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The couple had a great few weeks in Hawaii before flying back to LA. Lucas needed to be there for the Grammys, which meant his schedule was about to get packed. But for Jennifer? It was a different story.

The pregnancy meant her agency was putting her on an extended break. They knew now—had to, for scheduling purposes—but strict confidentiality agreements were in place. Keep it quiet for as long as possible.

Of course, in Hollywood, "as long as possible" usually meant a few months at best. Celebrity pregnancies were nearly impossible to hide. Paparazzi watched everything—weight changes, baggy clothes, canceled red carpet appearances.

One candid shot of Jennifer in loose-fitting sweats and the tabloids would start running pregnancy speculation pieces. It had happened to everyone. Beyoncé tried to keep it quiet early on, so did Blake Lively, Scarlett Johansson.

Eventually the bump gave it away. There was no hiding a growing belly forever.

But right now, the secrecy wasn't the issue. It was still early—plenty of time to worry about that later.

For now, they had other things on their minds.

After weeks in Hawaii, Lucas and Jennifer were back in LA. And something had shifted.

It wasn't Jennifer feeling nervous or paranoid about the pregnancy.

It was Lucas.

He'd been staying up late, laptop open in bed, scrolling through article after article about first trimesters. Pregnancy complications. Warning signs. Risk factors.

The more he read, the more anxious he got.

What started as excitement had slowly morphed into low-grade panic.

Early morning light filtered through the bedroom curtains. Lucas sat against the headboard, eyes bloodshot, still staring at his screen.

Jennifer stirred beside him, blinking awake. She looked at him, then at the laptop, then back at him.

"Did you stay up all night?"

"Uh... couldn't really sleep," Lucas admitted. Dark circles had formed under his eyes.

Jennifer sighed and sat up, reaching over to rub his temple gently. "What's going on with you? You're acting like you're the one who's pregnant."

Lucas gave her a confused look. "What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean," she said softly. "Ever since we found out, you've been weird. Obsessive. What's wrong?"

Lucas felt like a kid caught sneaking cookies. "Nothing's wrong. I'm fine."

"Lucas."

He laughed awkwardly. "I'm serious. Don't worry about me."

Jennifer gave him a look—the kind that said she wasn't buying it. "We're seeing Doctor Bradford today. Stop overthinking everything."

Despite her exasperation, she couldn't help feeling touched. He cared so much it was keeping him up at night.

---ʕ⁠´⁠•⁠ᴥ⁠•⁠`⁠ʔ---

Doctor Bradford pulled his car through the gates of Lucas Knight's estate—$96 million worth of prime real estate, if the rumors were accurate.

Every time he visited for routine health checks, the house still managed to impress him. The sprawling grounds, the clean modern architecture. It never got old.

"Doctor Bradford."

He turned toward the familiar voice. Jack, Lucas's head of security, approached with his usual professional demeanor.

"Jack! Good to see you," Bradford said warmly.

"You too. Been a while." Jack smiled briefly, then got down to business. "Quick reminder—you signed the NDA. Whatever you see or hear stays confidential. Standard procedure."

"Of course," Bradford said. He'd signed dozens of NDAs working with high-profile clients. This was routine.

"Good. Follow me."

As they walked through the house, Bradford's curiosity grew. "Is Lucas dealing with some kind of health issue? Anything I should know about beforehand?"

Jack glanced back with a slight smirk. "You'll see soon enough."

That wasn't exactly reassuring, but Bradford didn't push.

They reached a sitting room where Lucas and Jennifer were waiting. Lucas stood the moment they entered, looking tense.

"Mr. Knight. Mrs. Knight," Bradford greeted them with a professional nod. He was a fan—wanted to ask for a photo, maybe even a hug—but he kept it together. Professionalism first.

"Doctor Bradford, thanks for coming," Lucas said quickly, his energy restless.

Bradford noticed immediately. Lucas looked anxious, almost jittery. 'What's going on? Is he seriously ill?'

"Let me start with you, Lucas—"

"No," Lucas cut in. "Check my wife first. Do an ultrasound, run everything. I need to make sure she's okay."

Bradford blinked. "Is there something specific you're concerned about, Mrs. Knight?"

Jennifer smiled calmly. "I'm feeling fine. But since this is my first pregnancy, we're both a little unfamiliar with what to expect. We were hoping you could guide us."

Bradford froze.

Pregnancy.

His mind took a second to catch up. 'Wait. Are they—'

"Yes, she's a few weeks along," Lucas said, his voice tight with concern. "I've been reading online, and I keep seeing cases where women with no complications suddenly have miscarriages or issues out of nowhere. We don't want that to happen."

Bradford tried to keep his expression neutral, but internally he was reeling. 'I'm finding out about this before the media? Before most of Hollywood?'

"How many people know?" he asked carefully.

