“I thought he’d told you that I was…”
“Pregnant?” Alex said, his eyes shining. “Yes, he told us, but I guess it’s another thing actually seeing it.”
More moisture formed in Alex’s eyes as he tied the other set. He dabbed at his eyes and stood back. “That’s a great fit. What do you think?”
“Is there a reason you’re so upset?”
Alex widened his eyes and shook his head. “I’m not upset.”
“You clearly are.”
Alex took a deep breath. “I’m pregnant and hormonal. I cry at the drop of a hat these days. Don’t take it personally.” He tugged at the shoulder of the robe. “So, the robe?”
Kenji stared at Alex, his head tilted.
Alex glanced at him and sighed. “Only you know if you’re ready and if you’re not—that is entirely your choice to make and I’mnotjudging you. My reaction wasn’t meant to make you feel guilty or uncomfortable. Our Zaadi was a happy accident that happened way too early in our relationship and trust me, I had doubts, too. I wasn’t ready—and my very first thought was,no,get this thing out of me.”
“Do you wish you’d chosen differently?”
“Heck no,” Alex said. “Did youseemy kids? They’re smart, kind, loving, and beautiful, just like their father.” He chuckled. “And they can be a handful just like him, too. I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”
“Why the tears, then?”
Alex searched his face. “I just remember how excited and terrified I was my first pregnancy. I had no idea where life would take me. It feels like so long ago from where we are now. A lifetime ago. But it’s only been five years.” He grinned. “Fiveamazingyears.”
Kenji sensed it was more to it than that but didn’t push. As close as they all seemed, they might know of Qylar’s wish to be a father. Forcing away a wave of guilt, he looked down at his robe and back up to Alex. “Any mirrors around here?”
“Oh, right,” Alex said, turning Kenji to face the water wall. He clapped twice in short succession and the water smoothed like glass, their reflection appearing.
“That’s coolas fuck,”Kenji said, in awe. He clapped his hands twice, but nothing happened.
“Once to close,” Alex said, clapping one time. The water returned to cascading. He clapped twice, and it smoothed again.
Kenji clapped once to stop it… and again twice to restart it, grinning the entire time. “Sorry… I had to try it.”
“Oh, you don’t know how many times I’ve made a fool of myself—often in public—when I find shit like this and act like a giddy little child, playing with it over and over,” Alex said. “Clap away if it makes you happy.”
“I won’t mess it up if I clap like a million times, will I?”
“I don’t think so, but maybe don’t push it too much, just in case?” Alex said. He stared at them in the reflection and straightened Kenji’s robe a bit more. “What do you think?”
Kenji ran his hand over one wide sleeve. “It’s super soft.” He eyed the length and saw it appeared around the same as Alex’s. “Is the fit okay?”
“It’s perfect, actually.”
Kenji grinned, staring at himself. “It’s a brighter blue than most I’ve noticed, but I like it. And how the color shifts towards the bottom, too. It’s less monochromatic feeling.”
“I grabbed it for that reason—after your blue comment, I thought you might appreciate a pinch of aqua mixed in.”
“I do.”
“Is this the one or do you want to look at some more?” Alex asked.
“I really like this one,” Kenji said. “And I’m also tired after a long trip, so…”
Alex chuckled. “You gather your stuff, and I’ll settle up.”
“Are you sure this is okay? I have no idea about Nefyrian goods or money or if this is expensive or not.”
