Immortal Mortals

The Preparations

Returning home, Ai, quickly dismounted and returned her horse to its stand.  "Good Girl." she whispered lightly as she stroked it's soft mane.  Tai always had their horses kept in pristine condition, her mares mane was lovely and soft, and not wanting to return to the house immediately, she stayed a few minutes longer to gather her thoughts and her courage.  Because the next few minutes, she was going to need it, if her plan was to go ahead.

Though she should have known Jie would come to her instead.  Having stayed awake to wait for her, he was beginning to worry when he finally heard the sound of her horses hooves flying across the side of the house and up towards the stable.  He knew she would be safe, she was a High Goddess with exceptional fighting skills, but night was well and truly upon them, that he couldn't help but worry.

Hearing his footsteps approaching, she took a deep breath before turning to face him with a big smile.  "Jie, you didn't need to wait up for me." she smiled softly as he came rushing through the door.

"You know I worry when you return late at night." he said softly before gathering her into his arms and kissing her lips gently.  

Keeping the smile on her face, she forced him back so they could return to the house. It was cold in the stables and she had to be careful of her health.  Rushing on ahead as Jie followed quickly behind her,  she first went to check in on the children.  Tai was still awake reading so she didn't bother him, but Meili was fast asleep, curled up on her side with a small smile on her face.  Knowing who had put that smile on her pretty face, she pulled the blanket back up over her shoulders as she bent down to kiss her lightly before returning to the den and Jie who was waiting for her.

"Where are the dresses?" he asked as he pulled her back into his arms.   She had told him she was going shopping for wedding outfits for Meili and she had forgotten all about it.  And not wanting to lie to him, she instead broke the embrace and led him to the seat to sit down.

"I have brought news back with me instead." she said softly as she turned to face him, and going by the sudden change in her demeanor, Jie instantly knew that something was wrong.

From this moment on, she knew if he came clean with her, she would forgive him and they would move forward, but if he said nothing, she would implement her plan and there would be no stopping her.

Taking his hand into hers, she put a small smile on her face and forced a few tears to her eyes for effect and broke the news to him.  "I'm pregnant." she said clearly so he could not misinterpret her words.

Almost bursting into uncontrollable laughter, she managed to pull it back as she watched his eyes widen, his mouth drop, his body give an involuntary shake and lastly take a deep breath and all the while his eyes never left her own sad and unhappy ones. 

"Isn't it wonderful news Jie, we are finally being blessed with a child of our own!" she whispered tearfully up at him, contradicting herself and confusing him at the same time.

Letting his hand go, she rose to look down at him.  Then placing her hands across her tummy, she turned slowly as if to show him she was happy though the tears continued to fall and her sad eyes stared back at him.

"A baby Jie!" she whispered breathlessly.  "Who would have thought we would be so lucky as to finally have a child of our very own.  Oh I do hope it's a boy and looks just like you Jie, and I want to call him Jie too." she cried sadly, and though her words of happiness fell like a lead balloon on his ears, she couldn't help but marvel at his ability to keep so outwardly calm.  So bending down above him, she took both of his hands and forced him to his feet to spin his already dizzy head about the room with her.

Barely able to contain her wild laughter, she kept up the tears and sad look, while taking in every single one of his reactions.  He had yet to say anything, instead looking at her as if she had completely lost her mind.  But keeping it up, she continued to spin him about the room in a mixture of deep sadness and fake happiness, while he continued to look dumbfounded at her.