Monster surrogacy isn’t a job for most people, but you love it.
You were pregnant with a litter of werewolf pups when you met with a new customer.
Instantly, you recognized him as a vampire. He was tall and pale, closing an umbrella as he walked into your workplace.
“Are you… currently available?”
His red eyes shift to your swollen belly, which instantly answered his question. You still gave him a polite, if sheepish, smile.
“Ah, not at the moment. I’m-“
He stepped forward, eyes still focused on your baby bump. “… do you perhaps… let people sample you before they impregnate you?”
The hunger in his eyes was palpable, his voice becoming more husky and deeper with each word. It seemed just seeing you there, heavy and pregnant, was enough to get him going.
You glanced down at your belly, then to the back room. “I suppose so, as long as you’re gentle…”
His hand moved down to the fat of your hips, his other using your pregnant belly as leverage as he fucked into you.
“Fuck…” he murmured into your ear, his fangs brushing agaisnt your neck. When he noticed milk beading at your nipples, he reached up to grope and knead them.
He was faster than the werewolf you had before. Though his cock didn’t swell and knot inside of you, it moved so quick and found your g-spot within seconds.
Milk spurted from your heavy tits as he came inside of you, his teeth sinking into your neck. He didn’t draw much blood, just enough for a quick taste before he pulled away.
He dressed quietly, eyeing you up the entire time as you cleaned his cum from your trembling thighs.
“… once you are recovered from pregnancy, I will request your services again. I require an heir.”
With that he walked out of your store, leaving you excited for his next appointment.
Can't stop thinking about Yandere Clark Kent with a breeding kink. But the thing is reader is already pregnant when she meets him. Either they work together at the Daily Planet or is a normal civilian Superman ends up saving, perhaps a neightbor living in Clark's building or a teemate, Clark becomes obsessed. I'd assume reader is only a few months along, enough to show but not huge when their yet, you know.
Pregnant reader's partner has already left them, now deeming them only as the "shitty ex". You feel like you being watched constant, "I'm not going crazy, aren't I". Perhaps this pregnancy is taking a tool on you. But hey, at least you haven't been lonely. I mean a lovely man has been coming to practically take care of you. How ever he shows up either it be as Clark or Superman, he will dote on you.
" No ma'am, let me carry that", "You must be starvin darling, let me make you something" or "I bought you some food, your eating for two after all", " Now what did I tell you about doing any work while I'm around". This boy is practically driving you up the wall, but you don't really want him to leave. I mean after what happened to the last man in you life, him abandoning you would be another punch to the gut.
But you just can't shake there is something off with this one. Maybe its just the hormones messing with you mind. He feels too close to you, and ya'll only just met a while ago. Your honestly wating for the other shoe to drop. But everyone else says he so nice, you believe them, so you brush it off for now. It feels nice to have someone look after you.
Clark dosen't really know why his obsession with you is as bad as it is. I mean he knows why he likes you, but sitting in your room while you sleep, is something else entirely. He just needs to know that you and the baby are okay. I mean anyting could go wrong during pregnancy, he's read the articles, hell even wrote a few himself. But that's the thing, what he's doing make him feel like a perv.
You just make him feel so hot and bothered. He just can't stop starring at you and that little bundle of joy your carrying inside you. He is a family man, all of this has just spiraled our of control thats all. He was just checking up on you, then he saw how sad, scared, and alone you were, and it all went down hill from there. He needed to swoop in and save you because that's what does.
He likes to imagine it was him who knocked you up, and not that ex of your. God if he was here he doesn't know what he would do, I mean he wouldn't kill but how could someone be so stupid and leave an angel like you. And in you time of need, when you possibly at the most vulnerable, but don't worry he'll take care of you, always.
Clark can barely look at you for long with yout getting hard. Constantly shifting his pants so you don't see how you make him feel. He has to restrain himself from saying what he really wants to say when you cry about how ugly you feel from being this big. He thinks your ridiculous, you have never looked more beautiful in his eyes.
Thoughts of him towering over you as he spends hours and hours pumping his seed into you. Begging and screaming for him to put a baby into you, his baby, to desperatly make him a daddy. Oh but only a man can dream. The nights he spends imagining you two on the farm with a whole litter of kids runinng around, keep him fighting harder so he can come to see you sooner.
