The Surpise
Pairings: Flynn/Estelle
Summary: Being married a few years, Estelle is going in for a regular check-up to find out a rather interesting surprise.
Genre: Happiness
Rating: G
Note: My submission to @talessecretsanta to @fontasticcrablettes ^^
The castle in Zaphias. Estelle’s fingers dragged across an edge of the library’s window. She knew what she had been told … but. Slowly, gloved hand flipped a small clasp that kept the tall windows shut, and she pushed. Cold air hit her sharply, nearly stealing the wind from her lungs as she closed her eyes. The feeling was foreign in certain ways. While true she had been in colder climates (forever would she remember Zophier temperature’s that had shaken her to her core,) it was rare for Zaphias to be much colder than 15 °Celsius which meant mild winters at worse.
Now however? Snow was flitting down, gray-cast skies skim, taking away any warmth there might be. Letting out a slow breath, a soft knock caught the Princess’ attention.
Flynn stood in the doorway, holding a report but looking lightly amused at Estelle.
“Feel like freezing?”
Estelle felt a small smile prick at her lips.
“Suppose you better get over here,” holding out her arms, Estelle could feel the barest of a flush to her cheeks, (the cold, she’d insist, it was the cold,) “I hear sharing body heat is a way to stay warm.”
Flynn shook his head, but in eased movements did he wander over, wrapping an arm around her waist with one hand and catching one of the opened windows with the other to slowly shut. “Uh-huh.”
Estelle couldn’t help the small squeak, a warm pink flustered into her cheeks as she looked up at the Commandant. He was truly something else. Flynn Scifo … She had a crush on the Knight for the longest of times, having assumed she would, inevitably, give up on it. But now …
“So how is Mrs. Scifo?”
There’s a sigh and Estelle leaned a bit more fully into Flynn’s arms, head resting against his chest. “Oh please.” Flynn’s hand gently moved to stroke through her hair.
“Don’t you have an appointment with the Royal Physician today?”
“Mmm, in a few minutes.”
“Your Highness …”
Estelle lifted her gaze to meet Flynn at the comment, “Your Highness? We’ve been married for four years, Flynn … I think it’s alright to use my first name by this point.”
Flynn met her eyes for only a moment before ducking his head. “I uh … it is still a little difficult to do.”
Giving a gently sigh, Estelle lightly stroked the Commandant’s cheek. He had grown slightly stubbly since that evening. He probably hadn’t shaved and instead gone straight to work. Cupping his chin, she pulled Flynn’s face down to meet hers in a small kiss before pulling away, going to shut the other half of the window pane. “Is there something you wanted to talk about?”
“No, it was … well. Earnestly, I was worried. I saw you file the request for the Physician but you didn’t tell me. Are you feeling alright?”
Estelle paused, her hand settled firmly on the window. “I’m fine, Flynn. Just some basic check-ups I wanted to do.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course.” A smile settled as Estelle turned to him, beaming brightly as ever. “And I’ll even show you the diagnostics I get from the Physician this evening. How about that?”
There was only a moment of hesitation before Flynn sighed and nodded. Moving inward, he shifted around to take her hand, lifting so he could gently press his lips to the back of her hand. “As you say, Your Highness.”
Estelle smiled and, turning on her heel, left the Commandant in the Library to ponder of what he knew and what he did not know.
–
“You’re pregnant.”
There was no attempting to be careful or nice, the older woman hobbled over, grabbing a few pieces of paper and began scribbling. Estelle was frozen from this thought … uncertain if this were some cruel joke or seriousness.
“No, no, there’s some mistake.”
A snort, “No mistake, your Highness. Honestly I’m surprised it took this long.”
Estelle could feel her heart pounding loudly in her chest as her cheeks burned. How? Okay, sure, Flynn and her had, but … Estelle covered her hands over her face, flustered that the physician could know already so much about her just by that one statement.
Or, that was all, until the realization hit her.
