What the Heart wants It Gets

Chap 12

Note: Well, here it is! Hope you all enjoyed this charming and ambitious story. And I hope you enjoy the prequel The Heart finds it's Way, 

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3 months had passed. Kensi and Deeks repaired their relationship, and Deeks was even thinking of proposing!

Callen and Anna were enjoying married life, and that morning, Anna gave Callen some very happy news.

Granger passed by the courtyard and heard a lot of whooping. He then saw his son jumping up and down in delight.

'Son, what's up?' He asked.

'Oh! Dad, I uh, have some amazing news! Anna, um. Catching his breath. We're having a baby! You and Mom are going to be grandparents!'

Nate then passed by the courtyard and heard a lot of cheering and whooping, he turned and saw the king and prince jumping up and down in sheer delight.

He smiled, then turned and kept walking.

'Wow! Wiping his brow. 'Haven't felt that energized since your wedding! Just, this is so amazing! How are you feeling?' Granger asked, excited.

'Really excited! Like, I'm going to be a father! I feel like I could fly!' Callen replied, really happy.

'Well, I'll tell you first hand, that feeling eventually changes to 'Will I be a good father?', and let me tell you, Pregnancy is very transformative!'

'Can you tell me a bit of what you and Mom went through with me?'

They sat down at the fountain.

'Your mom was excited at first. But after a few months, her bump started to grow. And eventually, she needed bigger clothes and shoes, and she took a lot of bathroom breaks! And her mood swings, woof! One time, she sent me to the other room because I mocked her shoes!'. Granger started off.

'Whoa! What else is there?' Callen asked.

'She also became very emotional. She tried to hide it in public, but was unsuccessful a lot of the time. You could probably still find a lot of top page news stories of 'Queen has a temper fit' in the press archives of The Trentford Daily. But, in private, those were the hardest ones. Here's a story of when she was 7 months along:

Granger waked by his bedroom and overheard crying.

He peaked in and saw Hetty crying on the bed and blowing her nose.

'Hetty, what's wrong?' He asked.

'Everything! I can't fit into any of my clothes, my feet are swollen, I'm in and out of the bedroom all the time, and I feel so ugly!' She cried.

Giving her a big hug. 'Shh shh, you're not ugly, you're a very beautiful woman.'

She then pulled away from him and exclaimed: 'Look at me! These maternity clothes are terrible, (Taking her shoes off), look at my feet, they're terrible! Everyone is looking at me like I'm this fragile person who will break at any moment, and I hate it! I see these pregnant women who are so happy, and I feel terrible for wishing that I wasn't! Just, how can I put up with this for another 2 months?!'

'Hey, I've been speaking with several fathers who have gone through this, some more then once. Every mother has gone through these emotions, you're not bad! You're just going through a lot. And (loving stroking her hair), you will get through these next 2 months.' Granger said, trying to calm her down.

Touched by his kind words, Hetty gave him a soft look and said: 'Have you dealt with women like me before? Because I don't recall you being this smart before.'

'I've been getting a lot of help these last 7 months. And I'll tell the staff to not look at you weird. (Putting his hand on her baby bump), I'm in this along with you, and I will help you get through these next 2 months.'

A month later

Granger saw Hetty sitting on the couch.

'Hey. Sitting down next to her. How are you doing?' He asked.

'Just thinking of today's case. That mother who had to go to rehab because he was too unhappy to raise her baby. She thought she was ready. But then the baby was born, and she got so depressed she started drinking. Could that happen to me?' Hetty asked, worried.

'No, no. I don't think so. You have me, and a whole staff to help raise this baby.'

'But, what if I'm not ready to be a mom? I have all these responsibilities, what if I do something stupid and this kid ends up hating me?'

'In the help that I've been getting, every parent screws up, a lot. But, I have full confidence that you will be a great mom.'

'How do you know that?' She asked.

'Because the day I found out you were going to have a baby, I was so happy at first, but then I started thinking about if I am going to be a great father. I have questioned myself each month on that. I am worried as you are, but we're not going to know for sure until the kid is born.' Granger replied.

'True, and that's what I'm afraid of.'

'But, we'll manage, somehow.' Then he rubbed her baby bump.

'Do you think this kid will love us?' Hetty asked.

'I believe so.'

Calen just started at his father after he paused.

'Wow. That is really something.' He said, stunned.

'It was. After you were born, we both loved you very much. And she eventually lost the weight and could fit into her clothes again so she was happy again. (chuckle). You may not have the same challenges that we had, but just remember to remind her every now and then that she's not alone in this.' Granger replied.

'Thanks Dad.' Then he gave him a hug.

Smiling. 'You're welcome, Son.'

That night in the royal bedroom

'So, how are you feeling?' Granger asked his lovely wife.

'Happy that we're finally going to have grandchildren! Did you give him advice on how to deal with a very hormonal pregnant woman?' Hetty replied.

'Yes. What's that you're reading?'

'It's a letter from Nell. She says she's expecting her first child, and that if it's a girl, she's going to name her 'after the kindest and most thoughtful queen that I have ever served'. Isn't that sweet?!'

'You always did have a soft side for her, wasn't sure what it was about.' Granger remarked.

'She had a gift. I could see that.'

Silence.

'We've done good over the years, right? We've raised a son, we've looked after both this kingdom and the one that you came from the best we could, now we're going to be grandparents, think we've good enough?' Hetty asked.

Putting his arms around her. 'I'd say so. And to think, this all started when a small, tomboy princess showed up at my cabin looking like a boy who was looking for a place to stay!'

Smiling. 'And I don't regret that choice at all. Because it got me someone who I never thought I would have, the soulmate that I wanted.' Hetty warmly responded.

'I love you Henrietta.'

'And I really, really love you Owen!'

Then she put her small, but very strong arms around him, and they shared a beautiful intimate night together.

Endnote: As for if I'll write additional stories in this universe, maybe I'll write a collection of them someday. :)