Mat was planning to enjoy Rabbit Day, as most of the people had left. Kelvin and Mica had moved to their quarters in the mansion. Mat tried to touch the door, but Fiona sped up and blocked it.
"What's going on?" Mat asked, confusion clear in his voice.
Fiona looked at Mat with a serious expression. "We need to tell my dad the news."
"What news?" Mat's brow furrowed in concern.
Fiona gently rubbed her belly. Mat’s eyes widened, and he looked doubtful. "I'm just a rabbit. By all logic, I should be rotting in the ground. Wouldn't your dad be upset that I got his daughter pregnant? You're a strong alpha predator, and I'm... I'm just a rabbit who hung himself because of bullying."
Fiona stepped closer, her eyes softening as she placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Mat, I know this is overwhelming, but you're not just a rabbit to me. You're the one I chose, the one I want to be with, no matter what anyone says."
Mat looked down, his ears drooping slightly. "But your father... he only met me an hour ago. Plus, that night we... we did it, it was my first time. I didn’t tell you I tried to end it all, and now, now you have twins in you. I just..." He struggled to find the right words, his voice trembling with emotion. "I just wanted to be with you, Fiona. But now I'm scared. Scared that I’m not enough for you, or for them."
Fiona’s expression softened even more as she listened to Mat’s fears. She took his hand, squeezing it gently. "Mat, I understand why you’re feeling this way. But you don’t have to carry this alone. We’re in this together, and you’re not just some rabbit to me. You’re the one I want to build a life with, to raise our children with."
Mat looked up, his eyes filled with doubt. "But what if I mess up? What if I’m not good enough for any of this?"
Fiona leaned in closer, her voice full of warmth and reassurance. "We’ll figure it out together. You’re not expected to have all the answers right now, and it’s okay to be scared. But don’t doubt how much you mean to me, or how much we can accomplish together. You’re not alone in this, Mat. You never were, and you never will be."
Mat swallowed hard, feeling a mix of fear and hope. "I’ll try, Fiona. I’ll try to be the person you and the twins need me to be."
Fiona smiled softly, pulling him into a tender embrace. "That’s all I ask, Mat. And remember, we’re in this together. Every step of the way."
Just then, a gentle knock came from the doorway, interrupting their moment. They both turned to see Edwin standing there, his expression warm and inviting.
"I thought I heard voices," Edwin said with a smile as he stepped into the room. "Is everything okay?"
Fiona exchanged a quick glance with Mat before nodding. "There’s something we need to talk to you about, Dad."
Edwin’s smile faded slightly as he sensed the seriousness in her tone. "Of course, what is it?"
Fiona took a deep breath, standing tall as she looked her father in the eyes. "Mat and I are expecting twins."
Edwin’s eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, he was silent, taking in the news. Then, his expression softened into something warm and understanding. "Well, that is certainly unexpected, but it’s not bad news. It’s just... new."
Mat watched Edwin carefully, his heart still racing, but the warmth in Edwin’s eyes helped to ease his fears.
Edwin stepped closer, placing a hand on Fiona’s shoulder and then looking at Mat. "This is a big responsibility, but it’s also a wonderful thing. I know it might seem daunting, Mat, but you don’t have to face this alone. We’ll all be here to support you both."
Mat hesitated, then spoke, his voice filled with uncertainty. "I’m just a rabbit. By all logic, I should be rotting in the ground. Your daughter is a strong alpha predator, and I'm... I'm just a rabbit who hung himself because of bullying. And the worst part is, we were careless. She wore that necklace you bought her—the one that could buy three big houses—and I... I can't even afford a candle."
Edwin listened intently, his expression remaining calm and understanding. He took a deep breath and stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Mat's shoulder. His voice was soft but firm. "Mat, your worth isn't measured by what you can afford or where you come from. Fiona chose you because she sees something in you that goes beyond wealth or status. She sees your strength, the strength it took to survive, to keep going despite everything you've been through."
Mat’s eyes flickered with doubt as he looked up at Edwin. "But how can I ever be enough for her? She deserves so much more."
Edwin's gaze softened, and he gave Mat's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You’re wrong about one thing, Mat. You’re not 'just' a rabbit. You’re someone who’s faced unimaginable pain and still found the courage to love and be loved. That’s something no amount of money can buy. And as for Fiona’s necklace, yes, it’s valuable—but it’s just an object. What matters more to me is the happiness and well-being of my daughter, and if you’re the one who brings her that, then you have my support."