If she were pregnant, that meant …
“So I … Flynn and I, are going to … have …”
“Children. Kids. A baby. Yes, your Majesties are going to be parents.” The older woman looked up, seeing the color drain from Estelle’s face, a hand lifting to her mouth. Giving a rather empathetic smile, the Physician grabbed a small container and handed it towards Estelle. “Here … in case you get sick.”
Estelle took it gratefully, just hugging the container to her chest. “I, we’re not ready.”
“Your Highness… No-one is ready.” The crone lifted a hand, gently going to brush back some hair from Estelle’s face before settling it against her lap. “I was not, and neither was your mother. Yet, here you are. Beautiful, and wonderful despite the fact. And here I am, proof you could survive it.”
Shaky, but appreciative, the princess gave a small nod. “Do … do you think … I could stay in here for a while? I … have a lot to think about.”
The Physician glanced to the door before, after a moment of thought, nodded. “Of course. I’ll set up a cot for you to rest on. If you have any questions for me, let me know.” Estelle nodded, slowly standing from her chair to lay down after the bed was laid out for her.
–
It took several hours of questions, sleep, and water before Estelle left the room, still holding onto her container. The Physician explaining how she ought to be careful, (“Just because you haven’t had morning sickness yet doesn’t mean you won’t! Keep it by your bedside in case—“) and had ushered her ought gently once Estelle had been certain she could leave.
Everything felt wobbly, like the world was tilted now. As she passed hallways, guards spoke to her, saying hello, calling her “mrs commandant” at times, and despite the humor she could barely make a smile.
Only when she caught ahold of one Knight, the Second in Command for Flynn, Sodia, did she fully stop, grabbing onto her arm. “I need a favor … I need to speak with Flynn and I don’t think he’ll be coming back to work today.” Whether it was the look on Estelle’s face or just some innate goodness in the Second, Sodia nodded and, without questions, saluted. “Of course, your Highness.”
–
Getting to the Commandants office wasn’t difficult. Estelle had made this trip time after time. It was this time that took forever. Estelle’s feet dragging, taking tours of other hallways until, eventually, she winded down the right hallway and there she stood. Stock still in front of the room.
Deep breath.
You’ve faced corruption, near death, and worse …
So why did it feel like everything else did not compare to this. She wouldn’t lie, part of her was excited, she’d even go far as to argue elated, but there was dread. The memory of her mothers death, the haunting question of would Flynn even want to have a child … What could Estelle do? There was no way avoiding it now.
Slowly, Estelle lifted a hand, knocking on the door. A muffled ‘Come in’ called from the other side and Estelle pushed her way inside. Flynn glanced up from his piles of paperwork, pausing, and then a smile split his lips. “You’re out.”
Estelle nodded.
Flynn’s lips pursed together, “You … don’t look so good. Do you need a chair?”
Estelle nodded.
Flynn was quick to move, grabbing a chair and gently helping the Princess settle down. Estelle’s hand wrapped in his own, fingers intertwining. “I … I have some news.” Estelle’s words made Flynn’s lips purse together, clearly worried if it had stressed out Estelle to this point. “…I…am pregnant.”
…
…
…
The silence was stifling. Estelle swore she would have heard a pen drop if it had. Her shoulders grew tighter together before two arms wrapped around Estelle (careful, avoiding her stomach,) and lifted her up earning a squeak. And there, holding her, was Flynn, beaming up at her. “That’s fantastic!”
“You’re not upset?”
“Of course not. Maybe … a bit early for the both of us.” There’s a chuckle, “But … more … nervous. What about you?”
Estelle could feel her cheeks flush slightly as she leaned more into Flynn, nodding in agreement. Slowly, Flynn lowered her back into her chair and lifted Estelle’s chin for another kiss. Warm and sweet, an attempt to be an anchor for her still calming nerves. Once pulled back, Estelle glanced down, placing a hand at her stomach.
“I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Her?” Flynn raised an eyebrow.
“Just … a feeling.”
