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Nico groaned into his pillow. His alarm was blaring, and he had to get up for work, but he really wanted to go back to sleep. He could hear the alarm Amari insisted be in her room go off just ten minutes later. That’s when Nico decided that it was time to sit up. Nico never ever met a child like his daughter. Most of the time he was pretty sure she was dressed before him and ready. She was excited for school. Nico loved her dearly, but she never slept in a minute if it was a school day. He was not looking forward to anything later in the school year when he had to take off.He tossed his legs over the side of the bed, and he wished silently that Will didn’t have to work so early all the time. By the time Nico had picked out his outfit, Amari was asking if he was ready, “just a minute, Mari.” She threw open his door anywhere. He let out an internal sigh.“Papà, are you ready yet?” she had an exaggerated tone in her voice. Nico was just pulling on his shirt, and he had yet to pull on pants. She had been settling easy these last few weeks since school had started. The only problem was she wasn’t making friends. Nico had figured out that it wasn’t because she couldn’t make friends, she just didn’t want to or tried. Nico had watched it first hand. She had openly told a poor kid a grade younger that she didn’t want to be friends with him. He was torn between laughing or hiding in embarrassment when the kid started crying. She reminded Nico of himself after Binaca died.“No, Mari. I’m still getting dressed,” Nico sighed. It was only October, but he felt like he weighed an extra twenty pounds with this damn kid he was carrying. Will was more concerned about Nico's lack of showing, and Nico had told him that maybe the baby was just small. He was more than sure that just made Will panic more.Nico slipped into his pants, and he picked up Amari as he exited his and Will’s room. He set her on the counter, “is toast okay, today?”Nico sounded a little more drained than usual to her, but he had been up all night tossing and turning. Amari was smart, and that was something Nico was always wary about. She knew when he was sick, and she’d only known him since July even less since she started living with him and Will. The worst part, she would snitch on him to Will. Nico loved her, but she told Will he had coffee one morning, just once, Nico put the wrong one in the coffee pot. He hadn’t meant to, and she snitched to Will that night. Nico went to bed embarrassed.She nodded softly, “can I have it with sugar and cinnamon?” Nico nodded.“‘Course, anything to drink?” Nico had pulled out two cups. He grabbed orange juice from the fridge and poured it in his own.“Same as you.” So Nico filled her with a glass of orange juice.She sat on the counter in silence, sipping from her cup. Nico downed his own and poured another. He was so close to calling in today.“Papà,” Nico cringed at the estranged american form of the word. It was too early. “Is the baby bothering you again?” Nico nodded and pushed himself on the counter. It was only 6:40, and they didn’t have to leave until seven for Nico to get to his classroom.The toaster popped, and Nico quickly made the toast as she asked for it. Nico took his own and ate it dry. He was sure he’d throw up if he had any butter on it. He wasn’t sure how Amari ate that sugar overloaded thing, but she liked it. She said her mom used to make it for her, and Nico gave her that comfort.“Why does the baby bother you?” Amari huffed around the toast.“Finish chewing before you talk, little missy,” Nico reminded softly. “Also, I don’t know. All babies are different. Are you in the mood to head to school early? We can stop at the gas station, and I’ll buy you a lunchable thing.”Nico liked how her eyes lit up. He helped her off the counter and set her plate and their cups in the sink. He’d do the dishes when he got home. He followed her to put on his own shoes, and he grabbed his own sweater. The mornings were cold, but October afternoons were melting. She grabbed her own and turned to Nico, “puffs?”Nico shook his head at the childish way of asking. It was a sweet thing, but Nico had to remember who her godly parent was sometimes. Apate, goddess of deceit. Nico had only ever met two other children of the goddess, and they were as nice as their sister. They were rude and snarky, and they believed their powers worked on anyone. Nico knew Amari wasn’t like them, but she still had her own ways of coaxing him and Will into things. More so Nico since Will worked more often than not during the week.With their shoes and sweaters, along with Amari’s backpack and Nico’s bag, they headed out to Nico’s car. The drive to the gas station was chatty. Amari got her lunch, and Nico got a slushy. Not the best thing to have in the morning, but it was fine until lunch came around.The drive to the school was quieter with Amari reading the book she’d caught Nico up on via her own input. Now she needed more to rant to Nico about. Nico thought about telling his friends. They actually really needed to do that. Sooner than later, too. Nico was worried the most about Will’s mom. Nico could deal with his own father knowing, but his own fiancé’s mother? Nico might have a stroke while driving just thinking about Naomi knowing. Nico had tossed the idea of telling his friends over IM, but he hadn’t discussed anything with Will about doing so. Nico was just so happy it was Friday. Even if Will would be on call tomorrow, he’d still be at home when Nico woke up, more likely than not. Nico knew most hospitals were understaffed, but Will had switched over to the one in New Rome, which was blooming with doctors and nurses that were legacies.They’d talk about it tomorrow.Nico pulled into his parking spot around the corner of the school. He grabbed his ID from the center console, and he turned to Amari in the back, “got your stuff? You can hang in my classroom since we’re early.” Nico knew he didn’t even after to offer because she followed him to the middle school hallways anyway in the morning. She didn’t even have to be in her own hallway until 7:45.Nico’s class may have had its own library, but he owned none of the books. They were all preowned by the previous English teacher before him and the one that quit last year. Nico had apologized several times to that poor old English teacher so many times for having the coco puffs scare her. Nico couldn’t control them, though, they were they’re own as much as they were Nico’s children. Nico never got fired since this was a school for those involved with Roman mythology, and things like this were prone to happen with Nico’s own ties to the underworld as well.Amari had squealed when Nico first brought her into the classroom. He knew she loved books, and it was a wonder that one of her adoptive fathers was an English teacher.Nico was sitting at his desk and going over briefly his lesson plan for his classes. He taught mostly seventh and eighth grade classes, but he taught one group of sixth graders. If his adopted daughter wasn’t in this school, he would’ve probably moved over to the highschool. It was her first year here in New Rome, and Nico wanted her comfortable.Amari was sitting in a chair next to him that she pulled up. She was rambling about her book again from what she read in the car, and Nico closed his laptop to listen after he was done going over things. When the first bell rang at twenty five to let in the kids from the rain, Amari paused before she continued.He didn’t assign hard things to his students. If he had to, he always explained it to the class. He had opened times before school and after school if kids needed help understanding stuff a little better. He knew a lot of them struggled with similar things and English in general. His classes were also frankly small. It wasn’t like New Rome was as big as New York. His largest class ever had fifteen students. It made it easy to teach a lesson and then give work time, and if a kid needed help, they could come up to ask. So Nico was slightly surprised when one of the eight graders from his six student English honors walked in with his stuff. Amari peeked around Nico, and Nico himself turned around towards the door.