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The morning sun cast its light through the palace window, most of New Beijing were still asleep, clinging onto the few hours left until it was time to go to work or school. But for the emperor it was time to rise. Kai stretched his arms and legs onto the surface of the bed trying to wake his body up, something Cinder would always scold him for doing, but as he reached for his wife's body it dawned on him that he was alone in their bed.
"Love?" he called out, slightly disoriented and confused, there was seldom a day where he didn't wake up next to the woman he loved, which made her sudden disappearance make him feel a bit uneasy. After a while of only silence he heard flushing coming from the bathroom.
"I'm here" Cinder called out, sounding absolutely exhausted as she opened the door and plopped back into bed.
"Is everything alright? he stroked her messy caramel brown hair off her face before he gave her a tender kiss on the cheek.
" Yeah I'm fantastic!” She said, digging her head deeper into the pillow.
“Okay sorry.. Stupid question?”, All she did was nod in response
They had found out 2 weeks ago that Cinder was pregnant, and like clockwork her pregnancy symptoms had started. Mornings were messy as she threw her guts out into the toilet seat, and after that her mood would just deteriorate. Even though they were both worn out —Cinder from being pregnant and Kai from doting on her despite her protests— they were over the moon with the knowledge that they were gonna be parents.
“Kai? She perked her head up from the pillow so she was looking directly at him, her tone was a mix of tired and serious which made his focus perk up.
“Yes darling?”
She bit her bottom lip while contemplating, as if she wasn't sure if she should talk. Kai wondered what was going through her head.
“You know you can tell me anything, right Cinder?” he held her hands into his, her cold metal hand bringing a little comfort during the burning summer heatwave.
“ I know we agreed to wait until telling anyone about the baby… but i really want to share the news, plus im halfway through the first trimester, i think it's safe to tell”
Kai took in her words— they had agreed to keep the pregnancy a secret, both him and Cinder weren't the superstitious type, their decision to keep it quiet stemmed from the fact that Cinder didn't want to risk the chance of the secret spreading since she was sick of the media and their prying eyes. So they decided to not tell anyone, no one except her doctor knew. And now she was 7 weeks along and still not even their closest friends knew.
“As long as it's what you want i see no problem in it” he smirked “plus it would be really entertaining to see Ikos reaction”
That made Cinder smile before kissing her husband goodbye since he had a meeting he already was late for. He kissed her back before kissing her stomach.
“I’ll see you both later” he said with that caring voice he always had when talking to her before hurrying away to his meeting”
-----------------------------
Later that day she was working on some papers when Iko practically stormed into her office without warning. Her android best friend who technically wasn't supposed to have any emotions looked furious as day when she sat down in front of Cinder.
“Okay Cinder, admit it! You're hiding something from me!” She basically erupted while glaring at Cinder like she was a criminal suspected of murder.
“Hello to you too Iko”, Cinder who was used to her friend’s outbursts simply went back to reading the papers.
“Are you dying?” Cinder almost spat out the water she was drinking when that absurd question left Ikos mouth.
“Okay that question is too much even from you! What even made you jump to that conclusion!?”
Iko stared into Cinders soul with such intensity that her retina display started issuing warnings,
WARNING
Increased levels of cortisol and
blood pressure, please stop whatever you're doing and take deep breaths.
Cinder blinked away the messages on her retina display before taking a deep breath and looking Iko in the eyes.
“If you're not dying then why have you acted so weird and secretive, and on top of that you look awful! Not just your normal greasy awful!”
Cinders mouth was agape at Ikos remarks, “Jeez that hurt Iko”
“No hard feelings Cin, but you've got to admit you're acting weirder than usual!”
Cinder was biting her lips in nervousity, something she noticed iko had immediately picked up on, so she had to retort to playing with the sleeves of her shirt. Not as comforting as the gloves she used to wear only just a couple years ago, but it helped nevertheless.
“Okay you're right, i have been keeping a secret, or rather me and Kai have been keeping a secret…” she took another deep breath before putting her hand on her stomach so Iko could see, “we’re expecting”
She waited for a reaction, but the only thing Iko could do was stare at her for a solid 2 minutes before finally speaking, “what?,I don't compute”.
Cinder laughed a little bit, even though Iko had fully adapted to the human ways of humour and feelings, some things seemed to never change.
“Iko, I'm gonna be a mom, I'm pregnant.”
Her eyes widened and in a heartbeat Iko’s arms were squeezing Cinder until she couldn't breathe any more, “you're kidding! I'm gonna be an aunt!?” Iko couldn't stop screaming in excitement which in return just made Cinder even more excited, various colours flashed before her retina display. And as Cinder had suspected Iko just couldn't shut up.
“How far along are you?”
“When are you due?”
“Do you know the gender?”
“Who else knows because if i wasn't the first person you told we’re gonna have some real problems”
Cinder couldn't stop grinning, telling her best friend seemed to be just what she needed after all.
The big metal door that Iko had emerged from opened again, but this time instead of an energetic blue haired android, there was a tired and overworked emperor. Anyone who could talk, including Cinder Nainsi and Torin had tried telling Kai countless times that he was working too much for his own good and that he needed to take breaks, but stubborn as he was he never listened.
“Wow you look awful” Iko blurted after analyzing his face for a mere seconds.
“Uhm thanks?”
“But don't worry Kai, you're still as handsome as always!” Iko shot him a bubbly wink.
Cinder shot Iko a stern look, advising her friend to not comment too much on Kai's ruffled appearance. She knew Kai felt guilty for working so much and not being with Cinder, which she really didn't get, because Cinder felt that he was taking too much care of her. Heck, he was too afraid of her working with mechanics because he thought the dirt and dust would be bad for her and the baby.
