by C. M. Owens
Persia’s face is almost white, and Kahl seems to be suffering from a mouth as dry as a desert.
“Is something wrong? Is someone else waking up inside me? To be honest, I’d almost welcome that right now,” I mumble.
“Not exactly,” Kahl almost whispers, and his knees seem to be buckling to the point he has to take a seat.
Not exactly?
“What is it?” I prompt.
“Adisia, that’s Aphrodite’s power,” Persia mutters, but her face is still in shock.
“Okay… Why are you both acting so weird?” I gripe.
Finally Persia’s mouth starts to move, though it’s a hesitant motion.
“You’re right, Devin. She was acting out of protectiveness for a child, but not Nadia,” she says with her face distorting more.
“Huh?” he asks with the same confusion I’m experiencing.
“That power is only aroused when an Aphrodite is with child,” she says, and I almost hear the ocean trying to break into the house.
“That’s not possible. As I’ve already stated once, we’ve not opened ourselves up to that,” he adamantly objects.
“Are you sure?” Theia asks Persia while ignoring Devin’s rebuttal.
“Positive. It’s a defensive mechanism. It’s how we survived for so long while carrying a child. We’re so weak when we’re pregnant, just as all immortals. Aphrodite adapted to her hunters’ threat, and this power was formed. It emerges when it feels a threat too close to the child, and it subsides after the term of the pregnancy has finished.”
“I’m not pregnant,” I declare in a near screech. “You heard Devin. We’ve not even come close to considering a child.”
“The fish,” Theia mumbles in a tone of realization, and then she slumps into Phillip’s lap. “I should have known. She’s been hooked on fish for months, and she’s weak. She’s tired and hungry too often for an immortal. Why didn’t I see it sooner?”
“Because it’s impossible,” Jace growls. “If they’ve not opened themselves up for child bearing, then they can’t be pregnant.”
“They can if they’re drugged,” Theia murmurs with reluctance.
“Drugged?” I squeal. “As in roofied?”
“As in ambrosia and pomegranate,” Persia sighs. “Not all immortals had the same oomph Aphrodite possessed which kept things… spicy for all eternity,” she murmurs hesitantly. “As a favor to some of them before the wars, Aphrodite secreted her passion into a tree. From that tree grew pomegranate and ambrosia. In the years after, people learned if they mixed the two, a pregnancy could be invoked without consent. Tricky women used this to produce powerful children. It’s how Rhea tricked Safina’s father.
“Ambrosia was the stronger of the two fruits, and it was far too potent for mortals. The ambrosia was banned from use, and since then only trace amounts still remain in existence, hidden in places mortals are unable to travel.”
“This can’t be right. There’s no way,” I panic, and Jace’s hand tightens on my leg.
Nina seems to be suffocating as the air smothers her, and Kry’s jaw is almost unhinged along with most everyone else’s. Devin is silent - catatonic almost.
His whitewashed face shows no emotion and his stare is focused on the empty space in the room as his hands clamp together in a white knuckle clasp.
“I’m going to be a grandmother,” Persia giggles with tears streaming from her eyes.
“Wait, whoa. Stop. First of all, this is just a theory. Secondly… I have no secondly. This can’t be possible. The last thing we need is a child, and who would have motive to drug us?” I ramble.
“That’s a good question, but they didn’t have to drug both of you. The female is the only one required to take the mixture of fruit, and the math has to be exact. If you put an ounce too much of one fruit, then the drug is ineffective. This is more than a theory, it’s an obvious truth. Now the question is, how far along are you?” Persia counters.
Devin is still stuck in a far off land, and I’m on my own while they all push me to the edge of the ledge.
“No. It’s not a truth. I would know if I was pregnant. I’m not,” I growl.
“It would have been disguised. Neither Adisia nor Devin would have noticed or questioned it. It would have been concealed in a bite she was sure to take in order to make sure it worked,” Theia assesses, and Persia nods in response.
