Chapter 42 - Surprise

Luci and Xavier shadowed the king and queen every day for a month. By the time they reached their room in the evenings, they were so tired they fell right to sleep. Luci hadn't realized how many responsibilities Reina had in order to make the palace run smoothly.

Reina reviewed the daily menus and kept track of the staff working at all times. She settled minor disputes that made their way to the palace but didn't require the king's input. That was only a few of the queen's many tasks. Luci was impressed with Reina's grace with every encounter, no matter the other person's status.

Xavier's shadowing of the king wasn't as eye-opening as Luci's experience because he had grown up in the palace. However, there were many little things that he never thought about being a king's job. He was ready to take over, but a little nervous he would forget something with so much to remember.

Both Xavier and Luci found that many of the kingdom's people were actually pleased with Luci as their future queen. They had met with some resistance, but once those who doubted her abilities got to know her, they came around.

Luci knew some would always despise her because she was a vampire, but she no longer cared. As long as she and Xavier were together, that was all that mattered to her.

While learning their new roles, everything was being prepared to crown Xavier and Luci officially. Bexley had been working tirelessly to make Luci the perfect dress for the ceremony. Luci had very little say in the matter; after Bexley took her measurements, she said to leave it to her.

Luci was looking at herself in the mirror as she stood in the bathroom. She and Xavier had been trying to get pregnant for a few weeks. She knew it might not happen right away, but for vampires and lycans, it was typically faster than humans.

She had been feeling a little under the weather lately, and she thought it was because of the exhaustion of following the queen. However, now she was hoping that she might be pregnant. Luci hadn't said anything to Xavier yet; she didn't want to get his hopes up if the test wasn't positive.

She patiently waited for the time to pass so she could look at the test results. When it was time, she grabbed the stick, and it said pregnant. Luci almost screamed in excitement, but she stopped herself. Instead, she opened the bathroom door and crawled into bed with Xavier, who was still sleeping.

Once she was in bed, she rubbed her hand across his muscular abdomen. Xavier naturally turned toward her with his eyes still closed. Luci kissed his cheek, continuing across his face until she reached his lips. He finally opened his eyes and looked at her.

"What are you doing up so early, sweetheart?" Xavier rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and saw Luci beaming at him.

"I had to get up and take a test." She saw Xavier's confusion, and she laughed.

"What kind of test did you have to take this early in the morning, and why are you laughing?" He was now wide awake and amused by Luci's reaction. He was even more surprised when she suddenly pushed him onto his back and straddled his abdomen so she could look down into his face.

"I'm pregnant." He tried to process what she had just said.

"Did you say you're pregnant?" Xavier asked as he stared at her smiling face in disbelief.

"Yes. I just took a test, and it was positive." He suddenly jumped out of bed while holding onto Luci and swung her around as she laughed. They quickly threw on some clothes and ran down to the king and queen's office, grabbing a startled Alessandra and still sleeping Bexley on the way.

Reina and Malik jumped when the office door burst open, and they saw the group in various stages of dress. What they noticed right away, though, was the bright smiles of Xavier and Luci.

"What did you have to pull me out of bed for? I wasn't ready to get up yet?" Bexley glared at her brother, who ignored her.

"Everyone, we have some news to share." Xavier squeezed Luci's hand, and she looked at everyone with a smile.

"We're going to have a baby. I'm pregnant." Luci and Xaiver laughed as everyone stared at them, speechless. Alessandra was the first to snap out of it as she ran over to her daughter, crying.

"I'm going to be a grandma?" She said as she hugged Luci.

"Yes, mom. We don't know if the baby will be a vampire, lycan, or hybrid, but we'll find out soon enough." Luci looked at Reina, who had walked over with tears in her eyes.

"You just gave us the best news we could have ever hoped to hear." Reina hugged Luci, and then Malik and Bexley followed.

"Okay, big brother, you're forgiven for pulling me out of bed so early." Bexley gave Xavier a hug when she let go of Luci.

"Alright, kids, this means we need to move forward with the crowning ceremony because I want you both in charge when the little one comes. That way, I can spend my time spoiling him or her while you do the hard work." Everyone started laughing at Mailk's statement, and they all sat down to plan.

Reina and Alessandra were talking about redoing one of the rooms to make it a nursery while Xavier and Luci listened. They were happy to give everyone good news after all the negative that had been around them recently. Luci rubbed her flat belly and smiled up at her mate.

"You've given me everything I always wanted but never thought I could have. Thank you for being my knight in shining armor when I didn't want to be saved. I love you." Xavier smiled at Luci as she whispered to him so no one else could hear. He kissed her forehead and pulled her closer.

"You never needed to be saved; you're the strongest woman I've ever met. I showed you what it means to have a partner who will love you unconditionally and do anything necessary to be by your side. I love you too, my sweet mate."

Xavier kissed her softly on the lips, and neither cared that the others had stopped talking to watch them. Everyone had happy smiles and tear-filled eyes watching the couple. The future was bright for their family and the entire kingdom.