Chapter Twenty
Rudy bolted upright in bed, hand clamped over his mouth, and sprinted for the bathroom. He barely made it to the toilet before his stomach emptied itself with far more force than was necessary for first thing in the morning.
“Fuck,” he gasped, gripping the porcelain rim. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”
Behind him, footsteps pounded across the bedroom floor. Sobek appeared in the doorway, naked and radiating concern through their bond so intensely that Rudy could practically taste it.
“Rudy. What’s wrong?” Sobek knelt beside him, one massive hand rubbing circles on his back. “Are you ill? Injured? What happened? You shouldn’t get sick.”
“I don’t…” Rudy retched again, though nothing came up this time. “I don’t know. I felt fine when we went to bed.”
Although…that wasn’t entirely true. Looking back, he’d felt slightly off for the past week.
A persistent queasiness that came and went, exhaustion that hit him at odd moments, and his sense of smell had become ridiculously sensitive.
Yesterday, he’d nearly gagged when Sobek opened a can of tuna for lunch.
But none of that seemed worth mentioning at the time.
Sobek conjured a glass of water and a cool washcloth. “Here, take this and drink slowly.”
Rudy sipped the water while Sobek pressed the cloth to the back of his neck. The nausea receded slightly, enough that he could think through the fog of misery clouding his brain.
When did I have my last period? What the fuck…I don’t have periods. I’m a man. That’s not how any of this works. Except Sobek said I wouldn’t get sick anymore, because I’m claimed and immortal, so…or…unless…oh…
“Sobek.” Rudy turned slowly, meeting his husband’s concerned golden eyes. “Can you...is there any way you can tell if someone’s pregnant with your own magical senses?”
For approximately three seconds, Sobek remained perfectly still, his expression unreadable. Then comprehension dawned across his aristocratic features, transforming concern into something far more…hopeful.
“Are you thinking...” Sobek’s hand moved to Rudy’s stomach, hovering without touching. “May I?”
Rudy nodded, not trusting his voice.
Golden light flared around Sobek’s palm as he pressed it gently against Rudy’s abdomen. The magic tingled, warm and searching, spreading through Rudy’s body like sunlight through water. Sobek’s eyes drifted closed, his breathing evening out as he concentrated.
When Sobek opened his eyes again, they were bright with unshed tears.
“Yes,” he whispered. “There’s a life growing inside you. Small yet, barely formed, but strong. Ours.”
Rudy’s vision blurred. He’d known, somehow. Deep down, in that place where their bond lived, he’d suspected. But hearing it confirmed, seeing the overwhelming joy on Sobek’s face...
“We’re having a baby,” Rudy said stupidly. “You must’ve intended it.”
“We’re having a baby, and I think we both ended up intending it.” Sobek cupped Rudy’s face between both hands, thumbs brushing away tears Rudy hadn’t realized were falling. “Are you... How do you feel about this?”
How did he feel? Wasn’t that the million-dollar question.
Terrified, for starters. Rudy was already responsible for three traumatized shifter kids who needed stability, safety, and love.
Adding an infant to that life seemed impossible.
But at the same time, underneath the fear, something far brighter and fierce bubbled up… Joy.
“I’m scared,” Rudy admitted. “And I feel like I’m going to throw up again. But I’m also... Sobek, I’m happy. Is that crazy?”
“Not crazy.” Sobek kissed his head softly, carefully, like Rudy might shatter. “Perfect. You’re perfect, and I love you, and we’re going to have a baby.”
Rudy’s laugh was borderline hysterical. “We’re going to have a baby. Oh, gods, we need to tell the kids. They’re going to lose their minds.”
“Later.” Sobek lifted Rudy effortlessly, carrying him back to bed despite Rudy’s protests. “Right now, you need rest.”
“I just threw up, I didn’t climb Mount Everest.”
“You’re growing our child. That’s far more exhausting.” Sobek settled Rudy against the pillows, tucking blankets around him firmly before stepping back. “I’ll bring you dry toast and ginger tea. The Paulie app says those help with morning sickness.”
“You already asked the app?” Rudy had only been sick for five minutes.
“I might have been doing some reading and a spot of research before today.” Sobek pressed a kiss to Rudy’s forehead. “I’m not taking any chances with you or our baby.”
Warmth flooded through their bond, so intensely Rudy had to blink back fresh tears. His new husband was going to be insufferably overprotective for the next nine months, and Rudy loved him for it.
“Toast sounds good,” Rudy conceded. “But I’m not staying in bed all day. The kids need…”
“I’ll handle the children.” Sobek was already heading for the door. “You rest.”
Letting out a long breath, Rudy waited exactly thirty seconds after Sobek disappeared down the hallway before climbing out of bed and padding to the bathroom. He brushed his teeth, splashed water on his face, and studied his reflection in the mirror.
