He bobbed his head and booped my cheek again. I wanted to say more than "Goodnight," especially after my dad's revelation, but the thought of snuggling up with my meerkat mate overrode my desire for conversation. Everyone else could wait until tomorrow.
"You smell funny,"Talia said two weeks later as we set the table for Sunday dinner. It wasn't a question. She brushed the hair off my nape and took a sniff.
I froze, the stack of plates balanced precariously on my palm. "Funny how?" I'd showered and shaved only an hour ago.
"Funny ... pregnant."
"Already?" My arm wobbled, all strength leaving me, and I set the plates on the table. "I haven't … you know." I wasn't yet ready to discuss my heat cycles with Mika's entire family over Sunday dinner, especially now that I lived here and had nowhere to run if they asked too many questions. Only Mika's little sister Faria was within earshot, but still, it was uncomfortable.
"You know you're fated mates, right?" Talia met my gaze with a quizzical grin. "You don't need to be in heat to conceive."
I'd heard that, sure, and assumed it was an old wives' tale. The world narrowed to a black dot in front of my nose. I heard the scrape of a chair across the wood floor, and then I sat down hard.
"Breathe," Talia whispered in my ear as she bent me over so my head was between my knees. "You're all right. We've got you."
Through our bond, I felt Mika approach, and then his brown eyes, so much like his meerkat's, shone as he kneeled before me and dipped his head to meet my gaze.
"Are you okay?" he asked. "We can take plates back to our room, if you want to avoid the family today."
"I want to tell them." The words rushed out before I could process or second-guess them.
"Everyone will be thrilled." Talia's tone held that edge that reminded me of a mafia boss. If anyone was insufficiently excited, they would have to answer to her.
"Thrilled about what?" My dad asked from somewhere behind me. I turned to glare at him, and my stomach dipped again. I clapped a hand to my mouth.
"What's wrong?" he asked. "Mika rushed in here, so I followed. Is everything all right?"
Talia nudged my shoulder. "Tell him."
If I had to disappoint my dad with news he didn't want to hear, at least Talia would have my back. Mika helped me to my feet and clutched me to his side, and Talia bumped the chair back under the table with her hip before holding up my other side. I wanted to collapse against them, to let them carry my weight, but I had to stand tall now. Our baby would depend on me to be strong.
I squared my shoulders and took a step forward, leaving Mika and Talia behind. "I'm pregnant."
Instead of clouding with judgment, my dad's face split into a beaming smile. "That's wonderful news!"
"It is?"
He pointed to the mark on my neck. "I'm not blind, Gabe, and I know a thing or two about shifters. I'd been expecting an announcement like this one." He winked. "Though I would like to know when you'll be exchanging vows." He turned his gaze on Mika. "Will you make my son an honest man?"
I groaned. "I thought you said you knew about shifters."
"Bruce married Becca," he reminded me.
Talia stepped between us and snapped her fingers, the way she did when the teenagers shifted in the house. "The last thing he needs to do is plan a wedding. He's already building a new house and baking a baby."
"After the baby comes." Mika slid his fingers between mine and tugged me to his side. I met his warm gaze and melted a little. "He's already an honest man, but we'll exchange vows at our housewarming party."
Talia snapped again. "Does that work for you, Jerry?"
Dad blushed, but he nodded. "I never meant that he was dishonest. It's a figure of speech."
"It's a shitty one," Talia said with a shrug. "Come on. Let's get you a plate of appetizers to take to your friends." She hooked her arm through Dad's and led him away.
I turned to Mika, who beamed down at me. "We're going to be parents!"
I pressed my hands to my belly, and Mika spread his fingers over my still taut abs. I gazed at him, my smile stretching my lips. "I can't wait to meet them."
He dropped down to his knees, wrapped his arms around my waist, and kissed the button of my jeans through my untucked polo shirt. "Stay healthy in there, little one." The gesture would have seemed too big from anyone else. From Mika, my adorkable alpha mate, it was perfect.
