Chapter 33 : Present

Outside the hospital room, Lincoln paced back and forth, his heart pounding like the erratic tick of a broken clock. Anxious thoughts swirled through his mind, an unrelenting storm of worry and anticipation. 

His eyes were locked on the closed door, beyond which lay answers to questions he hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath for.

Inside that room, Naomi lay on a sterile white hospital bed. Her face, usually reserved and composed, now carried the weariness of a weary traveler. But even in her fatigue, her eyes sparkled with a gentle warmth as she spotted Lincoln through the open doorway. Her amethyst hair, cascading in soft waves around her, framed a face adorned with striking emerald eyes. She managed a faint smile, one that spoke volumes to him.

As he stepped into the room, the door slid shut behind him with a gentle hiss. Beside Naomi stood a doctor, a woman with strikingly human-like features. Lincoln wondered if she was a synthetic but even after having seen many synthetic humans before, he couldn't just tell.

"Lincoln," Naomi greeted him, her voice soft and filled with affection. She patted the bed, inviting him to sit beside her. He obliged, taking her hand in his as he settled into the chair next to the bed.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Lincoln's voice trembled with a mixture of emotions. He couldn't help but feel a hint of hurt that Naomi hadn't included him in this crucial moment.

Naomi's eyes glistened as she looked at him, her fingers gently brushing his cheek. "I didn't want to catch you in the middle of something intense," she explained, her voice tender. "But I also didn't want to exclude you on the day we find out about our child."

Lincoln's heart softened at her words, understanding dawning in his eyes. He squeezed her hand gently, his fingers entwining with hers. "I wish you'd told me," he whispered, his voice filled with gratitude and remorse.

Naomi gave him a reassuring smile, her thumb brushing lightly against his hand. "It's okay," she said softly. "Now we're here together."

They shared a moment, their eyes locked in silent communion, and Lincoln felt a rush of love for the woman who had become his rock, his partner in all of life's uncertainties.

A knock at the door pulled them from their reverie, and the doctor turned her attention to them. "Are you ready to know?" she asked, her tone gentle yet professional.

Naomi nodded, her gaze shifting from Lincoln to the doctor. "Yes, we are."

The doctor retrieved a small device and gently moved it across Naomi's belly. A soft, rhythmic thumping filled the room, the sound of their baby's heartbeat, a steady and reassuring presence amidst the tension. And then, with a few swift movements, the doctor revealed the moment they had been waiting for.

"It's a boy," she announced with a smile, and the room seemed to light up with the news.

Naomi's eyes brimmed with tears of joy as she looked at Lincoln, her lips curving into a delighted smile. "A boy," she repeated, her voice filled with wonder, her normally reserved demeanor giving way to a rare moment of emotional vulnerability.

Lincoln was speechless for a moment, his heart soaring. A boy. His heart swelled with pride and love. He wiped away a tear that had escaped his eye, then turned to Naomi. "A little brother for Dev," he said softly, his voice filled with emotion.

Naomi's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she nodded, her hand resting on her belly where their son nestled. "Right?" she whispered, her voice filled with love.

Lincoln nodded, his own eyes glistening. "Right."

As they basked in the happiness of this moment, Naomi turned to Lincoln, her eyes shimmering with newfound maternal warmth. "What do you want to name him?" she asked, her voice filled with a quiet tenderness.

"Why so soon?" Lincoln playfully teased, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

Naomi simply shrugged, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "Would be fun," she said, surprising Lincoln with her lightheartedness.

"I thought you don't do fun," Lincoln chuckled, his smile warm and infectious. She laughed weakly and Lincoln joined her. A mix of emotions washed over him as he forgot his duties for a moment, just treasuring what he had with her.

As their laughter faded, Lincoln's expression grew thoughtful. "I don't know..." he said, stretching his words for dramatic effect.

Naomi noticed his hesitation, and her keen intuition kicked in. "You already have a name, don't you?" she gently prodded, her voice soft and knowing.

"You see right through me," Lincoln said with a chuckle, his gaze filled with affection for this woman who knew him so well. 

Leaning closer, Lincoln whispered the name into her ear, his words a secret meant for her alone. Naomi's eyes widened in surprise, and she blinked back tears. "That really matches his older brother," she said, her voice filled with emotion.

"Right?" Lincoln said, his heart swelling with happiness.

"Mhm..." Naomi replied, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.

"You need some rest," Lincoln insisted, concern lacing his words.

"Did I catch you at a bad time after all?" Naomi asked, her voice tinged with worry, thinking Lincoln needed to leave.

"It's an odd time, you can say," Lincoln admitted with a warm smile. "But I'll explain everything one day."

As Naomi settled back against the pillows, exhaustion tugging at her, Lincoln couldn't help but marvel at the incredible journey they were embarking on as a family. The room was filled with a sense of peace and happiness as they looked forward to the bright future that awaited them.

"Naomi?" Lincoln asked, concern coloring his voice.

"She's asleep," the doctor informed him gently.

Lincoln turned to the doctor, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Why is she so under the weather?" he inquired.

The doctor's gaze shifted to Naomi, a hint of concern in her eyes. "Normally, at this stage of pregnancy, a woman isn't as weak as she is," she explained. "But it seems that Mrs Blaze hasn't been taking care of herself as well as she should."

Guilt washed over Lincoln as he realized how he had been preoccupied and not as attentive as he should have been to Naomi's well-being. Determination filled his voice as he spoke. "I'll make sure she gets all the care she needs. I'll have nurses come to our house to assist her. It's the least I can do."

