Chapter 45

The Next Day

Maggie’s eyes bore into me as I swirled my oatmeal for the hundredth time. “Can you please stop staring at me? I told you I’ll eat.” Picking up a glob of the sugary meal, I look at the mass that seems to bubble on the utensil. My stomach turns, and I toss the spoon back into the bowl and dart to the bathroom. I try to vomit, but nothing comes out and eventually I plop onto the floor. “That was so dramatic,” I muttered. I wick sweat from my face as my breathing returns to normal.

“Lady Karin, may I come in?” Maggie asked. She knocked on the door a few more times. “Lady Karin?”

“Come in, Maggie.”

She opens the bathroom door and frowns at me. “Oh dear, how long has this been going on?”

“The past few days. I know I should have said something, but I didn’t want you to worry.”

“Is this why you haven’t tried reaching out to Sir Ansel?”

I grimace. “You’ve always been able to read me. With everything he has going on, the last thing he needs to worry about it that—”

“You may be pregnant?” She shook her head. “I disagree. I think this is one of the first things he needs to worry about. Yes, the dynamic of your relationship and your motivation has changed, but remember, you’ve been trying so hard to provide him with an heir. If things have been successful, then he needs to know.”

“And if they haven’t?” I whisper. “I mean, it hasn’t been long enough for symptoms, right? How disappointed do you think he will be to find out that it was a false alarm? That I worked him up for nothing and gave him the promise of false hope. It took him so long to touch me and we’re in such a good place. It may be selfish, but I don’t want to ruin that.”

Maggie sat on the floor next to me and rubbed my shoulders. “It’s okay to be afraid, but that will not change what’s happening. You need to find out if you're pregnant.” She paused in thought. “I have an idea. Sir Ansel hasn’t replaced Doctor Ethan yet, correct?”

“No…”

She gave me a mischievous smile. “Well then, that means you have no doctor that you can reach out to for an examination which means technically you can’t be at fault if you have to resort to the methods that the rest of us without a filthy rich Alpha for a mate has to.”

“I’m not following.”

“A pregnancy test, Lady Karin,” she replied. “You can take it on your own. that way Sir Ansel won’t have to know unless your pregnant and then you could also announce it to him as a surprise upon his return.”

I scrunch my face. “I don’t know. Isn’t that a little dishonest?”

“No, it’s using the resources and circumstances presented to you. Instead of thinking about the negative, look at it like this. Imagine the smile on Sir Ansel’s face when he returns from battle and finds out that things between you two were successful?”

I think about the bracelet again, and a smile forms on my lips. “He would be so happy.”

“Mhm. How about you take the rest of the day to yourself, and I’ll slip out when I can to get the pregnancy test? If I run into anyone during my travels, I’ll make up something about Henry and I.”

“You would really do that?”

“Of course,” she replied. “I would do anything if it meant protecting you.” There is a gleam in her eyes like the one before. I hug her tightly and she rubs my back.

“Thank you for being the best friend I’ve ever had.”

“Same applies.” Releasing me, she stood and helped me up. “How is your stomach feeling now?”

“Better, but I think I should try something a little lighter. Maybe some crackers for now?”

“I’ll bring you some. Let’s get you to bed.”

I shook my head. “Actually, I think I’m going to go for a walk. It’s a nice day, and I have some things to think about.”

“Alright. I’ll let you know when I have the test.”

“Alright, and thanks again, Mags.” Exiting the bathroom, Maggie went on the search for crackers, and I sat on my bed. I stared at the wall. Could I really be pregnant?

I wish Doc was here.

He always somehow knew what to say. Standing, I gather myself and head out to the garden. The warm rays of the sun soothe my nerves., and I smile softly. Maybe Maggie was right, maybe there was a chance that I was pregnant. If I were, it would be perfect timing. With the election potentially threatening Ansel becoming Alpha, finding out that he conceived an heir would all but solidify what Blue Moon subconsciously knows.

Continuing my walk, I see the gardener and his wife in the distance. As I approach, I noticed the cute little toddler. He beams at his mother as his joyful laugh carries through the garden.

“Lady Karin,” the gardener says to me. “It’s always a pleasure.”

“Likewise,” I reply and wave to his wife. “And who is this adorable little fella?”