He just hope's he has everything prepared for the baby's arrival. Clark dosen't give a danm that the baby isn't his. I mean look who he is raised by, he would take in any kid without question as long as he could raise thim with you. Finding a place in the Metropolis countryside wasn't really that hard, he just hopes you and the baby like for when he brings you here.
Telling you is going to be the harder part, I mean you'll get over it everually right? I mean you can't really raise a baby in that small dingy aprartment anyway. A kid needs running room, a big o'l nice backyard to satisfy them to their hearts content. Clark will bring you after you have the baby as to not add to any stress during your pregnancy. This is good he thinks, he'll be the best dad and hopefully husband to the both of you.
A/N: A request from anon <3 (here are hcs about Madara and pregnant!reader)
You were already in the third trimester of your pregnancy. You couldn’t wait for your baby to come. You had picked and decorated a room with Madara, both of you really wanted this child.
You decided to go to the market today to buy a little charm you had heard of. You had seen some children wrapping these cute pendants on their kunai, so you wanted one for your baby. The streets weren’t very crowded today, making for the perfect day out.
When you got to the store, you couldn’t find the charms. You had asked a few kids where they had gotten theirs and all of them led you here. Yet, as you searched the shelves, you couldn’t find the damn thing. Even worse, there was no staff in sight. You marched further into the store, looking for someone who could help you, and you started to think this trash place was empty.
“Hello?” You asked, annoyingly to no response.
“Hellooo??!!” You asked again, raising your voice so that the store’s useless employee could hear you.
An ugly, greasy looking guy appeared from behind one of the shelves.
“Hello, ma’am! How may I help you?” He said with his ugly smile. He sounded so nice it made you frown immediately.
“Finally! Where are you people hiding the cute charms I’ve seen around?”
“Uh, our kunai decor?”
“Are you dense? Yes, the kunai charms.” You were getting increasingly irritated by this.
“We’re unfortunately out of stock of this item.” He said, still with that hideous smile.
“The hell you mean, out of stock?! I’ve seen it everywhere!”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. It is indeed one of our most popular products, and because of that, it’s currently sold out.”
“Argh!”
You were exasperated and left the store in a bad mood. You just wanted to do a nice thing for your baby, but everyone seemed to be against you today.
As you walked back home, more people started to come to the streets. Of course, you couldn’t even have this one thing.
In front of your house, you saw your roses blooming. They were so pretty! You remembered how Madara helped you find the seeds, plant them and take care of them. Even if he didn't really want to garden, he still helped you grow these beautiful roses.
Madara had taken such good care of you during this pregnancy. You loved him so much, you couldn’t have asked for a better husband. He always made sure to not let you use too much effort, and he smelled so nice.
He would let you play with his hair while he cooked you breakfast, lunch and dinner. His hair was so soft and long, you loved fiddling with it. Oh yeah, sometimes it would smell like roses if you two worked with them for too long. And he would cook for you. Such delicious food, but maybe not what you wanted right now. You wanted something lighter and sour, like a green apple. But also very sweet, like honey.
As you wandered through the living room, you heard muffled voices coming from the other side of the house. You went towards Madara's office and put you ear on the shoji to listen to what he was saying.
“–find the scrolls? –”
“ –working on it. The team hasn't–”
You couldn’t hear it properly, but what they were talking about didn't matter. You knocked and waited. Nothing happened so you knocked again, with a little more force.
“Hmm? Come in.” You heard Madara's deep voice come through.
You opened the shoji, seeing Madara and Hikaku with some scrolls laying on the table. Both looked back at you, as you stayed halfway hidden by the shoji, not really entering the room.
“Madara,” You dragged his name a bit.
“Yes?” He gave a little cute smile.
You looked down and around the round before continuing, “I wanted something to eat,” He arched an eyebrow and opened his mouth, but you kept going, “Some apples dipped in honey would be very nice, you know?”
“Right now, dear? I'm in the middle of something,”
“Please? Cut apples with honey sounds so good, though,” You insisted.
