Love & Fear | Book Two

Sixteen

Michael and I laid side-by-side together, staring up at the ceiling of my living room. We had been like this since we got home. As I stared, my mind began to race, filling with hundreds of questions. How would we tell our families? How would they react? Where would we live? Would we raise the child here in Carthage or could we raise it in Charleston where Michael lives? This home didn't feel like home without Michael here.

"What are we going to do?" I whispered, turning my head to look back at him, "What are we going to tell our parents? This house doesn't feel like home without you here and I can't imagine not spending the rest of my life without you." I paused, sitting up, "I just don't think I can do this alone and I want our baby to know about where it comes from and to learn to protect the sea. And about your species and I want-"

By now I was crying, my emotions everywhere. With tears streaming down my face, Michael wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close and kissing me softly on the head. As we sat together holding onto each other, I tried to calm my emotions but it was no use.

"Loretta, we'll be okay. We'll ask for help when we need it and raise our child together whether we live here or by the ocean. But, we will do this together." He said, his hand resting on my cheek.

I nodded, wrapping my tear-streaked face with my hand, "Okay. I should probably schedule an appointment with my OBGYN, that way we can get an accurate test result and find out our due date." I said, standing up, "I'm due for my yearly check-up anyways."

Michael nodded, standing with me as I watched him glance at my stomach then back into my eyes.

"Michael, I don't know if I can keep our child away from the ocean. I don't want to live away from my family or from you anymore." I stated, unsure if this was the right time, "Can, I mean, can I move in with you?"

"Lucie, as much as I would love for us to live under the same roof, we need to be reasonable and think this through, You own your own house correct? If you move in with me you would need to sell your house and that could take months, maybe even years. And after you sell it we would need to move all of your stuff into my home and then change your address and all of your paperwork. Moving is insanely stressful and I don't think a stressful environment is good for the baby."

I nodded just as my home phone began to ring, interrupting our conversation in one fell swoop. Walking over to answer the phone, I heard the sound of Semarah's familiar voice.

"Hey Lottie, I was wondering if you were busy?"

"Um, no, not really, what's up?" I asked, walking over to the couch to sit down.

"Um, well, my parents were thinking about living on land permanently but all of the houses are too expensive so I was wondering if you could tell us your opinion."

"You're looking for a house?" I asked, thoroughly shocked.

"Who is it?" Michael inquired, walking over to sit next to me.

"It's your cousin, "I whispered before turning back to the phone, "Semarah, I really would recommend speaking to a realtor."

Before I could continue, Michael grabbed the phone from my hand and pressed a button, putting her on speaker.

"Semarah, I told you to quit reading my mind," Michael yelled into the phone, "We have everything under control."

"I didn't read your mind. And besides, the child needs to live by the sea. It's what's best."She paused, "I could have her moved out in a month."

Wait, hold on, slow down. What is happening right now?" I asked, my heart beginning to race as I tried to process what was happening.

"Semarah wants to buy your house so you can live with me. She's always wanted to live further inland and this is her perfect opportunity." He paused, "She can also read minds as well. It's one of her gifts from the goddess Keilani. She is our deity and the Mother of all Symari and Kamrik who is the offspring of Marcelous' bloodline. He was the lover of Keilani but I'll tell you about our history later."

"I- I don't know what to say."

"Say yes." Semarah said over the phone, "I can get a realtor, and all of the paperwork you won't have to do a thing."

"Hold on," I breathed, "I need time to think everything over, as much as I want to live with Michael, I don't want to stress myself out and risk hurting the baby. My number one priority is my child and right now I need to schedule an appointment with my doctor." I paused, taking the phone from Michael's hand, "Semarah, I will get back to you."

Clicking off the call, I pinched the bridge of my nose before dialing my OBGYN to schedule the appointment. Falling down into the couch, I sighed, watching Michael as he grabbed our abandoned plates from this morning and began to rinse the waffle and egg off of them.

"My appointment is this Thursday," I said, listening to the calming sound of the running water.

"Okay, that sounds good." He replied as he dried his hands on a towel.

"Are you okay?" I asked, hearing the concern in my voice as he walked towards me.

I was silent as he sat down next to me before he laid down, laying his head on my lap as he looked up at me." It's just a lot to take in. I'm shocked that I got you pregnant but I'm also overjoyed at the idea of starting a family with you, But, I'm also terrified that I won't be a good father."

"Oh, I know how you feel." I whispered, understanding filling me, "You'll be a great father just like you'll be a great husband."

"I thought I already was." He stated, his eyebrows knitted together in confusion as he looked up at me.

"Well, um, no. You would need to ask me to marry you and -" I started, slightly confused.

"I'm just kidding. I know how marriage works with your kind." He grinned as I began to feel heavy, the need for sleep taking hold of me as I shifted, laying beside Michael on the couch as we stared at one another. "Try not to fall off." I whispered, closing my eyes as Michael wrapped his arms around me.

"If I do, I'll try to be graceful." He replied teasingly, reminding me of when I fell off the couch earlier today.

Before I could warn him, my mind drifted off, pulling me into a deep sleep I didn't know I needed until this very moment.