Page 68 of Where the Current Takes Him
Loriun trailed his fingers through Beau’s hair, gently coaxing him into wakefulness. “We have to leave soon.”
“Leave?” Beau’s eyes had drifted shut again. “Leave where?”
“The clinic. Your appointment is in half an hour.”
“Oh… Appointment…” Beau shot upright. “Oh,FUCKI’m pregnant.”
In any other circumstance, Loriun would have burst out laughing. But right now, the little glow of hope in his chest was at risk of being smothered.
“Yes, you are,” he said softly. “How are you feeling about that?”
Beau’s hair was sticking straight up like a cockatoo’s crest, and his lips were parted in renewed shock. A hand emerged from the blankets and came to rest on his stomach.
“I… I don’t know.”
“Of course. It is a lot to take in, and I will support you no matter what decision you reach.” Loriun reached out and took his mate’s chin in his hand. “But let’s get you to the clinic first, and hear what Dr. Enas has to say.”
Beau merely nodded and swung his legs from the bed.
Chapter 28
Beau
Beau had not expected to be back in the clutches of the stirrup chair so soon. Fortunately, Dr. Enas informed them that there was little point in a physical exam this early in the pregnancy, and the stirrups remained empty. Instead, he’d sent a surprisingly human nurse ahead to draw Beau’s blood.
“Good morning, Beau,” she said brightly. She had a sun-bleached blonde bob andLittle Mermaidscrubs. “My name’s Flora and I’m just going to take some blood to confirm your pregnancy. Sound okay?”
Beau grimaced. “Sounds tolerable.”
Flora laughed. “Fair enough.” She lifted Beau’s left arm, clicked her tongue, then checked the right. She paused.
“Looks like you have a preferred arm for blood draws, don’t you?” she said, brushing a finger over the little smattering of dotted scars. “Are you a regular donor?”
Loriun stiffened.
“Something like that.” Beau attempted a weak chuckle. “I’ve definitely had my share of blood tests.”
Flora shot him a look, but didn’t press. A tourniquet was knotted around Beau’s upper arm, and he clenched his hand into a fist before the nurse had the chance to say anything.
“Well,” she said, readying her syringe, “I can assure you that I don’t leave scars.”
Beau still opted to avert his gaze when she approached his arm, needle poised. He gazed up at Loriun, hoping the depths of his aqua eyes would distract him from the pain. The Mer’s ear fins were flexing, like he was clenching and unclenching his jaw.
“You okay?” Beau asked.
“I should be asking you that question,luae.”
“I’m fine, Loriun, it’s just a blood draw.”
“All done!” Flora announced.
Beau’s head whipped around as she pressed a cotton ball to his puncture wound.
“Hold this to your arm for me,” she said.
Beau’s fingers obeyed without thought. “How did you do that? I didn’t even feel you start.”
Flora winked at him. “I’m that good. Now, we have a lab in-house, so these results will be ready in a few hours. I’ll get out of your hair and let Dr. Enas know you’re ready for him.” She swapped the cotton ball for a circular bandage, then gathered up her supplies