Mat swallowed hard, still processing Edwin's words. "I just don’t want to let her down... or you."
Edwin nodded understandingly, his expression kind. "You won’t, Mat. The fact that you’re worried about this shows how much you care. And that’s more important than anything else. We’ll face whatever comes together, as a family."
Mat still looked anxious, his voice dropping as he continued, "Fiona only met me because I stole from a witch. She and her friends didn’t want me punished, so they begged the witch to show me mercy. The witch looked at me and said, ‘Okay, but I won’t be so forgiving if he messes up again.’"
He hesitated, the memory still vivid in his mind. "I thought that was it for me. But instead of cursing me, she told them to watch over me, to make sure I didn’t stray back into trouble. It was like she was giving me a chance, but also a warning. I knew then that if I messed up again, there wouldn’t be any more chances."
Mat looked down, his hands fidgeting nervously. "Fiona took that responsibility seriously. She didn’t just walk away after that; she stayed by my side. But now... now she’s carrying our twins, and I’m terrified I’ll mess up and let everyone down."
Edwin listened closely, his expression a mix of empathy and understanding. He let Mat's words hang in the air for a moment before responding, his voice gentle but firm. "Mat, the fact that the witch was willing to give you a second chance, even with that warning, shows that she believed you were capable of change. Fiona and her friends saw it too. They didn’t just walk away—they chose to help you, to be there for you. That’s not something they would do lightly."
He placed a reassuring hand on Mat’s shoulder, looking him in the eyes. "You’re not just the sum of your mistakes, Mat. You’ve been given a second chance, and you’ve already started making the most of it. Yes, the witch warned you, but you’ve taken that seriously, and that’s what matters."
Mat looked up, still anxious but finding some comfort in Edwin’s words. "But what if I can’t do it? What if I mess up again?"
Edwin’s gaze was steady and full of warmth. "You’re going to make mistakes, Mat. We all do. What’s important is how you handle them and what you do afterward. You’ve got people around you who believe in you—people who care about you and want to see you succeed. Fiona believes in you, and so do I."
He gave Mat’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. "The key is to keep trying, to keep moving forward even when it’s hard. You’ve already shown that you’re willing to do that, and that’s something to be proud of. Don’t let fear hold you back. Take it one step at a time, and know that you’re not alone in this."
Mat took a deep breath, feeling a bit more reassured. "Thank you, Edwin. I’ll do my best to be the person Fiona and everyone else believes I can be."
Edwin nodded, his smile encouraging. "That’s all anyone can ask for, Mat. And remember, you’re part of a family now—a family that’s here to support you, every step of the way."
Mat hesitated for a moment, then finally voiced the fear that had been gnawing at him. "I hope this doesn't sound wrong or turn people against me, but... I thought Fiona and the others only cared about me because of her eggs."
He paused, the words feeling heavy as he let them out. "It just seemed like... once they found out she was pregnant, everything changed. They started treating me differently, like suddenly I was important. But before that, I was just a thief they caught. I can’t help but wonder if they only started caring because of the twins."
Fiona’s eyes softened, and she stepped closer, gently lifting Mat’s chin so he would look at her. "Mat, it’s not just about the twins. Yes, finding out I’m pregnant changed things, but not in the way you’re thinking. We care about you because of who you are, not just because of what’s happening now."
Edwin nodded in agreement, his expression calm and reassuring. "Mat, it’s understandable that you’d feel this way, especially given everything you’ve been through. But I want you to know that our concern for you goes beyond just the pregnancy. Fiona saw something in you from the start, something worth protecting and caring about. The twins might have made everything more urgent, but they’re not the reason we care."
Fiona squeezed Mat’s hand, her voice full of sincerity. "I chose you, Mat, long before I knew about the twins. You’re important to me because of who you are, not just because you’re the father of my children. The others see that too. You’ve become part of our lives, and that means something."
Mat looked between them, still processing their words. "I just... I don’t want to be seen as just a means to an end. I want to believe that I matter, that I’m not just here because of what happened."