He sighted and stood up.
Did you bother him too much? Maybe he was tired of working and trying to get done was fast as possible, and you made him late. Or maybe he was very concentrated and you interrupted all his thoughts by coming here. “Are you mad at me?”
“What? No, my love, I'm not bothered at all, just getting up,” Madara looked in your eyes, “This wasn't so important, Hikaku can deal with it by himself.”
“So it was important matters that I–”
“Not at all, let's get going,” He interrupted you and pointed towards the hallway, “Shall we?”
You followed him to the kitchen, where he picked a couple of green apples from a basket.
“You should sit down,” He told you as he grabbed a knife.
You sat down by the table and kept looking at Madara as he prepared your snack. He looked so good today, it made you smile.
When he finished cutting the apples, he poured honey into a small bowl. You were very happy with how things were looking. The honey and the apples looked delicious, you couldn't wait for Madara to bring them to you.
“Now, now, here's whatever this is supposed to be.”
Madara placed two bowls in front of you, the sliced apples and the honey.
“Yay! Thank you!” You said as you reached out to grab one apple slice.
He walked to your side and bowed his upper body until he was slightly above your head. “No problem. Try not to make a mess with the honey, okay?” He told you before kissing your temple.
“Sure,” You said with your mouth full of apple and honey. “It's so sweet!”
“Well, it is honey,” He giggled, leaving you in the kitchen.
WC; 2.5k+ | !MDNI! | TW/CW :: pregnancy, manipulation (flashbacked?), x fem reader, she/her prounouns used, yandere!, obsession, thoughts on abortion, plans to escape, wanting to abort the baby
⋆·˚ ༘ * 𝒮𝒴𝒩𝒪𝒫𝒮𝐼𝒮 :: Yandere!Jugram kidnaps the reader with the help of the Bambies. {Y/n} becomes pregnant with his child but wants to abort due to the circumstances, trying to keep it a secret. Jugram finds out, becomes furious, insisting on a marriage (coerced). She escapes to the human world, but Jugram tracks her down, discovers her plan to abort the child, and forcibly takes her back.
part 3 | part 4 | part 5- m.list | bleach m.list
switched to second pov bc first pov makes me tweak a little :(
It has already been a full month. The days ran into one another, and that horrid fear of becoming the objects of those days just stuck in your mind. Jugram would not stop turning up, pulling you close, and whispering possessive words in your ear. Every single night, he would fill you up, driven by his mad obsession to see you pregnant with his child.
You woke up one morning and sensed that you were not okay. A wave of nausea washed over you, and you barely made it to the bathroom before you couldn't hold back anymore and started vomiting into the toilet. The sickness was literally wracking you, convulsing your whole body with each heave. By the time the spasm passed, you sagged to the cool tile of the bathroom floor, trying to collect your breathing.
Hitting you slowly as you sat there, a dawning realization. You counted the days through in your head and your heart sank down and down. It had turned out that your period was late. It wasn't just that the stress or fear had stopped it. You were pregnant.
And then, suddenly you knew, and the full realization hit you as you reached for your stomach. Your eyes filled with tears, and you could only whisper, "What am I going to do?".
It was impossible not to realize your predicament. Jugram's insistence has paid off: you had his child, and with Jugram, there was no way out.
So you had sat there, lost in thought, until the knock on the bathroom door launched you out of your reverie. The handle turned—the door didn't. "What are you doing in there?" Jugram's voice, tight with irritation and concern, filtered through the wooden barricade.
Panic flooded every vessel in your body as you flushed the toilet in haste, trying to straighten out your nerves. Finally, you unlocked and opened it to find Jugram leaning on the wall; his expression was a mix of emotions: confusion, irritation.
"What in hell have you been doing in there with the door locked?" he asked crustily; narrowing his eyes as he looked you over.
"I. I felt sick," you stuttered out, trying to keep your voice level. "I have a temperature or something, I think."
A softening of expression, though still not convinced, settled over Jugram's features. "Why didn't you tell me?" came a voice not so rough now. "You should have called for me."
"I didn't want to be a hassle," you said, looking away from him. "I thought it was nothing."
