135. What A Surprise

"Elric, what happened the other day?"

"You mean the tattoo?"

"Don't forget the piercing on your belly button!"

"I've had piercings for a while. I'm just great at hiding them from mother, though I'd never expected you of all people not to notice. Do you never pay attention to my body or I'm just too cute that you become distracted with the little details?"

"Elric, I'm serious."

"That's always the problem. You're always serious. We don't talk or do things together as a couple...you're too plain, like a plank of wood or a plain white wall..."

"What the heck is that supposed to mean?"

"I want an eventful relationship." Throwing his hands mid air, Elric added. "I crave activity and drama!"

"Sorry I've been busy trying to be a better partner financially at the same time meet your every requests..."

"That was mean and unnecessary. I'm sorry. I don't know what's gotten into me." Munching at the muffins given to him by Niel, he added. "This is overwhelming."

"You're the one who keeps asking for something to bite every waking second."

"Everything is too much. I feel trapped and suffocated."

Niel sat in front of Elric and watched him eat away. "Our union was only yesterday and you already feel trapped?"

Elric smirked. "You make it sound like I'm being selfish."

"Selfish? No. Regretful? Yes."

Elric shook his head. "Please don't misunderstand me, and why I'm I constantly hungry?"

"Tell me, why did you go get a tattoo the day before we were supposed to get married? You've also been sneaking out whenever I'm asleep that I'm considering cuffing you to my wrist."

Elric laughed and looked up at his fated. "You know, that will be quite interesting. I have a couple of handcuffs in my playroom which we haven't used yet though, looking at myself now, I highly doubt me in bondage won't be unsightly. I can take certain positions..."

"Stop avoiding the subject." Niel wasn't about to let this slide, especially since the location of the tattoo was at Elric's left side just above his waist.

"It suddenly dawned on me how serious my life is going to get from now on, and how I won't be getting away with a lot of things unlike before. The truth is I panicked after feeling a sharp pain in my stomach some days back. It was like a reminder of my current reality."

"Sharp pain?"

"It's gone now. Besides, I already went for consultation. Stan's uncle had me assigned to someone else since he is on vacation with his wife."

"Elric, if this pregnancy puts you in any further danger then..."

"Please don't start with the preaching babe, I barely have an appetite these days..."

"What does it matter what your father left you if to acquire it means risking your life? All this is jarring and upsetting. We couldn't even have a big celebration like you had wanted Elric that you had to lie to your mom about keeping the ceremony very small. My grandparents were even surprised at how simple our wedding was you know? Them alone being our witnesses and only guests.

So what, let them have it all! It's not the end of the world Elric! It's not like you'll be poor without it! You and your mom are doing way beyond above average that I don't get why you have to sacrifice your happiness and health for this!"

"I don't expert you to understand. Every family has some story to tell."

"I'm sorry if I overstepped. I just can't stand seeing you like this."

Niel's statement sent blood rushing to Elric's cheeks that he faced downward and picked up a muffin to fill his mouth with. "What a smooth talker youve become these days."

Niel sighed and gave up. "Your hair, it's too long. I can cut it for you."

"I'm scared of failing babe. It's ironic that I'm the one proving to them how a failure I am by my own self destructing."

Niel pondered over what to say. He watched Elric for sometime, his ever growing plump face, his chest that had grew bigger as his body prepared itself to lactate. A lot of things had changed about him including his never ending appetite and weird cravings. Sometimes he'd ask for something that wasn't in the apartment and he'd have to go on a long ride to retrieve it, Elric often insisting to tag along. Other times, he'd request for strange favors like a midnight stroll or ask for something and change his mind upon receiving it. Never in his life would he have imagined seeing Elric this vulnerable and to think he was now his husband. What are the odds?

"You know, getting a tattoo isn't a sign of self-destructive behavior, in fact, it makes you really cool. Getting one the day before your wedding is a bad idea. Skydiving while pregnant also falls in that same category. I hope you understand the difference."

Elric laughed and nodded. "That would be the day."

"The same goes for piercing your belly button. If looks could kill, I would have died a long time ago from your mom's and my grandparents chocking stares yesterday. How you effortlessly manage to make everyone be on your side despite being at fault still baffles me."

"I feel very lonely whenever you leave sometimes. All these memories of my childhood keep flooding my mind, and how my father's relatives used to isolate me and avoid me like some plague just because I resembled my mom."

'I didn't expect for him to open up now but finally, he is talking about it.' "You know, being alone gave me time to reflect on everything about myself and realize I'm not as bad as people made me believe. People like my parents and, well, Mijin."

"You've lived a much happier life than me babe."

"I think we each lived the life we were meant to live, otherwise, to get here without that experience, we wouldn't have been able to put up with each other enough to be fated."

"Maybe you're right. Still, there is something I have to tell you." Elric raised his head up but didn't look at Niel. He seemed to be staring into nothingness but didn't say a word until Niel probed him into it. "I have one last appointment with the doctor...unless things change and don't go according to plan."

