The Lion's Surprise Baby

by Jade White

  He ordered for both of them and she just let him, being too overwhelmed by the menu to decide what she wanted.

  “So how was your day?” He smiled at her.

  It was such a handsome smile and it made his eyes crinkle in the corners. She hadn’t noticed that before. It was nice.

  “It was busy as usual. Mom wasn’t talking too much. She was having one of her internal days.”

  “Internal days?”

  “That’s what I call it when she goes into herself. It’s not that she can’t talk, she just doesn’t want to. Her illness makes her weak and the words are too hard to get out, so she keeps to herself.” She hadn’t even meant to start talking about her mother, the words just sort of spilled from her.

  “That must be hard.”

  “It can be, but she has good days, too. I look forward to those.”

  “I can imagine.” The waiter came and brought a bottle of wine, pouring both of them a tall glass. “You know what I like about our arrangement? There’s no pressure. I’m not trying to impress you and you’re not trying to impress me. We’re just two people planning to have a baby without all the crap that comes along with it. We won’t grow to resent each other. We’ll just be parents.”

  She tried not to think of how hard it had been to choose an outfit. He wasn’t trying to impress her so she could simply relax now and just talk about the deal.

  “I guess we should get down to talking about the baby now.” She took a sip of her water and cleared her throat. It was true she was stalling, but she had to tell him and it was now or never.

  “Okay, I’m all ears.” He smiled and unnerved her even more as she searched for the right words to tell him about the risks.

  “There are some risks to the baby involved in being carried by a human mother. I can’t know all of them because it’s never been done before, but there are some things you need to know.”

  “What type of risks? Death?” He leaned forward, alarm showing on his face.

  “No, with miscarriages it’s the same risk as if I were carrying a human baby. This is more to do with its supernatural abilities. For example, the baby might not be able to develop as fast or exactly the same as a pure-bred shifter would. There could be some delays or possible problems with their gifts.”

  “Okay, so they might not be able to shift right away, is that what you’re saying?”

  Melissa knew it was a lot more complicated than that. The baby could have issues where it only shifted half its body or some other strange scenario. The chances of that happening were very low, so she debated whether she should tell him the whole truth, or just wait and see what happened. It was a hard thing to predict, and it was hard to know if the defect in the shifting would hurt the baby somehow. A baby who ended up somehow deformed in some way would have special needs and then they would be signing up for a completely different job raising it.

  “Yes, or at all. There’s a risk this baby would have your genes but remain mostly human so it wouldn’t be able to shift at all. This isn’t something I can gauge. Once I am further along in the pregnancy, there are tests I can run, observations I can make, so we’ll know more, but until then, I don’t have an answer.”

  He was quiet for a minute. There was a possibility if he thought the baby wouldn’t be like him that he would change his mind and not want to have one. She had gone over the way the dinner would go in her head several times and that was her least favorite outcome. She had started to get used to the idea that a baby was happening, and felt she would be disappointed if he backed out.

  “Okay, so there’s a chance, but there’s also a very good chance he or she would be completely normal, as well,” he said.

  “That’s true.” She smiled, liking that outcome much better. It was good to be optimistic, but she had to be realistic. They were messing with something they’d not messed with before. There were all kind of unknowns.

  “Then it’s settled, we are destined to bang.”

  She choked on her wine and coughed, grabbing a napkin to put over her mouth. Her cheeks flushed and she tried to catch her breath.

  “I was just kidding. I’m sorry I choked you to death.” He had reached across the table and put his hand on hers while she flailed about.

  “It’s okay,” she managed to say.

  “I was trying to lighten the mood of a very serious moment and I probably should have just left it alone.”

  “You just took me off guard. We wouldn’t start trying until the treatments had around a month to work and then we’d only really need one good time because I would be so fertile from the treatments.” It was hard to talk about having sex with him in such a clinical way, but she had to try.

  “That’s great. I like knowing a timeline for things to happen. It will allow me to be a lot more prepared.”

  “Happy to help.” She smiled and was happy the food came so they could be distracted getting ready to eat, putting on condiments and arranging their plates.

  The food was really delicious and she was happy to talk about lots of other things.

  “Tell me about your family Melissa, brothers or sisters?”

  “No, just me and Mom. Dad took off when I was three and she raised me by herself while trying to clean people’s houses. She worked her ass off so I could go to medical school. She’s all I have. How about you?”

  “One older brother, the golden child. He can do no wrong. He’s got three little girls now that give him a fit. You’ll get to meet them all in about a week, my niece’s birthday party.”

  “Oh, we’re doing family occasions together?”

  “We are indeed. They are going to want to meet the mother of their new family member. Especially one coming from me instead of AJ. Don’t worry, they’ll love you.”

  Melissa wasn’t so sure; she wasn’t their kind and the circumstances by which they were going to have the baby weren’t necessary something a parent would be thrilled about.

  “They know about the arrangement?”

  “They will. I’ll tell them before you have to meet them.”

  “What do they think now?”

  “That I’m seeing a human girl who wants to have my child.” He gave her a guilty look and dove into his pasta.