He approached a bit closer, his face coming very close to yours. "You are not hot," he observed, and looked really hard at your face. "Are you sure that's all it is?"
You could only nod quickly, desperate to keep the truth hidden. "Yes, I'm sure. Just feeling a bit off, that's all."
Jugram sighed, his shoulders slightly relenting. "Alright. But if you feel worse, you tell me immediately. Understand?"
"Yes, yes; I understand," you said, attempting to soothe him. "I'll inform you."
The arms around your body hugged very possessively into the embrace. "You must take care of yourself," he told your ear side, and his warm breath sent tingles right down to your ear. "You matter to me."
You nodded against his chest, and your secret became all the more burdensome. For now it was hidden, but you knew just how much time separated you from Jugram discovering what your condition was.
You clung to him, your mind racing. You had to get away. You could not stand being near Jugram anymore, much less having his child and bringing one into this mess. Hands on you almost every night, advances that just wouldn't stop no matter how much you told him to stop, had you feeling pinned, trampled upon.
"I f-fear I should go to th-the infirmary," you suddenly remarked, pulling back slightly. "Hmmaybe th-they can give me something for this s-sickness."
He paused, his brows drawing low in a severe study of your lips and eyes. "I'll take you," he murmured, not allowing space for argument in his voice.
"No!" You had shouted, and it came out louder, more desperate than you ever would have meant. Jugram's eyes slit a little, and he looked at you again with the surprise, mixed with his irritation.
"Watch your tone," he corrected coldly, then continued in that commanding tone, "I shall not be disrespected."
You swallowed hard, trying to lock your fear away. "I'm so sorry," you said under your breath. "Just. I need some space. I need to do this on my own."
It was in that very moment that Jugram's gaze held into yours before he finally relented with obvious reluctance. "Fine," he said, the ice in his tone palpable. "But you will return immediately after. And if I find out you're lying to me.
The threat dangled heavy in the air, unvoiced but oh so clear. You nodded, tried to keep too much relief from your face. "Okay," you said softly.
Jugram released you, stepping back. "Go, then. But remember what I said."
You nodded your head; the slight tremble of fear was evident in your movement. Turning to leave, you felt Jugram just behind you. His arms, before a second more could pass, went about your waist, pulling you close to him, and you tensed under his touch as your heart pounded in your chest.
"One other thing," his warm breath murmured in your ear. "We need to talk about our future."
The way he said it made your stomach feel bilious, and you struggled not to let your voice shake. "Our future?" you repeated.
"Yes," he said, grip tensing by a fraction. "You and I are going to get married. The only way to make sure our bond is secure. to ensure you stay mine."
You stiffened, head swimming. "But… Jugram, I can't—"
"You can and you will." His voice allowed no argument as though he had already decided the next course of action. "You shall marry me, and we will raise our child together. There is to be no argument."
Tears pricked at the corners of your eyes as you struggled to find the words. "Please, Jugram, I—"
"Enough," the firmness there in his tone, yet his voice did soften a bit. "You are mine. This marriage will take place, whether you will it or not now."
What neither of you know is that Bazz B has been watching from around the corner in the hallway, his eyes narrowed on the scene. He says nothing, his face frozen in a void emotion, though he watches the scene between you and Jugram.
Jugram tugged you even closer so he could murmur right beside your ear, "Don't make this more difficult than it needs to be. Accept your fate, and things will go a lot easier on you."
His words seemed to settle over you like a weight, the realization of your situation growing more and more clear. Not knowing where else to turn your back, you nodded just a little, the motion one of reluctant submission.
"Good," Jugram said, well pleased. "Now, to the infirmary. Remember what I said."
Again, you had nodded and felt his grip on your arm slacken ever so slightly. You turned to leave, and the reality of your situation hit harder than ever. You were cornered, with no way out in view; in fact, the only future you could see was one where you bowed down to Jugram's will.
But as you made your way further down the corridor, you shook your head and in your flickered determination. No, you wouldn't fall into his trap. You would not gladly accept this kind of destiny.
You didn't notice Bazz B standing in front of you, his hand at his chin, deep in thought, until you'd walked straight into him. Instantly, his hands clamped down on your shoulders, tightening but not cruel.