Niel frowned. Often times he'd wanted to accompany Elric to his checkups but Elric would either sneak out to go alone or turn down Niel's offer to accompany him. "You just like to do things your way, dont you?"

"I don't want to cut my hair, and also, there are some new developments regarding the pregnancy...not bad though. I'm not sure if it's good either."

"What happened?" Niel asked concerned. "Is there a complication?"

"Elric laughed then sighed. "You always seem to think the worst. Niel, I'm still asking for our first date that I fear our our honeymoon will happen before you make my wish come true."

"Let's wait until your tattoo heals but tell me, what did the doctor say?"

Elric chuckled. 'Of course he was going to ask that.' "The heartbeats seem fine."

"What else? Stop making me nervous." Niel asked in anticipation and the fact that Elric seemed very casual about his predicament made him even more anxious since according to him, his fated didn't take seriously the things that needed more attention.

"Have you checked my tattoo properly?" Elric lifted his loosely fitting shirt up to reveal a swollen bruise on his side and a protruding belly. "Apart from the funny looking tree, I wondered what this N.E.L.L meant. It's already bad enough getting a tattoo of a lover but to have it misspelled is something else."

"It's flattering to think I'd have your name tattooed but that's an idea for the future."

Niel frowned and shook his head. "No, don't do it. I m not going to tattoo your name on my body either."

"Remember how we came up with the name Luca?"

"Yea."

Elric kept mum and waited for Niel to figure it out.

"What's the extra L for?"

"Luca and Lusha."

"Lu-sha?"

Elric smiled and nodded. "Yep."

"Oh no..."

"Oh yes."

"Elric..."

"This is not one of my teasings. I panicked too when the doctor said two heartbeats. I thought he meant mine and Luca's."

"Elric hold on, I don't think..."

"I know. I know. It bummed me big time I suddenly developed the urge to do the things I wanted to do that were in my bucket list all at once. Tattoo, additional piercings, grow my hair, travel more, bungee jumping..." Laughing, Elric added, "Sky diving..."

Niel suddenly stood up. "H-how?"

"You are free to get a tattoo if you want for staters."

"How are you this calm?"

"I wasn't, I panicked for the last couple of days thinking how well the fertility pills worked. First on you and then me! After we signed our marriage certificate at our civil wedding, it was only then that I calmed down since I know I'm not going to be alone anymore. You're stuck with me babe, even if you ask me for a divorce some day, I'm not going to give it to you."

Niel looked stunned at the same time contemplated on what to say. 'He shouldered this secret all alone despite the responsibility of caring the pregnancy itself and the risks involved? Him and I are not the same anymore. Acting bewildered over this might just make him even more stressed. He has to take primal responsibility of delivering despite the dire consequences and post labour duties. What about postpartum stress? He is no longer a regular man! We really are not the same anymore for he has become structured differently upon our imprint and marking for biological necessities...therefore I can't afford to show him how daunting this is to me.' "I-I have to work extra hard."

"Smart, not hard babe." Elric laughed once more and reached for another muffin. "Look, if you think us having a family exempts you from paying attention to me, then you've got another thing coming."

"No wonder you've been all moody lately."

"I can't even do a successful koala possession these days."

Niel walked towards his fated's side and pulled him towards him affectionately. Elric on the other hand had his full attention munching away at the muffins brought to him earlier.

Just then, the door bell rang and they both looked at each other in surprise. "Are we expecting anyone?" Niel asked.

"'I don't think so. Unless it's mom."

"Right. She mentioned passing by today after raising a fit over us keeping that secret from her."

"What happened?" Elric's mom walked into the kitchen and straight towards her son, forcing Niel to step away on the side. "I smell a very different scent on you today."

"Hello mom. I'm just feeling very hungry that is all."

Elric's mom watched at his son closely then shot Niel an accusing look. "What happened with with him? You just got married and made him cry already?"

"It's not- It's about the pregnancy. We were discussing Elric's visit to the doctor."

"We're having twins mom." Elric replied casually and took another bite from another muffin.

"What?"

"Yes." Niel replied. "Apparently, there is two heartbeats."

"Twins?"

Niel nodded.

"Oh no!" Covering mouth, Elric's mother added. "That means you're going to deliver earlier than presumed! You are also in more danger than before!"

"Don't talk to me out of anything mom. Nelnel already tried." Elric said before his mom could utter a disapproving word.

"But son..!"

"The name is Lusha. Luca and Lusha."

Niel shrugged his shoulders when Elric's mom looked at him confused and after a while, she gave up her fight. Her intention for visiting was to update them on the severity of the ongoing case with Mora but decided against it. "Need time to think."

Those were her last words before she up and left, leaving Niel and Elric just as she'd found them.

"Your mom is pissed."

"She'll be alright. What about you babe? Are you upset?"

"Of course not." Neil walked back towards Elric. "Since you seem confident and have conviction over this matter, I have to support you. Additionally, this pregnancy was never yours alone to bare but ours. However, in the event that anything happens and puts you in danger, you should know that I will always choose you."