Chapter Sixty

A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else belongs to either Disney or the Greek Myths.

smh, Gods, this month has not been kind to me in terms of updating has it? Sorry about that, I don't really have any excuses other than between work and family stuff, my schedule's been packed full. Hopefully, I'll be able to get some time to write more often especially with a four day weekend coming up for Labor Day so fingers' crossed I'll be able to make another update soon!

Though I don't know how many of you are eager for another update since with this chapter, we're only nineteen chapters away from the end! Not to worry, as I've stated before, there will be a sequel (though with how my real life has been going, I don't know if I'll finish before 2025 rolls around!). Still though, the end is in sight!

OceanBlueSeaEyes: Oh I'm glad you liked it! There's definitely a sequel planned where the kids are going to be more of a focus (but as teens) so there's definitely going to be a look into the future of Auradon!

AmethystDragon14: Yay! Yeah it was definitely a long one but fun to write! Like you said, it was nice having the kids just be kids rather than having to fight or try to survive! And definitely thank you 16 year old Ben!

CrystalKaouri: It's definitely one of the cuter chapters I've written—not going to lie, I know it's not some people's cup of tea but after Choosing Love and Choosing Home, it's nice to write something that's the 'after' of 'happily ever after' :D And thank you!

bal4ever: Glad you liked it! I'll see if I can work it in but if not, maybe it'll be a one shot :D

SaikoGoyangi: Hadie's accident is going to be in the future of LotusQuil's Choosing Hadie universe. We're trying to keep the universes cohesive since their fics are kinda side by side fics to my Choosing universe. But some details in my fics are references to what's to come for their's since I'm further ahead :D

Katt Kiki: No they certainly won't!

Bowling4real: Oh thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked it! :D

Hope you guys enjoy the chapter! Let me know what you think!

Evie sighed as she sat on the edge of the bed at the doctor's office. It was hard, being away from work, but Gil had insisted she get checked out after she had gotten sick in her studio.

She had no idea why she was sick all the time, but she knew that after about four months of nonstop nausea and lethargy, she was about ready to scream.

"You okay?" Doug asked.

"Yeah," Evie sighed. "Just…hope they give some answers."

Doug gave her a small smile. "I'm sure they will. And if they don't, they'll tell us who will have the answers."

"I know, I know," Evie said before sighing again. "I just…I don't know. It's hard to explain what I want to find out you know?"

"I get it," Doug nodded and gently took her hand. "You spent so much time on the Isle without a medical system that it would make sense that, even after all these years on the mainland, it'd be strange going and trusting the doctors. Which is why I called in a favor."

"What do you mean?" Evie asked as the door opened and the doctor walked in.

"Hey Uncle Doc," Doug said with a grin.

Doc grinned at the two of them. "Hello! I understand that you're not feeling well, your highness?"

"Oh, you don't have to call me that. You're family," Evie said. Snow, as a wedding present, had gifted Evie the title of Princess of the Summerlands as was her right as her step-sister. Granted she would be last in line after Emma and her children and then Neal but Evie was just happy for the title.

Plus, if she was honest, a small petty side of her relished being called 'your highness' even though it had been years since her first day in Auradon where Audrey had so graciously informed her she had no royal status in Auradon.

"Well yes but you're still a princess, Evie. But for your sake, I'll drop the title. What seems to be the issue?"

Evie gave Doc a small smile. "I've been having reoccurring nausea and feeling lethargic for a while, I thought it was just a bug but after Emma, Emir, Gil, Doug, Snow, David, and my father all said I should see a doctor, I thought it was a good idea."

"Yes, because you weren't just nauseous but actively throwing up," Doug said, shaking his head.

Doc nodded. "I see. And please forgive me for asking but are you currently craving anything?"

Evie bit her lip. "This is going to sound odd but…I've been craving cinnamon sugar cupcakes?"

"Okay then, why don't I draw some blood for some tests, get you something for the nausea and then get you a cupcake," Doc nodded. "Doug, can I see you for a moment?"

Doug nodded and the uncle and nephew pair walked out of the room. Once they were in the hall and Doc was certain the door was shut, he smiled at Doug.

"What is it? Do we need to be worried?" Doug asked.

"Doug, I'm certain you have nothing to worry about," Doc said. "I wanted to ask you this in private, that's all."

"Oh…ask me what?"

"What your father's grandparent name was going to be."

Doug paused and then raised an eyebrow. "Uncle Doc, you're not saying what I think you're saying are you?"

