Page 44 of Polar Fates
By the way, you’repregnant.
I stop in my tracks, unable to process what Alis just toldme.
Shutup.
You’re pregnant. You’ll have cubs soon. Does that make me anauntie?
Cubs?Plural?
I only feel oneheartbeat.
Wait, I’mpregnant?
I just told you. Twice. Three times,now.
But I’m twenty… I’m too young to have a child. And not in thisworld.
“What?” Húnn suddenly asks, ripping me out of my mental conversation withAlis.
Did I say that aloud? Please tell me Ididn’t.
We’re walking along a stream towards the old factory Bertie and Arnold are getting their batteries from. It’s a good excuse to spend some alone time with Húnn. I’ve been trying to do that more recently, giving each of them more attention. I don’t want any of them to feel jealous. They keep telling me that they’re fine with me having four mates, but I still want to make sure it’s an equal relationship for all ofthem.
Today, it’s Húnn’s turn. And he just heard me say that I’mpregnant.
Ohno.
I cringe. “Alis just told me I’mpregnant.”
He stares at me open-mouthed. “Are yousure?”
I nod, blushing. “She seems pretty convinced. She can hear aheartbeat.”
“Fuck.”
“Tell me aboutit.”
“You’repregnant?”
I’m beginning to get worried. “Is that aproblem?”
I know people used to have condoms in the old world, but of course those no longer exist. Some women on Salvation Island kept track of their cycles to avoid getting pregnant, but that didn’t always work. Others swore by the moon phases. But I never had anything to do with men… and never thought that I’d getpregnant.
And now Iam.
To say it in Húnn’s words:fuck.
Suddenly I’m in Húnn’s arms and he swings me through theair.
“It’s not a problem, It’samazing!”
He laughs and after a moment, I join him. Yes, maybe it is amazing. A little miracle. I’m not sure I really want to bring new life into this world, but if I do, then it’s with these fourmen.
Do you know who the father is? I askAlis.
Does itmatter?
No, it doesn’t. Of coursenot.
