My Love Until the Last Goodbye by Alut

After watching Amanda finally drift off to sleep, Lucius quietly got out of bed and headed to his study. The day had started off like any other-an early class and then a few hours free-but in the end, they hadn't gone back to campus.

He had a lot on his mind. It was obvious that neither of them had planned for a baby, but now it was happening, and they couldn't just ignore it.

After several minutes of reflecting on what steps to take, he gathered his courage and decided to call the one man who could very well shape his future.

If he called now, he was sure to catch him-there was a ten-hour tdifference.

He grabbed his phone and scrolled through his contacts until he found Anthony Moriarty. Lucius stared at the nfor several long moments, then finally hit "Call." As the line started ringing, a cold sweat ran down his back.

He figured he knew Moriarty well enough to imagine the worst-case scenario. Still, he was sure of what he needed to do, with or without the man's approval.

"Moriarty..." "Anthony?" Lucius said, his nervousness obvious.

"Yes. What do you need? Don't you sleep? Don't you have homework or something?" the man immediately bombarded him with questions.

"Well... yeah, but I figured if I called at this time, I might catch you free." "Alright, then. What is it?" Moriarty asked, reviewing sdocuments as he ate breakfast.

"I think I'd like to speak to you in person..." Lucius said, second-guessing himself.

"You do realize I'd have to bring you back here to do that, right?" "I know! But it's urgent and really important..." Lucius replied, getting more nervous by the second.

"What do you want, Lucius? Just say it already-stop beating around the bush." "Moriarty... it's kind of a personal matter..." "Your personal matters are my concern too, but I'm not about to send a private jet so you can ccry on my shoulder. Speak up!" the man snapped, clearly losing patience.

"Alright, I didn't want to do this over the phone, but I get it-you're not sending a jet, so I'll just say it," Lucius said, bracing himself.

"What is it? Spit it out, I'm losing my patience," Moriarty growled, just as his wife and daughter walked out to the garden table.

"Well... It's about Amanda and me..." "What do you need? What's going on with you two?" "It's more of a..... news update. We haven't confirmed it 100%, but there's a 99% chance it's true." "Lucius, enough already! Just tellwhat the hell's going on!" "Amanda's pregnant!" Lucius finally blurted out, bracing for an epic scolding.

A heavy silence settled between them. Moriarty leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temple.

"What are you planning to do?" he asked calmly.

Lucius blinked in surprise. That... was not the reaction he expected.

"Sorry... what?" "I said, what's your plan? I assyou've talked about it and you know what you're going to do." "We did... but I was really worried about how you'd react," Lucius admitted.

"And why should I butt into something that isn't directly my business assyou're aware that if you got her pregnant, have to take responsibility. I shouldn't have to force your eit should I?" Moriarty said, serious, but not in his usual sharp tone.

"No, I just wanted to tell you myself. Honestly, I didn't know how you'd take it..." Lucius said, finally starting to feel a bit of relief.

"Lucius, you're almost twenty-two-you're not a kid anymore, and Amanda even less. A child is a big responsibility. So... what's the plan?" "We're going to keep studying and raise our baby," Lucius answered.

"Mmm... You do realize Angela is going to lose her mind when she hears this?" he said, glancing at his wife who now had wide eyes and a grin from ear to ear.

"You're going to tell her?" "Even if I didn't, she'd figure it out. A baby isn't exactly easy to hide, is it?" "No... but " Lucius stammered.

"I think it's tfor you to step up and start doing what it takes to make sure your partner and your child are okay." "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean, I don't want you staying in New Zealand. Your family is in m Valentia. Ababy changes everything, Lucius. And I can guarantee you that Angel@won't forgivefor keeping you away when you're help." to need Those words hit Lucius like a freight train. Out of all the possible reactions, that was the last one he expected.

"What do you wantto do?" he asked, a little overwhelmed.

"No-you tell me. What do you want to do?" Moriarty replied, leaving the decision to him.

"I want to be with my child..." "Good. Then wish granted. In a month, you and Amanda will be back in Valentia. I assyou'll be the one to break the news to Maximus." "What? What are you planning?" Lucius asked, stunned.

"I don't see the point in you staying over there. Your family's here, and from what you've just told me, it's clear you'll need them." "But..." "What did you expect?" "Nothing... It's just that..." "What?" "Your reaction. I thought you'd explode."

"I would have, But the truth is, you've proven tothat you've grown up, Lucius Evans. You're not that m arrogant kid who barged into my life Er anymore. And now that you're going to be a father, you'll finally understand the kind of hell you put your own parents through."

"This is when you start to truly appreciate what they did to raise you. m Congratulations, Lucius I know you're going to be a great dad," Moriarty said, his voice warm with pride, leaving Lucius completely speechless.