Althea smiled and pulled out her tablet from the space.
She had really missed this tablet of hers, which had been borrowed by various experts—most especially by the Engineering team.
Fortunately, Oslo—with the help of other architects and engineers—had basically transcribed most of the e-books they found important to keep a copy of. So, the tablet had just been returned to her hands.
This was another group that became die-hard fans of Althea. Without her, these references would've been lost. Even if it was their specialty, who remembered every detail?
A small library was then built in their office containing these transcribed books, among others, and they called it 'Althea's Nook'.
Anyway, as one of Althea's hands was buried in Garan's hair, she took out her tablet from the space and started to choose baby names. It was a weird position, but it relaxed her a lot.
"What do you think we should name our—"
It was just that she felt Garan's movements turning hotter, his tongue reaching her bra and she gasped when he pulled it up for better access to her breasts.
She gasped and frowned, tapping his head. "Focus!"
Garan nodded, but how could he think straight when his fragrant wife was so tempting?
However, he also knew his wife just wanted his warmth and not to do anything else.
For now, anyway.
He was about to reluctantly let her go when he saw her blushing, her pupils dilated, and her pretty face in a daze. Even her hold of the tablet was already loosened.
He held back a smirk.
His large warm hand slid under her skirt, and she could feel each and she could feel every one of his calluses against her skin.
"H-hey!" She exclaimed, lightly slapping his hand to behave. "The children are a month old! They don't even have proper names yet!!"
"Their names are already very good." He said, lips tracing kisses along her shoulders, his other hand trailing somewhere more… private.
"Meatball and Pepper? We talked about this! That's not—Husband…!"
Followed by a moan.
And the figurative curtain fell, covering another round of spring happening behind it.
….
The next morning, they finally decided on the name. But not after a very intimate wake-up call.
She glared at her husband. He was so annoying!
She even almost forgot to take her medicine. She did not want to get pregnant again! Not now.
Ignoring him for the rest of that morning, she took out her tablet to search for names.
"What do you want to name them?"
"If I knew, I wouldn't be searching, would I?"
Garan was not annoyed with the rude quip. Instead, he smiled and placed kisses on her cheek—which she tried to avoid, though to no avail.
She wanted to nag him but he started to (finally) speak on-topic, "I want the children's name to remind them of what we want for them—to be safe, to be happy, and to be strong."
She paused, meeting his deep azure eyes, and nodded.
"Hmn."
…
They had a shortlist and, after an hour of choosing (extended because of Garan's annoying hands), they finally decided on the kid's names.
Little Meatball was Alphonse Witt, meaning 'one of Noble Birth'. Although the little rolling ball of meat didn't have the temperament yet, he would probably grow up to be one. Hopefully.
It also meant 'prepared', the state they always wanted him to be in—they wanted him to be able to handle whatever may come, protect what was important to him, and protect himself.
They would not raise him in excessive safety, as that would be detrimental to him. It would be hard, but they needed him to stand on his own much earlier than his peers.
And Little Pepper was named Nathalia Witt, in honor of Beanie's dead daughter. It also meant the day of birth, a happy event.
They want their baby girl to be happy, to bring other people happiness, and making herself happy—no matter what circumstance, and this could be achieved, in this place, only if one had the ability.
Satisfied with their choices, the couple looked at each other with a smile.
"Done?"
Althea nodded cutely. "Done."
Garan smiled brightly, and he pulled her under the blanket.
They decided they'd announce the names at lunch time, anyway.
***
___________________________
!IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
Dec. 31.2023
Dear Alterans,
First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS! Thank you for supporting the story the past few months!
Half a year of daily updates have passed and I would first like to say THANK YOU for accompanying me in this long journey.
The past six months (ave. 2 chapters/day!) had been a challenge and it required a lot of hard work, especially since I still have a day job. But… it was worth it because I had you guys.
Anyway, the point of this is that, after bursting chapters every day I… have finally lost much of my stockpile. *SOBS*
FEAR NOT! I still have some, but I definitely have to slow down for the next few months to 'regenerate'.
As such, I will TEMPORARILY reduce my update rate to one a day, maybe two if I can but don't count on it for a while.
What I can promise you though is that when I do resume the 2 chaps-ave -a-day upload rates, it means that I have already polished the rest of the story and I WON'T EVER HAVE TO GO TO A SLOW-DOWN until the story ends!
Finally, to be fair to my lovely beloved PATRONS, I will temporarily reduce the prices for Privilege by about 30% to 40%. Please continue supporting the story during these hard times.
Silver Patron (10 adv chaps) 199 coins → 149 coins
Gold Patron (25 adv chaps) 799 coins → 499 coins
Ruby Patron (40 adv chaps) 1299 coins → 999 coins
Diamond Patron (50 adv chaps) 1599 coins → 1199 coins
Again, thank you for your unending support!
Don't forget about us okay? Please continue supporting the storyyyyyy! We love youuu! Don't break up with us! xDD
Once an Altera, always an Alteran! >:D