Heart's Desire

Chapter 31

"You alright, love?" Odessa asked as her hand ran up and down my back as I puked into a bucket.

"I-I don't--uugghh."

My mother came beside me and placed a wet towel to my forehead, holding it there before removing it.

"Morning sickness?" my mother asked.

Odessa nodded her head, "Yes. Third time this week."

"You know what that means."

"I hope it's true," Odessa said.

"When did you guys do it?"

"About a week ago."

"Seems like everything is adding up. Just wait until the cravings kick in," my mother said.

"Anything weird when you were pregnant with her?" Odessa asked.

"Fish. A shit ton of fish."

"Great. I hope you don't get like that," Odessa chuckled.

All I could do, since I could still feel things coming up, was raise my hand and flip her off.

"I'm just joking, love. If you need anything, I'll be happy to get you it."

"I'd really like to sock you in the face," I slowly picked my head up, still feeling queasy.

"All yours," she said, leaning towards me.

I raised my hand and was about to hit her, but I bent over the bucket, going back to puking even though there was nothing in my stomach.

"I'll get you in like five minutes," I groaned.

"I'm not going anywhere," she said, holding onto my hand. "I'm staying right here with you."

"Thank you, Odessa."

"Of course, love," she said, pressing a kiss to my knuckles.

"Don't you have a fight today?" my mother asked.

"I told them to do it without me."

"And they were fine with it?"

"I told them that Y/N wasn't feeling well."

The day after we slept together was when we finally got married and the news spread around the empire like wildfire. Now everyone knows that history has been made. Not only have two women come together, but two women have held the title of Caesar. When I got married to Odessa, she became Caesar, which I am ok with since I was Caesar for a short time after my father died. People are still getting used to the changes, which I don't blame them. Change takes time and coming to terms with change takes even more time. I am just glad we don't have to worry about anyone coming after us. No one would dare challenge Odessa for now she holds two positions of power: Caesar and champion. Although I fear the day when a challenge takes place. Because if the challenger wins, they have to kill her. It's the rules. But maybe it would change now that Odessa is Caesar. But we shouldn't have to worry about that as there is no one wanting to challenge her.

"And they believed it?" my mother asked.

"Yeah. What did you want me to say? Go into detail that I knocked up Y/N?"

"NO!" I quickly lifted my head up.

"I didn't do that. Don't worry," she said, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "I won't tell anyone unless you start to show. Which won't be for a while."

"Good. And besides, people might have put two and two together since your were outed to the entire empire."

"Just because I was outed, doesn't mean they know I can successfully reproduce as a woman with another woman."

"When the baby is born, they'll figure that out, too."

I lurched forward again, placing my head down into the bucket.

"This is worse than last time. Do you want me to get you anything?"

"Water and bread should help with the nausea," my mother said. "Don't let her eat too much or else she might throw up again."

"Thank you," Odessa said. "Y/N, I'll be right back."

I gave her a thumbs up and my mother and her walked off. Some time passed and Odessa returned. Thankfully the morning sickness was wearing off. She knelt down beside me and handed me a chalice that was filled with water and handed me a small plate of bread.

"Here you are, darling."

"Thanks."

"I'll clean out the bucket. Don't eat too fast now."

Odessa grabbed the bucket and disappeared once more. My mother returned and sat beside me.

"Feeling ok?"

"No," I groaned. "Will things get worse?"

"More or less. Depends on what your definition of worse is."

"Will I still get morning sickness?"

"Yes you will. It may not be as bad as it is now, but it will become manageable."

"What was your pregnancy like? Aside from father not helping you?"

"Rough. I dealt with a lot of mood swings, trouble sleeping, and such. But," we both watched as Odessa washed the bucket I had used for the past three days.

Since it was outside of the palace gates, some people walked by and greeted her. She greeted them, even talked to them for a bit before she returned to washing the bucket.

"You're in good hands. Great hands."

"I'm sorry you have to watch this."

"Watch what?"

"Watch what should have been your relationship with father."

"Y/N, while I resent your father for being neglectful towards me when I needed him most, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Did I need him and want his support? Yes, I did. But it just taught me how to do things for myself. Odessa is a great wife to you. And she'll be a great mother to your child."

I smiled, "Thank you, mom."

"And I'll be here if you need me. I know Odessa doesn't want to leave your side and feel neglectful, but she does have an empire to run. Both of you do."

I nodded my head, "Yeah."

"So if you feel like she needs to do her duty to the empire, let her know your thoughts and feelings. She'll understand. And besides, it'll give you some time to yourself when those mood swings kick in."

"Are they bad?"

"For me they were. One minute I was happy to be having you, the next I wasn't. It's all normal."

"Was father there when you gave birth?"

"No. The minute you came out and took your first breath, he snatched you from me and I was tossed outside the palace. I didn't even get to hold you."

"You can now," I chuckled.

"Maybe not now," my mother smiled.

"Thank you for everything you've done for Odessa and I."

"I wanted to see you happy. To make sure you had a happy life. Now you do."

Odessa came back and set the bucket down in front of me. She sat down beside me and I rested my head on her shoulder, her head resting on top of mine.