They weren't lies.

[Hades Styx]

After everyone was announced their roles in the family, a few new ones, a few that weren't trained to assist in the family as well. Hades was still a Guardian, so he did not care. Though when he found Kalif and Nicolette, Hades told them to meet him in the corridor outside of the room of every Zhefarovich you can name. After he had left, and he waited for Kalif and Nicolette to arrive, Hades thought it would be best to let them know that he was the one who tampered with their letters. He was the one that helped them get together. Patricia was in on it too but Hades would take all the blame. Needless to say, they would not be happy about the news at all. Hades turned and waited for the other two to arrive. Hades leaned against the wall, and he wondered and took bets in his mind on whether or not Kalif would be the maddest. No doubt he would. Hades reached inside his robes, and he took out the folded and tied stack of letters. One half was the originals, and the other half was the edited ones. "I bet...Nicolette will freak out, and dad will yell," purred the young Death Eater.

 

[Kalif Styx]

Professor Kalif Styx was not one to be surprised that often, but he wasn't...when Damianos was named to be the future-Head. It was obvious who was going to be the next Patriarch, after himself of course. Kalif received Hades' word, and he nodded at Nicolette to come along and see what the boy wanted. Kalif dodged through the crowd of people, and he opened the doors that led to the corridor. Kalif heard Hades murmur something, and immediately, he knew that something was up. "Yell about what?" Kalif's voice was stern, and cold as ice. Kalif's onyx eyes fell onto the stack of what appeared to be letters. Just what was the meaning of this? Kalif thought, This better be good to interrupt a fairly entertaining family get together. Every Zhefarovich known on the planet is in the other room... I have to keep an eye on things, and make sure Father doesn't kill anyone.

 

[Nicolette Styx]

Nicolette wasn't sure whether to feel worried or proud that one of her sons got the future position of Head of The Zhefarovich Family. She had easily seen how much stress it caused and was just a bit concerned, but still proud of him all the same because it meant that Asparuh must see something in him that meant he would be powerful and wise when he was older. During the past couple of weeks Nicolette had also been feeling a little ill as well, so she asked everyone who decided to associate with her that she was sorry if she seemed a little lacking in the usual spirit she usually had when she was around people. When Kalif nodded at her to follow him because Hades needed them for something she didn't hesitate to follow him through the crowd and out the doors that led to the corridor. First thing Nicolette heard was Hades say something followed by Kalif saying something as well, what on earth did Hades want?

"What am I going to freak out about?" Nicolette yawned as she approached the Young Death Eater, she was beginning to feel unwell again and the discomfort showed visibly on her face as she looked at Hades uneasily whatever he had to tell them it sounded like it was going to be something that the two of them did not like. Her golden eyes met what appeared to be a stack of letters and she lightly raised an eyebrow; "What did you do this time...and what are those?" Nicolette raised a finger and pointed them at the letters as she felt her stomach begin to feel queasy. She figured it was all due to the fact that she was nervous about what ever stunt her Step-Son managed to pull this time.

 

[Hades Styx]

Hades' head inclined slowly to see his father and step-mother. Hades bowed in respect for Kalif, and when he rose, he had a devious smirk on his face. "I must apologize, but you two fighting was really getting on everyone's nerves," began Hades. He waved the letters around, as if they meant nothing when really they meant the world. Hades continued, "These...Nicolette, are your letters to each other. I must say, you two are rather predicable and I could easily edit them to where you would believe them. If you read them though, I will inform you, they were not lies." Hades' smirk vanished, and his expressed hardened to stone. "You two were so mad at each other. Blinded by wrath to where you were hiding your own feelings. I know you two far too well. That was why I expressed them in each letter. See for yourself." Hades handed half the stack of both edited and unedited letters to Kalif and the other half to Nicolette. Hades took a few steps back, out of hitting and kicking range.

 

[Kalif Styx]

Kalif listened to Hades' words, and already, he could tell that Hades was up to something no good - again. What a surprise there. But, what Kalif did not expect was Hades meddling into his and Nicolette's business. When the letters where in his hand, Kalif slowly read the originals. These were not what he received, or wrote out. When he read the edited versions, Kalif found...no lies. He narrowed his eyes and he muttered, "You dared to intercept the letters. You dared to edit them. Hades..." Kalif's cold eyes swirled with anger as his voice rose, "You do not, under any circumstances, meddle into people's businesses! These may not be untruthful, but that is not the point!" Kalif clinched the letters into crumbled pieces of parchment. Kalif glared at Hades, but he could not bring himself to curse the boy. After all, everything Hades had said in the letters were...true.

