"My brother is right. Nero, will you join us in the Bannered Mare for a round?"
"What's wrong with Jorrvaskr?"
"Ehhh, a rather severe brawl ended up breaking a few tables and setting one on fire, it's currently being refurbished. Besides, we're out of mead."
"Nothing sounds better Vilkas," smiled Serana.
"Splendid! I'll get the local guard to clear up this mess and tell the stable men to bring your wagon in! Let's go"
Not too long later they were sitting at a private table in the Bannered Mare. Lydia had joined them from Breezehome as they'd walked up. Farkas took the drinks from the bar in each hand and brought them over to it. He placed and slid each to everyone around the table, except Serana, who had her own red drink.
"You sure I can't get you one?" asked Farkas, "I mean, since I got everyone else one?"
"It's fine, Farkas, thank you though," she replied with a smile.
Farkas nodded and took a seat before Vilkas out his mug up and forward.
"Cheers!" he exclaimed, and everyone put theirs up to meet his. Their mugs clanged together loud, spilling a few drops on the table, and everyone took a long gulp of their drink.
"So," began Aela, "how was the honeymoon?"
"We heard you got involved in some business with the Thieves Guild? AND the Dark Brotherhood?" said Vilkas.
Nero and Serana exchanged humourous glances before both began explaining the details of their adventure after returning home. When they were done, Farkas had finished the last of his pint.
"I'm getting another round, Serana?"
"Not me, Farkas, thank you though."
"I'm alright for now too, Farkas," said Nero.
He nodded and left for the next round of drinks.
"Ohh you're still not over that night with Sam, huh Nero?" goaded Lydia with a smile.
"Ohh yes, Serana have you heard this story?" asked the Huntress.
"Night with Sam?" Serana said questioningly, looking over at Nero who seemed to go red and sip his mead quietly.
"Really? Married, been on the honeymoon, and you haven't even shared one of your best stories with your wife," topped Aela.
"It's a shame he's not here, I bet he'd liven this place up," said Nero.
"Think you'd pass on the drinking competition this time around though," smiled Aela.
"You have to tell me this story," pleaded Serana.
"Maybe another time," Nero cut Aela off from starting, "or after I've gone to bed to save me the embarassment. We actually have some news."
"News?"
The companions and Lydia eant in intentively.
Serana looked to Aela, who seemed to understand, even guessed it.
"I thought there was a reason you weren't drinking tonight," she smiled.
"I don't get it," said Farkas.
"We're having a baby, Farkas," explained Nero.
The glances around the table were shock and awe, and then smiles, save for Aela who was already happy and Lydia who already knew.
"Congratulations harbinger!" Vilkas almost bellowed.
"You're gonna be a father" Farkas said more questionioningly than statively.
Aela looked over at Serana who returned the look, and smiled.
The drinking turned celebratory as the evening wore on, causing Farkas to go all drowsy and fall asleep on the table. Nero was speaking with just Vilkas now, joking and laughing with him while Lydia and Aela spoke with Serana.
"How did he react when you told him?" asked Aela.
"Didn't have much time to before he had to rush off," said Serana, "but I guess, he reacted well?"
"So? Gonna have a baby shower?"
Serana looked at Lydia and then Aela, thinking silently "if only the boys could hear you now."
Before she answered though, Nero came over, "alright, I'm spent, and Vilkas is nearing his limit. I'm gonna get them back to Jorrvaskr and then head home," he leant down to Serana, "I'll see you later."
"Depends how long this sory about you and 'Sam' takes," smirked Serana.
Nero saw the same look on all the ladies faces and stood up, "well that's my cue to leave. But... I was very very drunk, okay?" said Nero with as much dignity he could muster on that subject before he turned to get Vilkas and a sleeping Farkas up and out of the inn back home, leaving Serana, Lydia and Aela alone. They each tipped their drinks before taking another swig.
Soon enough, they too had left the inn to go walking about the town.
"Ohhh I'm glad I'm not pregnant," said Lydia happily, "don't think I could give up a drink for even a week."
"No you wouldn't," agreed Aela.
"It's horrible," revealed Serana, "I don't know why I ever agreed to this. Aela, why did I ever agree to this?"
Aela laughed and the three linked arms, "because you are a loving wife who thinks that babies are the cutest things in the world and you can't wait to have many with your man."