The doctor nodded, her approval evident. "That would be a wise decision," she said, her professional demeanor mixed with a touch of empathy.

Lincoln got up and gently stroked Naomi's hair, his fingers caressing her amethyst locks. "I love you," he whispered softly, his voice filled with tenderness. With one last lingering look, he reluctantly left the room, the longing to be by her side tugging at his heart. 

Unfortunately, there were matters that demanded his attention.

As he walked down the hospital corridor, his thoughts heavy with concern for Naomi, he noticed Aytrex seated on one of the chairs. The orange-haired alvan looked up as Lincoln approached. "How is she?" Aytrex inquired, his eyes reflecting his worry.

"Not the best," Lincoln replied with a sigh. "She needs more care."

"We'll ask her bodyguards to take care of it," Aytrex suggested.

Lincoln shook his head, his expression determined. "No. Ask them to get some nurses, spare no expense. I'll talk to Dexter about taking care of my son."

"We don't have much time, can't we relay the message?" Aytrex pressed.

Lincoln hesitated for a moment, his gaze distant. "Are we going back to Alvanian?"

Aytrex nodded. "The rift has disappeared, so it's safe to."

"What was the cause of it anyway?" Lincoln inquired.

"We're still figuring it out," Aytrex explained. "It wasn't visible on Earth like it was in Alvanian, so there definitely were a lot of abilities in action. If I were to guess, there was at least an illusionist and time conjurer. Both really powerful ones. But even so, to achieve something like this demands a lot. I don't think another rift will appear anytime soon, that is if the conjurer even survived creating this one."

"It's still too much of a risk," Lincoln argued. "I can't go back to Alvanian."

"I thought you would say that," Aytrex said, glancing towards the other side of the corridor. Lincoln turned to find Ketsukii, whom he insisted to be brought with him. Ketsukii didn't mind, it was his first time in Earth after all.

"Who is he?" Aytrex asked, his skepticism evident.

"Just someone I met while strolling around. Guess you can say we got along," Lincoln replied.

"And you're fine with him coming to Earth? And knowing about your family and all?" Aytrex questioned.

"Yeah," Lincoln replied bluntly.

"Okay. But we have to return to Alvanian," Aytrex insisted.

"I told you I can't. At least not yet," Lincoln countered.

"Just because of family? Your responsibility precedes that now. You have a whole world to protect," Aytrex argued.

"This is not just for family, this is for all the time I'd risk missing if I go to Alvanian again," Lincoln retorted.

"I can't let you do this," Aytrex said firmly.

"Just give me a week. Try and talk to them," Lincoln pleaded.

"What will you do?" Aytrex asked.

"There's some business I have to handle," Lincoln replied.

"Should I take him back to Alvanian?" Aytrex inquired, referring to Ketsukii.

Lincoln shook his head, and Aytrex sighed. "Fine. My word isn't absolute, though. If the council doesn't like what you're doing, you'll have to come back," Aytrex warned.

Lincoln's patience snapped, and he turned to face Aytrex directly. His pupils flickered with crimson energy, and his voice carried a potent intensity. "Listen, I don't work for the council. I'm only helping. I will do what I want, and I'll take responsibility for whatever happens."

Aytrex didn't back down. "No, you listen. You can't take responsibility if you're dead. So, you do your duty. The council knows best. When I return is when you have to go back too. Even if it means by force."

With that final ultimatum, Aytrex disappeared in a flash, leaving Lincoln alone in the corridor. Lincoln sighed, wondering if he had pushed their conversation a step too far. It was the first time they had spoken to each other with such intensity, and the weight of his decisions hung heavy on his shoulders.

Ketsukii strolled over to Lincoln, his demeanor casual despite the intensity of the conversation that had just transpired. "Well, that was intense," he remarked with a hint of amusement.

"I expected more," Lincoln replied, his thoughts still lingering on Aytrex's stern warning.

Ketsukii chuckled, his tone betraying a wealth of knowledge. "You know, he may look younger than you, but he's probably at least eighty years old now."

"What?" Lincoln exclaimed, clearly taken aback by this revelation.

Ketsukii shrugged, as if this was common knowledge. "Alvans have a much longer lifespan than humans. Probably because of their charge," he explained.

Lincoln scratched his head, still trying to wrap his mind around Aytrex's age. "I never suspected it," he admitted with a bemused expression.

Ketsukii chuckled, amused by Lincoln's surprise, but then he grew serious. "So, why did you bring me here?" he inquired, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

As they continued their conversation, Lincoln's thoughts took a turn. "While we were walking by the statue, I thought of something," he began.

"Hmm?" Ketsukii responded, his interest piqued.

"You said the only way you could think of me communicating with Obsune is through the statue, right?" Lincoln posed a question. "What if there was another way?" 

Ketsukii's brows furrowed as he considered this new idea. "What's on your mind?" he asked.

"The statue only contains a fragment of his presence," Lincoln explained. "But you know where there would be the most presence?"

Ketsukii pondered for a moment. "I don't know, his grave?" he half-joked.

"Exactly," Lincoln affirmed.

Ketsukii's eyes widened in realization. "He died on Earth?" he asked, connecting the dots.

"Yes," Lincoln replied solemnly. "But no Alvan knows because no regular Titan knew. And no Titan King would tell them either."

Ketsukii absorbed this revelation, his mind racing with the implications. "So, we need to find where he died? How are we going to go about doing that?" he inquired.

Lincoln considered the task ahead. "There should be something," he said thoughtfully. "And as for the time, well, I only have a week. Let's hope it's enough."