 

[Nicolette Styx]

Nicolette stared at Hades oddly as he waved the letters around and stated that they were the letters that she and Kalif had been writing to one another whole they were fighting some time ago. Nicolette had been home for a few months now so she had nearly forgotten about the while thing until she was reminded of it just now. Taking the letters from Hades she began to read the ones that he edited, he had stated that they were not lies so did that mean that even what was said in the edited versions was true. 'He was right...but h-how did he know how I really felt?' Kalif was the first one to say anything though, he even crumpled up one of the letters in his hands as he began to yell at Hades. Nicolette was a bit upset as well that he decided to meddle in their business but she was ever more concerned that he was able to read her so easily like that. "Are you sure these aren't lies?" Reading over the letters again carefully she knew that everything he had written about her was very true, she had missed Kalif so much but now that she knew the letters were edited she was a bit uneasy about certain things.

"Hades, you had no right to meddle in our business like that. Did you think we couldn't handle fixing things on our own?" Sure Nicolette was ticked, but she wasn't angry enough to freak out yet plus the added feeling of her not feeling so well was delaying her anger from rising as fast as Kalif's seemed to be rising. Niccy's golden eyes reflected irritation and general confusion as she stared back at Hades, what made him think he had the right to do something like this to the two of them. "And we weren't blinded by anything to the point of hiding our 'own feelings'." Nicolette actually didn't fully understand what that meant when he said that but she assumed that he was trying to accuse them of letting their anger cover up that they still cared for one another. Well...maybe they had just a little or at least she knew she had because no matter how much she tried to stay mad at Kalif while she was in Russia it never lasted long for any of the reasons she tried to think of.

 

[Hades Styx]

Hades smirked, "I know for a fact that they aren't lies. Just like I know the reason why you are so sick right now. Don't blame it on nervousness." He knew Nicolette so well, almost as if he invented the poor woman. Hades turned his attention toward his father and Hades laughed. "It isn't like you would say your feelings to her in person. I mean, sure I know you love her and all, but you really don't act like it. Cause you are too shy to, Father. I doubt you can even say the three words together in a sentence unless it involves killing that person." Hades was toying with them now. But he left the best part for last. You see, Hades studies everything with Asparuh to make sure that everything is safe in the family.

Hades murmured darkly, "There is another line."

 

[Kalif Styx]

Kalif narrowed his eyes, rage filling him to the core. Kalif flourished his wand and he growled, "I suggest you shut up, boy. Just because I do, that doesn't mean I have to say it all the damn time." Everything Hades said was true, and it was perturbing Kalif. That was just odd. How in the world did Hades know all this? Through hidden messages or something? He didn't care. Kalif hated being spoken to like that. Kalif almost dropped his wand when all the rage was redirected into shock. Anothering f***ing line? thought Kalif. "I'll go see for myself, then I'll be back to deal with you, Hades." Kalif shoved past his son as he made haste to the Patriarch's Lair on the other side of the Manor. Kalif's thoughts ran rapid. Either Hades is making me a Grandfather again, which I will kill him, or Nicolette is pregnant again. I doubt the latter, so I'll wring Hades' throat if he knocked up Hollace. Kalif entered the lair, and he went to the tree. The first thing his eyes went to was Hades' picture. What shocked Kalif the most was the that fact that there was no line descending from the lines connecting Hades and Hollace. It could only be... "For the love of god..."

 

[Nicolette Styx]

Nicolette gave Hades a very confused look, if her being sick wasn't from nerves then she had no idea what in the world he was referring to. Even more she was beginning to get aggravated on how Hades was pretty much trying to get his father going even if the things he said made her heart swell at the very thought of being loved by Kalif like she loved him. "That was really creepy Hades. Another line..where?" Her eyes shifted to the side as she tried to grasp whatever it that he had said in his creepy tone. Looking around she didn't see any lines so she had no clue what on earth that boy was talking about. However when Kalif admitted that he loved her she wanted to jump up and down and squeal like a little girl, or glomp him to the floor again. But right now was not the appropriate place for such behavior so instead she turned a light shade of red and smiled softly, she would go all affectionate on him later when they were at home.

"Err Kalif wai-" Nicolette became worried when Kalif started to freak out over the line thing, was everything okay with him right now or was something wrong? Before she was answered he pushed past Hades and head to wherever he was going, before Nicolette followed him she turned and gave her Step-son a look that said he could come along if he wanted but she was not happy with him. Walking into the Patriarch's lair Nicolette glanced at her husband oddly as she saw him staring at the tree for some odd reason, did this have to do with the line. "why did you walk off like that...is something wrong? And what are you looking at?" Nicolette rubbed her cheek still feeling sick as she tried to see what he was so freaked about. The line definitely must have something to do with the tree then if thats what he was looking at.

