Chapter Text
Contrary to Nefera’s thoughts, instead of staying awake she passed out in bed immediately. She drank no coffee, no alcohol nor energy drinks that would keep her awake. She felt as tired as if she hadn’t slept in centuries.
Quite some of the high schoolers got drunk at night, some of them even drinking without telling anyone. Catty was so exhausted from dancing and her feet were so sore that she had to be carried inside. But the moment she was down on Pharaoh’s bed, she kicked her shoes off and pulled her boyfriend close. She couldn’t even comprehend how hot he looked in his white suit. She kissed him passionately until her fingers reached the hem of his shirt, unbuttoning it even further to expose his chest.
“ You had way too much wine, huh?” Pharaoh laughed, pressing a kiss on Catty’s temple.
“ Yeah…” Catty chuckled, letting the prince slide off the sleeves of her tulle dress and caress her shoulders. The werecat slid her fingers onto Pharaoh’s upper body, tracing the outline of his muscular abdomen softly. “ How are you feeling after today?”
“ About the wedding?” Pharaoh asked with a brow raise. “ I’m just happy that my mom’s happy.”
“ I’m glad.” Catty smiled. “ So, how does it feel to have a bigger family?”
“ Honestly, it still feels weird.” He laughed. “ I mean, I went from not being able to do anything without sneaking out to having a new family and breaking out of that toxic environment at home. But I’m really happy that it turned out this way.. ”
“ Me too.” Catty nodded, giggling happily.
The group settled down outside at the campfire. Although it was still hot outside and having heat near them didn’t fully help, they still enjoyed their time together. Singing nostalgic songs and roasting marshmallows was comforting for all of them. Even though Nefera and Clawdia didn’t know the younger ones as well, they could still find a way to have fun together.
A couple of weeks later, back in Londoom this time, Clawdia and Nefera sat in the werewolf’s bathroom holding each other’s hand with a pregnancy test in their other one. They were both nervous, but being together made it pass. “ Hey, if it does end up, you know, having two lines then it’s fine.” Nefera muttered. “ I’m kind of… I don’t know. I’m up for the idea?”
“ You changed your mind fast.” Clawdia giggled, sighing. “ Yeah. I wouldn’t mind either. Not that we planned it, but…”
“ We still can.” Nefera nodded. “ Okay. It’s time. Do we take a look?”
“ Um…” Clawdia sighed, chuckling awkwardly. “ Yeah.”
They both closed their eyes and reached for their own pregnancy test. “ 1 - 2 - 3.” They counted together, opened their eyes at 3 and both took a deep breath. “ Not pregnant.” Nefera answered, looking slightly relieved but also sad. “ You?”
“ Me neither.” Clawdia nodded.
“ Well…” Nefera bit her lip corners, playing with her thick blue french braid. “ Would you maybe want to… I don’t know, make a baby?”
Clawdia snorted, smiling. “ I mean, if you’re willing. Are you sure?”
“ I mean, we’re getting married in a month, I’ll probably still fit into that wedding dress I haven’t even chosen yet.” She shrugged.
“ Wow.” Clawdia giggled, acting shy and flustered from excitement. “ But - are you sure you don’t want me to be the one carrying the baby? I know you don’t want to pressure me, but let’s be honest, you never really wanted to be pregnant.”
“ Do you want to?” Nefera asked.
“ Yeah, I have always wanted to.” Clawdia nodded, smiling. “ Plus, let’s be honest… You love wine too much not to drink any.”
“ You know me too well.” Nefera chuckled, pressing a kiss on Clawdia’s lips. " So, do you want it?"
“ Absolutely, let’s go.” Clawdia jumped up happily, dragging Nefera out of the bathroom. Clawdia’s new studio apartment in Londoom just hit different. It was smaller than the one before, but perfect for both of them. Although both of them could agree that nothing topped the mattress in Nefera’s room, their bed was spacious enough for all the fun they wanted to have together.