“Melony? Good morning, did you need help with something?” he asked the girl. She wasn’t normally one to do bad or struggle, but Nico knew everyone had their ups and downs in subjects. “Was it the homework from yesterday? Is reading too hard or something? I can always help you if you need.”Nico was more confused when she shook her head, “no, the work was fine, Mr. Di Angelo. I just had some questions about Monday and Tuesdays classwork and homework. I’m not gonna be here, and I wanted to know if I could get that early?”He pursed his lips, “Amari, can you go get me the green folder from that filing cabinet over there?” Nico pointed to it, and she nodded. Nico opened his laptop and turned back to Melony. “Yeah, you can have the work. Thank you for asking and coming ahead of it. If you don’t understand much of the material you can always email me or just wait until you’re here on Wednesday then.”Nico pulled up next week's topics which weren’t much different from the current ones. Just some reading they were gonna go over in class. Shakespeare, “there’s a quiz on Wednesday, but I don’t expect you to take it. You can push it off to Friday if you like.”Melony nodded, and Amari sent the folder in her lap. Nico smiled, “thank you, Mari.” Nico flipped in a few dates and pulled out next week’s work. “Here, it’s just two in class sheets, and then the readings on the back were meant to be homework, just like how last night’s was. Any questions?”Amari peeked around Nico. Nico could feel her hands fisting his shirt like she did when she was curious or wanted to touch something she wasn’t meant to. She did the same to Will or her own clothes. Melony leaned to the side with the papers in her hand. Nico could see the question of who was blooming on his student’s face, “her name’s Amari. She’s my daughter, adoptive if you’re looking for a resemblance.”Melony nodded, “hi, Amari Di Angelo.”Nico had never seen someone greet someone by their first and last name. Nico didn’t try to correct her though. It wasn’t a bother to him, and Melony had always been a tad more on the formal side. He didn’t want to embarrass the poor girl.“That’s not my name,” Amari mumbled. Nico chuckled softly. “It’s Amari Solace.”Melony blinked a few times before she went red in embarrassment, “oh, well, I’m sorry, Amari. I’m sorry Mr. Di Angelo.” Nico laughed to himself.He waved the poor girl off, “it’s no problem. It wasn’t a big deal, Amari just cherishes her dad.”The look of confusion he received made Nico realize how little he told his classes about himself, “I’m with a man.” Nico explained just so Melony didn’t think too hard and explode. Her eyes bulged.“Really? A lot of the seventh graders were betting on you being aromatic.” The seventh graders were what?“Excuse me?” Nico blinked, and Amari tugged on Nico’s shirt. Nico looked down. Amari was pointing to the candy bowl Nico had for students when they played in class games. Sometimes Nico gave it out just because. “Go ahead, baby.”Nico turned back to Melony, “well, I don’t mind if you disclose this information, but I would prefer rumors not start about me. It’s not something I do hide, but it’s also not something I openly brag about.”She nodded rapidly, “no, of course. I’d never. Can I ask his name? His last name feels familiar. I think it’s the same as my doctor.”Nico stopped there, “I’d rather not, sorry, Melony. You should hurry to first period, though. You have art on the other side of the school, right?” Nico remembered her mentioning it during a game they played on the first day of class. She nodded and headed off.“Amari, don’t eat all the candy,” Nico said before he even turned around to her holding a handful. He knew her well enough to know about her sweet tooth. “You can take more at lunch if you put some back. You’re eight years old, and you don’t need all that candy.”She pouted at Nico, “but please?”“You’ll make your teachers crazy. I said no. You already had plain sugar on your breakfast. No more,” Nico sat back in his chair, and Amari put a few pieces back. “More.” Nico said, and she dropped a few more with a huff.“Happy?” Nico snorted at the attitude. It was kind of funny seeing her so grumpy over candy. He stood up to move over to her.“Very, now head your halls.” Nico grabbed her backpack and crouched in front of her next to the counter. “You know where I’ll be if you need me.” He kissed the top of her head before sending her off with her stuff.Nico knew Melony said that she wouldn’t start rumors or tell anyone about Will, but he never said anything about Amari. He wished he had. He had several students in his eighth grade classes ask about her and why they had different last names. Nico had been generous enough to promise each class that asked about her that he’d show them her school picture on his phone. Most commented on how she looked nothing like him. The class he had right before lunch had stayed longer after the bell with questions since they all had lunch. Amari did too at this time. She walked in to her name being asked about.“Papà?” She asked, pushing open Nico’s classroom door with her lunch in hand. Nico smiled at her. “Umm…” She shifted on her feet seeing his class still here. Eyes were drawn to her, and she looked uncomfortable. Nico’s smile died into a frown.“Hey, it’s okay. Just wave or say hi. They won’t be long, and then you can tell me about your book?” Nico smiled. Her eyes twinkled when Nico mentioned her book.“Can I tell everyone?”Nico couldn’t say no, but he also couldn’t make kids stay from lunch, “only if they want to hear. They have lunch, too, so they might want to go eat.”She nodded and moved to Nico’s desk, taking his chair since he was standing. “I’ll talk now.” She insisted before rambling to Nico about her book. Some of the kids from his class slipped out while she paused to eat her crackers at times, but two stayed until the end of the lunch period. They both had a study hall at this time, at least, that’s what they told him. Amari had left and went to rejoin her class.The rest of the day passed easier because word hadn’t gotten out to the sixth grade class and his last two seventh grade classes. He was packing up his things and was about to head out to get Amari from her halls when one of his seventh grade students walked him.“Jermiah?” Nico questioned with his bag in hand.“Umm, Mr. Di Angelo, could I have some more time on last night's homework?” The kid looked shaky, and Nico raised an eyebrow.“Sure, kid. Just turn your things in when you can. I don’t deduct points for late work, remember?” Nico said as he threw his bag over his shoulder. “Just turn it in when you can.”Jeremiah muttered a thank you and rushed out towards the bus doors. Nico hummed and turned down the halls to go fetch his daughter. He met Amari by the front door like normal. She had a new book from the one she was reading this morning, and she was almost hopping from foot to foot. Nico wondered what got her either excited or anxious. “Mari?” Nico said and took her bag from the chair next to her. She grabbed it from Nico.“I accidentally told someone,” Amari whispered and tugged down the hem of her shirt, holding the book in one hand.“Told someone? Told someone what?” Nico asked as they walked out the back doors towards his car.