Page 158 of His Sunshine Baby

“I learned yesterday before the battle. I’m pregnant. It’s Nate’s.”

She stays silent for a long while, and for some reason, I start crying.

I’ve been moody these days, but saying it out loud to Nora, just after the good news of us being family, unlocks something in me that I haven’t been able to release before. I can put up a good front for Clark, pretend I’m strong, act calm for my baby, but I’m completely lost inside.

I am fucking pregnant. I love this baby, but she wasn’t expected. It changes a lot of things. My relationship with Nathaniel, which was already a mess to begin with. My position in the pack that I might have to give up for her. Even school. I haven’t been able to go to school since I was discharged from the hospital, but even so, what comes next?

I’ll have to give up on university to take care of my baby girl. I’ll have to take on a full-time job to support her, maybe juggle with Daniel to take care of her properly. But before all that, I still haven’t told Nathaniel.

Nora and Daniel both try to comfort me, but it takes a while for my tears to dry. He takes the phone from me at some point and hangs up for me.

“Danny?”

“Yes, babe?”

“I don’t know how I’m gonna pull it off. The clan isn’t going to help me raise a child from another pack, and you know all my paychecks are going to my dad’s bills and our rent, and the school…”

I start crying even more, not making any sense between my sobbing and irregular breathing. Daniel caresses my hair to have me calm down.

“Babe, calm down, calm down. No stress, okay? First, you’re not going to be alone, ever. You have the best friend in the world, me, who would go to hell and back for you, okay? If you’re banned, they can ban me too. Plus, you know my family won’tever abandon you, you’re like our secret third sister. So even if Clark decides on something really stupid, you know our family will be there to support you. Also, don’t worry about school, okay? You can always take a year off and resume later, no? As for money, your baby’s father is a freaking millionaire, Elena. He will help you with his magical bank account.”

“Danny. Nate doesn’t even know about this baby yet.”

“But once he does, he’s going to go crazy for his daughter, like any good daddy. Plus, do you realize? That kid will be the King’s niece! And Nora’s, too!”

Oh Moon Goddess, I didn’t realize!

If Nora marries the King, she will become my child’s aunt, right? That plus being my cousin. This is crazy. Out of all people, my long-lost cousin and I fell in love with two brothers.

As I think about our weird family tree, it reminds me…

“Danny, my dad.”

“Yeah, I know. Don’t worry, I’ll go see him for you, all right? I can ask Mom and Bonnie to check on him too.”

My poor dad. I keep imagining him, alone in that hospital room, still in his coma. If only he could wake up now. I know he would support me, tell Clark he’s an idiot, and be happy for me and my baby. He would probably give Nate one hell of a pep talk too. I chuckle imagining that, and Daniel notices it.

“Babe, I prefer seeing you smile. No negativity in this house, just warmth and a nice environment for our baby girl. You know what? Next time I go to the university, I’ll get you some books about babies and all the kinds of stuff you will suffer from with parenthood!”

We laugh together about what a struggle it will be to raise this baby until I get hungry for pizza and beg Danny to order some.

Actually, I crave pizza every day that follows. Sitting at home isn’t much better than lying down on the hospital bed.I give up studying by myself as it becomes boring and makes me angry anytime it reminds me how I won’t be able to attend university until next summer at least.

Daniel keeps his word and brings me dozens of books about pregnancy, kids, and parenthood. I become much more aware of everything that comes with pregnancy, and discuss it often with his mother at each of my check-ups. The next two hospital visits are a relief: my baby girl is still there and growing.

Daniel even starts buying baby stuff, and his mom brings me what she kept from her five pregnancies. Abigail and Bonnie are a huge support, but Sylviana is probably the person I come to trust the most. The witch comes often and gives me some tea to drink, soups, and other things she prepares herself. She teaches me some breathing exercises, how to stretch, and even how to make my own nutritious soups.

However, a few days have passed, and I’m still confined to the sofa. Even worse, I’m running out of things to read, and Daniel is especially grumpy.

“Consider it like he’s working, babe,” I sigh.

He’s glaring at his phone as if it was some vicious creature. If it wasn’t the expensive smartphone kind, I bet he would have already smashed it.

“I’m just saying. A call once in a while would be nice.”

“He is working. In his wolf form, Danny. Have you ever tried texting with your paws?”

“Why are you defending him?” he pouts.

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