Choosing Life

Chapter Sixty Seven

Hadie smiled softly as he rolled over, the sight of his pregnant wife something that never failed to fill him with pure joy. Months had passed since the day they'd found out they were going to be parents and Hadie wouldn't have traded it for the world.

Okay, maybe that was a bit of a lie. If only because of how rough the pregnancy had been on Alexandria. What? So he didn't want his wife to be in pain, sue him.

"Hmm..." Alexandria said, her eyes opening to meet his. "Please tell me you slept and didn't stay up all night staring at me?"

"You're getting close to your due date, what if you went into labor while you were sleeping?"

"Hadie, I can guarantee you that if that happened, either the water breaking or the contractions would have woken me up," Alexandria said, sitting up slightly. "And before you freak out, I'm just getting comfortable. Lying straight on my back is close to impossible nowadays."

"You need me to get you anything?" Hadie asked. "Another pillow? A blanket?"

"A husband less likely to freaking out over every little thing?" Alexandria teased before giving Hadie a small smile. "I'm fine. Just sit with me? Unless you need to go over to your dad's?"

"He's going over to the Underworld today though he asked if I could come with since the last time Rea snuck off," Hadie said. "But I think we've got another hour or two before I have to leave."

Alexandria smiled as Hadie scooted closer to her, his head lying on the pillow he'd placed behind her back before she noticed.

Sneaky Hadie, Alexandria thought with a small smile. Then again, I'm guessing the sneakiness gained from growing up on the Isle wouldn't necessarily go away...though you were on the Isle less than Mal and the others were.

"Is your dad going to rant again?" Alexandria asked, breaking the silence.

"No, at least not verbally," Hadie said with a small sigh. "He might sulk but if he really gets in the mood to rant, he tries to keep it between him and mom on the mental link. 'Sides nothing'll beat the rant he went on when we told them you were pregnant."

Alexandria nodded. Yeah...that had been an memorable rant.

"You're WHAT?!"

"Pregnant," Hadie said as Hades stared at them in shock. "Alex and I are going to have a baby."

"No, no no no. I must have brimstone stuck in my ear or something because you are too young—."

"Dad, I'm happily married. If I'm not too young to be married, how am I too young to have a child?" Hadie asked.

"I still say you're too young to be married!" Hades insisted.

"Dad..." Hadie sighed.

"What? You are!"

"Dad, I'm a grown adult according to the mortals," Hadie said, shaking his head. "I wasn't too young for Kit to give approval for me to propose to Alex."

"And I still maintain it was because he didn't want to risk angering two Gods by telling you no!"

"Uh huh. So is that why you gave Ben permission to marry Mal before he was even eighteen?" Hadie asked, the deadpan tone of his voice audible to everyone.

"...That was different!"

Alexandria snorted in amusement before turning to Mal, who was watching the scene unfold with unbridled joy. "So...any tips for dealing with magical toddlers? I have a feeling I'm more than likely going to have one since their magic is seeping out of me already."