"For...?"
"Work?"
Right. I'd forgotten that tidbit.
I took Nikolas's hands. "Do you enjoy your job?"
He grinned. "Enjoyis a strong word. Most of the time at work I end up wishing I was at home. Why?"
"Maybe it's selfish of me, but I don't like knowing you're forced to do labor just to pay your rent."
He snorted. "That's like, the opposite of selfish."
I smiled. "What I mean to say is, I want you to move in with me, Nikolas. Quit your job if you don't like it. If you do like it, then we can work something out. Maybe I can 'drive' you to the human city for your shifts."
His eyes slowly widened and a blush appeared on his cheeks. "Wait, you want me to live with you?"
"Was that not obvious?" I chuckled. "You're my fated mate, who is also my best friend. And you're pregnant. I want to be able to dote on you constantly. I can't do that if we're apart. But if you want to stay at your apartment, I understand."
"Fuck no!" he blurted out. "Are you kidding me? Why would I ever pick my crappy apartment overthis?" He made a dramatic sweeping gesture across the room.
"Well, I wasn't going to just whisk you away without your consent," I said playfully. "But I'm glad that you chose this."
Nikolas grabbed me and pulled me in for a kiss. "For a guy who’s really smart, you're dumb sometimes. I always want to be with you, Jian." He tilted his head. "But what about the rest of the qilin shifters? Won't they be upset a human is living among them?"
"Bo and my parents already love you. They will vouch for you. Besides, we're fated. That means a lot to us. It basically means our relationship is sacred. You're untouchable."
He sighed. "Okay, that makes me feel better. I didn't want to cause problems."
"You're not." I kissed his forehead. "Let me know when you want to pick up your things. We can make arrangements together. And I'm sure DJ Muffin will enjoy his new home, too."
Nikolas laughed and nuzzled my forehead with his own.
* * *
Over the courseof the next few months, my parents invited us over frequently for lunch and dinner (and stopped by 'on a whim' to drop off food on more than one occasion). It warmed my heart to see Nikolas's bond with them solidifying. He was no longer the strange human outcast they couldn't trust—he was family.
With his job and apartment lease handed off, Nikolas moved in mostly empty-handed. He'd donated or sold his furniture, packed up DJ Muffin and a suitcase, and moved in permanently. Since I owned my home and possessed more than enough wealth to support us both, Nikolas took the time off to relax and enjoy his pregnancy. Which meant a lot of wild, pregnancy hormone-riddled sex.
Neither of us complained about that.
As the weeks progressed, Nikolas's belly swelled. It nearly brought me to tears every time I saw it. Nikolas teased me for being emotional, but I couldn't help it. How could I not be when he was creating a new life inside him? One that was forged out of our love?
It was a normal afternoon when it happened. We were lounging together in the library, curled up in our new loveseat with DJ Muffin, who nestled himself in the corner.
Nikolas suddenly sucked in a breath. "Oh."
Without another word, I sensed what was happening. "The baby's coming, isn't it?" I asked.
"Uh. I've never had one before, but judging from all the shitty TV shows I've watched, I'm going to say yes."
I sprang into action, which made DJ Muffin jump off the loveseat with a disgruntledmrow. We'd planned Nikolas's birth for months now. He didn't want to go to a hospital unless it was necessary, and we had a few qilin shifters in the community with medical knowledge on standby in case Nikolas wanted their help.
First things first was to move him somewhere more comfortable.
"I'm going to lift you now," I told him.
He nodded. Sweat was beading on his brow.
