“Reif…are you all right?” asked Brian, worried his mate was in shock.Damn, I should have been more gentle.
Finally, Reif spoke. “Why do you think I’m pregnant…no, not me…my sea dragon is pregnant?”
“Because of what yer animal is doin’ right now. With serpents, and yer one of them, exposing their underbellies is a sign of pregnancy. Normally it’s a female serpent but then ye come from an all-male species so I’m guessin’ tis the same for yer sea dragon.”
“That’s it? You’re basing everything on the fact my sea dragon is on his back? Good thing I didn’t freak out…well, at least, no more than I did,” Reif said, chuckling.
“Yer sea dragon needs to see a doctor,” replied Brian, frowning.
“Nessie, my sea dragon isnotpregnant…nor am I. There is no need to go back home to see a doctor.”
“What if ye dinna have to go back home? What if ye can see one here in Scotland? Would ye do it…for me? Ye know, put my mind at rest?” Brian asked.
Thinking about his mate’s request, Reif wasn’t sure why Brian was pushing him about this. He wasn’t pregnant.But could Nessie be? Deciding to address it with his beast directly, Reif asked his sea dragon if he were pregnant, sure of the answer.
Looking at his mate, Brian waited for an answer, already knowing what it would be. The only thing he didn’t know was how Reif would feel about them having babies so soon after claiming each other—and what if his mate didn’t want any? Needing to know, but afraid to hear the answer, Brian kept his face expressionless.
Stunned after the tongue lashing his beast gave him, Reif sat there, staring at his mate, a whirlwind of emotions whipping through him.I’m…no, we aregoing to be parents! Holy shit! Parents? Parents! Holy fucking shit! Oh, crap, Nessie doesn’t look happy…what if he doesn’t want kids…it would break my heart.
“Well? Did ye ask yer sea dragon?” Brian deadpanned, his voice giving nothing away.
Fuck! Gulping first, Reif finally answered. “You’re right.”
“Are ye okay?” asked Brian.
Am I okay? How the fuck do I know?Shaking his head, Reif replied, “Honestly? I don’t know. I guess okay…I mean my sea dragon seems to be fine although a tad aggressive which is unusual…I mean he always had a mind of his own and never shied away from telling me…but he’s different now…I don’t know how to explain it…don’t know what to do about it either…I better go home…maybe I should call my father…shit I haven’t told him I found my mate…holy fuck…we are going to be parents!”
Exactly! Reif finally got to the crux of Brian’s biggest worry. “Ay. How do ye feel about that?” asked Brian.
Opening and shutting his mouth, Reif paused, unable to say anything, afraid his mate wouldn’t feel the way he did.I could always take my son home to my family to be raised.Even without asking them, he knew his parents would be excited about his pregnancy and would gladly take on the task of raising the boy. The only problem with that scenario is he didn’t want to do that, but what if…oh, shit, just say it. “I want my son,” Reif said, defiantly, ready to do battle.
Searching his mate’s face, Brian found what he’d been hoping for. A slow smile appeared on his face before morphing into a grin at the realization they would have a little sea dragon to take care of soon. “Ay, so do I.”
“You do?” asked Reif, not sure he heard his mate correctly.
“Of course I do, old man. Now will ye see a doctor?”
“Yes, but it’ll have to wait until I find the green diamond. If I leave Scotland without it, all hell will break loose and my people will be in mortal danger.”
“No need to leave. I know a doctor here.”
“A paranormal doctor? In Scotland?”
“Ay. The King of the Scottish Wolves is a doctor. Ye saw him cause he was at yer house with the Shaman,” Brian said.
“No shit! What’s his name?”
“Dr. Ian Wallace. He’s the Shaman’s brother-in-law,” Brian explained.
“I should call my parents,” Reif said, not without some agitation. “I don’t have a clue about what happens with a sea dragon pregnancy.”
“Ay, guid idea but if it’s anything like a sea serpent’s, we have aboot three months before the eggs come,” Brian said.
“Three months? That soon?” asked Reif, then, when the last part registered, he gasped, “EGGS?”
“What do ye think yer sea dragon would have? Pancakes?” grinned Brian
“Uhh, maybe little humans, otherwise known as babies…what are we supposed to do with eggs?” asked Reif. “Oh gods, no! Do I have to sit on them to keep them warm?”
