Moonlit Awakening

Chapter 17

Alice

Alice is eating a piece of bread, while Margaret is preparing some food for her when Ember comes running into the room. "Margaret!" she blurts out.

"Ember?" Margaret responds, confused, "Why are you yelling?"

"Margaret, Liam told me that Alice likes fried chicken!"

"Really? When did she try that?"

"He took her to a restaurant and she tried it when he offered."

"What? That doesn't sound like her at all." She turns to Alice. "Alice, do you really like fried chicken?"

Alice perks up once fried chicken is said. "Y...yes, it's good," she answers softly.

"How did Liam convince you to try it?" Ember asks.

"I...it smelled good."

"You tried it because it smelled good?" She nods. Margaret sets a plate of chicken and rice in front of her. She nibbles at it hungrily.

Liam comes into the room. "Ember?" he asks, "May I speak to you privately?"

Ember's eyebrows furrow with confusion. "Yes, of course," she answers, following him out of the room.

"Do you like the food, dear?" Margaret asks.

"Y...yes, it's good," Alice states, while eating. Eventually, she finishes the food, leaning back in her chair.

"You ate all of it."

She blushes, looking embarrassed. "I...I was hungry."

"You need to eat so your baby can grow, don't look embarrassed." Alice looks down, gently touching her baby bump. "Alice, what's wrong? You look troubled, my dear."

"I....I don't think....I..." She seems flustered.

"Alice, take your time."

"I'm not ready to...to have a baby," she whispers. "I don't want this baby, at least not right now. Is that bad?"

"No, my dear, it isn't. You can't help what you feel."

"H...how do I...I tell...Liam?"

Margaret's expression softens. "You need to be honest with him, Alice. If you aren't ready, then you aren't ready. He'll respect that, he seems like a very kind young man."

"He is...I just...he wants the baby. I don't...I don't want to hurt him."

"Alice, sometimes pain is necessary in life."

"O...okay, I'll tell him...erm...I'll try to."

"Good girl."

Liam

"What do you want to talk about Liam?" Ember asks.

"I want..." He takes a deep breath. "I want to marry Alice."

Her eyes widen. "What? You've only known her for six months!"

"So? We're having a baby together, why wouldn't I marry her?"

"Are you marrying her just because she's having your baby?"

"What? No, of course not. I love her."

"How do you know that? It isn't easy to fall in love in six months!"

He seems amused by her question. "It's because she and I are fated mates. I feel complete with her."

"You won't hurt her then?"

"I won't ever hurt her like your bastard father did. If I do end up hurting her, it'd be an accident."