“Well, this kid was saying he was a big brother at my table in class, and I said I was gonna be a big sister soon, and the teacher heard me. She asked if you were adopting another, and I said no. I said you made one, and she stared at me like I was crazy. She didn’t say anything, but I got scared she was gonna call you.” Amari rambled as they walked through the parking lot. Nico was dumbfounded. He opened up the back door for her.He wasn’t mad at her or anything. In fact, Nico found it kind of funny because both Nico and Will were at the open house as her parents. The teacher also knew him, and he just wondered when that conversation would be popping up, “it’s alright, Mari. I’m not mad. Let’s see if Dad’s home already, yeah?”Opening the apartment door, Nico saw Will on the couch with a few papers. Nico figured it was either mail or work he brought home. Amari rushed to her room with her backpack without taking off her shoes. Nico did really care right now. He or Will would vacuum anyway. Nico kicked off his shoes and moved up next to Will, sitting on the arm of the couch. Will hummed in recognition of Nico’s presence.Will sat up, “how was today?”“My eighth grade classes learned I had a daughter today,” Nico smiled, “so I got to pull that ‘proud Dad’ act and gush about her to them after we finished the lessons.”Will smiled and leaned up to kiss Nico’s cheek, “really? Keeping me a secret like we’re forbidden or something.” Will joked.“We gotta start telling people, Will,” Nico hummed, “we could start with your mom?” Nico’s suggestion made sense to them both.“I know,” Will sighed, “I'm still worried about how unnoticeable your showing is. I mean I can see a bump, but it’s small for four months compared to an average.” Will pulled Nico onto the couch next to him, and he moved to lay his head in Nico’s lap. He pressed his ear to Nico’s stomach, and Nico could see Will frown.“Are you sure about not making an appointment yet? Nico, I swear to gods there is more than one heartbeat in there. Please, listen to me this time, or I’ll start praying to my dad for answers.” Will pleaded. Nico knew that Will had his own suspicions. He thought it was twins and that may be why he was small. Twins, most of the time, came out smaller.He sighed and nodded, “fine, if you make one, I’ll go. Now, should we tell your mom tonight? Iris message her?”Will sat up, “yeah, I guess. I’ll go get the stuff for a rainbow.”
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Soon enough, Will had set up the bathroom for an iris message to his mom. Nico was sitting on a chair Will pulled in there, and Amari was sitting on the floor between Nico’s legs. Nico was brushing her hair while she read a book. Nico was attempting to teach himself braids and hairstyles to help Amari. Will tossed a drachma into the rainbow set up in the bathroom sink.“O Iris, goddess of the rainbow, please accept my offering, and show me Naomi Solace in Austin, Texas,” Will said. The mist shimmered to show his mom. She was cooking in the kitchen, and it looked like ramen to Will. “Mom,” he called through the message.Naomi turned her head over her shoulder and then her whole body, “Will and Nico! How are ya doing, sweethearts? Who’s that little one on the floor barely in frame?” She said as she glanced at Nico and then Amari.Nico smiled, “hi, Naomi. We’re good. This is Amari. She’s actually one of the two reasons we’re calling,” Nico carded his fingers through Amari’s hair. “We adopted her.”Will nodded, “yep, she’s, our daughter.” The conversation was awkward at best, and downright embarrassing at worst. His mom was silenced with her own shock. He creeped a hand onto Nico’s shoulder and rubbed his thumb over Nico’s shirt. “Also…” Will started again, swallowing his tongue, “Nico’s pregnant.”If adopting a kid was enough to stun his mom, telling her he got Nico pregnant practically had her keeling over coughing, “excuse me? Pregnant? Adopting her, Amari, sounds lovely. I’m glad you two found some semblance of normal like you both mentioned, but pregnant. You’re both tryna kill me early? You can’t joke like that with your mother, Will,” she had a hand on her hip and used a scolding tone.Nico bit his cheek and went back to doing Amari’s pigtail braids that looked almost decent. Will winced at the accusation from his mother, “I’m not joking, Mom. Nico’s pregnant. It's some messed up thing that we don’t have an exact how on. We’re just kind of.. going with it.” He tried not to swear in front of her. That would probably just make her glare worse than it was.“We don’t know much about it. Apollo couldn’t give us a straight answer, but we’re working with it,” Nico tacked on, and he looked up from their daughter’s hair. “I can promise to you that Will isn’t lying.”She shook her head on the other side, “oh sweet Jesus, William, out of everything you’ve managed to stun me with. Your father, your trip to hell, and this? This one is probably the least believable, yet I believe you. You’re seriously going to make me a grandmother twice in one year? Do you at least know anything about the baby? Gender? How far along?” She asked. She looked down and over with this conversation. Will considered that fair since they were kind of throwing this at her on a random Friday.Nico shook his head, “we don’t know the gender, but I am four months give or take a few days.”Will rolled his eyes, “Nico refuses to schedule an appointment, so now I’m forcing him because I swear to you, Mom, it’s not just one. It’s at least twins. I’m calling it.” Will said, and Amari looked up from her book.She looked at Will with accusing eyes, “how do you know it’s not just one with two hearts.” Will blinked at his adopted daughter.“I can really hear Nico in you when you speak, Ari, dear,” Will said, and he was returned with Nico whacking him in the stomach. He clutched his stomach, “hey!”Naomi laughed, and Will could see the smirk forming on Nico’s face, “it was deserved.” Will’s mom nodded in agreement with Nico. “Also, Mari, let’s not dwell that deep into this, okay? You’ll make me panic.”She huffed at Nico, “I’m hungry, Pa,” she whined and leaned against Nico’s leg, knocking it to the side. “What’s for dinner?”Will looked at his mom, “we just wanted to let you know. We’ve been pushing off telling people because Nico’s really lacking the average four month look for his normal weight and height.Naomi nodded and tapped her foot on the ground, “thank you for that at least. It’s appreciated that you thought to let me know that I have grandchildren to brag about to a few of my friends. Retirement from singing is great. You should really visit sometime, or I can, sweetheart.” She wore a soft smile now at the end of the conversation, and Will relaxed. Amari was getting antsy, and no doubt that Nico was also hungry, too.They said their goodbyes, and they got Amari to say bye to her new grandma. She was weary just like how she’d been when she met Hazel, but that was to be expected. Will waved a hand through the mist to disconnect the call, and he cleaned up the water that splashed over the counter while Nico went to make something for dinner. Amari followed, eager to help.Dinner was sandwiches, and they had a small movie night in the living room that ended with Nico fussing over Will not letting him carry Amari to bed.“I’m not fragile, Will. I don’t even look pregnant unless I lift my shirt,” Nico whined. Will closed Amari’s bedroom door, and he pet Nico’s hair.He gave Nico a soft eyed look, “do I care that you don’t look pregnant?” Nico huffed and rolled his eyes, “also, when would you prefer the appointment? I’m gonna call in the morning and see if I can get you in maybe Sunday since the hospital is slow Sunday mornings.”“Sunday’s fine, but I’m telling you that your thought of it being twins is wrong. You’re just overthinking this,” Nico waved off with a dismissive hand gesture, and Will snorted at that. “You’re gonna see one heartbeat, one baby, and I’m gonna be right. They’re probably just small and shy.”Will didn’t respond, but he nodded and hugged Nico tightly. He was a nervous wreck because of this. It was something that hadn’t ever been planned in his life. He never really thought he’d have to worry over Nico getting pregnant and then taking care of him. It was an odd concept in a way that Will’s life didn’t sit or feel right. Nico and him both had long days at work that were catching up to them. They both had things they needed to set in order. One thing being a proper check up for Nico. Because while it was nice that Nico trusted him to dictate certain things, Will didn’t focus on pregnancies in med school, and he briefed over the basic knowledge he needed. He knew enough in case someone came into the ER pregnant, but not enough to focus on it. He was a pediatrician for kids ten and up if they needed emergency care.