Some would think that Steven and Fleur's relationship was a textbook example of a whirlwind romance. There were actually a few things that sped up their relationship. The first thing was the pressure from Steven's family. Quite a few of them resented being passed over for inheritance. It wasn't strictly true, but Steven was no longer obliged to be handing over his fortune anytime soon. He probably had another century to live, possibly more. They also considered it an embarrassment for their wealthy steel tycoon patriarch to be riding around on a motorcycle with tribal tattoos. At least having a wife should make him settle down more.
There was also another reason to speed up the nuptials. Fleur had gone into heat sooner than either of them had expected. So soon that neither of them realized when it was already over. Eventually, Fleur had noticed her bloating, her bigger appetite, and her increased lactation. One pregnancy test quickly confirmed that she was pregnant. That certainly sped up the wedding plans as Fleur didn't want to look pregnant in her wedding dress, let alone have kids out of wedlock. It quickly led to a small, private wedding. It wasn't quite a shotgun wedding as they were already planning to tie the knot. It just happened sooner than expected. There were more attendants on Fleur's side of the family than Steven's, but they didn't mind so much. Especially when in a few months, they'll have a family of their own.
After the wedding was a flight to Mieni Atoll for their honeymoon. Of course, this is before the pandemic grounded all air travel. At that time, the outbreak seemed like a distant problem. In hindsight, Steven and Fleur would be glad that they were able to have their honeymoon there while they could as well as be able to get back to Lyre. But during the honeymoon, there was one particular incident that wasn't very pleasant when it was happening.
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Steven breathed in the fresh ocean breeze. Mieni Atoll was definitely a slice of paradise. Steven was glad he was able to experience such a beautiful day. He was also glad he had the opportunity to show off his muscles and tattoos. And there wasn't anyone around to tell him to act his age. He was even more happy to be sharing this with his new wife. "Hurry up, Fleur," said Steven, "You're missing out on the sun."
"I don't know about zis," said Fleur as she walked out in a bikini, "I zink zis swimsuit shows too much."
Steven raised an eyebrow and asked, "Since when have you cared about showing too much?"
"Since when zis started showing," said Fleur, pointing at her rounder stomach.
"Honey, that just makes you more beautiful," said Steven.
"Even for you to say," said Fleur, "You're not ze one 'oo looked like you swallowed a cantaloupe."
"I'm more interested in the cantaloupes on your chest," said Steven in a teasing tone.
"Oh, you are such a naughty boy," giggled Fleur.
"There's the Fleur I remember," said Steven, "Feeling better?"
"Hmm...maybe after one little kiss," said Fleur in her familiar flirty tone. Steven down to give his wife a kiss. But right before their lips met, Fleur suddenly let out a burp.
Steven recoiled and put a hand over his nose. "Whoa, what did you have for breakfast?" he asked.
"Just some pickles and-" said Fleur before hiccuping. Her cheeks bulged and she quickly ran for the nearest wastepaper basket.
"Well, so much for a sunny day," said Steven flatly.
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That was not Fleur's only bout of sickness that day. In fact, even after she emptied her stomach, she had dry heaves for much of the morning. Eventually, Steven decided they should go to the Horizon Labs building so they can check on the baby. Usually, ultrasounds weren't done so early, but since certain Animalians only take six months to gestate, it was as good a time as any. The ultrasound showed that everything was developing normally, but there was something neither Steven nor Fleur were expecting.
Not long after that, Fleur called up Janice on Skype to talk to her. "'Ello, Fleur," said Sophie, "'Ow are zings on ze island? You know, me and Walter 'ad a wonderful 'oneymoon zere."
"Well, you probably weren't already pregnant zen," said Fleur.
"Ah, ze baby 'as been causing some trouble?" asked Janice.
"Well, not more than nauseousness, but zere's a good reason for zat," said Fleur, "You see it is not a singular baby."
"Ah, twins run in ze family?" asked Janice.
"Not twins," said Fleur.
"Triplets?" asked Janice.
"Zere are four of zem," said Fleur.
Janice stared for a moment before she doubled over laughing. In fact, she was laughing so hard, she actually fell out of her chair. Her daughters, who were in a playpen in the same room, started laughing with her, though they had no clue what they were laughing about. Eventually, Janice pulled herself up, wiping tears from her eyes. "Ooh, zat is ze best laugh I can remember," she chortled.
Fleur was not so amused. "I 'ope your mozer will blow up as big as me," she snarked.
"As big as you'll be? I don't zink so," said Janice before she started laughing again.