"Darian, wake up."
A soft pale hand was shaking Darian, ruffling his hair and pushing on his back. Darian flipped the covers and turned to the other side. "Five more minutes," he mumbled in a low tone, ignoring the person.
The lady smiled, bent down, and slowly got on the bed, lying beside her husband. It was Elara Vaughan, the deceased wife of Darian Vaughan.
"I have some exciting news to tell you today..." She rubbed his back, tracing a picture of a circle. She then grabbed his sides and began tickling him.
"T-that's ticklish..." He couldn't help but start laughing. Elara didn't stop, her face becoming serious as she swapped from his sides to his underarms.
Darian was now fully laughing, his body jolting and trying to escape, but Elara would not stop. "Alright! Alright!"
He pushed her hands away from his body and held onto her palms. "I'll get up..." She smirked and hopped off the bed. "I haven't told you the surprise yet!"
Rubbing his eyes, Darian walked closer to her. "What's the surprise?" Her soft hands intertwined with his frail fingers as she looked up at him.
Elara was the epitome of beauty. Darian often wondered why she chose to be with him. Every time he mentioned it, she would scold him, telling him not to question her taste.
Her beautiful, deep brown eyes looked up at him, and he couldn't help but blush at her beauty.
"I-I'm..." She paused.
"You're...?" Darian inquired, now genuinely curious.
"...Pregnant."
It took a moment for the words to register in Darian's head. Once it did... "Pregnant...? Pregnant? You? Are you pregnant? A child is in your stomach? Right now?"
She covered her mouth slightly while chuckling. "Yes, darling. That's what being pregnant means."
"I'm going to be a father?" His eyes lit up, and he raised his arms in the air, enveloping her in a warm embrace. "I'm going to be a father!"
She snuggled close to his chest, placing her ear to his heart. Thump, thump, thump, thump. A warm smile gradually appeared on her face.
"Y-you're excited, haha. I'm glad. I thought you would be annoyed... or sad."
Darian pulled her away from him, but it seemed like she didn't want him to. She hid her face in his chest.
"Why would I think that? I love you, and I'll love anything related to you and me. A child? A mini you and me? That's awesome!"
Looking up at him, her lips quivered. "Darian.." Her eyes became slightly moist.
She placed her hands on his cheeks before going on her tiptoes. The bright shine of the sun covered the remainder of their moment of affection. Pulling away, she smiled and whispered, "I love you."
Darian's face turned red, and he embraced her affectionately.
Moving to the couch, they sat next to each other and began discussing all sorts of topics, ranging from baby names to what they needed to buy for baby-proofing the house.
Knock, knock, knock.
It was the mail. Elara stood up and went towards the door. "I'll get it this time," she said. Usually, Darian retrieved the mail, but he paid no attention to her proposal this time.
Darian heard the sound of the door opening and closing.
After 30 seconds, Darian became a little worried. "Where is she?" He slowly got up from the dark green couch and made his way to the door.
His frail hands reached for the brass handle. He tried to twist it, but it wouldn't budge. Darian started knocking. "Elara. Elara. Why is this door closed?"
Worry spread across his face, his eyes constricting while cold sweat ran down his back. "...Elara. This isn't funny, open the door please."
His knocking grew progressively louder. "Elara! Open!"
"Elara!"
. . .
"Elara!"
The cemetery's cold air hit Darian like a sharp dagger. Emory was being held by Katrina, while Darian stood in front of the grave.
"Sir..." Katrina observed Darian's actions. He was talking to himself for a while, mentioning things like pregnancy.
Then he started hysterically knocking on the grave, shouting for Elara to open up. Katrina didn't interfere because she knew he was grieving.
Darian rubbed his eyes, turned around, and forced a fake smile. "S-sorry about that." He walked toward the pair and reached for Emory.
Katrina passed the boy gently to him before smiling. "It's alright, Mr. Vaughan. Don't be sorry. Losing someone close to you hurts. It hurts a lot."
That must have been the breaking point for Darian, because he immediately broke down in tears. Emory was quickly taken back by Katrina.
"Why did she have to die?"
That question pierced Katrina. Why? "I-I don't know. But everything happens for a reason, Mr. Vaughan."
"No, it doesn't. No, it can't! Why?" He fell to the ground, his hands covering his face.
"I miss her."
The group stayed silent for the next 15 minutes.
"I'm sorry you had to see that." Darian repeatedly apologized to the military officer, who was helping them get home. As a captain, she had special permission to use her carriage.
"Again, it is truly alright. I promise." Her hand played with Emory's chubby fingers. Emory stayed obedient the entire time, his fish providing an excellent play buddy.
They reached 34 Hind Street, and Darian and Emory slowly got off the carriage. "Thank you again, Ms...?"
"Katrina," she replied.
"Ms. Katrina. That's a beautiful name."
After saying goodbye to Darian, Katrina waved joyfully at Emory, who paid her no heed. Her face drooped as the door closed.
As Darian entered the house with the child, he sighed before stretching. "That was a long day." Emory started to suck on the fish as if that was his signal to say, "Tell me about it."
Darian chuckled at the sight of the adorable baby.
"Let's go to bed."