Lucas and Jennifer exchanged glances.

"Our agencies, managers, close team members," Jennifer said. "And now you. It's still a secret."

Bradford nodded seriously, but his heart was racing. 'I'm one of the first people to know the Power Couple is having a baby. Holy shit.'

He wanted to tell someone—anyone. His wife, his friends. But that would mean lawsuits, losing his practice, financial ruin. Still, the weight of the secret felt incredible.

"Doctor Bradford?" Lucas prompted.

"Right. Sorry." Bradford cleared his throat. "I understand the situation. Don't worry—I'll run a full examination. I've got my handheld ultrasound and all the necessary equipment."

His assistant, standing quietly beside him, looked equally stunned but kept his composure.

Bradford went through the examination methodically—blood pressure, vitals, ultrasound. Everything checked out.

"Mrs. Knight is healthy," he said finally. "Everything looks normal. You just need rest, proper nutrition, and prenatal vitamins. You're doing fine."

Lucas visibly relaxed, tension draining from his shoulders.

"If anything changes or you notice anything unusual, call me immediately," Bradford added. "I'll come right away."

"Thank you, Doctor Bradford," Lucas said, relief evident in his voice.

Bradford turned to him with a knowing look. "How about you, Mr. Knight? You look like you could use a checkup yourself."

'I've seen this before. Sometimes the fathers are more anxious than the mothers. It's almost funny.'

"No, I'm good," Lucas said quickly. "Maybe another day."

Bradford nodded, though he felt slightly disappointed. "Whenever you're ready."

But his spirits lifted anyway. He and his assistant were among the first people to know about this pregnancy. He even joked, "If there's a gender reveal party, I hope I make the guest list."

Lucas laughed. "Sure, no problem."

Bradford blinked, not expecting Lucas to take him seriously. "Haha, I'll look forward to it!" His eyes lit up.

He and his assistant left the room.

Once they were alone, Jennifer turned to Lucas. "That doctor's definitely a fan. He looked pretty excited about that party."

Lucas chuckled. "Guy deserves an invite. At least he put my mind at ease."

Jennifer rolled her eyes. "I told you there's nothing to worry about. I'm healthy, I don't smoke, I don't drink. Our baby's fine."

"I know, I know!" Lucas kissed her cheek. "Thank you for being so strong and healthy."

"Of course!" Jennifer looked proud.

Then she gave him a pointed look. "By the way—about that Grammy performance you've got coming up. You should take it more seriously. I don't want you disappointing your fans. Including me. I'll be watching."

Lucas snapped back to reality. "You're right. I've been neglecting it. Don't worry, I'll nail it. For you and our little one." He touched her belly with a smile.

"If you disappoint us, you'll never hear the end of it," Jennifer said playfully.

"Haha, now I'm scared." Lucas grinned. "But since I'm scared, I'm pressured to write something really good."

"I'll be waiting," Jennifer said.

Lucas kissed her one more time before heading off to the studio.

---◖⁠⚆⁠ᴥ⁠⚆⁠◗---

Time moved fast. Before anyone knew it, the 63rd Grammy Awards arrived on March 14, 2021.

The event was always anticipated. Fans got to see their favorite celebrities react, perform, interact—moments that would trend on social media for weeks. Like the Oscars or Golden Globes, but for music.

Outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the energy was already electric. Fans of Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and other major artists lined the barriers.

But the Lucas Knight Fan Club? They outnumbered everyone. Thousands strong, overwhelming even the established fanbases of industry legends.

"Taylor!!!"

Whenever an artist appeared, the crowd roared. Taylor Swift got screams. Beyoncé got screams. Lizzo got screams.

But Lucas hadn't arrived yet.

As usual.

He had a reputation for showing up late to every major event—Oscars, Golden Globes, Grammys. People had theories. Some thought he was arrogant. Others thought he craved attention. But the widely accepted explanation was simpler: Lucas hated red carpet interviews. Arriving late meant he could skip straight to the actual event.

"Let's bet on when Lucas shows up. I say 7:15."

"I say 7:20."

Some fans were literally taking bets.

Among them was a young girl named Aliza, around eleven years old. She was a huge Lucas Knight fan—unusual for her age. Most girls her age loved Taylor Swift.

Not Aliza.

Her father, Eric, hoisted her onto his shoulders so she could see better. He was a Lucas fan too, though for different reasons. Eric loved the acting. Aliza loved the music.

"Think Lucas looks as good in person as he does on screen?" Eric asked, trying to hide his own excitement.

"What kind of question is that? Of course he does!" Aliza said without hesitation.

"More handsome than your dad?" Eric chuckled.

"That..." Aliza hesitated, then said quietly, "You both look—"

Before she could finish, the crowd erupted.

"It's Lucas Knight!"

"Lucas, marry me!"

