Page 221 of The Heart of Winter

We looked at each other. Seeing the proof felt like breaking through the surface and taking a breath of clean air. It was liberating. Euphoric.

My whole life, I’d been terrified of uncertainty and change, carefully planning and setting up my path. But now Fate had handed me security, a future I could pour my heart into, knowing we were meant to be. No force could pull us apart. For someone like me—naturally cautious and distrustful, that meant everything.

"There’s one more thing," the nurse added. "Both blood samples show a spike in pregnancy hormones."

I swallowed hard. The news shocked me, but also… didn't shock me at all. It was a logical conclusion, after all. If I was adapting to Sariel, then of course my hormones and reproductive system would have to change too.

The nurse printed the results and left, giving us space to take it in. I stared down at the paper.

"Wow, we’re both pregnant," I whispered, touching the paper.

Saying the word ‘pregnant’ out loud felt like something out of a fantasy I had buried long ago… And yet, it was real now, I was going to have two kids at once!

Something inside me surged, almost too big to contain. My throat tightened with joy, with overwhelming happiness.

My first thought was to call my dad. To tell him that his beta kid, who was never supposed to have children, was soon going to give him not one, but two grandkids. I could already imagine him cheering with joy.

But it wasn’t just about him.

It was about me, too. About something I had to say goodbye to the day I found out I was a beta. I learned to live with it.

But still on some level, I was bitter, angry that I hadn’t been dealt the same card as all my other brothers. It felt just simply unfair. Why them? Why not me? So randomly, senselessly unfair.

Now I couldchoosewhether or not to have children, and somehow thatchoicefelt monumental. Life-changing.

Sariel stood up, and I followed. He pulled me into a tight embrace.

"All this is incredible news," he said softly. Then, after a pause: "You know, my life used to feel… aimless. Like it didn’t matter. I was just someone else's son who served a purpose. This career focus was forced on me. When I mentioned to my parents I wanted children, it was often met with raised eyebrows. But I won’t be explaining myself anymore or feel ashamed for wanting it. I will shape my own path. With you."

"Sounds perfect," I murmured into his shoulder.

"Well," he said with a grin, "this is definitely going to blow some minds. So… who do we tell first?"

SARIEL

We decided to start with the bigger challenge.

My father.

The next morning, we went to DevApp together to meet my father. I had a missed call from him yesterday, and I still hadn’t returned it.

We chose his office instead of a formal home visit because we wanted to face him directly, while he was alone.

Winter dressed sharply in a suit, while I wore a T-shirt with the print ‘Forever His,’ and an arrow pointing right. I made sure to position myself so that the arrow always pointed toward Winter.

We also both decided to stop using scent-masking deodorants, just to make our situation obvious to everyone.

I could see only faint tension on Winter’s face, but thanks to our bond, I knew he was pretty concerned on the inside. There was no possibility of fully hiding our feelings anymore, not with TM magic connecting us.

When my father’s voice invited us inside, we went in, not holding hands just yet.

The moment we entered, he raised an eyebrow at the sight of us together but didn’t get up. His face remained unmoved, impassive. He had his laptop in front of him and stayed seated, not making any gesture as we approached his desk.

"Father, I have some news that might surprise you," I said.

His eyes moved over my face and then to Winter’s. Not a muscle twitched.

"I doubt it could surprise me, but let’s give it a try," he said flatly.

---