  “Thomas, that’s terrible.”

  “I’ll tell them, I will.” She couldn’t help but melt when he pouted like a scolded child, but she was still completely worried about meeting his parents now. A thought hit her.

  “Are you scared of what they’re going to think?”

  “What? No!” He was talking through a mouthful of food.

  “Yes, you are, you liar. You’re worried they’re going to think we are messing with nature or something like that aren’t they?”

  He shook his head fast, throwing pasta at her as some of it had hung out of his mouth. She didn’t hesitate in throwing a piece of bread at him immediately. It bounced off his head. He got a mischievous gleam in his eye as he picked up some asparagus.

  “Thomas, I’m sorry. It was a reflex. You’ll get us kicked out.”

  He launched the asparagus and it went down her dress. It was warm and gooey causing her to squirm uncomfortably. She started laughing and couldn’t stop as she tried to pull it out of her cleavage. They’d drawn attention to themselves now and she had to excuse herself to the bathroom. There were several disapproving looks as she made her way through the tables.

  When she returned, he’d ordered dessert and a giant piece of chocolate cake with lots of decorations sat on the table.

  “We can call a truce over dessert.” He smirked and handed her a fork.

  “I can’t believe you threw asparagus into my dress in such a nice restaurant.”

  “If you knew me a little better darling, you wouldn’t be a bit shocked.” He winked at her and took a giant bite of cake getting a lot of it on his face. He was becoming too adorable. She needed to be really careful.

  Once they’d eaten enough cake to feel both gluttonous and not wasteful, they l
eft. The car ride back was mostly silent. She could still feel some of the food inside her dress.

  “I should make you pay the dry cleaning bill,” she joked, breaking the silence.

  “Take your dress off and I’ll take care of it.” He wiggled his brows at her and she giggled but quickly turned away. There was no flirting allowed in a business arrangement. He noticed the change, but was nice enough not to comment.

  He walked her to mother’s door and she stood beneath the porch light, not really sure if they should hug or shake hands. It was an awkward moment of silence.

  “I had a great time, Melissa. You’re really a joy to be around.”

  “I feel the same way, Thomas.”

  She thought for a minute he was going to kiss her, but he took her hand and kissed it instead. Then he smiled and went back down to the car. She watched him go for a second, but wanted to get in quickly just in case Nathan was lurking about. He’d not come to her mothers in a long time, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t.

  Her phone was off and she didn’t really want to turn it back on knowing he would have called a million times by then. She decided to deal with it in the morning and went to bed instead. She’d need to be up early anyway, and there were a lot of things to process after that dinner.

  She was going to need to try a lot harder not to be attracted to Thomas or she was going to get hurt. They had established the rules, and the best thing for the kid they would be bringing into the world was to stick with them. She could do it, because she had to.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  “Melissa,” Tilly called from outside the door where she was getting everything ready. “Are you in here?”

  “Where else would I be? Come in.”

  Tilly walked in to see a long line of needles and other equipment set up. “You have an appointment for you on the schedule and you have me marked down to assist. Have you lost your mind?”

  “Surely you didn’t think I’d be able to give myself these shots did you?”

  “Oh, you know I’m not good with needles!” Tilly tried to leave, but she reached out and grabbed her arm.

  “Listen, I really need your help and I know you can do it. Just pretend you’re injecting a piece of fruit.”

  “Fruit doesn’t move about and squeal.”

  “True, but I’m a tough piece of fruit, Tilly. There’s only seven shots.”

  “Seven.” Tilly’s face went a bit white and she leaned on the counter for support.

  “Let’s try a small one first.” She rolled her sleeve up and sat down in the chair pointing to the first needle Tilly would need to use. Watching her walk over to the needle and dramatically pick it up, she rolled her eyes. It wasn’t that hard. Tilly was approaching her with the needle and she was shaking, visibly.

  “This is not easy for me.”

  “Okay, you know what, you’re going to stab me or yourself. Call Dr. Martin. I’ll wait.”

  Dr. Martin was a younger fertility doctor who would come in from time to time to assist her with a troubling case or if there were too many appointments at one time. He was reliable, and could hold a needle straight. He did mostly house calls and weekend work, so it was good that she could call him when she needed him. Tilly called him Dr. Dreamy Eyes, but not to his face.

  “Said he could be here by twelve.” Tilly came back in. “What will we do for lunch?”

  “We’ll just have it now so I’ll be ready for him.”

  They got their lunches heated up and sat across from each other in the breakroom. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do the shots for you.”

  “It’s okay Tilly, I didn’t realize needles bothered you as badly as they do.” She thought her friend was going to melt into the floor. It would have been funny had she not really needed her help.

  “I’ve never much cared for them since I was a little girl.”

  “Well, I can’t have you passing out on me. Dr. Martin will be quick with them. Hopefully, he won’t ask too many questions.”

  “He will because he really likes you.”

  “Dr. Martin? He does not.”

  As if on cue, the handsome curly brown head popped into the room with a bright smile.

  “Good afternoon, Melissa. I hear I’m needed to give a patient some shots.”

