Page 33 of The Pregnancy Pact

“How long?”

“How long are you proposing that we remain married?”

“Oh.”

I hadn’t given that enough consideration. Did I want to specific a number of years? Several factors could come into play—including how well I was doing in my new career and whether I felt ready to step out on my own as a single parent in a foreign world, on a foreign planet.

“You do not have an idea in mind?”

He was still speaking with his back turned to me. His tones were clipped and official. Suddenly, I realized what was going on. He was a politician, a ruler. He was used to negotiations, and, after having been blindsided—like me—he’d switched gears and decided to treat the matter as if negotiating a contract. He understood the importance of nuances, of fine details, and of getting it all done on paper, signed and official.

Would we get it down on paper? Actually write out our pregnancy pact?

That might not be a bad idea, I mused.

Sensing it was time to release the notion of having the upper hand, focusing instead on making a fair arrangement for both of us, I blew out a breath and walked a few steps toward him.

“I’m not sure how many years,” I admitted, going on to explain about my career, my feelings as a single parent. “I propose we agree that, when I feel ready, we amicably end our marriage, leaving us both free to marry other people if we want.”

“It may not be that simple,” my alien husband responded. “The Council will not allow us to divorce now. What makes you think they will in the future?”

I shrugged. “You’ll have your heir.”

“They want you for more than simply mothering my child,” he reminded me. I noticed the subtle emphasis he put on they. The Council wanted this. Not him. He didn’t want me. “They wish for you to be a linking bond between Asterion and Earth.”

True.

At a loss, I chewed on my lower lip. I guess I’d assumed after the baby was born that the Council wouldn’t care that much if we got divorced, but Ellax had a point.

“You know what?” I said. “I’m pretty sure you have contacts. I have faith in you, that you can come up with some means of getting me off your planet and making it look like I ran away. Or died. That's even better. I’m cool with that—as long as we also officially agree that you’ll bring our child to visit me. We’ll have to work that out too.”

Goodness, this pregnancy pact was turning out to be a lot more complicated than I’d ever imagined.

“We should put everything in writing,” he asserted coldly.

“I agree,” I said, clasping my hands behind my back, squeezing my fingers to keep from feeling intimidated. “We put it in writing and both of us sign it. I wish we could have it witnessed somehow, but I guess that’s out of the question.”

When he didn’t offer any rebuttals, I pressed forward with my final caveat to the agreement. The one that, given his reputation and the past we’d shared so far, I was the most of afraid of voicing, but also the one I was the most determined to voice.

“One more thing,” I said.

That did it. I watched his body uncoil and he spun around, his golden eyes blazing with irritation.

“Another request? How many would you make of me?”

“Gee, I don’t know,” I snapped. “You’re using my body for sex and a baby. How many should I get to make?”

He gritted his teeth. “What is it?” he asked slowly.

I raised my chin.

“I want a solemn promise from you,” I said. “While we’re married, you don’t sleep with anyone else and neither do I. Even though this marriage isn’t going to last, we’re going to keep our vows of faithfulness. No cheating. Ever.”

I’d rather expected him to start swearing or cursing. I wasn’t expecting the solemn lines in his face to relax into a sort of wicked smile.

“No cheating,” he echoed.

“That’s right. No cheating.” I tried to interject steel into my voice. “I’ve lived through that before. I won’t do it again.”

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