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Ophilia yawned and poured herself yet another cup of coffee, her umpteenth one of the day, and glanced over at the clock on the wall. It wasn’t even all that late, just a measly seven o’clock at night, but it still felt like the wee hours of the morning to her. She was tired. So damn tired. It was to be expected since she had been spending as much time as she could scouring every scrap of paper and line of information she could get her grubby little paws on while in the castle, and no matter that she had permission to do so it was still a bit questionable if others would appreciate her actions. Add in her normal day job as well as hitting her quota and she was ‘knackered’ as the brits would say. The dark haired woman had planned on taking the night off, just chilling with a glass of wine, a good book, maybe a long soak in her tub. The only thing missing would be a man but that was just not in her cards right then. Besides they were really only good for some stress relief… which is why one would be useful right then.

Sadly, only for her ruined plans, her younger cousin texted and asked if she was free. Ophilia didn’t hesitate, she happily informed Abby that she was free and more than happy to have her come over. Besides, Ophilia had been meaning to sit down with the petite blonde and have a serious talk with her. Something was up with Abby and Ophilia didn’t like it. She didn’t know what it was but she still didn’t like it. The younger woman was evading her questions and acting all skittish… And if it was Ben’s fault then… Well, Abby wouldn’t have to worry about her wedding anymore.

Oh god…

Abby was so nervous.

She had decided to keep news of her pregnancy hidden due to how some of her older cousins could be. It was still a shock to her that it happened anyway, but at least her mother and father were delighted. The wedding was more of a hushed affair as well, with plans for something bigger after the baby was born. Wow…A baby….Her hand went to her lower stomach, shaking slightly at the small firmness that she felt.

The last stop for her was Ophilia and without even thinking too hard about it, Abby already knew she would have to convince her most protective cousin not to kill her husband. Oh…..Well, there wouldn't be any hiding of the very expensive ring on her finger now…Unless she took it off? But then again, she could already see Ben with a questioning eyebrow raised, which caused an amused giggle to slip out as she knocked on her cousin's door.

Ophie…PLEASE don't be mad….

With her cup in hand Ophilia strode over to the door and swung it open with a bit more exuberance than probably needed. She really hadn’t seen Abby in a while and her coming over was a pleasant surprise. “Hey Abs. Come on in,” She gave her a half hug before practically strong arming the smaller woman inside. “I’ve got some coffee freshly brewed if you want it, or wine.” She grinned and ushered her towards one of the couches even as Ophilia made her way to the kitchen. “I can always make the coffee an Irish coffee. Pretty sure I still have some of that whiskey from last winter around somewhere.”

She wasn’t a big whiskey drinker but hot toddies and irish coffee’s really were the best when it was so damn cold out. Even a doctored hot chocolate worked wonders. “Just let me know and I’ll see what I can put together. I haven’t eaten yet so if you want something I can definitely order delivery.” She had an entire stack of take-out menus that all delivered to her building. She had planned on making some comfort food but that was out of the question with Abby there. Her little guilty pleasure was not to be shared, after all it wasn’t exactly proper to be scarfing down Kraft Mac and Cheese directly from the pan one cooked it in. But that is just what hit the spot after a long day and no ******** were left to give.

Ahhh…

She missed this.

Abby happily sat on the couch while her cousin flittered about, grinning and giggling quietly. Ophie was her favorite cousin for a reason. However, she was advised not to have coffee or alcohol while pregnant. How would she go about this? “Actually, do you have grape cranberry juice available?” At the mention of take out, her stomach started to roll a little. Thank god she didn't lurch otherwise that would be a dead give away. “Perhaps we could order from Panera? I heard they have great soups.” Or at least they were close to what her chef made anyway when she asked for a bread bowl.

“Oh! Ophie I have some exciting news for you!”

At the request for juice Ophilia just raised a brow at her cousin. That was a new one. “Nope, sorry. The best I can do is OJ. Will that work?” Since when did Abby turn down a drink? Yes she had just turned ‘of age’ as it were but it wasn’t like neither had a drink now or then while chatting in her apartment. Ophilia just made sure that Abby never got smashed, or went home even tipsy. “Panera? Yeah, sure. I think there is one nearby and if not I can always door dash something.” When she checked her stash of menus and came up empty, she pulled out her phone and pulled up the app. Years of use had her rapidly snagging the closest Panera and with a glass of orange juice in her hand she headed over to the couch, and the oddly nervously excited Abby. She passed over both the glass and the phone, “Order whatever you want,” She said as she settled down next to the younger woman on the couch.

Blue eyes took in the excitement, the nervousness, and the strangely pallid hue to Abby’s skin. Almost like she was so nervous she was nauseous. “Oooooh? Let me guess,” Ophilia grinned at her and made a random guess, “You made Prima?” It was a long shot but it would explain the slightly ‘green around the gills’ look since being the principal dancer was a big deal and Ophilia could understand being stressed about the weight of such a spot.

That eyebrow raise was red flag one.

The questioning of Panera was red flag two.

Aaaaaand she knew the moment she said no to becoming Prima [as much as she would love to be], that would be red flag number three.

