Elena was nine months pregnant.
Her belly was full and heavy now — a perfect, rounded curve that she carried with quiet strength. She moved slower, one hand almost always resting protectively on her bump, but her eyes still held that same fire. Dr. Voss had grounded her completely. No missions. No high-intensity use of her powers. Just rest, monitoring, and waiting.
So I handled everything alone.
The world was mostly peaceful, but the small threats never fully disappeared. Bank robberies, gang activity, the occasional powered criminal testing the new order. I took them all. Every morning I suited up, kissed Elena goodbye, and flew out. Every evening I came home to her.
This morning started the same way.
I woke up in her bed, her body curled against mine, her swollen belly pressed between us. She stirred when I kissed her forehead.
"Morning, husband," she murmured, voice soft and tired.
"Morning, beautiful," I replied, placing my hand gently on her belly. The baby kicked right against my palm. "Active already."
Elena smiled. "They've been restless all night. I think they're almost ready."
I kissed her belly. "Hey, little one. Daddy's here. Just a little longer."
We stayed in bed for a while, just holding each other. I rubbed her lower back where the ache was worst. She sighed in relief, pressing closer.
"You've been doing so much," she whispered. "I'm sorry I can't help."
"Don't be," I said. "You're doing the most important job. Growing our child. That's everything."
After breakfast I suited up for a solo mission — a group of smugglers operating near the docks. Nothing major. I handled it quickly, violet energy flaring as I disarmed them and handed them over to the authorities. The civilians still cheered when they saw Loverman, and a few called out, "Tell Thick Chick and the baby we're rooting for them!"
I flew home as fast as I could.
Elena was waiting in the garden, wearing a loose sundress that stretched over her full belly. She looked radiant — glowing, tired, beautiful.
"You're back early," she said, walking over carefully. I met her halfway and pulled her into my arms, careful of her bump.
"Couldn't stay away," I murmured against her hair. "How are my two favorite people?"
"We're good. A little uncomfortable, but happy." She took my hand and placed it on her belly. The baby kicked again. "See? They know their dad's home."
We spent the afternoon together. I rubbed her feet, made her tea, and helped her walk around the garden when her back started to ache. She teased me for being overprotective, but I could see she loved every second of it.
That night the need between us became impossible to ignore.
We made love carefully but passionately. I laid her on her side, supporting her belly with pillows, and entered her from behind. Slow. Deep. Full of love.
"You're so beautiful like this," I whispered against her ear, thrusting gently. "Carrying our baby… my wife…"
Elena moaned, reaching back to grip my thigh. "Don't stop… I still need you… I still want you…"
I reached around, rubbing her clit in slow circles while I moved inside her. Her purple aura flared softly around us as she came, her pussy clenching around me. I followed soon after, holding her tightly as I filled her.
Afterwards we lay tangled together, my hand resting on her belly, both of us breathing in sync.
"I love you," I whispered.
"I love you too," she replied. "So much."
We fell asleep like that — close, connected, waiting for the moment our family would become complete.
The next morning everything changed.
I was in the kitchen making breakfast when every emergency channel exploded at once. Alerts flooded in from every major network. Social media lit up. Governments issued emergency statements within minutes.
A massive disturbance had erupted over London.
Reports were chaotic — something enormous tearing open the sky above the city, energy readings off the charts, buildings already damaged, civilians evacuating in panic. The images coming through showed a swirling dark rift larger than anything we had seen since Riftmaster, but different. Older. Stronger.
Elena sat up in bed, one hand on her belly, eyes wide as she watched the live feeds.
"Alex…" she said quietly.
I was already pulling on my suit.
"I know," I answered, kissing her hard. "Stay here. Stay safe. I'll handle this."
She gripped my wrist. "Be careful. Come back to us."
"I will."
I launched into the sky, violet energy blazing around me, already racing toward London.
Behind me, Elena watched the screens, one hand protectively over our unborn child, while the world braced for whatever had just arrived.