 

[Kalif Styx]

Kalif's gloved hand went to his forehead. For the love of god, why did she have to get pregnant, again? Kalif closed his eyes and wonder why in the hell did Hades know these things before he did? Kalif did happen to recall Hades suddenly leaving from the huge room, and coming back with a smirk on his face. It had to have updated just then. And now he is probably laughing, enjoying all this. Kalif opened his eyes and stared at the tree once more. There weren't many pregnancies, if anymore, in the family - not nearly as much as last time - so the tree is fully accurate. There was just one. Not twins or anything, thankfully. Just...one. She better not be a pain in the arse again, though, Kalif thought.

He folded his arms across his chest and he heard Nicolette's voice just in time after his thoughts gathered. With his index finger, he touched the extra line on the tree that connected him and Nicolette. "That. That is the extra line Hades was talking about. That means you are pregnant. Again. With just one." Kalif would set the tree on fire if Nicolette had twins again. He couldn't handle that. Kalif wasn't mad or anything, just stressed. That means he would have to pay an extra close attention to Nicolette. "At first, I thought I was going to be a Grandfather again. Guess I won't have to kill Hades now." Kalif glanced down at Nicolette, resuming his stance of arms across chest and all. Was she going to react to this positively? If not, there was always a way to cover this up by an 'accident'.

 

[Nicolette Styx]

Nicolette watched carefully as Kalif used his index finger to point to something on the tree, it was an extra line that connected the two of them. For a moment Nicolette didn't really get what he was point at, until he said something and everything that had been happening seemed to connect all at once inside her mind. Why she had been feeling tired, sick, and what Hades meant when he saw there was another line, it all added up to another baby. "Oh noooo." Nicolette shook her head softly, her golden eyes filling up with worry and excitement all at once due to the amount of emotions she was feeling at the current moment. She wasn't worried because she actually would love another baby, but the whole pregnancy ordeal wasn't all that much fun..neither was labor. Plus it seemed like Kalif was a little unhappy to hear this bit of news, maybe he didn't want her to keep it or something. "I guess that explain the weird food cravings then, is it bad that I'm excited about having another baby?" Nicolette laughed to herself, she wondered what everyone else was going to think and even more on if this one would possibly be a girl like she had wanted for awhile now. This was of course...if Kalif allowed her to keep the baby and everything.

"I don't see why your so worried over being a Grandfather." Nicolette teased, trying not to giggle at how much he seemed displeased with becoming one, she didn't blame him entirely but she figured it would be awhile before any of her children had babies so she had awhile to tease Kalif about it anyways. Averting her gold eyes to the ground for a moment at first she wanted to question Kalif about what he said after Hades baited him, but figured there was something else more important that she needed to ask first. "Your not upset about the baby are you? I can keep it right?" Nicolette didn't think that he was like that at all, but she valued his opinion and figured that if he didn't it was a good idea or something she should listen to him to avoid any danger or trouble.

 

[Kalif Styx]

Kalif gave Nicolette an odd look and he rolled his eyes, “I am much too young to be a grandfather. And my children are much too young to even start having kids.” Kalif was rather displeased that both of his older kids managed to have kids. Hell, they weren’t responsible enough. Hades at least waited until he was married. Then again, that wasn’t willingly either. “Be excited all you want, but you know the symptoms. At least you won’t be nearly as large anymore. If we are going somewhere, you better not slow me down.” Kalif shrugged, and he gazed once more at the tree. It was a shame that the tree did not reveal what gender the baby was going to be. Kalif shook his head, “No, I’m not upset. And yes, you can keep it if you really want another baby.” Kalif didn’t care either way. He just hoped that it wasn’t twins; or that Nicolette gave him hell over it.

 

[Nicolette Styx]

Nicolette couldn't help but giggle at Kalif's response, he was such a drama queen at times that she couldn't help but find it a little adorable at times. "You know, your so cute when your being a drama queen." Nicolette laughed out loud, usually she kept her comments to herself but she couldn't but help but acknowledge to him how adorable she found it instead of agreeing with him like most people would. She did think that the kids were a bit young to be starting families, but him being too old shouldn't be a reason at all. When he announced that she could keep the baby if she really wanted to keep it, an extremely happy and bright formed it's way onto her face plus on top of it he wasn't upset with her. Without further warning Nicolette bolted closer and embraced Kalif once again into a tight hug that wasn't strong enough to knock him on the floor like she often tried to but enough for it emphasize how happy she was.