“Have you tasted fruit when you shouldn’t have?” Persia asks.
“No. I mean, I don’t think so.”
Again I look to Devin, but he still remains in his state of speechless and motionless shock.
“It would have been small,” Theia murmurs while thinking aloud. “When did you start craving the fish?”
“I don’t know,” I whimper, and I feel the tears beckoning to flow.
“Two weeks after the beach,” Jace answers. “That was the first time. When do the cravings usually kick in?”
“It varies, but usually a month after conception,” Theia responds while calculating time in her head.
“So, it would have most likely happened the second week of your honeymoon.” Her lips purse as her eyes intensely focus on mine. “Try to think. Did you eat anything that shouldn’t have tasted fruity then?” she repeats with more urgency.
“I don’t know,” I grumble while burying my face into Jace’s shoulder. Then it hits me, and I look back up with a face I know has to be ashen as all reality crumbles into rubble before my eyes. “The chocolate.”
Devin’s eyes widen, but he still keeps them focused on the other side of the room.
“What chocolate?” Kry prompts.
“Devin and I just went out a couple of nights. One night we went in to see the nightlife, and a woman offered us a sample of chocolate. I took it, but Devin didn’t want any. I remember it now. It was a small, round sample, and I popped it into my mouth without hesitation. I remember tasting such sweet erotic flavors bursting into my mouth, and I wanted more. Devin looked for her so he could buy me some, but we never found her,” I almost whisper in disbelief.
“In order for it to work, there has to be… um… well… you have to… within an hour of consumption, you have to…” Theia stammers, and then she gives up all together and just leaves her unfinished ramble suspended while staring expectantly.
“She’s an Aphrodite on aphrodisiacs. Of course they did it within an hour,” Kry exasperates.
That’s what we did for the majority of the honeymoon. Oh hell. I’m pregnant.
“So this is real?” I whisper with my ghastly tone.
“Very much so, I’m afraid,” Phillip murmurs softly so as not to aggravate my breaking state.
“Why don’t I have a bump?” I ask hopefully while staring at my perfectly flat belly.
I can’t be close to five months pregnant without a bump.
“The body of an immortal doesn’t change externally. Room for the child to grow is made within you. That’s why you’re so weak. It’s actually a more fatiguing process for an immortal than it is a mortal. Our gestation period is shorter than a mortal’s. By my estimations, you’re a month away from having this child.”
I feel like I’m attempting to suck air against the hose of a vacuum cleaner - I’m losing more air than I’m taking in. I feel sick, dizzy, and completely terrified at this moment, and Devin isn’t being anything but distant.
“Devin, please say something,” I whimper as the tears finally fall freely.
He looks up, and I see tears wavering on his eyelids. Then he flashes over to me and pulls me from my place on the couch to wrap me up in his glorious arms.
His soft, comforting lips consume mine, and I can taste my salty tears sneaking into our divine kiss.
“We’re having a baby,” he breathes into my mouth, and then his arms tighten around me again while resuming our kiss.
“I suppose we’ll need baby supplies,” Ther chirps.
“I’ll go,” Persia giggles out, acting as if this is supposed to be a
n exciting moment.
“We can’t have a baby now,” I softly sob to Devin. “It’s too dangerous.”
He strokes my hair, and his eyes stare fearlessly into mine to give me strength.
“We’ll make it through this. Our daughter will be safe,” he soothes very confidently.
“I’ll help you with the baby stuff,” Gemma offers, and then Theia flashes in and out of the bedroom with her purse on her shoulder.
“We’re really having a baby,” Devin murmurs into my ear with breathless elation, but I’m not quite past the shock of it all.
“Where are you going to get baby stuff at this hour?” I murmur to the giddy group about to walk out the door.
“I have a way of swaying people to do as I wish,” Persia smugly answers, and her eyes flash green to emphasize her point.
Duh.
Camara runs over and hugs me before joining the baby-fever party. Devin scoops me into his arms and shakes his head while his eyes offer me nothing but adoration.
