Chad grinned as he wrapped his arm around Ginny's waist as they watched the countryside fly past them. He quickly texted his father to let him know they might stop by later in the day, but he wasn't sure of the exact time yet.
Chad's phone buzzed with a reply from his dad. Come on over anytime, and make sure you bring Ginny too. I'm grilling! it read. His stomach growled at the thought of his dad's famous grilled chicken. But after the incident with the burnt steaks last summer, Chad couldn't help but worry if there would be another fire hazard in the making. He made a mental note to have the Charmington fire department on speed dial just in case.
The limo rolled to a stop, the wheels crunching against the gravel pathway. Richard's voice, deep and commanding, rang out from the driver's seat. "We have arrived, your highnesses," he announced with a flourish of his hand. The air was crisp and cool, carrying the scent of pine and freshly cut grass. The grand palace loomed in front of them, its white columns gleaming in the sunlight. The royal couple stepped out of the limo, taking in the stunning sight before them.
"Gods, after so many years, you'd think I'd get used to that," Ginny chuckled lightly, her gaze fixed on the looming building in front of them.
"What, the title?" Chad asked. "It's yours though."
Ginny nodded, her eyes shining with a mix of joy and disbelief. "I know," she told him, her words tinged with wonder. "But it still feels like something from a dream...a good dream, but a dream nonetheless..."
With a warm smile, Chad leaned down and gently pressed a kiss to the top of Ginny's head. They stood outside the towering walls of Rapunzel's castle, adorned with delicate vines and flowers climbing up towards the sun-kissed sky. Chad raised his hand to knock on the large wooden door, anticipation bubbling within them both as they waited for their friend and Ginny's surrogate mother to welcome them inside.
A wide, beaming grin spread across Rapunzel's face as she flung open the door. "Ginny!" she exclaimed, her voice full of genuine excitement and warmth. "Chad! How lovely to see you both. Please, come in and make yourselves at home. This is a delightful surprise." The inviting aroma of freshly baked bread and warm spices wafted through the air, making their stomachs growl with anticipation. As they stepped inside, Ginny and Chad were enveloped in a cozy atmosphere, surrounded by plush furniture and colorful decorations that reflected Rapunzel's lively personality. They knew they were always welcome in this home that was filled with love and laughter.
"Sorry to drop in like this but we have some news that we'd like to share," Chad said as he, Ginny, and Bruno went to sit down.
"Well then come in, come in! Oh I'm sorry everyone's not here. Ruby and Caspian are having a playdate with Carlos and Jane, you know how much their daughters...oh I'm so sorry Ginny!"
"Rapunzel, there's no need to worry," Ginny said with a warm smile. "I won't be upset if you talk about your grandchildren. I know how much joy Rebecca, Wyatt, Willow, and Chloe bring you." She paused, her expression turning more serious. "But...this news we have is connected to them." Her voice was tinged with both excitement and apprehension.
"What do you mean?" Rapunzel asked.
Ginny's eyes sparkled with joy as she spoke, her hand tenderly cradling her stomach. A glow emanated from within her, radiating warmth and love. "I have exciting news," she announced, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I'm pregnant."
Chad was convinced they could have heard Rapunzel's squeal of delight all the way on the Isle and made a mental note to ask Mal if she could check with her dad to confirm that fact.
Rapunzel's eyes sparkled with excitement as she rushed over to Ginny, her short brown hair bouncing behind her. Without hesitation, she swooped in and wrapped her arms around Ginny in a warm embrace. "Oh my goodness, congratulations!" Rapunzel gushed, her voice filled with genuine joy and happiness.
Chad's voice rang out, a mixture of excitement and playfulness. "Not too tight!" he called, his eyes twinkling with delight. The corners of his mouth turned up in a mischievous grin, removing any worry that might have been hidden in his words.
Eugene's head shook slowly from side to side, his eyes wide with confusion. The older man had seemingly been summoned by the high-pitched squeals coming from his wife. "Can someone enlighten me on what is happening?" His voice was laced with a mix of confusion and concern, as he tried to make sense of the chaotic scene before him.
"Me too," Cassandra said, her shoulder-length, black hair cascading over her shoulders as she stepped forward from the shadows with a sword gleaming in her hand. The sharp edge glinted in the sunlight, a clear warning to anyone who dared cross her.
