Chapter 45 #2
“You're certain?” Atem asked, finally coming back to the present.
“Well, if I can convince her to get scanned earlier-”
“No, I mean about the pregnancy. You said you didn't finish the scan. Could you...?”
Understanding dawned and Donivi quickly gestured no. “Ah. No, vi Dominani. I'm certain about that. Human females apparently produce a hormone exclusively during pregnancy and Scarlet identified it for me. There is no mistake in that.”
A breath harshly escaped past his lips as he tried to cope. “And you said she had the usual symptoms?”
“Indeed. Separation anxiety from you was the one that drove her to come see me today, actually. You are her mate, after all.”
“I thought that was just for the sire,” Tuvo said, looking curious.
“Not so. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes, a female is impregnated by a pleasure mate before catching sight of her true mate.
In those instances, the separation anxiety will be attached to him rather than the blood sire.
Quite a fascinating phenomenon, actually.
It's related to the way that hormones of a mated pair rewire the-”
“First Healer,” Atem cut him off, unwilling to hear this explanation right now. “Have you just come to inform me of her pregnancy?”
“No, actually. I've already told her what she should expect right now. I wanted to go over the same with you since you will be the pup's father.”
“Congratulations,” Tuvo grinned at him.
But Atem wasn't in the mood to hear it. Still reeling from the betrayal of her lie. Trying to figure out why she would lie at all.
“Separation anxiety, specific nutritional cravings, and nesting impulses are the three common pregnancy symptoms for our species, and most species actually.
Very universal. She will probably be very particular about the den, and nest in particular, and it's best to just let her have her way with that.
It will cause undue stress if the place she intends to give birth and protect the pup isn't as she likes it.
She also will become progressively more unwilling to leave that nest, though you still have time before that becomes a problem.
That doesn't usually show up until a few tendays before labor.”
Atem made a sound, making note of the requirement, even as his mind was racing. Still just trying to figure out why?
“As for the nutritional cravings, that's easy.
Don't allow her to sicken herself or overindulge, but otherwise, you can allow her to eat whatever she desires.
In fact, as she becomes more obviously gravid, it won't surprise me if you start finding yourself filled with the irresistible urge to give into whatever craving she's having at the moment.
It's an instinctual reaction since gravid females won't normally want to leave the den and it's up to her domin to provide for her.”
She could have just told him. He would have understood. Did he somehow not make that clear when he initially asked her? Was she afraid to tell him the truth? Or did she think that she needed to hide it for some reason?
“It's really the separation anxiety that will affect you the most. She's still early, so you can probably stay away from her for a few marks before she begins to become uneasy, but the closer she gets to her labor and the longer you stay away, the worse that anxiety will become.
It's best if you just try to remain around her as often as you can.
She's already developed a stomach ulcer from worrying and I don't want her to get worse.”
That finally caught Atem's attention and his head jerked up.
“She has an ulcer? Did you fix it?”
Donivi gestured no. “She didn't give me a chance. I discovered the pregnancy in the initial scan, and I wanted to get a better look at it before treating her. Then, she was in a hurry to get away after she learned of her offspring.”
“I want that treated.” Atem was hurt, but he didn't want her injured. She was still his mate, and that pup was still his, even if he didn't sire it. And he was sure he would be excited at having another pup – one that actually agreed to call him father – when he was calm.
But for now, all he could think about was her lie.
Donivi grinned. “I'll see to it when I convince her to let me scan her again. I'm looking forward to being the first non-human to study human gestation. Quite exciting.”
Tuvo grunted. “Anything else? Before Atem collects himself enough to go tearing out of here to ask her why she didn't tell him immediately?”
“Just some small things. Your instincts will probably rouse once she's more visibly pregnant.
Even then, it will be little things. An urge to keep herding her back towards her nest if she leaves it.
The urge to make sure you see her eat. You'll probably become increasingly uncomfortable with people seeing her.
That will only double once the pup is born and last until its.
.. Well, actually, the age is about the time their first fangs emerge, but human fangs are so insignificant.
I'm not sure if it will be the same time frame, but I'm sure Peony will guide you through that.”
Atem made another affirmative sound, mentally noting the information for future use. It was something he would need to know eventually. But, as Donivi said, not now.
“You won't need to worry about it until her belly begins to grow,” Donivi assured him.
“I'll consult with Scarlet to make sure we can take care of her properly while she's gestating.
The most important thing is dealing with this anxiety of hers.
You can't vanish from her for marks at a time. At least, not without precautions.”
Atem heard him but said nothing.
Donivi frowned, looking him over carefully.
“Vi Dominani? Are you upset? I know that you're surprised your female came to you pregnant, but pups are rare and a gift from your female. It may be human, but it will be raised domini. Who knows? One day, the pup might be the link we need to communicate with her home planet.”
