128. Love And Harmony

"Finally you speak up. Out of sight out of mind huh?"

"Hehe! Sorry. I've been pretty busy lately. Some of us are not that gifted to land a job even before we graduated."

"Still nothing?"

"Yea. That's why I wanted to settle in the states. There are more opportunities out there for those that did my major."

"Elric told me it was his mom sabotaging your interviews. Why can't you just accept her help?"

"She is scary Yeon."

"Niel, this attitude of yours hasn't changed. Why can't you just learn how to accept help if offered so the person giving it doesn't feel bad. Elric's mom is actually quite friendly."

"Ugh! I wanted to check on you and here you are nagging me."

"Okay okay. I'm doing well."

"Elric told me about Mora. Is she still blackmailing you?"

"Where are you now? Come to the lab we talk."

"I'm at Elric's mom."

"Really? I thought you were scared of her?"

"Just came to visit with Elric."

Niel didn't want to disclose the purpose of his visit just yet. 'I really hope he hasn't said anything yet, though at this point anyone can clearly see he's pregnant.'

"Niel, are you still there?"

"Yea. Did you say something?"

"I was asking why you missed my birthday? Elric made some shitty excuse for you but I didn't fall for it."

Niel grinned "I'm curious to know what he said."

"That you were trying to avoid conflict with Mijin."

"That's actually a good excuse. The truth is I got a job and was at it. I'm a barista these days. I probably shouldn't have included that in my resume but it's what gave me a chance to make my own cash. Anything to do with my major was rejected. Honestly Yeon, I feel like Elric's mom is constantly watching me. I'm even surprised how I've managed to keep my job for a month now."

"Dang, you hated that part time job."

"What can I do? I'm dating a rich boyfriend."

"Then you should ask him for help- You know what, forget it. I'm sure you'd rather die than do that. Which reminds me, has it ever occurred to you we are in a relationship with people we used to hate the most. How did this happen?"

"I know right?" Niel let out a low laugh, hoping to not be heard by his fated and his mother. He'd been sitting in the living room by himself the moment he'd gotten here while Elric went to his mother's study. They had been away for almost half an hour.

"You tamed the player Niel..."

"...And you made a guy who swore to only date girls obsessed with you." Niel began to feel a longing for Yeon as he heard his laughter from the other end. He felt a lingering guilt for having gone off the radar for months after their graduation. 'Things between Mijin and I may have gone haywire but that doesn't mean I should distance myself from Yeon. After all, I knew him first and he is like family to me.' "I've missed you Yeon. I hope we can catch up soon and hang out, yea?"

"Same here Niel and if you can't find any decent job, don't settle for something you hate."

"Okay genius. I have to go now." Niel glanced up at the sound of voices coming from the corridor. "I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Cheers. Don't be a stranger."

"I won't. Bye."

"I can't say I'm happy to see you but what choice do I have." Elric's mom appeared, Elric behind her who paced ahead and sat next to Niel.

"Good afternoon madam." Niel stood up and bowed briefly.

"Sit." Elric's mom gestured at Niel then glanced at her son. "What is it this time son? And your face is growing smoother by day. This can not be scent nourishment alone."

"Well mom, that's why Niel and I came. Let's avoid talking about work too since this is a personal family matter."

"He will become family the moment you two tie the knot."

"Mom, you sabotaged every interview he went to. You wouldn't do that if you didn't already consider him family."

"Fine." Elric's mom agreed defiantly. Turning her gaze towards Niel, she spoke. "Speak up young man."

Elric grabbed onto Niel's hand, stopping him from uttering a word. "I can tell her."

"No. I'll do it." Niel opposed immediately.

"What's going on? Is this about the case?"

"It's not work mom..."

"We are expecting a baby. Elric...is almost four months pregnant."

Elric's mom stared at both her son and Niel, waiting for a reaction. 'About time they came out. It's obvious they thought I wouldn't know with Elric constantly making errors when he is very meticulous about the case not to mention his plump face and added weight. I'd thought he'd gotten the hint when I called him chubby.'

"Mom, you don't seem surprised."

"I suspected so. I was waiting for you to tell me first."

"Mom! Do you have any idea how nervous Nelnel was?"