"Hey, watch where you're going," he said, flashing a smirk. "Lost in thought, are we?"
You stepped back; your heartbeat was still erratic from the Jugram situation. "Sorry," you mumbled, trying to step sideways with him.
Bazz B would never let you off that easy. His eyes roamed your face, pausing at the blemishes of fear and steel. "You do look a bit under the weather. His Majesty be givin' ye the short end of things?" Light colors belied an edge of curiosity or something darker beneath them.
"Nothing," you said quickly, darting a look aside from that great, burning interest in you. "I need to get to the infirmary."
Bazz B had cocked an eyebrow and turned his head, giving her a look as if he knew something. "The infirmary, eh? You don't look ill at all."
The simple act of standing near you was enough to make your stomach constrict, the weight of his gaze almost unbearable. "I really am about to be sick," you said, this time being far more insistent.
He laughed; the sound was as soft as it was cold. "Sure, sure. But you remember, you are truly not as invisible as you might think you are. People are watching." His eyes flicked down the hall where Jugram had disappeared. "And not just Jugram."
You swilled it all in, the full moisture of his words. You didn't even answer; you slipped past him, quickening the pace as you were making your way toward the infirmary. You needed to find a way out, break free from the vice of the palace and ever-watching eyes. For now, you had to play along even as every fiber in you screamed for freedom.
You finally arrived at the infirmary, knocking on the door and trying to steady your nerves with a deep breath. When the door slowly crept open ajar, in stepped a kindly looking woman with soothing eyes and a warm smile.
"Hello, dear. How can I help you?" she softly spoke.
Forced a smile on my face and tried to make it as genuine as possible. "I am not feeling well," you said. "I was hoping to get something for the medication."
"Of course, come in," she said, and ushered you through the door into a small, quiet infirmary, redolent with the smell of herbs and antiseptic. She brought you to a chair and sat opposite you. "Can you describe the symptoms to me?"
For just a beat, you hesitated until you found the words. "Nauseous, lightheaded. Just generally unwell."
She nodded and looked at you with a face of concern. "How long have you felt this way?"
"About a week," you said, lying so that your story could be more believable.
"Are you sexually active?" she asked again, her eyes boring through yours for any signs of discomfort.
Your heart raced at this question, but you just nodded. "Yes."
She nodded again, as if fitting a last piece of a jigsaw puzzle. "I do think that we should do a pregnancy test just to make sure," she said.
You swallowed hard. Your mind was racing. "Okay," you said, knowing that you had no choice.
She handed you a small test kit and waved in the direction of the bathroom. You would have complied with the directions when your hands were shaking. A few tight minutes later, you emerged holding the positive test in your shaking hand.
The woman took it from you, her eyes softening with sympathy, as she read the result in front of her. "Congratulations," she said quietly. "You are pregnant."
Your expression must have let that turmoil show, for the woman's face changed to concern. She seriously regarded your eyes, those eyes full of fear, and flickering understanding crossed her face.
"You knew already, didn't you?" she murmured softly.
You only shook your head, unable to speak, and the tears welled in your eyes.
Bending towards you over the table, the woman's voice was hushed and sympathetic. "What do you want to do about the baby?"
You bit your lip, trying to stop yourself from crying. "I want," you began, your voice trembling. "Have an abortion," you murmured the words, barely audible, at last giving up and crying.
The woman held your hand in hers. "I understand," she said with a soft voice. "We will talk more about it and raise arrangements. It's important for you to be safe and sure about your decision."
She lapsed into a moment of silence to choose her words wisely. "But then again, there's one thing you should know. Here, we have to take the father's consent for an abortion. He would have to sign a paper agreeing to the procedure."
Her words are like an incoming train: those that it could not stop, while your heart was feeling—sinking—filling with horror. Jugram would never agree to that. Panic began to rise within you as you started to understand what this requirement would mean.
"Is there no other way?" You whispered, your voice quivering. "He won't, he'd not agree to this."