Edwin gave him a reassuring smile. "You do matter, Mat. More than you realize. And it’s not just because of the twins—it’s because of the person you are, the person you’re becoming. Don’t let those doubts hold you back from embracing the good things in your life."
Mat looked at Fiona, his voice heavy with unresolved pain. "I want to believe, I really do. But high school... it's a time when kids start to pair off, experiment, figure out who they are. Maybe they thought certain seeds were better off not getting planted, that my future wasn’t worth anything. Maybe they thought my life was better off just... hanging there."
Fiona’s expression grew serious as she listened to Mat’s words. She tightened her grip on his hand, her voice firm but filled with empathy. "Mat, I know it feels like that sometimes, like the world decided your worth before you even had a chance to prove it. But those people, those thoughts—they don’t define you. You’re not just some seed that wasn’t meant to grow. You’re here now, and you’re building a future with us. That’s what matters."
Edwin nodded, stepping closer. "High school can be a harsh place, Mat. People make judgments they don’t fully understand, and they’re often wrong. But look at where you are now, who you’ve become. You’re more than what they thought you were, and you’ve proven that every step of the way."
Fiona added softly, "You weren’t meant to just fade away, Mat. You’re meant to be here, with us, building something real. Don’t let those old doubts hold you back. You’re worth so much more than that."
Mat looked between them, seeing the sincerity in their eyes. Slowly, he nodded, letting their words sink in. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice still laced with emotion. "I guess... I just needed to hear that."
Fiona smiled, pulling him into a tender embrace. "You’re part of our family now, Mat. And we’re in this together, every step of the way."
Mat smiled, but there was still a trace of doubt lingering in his expression. "Thank you, I just... I just thought Fiona deserved to have better seeds planted in her than mine."
Fiona’s eyes softened even further, and she gently touched his cheek, her voice filled with warmth. "Mat, you are exactly who I want. It’s not about ‘better seeds’—it’s about the life we’re going to build together. I chose you because of who you are, because of the love and strength I see in you. Don’t ever doubt that."
Edwin nodded, his tone supportive yet firm. "Mat, life isn’t about some perfect ideal. It’s about the love and connection we build with the people who matter to us. Fiona sees something in you that goes beyond any doubts you have about yourself. You’re not just good enough—you’re the right person for her, for this family."
Fiona leaned closer, her voice filled with conviction. "We’re going to make something beautiful together, Mat. You, me, and our twins. You’re exactly who I want by my side for this journey, and nothing about that will ever change."
Mat looked at her, feeling the sincerity and love in her words. A small, genuine smile touched his lips as he nodded. "I’m starting to see that," he admitted. "I’ll try to believe in that, and in us."
Fiona smiled back, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to his cheek. "That’s all I ask, Mat. We’re in this together, every step of the way."
Edwin added with a reassuring nod, "And you’re not alone, Mat. You have a family now, and we’re here for you, always."
Mat felt a surge of emotion, a mix of relief, gratitude, and hope. For the first time, he allowed himself to believe that he was where he was supposed to be, that he was worthy of the love and support being offered to him.
As the three of them stood there, united in their commitment to each other and the future they were building, Mat couldn’t help but feel a sense of belonging he had never known before. The doubts and fears that had once consumed him seemed a little less daunting now, overshadowed by the love and support he felt in this moment.
With Fiona and Edwin by his side, Mat realized that he didn’t have to be perfect or have all the answers. He just had to be himself, and that was enough.
The weight of his past didn’t feel as heavy now, not with the strength of the family he had found to help carry it. Together, they would face whatever challenges came their way, and Mat knew he was finally ready to embrace the future, with all its uncertainties and possibilities.
For the first time, the thought of that future didn’t scare him—it gave him hope. And with that hope, he knew he could move forward, step by step, into the life he never thought he deserved, but now realized he did.
Mat looked at Edwin, his voice a bit hesitant. "I know this might sound selfish, but would it be okay if Fiona and I spent some time alone in her room? I think we need to explore this new family thing together."
Edwin smiled gently, understanding the importance of the request. "Of course, Mat," he replied warmly. "You two deserve some time to yourselves. Take all the time you need to connect and talk things through. This is an important step for both of you."
Fiona gave her father a grateful look before turning back to Mat, a soft smile on her lips. "Come on," she said, taking Mat’s hand in hers. "Let’s go."
