Chapter 878
Chapter 878
Chapter 88 : Good Parents?
*Eliza*
Jared was so kind and gentle to me after he managed to calm my fears.
I still worried about the curse and the baby but he'd managed to make me see the bright side of things.
I was getting tired again, though.
“You should get some more rest," he said.
Yawning, I stretched. “Yeah. I'm not going to argue with that anymore."
Sighing, I laid on the bed and looped my arms around my stomach.
Jared pulled my shoes off and fluffed a blanket around me.
“Are you comfortable?" he asked.
I yawned again and nodded. He was just so sweet!
“Yes, I'm comfortable."
“Do you need anything? Water, tea, something to eat?"
“Jared, I'm fine. You don't need to wait on me hand and foot." Although, I did kind of like him worrying
about me and being so cute.
Jared chuckled and slipped onto the bed behind me. He curled up against my back and put the blanket over himself, too.
“Well, if you don't need anything, I'll join you for a nap."
“I'm okay with that."
Jared chuckled and nuzzled his nose against the back of my neck. He slipped his arms around me, pressing his palms against my stomach.
Smiling, I hugged my arms around his, covering his hands with mine and entwining our fingers together.
“Are you sure that you're excited about the baby? I know it isn't something we've talked about and with everything going on…"
“Jared, I'm excited about it. Like you, there aren't a lot of things in my life that I feel are amazing. But a baby… that is amazing."
“I'm glad you think so." Jared kissed the back of my neck and a shiver went down my spine.
“Why are you being so sweet to me?"
He chuckled. “Why wouldn't I be sweet? You've given me one of the greatest gifts I could ever imagine."
“It is a gift for both of us."
“Agreed."
“So… Do you want a boy or a girl?" I asked.
My eyelids drooped a little but I was still awake enough to talk. Jared and I had spent so much time together lately but our focus was always on the curse and breaking the curse.
It was nice to talk to him about something personal for once, something we shared and that meant a lot to both of us. And something that was good, not something that threatened us.
“I don't know. I think a girl with your wild and crazy hair would be adorable. But I also think a boy would be fun. How about you?"
I shrugged. “I always thought I'd want a daughter. But I don't really care what we have. I'm just happy to be having a baby with you."
“Mhmm." Jared kissed my shoulder and nibbled lightly.
I gasped and bit back a moan. I felt closer to him just talking than I'd ever felt before.
“I like the name Asher for a boy. And Violet for a girl."
“Those are good names," I agreed. “What about Henry for a boy or Audrey for a girl."
“There are so many possibilities. Ethan, Leo, William."
“Grace, Naomi, or Emma," I added some girl's names.
“All good choices. But we don't have to decide on anything yet," Jared whispered in my ear.
“Jared… do you think we will be good parents?"
Jared chuckled. “Of course, we will be!"
“You sound so sure…"
Jared hugged me tighter against him, my back to his chest. “I am sure. Because you're one hell of a woman and I don't think you would ever accept failure."
He chuckled and nuzzled my neck. I giggled and shook my head. That was such a strange response, but it made sense, too. This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org: ©.
“In all seriousness, Eliza, the two of us have a lot of strengths and interesting experiences that I think will make us great parents. And we have a good vibe with each other."
“You're right. What am I worrying about, anyway?" I sighed and adjusted my head on the pillow, trying to find the most comfortable angle.
“You're worrying because you're going to be a mother soon, and that's what mothers do. They worry."
Jared laughed lightly and I couldn't help but laugh too. Sometimes, the things he said were just too perfect. He was still being insanely sweet and tender with me. I absolutely loved it!
“Now, you should really rest. This was a pretty big shock and you need to take care of yourself for the baby's sake."
“You're right," I agreed with a heavy sigh.
I closed my eyes and fell asleep quickly.
***
When I woke up again, Jared wasn't on the bed with me. He was across the room, packing his things into his backpack. He had a serious look on his face and I had a strange, uneasy feeling in my stomach.
I creased my brow and sat up, the blanket sliding off of me.
“Are you going somewhere?" I asked.
Jared started and looked up like he hadn't expected me to be awake.
“I've been thinking about something. And I know you're not going to like it."
“Well, when you start with that, obviously, I'm not going to like it."
Jared sighed and dropped a folded shirt into his backpack. He rubbed the back of his neck.
Impulsively, I ran the locket back and forth on its chain, chewing my lower lip.
“Look, we know that the diadem is in the Dark Realm. It is also in Aries's vault and heavily guarded."