They turned. A black SUV had pulled up. Lucas stepped out wearing a navy blue suit, perfectly tailored, his presence commanding without even trying.

He had that effortless swagger—the kind you couldn't fake.

"Aliza! Look! It's him!" Eric said excitedly.

"Yeah!" Aliza waved frantically. "Lu-Lucas!"

She felt anxious. Her idol probably wouldn't even glance her way.

But then Lucas paused.

He looked directly at her.

Aliza's heart skipped.

Since they were in the front row, she had the advantage. He'd noticed her quickly.

"Lucas! I love your music!" Aliza shouted.

But Lucas didn't seem to care about that. His eyes moved between Aliza and Eric—father and daughter, clearly. Eric carrying Aliza on his shoulders so she could see.

Aliza had blonde hair and blue eyes. Eric had dark hair but the same blue eyes.

But it wasn't their looks that caught Lucas's attention.

It was the bond between them. Father and child.

Something about it tugged at him. Before he realized it, he was walking toward them with a warm smile.

The fans around them erupted—thrilled but also jealous.

Lucas looked at the sign Aliza was holding: LUCAS = LEGEND ♥️ Aliza.

That brought a genuine smile to his face. "Hi. Nice to meet you." He glanced at the sign. "Aliza?"

Both Eric and Aliza froze, awestruck. They never imagined Lucas Knight would just walk up to them like this.

"Y-yeah, her name's Aliza," Eric answered for her. "She's a huge fan."

"My name is Aliza," she said shyly.

"Nice to meet you, Aliza." Lucas smiled and reached up to pat her head—even perched on Eric's shoulders, he was tall enough. "Want me to sign that?" He pointed at the sign.

"Ah, y-yeah. I mean, no! My shirt! Please sign my shirt!" Aliza could barely get the words out.

"Haha, relax. No worries." Lucas pulled a marker from his pocket and signed her shirt.

He found her reaction adorable. He nodded at Eric and finally moved on.

The fans around them watched the whole interaction with warm hearts—and intense jealousy. Some were recording.

Eric looked at his beaming daughter and felt a twinge of jealousy himself. He hadn't gotten an autograph.

Still, it was a rare moment. Lucas only used to approach fans like this early in his career. After he blew up, he rarely did it anymore.

"You're so lucky, dude," someone beside him said. "Can't believe Lucas just walked over like that."

"Yeah." Eric smiled, still processing it. "Me neither."

---◖⁠⚆⁠ᴥ⁠⚆⁠◗---

Lucas did a quick photo op, answered a few softball questions from reporters, then headed straight inside. In the stadium, he spotted Taylor and made his way over.

"Hey!" He pulled her into a hug.

Taylor smiled. "Your world tour's breaking records left and right. You're basically unreachable now." She gave him a teasing look. "Are we still friends, or did you forget about us little people?"

Lucas grinned. "Of course we're still friends. As long as you keep working hard to catch up."

"Guess I have no choice if I want to stay in your orbit," Taylor laughed.

But beneath the banter, she was genuinely happy for him. "Seriously though, congratulations. What you're doing is insane."

"Thanks." Lucas nodded, then leaned in slightly. "My manager mentioned some rumors floating around. Someone special filling up your time lately? Who's the lucky guy?"

Taylor's cheeks flushed slightly. "Yeah, you heard about that?" She looked happy. "I think he might be the one. Maybe in a few years, we'll settle down."

"I'm happy for you," Lucas said genuinely.

He could see it in her face—she really needed this.

After chatting with Taylor for a bit, Dua Lipa joined them. "How're you doing, Lucas?"

"Hey, Dua." He greeted her with a light hug.

"Heard you're performing tonight?" she said.

Lucas nodded. "Yeah. New song."

"Something you composed in five minutes again?" Dua teased.

"Not this time," Lucas said with a slight smile.

Technically, the songs he brought to this world weren't really his. They were from his previous life—songs he could recall perfectly thanks to Mind Workshop, his cheat ability. He could re-experience memories from his past life and remember every song he'd ever heard without fail.

Lucas sat between Taylor and Dua. Nearby, someone kept glancing their way—a rising star named Billie Eilish.

He couldn't help but smile. 'Is she a fan of Taylor or something?' he wondered.

Soon enough, the event officially began. Live on TV, streaming online.

Trevor Noah took the stage as host, keeping the energy up with jokes and commentary.

And as expected, he mentioned Lucas. A quick camera pan to him and viewership spiked. He was ratings gold.

"And speaking of breaking records," Trevor said with a grin, "Lucas Knight's world tour has officially become the highest-grossing tour by a solo artist in history." He paused for effect. "Now, I know what you're thinking - 'Trevor, how much money are we talking about?' Well, let me put it this way: Lucas made so much money on this tour that Ticketmaster called him personally to apologize for their fees. They said, 'We're sorry, Mr. Knight. We didn't realize we were the ones getting robbed this time!'"