“I don’t care if you’re still mad at me or not. I’m not letting you out of my arms for a while,” he murmurs softly.
“I think my anger has been replaced by fear,” I whimper.
“I’m here, baby. I won’t let anything happen to you or her,” he softly murmurs while carrying me back into the bedroom.
He gently places me on the bed as if he’s worried I’m fragile now, and then he lifts my shirt to kiss my stomach in true, excited father fashion.
I grin slightly when I see his smile, and then he trickles his fingers across my normal sized belly.
This is all too surreal to deal with right now. The overwhelming hour has drained me, and his relaxing touch is pushing me into a drifting sleep.
I sigh once more before my eyes shut completely, and I try to think of anything but being a mother.
“What are you doing?” I ask to the pile of boys congregated in the floor.
There are five open crib boxes, and there is a mess scattered all over the den. Thousands of tiny pieces are assorted in piles, and they’re all working tediously.
“Building a crib,” Jace murmurs distractedly while studying the instructions.
“For quintuplets?” I muse.
“You’re having more?” Kry gasps.
“Really? I didn’t know I was having this one,” I huff, and then I point to the five boxes lounging around. “Five cribs,” I explain.
“Oh. We needed extra parts,” he casually replies.
“Extra parts?” I question.
Then a piece snaps in Hale’s hand when he’s trying to attach it. Right behind that snap is another one when Ther tries to assemble a different piece.
“Yeah,” Jace grumbles. “As you can see, we might not have bought enough.”
“You guys are not holding my baby,” I assert as I take notice of the various other broken pieces.
“Why?” Kry whimpers.
“Because you can’t buy extra parts for her.”
“Oh. We’ll be careful with her. This damn crib is just kicking our ass, and when we get frustrated, well, you know.”
“I’ve been around long enough to see the world go from the dark ages to the computer ages. Why are these damn instructions so hard to understand?” Hale growls while wadding up an instruction pamphlet and throwing it across the room.
I giggle a little at their struggle, and then I sigh as I touch my belly. It doesn’t feel like a child is in there. I feel normal - weak, but normal.
“Where’s Devin?” I ask softly.
Then I feel his warm breath brushing the back of my neck just before his soft lips find it. His hands rub the sides of my arms, and I slowly turn to face his glorious self.
Damn. He looks sexier than usual.
“I made you some lunch. I was going to bring it to you. You slept for five hours, and I wanted to have it ready when you woke up.”
I blush a little under his enamored gaze, and then his lips fall on mine to bring me into his sexy web. His body begs to be touched, and my hands burn against his shirt as they try to reach his skin.
“I’ve got fish,” he snickers.
“You too?” I grumble.
“Me too?”
“Baby fever,” I harp.
“Oh. Adisia, it’s sooner than we planned, but I’m excited about us having a child together.”
I smile a little, and then I feel something stirring inside me.
“What’s wrong?” Devin worries.
“I just need to go lie down,” I murmur, and I feel my feet leaving the ground as he scoops me up.
I scream out, and then Devin stops moving.
“Go get Persia and Mom now. Something is wrong,” he demands.
“What is it?” Jace panics, and then I feel something soaking through me - as though I’ve just had a jug of water thrown at my lower half.
“The timeline,” Devin responds, and then I feel his flashing steps carrying me back to the bed before quickly and gently laying me down.
“The timeline?” Jace inquires with worried bemusement.
“Yeah. The baby is coming early,” he declares, and I scream again.
“Adisia, look at me, baby. Stay with me,” he urges.
“It hurts,” I cry out, and his hand grips onto mine.
“I know, baby.”
“No you fucking don’t know. She’s in me, not you,” I squeal, and I swear that smug bastard husband of mine is stifling a laugh right now.
“Adisia,” Persia murmurs softly. “I’m here. This won’t take long, so I need you to give me all you’ve got.”
Hell no!
“Here?” I squeak. “Take me to a damn hospital!”
“You hate hospitals,” Kry reminds.