"I want to run the tests to be certain, that's why I wanted to ask you out in the hall," Doc said. "No sense in getting Evie's hopes up and then the test prove otherwise."

Doug couldn't help but smile as he heard the news. He didn't know why but he had no reason to doubt that Evie was pregnant. His uncle wouldn't have said anything if there was a chance that she wasn't.

Slipping back inside the room, Doug smiled at Evie. "Nothing to worry about, Uncle Doc just had some paperwork questions," he said.

"Oh," Evie said, looking a little confused. "Why couldn't he have asked them in here?"

"He didn't want to stress you out," Doug told her and walked over to take his place by her side once more, gently slipping his hand into her's. Evie gave it a gentle squeeze before she began to watch the clock, absentmindedly kicking her feet to the rhythm of the second hand.

She was used to the unknown, living on the Isle for most of her life had seen to that. But there was still a small part of her that was scared. She didn't know what was going to happen or what news Doc was going to give her once her test results came back.

"Good news," Doc said as he walked back into the room. "I have your test results."

"And? Why have I been so nauseous?" Evie asked.

Doc chuckled. "Whoever came up with the term morning sickness really gave it a misnomer since you can get it at anytime of the day."

"Uncle Doc, are you saying…?" Doug asked as it became clear that Evie hadn't completely gathered what Doc had said.

Doc nodded. "Congratulations you two. Evie, you're pregnant."

"Wait…really?" Evie asked, a small smile pulling at her lips. "You're certain?"

"As certain a I am that Queen Mal can transform into a dragon," Doc told her. "Now due to the constant nausea, I would advise you take it easy as best you can. I know you run your own business, is there anyone you trust to run it if you take time off?"

"I can manage it for her," Doug spoke up.

"Your job is to be the dutiful husband," Doc said, a teasing note in his voice as he looked at his nephew.

Evie chuckled and gave Doug's hand a gentle squeeze. "He has been more than dutiful. But I don't want him getting worn out either. My dad still lives in our guest cottage, remember? I'll be fine if I need something and you're looking after the business."

"Hey, we save on babysitting this way too," Doug chuckled.

"Please, do you think we'd be able to tear Snow away from her step-niece or step-nephew?" Evie asked with a small chuckle of her own. "Between Snow, David, your parents, and my dad, we are certainly not lacking in babysitters."

Doug smiled and gave Evie's hand a gentle squeeze. "Are…are you sure you're okay with this?"

Evie sighed. "I won't lie, I'm sure I'll hear my mother's voice in my head once I truly start to show but it might not be as bad as I'm fearing it'll be. I don't need to impress a prince because I have one. I have you."

"I'm just a science nerd who's good with numbers."

"Hey don't sell yourself short. You're my science nerd who's good with numbers."

Doc chuckled and shook his head. "Please forgive the interruption but I'm sure there are people that you would like to tell the happy news to."

"Oh…right," Evie chuckled and then turned to Doug. "Would you be okay if we told my dad first?"

"I would be surprised if you didn't insist on it," Doug told her. "Come on, he's going to be over the moon when he hears."

Evie smiled and the two of them made their way out of the doctor's office and back home. Doc had thankfully prescribed some medication for the non stop nausea and had insisted Evie take a dose right there before they left, which Evie was extremely thankful for.

It was nice to get a reprieve from the nausea, and not being nauseous made it easier to enjoy the cupcake Doc had gotten for her.

The ride was thankfully uneventful and the two of them made it to Daniel's house practically bursting with excitement. The house was a medium sized cottage on the land of Evie's castle. She had tried to insist on her father staying with them, stating that the castle had more rooms than she knew what to do with, but Daniel had insisted especially after Evie had married Doug.

Daniel loved his daughter but there was a difference between living in the same house as his sixteen-year-old daughter and his daughter who was in her mid-twenties and married.

"Dad?" Evie called as she opened the door, knocking on it as she peered her head in.

"Hey Evie!" Daniel grinned as he turned the corner and saw her. "You're looking much better, how was the doctor's? Did they figure out what was causing your nausea?"

Evie nodded and she wasn't going to lie, her heart swelled as she took Doug's hand and gave her father probably the biggest grin she had ever given him. "They did."

"Well don't keep your old man in suspense," Daniel chuckled.

"Dad, I'm pregnant!"

Daniel didn't miss a moment before rushing over and scooping his daughter up into a hug. "Oh Evie, that's amazing! Have you told Snow? Oh she'll be over the moon about being an aunt!"