The crowd erupted in laughter.

The camera cut to Lucas, who just smiled and shook his head with mock embarrassment.

It was part of the game. Trevor knew that mentioning Lucas—whether through jokes, praise, or playful jabs—kept audiences engaged. He was the biggest name in the room, and he'd be a fool not to capitalize on it. Trevor's style was lighthearted and respectful, which Lucas appreciated. It wasn't mean-spirited. Just good entertainment.

Lucas played along professionally. A smile, a nod, a wave. Easy.

After that, the performances began. Taylor performed. Other artists took the stage.

And then it was Lucas's turn.

He walked onto the stage, guitar in hand, and sat on a stool before the massive audience of fellow artists, industry professionals, and millions watching at home.

At this moment, they were just an audience. And he was here to make an announcement without actually announcing it.

Tonight, through this song, he'd tell the world he was going to be a father—without saying a word.

Lucas started strumming the guitar. Soft, gentle chords.

As he played, memories flashed through his mind. His start in this world, back in 2009. A nineteen-year-old kid trying to make it. His costars on Modern Family, Game of Thrones. Films like Inception, The Hunger Games. Releasing songs. Building a career from nothing.

And now here he was. A global superstar. About to be a father.

Something he never could've imagined when he first arrived in this world.

He began to sing a song he'd heard often in his previous life—one his friend who'd just become a dad used to play on repeat.

"Well, I just heard the news today

It seems my life is going to change"

He closed his eyes, emotion welling up.

"I closed my eyes, begin to pray

Then tears of joy stream down my face"

He opened them again, singing from his heart.

"With arms wide open under the sunlight

Welcome to this place, I'll show you everything

With arms wide open"

This was a song for a soul not yet born, but already changing everything.

His voice was soulful, emotional. He stripped away the rock ballad edge of the original and turned it into something more intimate—acoustic, raw, almost like a folk song with gospel undertones. Just him, his guitar, and his voice.

The audience listened in silence, captivated.

The song was different from Lucas's usual style. He typically sang about romance, heartbreak, longing. But this felt different. Hopeful. Like he was welcoming someone he already loved into his life, even though they hadn't arrived yet.

At home, people watching on TV and streaming online felt the shift too.

In the live chat, fans were buzzing:

"Yo, this song is incredible! So emotional. I don't even know what it's about but I LOVE it!"

"What news did he hear??"

"Someone transcribe the lyrics so we can analyze this!"

Fans were already spiraling into theories.

Meanwhile, in the living room of their home, Jennifer sat watching the performance. Her hand slowly covered her mouth as tears streamed down her face.

She couldn't hold it in.

The song was for her. For their baby.

She related to every word more than anyone else in the world could, because she was carrying that life inside her right now.

At the Grammys, Lucas played the final chord and let it ring out.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then the entire crowd stood up and erupted in applause.

Lucas stood, gave a small smile, waved, and walked off the stage.

When he returned to his seat, Taylor and Dua were both looking at him.

"Great song," Taylor said. "You didn't disappoint."

"Agreed. That was phenomenal," Dua added.

"Thanks."

"But seriously, what's that song about?" Taylor couldn't help asking. "I'm confused. It's so different from your usual stuff."

"Yeah, there's definitely something more to it," Dua said politely. "Care to share?"

Lucas chuckled, reaching for his water bottle. He took a sip. "You'll find out in a few months."

Taylor and Dua exchanged glances. He clearly wasn't going to elaborate, but they didn't push.

Still, they were confused. A few months?

What could he possibly mean by that?

No matter how curious they were, they figured Lucas was just being cryptic for fun. They'd find out eventually.

---ʕ⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴥ⁠ꈍ⁠ʔ---

After the performances wrapped, Lucas won two Grammys for songs he'd released in 2020. Not bad at all.

When the ceremony ended, there was the inevitable after-party.

Lucas knew the drill. Stay for an hour or two minimum. Schmooze, network, be seen.

He met people he'd never crossed paths with before. And to his surprise, Billie Eilish approached him.

"Hi!" she said, barely containing her excitement. "I finally get to meet you face-to-face. I'm Billie Eilish."

"Hey, I know who you are," Lucas said honestly. "I've listened to your stuff."

He wasn't lying. In his previous life, he'd heard several of her songs—some had blown up on YouTube Shorts and TikTok. In this world, TikTok wasn't dominating. Thanks to him, Vine was—his platform.

"Really?" Billie looked genuinely surprised. "Oh my god, I'm flattered. Thank you!"

"Of course." Lucas found it a bit strange. He'd thought she was a Taylor Swift fan based on how she'd been looking over earlier. Guess he'd misread that.

"What's your favorite song of mine?" Billie asked eagerly.