Atem grunted again, but still couldn’t speak. He knew Donivi was only saying things that were common sense, or even good advice, but he couldn't hear it right now.
Tuvo, picking up on his mood, cleared his throat. “Thank you, First Healer. I know Atem will be overjoyed as soon as the truth settles in his mind. I'm sure you have a lot of business to attend though. I'll talk Atem down and make sure he goes to see her soon. You can go.”
Donivi grinned, accepting the clear dismissal.
“Very well. I'll return to the healing center and begin consolidating the notes I have on the others to make an approximate baseline so I can compare Peony's scans.
I wished she had let me scan her when she first arrived.
Though, I suppose, she was pregnant even then so it wouldn't have mattered.”
Tuvo waved him off as Atem's brow furrowed. Did Peony know that she was pregnant then? Was that why she had refused the scan? Was her 'phobia' nothing but a ruse she thought up to try and hide the truth from him?
“You're thinking bad thoughts,” Tuvo said calmly.
Atem growled. “Why would she lie?”
Tuvo made a noncommittal gesture. “Maybe she didn't. Maybe she truly didn't know. You won't know her reasoning until you speak to her.”
That simple logic straightened Atem's spine. Of course. It could be a misunderstanding. Just because Atem suspected everyone of betrayal, didn't mean he was right. In fact, most times, he was wrong.
“I have to go. Can you-”
“I've got it,” he assured him before Atem could even finish detailing the work he still needed to do. “Go to your female. She's...” he checked his combot, “...returned to your rooms. But the others remain in their room. It's a good chance to get her alone.”
Atem saluted his thanks before turning and rushing from the chamber. Not quite running, but as close as he could get without actually breaking into a jog. His tail was stiff behind him as all three of his eyes focused determinedly forward.
She would have a good explanation. She would.
And then he could calm down and be excited about the pup she would be giving him.
Since it would be such a little human, he would have to be incredibly careful with it.
If Peony was an example of a sturdy, healthy adult, he could only just imagine how fragile newborn human pups must be.
But he would love it regardless and he would be a good father to the tiny creature, no matter how fragile.
But first, he had to clear up the truth with Peony.
The door to his room was unlocked and he charged in, eyes already searching for his mate.
It didn't take long for all three to snap to her.
She was standing on the far side of the room, holding a curtain back over the wide window, then closing it, then opening it again.
Testing to see how much sunlight she wanted to hit her nest.
No wonder her nesting impulses had been so strong the night they mated.
For as fast as he came inside, Peony hadn't noticed, so focused she was on her task. It wasn't until he called her name that she jumped and turned.
A smile broke out over her face. “Atem! You're back early. I thought I wouldn't see you until way later, considering we took a full three days off.”
“Donivi came to see me,” he said immediately.
Her face fell. His guts twisted to see it. Had she not wanted Donivi to tell him the truth? Had she been hoping to keep it secret for a while longer?
“He told you?” She said, dropping the curtain, letting it fall over and obscure half the window. “No way!”
“He did. Should he not have?” Atem asked, his voice tight.
“Of course, not!” She snapped, throwing up her hands. “That was my job! He doesn't just get to tell you that I'm pregnant! I can't believe he took that away from me!”
She had said it. So easily. She was mad. Not that Donivi had told him, but because he had stolen her chance at informing him. That was certainly a reasonable reason to be upset. Especially if she was looking forward to it.
Unless this was her attempting to cover up for her lack of having a lie prepared. Or she was going to try to act upset to get him to keep from questioning her.
His stomach clenched with disgust. Mostly with himself. He had never had these paranoid thoughts about Peony before. She wasn't involved in politics and her safety had been the one compromised by the ratchi. He never had reason to suspect her of anything.
But he did now, and it made him sick because he couldn't stop the invasive, suspicious thoughts from pressing in on his brain.
Peony sighed, unaware of the roiling emotions going on inside him. “Dang. And I was trying to figure out a cute way to tell you and everything. You guys don't have little pregnancy tests here, or I definitely would have done something with that.”
“Then, it's true?” He asked, his voice strained.
She finally focused back on his face, and she beamed. Her beautiful smile was radiant, her water eyes dancing with pleasure.
“Yes,” she breathed, her entire face practically glowing. “It's true. I mean, we think it's true. Donivi doesn't know what hCG is. That's apparently not a thing among your people. But Scarlet seems pretty sure, and she knows the most about both my anatomy and your guys' technology.”
Did she know beforehand? Was she just acting now? Was this her attempt at trying to continue her previous lie?
He didn't know and it was killing him.
But his heart nearly stopped with her next words.
“I just can't believe you actually got me pregnant! Isn't that incredible?!”