  His bright blue eyes twinkled as he walked toward her. She had to admit he was handsome, but he was so young.

  “I do, Bruce. The shots are actually for me.”

  He rushed over and put his hand to the back of her head concern in his eyes. “Are you sick, Melissa?”

  “No, I’m fine.” Melissa couldn’t help but blush under his touch. “I’m actually going to help a client have a baby.”

  His face fell as he looked to Tilly in disbelief. She just shrugged at him and then he turned back to her. “Not a were-baby?”

  “Yes, actually, Bruce, a were-baby. I’m finally going to get to try out some of my theories on a human being able to support a supernatural fetus. It’s very exciting.”

  “It’s stupid, not to mention dangerous.” Bruce stood and started to pace the room. “You don’t know what you’re doing to your body by putting those things in there. What’s even in these shots you’re planning to take?”

  “Tilly, will you go mind the desk? This may take a bit longer than I originally thought.” She could tell her assistant did not want to go out, but she did finally get up and leave. Melissa closed the door behind her.

  “You know I’m right,” Bruce said as he sat down at the table across from her.

  “There’s some risk to my plan, I know that. I’ve been studying Brennan Thomas and her work. She’s successfully added were DNA to a human to help with healing. It was controversial, but it worked for her. This is something that’s being done, and can be done. It just needs a subject to see what tweaks need to be made.”

  “Why does that subject have to be you, Melissa?” Bruce stood and walked over to her taking her shoulders in his hands. She tried not to look into his gorgeous eyes as he gently shook her. “Look at me, please. I care about you. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

  She broke free from his hold, mostly because she was being sucked in to his concerned face. Maybe Tilly was right about him liking her, but she couldn’t get distracted by that now. She had to start somewhere with her research, and it might as well be with her.

  “I’m doing this, Bruce. I need help to do it, but if you’re not comfortable, I can find someone else to help me. I would never want to put you in a bad position.”

  “Oh no, if you insist, then I’m monitoring you.” He pulled his phone out and dialed someone, never taking his eyes off of her. “Richard, clear my schedule today, please. Something has come up that requires the rest of my day.”

  “Thank you, Bruce.” Melissa smiled, but she knew he wasn’t happy with her. “Let’s go ahead and get started.”

  They walked down the hall to exam room one where she’d set everything up. There were seven needles lined up on the table, each of them with something different in them. She wasn’t sure what a combination of all of them would do so she’d chosen the exam room with an attached bathroom just to be safe.

  “So many?” Bruce looked at her in alarm. “What’s in them?”

  “Various parts of the were DNA that make up the reproductive system. There’s shots specific to male and female anatomy. Some of them are simply their basic structures to help my body absorb what makes the were-bears so unique.”

  “Wait a minute, you’re going to conceive a bear? That’s going to be a huge baby.”

  “I think that given what I’ve seen, the baby will grow according to what the mother can handle. The baby won’t be any bigger than a normal human baby.

  “You think?”

  “Yes, Bruce, I think. I know there are a lot of risks involved in this. I’m not going into it blind, but I am doing it, so you’re just going to have to trust me.”

  “I don’t like it, but I’ll try and trust you.”

  �
�So the first four can go into my arm into the vein. Two in one and two in the other. The next two are intramuscular shots so my thighs would be the best place, then the last can go into my hip. This helps spread out everything through my body and helps me from being really sore in one spot.”

  She was happy she’d shaved her legs that morning as she removed her slacks and coat. At least she could leave the tank top beneath her coat on for a little coverage. Bruce was a professional, but that didn’t make her any less apprehensive about being in her underwear in front of him.

  “I’ll try to go quick with them,” he said as he rubbed a cotton ball with alcohol on her arm.

  The first shot stung a bit, but it wasn’t too bad. The second one made her arm go numb for a couple of seconds. That was something she kept to herself. The third one hurt, badly. She tried to mask the pain, but it felt like fire was spreading through her arm and a light sweat broke out all over her body.

  “That one hurt you, you need a break?” Bruce was very observant. It’s what she knew made him an excellent doctor.

  “Just a minute.” Finally, the pain subsided, but it was still there. She wondered if it would hurt as it spread through her blood stream. He switched back to the other arm for the next one and it didn’t hurt, then the two in the thighs were painless although she felt a bit dizzy. She chalked it up to taking so much into her body at once.

  The one in her hip felt funny—it didn’t hurt, but it was thick going in. She could feel every bit of the liquid as it entered her body and started to move up, which was strange.

  “That one was a weird one,” she remarked as she pulled her slacks back on.

  “How so?”

  “It feels thick moving through my body. I can feel it.”

  “That doesn’t sound good. You don’t think it will clog anything, do you?”

  “No, I think it’s okay. I’ll let you know if anything feels different.”

  “Yes, you need to lie down and wait for twenty minutes then I’m going to check all your vitals. How often do you plan on giving these shots to yourself?”

  “The three in the hip and thighs are daily. I did it that way so I could do those on my own. The rest are just weekly. I won’t need your help except for on Thursdays.” Her head felt a little fuzzy.