The big question

A bit of relief came to Chase's face when Rhea smiled. He knew whatever it was, it couldn't be too bad judging by the look on her face. "Alright, I'm ready to hear it."  Nothing could really prepare him for the shocking news he was about to hear. Rhea told him she didn't think it was bad news, which lifted a weight off of Chase's shoulders. But once she mentioned how they had been talking about kids, Chase froze. Already...? No, it couldn't be. They didn't really... Oh shit. Once Rhea had said it, Chase's suspicions had been confirmed. Chase was going to be a father. Rhea was pregnant. At first, Chase was shocked. You could tell by the look on his face. He was absolutely speechless. "That's not good news Rhea." Chase looked at her. "That's amazing news." Chase picked her up and twirled her around. His face glowed in a way it hadn't since their wedding day. Chase set Rhea back down and kissed her. "You're gonna be an incredible mother."

Chase couldn't help but notice that Rhea almost seemed a bit upset. Chase was puzzled as to how she could possibly be upset in such a happy moment. Ask her, dumbass. Chase almost growled when he heard the unwelcome return of the voice. Chase wouldn't ask her about why she was down right now. He knew he'd get an opportunity later. Right now he was still a bit lightheaded from the news of Rhea's pregnancy.

Chase laughed when Rhea joked about him being a father. He was glad they both had a sense of humor, but then again, Chase wouldn't marry somebody without one. "I know right? Crazy! Me, a freaking father? That's insane." Chase loved joking around with Rhea. "And just saying, we both know that I'm definitely the father." Chase winked after his sentence. Although, Chase did have one big concern for the child. He would be torn if he found out his kid had the voice in their head too. Chase knew it was some sort of disorder, maybe even a disease, that could never really be cured. It worried him that the kid may be just like him and have it. After all, this thing was half his gene pool. "It's getting late." Chase looked at his watch. It was almost midnight, Chase had come home late. "We could go up to bed.... Or if you'd like, we can sit outside for a bit."

Chase laughed when Rhea said it could be anyone's baby. "Damn, you're right. I shouldn't have just assumed it was mine. No way in hell it could be mine." Chase smiled as Rhea's head came back up and started into his eyes. Chase looked down smiling when Rhea said he would be a great father. "I sure hope so." It was crazy to think he created another person that would soon be living. It almost seemed impossible to a sense, but Chase knew how it worked.

Chase had hoped Rhea would choose to go outside, as he wasn't really all that tired and had a few things he needed to talk about before bed. Chase walked out the front door which led to their porch. He walked over to the steps by the front of the porch and took a seat. He saw that Rhea soon followed. It was silent for a moment, then Rhea asked if Chase was scared a little too. Chase thought it over in his head. "Honestly, I'm not scared." Chase sighed. "I'm terrified. Of course I'm really excited and happy... But I'm terrified too." Chase knew that Rhea knew about the voice in his head, he had told her about it a while ago. "I don't want my kids be crazy like me. I have somebody living in my head, I don't want them to be the same way. It's not fair. I don't want them to suffer like I do. Being criticized on every word or action by some creature in their head." Chase took a deep breath after saying what was on his mind. "I want them to have the life I never had." Chase meant it.

Chase smiled as Rhea spoke to him. It was true, their children sure as hell wouldn't have Chase's childhood. He'd never touch try to hurt them ever. And all he had wanted when he was younger was to be loved. "I guess I did turn out okay." Chase took Rhea's hand in his and looked into her eyes. It was scary, knowing that they'd have to take care of a their own child. But it was exciting too, knowing that the two of them would soon have a family with many adventures to come. Rhea started talking about her worries, which involved the games. She talked about how she didn't want their child to experience the horrors of the games, and Chase agreed. If any of their children were reaped, Chase would be torn. Chase couldn't relate to having been through the games, but the games were definitely something he didn't want their children going through. "It's normal to be worried... I mean, who wouldn't be? And I know it's even more scary to think about considering you're a victor, but we knew before we tried that the reapings would be a risk to any kid. But I mean, I never got reaped... We can just hope for the best." Chase shrugged.