Lucas paused. Honestly, some of his favorite tracks from her hadn't been released yet. This was March 2021.

"'Ocean Eyes,'" Lucas said.

"Wow, really?" Billie seemed a bit surprised but pleased. "I love that one too. And just so you know—I'm a huge fan of your music. Seriously."

She wasn't just being polite. Lucas was genuinely one of her favorites. She'd always thought there was something special about him—clearly talented as an actor, but equally talented as an artist. The kind of dual success people envied.

"What's your favorite song of mine?" Lucas asked.

"'Let Her Go,'" Billie said without hesitation. "That song hits different every time I hear it."

From there, the conversation flowed easily. By the end of the night, Lucas had a new contact in his phone—a friendship with a young, rising talent.

"I also love what you're doing with your money," Billie added. "I heard you bought huge portions of the Cerrado in Brazil to protect it from deforestation. That savanna's so biodiverse, and it's getting destroyed faster than the Amazon in some places. What you're doing is incredible."

Lucas smiled faintly. While he was actively trying to change the world, he felt somewhat helpless about where things were heading overall.

He couldn't control everything. That much was true.

But he hoped that someday, healthcare and quality of life in the States would improve to match some of the better systems in Europe.

---ʕ⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴥ⁠ꈍ⁠ʔ---

Just 12 hours after the Grammys, clips were already spreading online. Everything Lucas-related became the highlight.

Trevor's joke about Ticketmaster getting robbed. Footage of Lucas talking with other artists. Vine creators lip-reading his conversations and making comedy sketches.

But the most talked about was Lucas's performance—specifically, the song itself.

It was new, that much was obvious. But it wasn't the newness people were obsessing over. It was the lyrics.

Many learned the song's title—"With Arms Wide Open"—just from how Lucas repeated it throughout. And people were already overthinking every word.

On Reddit, a thread exploded:

r/LucasKnight

Posted by u/vinyl_spin

Okay what the hell was that Grammy performance about? I need answers

u/vinyl_spin [OP]

I've listened to "With Arms Wide Open" like 30 times now and I still can't figure it out. "I just heard the news today / It seems my life is going to change" - what news?? Someone help me decode this.

↑ 847 ↓

u/TacoBellSurvivor

my money's on him directing his first movie. would explain the "welcome to this place" line - like welcoming audiences to his vision as a filmmaker

↑ 512 ↓

u/PineappleOnPizza_Defender

what if he's buying a sports team? he's got the money. lakers? dodgers? that'd be life-changing news

↑ 891 ↓

u/KnightMareStan

okay that's actually not a terrible theory

↑ 445 ↓

u/Try-Angle19

could be spiritual. maybe he found religion or something? "arms wide open" has that church vibe to it

↑ 156 ↓

u/TacoBellSurvivor

lucas knight joining a church is the wildest take in this thread and that's saying something

↑ 734 ↓

u/GoodBoy21

i'm calling it now - he's writing an autobiography. "welcome to this place" = welcome to my life story. the whole song is him reflecting on his journey

↑ 412 ↓

u/vinyl_spin [OP]

that's actually kind of brilliant

↑ 254 ↓

The people analyzing the song had no idea it was actually Lucas announcing to the world he was about to be a father.

Something they'd eventually figure out.

Beyond that, there was also the viral video of Lucas with the young fan at the Grammys. The footage had been captured by multiple phones and professional cameras—Lucas approaching the father carrying his daughter on his shoulders, signing the girl's shirt, patting her head with such genuine warmth.

The clip spread like wildfire across social media.

On Twitter:

"The way Lucas looked at that father and daughter... like something about it really touched him. You can't fake that kind of reaction."

"I've been to dozens of red carpets and I've NEVER seen Lucas approach fans like that anymore. He stopped doing it years ago. But he made an exception for a dad and his kid? My heart."

On Vine, the clip was endlessly replayed and remixed. Some set it to emotional music. Others added captions analyzing Lucas's body language—how he'd paused, smiled genuinely, made actual eye contact with both the father and daughter.

Entertainment outlets picked it up too:

E! News: "Lucas Knight's Heartwarming Grammy Moment Goes Viral"

Access Hollywood: "Why Did Lucas Knight Break His No-Red-Carpet-Interaction Rule? Fans Have Theories"

The father, Eric, even posted on his social media: "Still can't believe @LucasXKnight took time to sign my daughter's shirt. She hasn't stopped talking about it. Thank you for making her year."

Aliza's photo with her signed shirt got over 500,000 likes.

People were reading into it—speculating why Lucas, who'd stopped approaching random fans years ago, suddenly made an exception for a parent and child. Some thought he was just in a good mood. Others sensed something deeper.

Nobody could quite put their finger on it. But the moment felt significant somehow.