'What the- Pick one pet name dufus!' Niel almost shot Elric an irritated look but controlled himself. 'Wrong place to argue.'

"Inform your Nelnel not to be nervous any longer. It's because of him I don't have to be dependent on your scent anymore. I've been waiting for you to notice the change in my skin as well." Elric's mom cupped her face with her palms and winked. "You think I'd throw you a complement like that without expecting one in return?"

'She seems in a good mood...' Niel thought, a sigh of relief escaping him.

"Mom, you're sneaky." Elric laughed and so did his mom.

'They are so similar in character.'

"Now, the next thing is to plan the wedding as soon as possible. You won't be fitting into your clothes soon. I'm sure you are aware why this child has to be born within the institution of marriage."

"I told him everything mom and he has agreed."

"Fantastic! The next step is to get you a reputable career." Turning to Niel, she asked. "What did you study?"

Niel looked puzzled as he shifted his gaze towards Elric and whispered. "I thought she knew..."

"Not your major, another one."

"He is a barista. He has an interest of becoming a success investor." Elric answered in his fated's stead.

"Surely you must have done something to do with business to want to follow such a path?"

"Well, my grandparents are farmers and I know a thing or two about scanning the market...supply and demand..."

Both Elric and her mom burst out laughing. "Mom, why don't you introduce him to a few people for familiarization purposes. He might not have to study now. Besides, practical skills are much more effective than theory."

"If he is willing to learn then of course. You must hold a reputable title. I'll assign you someone who'll be in charge of your registration as my employee. You need a title befitting of my son."

Niel seemed uneasy. He felt as if he was loosing grip to his own identity and Elric's mom didn't miss his uncertainty.

"Surely you know the kind of people who will be at your wedding. It would also take at least six months to teach you proper etiquette. However, for the sake of mingling and interaction during the wedding, we can start the preparation with basic etiquette." Turning to look at her son, she asked. "This union, when do you plan for it to take place?"

"We haven't agreed on a definite date yet. It can be as good as next week."

"Two weeks is enough to train your fated on how to blend in among the elite." Returning her gaze towards Niel, Elric's mother added. "I can network you to a few people I trust for you to get hands on experience in the dream you wish to achieve."

Seeing how overwhelmed Niel was, Elric cut in. "Mom, we want to do something simple."

"You must be joking. Do you realize what this union means? Your pregnancy will be announced too. Finally your father will be able to rest in peace!"

"But..."

Elric's mom suddenly stood up. "Son, you are wasting my time if this is what you had wanted to discuss with me. I have a pile of cases to take care of not to mention the ongoing case..."

"Mom, I want a simple wedding." Elric stood his ground, pulling Niel to stand up with him.

"Are you objecting because of him?"

"While you fought to save father's name and left me with his brothers, you have no idea what trauma I had to endure being labeled a bastard every waking moment."

"What?"

"I don't want them at my wedding or anyone affiliated with them. After the wedding, we will meet them with the lawyers and have my father's properties transferred candidly so we can finally be free of them."

"Why are you bringing this to my attention now?"

"Mom, you did what you had to. You fought for father just as he fought for you when his family rejected you. I can't say I understand how things worked in your time but just like you both chose to show courage in being together, I want to do the same with Niel. I don't want to meet anyone unless it's really necessary."

"Elric dear, you are being ridiculous! We agreed on this matter long ago..."

"I changed my mind. Secondly. I'm sure you are aware how sensitive a pregnancy is for marked males after conceiving at seven months post imprint."

"What?"

"It's not his fault. I was taking fertility pills."

"What?!"

"Elric, enough." Niel squeezed his fated's hand. "You don't have to do this. I take full responsibility for..."

"He took heat suppressants for almost three years. There is no way he'd have made me pregnant unless I switched his meds..."

"Elric..." Niel whispered for his fated to stop but was ignored.

"Mom, I wanted this." Looking at Niel, Elric's face flushed. He seemed shaken but at the same time spoke with conviction. "He is my fated mate and I love him."

A few seconds passed by in complete silence before Elric's mother broke in. "My, you remind me of myself when your father and I stood infront of your grandparents to defend our fateship. They promised to teriminate our marking but we eloped and started our own law firm. We did it for you Elric."

"I'm doing this for Luca too."

"Luca?"