“I know, but you need to know that I didn’t specialize in this. I’m a surgeon more often than not in a mortal hospital because I can’t handle anymore demigod or legacy issues.”Nico hummed and tilted his head, “one of my students recognized your last name, y’know?” He had leaned back to look up at Will. He stepped on Will’s toes with a smirk, “also, you need a shower.”Will let out a small chuckle, and he pushed his finger against Nico’s forehead, “I showered this morning, but I can shower before bed. Also, I only do emergency care for kids? Maybe it’s a similar last name or someone unrelated to me with the same one. Being a child soldier medic really helped with picking my career, you know?”Nico grimaced, “also, I realized how little I tell my class about myself compared to other teachers who do like a get to know me presentation.” He groaned and pushed Will into the wall slightly leaning against him. “You’re warm, like always.”He pecked and kissed at Will’s neck softly. Nico knew better than to leave hickies. Will knew the same, too. They were adults that worked in professional settings. They couldn’t show up decked out in hickies like a hooker or whatever. Will hummed and tugged Nico’s head back by his hair softly, “what are you doing, angel?”Nico pouted when his eyes met Will’s. He paused, “we never told your mom we’re engaged.” Will barked out a laugh.“Way to kill the mood you were trying to set,” Will snorted and guided Nico backwards to their room across the hall while he laughed into Nico’s hair. Nico made a sound of embarrassment and sat on their shared bed. His face was red and flushed.“Quiet down,” he hissed through a whisper, “your loudass will wake Mari up. Don’t need that sonic whistle,” Nico chucked a pillow at him.Will grabbed his towel and clothes to sleep in, “better be sleeping when I come back,” and Will headed to shower.
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That Sunday Will was able to get him in for an overdue routine checkup. Hazel had eagerly offered to babysit when he called her to tell her. Nico knew she was working, and he told her so. Hazel told him she’d just take Amari to work with her. While he or Will didn’t favor that idea, Amari seemed excited to spend time with Hazel, so they dropped her off on their way to the hospital. The one Will worked at, too.They were in the waiting room for what was more than thirty minutes now, and Will was practically half asleep like Nico was because Amari had a nightmare. From what she would tell them, it was probably her first demigod nightmare. It worried Nico more than he’d admit because she was eight, and he didn’t get them until he was eleven. Then again, she wasn’t related to Nico through any godly heritage that he knew of.“Nico di Angelo?” His voice was called by a nurse, and Will let out a small yawn and helped Nico up. He shuffled towards the door with as much excitement as he could muster (none). He followed the nurse and Will down a few doors and to a room with admittedly strange looking machines that he wasn’t too familiar with because, well, he was a guy. Actually, did this count as still being male? He shook his head and called himself stupid. Of course it was. Will rambled about genders all the time. Nico knew transgender people. Few, but not none.“Alright, and you can just sit on the table and give me your date of birth,” she said, looking at the chart. Her voice was lighthearted and reminded Nico of Will after a longer than average shift.“‘Kay, January 28…. 19..32,” Nico mumbled the year as the doctor looked at him puzzled, “the reason should be in the file…”Will stifling a laughter did not pass his ears unheard, and he sent him a glare as the nurse lifted a few papers. He took a seat on the table like he was told to, and Will sat in a chair lining the wall near him. Will scooted it a little closer to the side of the bed.“Ah, Lotus Casino, makes sense. Yeah, the date is correct. I was just slightly confused,” she chuckled a bit, “alright, the tech will be in shortly.”Nico waited until she left, “tech?” he asked Will in the quiet room.“Ultrasound technicians, don’t worry,” he smiled and took Nico’s hand, rubbing his thumb over the back. Nico nodded and figured he didn’t need to say much more.By the time the tech came in, Nico was much too eager to go home. He really didn’t want to know, but he also didn’t want Will to panic too much over him. She came in with a bright smile, putting on hand sanitizer.“How are you guys doing today? I saw in your file you’re a bit far, but not showing too much? Are we expecting twins?” She sat on a spinning stool that looked way comfier than what Nico was on.Nico shook his head, and Will let him do the talking. Probably because Will was half asleep on his arm. Nico bonked him in the head, “we don’t know,” he said as Will’s head shot up while he was blinking a few times. “This is my first appointment. I was a little against it.”She looked at him surprised, unbothered by Will, “oh? Well, why don’t we go over a bit first.”She grabbed a container of gel and a wand of sorts. She explained what she’d be doing to Nico, and he just nodded along with her. Will was resting his chin on his palm, looking at Nico with a humored smile. When she got to the physical part, Nico gasped, “oh, that is cold…”He shivered as the gel contacted his bare stomach, and Will and the lady chuckled at him. Nico couldn’t bother remembering her name. Did she even say it? She moved the wand around a bit, and Nico just watched her do that. Will was more focused on the screen that showed the baby. She was looking to, and she bit her bottom lip as moved the wand slightly less. Nico sucked in a sharp breath because Will was staring at the screen wide eyed, and she looked a little surprised herself.“Wh-what is it? Will? Umm, sorry, I didn’t catch your name, but could you like.. tell me what you see?” Nico asked, his voice filled with his nerves.Will mouthed something, but Nico was more focused on the tech, “sorry, I don’t think I introduced but just call me Ms. Lorben. Now if you look here,” Nico’s gaze followed her hand, “this contraction of muscle is one heartbeat. Over here is two, and right under it is three. Now, you are not showing enough as you should be, but I assume you have an active life. If not, I would recommend eating more. Relaxing, and taking off work soon. Very soon because this is mildly concerning. Not enough to put you on bedrest, but rest is highly recommended.”Nico could swear his ears were ringing. Three, three damn babies, and not just one? He must have jinxed it when he told Will to not worry and that it was just one. His heart was beating too fast, and he was crying before anything else, “triplets? Take off work? I.. Will, you-!” Nico wanted to blame him because he was so overwhelmed and concerned for the life in his stomach. Three was an overwhelming number, but that didn’t mean that Nico didn’t care. He sat up a bit straighter. Will’s hand squeezed Nico’s tightly, and Ms. Lorben offered a couple tissues that Nico swooped up with his free hand.After crying silently in a hospital room, Nico took a few deep breaths because the voice in the back of his head told him it was the right thing to do. Stay calm, the voice insisted. Stress isn’t good for the baby, Will’s voice in his head said. Another part was screaming because it wasn’t just one baby. They were small, and this lady was concerned, and Will looked even more concerned than normal.They talked to her more. She gave Nico lots of suggestions on how to help the babies gain weight because the babies were too small. Nico needed to change his diet, and he needed to eat larger meals because the babies aren't getting enough. Babies, Nico’s head echoed the plural form. He was having three babies, and he lived in a tiny ass apartment, not expecting three more additions, only one. Two if Will’s opinion counted.She printed them pictures before they headed out. They had to pick up Amari. He had to tell Hazel. It was still too early to know the gender, so they didn’t have that yet. They scheduled a follow up. Nico was ready to scream when he climbed into the car with Will’s help.He reclined the seat, “alright, so… we need a bigger apartment. Or a house. We have enough for a house. We just got an apartment because it was practical. I might just quit. I don’t want to… Gods, Will. Three? We aren’t crazy, right? Why couldn’t your dad just tell us?” Nico didn’t know how he was feeling.