“Christian,” Ghenie whispers as he pulls back, keeping his forehead pressed against my own. I can feel his antennae against my skin and they tickle. “There are so many voices, but there is a new one.”
“I’m sorry, did someone pass?”
“No, no. Not like that.”
“Then what?”
“This one is a new voice. Well, that is not correct. They are new but they do not have a voice, not yet.”
I pull back so I can look up into Ghenie’s eyes, trying to comprehend what he’s saying. “What do you mean?”
Ghenie takes my hand and brings my palm to his stomach. “They are here.”
I blink, processing this news. It takes me longer than I’m willing to admit to realize what Ghenie is telling me. Then it hits me all at once. He’s pregnant. We’re going to have another baby.
Oh my god.
How did this happen? Nope, stupid question. The ridiculous amount of sex we’ve been having would be the how. Fuck. Okay. This is fine. Totally fine.
I’m totally not freaking out.
“You are freaking out, aren’t you?”
“No! Of course not! There’s nothing to freak out about!”
Ghenie’s eyes scan my face and I do my best to present myself as level headed and calm. He sees right through me.
“You’re freaking out.”
“I’m not! I’m just surprised though now that I admit it, I really shouldn’t be. We’ve been fucking. A lot. In many different positions.”
“Yes. It’s been lovely.”
“But that’s also how babies are made. Jesus, I’m an EMT! I work in healthcare! I know these things,” I blurt out, covering my face with my free hand. “I was just swept up in our reunionI didn’t stop to think about things like protection and babies. Especially because you’re nursing still. Dickbrain took over!”
“Dickbrain?”
“Yes, all the blood went to my dick instead of my brain!”
Ghenie cracks a smile, showing off his little fangs. “I like your dickbrain. It’s been my utmost pleasure.”
“Ghenie! I’m being serious.”
“For once.”
Okay, he got me there. I take my hand away from his stomach in order to cup his face instead. I look up at him, seeing his smile, the excitement in his eyes. He’s happy. Seeing him happy in turn makes me happy.
“We’re really doing this? Having another baby?”
“We are.”
“Can you tell if they’re human?”
Ghenie grins even wider. “I’ve felt them throw emotions in my direction which means they’re eitherLayperryor hybrid.”
I try to picture them and my stomach floods with warmth. I’m going to be a dad again. I’m going to have another child. Maribel is going to have a sibling.
Sure, this is still a shock and I still need time to process this news but the overall feeling I have is joy. I hold onto that with all my might.