“This is Thomas,” she says and Thomas grins, revealing that he’s missing his two front baby teeth. He reaches for me, and his green eyes sparkle as he waits patiently for me to pick him up. I look at her and she nods. “It’s alright.”

Picking him up, Thomas grabs a fistful of my curls and gently tugs. “Hair,” he says proudly. “Mommy hair!”

She gives me an apologetic smile that makes me chuckle. “It’s fine. He’s not being rough.” I bounced him in my arms. “Yes, I have hair. So do you.” My words seem to ignite a fit of giggles. “How old is he?”

“Three,” the gardener said. “We fell in love the moment be saw him at the orphanage, and as of December of last year, he officially became our son.” He looked at Thomas with so much love it tugged at my heart. “The low fertility rate affected us as well. We’d been having a hard time, so we decided to adopt.” He rubbed his wife’s stomach. “And now the Moon Goddess saw fit to bring us two children that we can share our love with.”

His wife kissed him on the cheek. “One girl and one boy. It’s funny the way the world works.”

“Yes, it is,” I say and hand Thomas back to his parents. “It’s almost like the world sometimes knows when you need that sign that tells you that everything will be alright.”

She looked at me with a twinkle in her eyes. “I agree. Things always turn out the way they’re meant to.”

Unintentionally, I yawned. “I’m sorry that was rude. I promise that wasn’t toward you. I’ve been a little tired lately.”

“You also look as though you don’t feel that well. Maybe you should go rest.”

I nod. “I think you’re right. It was nice to se you both.” I say and wave at Thomas. “It was nice to meet you, Thomas.”

“Hair!” he says waving back, causing us all to laugh.

Parting ways, I drag my feet as I make my way back to the manor. By the time I get to my room, I can hardly keep my eyes open. Crashing to the bed, the heaviness of my eyes takes over.

“Mommy?” a small voice calls out to me. I peer around.

How did I get into the hallway?

“Jemma, come back here!”

“Daddy, mommy is around the corner!”

I peek around the wall and see Jemma and Ansel charging toward me.

Catching her in mid-run, I scoop her into my arms. The look of sadness on her face makes me pick her up and hold her close. Her bottom lip quivers. “Hey, no, no, don’t cry. What’s the matter?” I ask.

Joining us, Ansel places his hands on his hips. “She’s been like this all day. Whenever I ask, she repeats that she doesn’t want you to be sad.”

“Me?”

He nods. “I keep explaining to her you won’t be, but she doesn’t believe me. Maybe you can talk to her.”

She wraps her little arms around my neck. “I don’t want you to be sad…”

“Sad? Why would I be sad, Jemma Jem?” Leaning up, tears cover her entire face. I wipe them away. “Everything is okay. Please talk to me.”

“The lady said it’s not time yet.”

“Lady?” She doesn’t respond, but her body grows lighter in my arms. Their skin turns iridescent.

“Don’t be sad, kay?” she says.

“Wait, Jemma!” I shout, but they disappear.

“Lady Karin, wake up.” Opening my eyes, I see Maggie leaning over me. “What happened?”

“You were thrashing about in your sleep.” She sat on the bed. “Lady Karin, who is Jemma?”

“What?”

“Jemma. You were calling for a Jemma in your sleep.”

My bottom lip trembles and I avert my eyes. “I’ve been having these dreams.”

“About what?”

“A little girl. Ansel and my daughter.” Her eyes widen. “I know. It feels so real every time. Almost like she’s using a version of my powers to pull me into different variations of what life could be.”

“Wait. You have powers?”

“Yes…I can enter people’s dreams and affect them.”

“Shit…” Maggie mutters, then covers her mouth. “Sorry, it was a bit of a surprise.”

“I know. I’ve never had dreams as strong as these before, though. I think the stress of surrogacy is causing me to create scenarios.”

“Maybe…” Maggie says, but her face betrays her. Reaching into her pocket, she pulls out a pregnancy test. “Are you ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Taking it, I go into the bathroom. “Don’t leave alright?” I say to Maggie through the door.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Exhaling sharply, I open the box. I pull down my pants and underwear, look down, and let out a strangled sob. “Lady Karin?” Maggie enters the bathroom. “What’s happened?” I pull up my pants and place the box on the counter.

“My period,” I whisper, and her face crumbles.

“I’m sorry,” she says and pulls me close and holds me as I cry.