Page 103 of Bloom
“I know, but I really wanted some bread. Aleric will help me eat it.”
Lord Monet raised an eyebrow at Jaime’s sudden longing for bread and turned to his son. “Why weren’t you downstairs? Are you sick? You didn’t eat much, so I don’t see why you’re going to gorge on bread with Jaime.”
“It tasted funny, and my stomach’s been upset. The bread will be easier.”
“Do you want me to send for a physician from the city?”
“No. I’m sure my stomach will be fine. I’ve got a little peppermint tincture in the privy room if I need it.”
“If you change your mind. Let me know. Or send Jaime to tell me.”
“Thanks, Father.”
Jaime handed him the plate once Lord Monet left.
“This is a bit excessive,” said Aleric. “Eight slices of bread? Are you trying to make me fat? I just told you I don’t need to stuff my face all day. It’s not like I’m ravenous and wasting away.”
“What if you get hungry after two? You can nibble all afternoon, and if you don’t like dinner, I’ll get you more food if you want. It’s not to make you fat. But I imagine you will be quite cute once your belly’s bigger.”
“You’ll probably be revolted by me and think I’m a cow.”
“No, I won’t.”
“Whatever. There is something else you can do for me.”
“What?”
Aleric stood. “Leave me alone all afternoon. Go to the library or do whatever.”
Or take the opportunity to grab his stuff and tiptoe out. Aleric probably expected him to run for it.
“I barely slept last night, and I have to think about how I’m going to tell Father that he has another reason to be disappointed in me,” finished Aleric.
“He shouldn’t be disappointed in you.”
“You weren’t even here for a full twenty-four hours before you got me up the stick.”
“So that means if you fully trust me later once this one is toddling around and getting into things, I could probably stick another baby in there pretty fast and have you up the stick again. Only if you want, I mean.”
“We’re not even married yet, and I already want to divorce you.”
“Can we try to make this work and not be mean? Another kid is not an obligation. I was just saying. A hypothetical situation.” It’d likely be a bad idea to mention that Jaime had always hoped for more than one kid.
Aleric made a face at him before he took the whole plate with him to his bedroom and closed the door. He hadn’t said no. If allowed later, Jaime would happily put another baby in his belly.
He sat on the couch and frowned. He’d always imagined that if he married an abundant male, his future husband would beexcited to tell him he was with child, and Jaime would absolutely lavish him with affection. He wanted to go into the bedroom, cuddle Aleric, rub his stomach, and try to make him feel secure even if it was only for a few minutes.
Oh well. A lot of things hadn’t gone the way he’d imagined before.
***
The book infuriated Jaime.
The first chapter on the basics of their biology was all right since it was just facts laid out.
The second gave tips on how to conceive. Some couples appeared to be healthy overall with no issues and still took years to conceive. If an abundant male didn’t use their heat, they had a smaller chance, but it was still possible.
Certain herbs might work. Jaime scanned through the list of foods and herbs that might help a couple to conceive. He didn’t need to know since he and Aleric were past that point.