"Course I want to keep it, thank you thank you!" Nicolette muttered against his chest for a moment before she lifted her head and gave him a soft smile. Still she didn't have the heart to question him about what Hades had said to him, she figured the small confession he gave was enough to prove to her that he cared more than he appeared to show. "I'll try not to slow you down or bother you with the symptoms but no promises..." Nicolette continued to embrace him as she begin to think about all the nasty symptoms she was going to have to experience once again, at least this time it appeared to only be for one instwad of two little babies.

 

[Kalif Styx]

Once more, Kalif gave her the odd look. Where in the hell did she come up for 'Drama Queen'? Do I honestly look like a queen to you? thought Kalif. He rolled his eyes and when he received the hug, Kalif only tensed up. "Oi... Do you have to hug me like that?" Kalif groaned. At least he didn't fall... That could have led to other things... Kalif muttered, "Sounds like you are talking about the baby like a cat or a dog." He was giving her an odd look all the time he was muttering. He sighed and waited for Nicolette to let him go, which she hadn't. "Can you let me go now? We are needed at the meeting..."

 

[Nicolette Styx]

Nicolette expected him to tense up like he usually did whenever she hugged him, but didn't mind it all the same because he never relaxed while she was giving him unwarned affection. "Yes. Unless you prefer me to knock you on the ground again?" Other things usually became of those situations, but that definitely was not something appropriate to be thinking about when they were in a house full of relatives nearby. As she continued to hug him she shrugged her shoulders when he commented about her talking about the baby as if it were a pet. Nicolette didn't really know how to talk or refer to it all that much until she knew the gender and name of it and everything, so until then it's probably going to sound like it's a pet or something.

"No we aren't. I'm not letting go until you hug me back." She muttered, knowing fully well that it would probably make him uncomfortable if she asked but she was wondering if he would actually embrace her back. As she continued to to embrace him she laid her head against his chest, it was almost unreal how much she adored this guy while everyone else seemed to be so afraid of him for some reason. "Pleeeaaasee Kalif!" She pleaded giving him a soft look hoping that he would be convinced if she begged him enough. Nicolette adored hugs and if she had to things would get a little messy.

 

[Kalif Styx]

"I would not prefer that, Nicolette," answered Kalif in a cold, serious tone. He was not in the mood for that. Especially in the Patriarch's lair. That was disrespectful to his father. Kalif would never lower himself to do something like that. "You seriously want me to hug you, why there is a meeting going on that I really need to be in?" Kalif rolled his eyes as she pleaded. That was not going to work for him. Kalif sighed and he put his gloved hands on her hips, but he didn't do as she said. It may have appeared to be that way, but Kalif would not show affection like this. Sure, he was shy about it, but still. Kalif glanced down and saw that there was a sofa behind her. At least she won't fall to the ground. Kalif used his strength to shove the cat-lady off of him. Kalif gave her a smirk, and he said, "Perhaps another time then." Kalif turned and he apparated into the room with everyone else. Unlike Nicolette, he could apparate where he wished in this Manor.

 

[Nicolette Styx]

Nicolette figured that would be his answer, she would never try to glomp hug or take him down when they were anywhere but home anyways. "Then be thankful it's just a hug." She grinned, she knew how respectful he like to be so she was trying to make this as less awkward as possible for him.However she did not release him in her embrace and simply nodded with a cute smile when he summed up what she wanted from him before she would even consider letting him go. When Kalif put his hands on her hips she was giddy about the fact that she might actually get a hug from him, but her dreams died fast when Kalif used his strength and she was shoved off him. "Eeep!" At first Nicolette was worried she was going to hit the floor, but felt the softness of what she thought was the couch catch her instead. Her gold eyes were wide and she didn't know whether to laugh or throw something at her husband for shoving her like that.

"You should not shove a pregnant woman you big meanie!" She bit out, crossing her arms over her chest as she stared at her husband with slight annoyance. However before another word could get in he gave her that damned smirk and next thing she knew he apparated out of the room. She figured he would be going back to the room where the meeting was being held, which means she won't get revenge on him until later without causing a huge scene. "Ohh just wait till we get home later, he'll so be wishing he hadn't done that." Nicolette muttered to herself as she picked herself off the couch with ease, thank god she was still flat and her stomach wasn't all big and round from the baby. Kalif would be lucky if a hug was all he got tonight, that was all she had to say about the situation.