He looked the same. He was still short, still freckled, still sporting bedhead hair that never seemed to smooth down even when wet. But inside his unremarkable body, something new was growing. A life he and Sobek had created together. Not just any baby, but their baby.
Rudy pressed both hands to his stomach, which still felt perfectly flat.
“Hey there,” he whispered. “I don’t know if you can hear me yet, but...
I’m your dad. Well, one of them. You’ve got another dad who’s probably already researching every paranormal pregnancy resource in existence.
” He smiled. “And you’ve got three siblings who are going to spoil you rotten.
We’re a little chaotic, and definitely weird, but I promise we’ll love you with everything we have. ”
Movement in the doorway made him look up. Sobek stood there, tray in hand, eyes suspiciously bright.
“Eavesdropping?” Rudy asked.
“Always.” Sobek set the tray on the counter - toast, tea, and sliced fruit arranged in beautiful patterns. “Come back to bed. Please.”
This time, Rudy didn’t argue. He let Sobek guide him back to the bedroom, let himself be tucked in and fussed over, because beneath the slight irritation at being treated like glass, he recognized what was really happening.
Sobek was terrified too. Thrilled, yes, but also absolutely petrified of anything happening to Rudy or their baby.
“I’m fine,” Rudy said softly, catching Sobek’s hand. “We’re fine. I promise.”
“I know.” Sobek didn’t sound convinced. “But I’m still going to hover.”
“I figured.” Rudy nibbled the toast, which did actually help settle his stomach. “So... when do we tell the kids?”
“Whenever you’re ready.” Sobek settled on the edge of the bed, one hand resting possessively on Rudy’s thigh. “Though Rose will figure it out soon. Her panther senses will detect the change in your scent.”
Right. Because apparently, having a shifter daughter meant pregnancy couldn’t be kept secret.
“Let’s tell them today,” Rudy decided. “After breakfast. All together.”
Sobek nodded, and through their bond, Rudy felt his husband’s fierce protectiveness expand to encompass their unborn child. It should have been overwhelming, but it really wasn’t.
They finished breakfast in comfortable silence, Sobek watching Rudy like he might vanish if left unattended. Eventually, sounds of daily life drifted up from downstairs - Rose’s laughter, Jack’s deeper voice, Timothy’s occasional chirps interspersed with words. Their children were awake.
“Ready?” Sobek asked.
Rudy took a deep breath. “Ready.”
/~/~/~/~/
The children were in the living room when Rudy and Sobek came downstairs. Rose had claimed the couch, still in her pajamas, while Jack sprawled on the floor with a book. Timothy sat in his favorite spot by the window, staring out at the backyard pond.
All three looked up when Rudy entered, and Rose’s nose immediately wrinkled.
“You smell different,” she announced. “Did you use Papa’s soap?”
“No, sweetheart.” Rudy settled on the couch, pulling Rose into his lap. “But that’s actually what we need to talk to you about.”
Jack abandoned his book, moving closer with the wariness he sometimes still showed when expecting bad news. Timothy slipped off his perch and padded over, climbing onto Sobek’s lap without hesitation.
Sobek wrapped an arm around the hatchling, meeting Rudy’s eyes over Timothy’s dark hair. Your choice, his expression said. However you want to do this.
“So,” Rudy started, then stopped. How did you explain pregnancy to a five-year-old, a four-year-old, and another four-year-old who barely spoke? “You know how families come in all different shapes and sizes?”
“Like us,” Rose said immediately. “We’re all different, but we’re still family.”
“Exactly like us.” Rudy smiled, stroking her curls. “Well, our family is about to get a little bigger. I’m going to have a baby. You’re going to be big siblings.”
There was silence for a moment although Rose’s eyes went huge. Jack’s mouth dropped open, and Timothy’s head swiveled between Rudy and Sobek, as if he were processing words he didn’t fully understand. And then…pandemonium.
“A BABY,” Rose shrieked, bouncing in Rudy’s lap with enough enthusiasm to nearly knock him over. “We’re getting a baby. When? Where is it? Can I see?”
“It’s inside Dad’s tummy,” Jack said, with the confident authority of someone who’d apparently absorbed the information from somewhere in his earlier life. “It has to grow first.”
“How long?” Rose demanded.
“About nine months,” Sobek answered. “Give or take.”
“That’s FOREVER.” Rose deflated slightly, then brightened again. “But then we’ll have a baby. Jack, we’re going to be big siblings.”
Jack’s expression had shifted from shock to something approaching wonder. “Really? We’re really getting a brother or sister?”
“Really,” Rudy confirmed. “What do you think?”