𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

Chapter 33. Home

A/N

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I'm writing an authors note here since I don't want it to take away from the actual story ending. But this is by far probably the longest chapter I've written and it tales place over multiple different time periods so I really hope you enjoy. As for the ending... I've left it open for a possibility of a second story. So if you'd like one by the end of it please let me know.

Thank you so much for reading, and enjoy <3

"Home is where ever I'm with you." ~ Edward Sharpe

November 22, 2025: Anchorage, Alaska

Raleigh and I both had the brilliant idea to host a dinner at our (not so) new home. Jazmine and Caitlyn showed up together along with her children and husband. Caitlyn gave me a hug as she entered the house, placing a kiss on my cheek as Sam greeted me with a friendly 'hello.'

Caitlyn left the entry way, making her way to say hello to Raleigh who was cooking dinner. Although I offered to cook since he got desert he demanded that he cooked and he made my favourite meal, lasagna. Just like his mother used to make me.

Jazmine and I shared a hug, her demeanour very energetic as she squeezed my hands. "Does he know yet?" She asked in a whisper.

I'd found out a couple weeks ago that I was pregnant, and being scared to tell Raleigh, I asked Jazmine how she thought he'd react. Although she told me that she knew that he'd be happy, I still wanted others to be around just in case.

"Not that I know of." I responded with a shrug. She squealed slightly, excited about dinner and my announcement. Stacker and Tendo somehow managed to take some time away from work to come visit for a few days as did Herc and Abby.

All four of them ironically showed up at the same time, all of them saying their hello's as they walked into the door. Tendo and Stacker giving me a hug followed by Abby and Herc who also placed a kiss on the top of my head.

"Abby, Caitlyn. Can you help me set the dinner table?" Both of my sisters nodded as we grabbed cups, plates, cutlery, and condiments before making our way to the dinning room. I kept glancing nervously over at Raleigh who seemed to be in deep conversation with Stacker and Herc, making sure he wouldn't be able to overhear as I told my sisters.

"I think it's nice that we're all getting together. I missed you guys." Abby spoke, placing plates down in their designated placed.

"I'm pregnant." I blurted out suddenly, both of my sisters staring at me in shock. The two of them both ran towards me, hugging me and congratulating me. I quickly shushed them, telling them that Raleigh didn't know and this dinner was my way of telling him.

The two of them reassured me that everything would be fine and that Raleigh would be happy. But my stomach kept turning at the thought, feeling as if I was going to throw up. Then again, that could also be the baby.

"Dinner's ready!" Raleigh called out as everyone took their seats, Raleigh carrying the dish of lasagna to the table. Everyone begun to dig in to their food, complementing Raleigh for his cooking who said he got the recipe from his mother.

As I sat there listening to Tendo talk about the possibility of starting up a new Jaeger Program and creating Mark-6's, I was bouncing my leg as I tried to calm my nerves. I felt a hand being placed on my thigh as I looked over at Raleigh who had a concerned look on his face.