Chapter Text
Three weeks later, Ed took a deep breath and held Darulio's hand as they both went to the bridge. Ed was afraid of how they will react when they find out he's pregnant with his baby. "Sweetheart, it's going to be alright. Just relax." Darulio assured him. Once they entered the bridge, they were greeted by the crew. Claire was at the bridge too, as Ed told her to be there.
"Captain and Darulio, how can we assist you?" Isaac asked.
"We have something to announce. We are going to have a baby." He announced the news with a smile.
"What?" Kelly said, raising an eyebrow.
"Is this true?" Claire responded, unsure how to respond.
"Yes." Darulio commented. Everyone was happy to hear that, but also quite unsure how to respond or say anything.
They were just happy for them, nothing else. That same day, Ed was in his seat, sipping ginger ale. He was told it helps with morning sickness and while it does so, he can feel the taste making him not as nauseous as he was before.
"So, Ed. How come you haven't told us you're pregnant?" Gordon asked.
"I was scared and unsure how to say it." He told him, explaining as to such. Eight weeks have passed by and Ed and Darulio were expecting a baby girl. To which they were extremely overjoyed and happy, knowing this is also going to change everything.
During the ultrasound, the baby is revealed to be a Retepsian, which Ed tried his hardest to not panic and freak out. He had no idea how the birthing process will be. He shut his eyes, avoiding tears and felt Darulio's hand. That day, he was in his chair and was feeling tired.
"I think I'll go to my quarters and rest." Ed said, getting up.
"You should definitely do so." Kelly responded, allowing him to doing so. As Ed was headed out to his quarters, his eyes began flooding with tears. He was very emotional during this pregnancy and couldn't stop crying as he felt like he wasn't good enough to be a parent.
When Ed made it to his quarters and entered them, he went to the sofa and laid down in it, resting in his left side, his hand on his belly, shutting his eyes. Meanwhile, Gordon was humming a song to himself. That was until Bortus interrupted him.
"Lieutenant, what's that song you're singing to?" He asked him.
"It's a song called A Million Raindrops by Bebo Norman. It's a song from earth many years ago. Darulio showed up and the crew looked at him.
"Anything going on, Darulio?" Kelly asked him.
"I'm looking for Ed. I need to tell him that by next week, the baby will be born." He informed them.
"Great..." Gordon responded, very uneasy like.
"Is something the matter, Lieutenant Malloy?" He asked him.
"I don't want to be rude. But how do Retepsian eggs come out?" He said, curious to know. Darulio whispered the answer and Gordon shrugged, continuing his job.
A week has passed by and Ed was actually very anxious and terrified of the birth of his and Darulio's child. He felt somewhat uncomfortable as he was laying in a bed in Retepsia. Darulio was there for him and assured him that it'll be alright. "You're doing good, sweetheart. Relax and count backwards." He said as he held his hand. Ed was already tired at this point, knowing how much pain he is in.
"Darulio, are you still there?" He asked him weakly, holding his hand.
"Of course. I wasn't ever going to leave you." Darulio told him. That day, Ed was tired as he woken up to seeing their child for the first time and almost started crying, seeing how small the baby was. He couldn't believe how she looked.
"We should name her Avai." Ed said to Darulio, smiling.
"Avai is a wonderful name. What made you think of that name?" He asked him.
"It's beautiful. Avai it is." He agreed, placing his hand on the back of her head.
About 6 days later, Ed was in his own bed, laying down as he was tired and started crying. Basically, Darulio decided to raise the child on his own and told Ed that it was best for him not to see Avai, which made him heartbroken as he didn't know this was going to happen. He didn't tell the crew this, but shrugged it off. Of course, they'll know eventually but for now, he will move on.