I shuffled uncomfortably. I admired and respected Jian's parents. I didn't want to cause problems for them. But I was a human. I basically caused problems just by existing.
After what felt like an awkward eternity, Jian came to me. His expression was a bit strained but otherwise he looked calm.
"My parents wish to see you," he said.
I swallowed the nervous lump in my throat. "Okay."
Trying to act more confident than I felt, I followed Jian to the front step. His parents looked the same as I remembered, just a decade older. They were both attractive people; it was clear where Jian's good looks came from.
I ducked my head. "Um, hello."
I felt Jian's hand on my shoulder, which gave me a scrap of comfort.
"Mother, Father, you remember Nikolas," he said.
They both observed me. His father was stoic on the surface but his mother seemed visibly upset, though she calmed down the longer she looked at me.
"Now sense it for yourself," Jian said. "Nikolas is my fated mate. I know it without a doubt. I know I broke my promise to you, and for that I'm sorry. I know you were only trying to protect me with that rule. But saving the life of my fated mate was worth breaking that promise."
Jian glanced at me, then back at his parents. "I love him more with each beat of my heart. And he's pregnant with your grandchild. Bo confirmed it this morning."
A moment of silence descended on us, then finally his father spoke. His voice was more tender than I'd been expecting. "I feel it."
"Yes, it's true," his mother murmured. Her eyes, which were sharp upon first glance had now softened. "I sense it, too. He really is pregnant."
I didn't know what to do. Should I congratulate them on being grandparents? Should I apologize for being human?
I glanced over at Jian, ready to silently ask for help, when suddenly his mother hugged me.
"Is Jian feeding you enough?" she demanded. "Is he taking care of you? He isn't ignoring you to read his books, is he?"
I laughed, surprised and relieved by her swift change in demeanor. "Yes, yes, and no."
"You're going to get cold standing out here without a jacket," Jian's father said. "Come in, please."
As Jian's parents ushered me into their home, I glanced at my fated mate over my shoulder. He grinned, radiating the same relieved joy I felt, and shrugged, helpless to stop his parents' onslaught of nurturing love.
"Welcome to the family, Kola."
10
Jian
It turnedout telling my parents the truth wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be after all. Perhaps I didn't give them enough credit. They were understandably upset when I told them I'd broken our promise, of course, but when I followed up that it was to save my fated mate, they immediately softened.
At first they weren't thrilled that my mate was human, but they knew it was the fates' decision, and the fates always knew best. To evenhavea fated mate at all was a rare blessing.
The final nail in the acceptance coffin was when they laid eyes on Nikolas and sensed he was pregnant. All their hesitancy melted away after that, and they embraced him with open arms, showering him with love and care that every pair of doting grandparents pours on their offspring's pregnant partner.
After my mother stuffed Nikolas with homemade dumplings, we headed back to my place. Nikolas collapsed on the bed with a satisfied groan. "Man, that was so good. And you're telling me I get to eat their food all the time?"
I chuckled. "It would be their pleasure."
Nikolas suddenly screwed up his expression. "Oh. I just remembered something."
"What is it?"
"I'm scheduled tomorrow."