"Yep, she's still scary," Chad mumbled under his breath, his eyes darting nervously between Cassandra and the sword. He could feel the slight tension in the air, like a heavy fog lingering around them. She was a force to be reckoned with, and he knew not to underestimate her.
Ginny's head shook slowly, her long hair cascading around her shoulders as she broke away from the warm embrace of Rapunzel. Her eyes met her sister's with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. "I have some news," she began, pausing for effect. "I'm pregnant." The words hung in the air before sinking in, accompanied by a flutter of nervousness in her stomach. "Two tests confirmed it, and Mal's aunt was able to confirm it as well," she added with a small smile, the weight of the announcement starting to feel more real.
"Oh Ginny! That's wonderful, congratulations!" Cassandra said, sheathing her sword and pulled her sister into a hug.
Eugene chuckled and patted Chad on the shoulder, seeing the worried look on his face. "Chad, Blondie's had six kids and Dragon Lady was around Rapunzel when she was pregnant with Rachel. They know their way around a pregnant woman."
A small smile tugged at the corners of Chad's mouth, tinged with a bittersweet realization. This will likely be the only kid we'll get, I'm not going to risk Ginny if we try for another, he thought to himself. The weight of the words settled heavily on his chest as he considered the future and all its unknowns. But for now, in this moment, there was nothing but the warmth of their love and the hope for a bright future ahead.
Rapunzel spoke up, her voice laced with a soothing tone; as if she knew exactly what was racing through Chad's mind. Her emerald eyes, filled with compassion and understanding, met his. "No need to worry," she said softly, her words a comforting embrace. "And whatever you two may need, I will gladly offer my assistance."
"Thanks Raps," Ginny said as she broke from her hug with Cassandra. "Um...would this be a bad time to mention that Mal's aunt said my due date would be in November?"
Rapunzel's emerald eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly composed herself. "Well, that's wonderful news! We'll make sure to come by and help you set up the nursery soon," she exclaimed with a warm smile. Turning to Chad, she asked, "Have you had a chance to tell your parents yet? I don't want to ruin the news for them if you haven't."
Chad shook his head, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "We wanted to make sure you guys were the first to know," he said, his voice filled with excitement.
"Would you like me to invite them over?" Rapunzel asked.
Chad chuckled. "That might save Charmington from a Charming barbecue."
"I'm on it," Rapunzel said and went to grab her phone.
"I'll call Clay as well," Cassandra said. "Unless, do you want to keep this as just telling the parents?"
"Kitty, Lucy, and Alex are all at the castle right now and I'm sure they'll be coming over with mom and dad," Chad said. "It wouldn't be fair if my sisters got to learn the news now and Clay didn't. Is there enough room for him to bring Ava as well?"
"Chad, this is the castle that housed six kids," Rapunzel chuckled. "Of course there's enough room."
"Okay good," Chad smiled. He knew Bobby and Roland would probably be at the castle as well and the last thing Chad wanted was to make it seem like his sisters could bring their significant others and Clay couldn't do the same.
"Should we also bring Carlos?" Cassandra asked. "Or would that be too many people?"
"Nonsense!" Rapunzel said. "I'll go ahead and invite them all! This is a family celebration after all!"
Chad and Ginny couldn't help but smile as Rapunzel rushed to the phone. It didn't take long before the Corona castle was filled with all of their family.
"Chad!" Alexandria grinned as she rushed over to her brother and enveloped him in a hug.
"Hey Alex," Chad grinned back, returning the hug.
"What's the big news? Queen Rapunzel didn't say, only that we should get here as soon as we could. Good thing too cause I'm pretty sure dad was close to burning down the castle."
"It wasn't that bad," Kit shook his head.
"Dad, stick to baking," Kitty said and Lucy nodded.
Chad chuckled. "Well anyway I'm glad you could be all here...actually hold on one second. Queen Rapunzel, which way to your kitchen?"
"I'll show you Chad," Eugene said, seemingly on the same page, and Chad grinned as he followed the older royal; Ginny following the pair of them out of pure curiosity. It wasn't but a few minutes later that Eugene came back.
"Queen Ella, King Kit, your son and daughter in law would like to see you in the kitchen," he said with a smile.