“Are you okay, love?” Her tone was mixed with a tint of concern and understanding, seeing him like this made her feel a little grey, but she didn't want him worrying about her on top of all his work so she just tried being supportive.
Kai sat beside her and gave her a kiss on her temple “Im alright, dont worry about me” but that did not soothe cinder’s nerves, not the authentic or man-made ones.
“Awww! How cute! Iko squealed”
“Hello to you too Iko” Kai sounded a bit amused.
For a moment Iko was staring at them both in complete silence, switching her attention onto Cinder then Kai then Cinder again.
“Uhm are you alright?”
Once again Iko practically knocked the wind out of Cinder when she hugged them both super tightly, “Im sorry im just so happy!!” Iko, like Cinder, could not cry but that didn't stop her from wailing, “Is this how mothers feel when their children grow up!?”
Kai’s eyebrows shot up at the surprise attack, the tiredness momentarily leaving his body, trying to understand what the hell Iko was blabbering about.
“Are you sure you're alright? Did someone hit a button or something?”
After Iko finally let them breathe, Cinder pinched him slightly to get his attention, mostly since he was still trying to figure out who had messed with Iko’s programming “It was definitely Thorne-”
“No I actually just told her about the baby, that's why she's acting like this” Cinder clarified when Iko had toned down her craziness.
Kai blinked for a moment, then laughed, “Well that definitely explains it, shes even more hyper than normal”
“Im taking that as a compliment! And by the way my questions were never answered!” Iko was smiling at Cinder, waiting for her answer.
Cinder put her hand on her stomach, something she often did subconsciously, it was comforting, like holding the baby in her belly, but she really did try to stop, especially in public, since she really didn't need more media on her at the moment.
“Okay, to try to answer all your questions in one go, I’m 6 weeks, we found out 2 weeks ago, I'm due in February, you're the first person we’ve told, and it's a girl.” (Thanks to the advanced technology in the third era as opposed to the second era, finding out the gender of the baby takes a mere 2 weeks)
Kai listened to his wife speak, the expression of fatigue replaced with a spark of pride, he was so proud, proud of becoming a father, and most of all proud of Cinder. Now both of their hands were on her stomach, Kai’s right hand on top of her metal hand.
“So have you guys decided on a name?” Iko’s voice made him snap out of his admiration.
“A name? We haven't actually discussed it, have we?” He turned to Cinder.
“Wha- oh no we haven’t… not yet”
-----------------------------
Cinder was sitting in front of the mirror, brushing her fine hair with a wooden comb Kai had gifted her, it had intricate designs of sakura flowers and red roses. She was clothed in a comfortable tank top and shorts. Kai was in the bathroom brushing his teeth, when she suddenly got a knot she couldn't brush out.
“That seems like a tricky knot” Kai had emerged from the bathroom, and had strode to stand right behind her, “Give me the comb”.
Cinder passed him the wooden comb “I didn't know you were such a hair expert” she teased.
He smirked at her comment, “well I didn't have so many fangirls by neglecting my hair now did I?” But Kai could feel her mind wasn't really there.
“What are you thinking about love?” he tried to be gentle when untangling her hair, he felt guilty about working so much lately, that he would keep doting on her no matter how much she kept saying she was fine.
Cinder snapped out of her trance “Oh sorry… It's just that my sister used to brush my hair, she was big on the fashion side of things.” Cinder smiled bitterly, Kai knew she didn't like talking about the sister he never met, only during birthdays would Cinder tell him a story or two about her. He sighed and cupped her face, rubbing his thumb across her cheek.
“Im really sorry love”
“Dont be.. Sometimes i just wonder how things would be if she was still here” She gave a wry smile “she would've been so thrilled, i just wished she could see me now, and i wished the baby could have met her “ Cinder’s hand went to her stomach.
Suddenly her hands went to the temples of her head in a groan, a reminder that she would never truly be human, “Sorry, headache”
“Don’t apologise… Cinder, earlier, when Iko was asking if we had decided on a name, you answered no… but that's not really true is it?
Cinder pressed her lips together “I haven't decided anything, I wouldn't before talking to you.
“But you've been thinking of a name haven't you? You wanna name her after your sister?”
Her eyes widened and her eyebrows rose, “How did you–”
“Because I know you Cinder” he put her brushed hair behind her ears. “And I know it would be a way to carry her with you, whether she's here or not.
Her eyes were plastered to the floor “I know you didn't know Peony, that's why I wasn't sure if naming the baby after her would be fair, but I don't want to forget her…
She sunk into his chest, quietly though, her head was aching like a thousand earthquakes, but his warmth gave her calm, something both of them needed.
“I would never think that's selfish,not even a little, I think it's very beautiful, and extremely thoughtful.”
“You do?” her face was still deep in his chest. Their room was enormous, worthy of the monarchs of the Eastern commonwealth, with a big bed, a huge couch and even a window seat that overlooked the entire city of New Beijing. Yet… they were sitting on the floor. It was more intimate that way, just them, together, on the floor, and nothing else.
“Yes, I do, I say we do it, name her Peony”
Cinder rose up to sit right in front of him, she was looking into his eyes, gosh those brown eyes that took all the space in his head, she was so beautiful… the most beautiful, Kai declared in his thoughts.
“Are you serious?” she finally spoke.
Kai cupped her face with both his hands “I couldn't be more certain”.
After some time her face brightened, and she smiled “I guess it settles it then”
Kai moved his hand to her stomach, where their daughter was growing, Their daughter… it was a phrase that couldn't sound more perfect. “Peony is a pretty name is it not?
Cinder nodded, “yes its a beautiful name, our Peony”
He smiled at that, “our Peony huh? I like that”
And in 8 months they would finally meet their daughter, something both of them couldn't wait for. But until then, their Peony would grow and grow.
Like a beautiful Peony in bloom.