“I don’t know, Nico. I don’t know,” Will just shook his head and started up the car. The drive to Hazel’s was silent, or rather to Hazel’s workplace. Nico was staring at the photos the whole time. His thumb ran over each mark that marked each one of the babies as either 1, 2, or 3.Amari was sitting by the door when they walked into Hazel’s office. The pictures tucked safely in his pocket, “Mari,” Nico hummed happily and lifted her like she was four rather than turning eight on December 7.She seemed startled, but she hugged Nico back, and Hazel looked up from the papers on her desk, “hey, what’s up? How’d it go? Picture? Gender?” Hazel got up, and Nico put down his daughter before hugging Hazel. Will picked Amari up instead, setting her on his hip. She didn’t seem to mind.“Yeah, pictures,” Nico swallowed thickly and pulled them out of his pocket to show. “So, this is baby number one,” He started.“Number one? Twins?” She smiled at him and looked at the photo. Her eyes went wide, “triplets! Oh my gods, Nico!”Nico chuckled nervously, “yeah, three little demons, it took a little longer because I kind of just sat there and cried?” His hand cupped the back of his neck. Amari was squirming now in Will’s hold.“Three? I’m gonna be a big sister to three babies!” She sounded way more excited than he or Will were. Will nodded and carefully took the photos from Nico to show her. He pointed each one out, and her smile kept getting bigger. Nico’s face was forced into a smile as well. He could deal with triplets. It’d take time, but he had to remember that there wasn’t a time limit on learning how to be a parent. Just that he could be a good one by trying and providing.The next few weeks after that passed by easier. It was early December, and he was getting through work with having to tell his classes yet, but he was surely showing. Will pointed it out when he could, and every time he did, Nico whacked him. He was positive some kids were pulling out rumors from air. Amari had become very famous among his eighth-grade class as well. Several had offered to babysit, and they had rotations for eating lunch with her and Nico. He found it quite adorable. He hadn’t told any of his friends about the pregnancy. It was only Hazel and Frank who knew. Frank knew because Hazel was dating him.He had informed his employer of his pregnancy only because Will had made him do it. Amari’s birthday was on the 14th, and Nico was glad that it would be a Saturday. He was six months, and he wore Will’s clothes to work more than his own. He refused to pay for larger clothes when he’d only wear them for a short amount of time. He didn’t care how tight his jeans were; he will squeeze into them until they tear or rip or are falling off his skin. It was currently the 10th, and Nico was just finishing up his class before lunch.“Papà?” Nico heard the whisper from his door as his class was taking a test. He didn’t want to have one in the week before break because kids’ motivations went down because of the approaching holidays.Nico got out of his chair and shuffled over to the hall, “continue,” he told his class before exiting into the hall. “Amari, why are you here? You should be in class?”She sniffled and held out her hands. They were smoking, but Nico knew better. Those were shadows. His heart slapped onto the asphalt. She shouldn’t be experiencing this. She wasn’t related to him or Hades as far as he knew. He sent a quick prayer to his dad.“Okay, okay, come into the classroom, but we need to be quiet. They’re testing. So shh,” Nico said, and she nodded. He opened the door softly and led her over to his desk. He sat her in his chair as he pulled out his phone to text Will. She sniffled quietly, and several kids turned their test in on his desk.Will was working, so he wouldn’t answer right away, but Nico could still send prayers to his dad and Apollo to help with the shadows and explanations. Nico moved her over to the window, “set your hands in the wind. It should help them.” He sent another desperate prayer to Will’s dad.He moved in front of his desk, “is everyone done?” He asked the kids. No one seemed to be testing, but he could never be too sure. “No?” He grabbed the tests and quickly counted the ones he had. It matched the number of his class. “Feel free to talk amongst yourselves.”He moved back to Amari, and the shadows had disappeared. He let out a thankful and heavy sigh. He kissed her head and moved to the school phone to call her teacher for the class she was meant to be in. He let her know Amari was with him. She was sitting on his desk chair and spinning slowly.“Papà,” she whispered again, “how much longer?”Nico looked at her and stopped the chair from spinning. Most of his class, a small one, were talking and laughing with others. “How much longer for what?”“Until the babies are here,” Nico grumbled. She had to ask now? While he had a class filled with nosey kids.“You’re married?” A kid from his class blurted. Why couldn’t they mind their own business?“Engaged,” he corrected, “but me and my partner are expecting.”He figured he’d get this over with now. He rummages through his bag, and Amari, nosey as ever, peeks into his stuff and grabs a few mints. He doesn’t comment on it because he’s pretty sure she’s trying to use her powers. He turns on the projector and slips the sonogram photos under it. He hears his few students either gasp or squeal. “I’m six months,” Nico says.“Wait, you are?” Emmett, one of his seventh graders, asked.Nico nodded, “it’s a.. special case, but I am pregnant. I could care less if you tell your friends. That’s also why Amari’s last name is Solace, not di Angelo. We aren’t really focused on the marriage part.” Nico in the photo, “the babies have been dubbed A, B, and C by Amari until they are here. They're triplets.”Another kid choked, “three? Gods, my mother could barely handle just my sister. She was on bedrest by the fifth month!” Nico’s heart sputtered. He wasn’t looking forward to that part.The bell rang shortly after, and the kids exited his room, leaving Amari with him. He kicked her out of his chair, “go get your lunch from your locker.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Will and Nico had met up with Frank and Hazel and took Amari out sledding on her birthday. Despite Will being about safety, Nico watched him build a ramp with snow for her to go down on. Nico's heart nearly climbed out his throat when she flew off the sledding, laughing. She had gotten up just fine, and Hazel was right there with him. Will was there, too, and so was Frank. Still, Nico didn’t like watching her leap into the air like that. They went out to dinner that night, and they let Amari pick, of course. It was a small restaurant that she had maybe twice but loved their dessert options.Nico figured it was safe to assume she had a nice day because she was passed out by the time they got home. No one other than Will would know Nico teared up over her being nine now.Holidays were coming up. Nico was very aware of the Christmas parties that Percy would invite him and Will to, and they showed up because Percy was more like his brother now compared to his much younger years. After a couple years of slight teasing, they grew a bond of sorts.Nico had risen early. It was only the twentieth, and he was surprised to have not received an invite of any sorts in the mail. That was normally how Percy preferred to send them for some reason. The monster safe phones were apparently non-existent to Percy when it came to contacting people. Nico had several too many interrupted personal times with Will because Percy couldn’t understand the concept of ‘just text or call me’. One humiliating time was back when he and Will had just moved out to New Rome. Nico never let Percy live that down in their one-on-one conversations.Nico had made coffee, decaf, because he couldn’t sleep in longer with the babies twisting his insides like lassos and toys. It was getting hard to sleep at all, even with sleeping aids and those teas that Will would mix in his drinks back in college to get him to sleep. He was holding his mug with creamer in it, and he was waiting for the pot to be done because he knew he’d be having more than one glass today.