Kit's eyebrows shot up in surprise as he and Cinderella followed Eugene to the kitchen. As they walked in, they were greeted by the sight of Chad and Ginny both standing with wide grins on their faces; they looked like children on Christmas morning. Kit couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at the sheer joy radiating from them.
"Mom, can you open the oven for me?" Chad asked.
"Of course," Cinderella said, her voice filled with surprise as she opened the nearest oven. Her eyes widened at the sight of a perfectly golden bun nestled inside. "Chad...why is there a bun in the oven?" Her gaze flicked to meet his, and she couldn't help but notice a look of nervous anticipation on his and Ginny's faces. And then it clicked for her. "You're pregnant!" The news hit her like a bolt of lightning, filling her heart with overwhelming joy and excitement. She could already picture Chad and Ginny's future as parents, surrounded by love and laughter.
Chad nodded and Cinderella rushed over and brought Ginny and Chad into her arms. She was followed soon after by Kit and the four of them stood there as happy as could be.
Cinderella's eyes lit up with excitement as she broke from the warm embrace. "Oh, this is wonderful! Congratulations! Do you know when the little one will arrive?" Her voice was filled with genuine curiosity and anticipation, waiting to hear all the details of the upcoming arrival.
"...November apparently," Ginny said as Chad held her close.
Cinderella's face remained calm and composed, betraying none of the surprise she felt at the news. Her mind raced with excitement at the thought of becoming a grandmother once more. "Well then, I'll be over soon to lend a hand with setting up the nursery though I think I'll be tag teaming with Rapunzel there," she said with a smile.
"Have you thought of names yet?" Kit asked.
"Well we kinda just found out we were having a baby," Ginny said with a small chuckle.
Chad cleared his throat. "Actually...Gin, if we have a boy...there is a name I'd like to use. If it's alright with you?"
"Please tell me you're not going to name the baby after Clay's father?" Ginny asked.
"I mean, it would also be a way to honor your brother, but no, I'm not suggesting we name the baby Clayton," Chad said, shaking his head with determination. "If our little one happens to be a boy...I want to name him Christopher."
Kit's jaw dropped open in shock and Cinderella let out a soft gasp of surprise at the unexpected declaration. The air seemed to hum with emotion as Chad's words hung between them, carrying the weight of their shared history and future hopes. It was a simple statement, but one that held deep significance for both of them.
"I think that's a wonderful idea," Ginny said. "Christopher Charming, we can call him Chris for short."
Chad's face lit up with a warm, grateful smile as he turned to Kit. His eyes shone with emotion as he spoke, his voice laced with sincerity and gratitude. "I hope you don't mind, Dad," he began, "but after everything you've done for me...I can't think of any other name to give my son." The weight of his words hung in the air, heavy with meaning and significance. It was clear that this decision meant a great deal to Chad, a symbol of the deep love and appreciation he held for Kit.
"I'm honored," Kit said softly and went over to give Chad another hug.
"I guess it's a good thing Kitty took 'Elliot' as a name," Cinderella said with a small chuckle.
Ginny shrugged. "I'm sure we may have used that if Kitty had chosen to use Christopher," she said with a smile.
"Well then, should we go back to the others and give the girls the good news?" Kit said as he broke from the hug.
"I think that's a wonderful idea," Chad said and the four of them went back to join the others.
Ginny's heart fluttered with joy as her smile stretched from ear to ear, never once faltering. She couldn't believe it...after years of trying and hoping, it was finally happening. The news spread like wildfire and the whole town came out to celebrate with her. Every face she saw was filled with love and excitement for her and the new life growing within her. Even if this was the only time she would experience pregnancy, it wouldn't matter because this moment was all she needed to feel complete.
Cassandra put a hand on Ginny's shoulder and gave it a small squeeze, as if knowing what her sister was thinking about. Ginny smiled at Cassandra and the makeshift party continued on for hours; Rapunzel even calling her own children and their partners so that the whole family could join in.
I hope you know how loved you are little one, Ginny thought as she put her hand on her stomach. So, so loved and you're not even here yet. We're all looking forward to meeting you but take your time please?
There was no reply but Ginny didn't need one. She knew that for once, there was nothing to worry about.