The thought of starting a family together was somewhat spontaneous and not thoroughly planned out, but somehow they felt ready to take on this challenge. Their night together was amazing and the music playing from Clawdia’s record player truly set the mood. “ You are so beautiful…” Clawdia sighed, brushing Nefera’s velvety blue locks away from her bare chest.
“ You are prettier.” Nefera dug her fingers into Clawdia’s thick curly hair, pressing their lips together passionately. “ Ugh, you smell so good.”
“ No, I’m not prettier than you, stop lying…” Clawdia chuckled, her cheeks getting hot but still accepting Nefera’s kisses.
“ Okay, but like, imagine our kids.” Nefera giggled, her lips traveling down Clawdia’s neck and leaning onto her carefully. “ The children of Miss Universe and the most successful screenplay writer to ever exist.”
“ Miss Universe?” Clawdia smiled. “ Isn’t that a normie thing?”
“ Hey, who said it’s only for normies?” Nefera formed her lips into a smirk, getting Clawdia to cackle.
“ But it’d be kinda unfair because you’re prettier than everyone.” Clawdia shrugged, scrunching her nose adorably.
“ I mean, I never said I’m not.” Nefera grinned. “ Also, let’s agree on one thing. When we have kids together, they’ll share your last name.”
Clawdia smiled. “ Wouldn’t you want the De Nile dynasty to keep on going?”
Nefera raised a brow. “ Would I want my kids to experience what I had to go through just because of my last name? Absolutely not. I want them to be happy.”
“ Aw…” Clawdia said, letting go of Nefera and waving her hands in front of her face emotionally. “ Honey… I’m so proud of you. You’ve come so far.”
“ Shut up…” Nefera shook her head playfully, hopping down next to her girlfriend and leaving out a sigh. “ Well, let’s hope we get a baby this time. But just to be sure…”
“ You want to fuck me everyday until we go back home?” Clawdia raised her brows, laughing.
“ I mean, I’m not saying that…” Nefera said, playfully rolling her eyes and looking at Clawdia with a flirty look. “ But I also wouldn’t mind.”
“ Right.” Clawdia giggled. “ Well, you’re pretty good at what you’re doing.”
“ You taught me well.” Nefera grinned, her gaze turning flirty.
“ I did, didn't I?” Clawdia shook her head, brushing their noses together. “ Oh, I love you so much.”
“ I love you more.” Nefera smiled, intertwining her fingers with Clawdia and pressing a kiss on her fist.
“ Impossible.” Clawdia shrugged jokingly. “ You know, sometimes it feels like I’ve known you for a thousand years. Even though it’s not realistic, I’d like to think I did. Maybe back in Egypt.”
“ Maybe.” Nefera nodded. “ Who knows, you could’ve been a normie in your past life. I had to hide for centuries, we could’ve crossed paths at any point in time.”
“ Anytime I hear about monsters who have been alive even longer than you it feels so weird…” Clawdia said. “ I can’t imagine it. Having all those memories. Doesn’t it get too much sometimes?”
“ At one point you just forget what’s irrelevant.” Nefera shrugged. “ I did have a really close servant back in Egypt. She’s the only one I remember the name of - Meriti.”
“ Wow.” Clawdia responded, sighing. “ Do you ever miss her?”
“ It’s been so many centuries…” Nefera shook her head. “ It’s not like we were overly close either. I’d like to think we would have already crossed paths if that was the case.”
“ And didn’t you ever wonder that my obsession with Ancient Egypt comes from somewhere?” Clawdia raised a brow.
Nefera sighed.
“ I mean, I’m not trying to theorize and make up conspiracies.” Clawdia replied. “ I know you don’t enjoy talking about the concept of past lives and ideas like that because of your trauma, but… What if it’s me?”
“ Maybe you just believe in the idea of fate way too much.” Nefera chuckled, tying her hair into a bun.