"Yes. That's the name of our child."

"Okay." Elric's mom raised her hands in surrender and sat back down again, Niel and Elric following suit. "All this is a lot to stomach. Whether you want a simple union or not, even for us, your father and I had to come back and do a proper wedding. That is how we have managed to maintain peace in both families."

"We are not at loggerheads with Niel's family. The three months I was away, I stayed with them and they are good people. You should meet them too."

"You defend him so vehemently dear."

"Please let us decide our future. We've made up our minds about this."

"As you wish, but if you want to keep your father's assets..."

"I understand that part well. We spoke at length with Nelnel and looked into all the factors, perhaps you can help us discover more loopholes on it concerning the pregnancy part."

"The matter regarding your health is also very much urgent."

"We are following the guidance given by Stan's uncle. He advices as long as scent nourishment is done regularly, everything should be alright and seeming that my pregnancy didn't show until three months, in fact, we haven't shared with anyone but you and the doctor, perhaps the baby will be okay."

"You may not have another child...and I remember as a toddler, you wanted brothers and sisters but your father was already gone."

"Let Nelnel and I worry about it." Elric smiled in assurance, patting at his fated's hand.

"As you wish . Stay for lunch at least. Seeing that we are already tied up by Lucia..."

"Luca." Elric corrected.

"I'm sorry. Luca. It's only right we have a meal as a family frequently from now on."

"Thank you for having us." Niel replied, relieved that the tension was easing up finally.

Elric jumped up with joy. "You'll have to excuse me first. I need to use the washroom."

Elric's mom waited until his son was out of sight before turning to Niel and cautioned. "If anything happens to my son, I'll hold you responsible. I've never seen Elric defend someone so passionately."

"I'm doing my best to make sure he is healthy and well."

Whispering, she added. "You two live far away from my watch. You have to move here!"

"Ah..."

"Hold that thought. He will know I was behind that idea. His former apartment is closer to my office. That will do. Additionally, I was to have my assistant get in touch with your employer but it slipped my mind. Put your resignation immediately..."

"I-I need that job..."

"How much do you make?"

"Eh..," Neil felt pressured. "I'm payed per hour."

"I'll pay you ten times that if you work for me." Elric's mom glanced at the direction from where her son left. "Here is my offer. Get intouch with Stan and have him take you through the basics of what's necessary. Have him know I sent you to him if he refuses."

"Stan?"

"This is a negotiation. We both stand to win. I want my son close to me and protected while you get to marry him and have a decent job. Don't just think of yourself. He sacrificed a lot to stand up for you. Stop acting prideful and accept what I'm offering before he comes back..."

"But madam..."

"Now! We can work on the terms and conditions later!"

"Yes...f-fine! I-I accept..."

"Good." Elric's mom leaned back on her seat and smiled at the sight of Elric showing up and slumping next to Niel. "What are you in the mood for lunch?"

"Actually, I've been craving some wild fruits lately but we can only get them at Nelnel's grandparents."

"When do you think they can get here with them if we send someone to pick them up?"

"Wooa wait," Niel instantly dismissed the offer. "I have to prep them. If they come to meet you, they'll consider it a formal meeting."

"Seriously?"

"Yea mom. They are very reserved and sweet. Too traditional I might add. The best part is they think I'm sweet and handsome."

Elric's mom chuckled. "Sounds like nice folks to me."

"Give them a call, or let me do it." She gestured at Niel. "Perhaps dinner would be best."

"I don't think they'll make it...even if it's next week. They are farmers and have a pre-schedule..."

"Give it." Elric's mom insisted to which Elric laughed after Niel complied. "I'll be done in a few.""I told you, there was no need to be nervous."

"I see that."

Scooting closer to his fated, Elric snuggled. "I'm tired and too sleepy these days. My body is changing and I keep peeing a lot..."

"I'll scent you..."

Just then, Elric's mother appeared with a satisfied grin on her. She handed Niel his phone back and sat down. "They'll be here for dinner."

"H-how? Maybe I gave you the wrong number... Oh, it's ringing."

"You should pick it up then."

"It's grandma!" Niel exclaimed. "How did you do it?"

"I'm a successful lawyer aren't I? Now, tell them not to be late. I'll have the chef get everything ready."