“Okay…"
“I was thinking… Since you're pregnant, you should stay here in the Light Realm while I go get the diadem. I can be there and back in just a week or so."
“What!?" I snapped. I crossed my arms and shook my head.
“Eliza, this isn't just about you and me anymore. It is also about our baby. I want to know that both of you are safe."
“And I want to know that you are safe! We are in this together, remember?" I pouted.
“Oh, don't look at me like that…" Jared winced and turned away.
I kept pouting at him.
He glanced back and grimaced and tried to look away again but he kept looking back at me.
“You're too adorable for your own good."
“Does that mean you'll let me come with you?"
Jared sighed and nodded slowly. I could tell that he was not happy with the idea of me going along but I knew that my reasoning, and my pouting, had finally got to him.
“Besides, you'll be able to protect me and the baby if we stay with you."
Jared smirked. “Yeah. Right."
“Oh, Goddess!" I slapped my palm on my forehead.
“What, what is wrong?" Jared asked, nearly jumping out of his shoes.
I laughed and shook my head. “Nothing is wrong… well, that depends on your definition of wrong."
Jared arched an eyebrow at me. He started folding some more clothes and gathering up the pregnancy pamphlets we were given.
“Miriam might have some strong opinions and some choice words about me being pregnant when we aren't married," I reminded him.
Jared scoffed. “I'm not scared of Miriam."
“Right…"
The phone on the bedside table started to ring. I started and stared at it. I'd been so focused on Jared and our current predicament that I'd practically forgotten the rest of the world existed outside of our hotel room.
Jared grabbed the phone. “Hello? Yeah. Okay… be right down." He hung up quickly.
“That was a fast call."
“The real call is waiting at the front desk for us. It's Ciana."
“Ciana!?" I jumped off the bed and grabbed my shoes. “We have to go talk to her!"
Whatever argument I had for Jared about Miriam disappeared from my mind and my only focus was on talking to Ciana and finding out about Mila.
Jared followed me closely but I made it to the front desk first.
I took the phone from the concierge.
“Hello, Ciana?"
“Hey, Eliza. I hope you're doing well," Ciana said.
“Actually… yeah, I'm doing really well." For a moment, I thought about telling Ciana the good news.
When I glanced at Jared, I bit my lower lip. Right now, I was enjoying the closeness we were feeling toward each other because of the baby and I didn't want that to go away. I felt like if we started telling people it wouldn't seem as special anymore.
“Well, I finally got in touch with my mother," Ciana said.
“Oh, what did she have to say?"
“I wish I had better news, Eliza, but it looks like Mila and Soren, my parents, are back in the Dark Realm. I know you just left there but…"
“Oh, no, that is good news. Jared and I were just getting ready to head back. There's something we need to get in the Dark Realm to break the curse." I dropped my voice to a whisper, glancing around the hotel lobby to see if anyone was listening.
No one else was there but Jared.
“Then I guess it is a good thing they are already there," Ciana laughed. “My father said they would meet you back in Jared's village."
“What is she saying?" Jared asked, moving a little closer to me.
I covered the phone receiver for a moment.
“She says that Mila and Soren are in the Dark Realm and they will meet us at your village," I explained.
Jared smiled and nodded. “That's perfect, actually. If we're going to break into Aries's vault, we'll need all the support we can get. I can get my entire crew from my village to help."
“Are you sure full force is the way to go? Shouldn't we be stealthy?"
“I'm not saying it is a plan. But we will need their help," Jared said.
“Eliza, are you still there?" Ciana asked.
“Yes, I'm here. Thank you, Ciana. You've been a huge help."
“I'm glad I could help. Is Jared there with you?"
“Yes, he is."
“Do you mind if I talk to him for a moment?"
“Uh… sure…"
I handed the phone to Jared. He arched an eyebrow at me.
“She wants to talk to you."
Jared frowned for a moment and took the phone. He stepped away from me slightly.
That was odd. What could Ciana have to say to Jared that she couldn't say to me? Why was Jared acting so secretive all of a sudden?
“Uh-huh… yeah… mhmm…"
He made several sounds indicating he was listening to her but I couldn't hear what she was saying, just some muffled mumbles on the other line.
Finally, Jared said goodbye and hung up the phone. He didn't immediately turn to me to tell me what
they'd talked about?
I thought about asking but I didn't want to pry. Curiosity gnawed at me but I knew if it was important, Jared would tell me.
He always did.