Chapter 274. Marceline Announced Her Pregnancy, and No One Cares about Bryan

About eight minutes into his walk back through the city in the midst of reconstruction, he spotted the Silver Rest. The main street was already alive with the energy of a place bustling with activity.

The construction crews, active since before sunrise, were now deeply focused on evaluating the remaining structures in the western district. One of them occasionally raised their hand in greeting, recognizing him as a savior.

He felt a swell of pride at their acknowledgment, knowing that his efforts had played a part in revitalizing the community. As he continued down the street, the scent of fresh coffee and bacon filled the air.

’They all loved me now, and I can just do some fucked-up things towards one person, and they’ll end up defending me.’

He heard the voices from the inn’s common room before he reached the door. This wasn’t unusual, but the way Marceline’s voice stood out in the mix made it clear that she was having a conversation that was more than just morning logistics.

He walked through the door and saw that Marceline was at the main table, a spot she rarely used for conversations.

She preferred the bar’s flat surface for tasks that demanded her full attention. Across from her sat Mara, while Garrett occupied the end of the table, appearing as if he had been part of a conversation and was now being a supportive friend.

’Oh this...’

’Probably related to her pregnancy; I forgot. Honestly, I’m curious about what they will say about Bryan, especially since he won’t be coming back at all.’

When Rex walked in, all three of them looked at him at the same time, like people who had been talking about something and were interrupted by the person they were referring to.

Rex looked at the table and then at Marceline as if he were quickly judging something.

Marceline’s expression resembled the one she wore when she had made a decision and was sharing it with the appropriate people. She held her cup of tea in a manner that indicated she had been cradling it for some time.

"What’s going on here?" Rex asked.

"I was just telling them about my husband," Marceline said, and then she gave Rex the look that had the specific layer underneath it. "Bryan has taken a new job, and it’s outside Aethelgard."

’Oh...? She’s already making a viable excuse about it. What a nice soon-to-be mother.’

"It came together pretty quickly," she said, sounding like someone who had thought about this version of events and found it useful. "That means he’ll be gone for a long time."

"And I realized," she said, putting her hand on her stomach in a way that meant something, "that I need some help around here."

’There’s that good news...’

Mara regarded Marceline as if she were someone who understood the entirety of the situation yet chose to keep it to herself, just as she typically did with everything that required discretion.

"I’m glad to hear you’re pregnant too, Marceline," Mara chuckled. "I hope we can navigate this journey together."

Marceline nodded. "Yes, looking forward to it."

Garrett was looking at Marceline with the look of someone who only knew the surface of the situation and was responding with the simple warmth that was typical of him.

Garrett said, "We’re not going to let you handle this on your own."

He spoke in the same tone he used for decisions that were straightforward, as most of Garrett’s choices tended to be. "We’re here for whatever you need."

"I can’t believe your husband is that irresponsible, leaving you to bear a new life alone..." Garrett sighed. "Well, I guess a job’s a job."

Mara put her hand on Marceline’s arm and said, "Both of us," which was the whole sentence.

"We’re going to help you through it all."

"Man, Garrett’s such a chill guy. I’m glad to keep him around so he can pay Marceline’s and Mara’s child support," Rex thought with a little laugh that they couldn’t hear.

Marceline glanced at both of them, her expression reflecting someone who had just stepped into a situation far more pleasant than she had anticipated when she sat down. She was absorbing this moment with the kind of gratitude that arises when life exceeds your expectations.

Thereafter, she turned to Rex, and Mara looked at him as well.

They smiled, conveying their excitement about the prospect of having Rex’s child.

’They manage to keep a good secret about it... good shit right there.’

Rex exchanged a glance with them, conveying everything the table didn’t need to say, and they returned his gaze, silently acknowledging that they understood. He then headed to the bar to grab a cup of coffee, reasoning that after already having two, a third wouldn’t make a difference.

He sat down at his usual table by the eastern window and looked out at the morning.

Linda remarked, "You’re back late," appearing at his elbow with the quiet skill of someone who had been observing the room and knew the right moment to speak.

Rex said, "I got caught in the massive storm and rain, so I had to stay in Apollo’s house."

"Oh... the guy who destroyed half of Aethelgard, huh? Is he doing alright?"

"Nope. He’s still in some kind of broken mental state."

"And I fuck his mother."

She looked at him for a moment with the amber eyes that the cheetah-type had and the ears in the assessment position. "As usual, huh... hahhhh..."

Then she moved them to the front position and went back to work with the specific quality of someone who had decided not to ask the follow-up question they were clearly thinking.

Rex drank his coffee and thought about the Nightwing family and the day ahead of him as he looked out at the morning.

’Now... I have to come up with a good plan to have my way with Elaris, at least since she’s the most chill in that family.’

’Despite being a grandmother, Elaris still looked young, especially with her large breasts that likely do not sag at all.’

...

An hour later, Diana arrived at the Silver Rest, just as Rex was finishing his breakfast.

She walked through the door with a sense of purpose, though she kept her urgency contained, ensuring it didn’t show on her face. Her field clothes were a practical choice for activities requiring freedom of movement, yet they weren’t solely for combat.

They struck a balance between tactical functionality and a polished appearance.

"Good morning, Diana," Mara greeted her. "Came to see Rex, I suppose?"

"Good morning, Miss Mara," Diana said, her cheeks flushed. "Y-yeah... it’s about something important."

"Also, congratulations on your pregnancy! I hope you’re able to take it easy with the inn work so that both you and the baby can stay healthy."

"Aww... that’s sweet of you, Diana." Mara smiled warmly, noticing the slight nervousness in Diana’s voice.

"I appreciate your concern, but I promise I’m taking it easy," she reassured her, placing a hand on her belly.

She nodded and glanced at Rex, who met her gaze. "Good morning, Rex. Are you busy today? Probably not, since Lady Elaris needed you, right?"

"I didn’t get to answer your question because you just answer it yourself, by the way."

"Hahaha, force of habit."

Rex then noticed that she came alone without someone who was always attached next to her. "Someone’s missing here."

"Where’s your sister?" Rex asked.

"She’s with Elizabeth," Diana said, sitting across from him with the ease of someone who had been occupying the space across from him long enough that it had stopped requiring consideration. "She’s been working on the assessment documentation all morning."

"Elizabeth apparently has follow-up requirements that none of us were warned about."

"She’ll be done by the afternoon."

"Glad to hear she’s busy with something else." Rex nodded.

"So, um, about Lady Elaris... she mentioned that you’d be coming tonight," Diana said.

The way she said it reflected her strong feelings on the matter, though she seemed hesitant to elaborate further. And then Rex stared at her.

"I actually want to talk about that with you, and you came right on time," he said.

Diana looked him in the eye with the composure of someone who anticipated this conversation and chose to engage in it rather than observe from a distance.

"Do you mind if we talk while we... uh... walk together?" Diana asked, doing her best to appear casual about it.

"Sure, great idea."