Akiva could see the change in the curvature of her stomach.  It wasn’t noticeable, at least not with her clothes on, and her waistband was only snug when it was one of the less forgiving items in her wardrobe.  Thankfully, she did not have too much of that in her closet, and her skirts were easily pulled just a few inches higher to allow for more comfort.  Besides, she was going to get the most out of everything she had while she could.

She was feeling remarkably better, particularly after hitting the four month mark.  It seemed crazy to think that it had been that long already.  She had to admit she had several anxieties regarding the rest of this process, mostly the quickly approaching wedding.  It was now really just around the corner, for real this time. 

So many changes had occurred to accommodate everything else, and they had to get it done.  Akiva was not a vain woman, but she didn’t see why she should have to actually look pregnant.  So, now there was a speeding process, and with Dree’s new project coming to fruition and everything going on… she just wanted to get that part done.  It was another thing to worry about – and though she was excited for it, she certainly wasn’t going to hold it off for much longer.

And part of having Alethea over for dinner was also to solicit her help.  For the most part, the women had a similar aesthetic, and Akiva really needed to pick out flowers.  She had an idea, she loved sunflowers – and it was June… she just didn’t know if it fit with the whole… idea of the wedding.  A second opinion was necessary. As a trusted friend, as well as colleague for Dree’s particular line of work, Akiva was not against soliciting Alethea’s opinion.

So, dinner had a dual purpose.  Plus, Akiva could actually go back to cooking without feeling like she wanted to die from the smell.  So, she was going all out - considering the fact she got to leave early helped.  So, she put together something that suited Dree’s tastes, though she danced around the issue with Hestia, considering Akiva liked cooking in her own kitchen now that she could.  But, she didn’t stop Hestia from helping, particularly with lamb.  Akiva was good, but she knew her limits against mum.

Besides, it gave her and Hestia a chance to talk as well.  That was reassuring, and they talked about names – which, whenever she brought up with Dree seemed to leave him dry in the mouth and searching for another topic.  Akiva was scared too, of course, it was a lot of change all at once, but she was also excited.  She was ready to be a family, which they talked about a lot – and Akiva could tell the sticking point on the wedding had come at the perfect point – seemed like saying the baby was born prematurely wasn’t much of an option anymore, Akiva had teased on more than one occasion. 

So, when Dree got home, both women (and the smell of his favorite dinner) greeted him, and the promise of a dinner guest soon arriving kept everything busy.  Akiva took a moment to kiss her soon-to-be-husband hello, have a quick embrace, and then was swiftly dismissed from the kitchen so Hestia could finish and they could have a quick chat about the day, which on Akiva’s end was mostly cooking and the promise of sharing with him some of her favorite names from conversations with Hestia on the topic... 

Not much time was left, however, before there was a knock at the door and Lady was barking, Gordon ran up the stairs, and Tabitha barely lifted her head from the chair.  “Punctual!” Akiva smiled and moved past him to ward the door. 

What a great week she was having! Most could think that the only thing able to make Alethea that happy was find a new place with open bar and full of young handsome man she could flirt with and go crazy without care. It wasn’t entirely a lie, actually, but the reason why she was so exultant was something far away from that.

Underneath the almost embarrassing eternal-party-girl mask was someone who truly cared and loved serious things - and simple things, too.

The Muggle Affairs was the serious thing of the time. Alethea knew how much Dreogan worked hard to make that happen and was deeply proud of him. What he was bravely heading was a big step to the advance of the entire society and she was glad to have the chance to be part of it. Even aware that it would be resistance and, maybe, retaliations, the witch was excited to see it finally working.

And the simple thing she loved was being invited to dinner with that adorable couple. Akiva and Dreogan wasn’t the kind who would enjoy the night with her, but Alethea really couldn’t mind. To them she was able to slow down, drink less, don’t smoke (especially now), don’t talk so many sh-- And still feel comfortable! For some reason, in their company she used to feel a little more like an adult on her free time without being nervous and scared.

