No. Definitely not like that.
Maybe something more serious. “We need to talk. I have some news.”
But that sounded ominous, like she was about to deliver bad news instead of what should be happy news.
Except was it happy news? For her, yes. For Selik… she wasn’t sure.
The front door opened and Selik walked in, bringing with him the smell of salt water and fish. He looked tired but content, his skin catching the late afternoon light.
Then he saw her face and his expression shifted to concern.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I just—” She glanced at Anya, who was watching them with poorly concealed excitement. “Can we talk after dinner?”
He studied her for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Of course.”
Dinner was awkward. She picked at her food, her stomach too unsettled to manage more than a few bites. Selik kept watching her with concern, clearly aware something was bothering her but unwilling to push. Anya maintained a running commentary about absolutely nothing, filling the silence with nervous chatter.
Only Mikoz seemed unaffected, happily smearing food across his face and chirping contentedly.
After the meal, Anya volunteered to handle cleanup and bedtime for Mikoz. “You guys go talk. I’ve got this.”
Selik led Corinne out to the deck, closing the door behind them for privacy. The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of purple and orange. The waves rolled gently against the shore, their rhythm soothing.
“Tell me what’s troubling you,” Selik said quietly. “Whatever it is, we will face it together.”
Together.
That was what she needed to remember. They were partners. Whatever challenges came, they would handle them as a team.
She took a breath and forced herself to meet his eyes.
“I went to see Dr. Kelos today. I’ve been feeling sick in the mornings and Chanda suggested I get tested.” She watched his expression carefully. “I’m pregnant.”
Selik went absolutely still. Not the stillness of calm, but the frozen shock of someone who’d just been hit with something they never saw coming.
“Pregnant,” he repeated, his voice flat.
“Eight weeks along. Dr. Kelos says the pregnancy is progressing normally and there’s no reason to expect complications.” The words came faster now, tumbling out in her nervousness. “I know this is a surprise. It was a surprise to me too. But hybrid pregnancies are documented and viable so we should be fine. Mostly fine. Probably fine.”
She was rambling. She forced herself to stop.
Selik still hadn’t moved. His dark eyes were locked on her face, his expression unreadable.
“I know you weren’t expecting this,” she continued into the silence. “And I know you lost a child before, and this might bring up difficult feelings. But I want you to know that I’m keeping the baby. I understand if that’s not what you want, if you need time to process, if you?—”
“Stop.” His voice was rough. “Stop talking.”
She stopped.
He reached for her slowly, his large hands settling on her shoulders. Then he pulled her against his chest and held her so tightly she could barely breathe.
“You are carrying my child,” he said into her hair, his voice thick with emotion. “Our child.”
“Yes.”
His whole body shuddered. When he pulled back, his eyes were bright with unshed tears.
