Choosing Life

Chapter Fifty Three

Mal couldn't help but smile slightly as she laced her fingers through Ben's, the two of them making their way to their children's playroom. Her other hand gently rested itself on her stomach, and now that Mal was aware of her pregnancy she could feel the bump. It wasn't as big as it had been with the twins but it was still present.

Wow, how could I have honestly not noticed a bump? Mal thought as she shook her head slightly. I mean I guess I was busy...but should I be worried that the bump is so small that no one noticed? There weren't even any speculations that I was pregnant by anyone in the media.

But, as Mal continued to ponder, there had been a knowing look from Evie the last time Mal went to her to be measured for an outfit for one of the dozens of royal events they had. And maybe it had been Mal's imagination running away with her but the outfit had felt slightly looser than outfits of the past...

"Maman!"

Mal had to smile as Effy and Reese's voices pulled her out of her thoughts. The two kids had immediately abandoned their game to run over to her and Ben, much to the delight of their parents, Hadie, Jay, Lonnie, Carlos, Jane, Uma, and Harry, and the annoyance of Rea, Jaxson, Caroline, Jason, and Genevieve who had been playing with the twins. Wait, what?

"What are you guys doing here?" Mal asked as Ben bent down to scoop up Effy and Reese into his arms.

Hades shook his head. "Your aunt said you had an important announcement to tell us and then refused to say anything more before teleporting us to your sunspots' playroom."

"Granddad was singing his song!" Effy said.

"His song?" Mal asked. "What song, dad? You don't have a song. I mean, the Muses have a song about you but you don't have a song of your own."

"Yes he does!" Reese told her. "He only sings it when he's with grandpére though!"

Oh, Gods... Mal couldn't help but think. She wasn't sure she wanted to know but knew she had to ask. "Dad...how does this song go?"

"I just got him to stop singing it Mal," Persephone sighed as Hades started to sing, causing the two kids in Ben's arms to start giggling in amusement.

Beast shook his head. "You know, interestingly enough I have not forgotten you're a God," he said as Hades continued to sing.

"Could have fooled me," Hades said, shaking his head.

Persephone sighed before looking over at Mal and Ben. "Eileithyia truly didn't say what the announcement was, I suspect it was to make sure she didn't spoil anything."

Mal smiled softly at her mother before shaking her head. "I'm pregnant."

"...You're what now?"

"Oh Mal, Ben, that's wonderful news!" Belle exclaimed, a grin on her face as Hades stared in shock.

Mal shook her head in amusement. "Seriously dad? I'm married and have two kids of my own, why is my being pregnant a shock to you?"

"I thought you were waiting!"

"So did we," Mal said with a small chuckle.

Effy tilted her head. "What does that mean?"

"What does 'what' mean, sweetheart?" Ben asked.

"That word maman said."

"Pregnant? It means you're going to have a little brother or sister," Ben told her.

Effy grinned. "Did you hear that Reese? Maman's gonna have babies!"

"Yay!" Reese cheered as Harry gently took Reese out of Ben's arms.