Esper Harem in the Apocalypse-Novel

John shook his head in a mixture of disbelief and amusement. "Of all the situations I've walked into, I didn't expect this."

Rudy chuckled softly. "We weren't exactly trying to cause trouble, John. Just enjoying a little thrill."

John let out a low chuckle, his initial tension ebbing away. "Well, next time, maybe stick to roller coasters."

Maria's lips twitched into a sheepish smile as she nodded in agreement. "Definitely."

As the last traces of tension ebbed away, Rudy couldn't resist a lighthearted comment. "John, I didn't realize they demoted you to a mere patrol officer. From chief to chasing speedsters, quite a downgrade."

John's lips quirked into an amused smile as he shook his head. "Not exactly, Rudy. I was actually on my way to headquarters when I noticed your car speeding by like a flash. I figured, as a man of law, I should probably do something about it."

Rudy raised an eyebrow, a mixture of amusement and curiosity in his eyes. "So, you were just doing your duty?"

John nodded, his expression growing more serious. "Exactly. Regardless of our history, I couldn't let reckless driving go unchecked. You know how it is."

Rudy chuckled softly, a twinkle of mischief in his gaze. "Of course, Officer John. It's good to see you're committed to upholding the law."

John's grin matched Rudy's as he leaned casually against his patrol car. "Always, Rudy. But next time, maybe stick to the speed limits. It'll save both of us some time."

Maria chimed in with a sheepish smile. "We'll keep that in mind, Officer."

With a more relaxed atmosphere settling over them, John finally turned his attention back to his duty. "Alright, you're free to go. Just be more mindful of the speed limits."

As the exchange of words came to a close, Rudy extended a hand towards John, his smile genuine. "Well, thanks for not giving us too hard a time, John. It's good to know you're still around."

John shook Rudy's hand with a firm grip, the camaraderie between them evident. "Likewise, Rudy. Cassy will be sad if something were to happen to you, and I don't want to see her sad."

With a final nod and wave, John returned to his patrol car, leaving Rudy and Maria to continue on their way. As they drove off, the flicker of red and blue lights faded in the distance, leaving Maria and Rudy in the aftermath of their adrenaline-filled encounter, they exchanged an amused glance.

The situation had turned from tense to comical, all thanks to a familiar face from the past. But deep down Maria wondered if Rudy knew that it was John chasing them and that's why he decided to not do anything.

With a shared chuckle, Maria turned her attention back to the road, her grip on the steering wheel steadier now. The city lights continued to twinkle around them, their evening adventure taking an unexpected but memorable turn.

"Where are we going?" Maria asked.

After a brief pause, Rudy turned his gaze towards her, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "To the hospital. I already marked it on the map," he replied, his tone even.

Maria's confusion was palpable. "Hospital? Why?"

Rudy's expression softened, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. He took a deep breath before he spoke again. "Rize told me something earlier, something important. She said you might be pregnant."

The car seemed to hold its breath as silence settled between them. Maria blinked in surprise, her mind processing the unexpected revelation. "So she told you…?" she repeated, her voice a mere whisper.

Rudy nodded gently, his eyes never leaving hers. "Yes. She suggested that we go to the hospital for a proper checkup, rather than relying solely on those home pregnancy kits."

Maria's gaze shifted to the road ahead, her thoughts racing. The news seemed to have caught her off guard, and a myriad of emotions swirled within her. "I… I don't know what to say to you…" she finally admitted, her voice a mix of astonishment and uncertainty.

Rudy reached over, placing his hand atop hers on the steering wheel. "You don't have to say anything right now, Maria. We'll figure this out together. But first, let's get you checked out, just to be sure."

"Rudy, I was actually planning to tell you about the pregnancy after I confirmed everything by myself," Maria admitted, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and earnestness.

Rudy glanced at her, a warm smile on his lips. "I know," he replied gently, his eyes reflecting understanding.

Maria looked at him, clearly taken aback. "You knew?" she asked, her eyebrows raised in disbelief.

Rudy chuckled softly. "I had a feeling. And honestly, Maria, it's not something you have to handle on your own. We're in this together."

A mix of emotions swirled within Maria. She felt a sense of relief, knowing that Rudy was there to share the burden with her. "I just wanted to be sure before I told you," she said softly, her fingers unconsciously clutching the steering wheel.

"I understand," Rudy reassured her, his hand reaching out to give her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "But I also had plans for us today."

Maria's brows furrowed in confusion. "Plans?"

Rudy's grin widened. "Yeah, I was going to take you out for a fun day, just the two of us. And the hospital visit was just a quick stop before we enjoy the day."

Her surprise was evident in her gaze. "You were planning this?"

"Yep," Rudy nodded, his eyes twinkling. "You deserve a break, and I wanted to surprise you. But I guess I ended up spoiling part of the surprise."

Rudy chuckled. "Well, that's what keeps things interesting, right?"

Maria's smile grew. "Right." She glanced at the road ahead, her fingers still interlaced with Rudy's. "Thank you, Rudy. This means a lot to me."

"Anytime, Maria," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity. "Now, let's go to the hospital and make sure everything's okay. And after that, we'll continue with our day."

As the car glided forward, the city's lights illuminated their path, they reached the hospital.

Rudy smiled as he couldn't wait to meet a certain someone who worked at the hospital.