She squeezed your hand. "I wish to God there was another way," she said. Her voice was thick with some real regret. "But that's the rule we have to deal with. I can talk more, and I will help you as much as I can. Perhaps we can even see if there is some way of talking to him—to tell him exactly how you feel and what your situation is"—and here the woman smiled as if she had just seen a way of escape.
You shook your head, tears streaming down your face.
"You don't understand. He won't listen."
Before the nurse could say anything further, the door to the infirmary burst open. Jugram stormed inside, his face looking dark and stormy. His eyes snapped toward you with an intensity that made your heart race.
"What's this I hear about wanting an abortion?" Jugram's voice cut through the room like a blade, sharp and incising. His being seemed to fill the room, and anger and authority seethed from him. He didn't even let her answer but instead shifted his eyes to the nurse. "Leave us." he ordered, not a tone in his voice that would allow argument.
The color had almost leached from the nurse's face as her eyes kept switching from the realization, and the realization between you and Jugram. She flicked you a sympathetic glance and nodded quickly before promptly exiting the room, leaving you alone with Jugram.
He whipped back to you once more, eyes narrowing, a dangerous glint in them. "Do you seriously think you can just dispose of what belongs to us by right? Or think you can make any decisions about my child without first conferring with me?" He growled low, menacing, filled with this twist of possessiveness.
You stepped back, as fear took a grip on your very being, advancing in the other person's direction. You tried, "I—" but the words got stuck in your throat.
A sharp intake of breath, and then Jugram's hand shot out, grabbed yours, and yanked you forward, sending you staggering to a stop an inch from his face. His gaze speared into yours so deeply it was as if he was trying to smother you with the force of it. "You're mine," he rasped, his voice smothered in angry something dark, something obsessive. Not you or my child are something you just get rid of, I won't have it be so.
He tightened his grip, and you winced, but at the same time you tried to take your mind off the pain. His other hand cupped your face, forcing you to look up at him. "You're mine. Everything about you is mine. And you will bear my child. There is no escape from that."
You fought to pull away, but his hold was unyielding. "Please, Jugram," you pleaded, your voice breaking. "I can't do this. I don't want this."
Jugram's dark expression became even darker. Now his eyes flashed with cold anger. "You do not decide that," he stated quite icily, "You do as you are told. I will not have you or my child disrespected in that manner.
His words were like daggers; touches that put one in place, trapped, and helpless. Oh, you wanted to fight back, but resisting Jugram's will set dire consequences. His obsession, his smothering control, and the thought of what would happen if you defied him set shivers down your spine.
There was a tiny softening, almost not a softening, in Jugram's gaze as he brushed his fingers over your cheek, the touch possessive and tender. "You will come to agree with this," he murmured now, his voice more a blend of possessive affection and cold determination. "You shall be my wife and the mother of my child; there can be no other way.
You winced away from the look in his eyes, torn from keeping your own gaze on meeting his, the tears still falling. Then, oh God, the walls only seemed to close in more on you than before, trapping you immeasurably in Jugram's world.
Do not copy, steal, modify, etc.
Relogs and like are appreciated.
“What were you two talking about out there?” she demanded as soon as they stepped inside.
Leaning in close Riley whispered “good luck.”
“I think I’m going to need it,” he mumbled.
“Going to need what” she crossed her arms glaring up at him.
Behind the angry facade he could see the fear in her blue eyes. “Let me explain” he stepped towards her.
A crease appeared between her eyes “alright. I’m waiting.”
His shoulders rose and fell “you seem to already have your mind made up.”
Staring silently up at him she tried to smile. “No I, well, you better have a good explanation that’s all.”
“I do” his hand brushed hers “I promise I’ll tell you everything.” Tilting her chin towards him “we’ll figure this out together. You, me and the baby.”
“You believe me” her eyes moistened with tears as she peered into his.
“Never doubted it” leaning forward he gave her a tender kiss. “We have so much to talk about.”
“But we have a wedding to attend” she sighed wanting nothing more than to be alone with him.
“Shall we” he held his arm out to her. Smiling as she threaded her arm through his. Patting her hand he followed the remnants of the family outside where the wedding was about to start.