---ʕ⁠·⁠ᴥ⁠·⁠ʔ---

While the internet went crazy, Lucas was enjoying quiet time with Jennifer. After the Grammys, he wanted nothing more than to relax with her.

But then Warner Bros. came back with their offer for Joker 2. And Lucas had to make a decision sooner or later.

He had Neil handle the details.

The offer was shocking: $50 million. Just to agree to play Arthur Fleck one more time.

Neil personally visited Lucas's home to discuss it.

Jennifer brought him coffee. "Here you go."

"Thank you." Neil nodded. "How are you doing? Everything good?"

Jennifer smiled. "Yeah. It's just Lucas overthinking everything."

Neil chuckled, glancing at Lucas. "Yeah, I can see that."

He cleared his throat and got down to business. "So, as you know, Warner really wants you back for Joker 2. They're offering serious money. And they want to start production as soon as possible."

Lucas sighed. "I'd love to, but can't they push it back a year? I want to be here with her."

"Lucas, they're offering you $50 million," Jennifer said, rolling her eyes. "Just take it."

"She's right," Neil added. "And they can't delay it another year. They've already pushed it back once."

If Lucas agreed, he'd become the highest-paid actor in Hollywood again. $50 million upfront—maybe only Robert Downey Jr. with the Avengers films could match that.

Lucas didn't know what to say. He'd been interested before, but now everything was different. Even with Jennifer insisting, he couldn't just agree. "I'll think about it. But filming's gonna take months, right? I don't want to be away when she's in her third trimester or right after the baby's born. That's not negotiable."

Neil sighed. He understood. This was Lucas's first child, and the guy was already stressed out of his mind about Jennifer's health. Missing those crucial months would eat him alive.

"Alright, I'll reach out to them," Neil said. "Maybe I can negotiate a delayed start or a tighter shooting schedule."

Truthfully, it was only Lucas who could make a major studio like Warner Bros. wait. For any other actor, they wouldn't even consider it.

---…⁠ᘛ⁠⁐̤⁠ᕐ⁠ᐷ---

Warner Bros. discussed the situation with Neil and Lucas's agency. They assumed Lucas wanted a higher upfront payment—maybe $60 or $70 million. After all, they had no idea about the pregnancy. That was still a closely guarded secret.

Meanwhile, HBO Max finally released The Lucas Knight World Tour Documentary.

While it was technically a documentary, it showed behind-the-scenes footage, actual live performances, and intimate moments with Lucas and his team. The whole thing was packed—three hours long.

Despite the length, people were buying HBO Max subscriptions just to watch it.

And they didn't regret it.

Because what they watched was incredible. Maybe even the biggest plot twist of 2021.

Three hours after release, news outlets started dropping headlines:

Variety: "Lucas Knight Revealed as Lucid: HBO Max Documentary Exposes Star's Secret Identity"

The Hollywood Reporter: "Lucas Knight IS Lucid: World Tour Doc Drops Bombshell Revelation"

Billboard: "Lucas Knight's Hidden Career as Indie Producer Lucid Confirmed in New Documentary"

Rolling Stone: "The Secret's Out: Lucas Knight Has Been Making Music as Lucid for Years"

Deadline: "HBO Max Doc Reveals Lucas Knight's Alter Ego Lucid, Fans Stunned"

Of course, from these shocking articles and from watching the documentary themselves, fans and non-fans alike were stunned. Some couldn't believe they'd been listening to Lucas's music without knowing it. Others felt vindicated—long-time Lucid fans felt smug they'd been ahead of the curve. And those who'd never heard of Lucid were now scrambling to discover his entire catalog.

Twitter exploded with reactions:

"Everyone's got skeletons in their closet but I didn't expect Lucas Knight's skeleton to be a whole SECRET MUSIC CAREER 💀"

"I owe Dua Lipa the biggest apology. She said Lucas made a song in under 5 minutes and we all thought she was lying. The documentary literally shows him doing it."

"Just realized Lucas performed as Lucid IN HIS OWN CONCERT and nobody knew it was him. The audacity. I'm obsessed."

"Been a Lucid fan since 2018 and I'm feeling so smug right now. Y'all are just NOW discovering him while I've been vibing to his tracks for years."

The internet was clearly shocked. This felt like some anime plot twist come to life.

But of course, this was the internet. It recovered fast.

Within days, the shock transformed into memes. People were immortalizing the moment through humor.

As always, memes were the greatest way to remember anything.

After all, the world's biggest superstar having a secret alter ego? That was prime meme material. People immediately started making Bruce Wayne/Batman comparisons with Lucas Knight and Lucid.

Someone created a side-by-side: Lucas in a suit at the Oscars labeled "Billionaire philanthropist by day" next to a blurry image of Lucid performing labeled "Indie electronic artist by night."