“Nico?”Nico almost dropped his mug in his kitchen. He knew it was getting close to the holidays and was expecting a letter, not a full blown Iris message. He was standing in the kitchen at maybe ten in the morning, not too early. Early enough that Will was at work, though. He was in one of Will’s shirts, but it was still tight enough on his skin that it showed his rounded stomach.“Percy?” Nico choked.Percy was staring a little wide eyed at Nico, and Nico wanted to slap him through the Iris message in a good, old-fashioned sibling way. Nico’s beating heart calmed down as he took a few deep breaths, but he was now concerned about what was going through Percy’s mind in general, “hi, it’s been a while,” Nico chuckled and cupped the back of his neck.Percy gave him that look that said, ‘well duh’. Nico did not like being looked at like that, “so.. I talked to Hazel already. She said you were in a special condition, and I did not expect this to be that.” Percy smirked with a hum, and Nico just gave him a confused look.“So you understand what’s going on?” Nico sputtered. He was trying not to be too loud because he was sure that Amari was still asleep in her room. If not, she was up reading in her bed.Percy snorted, “no one just looks like that, Neeks. I’m guessing a little magic, and you’re now pregnant.”Nico was stunned at how quick he pieced that bit together. He knew Percy could be smart when he wanted. Percy just liked to joke around and act a little clumsy, be a little free. Nico didn’t judge that too much now like his ten-year-old self had. Nico gave a small open mouth nod.“Yeah, me and Will also adopted a girl, but can you just tell me why you called? I feel dead on my feet, and that says a lot because I’m a son of Hades,” Nico turned slightly to pour his coffee into his mug. He turned back, sipping the scalding hot liquid.“I hope that’s decaf,” Percy blurted before he focused on why he called. “Also, I was going to invite you and Will to the Christmas party again. That extends to your new addition as well. Mom would love to meet another kid, and Estelle loves other kids. She turned nine back in May.”Nico raised his eyebrows, “well, I know Sally would love to meet Amari. Amari just turned nine last week.”Percy raised an eyebrow, “adopting the older kids?” Nico snorted.“No, I’m making my own,” he joked in a literal sense.“I can see that.”“Rude,” Nico mumbled into his mug. He heard Amari’s door open from down the hall. He was sure that she had heard him speaking to someone and had gotten curious. Nico heard the patter of her feet on the wooden floor of the hallway.“Is Dad home?” She was rubbing her eyes as she walked in the kitchen. She looked up at the Iris message and waved to Percy in confusion. “Hi..?”“I’m Percy,” He tried to introduce himself, but Amari had just moved to stand by Nico.“He’s your Uncle,” Nico said, trying to get her used to people more than she was, “we might go to New York for his mom’s Christmas party if your dad can get off this year.” Nico ruffled her hair, and she reached above to push Nico’s hands out of her hair.“Stop!” She whined. Nico smiled but hid it behind his mug.“Well, let me know if you guys can make it. I’m excited to meet you Amari. Don’t be too much trouble for Nico or he’ll feed you to the Coco Puffs,” he teased. “Anyways, I’m serious. Take care of yourself. You look like you’re in desperate need of a nap.”Nico waved him off and swiped at the mist, ending the call. He’d talk to Will when he got home. Wait, Percy never gave him a date? He’d just text him.Nico found himself in New York with Will and Amari for Sally’s holiday party. He had hugged her at the door, and she fussed over him immediately, not weirded out by Nico’s current state of being. It made him feel better about himself than it probably should have. Will had hugged her too, and he introduced Amari to her. Estelle seemed eager to have someone her age to play with. Sally had made a joking comment about how Nico was making her feel so old with kids of his own. He and Will were certainly ahead of their friends in that department. Sure, Percy and Annabeth were married; Shel and Piper were too. None of them had kids though, and he and Will weren’t married yet.Nico had let Estelle drag Amari off to wherever. Amari needed some friends, and if she found one in Estelle, at least she had one. Nico wasn’t including the eighth graders that had treasured her. Nico and Will headed further into the apartment, passing Paul making something on the table. Nico had waved lightly, and Will said a hi because Paul seemed focused on whatever he was doing. Percy and Annabeth were watching a movie in the living room, and Nico kicked at his ankles.“I’m here, asshole,” Nico grumbled. Percy cradled them, exaggerating the pain. Will had just snorted and waved at Annabeth who was more focused on her notebook than the movie. Nico hadn’t noticed it moments before.“No need to kick, and you’ve got such a potty mouth for being a teacher,” Percy snipped, “hey Will.”“Hey,” Will waved with a slight yawn. Nico had made him stay up to take care of Amari the night before when she had a nightmare. Nico had wanted to, but he really couldn’t do it. He felt bad, but he was thinking about the babies and not just himself.Annabeth looked up from her notebook to greet Nico, and her mouth closed back up,” Uhh…”Nico blinked, “Percy didn’t tell you?” Annabeth blinked again and rubbed her eyes, “out of all my secrets you decide NOT to tell her, you tell the one that you should’ve told her!”Percy tosses his hands in the air like he’d done nothing wrong, “I forgot!”Will snorted and dropped into the loveseat, and Nico plopped down beside him. He leaned into Will’s side. The warmth from Will really helped with the body aches, “so who’s all coming?”“I think Rachel, Piper and Shel, Frank and Hazel, and maybe Leo,” Percy listed off, “but Annabeth is leaving early later because she has some work to do at home.” Percy had looked slightly disappointed mentioning that Annabeth would be departing early from his mom’s party.Nico heard a soft snore, and he whipped his head to look at Will, already asleep in the chair, “good gods, sleeping already.” Percy laughed, and Annabeth headed off to a back room, probably a spare to work on whatever it was she was working on.No one else arrived until around three that afternoon. Will didn’t wake up until four, and Amari had yet to come out of wherever Estelle dragged her to. Actually, no one had seen Estelle since she dragged off Amari earlier. He assumed that they were having fun, and he moved to shake Will a little, “hey, Leo’s here. Everyone’s here now so they’re doing shots if you want to join.”That seemed to wake Will up for the wrong reason, “you’re not doing shots,” Will ran a hand over his face, and Nico snorted, “I’m not doing any either because it wouldn’t be fair.” Will’s voice lowered, and Nico pushed at his head.