Page 49 of In Plain Sight

He stiffened and I could see the worry on his face, too.

“Doc says the baby should be fine, but that it’s too early to tell for sure. It’s possible it wouldn’t even show up on a pregnancy test yet. The only reason they even suspect it is because you weren’t able to shift. So we just have to wait and see. Whatever happens, we’re in this together.”

I nodded and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. I desperately needed to brush my teeth after everything that had happened. My mouth felt dry and pasty.

“I’m going to drive us both crazy until we know for sure,” I confessed.

He chuckled. “I have no doubts about that. Doc said it would be another three to four weeks before we could really be certain. I mean, let’s face it, unless the kid’s not mine you can’t be more than three weeks pregnant, and that would be if we conceived the moment we bonded or in those first few days.”

I gave him a stern look. “Of course the kid’s yours. Who else’s would it be?”

He shrugged. True, I hadn’t exactly been a virgin, but I had been on a break from men for a few months before he came into my life.

I laughed. “I’d have to be like four or five months pregnant for it not to be yours, and I think we for sure would have known before now if that were the case.”

“Ruby, there’s a chance you aren’t pregnant, too.”

“Then why couldn’t I shift, Bran?”

“I don’t know, sweetheart. I asked the same thing over and over and no one could come up with a better answer. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up too much before we know for sure.”

My shoulders slumped. Did that mean he was hoping I wasn’t pregnant? Did he not want a baby? We had never really discussed kids beyond that one time, but he had seemed okay with the idea.

Bran smiled and brushed a stray curl behind my ear.

“I don’t need a telepathic connection to know exactly what you’re thinking. I would be thrilled to find out you are definitely carrying my child. Nothing would make me happier. I know it’s all happening fast, but I’m okay with that. I just don’t want us to get too excited only to find out it was a fluke.”

He leaned in to kiss me, but I pulled back. There was a look of hurt in his eyes.

“Trust me, until I brush my teeth and gargle with the entire bottle of mouthwash, you do not want any part of this,” I said, motioning towards my mouth.

He stood, leaned over, and kissed the top of my head instead.

“Let me know when you’re ready for that. And don’t take too long, because I’d really like to kiss my mate.”

I hugged him and let his scent soothe me.

"Okay, let's see if I can stand. You'll probably have to help me to the bathroom."

I leaned on him a lot more than I thought I'd need to. My legs were rubbery and I felt far weaker than I’d imagined. Once at the sink I could lean on it instead, and at least I didn't have to ask Bran to assist with my cleaning up. I vaguely remember him giving me a bath before the world went dark. It was humiliating and pathetic. I would have to work hard to rebuild my strength and if I were with child, that made it even more important for me to be strong enough to protect my baby.

I brushed and gargled about a dozen times. I think I was trying to erase the memories as much as the taste in my mouth. I'd had my fair share of hangovers, but this topped them all.

There was a knock at the door and I saw the panic on Bran's face.

"I'm fine and I promise I won't move until you get back."

"Okay, I'll be quick."

He disappeared and I could hear voices speaking softly, but I couldn't tell who it was until my mother peaked her head into the bathroom.

A tear escaped and ran down my cheek.

"Hi, Mom," I said.

"Oh, my baby girl. I had to see for myself that you were okay. Lily and Thomas filled us in and I waited at their insistence, but a mother should be here to care for her baby. I'm sorry you were so sick."

"I'm okay now, Mom, or I will be at least. Can you call for Bran? I think I need to get back to bed."

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