“ Hm, maybe I do, maybe I don’t.” Clawdia shrugged. She sat up, slowly starting to massage Nefera’s shoulders. “ But one thing is for sure - we were meant to be together. You knew it the moment you ruined your Versace heels, searching for me in the Tower of Londoom.”
“ I also got my wraps wet and I took economy class!” Nefera raised a finger but let out a laugh in the end. “ But yeah, you made it all worth it in the end. Sometimes I feel like you’re the only person who has ever loved me without conditions.”
“ Um, there’s your mom and your dad?” Clawdia disagreed immediately. “ And your sister loves you so much, too. She always has.”
“ I owe her an apology.” Nefera nodded. “ I owe her way too many apologies.”
“ And I’m sure she’ll accept it.” Clawdia smiled.
When Nefera arrived at home, it was late at night but she saw the nightlight of her sister’s room through the slightly open door. She stepped inside, opening the door just enough so she could fit inside and wouldn’t wake her up. But Cleo was completely awake, sitting in front of her makeup table with her wet natural dark hair, hair extension on the table and a towel between her hands.
Nefera hesitated on what would’ve been the right thing to say, but she knew if she could be honest with Clawdia then she could be honest with her sister. “ Can we talk?” Nefera asked, trying not to pick on the bandages on her arm from nervousness.
“ Sure.” Cleo raised a brow. “ Also before you ask why I don’t just get my hair extensions done professionally… I told you already that I am thinking about keeping my hair at this length.”
“ Can I sit?” Nefera sighed. Cleo moved aside and Nefera hopped down next to her on the vanity seat. Looking at each other in the mirror without makeup made both of them laugh at how much they actually resembled each other, their only small difference being their eyes and skin color. “ We never really have conversations with each other.”
“ I mean, you never really want to.” Cleo shrugged.
“ How was your day?” Nefera asked, this time actually interested.
“ Deuce took me on a date.” Cleo said, not sure if Nefera wanted details. “ We ate dinner by the river and when it started raining he took me to his house. We played video games, he cooked for me and then he drove me home because it was getting late.”
“ Nice.” Nefera nodded, still playing with the bandages on her arms.
“ And your day?” Cleo gulped.
“ I just got back from the airport.” Nefera replied, not planning to tell her about the trying for the baby situation just yet. “ Clawdia is still in Londoom. She’s studying and about to graduate soon.”
“ Can I see your engagement ring?” Cleo asked. Nefera raised her hand, letting Cleo move it towards r the light of the table lamp to see it better. “ Wow, this must’ve cost a fortune for her.”
The ring was silver, adorned with a gold leaf and flower design, holding blue diamonds. “She got it handmade for me. She designed it.”
“ Wow.” Cleo shook her head, afraid to even touch the delicate ring.
Nefera pulled the ring off, placing it on the table. “ The inside says Nefera 🤍 Clawdia.”
“ Well, she knows you really well.” Cleo chuckled. “ It’s a gorgeous ring. I’m jealous.”
“ This is the only thing of mine I won’t let you borrow.” Nefera burst into laughter, pulling the ring back on her fourth finger.
“ I wonder how I’ll get over it.” Cleo rolled her eyes jokingly. “ So, did you choose anything for Clawdia?”
“ Yes, however it is still in the works for now…” Nefera shrugged. “ I asked one of our royal jewelers to create something for her. I designed multiple pieces, so we will see which one I like the most in the end. But it has to be perfect!I made sure to include pearls and red diamonds. Clawdia loves pearls. I just don’t know if the base should be silver or gold.”
“ You’re a perfectionist, so I’m sure whatever you give her will probably be beautiful.” Cleo nodded, packing away her things.
“ Also, um…” Nefera bit her lips in nervousness. “ Can we kind of talk about the past few years a little bit? High school?”
“ Why?” Cleo stopped in her tracks, raising a brow.
“ Something’s been bothering me for a while and I want to get it out.” Nefera shrugged. “ I also just want to hear your feelings.”