So on that week she asked her assistant to read all the letters and memos that arrived to her on the Department and leave on her desk only the neutral and positive ones. She didn’t want her mood to be ruined by any negative thought - in fact, they all should return to the sender.

The new office working; the marriage approaching and the baby - there was a lot to celebrate for her friends, a lot of good things to wish to them that she got no time to any bad thing.

After work on that day, she didn’t really pass home afraid of getting late - it wouldn’t be the first time. So, instead, she made something she wanted since she heard about the pregnancy: buy a beautiful gift to the baby.

So, miraculously punctual, she knocked at the door of their house with the loveliest teddy bear she found on the stores wrapped in cellophane. Being received by Akiva’s beautiful smile she smiled back, wholeheartedly.

“Kiva! Good night, my darling, how have you been?” She entered, and with no ceremonies hugged the other witch before handing her the bear. “I’ve bought the baby a little something - it’s a really little something - but I hope mommy approves! Ah, and its anti-allergy, so don’t worry at all.” Alethea blinked, cheerful. “Dree!” She exclaimed right after, a little electric, running to give him a briefer hug. “So much to celebrate! Congratulations once again, my friend, for everything! I bet you both have a lot of things to tell me and I’m dying to hear it all!”

Things were falling into place.  Almost perfect, in fact.  M.A.O.--the culiminating work of so many years--was finally on-course.  Adon and he were speaking easily again. The pregnancy had steadied (as had most of Akiva's moods and cravings), and, best of all, the wedding was in a couple of weeks.


Dreogan had enjoyed speaking with both his mother and his fianceé--they had a strong relationship, by now, and Dreogan no longer felt guilty leaving Akiva alone with his sometimes overbearing mother. They had proven to be good companions to one another. 



Alethea's energy was contagious--and a welcome contribution to the already celebratory feel that was fast overtaking the house these days.  He embraced his friend quickly, grinning.  "We are happy to have you! Thank you--" he said, craning his head a little to take in the sight of the little teddy bear.  "One of the first gifts for the Little One--" which was, until further notice, the baby's name.  They had yet to determine if the Little One was a boy or a girl. "And certainly very much appreciated."


Allergy-free. He knew there was a reason he liked Alethea. So thoughtful.  Dreogan did not know what the child would be like--or what he was getting into--so it was always best to be prepared for anything.


"You came as we were discussing baby names, actually..." Dreogan said, hoping to find Thea to be a suitable intercessor.  He steered the group towards the dining table, where food was already laid out.  "Kiva's got her own list--which I quite like." He looked to his fianceé to see if she wanted to weigh in, here. "First things first--to make sure there are no nicknames that would get the child made fun of at school.  Your name, for instance, seems good. Your nicknames were what? Allie? Thea? 'Lethea?" He couldn't imagine much going wrong with that.


"Whereas mine were, oh, let's see. "Ogan...Ogre...Dragon...'Drag him'..." he shook his head somewhat sadly. "And sometimes, they did..." He brightened, looking over to Akiva. "You didn't have any unfortunate nicknames though--surely..." he teased with a wink.  Akiva's name--customarily male in Jewish cultures--probably fit right in with the "Dracos" and "Persephones" of British wizarding culture.  No one would be the wiser.

Seeing Dree really solidified the resemblance between him and his father.  It was uncanny, especially after Hestia had spent part of the afternoon showing her old family photos, which Akiva adored.  She knew Dree, to this day, found some of them embarrassing, but after some very honest conversations, there was nothing left to hide.  They had laid it all out for one another to plainly see, and that made the whole air of the house much more open and celebratory. 