"You're the first person we told," Doug said as Evie returned the hug. "Evie insisted on it and I was more than happy to make it happen."

"You married a good one, Light beam," Daniel joked as he broke from the hug.

"I really did," Evie nodded and everyone could tell that she was as sincere as she could be. Doug flushed slightly but smiled as he gave Evie a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"Oh, oh, come in!" Daniel said as he led them into his sitting area. "No need to stand on ceremony! What are you hoping for, in terms of gender? Or do you think you'll follow Queen Mal and have twins your first go around?"

Evie shook her head. "While ultimately I just want them healthy…I really hope my baby's a boy," she said softly. "I just…dad, what if I turn out like mom did? What if I mess my child up if they're a girl?"

"You won't," Daniel said, gently taking Evie's hands. "You know how I know? It's because anyone who worked to make sure I was rescued from Maleficent's talons wouldn't mess up their kid."

"You're sure dad?" Evie asked, her voice soft.

"Let me ask you this. Did you mess up Dizzy?" Daniel asked.

Evie shook her head. "No! I could never! Dizzy's so innocent, it would be a crime to mess her up so that she's constantly worried about her looks!"

"So why would you mess up your own child?" Daniel asked and Evie bit her lip.

"I'm guessing it would have been easier with Dizzy, since she wasn't around you all the time?" Doug offered. "But Evie, you're forgetting one thing. You're one of the kindest, most generous people I've ever met. The only thing you'll likely teach our child is how to be like you."

"He's right," Daniel nodded. "Boy or girl, the only thing I know you'll teach them is how to be as amazing as you are, Evie."

Evie gave her father a small smile. "Thanks dad," she said softly.

"So who all have you told?" Daniel asked.

"You're the first one, sir," Doug said as he led Evie to a nearby chair. "Evie wanted to tell you first and I wasn't about to argue with her."

"Doug, you know I could have gotten myself here," Evie said with a small chuckle. "Honestly, does every man turn over protective when it comes to having a baby?"

"I'm probably the wrong person to ask, Evie," Daniel chuckled. "I remember when your mom was expecting you, I'm pretty sure I drove your mom batty with how much hovering I did."

Evie shook her head. "To be fair, dad, you were on the Isle. I can understand you hovering over mom."

Daniel smiled and gently took Evie's hand. "You excited?"

"I am," Evie nodded. "I didn't expect it'd be so soon but I am excited."

"So soon? Evie, you're in your mid-twenties," Daniel said, shaking his head.

Evie chuckled and shook her head. "I just mean I thought I'd be able to grow Evie4Hearts a bit more before I had a child," she said.

"Evie, I say this with love, but if you expand any more you won't have any competition left," Doug told her. "So far Mary and Jaq are the only ones who can compete with you and that's just because Charmington trades off with using your dresses and theirs."

"He has a point Evie," Daniel said with a loving smile. "For right now, I think the only expanding you need to worry about is the expanding of your family."

"Unless you want to be a workaholic like Ben is?" Doug added, giving his wife a teasing smile.

Evie shook her head and chuckled slightly. "Okay, okay. I get the point. But then what do I focus on?"

"Focus on being pampered and spoiled," Doug told her. "I can call my cousins, we can set up the nursery with your dad while you and Snow go and buy baby clothes."

"Doug, we don't even know if the baby's a boy or a girl."

"They make gender neutral baby clothes."

Daniel chuckled and shook his head in amusement. "I think the most important thing about this is Evie, are you happy about this? Is this something you want?"

Evie nodded. "It is. I wanted to expand my business so any kids I had would have a secure future but I think Doug's right, there's not much more I can expand and I don't think Kitty, Lucy, or Alexandria would forgive me if I put Mary and Jaq out of business. But I truly am happy."

Am I worried I'll turn out like my mom did? Absolutely, she thought as Daniel gently kissed her on her head. But…hopefully that doesn't happen. Actually not hopefully. It won't happen. Because I won't let that happen and I know Doug won't either. Whether we have a boy or a girl, the only thing this baby will know is that they're loved and supported no matter what.

She gently rested a hand on her stomach and smiled. Pregnancy was definitely a new adventure but Evie was confident she could handle it with her family by her side. She smiled as she imagined the reactions she'd get from the other members of her family.

"I'll tell you right now, they''ll hear Dizzy's squeals from the Isle," Doug chuckled and Evie couldn't help but agree. Her surrogate sister was quite the excitable one but Evie wouldn't change that for the world.