“ Nefera…” Cleo shook her head.
“ Look, I know apologizing may seem useless.” Nefera sighed. “ But I am genuinely sorry that I wasn’t there for you when you needed me to. I just hope you’ll be able to forgive me someday.”
“ I’ll be very honest right now.” Cleo shook her head. She didn’t want to remember unwanted memories but it seemed like it had to be discussed. “ I don’t want to think about the past anymore. Even if you hurt me, I love you and I care about you. I just want us to have a better relationship in the future.”
“ Me too, yeah. I love you too.” Nefera nodded, pursing her lips emotionally. “ Thanks for believing in me. You’re also a great sister. I should’ve told you that when you said it to me that one time.”
Cleo pulled her sister into a hug. “ And fuck the past.”
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. They assumed it was a servant, but it just happened to be Madame Ptolemy. She stood in the doorway in casual clothing, not yet dressed in her pajamas. “ The weather is really nice outside. Would any of you be up for some cooking in the garden?”
“ Dad agreed on cooking?” Cleo chuckled, raising her brows.
“ Not exactly…” She smiled. “ But he was craving hamburgers and I didn’t think it’d be right to bother the staff at this time.”
“ Well, I just took a shower.” Cleo sighed. “ It’s hot outside, right?”
“ Yes.” She nodded. “ Also, there’s no reason to dress up. Just come in sweatpants or leggings. Beware the mosquitos, though.”
“ I guess it doesn’t sound that bad.” Nefera shrugged.
The Ptolemys and the De Niles finally felt like a family after waiting for so long. Although neither of the three young mummies had their partners, hanging out with just the family was still enjoyable. The smoke coming from the grill was almost choking, but the music playing from the mostly unused speakers and lights in the garden made it all feel like it was a scene from a movie.
“ It’s kinda crazy how fast our parents got together.” Nefera said, in the pool with a glass of punch between her hands. She met eye contact with Pharaoh who was sitting on one of the lounge chairs and both of them let out a laugh.
“ Well, I didn’t even know you guys a year ago.” He chuckled. “ But yeah. Very fast.”
“ Which makes me think…” Cleo raised a brow, tying her shoulder length curls into a small ponytail. “ What if they had something going on before?”
“ They had to.” Pharaoh nodded. “ My mom always tells me not to theorize when I ask her about it, but come on… It’s so obvious.”
“ But if they were already together by the time we met in Boo York, why were they so bitter with each other?” Cleo whispered, starting to think her ideas made sense.
“ Because then they wouldn’t have had their annoying powerful dynasty…” Pharaoh rolled his eyes. “ You know. We’re younger.”
“ Well, thank Ra we are fine now.” Cleo sighed deeply, trying not to think of anything traumatic that could trigger her. “ Our parents seem to be very much in love and… I’m so glad to have this family. We all went through a lot just within a few months but - we’re all feeling better now and that’s what matters.”
“ Not only did our parents find love but so did we.” Pharaoh chuckled.
“ Well, I’ve been in a relationship with Deuce for a while now - but yes, I’m super happy for both of you.” Cleo yawned. “ Catty is cute, Clawdia is cute… And I’m so fucking sleepy that I don’t even know what I’m saying.”
“ Go to sleep then.” Pharaoh shook his head.
“ No, I need those hamburgers.” Cleo protested, splashing her face with pool water so she would stay awake.
“ Well, you guys have fun but I just got back from a 15 hour plane ride and I’m very tired.” Nefera got out of the pool and headed towards the other two. She pulled both of them into a hug, wished them good night and headed into her own bedroom.
She was way too tired to take a shower, so she just slipped on one of her lingerie dresses and hopped into bed. All she could think about was the past few months and the excitement of starting her own family. A year ago she would’ve never thought she could have a girlfriend so soon, or to become engaged. She barely thought Clawdia would ever be hers again, but it happened.
They had each other now. After all those years, they finally had each other.