Leaning into him she let him escort her outside. There was so much she wanted to say. To ask. Now was not the time. Her brother was about to get married to the man of his dreams. Looking up, was Aki her dream man? There was no doubt he’d touched her heart in more ways than anyone else ever had.
Turning, their eyes connected. His smile spread like sunshine. “I’m so lucky” he whispered playing with a strand of her hair.
“Yes you are” she retorted primly. “You’re lucky that it’s bad luck to kill someone at a wedding.”
“Then I’ll have to thank them later for saving my life.”
“Yes you will” she giggled before turning her attention to the couple about to say their vows “shush I want to hear this.”
“Jayden I can’t help reflecting back on everything we’ve been through. Somehow, because of you all I see is hope. I can’t promise every day with me will be a good day. There will be bumps in the road. There will be times when the past will be all I can see but I promise to fight like hell to remember the good days. To always come back to you even if we both cry endless tears. I promise to lean on you even when I know it breaks your heart to see me like that. I will always reach my hand out to you and confide in you no matter what.”
Wiping tears from his eyes Jayden squeezed his hand. “I vow to always hold you tight when you wake up screaming. I’ll be there to sing you back to sleep. I promise to always be the hero you need. To snap you back from all the bad memories that still haunt you. Within my arms you’ll always be safe. I love you now and forever.”
“They look so happy” Raelyn observed her eyes scanning the crowded room.
“Do you think we’ll be that happy?” he asked, watching her.
Her eyes settled on him, a small smile brightening her face. “Perhaps” she shrugged shaking her head a little. The frown on his face made her stop “what’s wrong” she asked raising a hand to touch his cheek.
He brought a hand up to cover hers holding her hand against his face. Sadness filled his eyes. “We need to talk” his words were low, barely audible above the babble of voices in the room.
“Then let’s go” she said pulling him towards the door.
“Wait” he cried “I didn’t mean right this second. This is a special day for your family….”
“It’s their special day” she corrected “I’m sure they won’t miss us. Besides the sooner we leave the sooner they can get to the really special part of their day.”
“But…” he glanced around catching Riley’s eyes. “Don’t you think we ought to say goodbye or something.”
“Fine” she rolled her eyes at him.” Clapping her hands until everyone turned to look at her she announced “Aki and I are leaving now.”
There was a murmur of laughter as everyone shook their heads at her. “Is that it” he asked somewhat shocked.
“What else is there?” she asked “did you want to say something?”
“Um” he felt somewhat uncomfortable when she clapped her hands again and he could feel everyone looking at him. From what he could tell from their faces they weren’t shocked or amused by Raelyn’s antics more resigned. “Err….Raelyn and I want to offer our congratulations to the happy couple and wish them all the best in the future. Thank you for the lovely evening, sorry we couldn’t stay longer.”
Turning to Raelyn he saw Riley giving him a quick nod as if approving his little speech. “Alright I’m ready to go” he said. Her eyes flashed with annoyance as she swung the door open and with a little too much gusto sending it into the wall hard enough to leave a mark where the door knob was. “What” he demanded knowing she was irritated at him.
“You know what” she grumbled stomping outside.
“Remember son” Jackson’s voice spoke next to him “her bark is worse than her bite.”
“I hope you’re right sir” he said as he followed closing the door behind him with a feeling his night was just beginning.
Silence as thick as fog hung in the air around them as they drove the short distance to Raelyn’s house. The slamming of the driver’s door jerked Hideaki from his thoughts. Heaving a sigh he climbed from the car “Rae” he called his voice breaking.
Stopping she stood with her back to him. “Did you have to do that? Make me look bad in front of everyone.”
Frowning he stammered “that’s not what …”
“It’s what you did” she cried running into the house. She turned to face him when the door opened and closed behind her. “How do you think your little speech made me feel” she demanded before he could speak.
“I included you” he pointed out “I don’t understand why you’re upset.”
She made a small hissing sound “it made me look bad. Like I was only thinking of myself. Like I needed you to smooth things over.”
“I’m sure no one thought that.”
“Of course they did” her anger dissolved into tears “they all know I’m a self-centered brat…”
Closing the gap between them Hideaki wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.”
“Admit it. You thought it too” she sniffed resting her head on his chest “I saw the look on your face.”