“Or you could take two shots, one for me and you. Hurry, before Amari and Estelle come down,” Nico joked and pulled Will up. “Or I’ll drink the caffeinated coffee that I know you’re hiding in the cupboard above the stove.” Nico threatened.Will was up in seconds, and he was walking towards the kitchen. Nico followed, and he hadn’t seen Rachel all night, but he knew she was in the kitchen with Sally. He heard her voice. She had poured out shots for everyone, including Nico. She raised an eyebrow as Will and Nico walked in, “I’ll take a guess and say Nico’s not doing a pregame shot with everyone?”Will shook his head for him, “nope, he’s making me do his, too.” Rachel passed Will two shots and she grabbed a new class and filled one with a sparkling grape juice before passing it to Nico.“To make you feel included,” Nico hummed and lifted the shot glass.Someone gave them a countdown, and Nico downed the sparkling juice. He gagged, “that’s disgusting, Rachel.” Nico shook his head. Will took both shots with only making a small face after the first one.After the party, Nico felt a little better. They were crashing the night at Sally’s, almost everyone other than Percy and Rachel were. Annabeth had left before dinner and about right after Leo got there. Nico had gone to bed early. Amari had emerged out of Estelle’s room for dinner before they scurried back inside there after eating.The next morning, Nico guessed mostly everyone took a few more shots because Will had simply refused to get out of bed from a headache. Nico had just gotten up and went to make coffee. He’d survive with one cup. Will could suck it up if it bothered him that much. He’d been sitting at the table when Estelle and Amari woke up and came down the hall with the patter of their feet and giggles. They both complained about being hungry, and Nico told them he’d make everyone breakfast if they told him what they wanted.The girls decided on just pancakes, so Nico made pancakes in Sally’s kitchen for everyone. Sally had come down the hall and let out a relieved sigh, “oh, I thought Estelle was trying to make food again. It did not work out well last time.”Nico had given her a concerned glance, “maybe Percy gets his recklessness from you if Estelle sounds just like him,” Nico joked with her. Amari and Estelle were coloring at the table. One by one, those that stayed the night, (Shel, Piper, Leo, Frank, and Hazel), were gathered back at the table with extra chairs pulled up. Breakfast included Sally and Paul, obviously, and most of breakfast was silent other than the girl's rambling. Will was still not out of bed, but Nico didn’t think much of it.Leo hummed, “Will not up?” Nico shook his head.Piper looked at him, “you think he’d be up after finishing off the vodka?” Nico choked on his saliva, “did you forget he doesn’t drink often, Leo?” Piper mumbled tiredly.“Oops,” Leo mumbled with a mouth full of pancakes. Nico was blinking at Leo. They were going to have one hell of a flight back to California later if Will was still going to be hung over by then.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The flight back had been easier than Nico expected with Will being hungover. Nico was surprised Will was even allowed on the plane, but mortals will be blind. Amari had been disappointed to say goodbye to Estelle, and Nico promised they’d see her again another time. Nico had gotten slightly queasy during the flight, but it wasn’t as bad as Apollo’s chariot had been. That ride had left Nico tasting bile in the back of his throat everytime he thought of it.They settled back home pretty easily. Amari had crashed out on the couch watching TV that night, and Nico was pretty sure Will had gone straight to bed once they got home. It left Nico some time to himself to look at actual houses that would fit them all. Nico figured something with five rooms would work the best, but four could work, too. He was using Will’s laptop, and he really was just mindlessly scrolling because it wasn’t like they could just live anywhere and expect to be safe. Still, there was no harm in just looking.That was until Nico caught sight of a house he really did like. It felt very picket white fence like, but he’d be a liar if he said it hadn’t caught his eye. The side panelling was a rather soft beige that Nico didn’t hate. It had a wrap-around porch and was in some small town in Virginia. It was a five bedroom, but from the pictures, it looked like it had an extra room in the basement. The price had made Nico’s mouth run dry, half a million. He considered asking his father if he’d buy the house for him. Then he snapped to reality and realized that moving there would be terrible if they did it suddenly. They’d need new jobs, and Nico liked his job. He liked New Rome, but this house had him wondering if things would be different if they were mortal. He exited out of the tab, and he closed Will’s laptop. He had to stop looking before he got too soft on himself.Winter break zoomed over after that. New Year passed over relatively uncelebrated because Nico and Amari were both out by nine watching a movie in Will and Nico’s bedroom. Will had joined them, and it had been a cuddle pile that night.Nico had not enjoyed going back to work no matter how much he loved his classes. He had given them all a free day on their first day back after break. He had several students asking his due date, and Nico had waved them off. He was due sometime in late March/early April, and sometimes that felt way too soon for it. Did he tell his classes, no. It was personal information that he was not required to share, and his size was misleading because he had been gaining weight rapidly compared to his early months.Will rambled Nico’s ear off all through January over how they should be ready just in case Nico had an early labor. They had already had most of the things they needed. Sure, they needed to move into a bigger house eventually, but their two bedroom apartment would have to do for the first year, at least.January had been going fine. Nico and Will had gotten a steady rhythm of parenting and expecting. Nico had finally put in maternity leave by the last week of the month for the remainder of the year, even going as far as telling the principal that he might not be back for a year or three. Will had the better job out of the two of them, and Nico’s was more so just because it was something that he wanted to do. They had everything set for the triplets. They had clothes, diapers, ect. The worst of everything had yet to come.Nico knew he was fairly lucky. He hadn’t been experiencing many symptoms other than slight mood swings and cravings for things, not out of the ordinary. Nico hadn’t had morning sickness once, but he knew he still had three to four months through this hell. He really only suffered the basics like back aches and swollen ankles, but he was still fine to pick Amari up from school like he did regularly.It was early February when Nico realized he really needed Will, alone. He hadn’t noticed the tension building up under his skin like the babies weren’t there. They moved, and their movement wasn’t very gentle or soft. Sure, it may be cute, sometimes, but Nico was really starting to shift around when sitting and doing literally nothing.He tried fixing the problem by himself, but nothing seemed to quite get that feeling of desire satisfied. He had grown slightly grumpy, and Amari was noticing more than Will was. He’d been picking up more shifts because they needed him at the hospital. He was one of the best doctors there, and Nico figured that was because it was a mortal hospital, not New Rome’s.One thing Nico knew, Will sucked at saying the word ‘no’. He knew that would come back to bite Will in the ass someday, but someday was not today. No, Nico had the simplest idea to get laid that guaranteed Amarai out of the house. Nico refused, no matter how deep his desires ran, that he would not fuck his fiance with their daughter in the apartment where she could hear them. He needed to plan cautiously. First, figure out how and when he could get Amari out of the house.If Nico was a quieter person in the bedroom, he wouldn’t have cared too much if she stayed. But no, Nico was well aware of how loud he could and has gotten. It was frankly extremely embarrassing. Nico had dialed Hazel’s number, and it rang a few times before she picked up. Her voice came through pleased and happy, calling his name.