Page 62 of Loving Nightmares
24
ARABELLA
Pregnant.
I was pregnant.
I was nearly trembling with happiness, standing in my towel right outside the bathroom, as my brain moved a million miles an hour. For just a second, one that seemed to span for eons, I felt frozen. I wasn’t afraid—that wasn’t why I was frozen—it was because of the tidal wave of joy that had sprung from the smallest amount of hope. My entire body felt alive as happiness coursed through my veins, making me feel almost dizzy and high on excitement.
Pregnant.I was pregnant.
Any concerns I had before defeating War had faded over the past few weeks, having already seen so much progress towards a more peaceful time between humans and nightmares, but I also had been afraid to hope…and now, I didn’t need to worry about hope.
There was only truth—the truth that the test provided.I was pregnant.
Somehow, after everything I’d been through,thiswas what blew my mind. My fingers traveled down my abdomen over the towel as I felt tears well in my eyes.
“Wait, really?” Damian’s voice was filled with excitement, and concern, wiping away my tears as he appeared in front of me. I’m sure he was confused between the smiles and the tears, but I couldn’t help it—I was feeling everything so intensely right now.
“Holy shit.” He chuckled as he saw the test, picking me up by the waist and swinging me around, causing me to giggle and break from my haze. His kiss was hard, and I let out a small moan at his taste, his touch bringing me back down to earth.
I knew that Blackwell and Damian didn’t have good memories of their families, but Damian looked nothing but absolutely happy. I couldn’t see Blackwell, but I could feel his joy through our bond. Damian kissed me again, my eyes falling shut as I let out a happy sound.
“I love you, and I can’t wait to have a family with you,” Damian said with such an earnest and beautiful smile, pressing a kiss to my nose. “I’m going to get you some non-caffeinated tea. Be right back.”
And he was gone.
“Non-caffeinated…” I mumbled, turning to look up at Blackwell who appeared right in my space, his gaze turning molten gold. My eyes widened as he knelt down in front of me, still nearly freakin’ my height even with that—or at least it felt like it—and ran a hand over my abdomen. His hand felt warm against the covered skin, and I swear I felt my abdomen grow warmer in response to his touch.
“I’d hoped you were pregnant,” he admitted, his eyes filling with emotion, “but knowing it for sure—I can’t even express how it makes me feel.”
“Good?” I smiled softly.
“Fucking amazing,” he growled and pressed his head against my chest, pulling me into him. I wrapped my arms around him and surrendered to his touch, trying to not think about the horrible words Damian had just said.
Non-caffeinated.
That wasn’t going to work.
“I don’t even know what to say,” I whispered after a long moment. “Pregnant. I almost feel like it can’t be true. I know it is, but it’s just…crazy.”
“You’ve been so busy, I’m sure you weren’t even thinking about it,” Blackwell said, and I tilted my head, considering his words.
“I didn’t let myself think on it too much,” I agreed, “but I did notice that I was a bit more tired, and sometimes I would wake up queasy. I just didn’t want to hope and find out I wasn’t, you know?”
“Even if you hadn’t been, we have forever together, and no matter how our family comes about—either like this or a different way—I feel beyond honored to be part of your life.” His words were so sincere, and tears pricked my eyes again.
“Okay, add feeling a bit more emotional as well.” I smiled as he chuckled softly, then blew out a breath. “How does all of this even work? Do I need to talk to the medical staff? I assume so. I mean, I don’t even know what the nightmare gestational period is, let alonesis metagestational information. Maybe I could call them and ask, that’s a good idea—”
“Breathe.” Blackwell took my face between his hands and kissed me gently. “Just breathe. We will take everything one moment at a time.”
“How are you so calm?” I squeaked. “I feel like there are a million things to do!”
“There are,” he agreed, pulling us to standing, “but the first thing you need to do is get your little ass dressed before I pull off your towel.”
My smile grew. “Oh no…that sounds horrible.”
Blackwell grunted and nodded towards the pile of clothes. I happily took them and walked into the bathroom, not bothering to close the door. It wasn’t like anyone who’d come into my room unannounced hadn’t seen me naked often and a lot. It was no wonder I was pregnant.