Tilting her chin upward he gave her a small smile. “I admit I thought your announcement needed ….”
“More thought” she interrupted “more feeling.”
“Maybe” he chuckled softly “it could have used some refinement.”
“Why is it so hard” she whined walking away to flop onto the living room couch. “They’re my family. I love them. Saying the right thing should come naturally…” Staring at her hands she sighed “it doesn’t. Not ever.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself” he sat beside her “they love you just the way you are.”
Wiping her eyes she nodded “you’re right. I’ll try.” She gave him a smile moving closer “what did you want to talk to me about?”
It was his turn to look away. He could feel her eyes probing him. “I’m worried about the baby” the puzzled frown on her face told him he’d started off wrong.
“Why? I thought you believed me” her voice rose.
“I do” he pulled her onto his lap. “It’s just…it’d be easier if it weren’t mine.”
Her face darkened “what’s that supposed to mean?”
“The baby might be affected by the bat toxin…”
Frowning she tilted her head to the side considering his words. “I knew you weren’t feeling well after you were bitten.”
“You were right” he took her hands “I went to the doctor like you asked me to.”
“And you’re alright” she asked her eyes searching for hidden meaning in his words.
“I’m fine” he assured her “but the baby might not be. They warned me the toxin would linger in me for a couple of years and not to try for children until I was tested.” He looked away “I never thought …”
“That I was already pregnant” she finished for him “I’ll make an appointment tomorrow.”
He could hear the tremor in her voice “I’m sorry….”
“Don’t” she entreated “it’s not your fault. We both made the baby. There’s nothing to do now but find out what to expect. I’ll make an appointment tomorrow.”
“Are you ready to see your baby” Doctor Rosenberg asked.
Hideaki glanced towards Raelyn before nodding. “I am” he affirmed.
Raelyn was silent fighting the urge to run from the room. She wanted to be anywhere than where she was. The pressure on her hand was almost unbearable, taking all her self control to not tug her hand free from Aki’s grasp. It was all his fault she was pregnant. She swallowed the hurtful words she wanted to shout that would surely drive him away. A part of her wanted to believe if he left than none of this was real.
A whooshing sound filled the room. Aki’s gasp drew her attention from herself to him. His face seemed to glow with happiness. “That’s…” he swallowed then tried again “that’s our baby.” She could hear the awe in his voice, the happiness, the love.
Anger bubbled up inside her “what is that?” she demanded.
“That’s your baby’s heartbeat” the doctor smiled down at her. “Amazing isn’t it?”
Raelyn watched the doctor’s face seeing the frown creep across her brow furrowing deeper. “What’s wrong?” she cried sure the doctor was holding something back.
“You’re eight weeks along” she asked.
“Yes, why?”
“The baby seems to be a bit small…”
“Is that a bad thing?” Hideaki asked.
The fear in his voice was unmistakable to Raelyn’s ears. Her eyes slid over to the sonogram. She had to admit she’d been somewhat disappointed to see a blob where she’d expected to see a baby. It didn’t seem real. She’d taken the test. Knew she was pregnant but still a tiny part of her brain still held onto the hope it was all a bad dream.
“We’ll need to do more tests to be sure” the doctor said “once we have the results we’ll know for sure.”
“What do you think it is?” Raelyn demanded. Her rising fear switching over to anger at the doctor. She wanted answers not vague responses.
“We should wait for the tests before we assume anything” the doctor gave her a reassuring smile. “The baby could be perfectly healthy.”
Squeezing Rae’s hand Aki cleared his throat. “Could the baby’s smallness be caused from the bat toxin I may have passed on to them?”
“That is a concern” the doctor admitted “it’s unlikely. It’s also a common complication that we see between humans and mermaids. Its nothing to worry about.”
“But what do we do” Raelyn cried “is the baby just small or are they not developing the way it should?”
“I don’t know” the doctor admitted “the tests should tell us more. Once we have the results we’ll know how to proceed.” Walking to the door “I’ll have the nurse set up a time for you to come back. In the meantime try not to worry.”
“Easy for her to say” Raelyn mumbled as the door closed behind the doctor.