Another showed the Spider-Man pointing meme but with Lucas Knight and Lucid pointing at each other.

One particularly creative user photoshopped Lucas's face onto Clark Kent taking off his glasses to reveal Superman, captioned: "When you realize your favorite indie artist was a Hollywood A-lister the whole time."

On Vine, users were having a field day. One popular clip showed someone dramatically taking off sunglasses with the caption "Me finding out I've been listening to Lucas Knight this whole time without knowing" set to dramatic music.

Another Vine stitched together clips of Lucas at red carpets with Lucid's masked performances, with text overlay: "The duality of man."

The engagement was massive. Through all this buzz, HBO Max was receiving unprecedented attention—even surpassing Netflix in current hype, though it couldn't overtake them as the number one streaming platform overall.

Just from the documentary alone, within the first few days of release, HBO Max gained 4.2 million new subscribers. At an average of $14.99 per month, that translated to roughly $63 million in new monthly revenue—over $750 million annually if they retained even half those subscribers.

This was definitely a good day for HBO Max. Not only that, but they'd also just released new shows like Invincible and The Boys. Both were still early in their runs, releasing episodes weekly, but they were already gaining traction thanks to the documentary driving traffic to the platform.

---…⁠ᘛ⁠⁐̤⁠ᕐ⁠ᐷ---

With the earnings HBO Max was making—all thanks to Lucas—Warner Bros. became even more confident about investing in him.

The documentary had proven something the executives couldn't ignore. In just days, HBO Max had gained millions of new subscribers, generating an estimated $200-300 million in the first quarter alone. Lucas Knight wasn't just a movie star—he was a platform driver, a cultural force who could move numbers most studios only dreamed about.

If he could do that for a documentary, what could Joker 2 become? The first film had crossed a billion dollars worldwide. A sequel with Lucas at his current level of fame—fresh off a record-breaking world tour and the Lucid revelation—could be a genuine cultural event.

But Lucas was hesitant. Neil had reported back that Lucas wanted delays, citing personal reasons he wouldn't elaborate on. The executives didn't know about the pregnancy, so they made an assumption: he wanted more money.

They ran the numbers. Even at $70 million—which would make Lucas the highest-paid actor in Hollywood history—the film would be massively profitable if it performed anywhere near the first film's level. And given Lucas's current trajectory, it would likely exceed it.

The decision was unanimous. Offer $70 million.

Neil came running back to Lucas's house, barely able to contain himself.

"Dude, this is $70 million!" Neil said the moment he walked in. "I know you're filthy rich right now, but dude—this is $70 million! You'd be making history with this offer!"

Even Jennifer, despite knowing Lucas was worth billions thanks to his Tesla stake, looked at him with genuine excitement. As an actor herself, she understood the magnitude. Being offered $70 million for a single film wasn't just rare—it was nearly unprecedented.

Lucas sat quietly for a moment.

It wasn't about the money. He had more than he could spend in ten lifetimes. It was about the character. Playing Arthur Fleck had meant something to him the first time—a broken man finding meaning in chaos. The script for the sequel was good, maybe even better than the version from his previous life. Walking away felt like leaving something unfinished.

But then there was Jennifer. And the baby.

"The timing's terrible," Lucas said finally. "Filming would start soon, and I'd be gone for months right when you need me most."

Jennifer reached over and took his hand. "Lucas, I'll be fine. My family will be around. Your team will be around. And you'll fly back on weekends."

"But—"

"It's $70 million," she said, raising an eyebrow. "And more importantly, it's Joker. You came alive playing that character. I saw it."

Lucas looked at her, then at Neil's hopeful expression.

She was right. He had come alive.

He sighed. "Alright. Tell them I'll do it." He added, "It's $70 million. And it's Arthur Fleck. Looks like I don't have much of a choice."

Neil and Jennifer both lit up.

"Yes! Good!" Neil could barely contain himself. "I'll contact them right now!" He pulled out his phone and left the room to make the call.

Once they were alone, Lucas looked at Jennifer seriously. "Are you absolutely sure you'll be fine by yourself?"

"Of course," Jennifer said. "Besides, I'm thinking about telling my family soon. Once they know, they'll be all over me. You might actually be lucky to escape for a few months."

Lucas laughed despite himself. "Your mom's going to go into full grandma mode, isn't she?"

"Oh, she's going to be insufferable," Jennifer agreed, smiling.

"What about you?" Jennifer asked after a moment. "I know you have issues with your father and stepmother. But maybe your grandfather? Your mom's dad? Will you tell him?"

Lucas looked thoughtful. He hadn't spoken to William in a while, but the man had always been kind to him. Supportive, in his reserved way.

"I don't see why not," Lucas said. Then he added, "But the fewer people who know, the better. We don't want anyone prying into our private business. It'll just stress you out."

"I know," Jennifer said softly.