“N-No. Sadly they said after Juilliard I would be considered.” She took careful sips of the juice, making sure to look like she was drinking a lot but in reality it was barely noticeable on her tongue. The baby liked savory things, like roasted chicken. Citrus? No. If she drank a lot of it, she was instantly in the bathroom. Placing the glass down and clearing her throat, Abby took a deep breath, ripping the band aid off. “Ophie I'm pregnant.” Now, Abby knew she had nothing to fear from her older cousin, however her husband had EVERYTHING to fear at this point. “A-And…..” she showed her the very expensive looking wedding ring on her finger, “W-We got married. The big celebration will be after the baby is born…”

Cue the explosion.

Several emotions ripped through her. Shock. Excitement. Happiness. Anger… boiling anger. “I’m going to kill him,” Ophilia stood up and took her cousin’s outstretched hand, “It's a gorgeous ring, congrats on the baby, and I’m sorry you will be a widow by tomorrow because I’m going to kill your husband.” She loved her cousin. Her baby cousin. Her, just turned 21, cousin. And that man did this to her. He was dead. So very dead. It was a very nice ring though, at least he had taste. Maybe she could have them put that on his epitaph.

“O-Ophie! Wait! Listen! I was on birth control. I heard it happens sometimes!” Ben also did not like condoms in the slightest, but that wasn't something she was going to tell her upset cousin. “Don't kill him please…We were being careful, I promise.” Granted, Ben was…..Insatiable before they found out she was incubating a child, and now? Well, the doctor said nothing intimate till she was further along in her pregnancy. It sucked, but it gave her the excuse to go visit Alex and Rene.

“I know you don't think much of Ben but he does love me Ophie and I love him, so let's not make my child grow up without a father please?” They haven't said the three words yet, but she could feel it in the little things Ben does for her as well as the way he does things in bed. They could take their time with that, she didn't mind in the slightest.

“Look, I know I told you to try him out. Take him for a ride. But damn it Abs, why did you have to decide to keep him.” Ophilia sank down to the couch next to her cousin, her ringed hand still held softly. She absently ran her thumb over the smaller, more delicate fingers of Abby’s and studied the ring that even now sparkled in the light. Damn it. She really was stuck with the b*****d… and even worse, her mother would be shoving this whole situation right down her throat in a ‘see, arranged marriages work just fine’ kind of way. “Its not that I don’t think much of him, I just think you can do so much better than him.” She leaned forward until her forehead was tapping Abby’s, “You're my baby cousin and I want the world for you. Only the best.”

And in Ophilia’s opinion, Ben was definitely not that… but if Abby was dead set on him, fine. She would let him live. For now. But if he ever made her cry. There wouldn’t be a spot deep enough in the rift. “Oh god, my baby cousin is having a baby.” She leaned back and looked over Abby, “How are you feeling momma? How far along?” She didn’t look like she was showing but her clothes could very well be hiding any bump. “Do you need anything?”

“It just….Happened that way. I had every intention of doing that but..” Ben was her first and while she had thought about testing the waters, her mother would have a heart attack and her father wouldn't be the most pleased. He was the one that thought Ben would be a good match and she trusted her father’s judgement. He’s never given her a reason why she shouldn't. Smiling, blue eyes starting to water a little [hormones], Abby closed her eyes and moved her forehead against Ophilia’s. “I know you do and I promise you I'm happy. I don't think I would….Do well with someone from our side of the fence anyway. You know how boring and stuffy those people can be.”

In a way, she was kind of like Alex. She thought Rene was from ‘good breeding stock’, but if she had to think about it a little more, she was sure his parents would've preferred someone from their side of the fence too. Abby delicately wiped at her eyes and sniffled a little, “About….Three months now? I was showing a little towards the second month. Mother says it's because I'm small like a doll.” Something she rolled her eyes at. Honestly if she could take Ben intimately she was far from a doll at this point.

“I'm okay for the most part. Morning sickness was something I was never prepared for.” She didn't want Ophie to feel bad, which is why she didn't tell her about how citrusy things made her feel.

Ophilia just signed and nodded. She did indeed know what some of the people from their side of the privileged line were like… she had scared away more than a few of them herself. It wasn’t hard to imagine just how unhappy Abby would have been had she been paired up with one of those Chad/Brad money marketing dillweeds. Those ‘men’ really wouldn’t have survived the first date as far as Ophilia was concerned. She was thinking of the few times her own mother had tried to set her up with ‘the perfect man’ like those only to focus on, and then do the math of, what Abby said, “Three months? Like May, three months?” She tossed her cousin a side eye, both disgusted because it was Ben but also proud that her little ‘pure as the snow’ little cousin got some for her birthday. “Damn Cuz, I guess the afterparty was fun since the family party sure wasn't that exciting.” She smirked before patting the smaller woman on the head, “You are a doll. A cute and adorable little doll… that could kill a grown man. You're that female Chucky doll!” She had no idea what the thing was called, only that it showed up in the popular zeitgeist almost every year during Halloween with the much more famous Chucky doll.

“Oh, I think I have some crackers and we can absolutely get ginger ale from the app when ordering if that would help.” She got up from the couch to go digging in her kitchen. “Lets get your order in so we can get you some food!” She paused in her hunt for crackers, popping her head out of a cabinet. “Does Alex know? If not, can I tell him? I want to absolutely ruin his day! It will be fun!” She grinned and offered, “I’ll let you watch.” Teasing Alex was a great pastime, one she didn’t do very often but situations like this were perfect for it.