"Shut up, don't know who the hell you're talking about," said Serana.
"I'd like a baby," said Lydia, causing the other two to go silent, and when she noticed she added, "one day. Not now. I'm in my prime, not letting a baby ruin this temple."
The other two laughed and Lydia joined in before Aela spoke up, "you better get some control on the bottle then, you won't be able to drink for months. Or fight."
Lydia drunkenly screamed, "noooo, that would be the worst."
"Well, there is an up side; your husband brings you anything you want and cooks you whatever you crave."
"Wait, Jordis told me, isn't that last part just cos you're bad at cooking?" asked Aela.
"Shut up," said Serana and the other two laughed.
They continued on through the streets of Whiterun.
Aela asked, "so what have you been drinking tonight?"
"This potion I need to drink. It's for my... vampirism," she said quietly.
"Ohhh," understood Aela, "like... blood?"
"Well... yes, actually. Not real blood. It's... it's like a trick, if that makes sense. It's like fake meat for vegetarians. Nero makes them for me."
Aela remembered Serana telling her about it once before, "I remember."
"Do you think the baby will come out as a... a vampire?"
"Oh gods' no. My mother didn't tell me so I don't think so."
After a small silence, Serana asked, "so what's this story of Nero and Sam?"
"Oh, hahaha, you're gonna love this. Sam turned out to be.. well, Nero got into a drinking contest with a daedra," explained Aela.
"WHAT!?"
They went on around Whiterun as Aela and Lydia told Serana the story of Sam Guevenne and how Nero had gotten so incredibly drunk with him that he'd ended up waking up in Markarth, with no memory.
"He had to clean up the temple with, as he quotes, 'the worst hangover of his entire life' more or less," laughed Aela.
"Do you remember him stumbling around town yelling "Sammy!" at the top of his voice?" chuckled Lydia.
"Only Nero can drunkenly manage to steal a goat, sell it to a giant, take a wedding ring and get engaged all in one night."
"Engaged?" Serana asked.
"Ahaha, oh yes, before you, Nero was deeply in love... with a hagraven," howled Aela.
Serana couldn't help herself, and joined in the laughter. She didn't need a drink to be enjoying herself there and then. The night went on with some funny stories before eventually the girls ran out of energy and finally decided it was time to try and stumble home.
"I'm gonna head back to Breezehome. Coming Serana?" asked Lydia.
"I'll join you in a bit," she answered, and Lydia nodded and turned to make her way back to the house.
Serana and Aela went on a bit, stumbling and laughing.
"Ohhh I needed this," admitted Serana.
"Well you should prepare yourself, as soon as the rest of the companions find out, there'll be a celebration as big as this one."
"You'll all take any excuse to have a drink, huh?"
"What else is there?"
They sat down on the steps to Jorrvaskr, and leaned back.
"So, have you thought of any baby names?" asked Aela.
"Not really. My mother would probably love to have her name slapped on it if it's a girl."
"What about a boy?"
"I don't think he'll get either of his grandfather's names if he is," admitted Serana.
"Well... whoever he or she is, they'll grow up to love their werewolf father and vampire mother," said Aela.
"Don't forget their fiery Aunt Aela," said Serana.
Aela laughed, and they stayed in silence for a moment.
"Well... werewolf father maybe, but I... I've been thinking recently."
"About?" asked Aela.
"Well, it would be nice to not always feel so thirsty. And to not always have to wear a hood when I go outside.."
"Serana, are you thinking of curing yourself?" asked Aela.
Author's Notes:
Sorry. Sorry I know it's been a while, a bit longer than I thought it would be in all honesty. Been working a lot this summer. Decided I'm not gonna be an adult, I;m gonna stay a child and have my parents pay bills and go shopping. But I've not left this yet.
So Serana and her girlfriends had a night out on the town, shame she couldn't have a drink though but it's all for the kid, right? And she finally learned the story of A Night to Remember, when Nero tried to outdrink a daedra.
Anyway, she's thinking about getting cured. In the past, she's broached this subject before, at least when asked about it by other people; when Aela asked about potions of blood, and when Frea asked how they can live together when she's immortal and Nero is not. A difficult question. Especially when being a vampire is pretty cool.
Dragon Language:
None used
Thank you to my readers for sticking with me this long, and if there's something you think I could do better, or at all, drop me a review. See you in the next chapter!