There were so many things to be excited for – the wedding, the baby – though Akiva was fairly sure they were both nervous about that.  It wasn’t as though they weren’t excited or anything, quite the contrary, just anxious.  As the date got closer and closer, Akiva was starting to feel distinct anxiety as well, particularly as she grew more comfortable with the idea there was something living inside of her.  Before she knew it, it was going to be living outside of her – and their lives, in a constant state of change these days, would be catapulted into even more turmoil.  Thankfully, there were brief interludes with friends and family to break all of that up, and the promise of abundant help from an ecstatic grandmother, who insisted their children would have the most youthful genes afforded to young witches and wizards. 

With all of these promising things, it was even better when Akiva answered the door (making sure to disarm everything first, of course) and was received into an immediate hug.  Laughing, Akiva squeezed back and then pulled away, her eyes crinkling as Alethea, “I am wonderful – thank you so much!” She held the bear in her arms, smiling at its embroidered eyes – definitely baby safe, and anti-allergenic to boot! 

“You are too sweet,” Akiva gushed, “I love it –and I’m sure the Little One will love it too,” she giggled, and put the bear on one of the shelves of the bookshelf in the living room.  She didn’t want to put it on the couch where the animals frequented, and even though the cats could get on the shelves, they didn’t – there wasn’t enough space for either of them.  The bear would be safe there, at least for the time being.  She’d bring it upstairs later. 

They hadn’t gotten much done with the baby things, particularly in reference to a nursery.  But, the bear would be an amazing start.  Almost as good as the baby names conversation, “Dree is very creative,” Akiva smirked at him, “and can find the terrible nickname for almost any name,” she patted him gently on the back, giving him a kiss on the cheek, with a roll of her eyes.

“I imagine this process is going to take up until he or she is born!” she laughed, wrinkling her nose playfully at her soon-to-be husband.  “But come in, please – make yourself comfortable,” Akiva added, finally playing up to her strengths as a hostess.  “Dinner should be ready soon.  But until then, how have you been?  Working hard, I trust?” she smirked, knowing that Alethea, as accomplished and dedicated as she was, somehow always made time for leisure.

It was good to be surrounded by the couple and their evident happiness. Alethea didn’t expect other than that - the warm house, the smile on their faces, the care on each other. Marriage and babies wasn’t part of her own wishes for life, but she was able to understand how that was important, and Kiva and Dree was making all that look beautiful to her. She could only be thankful for being invited to share such precious thing as a friend - and in this position she would always be there for them.

“Oh! I’m so glad you like it! One of the first of many gifts that will come to the Little One! He, or she, will be really loved.” She got really excited with their reactions. Please good friends was important to Alethea, and she should be careful to not spoil their baby before he - or she - was born.

Dreogan’s talk about names and nicknames made her laugh openly - especially when she discovered his own nicknames. “Oh my, I should call you ‘Drag him’ from now on… that’s genial! Kid’s creativity is the best! As for me, I only had - and still have - a hard time trying to make clear that my name is Aleeeeethea; not Althea!” She rolled her eyes, but still with a funny expression. “That made some call me Lee, or Leeeee, so they don’t forget anymore!”

“Oh, Kiva, this talent of Dree is good on this occasion… with all the possibilities on the wizarding and muggle’s culture, it’s good to keep in mind the nickname issue!” she blinked to the other witch. “But you have some months ahead to think about it - or when you finally see the Little One’s face, it will let you know exactly her or his name!”

She took a seat as Akiva asked her to make herself comfortable - not really something necessary; Alethea was already feeling like home with them. “Oh, and now I’m curious about your list of names, dear!” She stated to Kiva, looking at her with you’ll-have-to-share-it-with-me-later written in her eyes.

“Oh, I’m great! Comparing to March, April and May were a piece of cake. Of course there’s always one thing or two that run out of control and make me work until late… or worst - at the weekends, but… I’m used to!” She shrugged and then regained the light, cheerful expression. “And you? The marriage so close, you should be crazy preparing everything!”