“Hey, Hazel. How are you?” He was trying to make a bit of small talk. Asking his sister to babysit his daughter so he could get laid bothered his ego.Hazel hummed and ruffled through papers Nico heard through the receiver, “just work, and you?”Nico gave a grumble, “I was wondering if you could let Amari sleep over at your place for a night?” Nico’s voice cracked at the end from embarrassment. Why was this so hard? He just needed a little help from his sister. That was probably the easiest thing to ask from Hazel. She’d help without hesitating. “I just.. Umm…”He could hear a small chuckle from her side of the line, “need time with Will?” She guessed. Nico just hummed in agreement. He curled up against the armrest of the couch. It was Friday, and Amari was at school. “She at school? Maybe me and Frank could watch her until Sunday noon?”Nico let out a disgruntled sigh, “really?”She nodded, “yeah, I get it. You’ve got hormones. Plus, that just means girl night,” Hazel said. Nico knew girl night consisted of late nights and popcorn for those two and whatever else Amari wanted to do.“Thank you so much, Hazel. You’re a great sister,” Nico felt like crying. He never realized how taxing this actually was. He needed to cry really bad suddenly. This felt like a breath of fresh, clean air. He loved Amari, but he needed Will right now, and she couldn’t be here for that.Hazel laughed on the other end, “I know I am. I’ll pick her up later, no worries.”Nico thanked her again, and she ended the call. Nico took a deep breath. The apartment was empty, and gods know when Will will be home tonight. Nico realized that Will could be home really late or really early. Nico knew that he needed to stop expecting that a doctor would be home on time. He’d let Will come home to a surprise. Maybe it’d be a good one for them. It was a small, quick break. They could use the time to plan, relax, and release much needed tension.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Nico had fallen asleep on the couch with a thick blanket that was gifted to them by Will’s mom. She gave it to them after she realized how cold Nico could get after only just five minutes somewhere under 70 degrees. He hadn’t meant to fall asleep, either. He had been planning on staying up and waiting for Will. He had planned to approach the subject when Will got home.Nico had been woken up by someone lightly shaking his body, and he saw golden hair the second his eyes parted, “Will,” Nico grumbled and whined. He sat up, and Will was kneeling on the floor next to the couch.“Where’s Amari?” he asked and softly pushed Nico’s hair from his face. Nico could feel the hand linger longer than needed because Will was checking his temperature.“Hazel and Frank’s,” Nico whispered softly. He was slowly waking up a bit more, “wanted a night alone with you.”Will snorted, “I figured you’d bring it up eventually.”Nico’s eyes widened in betrayal. Will knew Nico was horny as fuck for him and did nothing? Nico huffed out air, a little mad. He knew that realistically, Will was waiting for Nico to bring up the topic to know it was okay to discuss, but Nico could care less about that. He hated being pregnant, but he’d rather die than admit he was regretting this. As much as he hated it, Nico couldn’t say he regretted it.Instead of arguing, Nico took a deep breath of air and sat up on the couch. Will moved to settle between Nico’s legs on the ground. He pressed his face to Nico’s stomach, mumbling nonsense to the babies. Nico ran cold fingers through Will’s hair. His hand caught on knots, but he pulled through. Will grumbled and wince at the tugging. Nico wanted to curl his fingers into a fist and fuck Will’s face so damn bad, but Will looked so tired. Nico would feel bad doing that, so he relented.“You’re tired,” Nico voiced and leaned back to look Will in the face. Will just responded with a soft hum and nosing his way over Nico’s stomach teasingly. Nico squirmed, “stop, that tickles.” He lightly pushed at Will’s head.Will lifted his head and moved to get off his knees and pull Nico into a kiss, “only a little tired, but you made time for us. It’d be a shame not to use it.”Nico could feel each exhale against his lips, and he leaned forward to press his lips back against Will’s own. Nico’s arms came up to Will’s neck to pull him closer, and Will’s arms braced against the couch to avoid falling on Nico. At the same time, it trapped Nico to the couch, but Nico couldn’t find a part of him that cared.“Missed this,” Nico pulled away to breath, “miss sex. Why do I miss it?” Nico groaned into his own elbow. He could hear Will chuckling in front of him.“Hey, bedroom?” Will offered, and Nico’s stomach burned with want. Yes rested on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t find the ability to say it. He could only manage a nod.Will helped him up, and they stumbled a bit as they made their way to their room. Hands were tugging on cotton shirts, yet no one tried to pull it off, just tugging, teasing. Nico could find the ability to laugh at this. He felt nineteen again after they both had way too much to drink at a little gathering with friends and friends of friends. Will laughed against Nico’s shoulder. They weren’t much older than that. Twenty-two, twenty-three years of age, but Nico’s steps felt as light as ever since this torment started.Nico hadn’t realized they made it to the room until the back of his knees hit the bed, and he went down, pulling Will with. Will leaned to the side to avoid falling directly on Nico, and Nico rolled to lay on his side with Will. He chuckled against Will’s mouth, and his hand came up to Will’s hair, curling into the blond locks.Will whined against Nico’s mouth, pulling Nico closer to him. Nico smirked.He was definitely going to have fun tonight. Nico woke up to Will getting out of bed. He sat up with him, and Will turned to him and kissed his head, “go back to sleep, Angel.”He grumbled, “‘m not a stupid angel,” he said.Will laid back down, and Nico followed, “stay in bed,” Will said, “I’m just using the bathroom.”Nico sighed and nodded. He was sore, and he was sure Will was, too. They had mixed it up last night. Nico was used to them picking one of them to top for the night. They switched who topped from time to time, but on the same night. It had been an experience Nico would prefer to repeat when he wasn’t pregnant.Nico ignored the fact Will had told him to stay in bed and got up anyway. He shuffled to the kitchen. He made a beeline for the coffee pot, but he heard the door to the bathroom open, and Will’s voice calling out, “you better be eating first.”He groaned and opened the fridge. He was trying to play off the fact that he was going straight for coffee, even if it was decaf, “yeah, yeah, I hear you.”He pulled out milk and grabbed a box of cereal from the pantry. Will snuck up behind him and kissed Nico’s neck from behind. Nico hummed at the hands cradling his stomach, and he rested one of his own on top of Will’s. Will squeezed Nico slightly, and he swayed them. Nico snorted, and he reached behind to tug on Will’s shirt.“Amari ain’t gotta be home until tomorrow,” Nico hummed and set the food on the kitchen island. Will hummed into the crook of his neck, and Nico chuckled.Nico felt happy like this. He missed this emotional bonding for them. He loved this just as much as he loved his family. Will made him happy. Nico wasn’t some housewife, and he wasn’t just Will’s fiancé. Will was the perfect man, and Nico was treated just like Will was. They joked around and played games. They kissed and laughed. Nico felt so much with Will that he was starting to tear up in the middle of the kitchen.Will’s arms loosened, “hey, what’s wrong?”Nico sniffled and laughed. He leaned against the counter a little. He was so ready for April, and he was so tired of being pregnant.“Nothing, just happy.”