“That was before. I changed my mind. Take me there now,” I scream, and now I see more grinning faces.
Assholes.
“Just breathe, baby,” Devin murmurs softly, and I feel his lips on my forehead.
“I am breathing,” I bark. “Get her out of me now!”
“Get the men out of the room,” Theia orders, but Devin’s hand still holds clingingly to mine.
He knows she didn’t mean him, and I wouldn’t let him go even if she did. The shuffle of footsteps scurry out, and Persia moves to be below me.
“Okay, Adisia. It’s time to push,” my too calm mother instructs, and I struggle to do as she says while pronouncing my excruciating pain in a bloodcurdling scream.
“Good, sweetie. Now do it again,” she coaches.
“No. It hurts too much,” I whine as sweat beads and pours from my brow.
“You can do this, baby,” Devin encourages, and I just want to slap him for being so frigging calm.
“One more will do it, Adisia. Just give it one more try,” Persia continues.
I scream again as I give it all my force, and then I feel the relief flooding me as a crying sound emerges. Tears whelp up in Devin’s eyes, and I see a new form of love drizzling from them.
“It’s a girl,” Theia jokes while sobbing with joy, but I can’t see anything.
Theia has her bundled up at the end of the bed with the sheet still draped over my knees. I’m thankful for that damn sheet. I sure as hell didn’t want to watch any of that.
“She’s a beautiful girl,” Devin says with adorations dripping from his tone, and then Theia disappears with my unseen baby into the bathroom.
“Where is she taking her?” I ask breathlessly.
“To clean her up,” Devin murmurs smoothly while returning to the bed beside me.
His gentle lips comfort me in my exhausted state, and I lean against him while I eagerly await their return.
“Why was it so painful? I’m supposed to be immortal,” I whine.
“Your interior isn’t quite as tough as your exterior,” Persia answers while her tear streaked face stares down at the clean, blanket-wrapped baby Theia brings back into the room.
Tears now streak my face more when she places her in my arms, a
nd Devin sinks down in the bed to drape his arm over my shoulders as we stare down at the blue-eyed child together.
“What do you want to name her?” he coos.
“Asterius Kaylana Cole,” I murmur with very little premeditation. “I’d like to call her Aster for short,” and more tears flow as her tiny fingers extend and curl around one of mine.
“That’s beautiful,” Theia gasps.
“It’s perfect,” Devin adds.
“It’s a way for me to pay tribute to my blocked pieces,” I mutter in explanation, although no one requested such.
Devin’s lips grace her head just barely, and she rustles lightly while scrunching her tiny brow. His smile grows, and mine mimics the one on his face.
She’s beautiful, perfect, and ours. She’s just here too soon.
Chapter 12
Timing
Aster starts crying, and I almost leap out of the bed to be by her side. Devin chuckles a little at my hasty motion motivated by my overly alert motherly instincts.
“I’m glad we’re not mortal,” he chuckles. “I don’t think she knows how to sleep.”
“I know, and I’m so exhausted. It’s been three weeks since she was born. You’d think I’d have my strength back by now,” I grumble.
“Let me take her,” he murmurs softly, and then he motions for me to get back in bed. “You rest for a while.”
The alarm beeps loudly, and I shut it off with an almost too forceful touch.
“No. It’s time to feed her, and we should probably see where the others are with Pyrrha. Kry and Ther thought they had a lead before we went to bed- or tried to go to bed rather,” I gripe, and then I tuck her into my chest before walking out to the living room where everyone has already assembled.
Persia walks up with too much giddiness while shaking a bottle.
“I went ahead and got it ready when the timer went off,” she says, and then I laugh a little at all the small alarms set up throughout the house.
“We’re pitiful, you know?” I chuckle out as I hand Aster to her very eager grandmother.
“Indeed, but we have to make sure we keep her fed. You know how easy it is to lose track of time,” Devin sighs, and then he pulls me into his arms before delivering a too passionate kiss.