“And what about you, Drag him? You should be crazy as well!” She turned to him, crossing arms over the table to try to prevent from start tapping fingers on it. Alethea always cursed her compulsive nature in moments like that where she couldn't smoke or chewing guns. Still she was able to not let that shake her enthusiasm. “How are being the first days of your new office? Tough, I suppose? Oh, but it should worth, so much! I already told you I envy you, right?”

"Dree is very creative,” Akiva smirked at him, “and can find the terrible nickname for almost any name."
 
"I'm just being prepared!" he insisted with a playful amount of indignation, shrugging his shoulders expressively. He looked to Thea for some assistance.
 
"Oh, Kiva, this talent of Dree is good on this occasion… with all the possibilities on the wizarding and muggle’s culture, it’s good to keep in mind the nickname issue!”
 
"Exactly!" he said with a triumphant grin, pointing to their guest. "I knew we invited you for a reason." He winked at her.  If she kept taking his side on issues, she would be a regular visitor, indeed.  That was, until she started calling him "Drag him"--a personal unfavorite of all his nicknames from school. "I should never have told you that," he said in primly, shooting her a reproachful look. "Honestly--you should know better." He broke into a grin--so she would know he was only teasing, and turned back to Akiva.
 
His mood, of late, had been jubilant, which had put him more in the mood for banter that he hadn't really expressed since--well, since before Akiva had been kidnapped; when they had first been dating.
 
As Akiva welcomed their guest further into their home, he--remembering himself-- motioned Thea into the dining room, where dinner plates were already set out. (He would have to thank his mother later; they certainly hadn't been out a few moments before, when Akiva was busy welcoming their guest.)  He pulled out a chair beside Akiva's, smiling as their guest settled across from them.
 
"And what about you, Drag him? You should be crazy as well!”
 
Dreogan gave a shy sort of smile as he settled into his chair. "Well? And who says I am not, Lee? I've been told it often enough--I might begin to believe I'm a little crazy." His smile became a bit more strained as he added, "Certainly enough people think I am, for starting M.A.O. Speaking of nickname, some reporter has event taken to calling it 'Mao'...'" He paused a moment before explaining, in case somehow Alethea didn't already know, "Mao's a rather infamous former communist ruler of Muggle China. It's not exactly a...flattering association.  I'm stressing to employees that the pronunciation is just how it's spelled: Em-Eh-Oh..."
 
He shook his head.  "Envy me all you like. Just keep me in mind for your position, when you become Minister someday," he threw back.  She often said it to him--why not the same? Alethea was ambitious, charismatic, and had a good head on her shoulders. She always seemed like she knew what she was doing, and Dreogan felt at times that he was swimming a bit through jello.  It shouldn't be this hard.
 
"But!" he said, brightening persistently, "things are going well. The wedding planning--well, it's coming along a bit more smoothly this time." He blushed a bit. Many people hadn't know that circumstances had forced Dreogan and Akiva to push their wedding date back.  Dreogan had been too busy getting his new office off the ground. And Akiva--she had had some legitimate concerns that had needed to be addressed. "We'd already laid down some good foundations, as far as planning was concerned..." He pulled a face. "I think we spent--what was it, Kiv, three hours looking at china?" A point which he brought up whenever he was angling for leverage with Akiva. She was probably tired of hearing it, by now.
 
I looked at china for three hours with you...
 
To her credit, Akiva didn't seem to have enjoyed the process any more than Dreogan had.  Something Dreogan guiltily had to admit he appreciated in Akiva. They were happy for each others' successes. And when one was miserable--the other often felt obligated to be so as well.  Dreogan had struggled through Akiva's pregnancy with her. She'd struggled through setting up M.A.O. And they'd both struggled through registering for expensive things for other people to buy for them.
 
Dreogan's face paled somewhat. "Kiv... people--do they register for babies, too?"
 
Selecting baby bottles and diaper pins would be even more unbearable than saucers and sauce dishes.  At least Dreogan knew--remotely--how to use those--and felt somewhat informed in the decisionmaking process.