Welcome to Gaia! ::

It had been almost a week since the "we're pregnant" announcement/ fight, and Keeta was starting to feel more comfortable around Rhine again. She almost decided to turn and kiss him back when he pecked her on the cheek, but no...not yet. And besides she was still fatigued from these early weeks of the pregnancy, so it didn't take her more than a couple of minutes to drift back to sleep.

When she finally got out of bed, an hour or so later she wrapped herself in her soft fuzzy robe and went to check on the kids. Joel was still out like a light, breathing softly, although Keeta knew it wouldn't be long before he was up.

Camille was already up and had made an attempt at dressing herself. She had on a striped T-shirt...backwards, her ballerina skirt and bright pink socks. Keeta did her best not to laugh, pleased that her daughter was showing a bit more independance. At the moment Camille had her back turned to the door as she tried to figure out which hat to add to the ensemble (a tiara or her fairy princess floral circlet), and Keeta took the opportunity to compose her expression.

"Morning, honey," she said, softly knocking on the door. "Ready for breakfast?" Keeta was gratful that Joel was still asleep. It was always easier when she could feed them one at a time.

"How do I look, mommy?" Camille asked as she came over to the other side of the room.

"Beautiful honey. Just like a princess!" Keeta grinned, scooting her daughter out the bedroom door towards the kitchen.

Once they reached the kitchen, it didn't take long for Keeta to find the note. She opened it with a private smile and scanned the contents, feeling her heart lift considerably.

Camille remained silent, watching her read the note, somehow sensing that she should be quiet and let her mommy read. It was good to see her mommy happy. She had been kind of sad for a few days. When she was finished reading, Keeta turned to Camille with a smile.

"Looks like Daddy made us some breakfast before he left!" she said plesantly, opening the microwave to find the waiting pancakes. Keeta had been making an effort to call Rhine "Daddy" in front of the kids lately. True, they had first come to know him as Rhine, and she wouldn't force them to change, but she wanted them to at least think of him that way, even if they didn't call him "Daddy."



Just after 8 o'clock, Keeta stepped out into the master bathroom, from the mirror. She had just left the children in Perian's care, grateful that Ceres was not the one to answer the "door." She didn't want her future mother-in-laws extra senses to pick up on the change in her yet. Now was not the time and place for revealing things like that. She still needed to straighten things out with Rhine.

Once through the mirror, she slipped into the little black dress she had hanging; fortunately one that was flowy and not too tight around the middle. Keeta didn't want to put the possibly barely discernable baby bump to the test. In another five minutes, she repaired her hair and makeup and was heading downstairs. She was outside the cafe by 8:15.

Keeta gave a little start and looked down, when she felt his hands, and turned to smile at him. Her fingers came up to gently touch the necklace and she looked down at the strand.

"Oh Rhine! It's beautiful!" She looked back at him a little misty-eyed. It was a lot for him to get her something like this after the fight they had had. Keeta still didn't feel right about the way she had handled the situation.

"You didn't have to I-" she stopped herself, not wanting to spoil his gift and evening. It was a sure thing that he didn't want to revisit that night any more than she did.

"That would be wonderful." She smiled up at him, trying to cover the emotion.

Keeta kept her eyes on him wordlessly as he looked on her over and drew him close as he kissed her. In that moment, she knew everything would be ok. His eyes and mouth told her that nothing had changed about how he felt, except that perhaps he loved her even more than before. That was all she needed, but Rhine wasn't done. Keeta looked past him and gasped with delight when the carriage pulled into view.

"Oh, Rhine," she breathed, before allowing him to help her inside. She looked around herself, taking in the scene, before seating herself on the plush cushion seat, eager for Rhine to join her.

"Mmmmmm..." she said, clearly pleased with the kiss. When she broke it she looked into his eyes for a long moment, before snuggling in his arms and watching the scenery pass by.

"You must have spent some serious time planning this Rhine...I can't tell you how much I appreciate it."

Keeta smirked and poked him gently in the ribs.

"Not to mention the both of us know how your mother would react if we tied the knot without her being there. I don't think Natalia would take it very well either. She's been so excited about the idea." She gazed out the window, silently thoughtful for a moment.

"That is something we need to get on top of though....considering the new circumstances..."

Keeta pursed her lips thoughtfully. She wasn't opposed to the idea, but there were people she didn't want to leave out, like Jiao'lan. She wondered if her maid of honor was "on standby" as well. Plus, maybe it was silly, but she wanted to wear the wedding dress she was so happy about having found. As she thought, Rhine put his hands over her stomach and she turned and smiled at him, laying her hands on top of his.

"Do they know yet?"

Keeta gave a contented sigh as she looked outside the carriage at the waves shimmering in the moonlight. She breathed in the salty air and closed her eyes enjoying the sound of the moving water. She turned her head to Rhine and smiled.

"This is beautiful Rhine. And thank you for not saying anything yet. I'm not sure the best way to go about telling everyone else the news. After all...I didn't do a very good job with you..." She frowned and looked away, feeling slightly ashamed.