---…⁠ᘛ⁠⁐̤⁠ᕐ⁠ᐷ---

William Cavendish had been spending his retirement days peacefully at his estate, watching the clear sky and horizon from his private terrace.

At eighty-three, he'd earned his peace. Quiet mornings with tea, the English countryside stretching out before him.

His trusted aide, Geoffrey, entered with measured steps.

"What is it?" William asked, not looking away from the view.

"There's a message from your grandson, sir."

William's eyebrows shot up immediately. He turned. "Oh? What does it say?"

"I don't know, sir. It's a letter," Geoffrey said. "I haven't read it."

William looked at the envelope and chuckled softly. Lucas knew his preferences—letters, proper correspondence. Not these impersonal texts everyone used now.

He took it and carefully opened it, unfolding the paper inside.

At first, he thought it might be an invitation. Perhaps another award ceremony. But as he read the first few lines, his expression changed.

Lucas was informing him that he and Jennifer were expecting. He was going to be a great-grandfather again—this time from Lucas's side of the family.

William read it twice, his hands steady but his chest tight with emotion.

He had other great-grandchildren, of course. But this was different. Lucas was his daughter's son. His only daughter, gone far too young.

He'd watched from afar as Lucas struggled after her death, grew up, found his way in America without her guidance. And now this—a new generation, life continuing.

William's eyes grew misty.

"Sir?" Geoffrey asked gently. "Is everything alright?"

William nodded, unable to speak for a moment. Then he laughed—a genuine, joyful sound.

"Everything's fine, Geoffrey," he said, his voice thick. "Everything's wonderful."

He looked back up at the sky, holding the letter carefully.

'Sophia,' he thought, 'I hope you're seeing this. Your son is about to have a child.'

The grief was still there, always would be. But for the first time in years, it was mixed with something brighter. Joy. Hope.

He carefully folded the letter. He'd keep this one. Frame it, perhaps.

William sat back down, the letter resting on his lap, and returned his gaze to the horizon.

The future felt brighter than it had in a long time.

---…⁠ᘛ⁠⁐̤⁠ᕐ⁠ᐷ---

Time moved forward. Lucas agreed to play Arthur Fleck again.

He didn't just agree because of the $70 million or Neil begging him. He agreed because the story for Joker 2 was good. Probably even better than the version from his previous life.

And because of that, he immersed himself using Mind Workshop, slipping back into the life of the Joker.

His transformation began again—not just mentally, but physically.

This wasn't exactly method acting. He was still himself, still Lucas Knight at his core. But gradually, he was becoming Arthur Fleck again.

The months of preparation most actors would need only took him weeks. Through strict diet and training, Lucas began losing weight rapidly, his body returning to the gaunt, angular frame of Arthur Fleck from the first film.

And this transformation was impossible to miss.

People started speculating immediately. Then news leaked that Lucas had just accepted a $70 million upfront payment for Joker 2, and everything made sense.

At the same time, excitement for Joker 2 exploded.

This added fuel to the meme fire. After all, Lucas was being compared to Batman online, but he was playing the Joker.

The internet had a field day.

Someone created a meme with the "You were supposed to destroy them, not join them" format from Star Wars, showing Lucas as Batman transforming into the Joker.

Another showed the "Perhaps I treated you too harshly" Thanos meme with Batman looking at the Joker, captioned: "Batman realizing the Joker was just his alter ego all along."

One particularly popular Vine showed someone dramatically removing a Batman mask to reveal Joker makeup underneath, captioned: "Lucas Knight's character arc."

Another meme showed the "I'm playing both sides so I always come out on top" format with Lucas as both Batman and Joker.

Speaking of transformations, Lucas wasn't the only one getting noticed.

Jennifer was too.

Paparazzi photos started circulating—Jennifer wearing oversized sweaters, loose-fitting jackets, baggy shirts. Outfits that weren't her usual style.

Tabloids immediately picked up on it:

TMZ: "Jennifer Lawrence Spotted in Baggy Clothes—Weight Gain or New Fashion Choice?"

Daily Mail: "Jennifer Lawrence Steps Out in Oversized Sweater Amid Husband's Joker Transformation"

People: "Jennifer Lawrence's Recent Style Shift Has Fans Speculating"

The online chatter grew:

"Is Jennifer pregnant or just comfortable? Either way, leave her alone."

"Jennifer's been wearing nothing but oversized clothes for weeks now. Something's definitely up."

"Maybe she's just sick of being scrutinized for her body? Let the woman live."

"Lucas is losing weight for Joker and Jennifer's gaining weight? What's going on with them?"

It seemed the couple's physical changes were starting to draw attention—whether they wanted it or not. And in Hollywood, attention always led to speculation. The clock was ticking on how long they could keep their secret.

-------

Song:

Creed - With Arms Wide Open