Other than the constant nausea, Renard figured the worst of his illness had passed. Still, not knowing what the hell was wrong had become nerve wracking.
“Captain Renard.”
“Hey Doc Erickson.” Renard waved at him. He and Erickson trained together cycles ago, but with Erickson’s marriage and children, they’d lost touch. “Any news?”
Erickson flashed a tight-lipped grin and pinned his tablet to his chest. “There’s been news, but I kept it to myself because I needed time to talk to you when your father wasn’t around.”
“Ohhhkay. Is it bad?”
“No, it’s actually good… depending how you take it.”
Renard frowned. “What the hell does that mean?”
Erickson dropped his gaze and removed his glasses. He sighed aloud, then looked back at Renard. “You’re pregnant.”
“What? Huh, there’s… ohhh… shit.” Renard let his head fall back on the pillow and ran his hand over his scalp. “Now?”
“Yes. You’re over three weeks in. Two and a half more and you’re gonna be a daddy. First question I have and it’s personal. Is—”
“Yes. Dominic is the father.” Renard blew out a breath. “Shit, we… I… damn.”
“Is it a mistake?”
“No, it’s not, but I definitely want to keep this a secret for now.”
“I’m not sure how much longer I can do that. Although the privacy rules protect your rights, eventually I’ll have to release this information to your father and other officials. They need to know why you’ve been in medical bay for this long.”
“Well, you’re going to do it without me here. I’ve gotta go.”
Erickson made a face. “What do you mean? I’m under orders not to release you. If I do, I’ll lose my job. You know how your father is.”
“Yes, and you don’t have to because I’m leaving.”
“Are you going to find the Gocarian?”
Renard closed his eyes, the reopened them. Dominic’s constantly repeating how he didn’t wish to have children replayed in his mind on loop. “Eventually, but he’s got his own problems right now.”
“Did you want to be pregnant by him?”
“Yes, absolutely, but…” Renard pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m not sure he’s ready to be a father.”
Erickson frowned. “What do you mean? He has to help you raise this child.”
“No, he doesn’t. At least not now. I’ve gotta let him settle things with his people first. They’re total douches, Erickson. No empathy. I’ll be lucky if I see him again since he’s trying to avoid prison.”
Erickson put his tablet down on the bed and sat in the chair. “Listen Renard. Here’s my advice. Either put the baby up for adoption or—”
“No! I’m raising this child, even if I must do it on my own. I won’t get rid of my firstborn just because I wasn’t careful. I knew better. I let him knot me all those times we were together—” He stopped talking because none of that was Erickson’s business.
Renard thought of those last nights in Unas. Making love in the water, rolling around in the sand. He smiled to himself, knowing they could have that again as long as Dominic stayed out of prison. Although the plan to fuck and do nothing else was out of the question, they could still do it when the baby rested.
“Renard?”
“Sorry. I…I should’ve known that would eventually result in having a child, but emotions took over.”
Erickson appeared concerned. “Emotions? Since when have you had feelings for anyone?”
Renard sighed aloud. “I know it’s hard to believe, but I do them now. Dominic brought those feelings out of me. Made me realize how important having one person in your life. And he claimed me as his.”
Erickson gasped and gripped Renard’s hand. “Are you sure you want to do this? With no position or job, how will you take care of it?”
“I’m going to Megiddo. I’ll have a chat with Whimpsy to see if he’ll put me up in his casino for a while until the baby’s born. Then once I have it, I’ll go to work.”
“And who will keep the child?”
“Me until it’s old enough to be taken care of by someone else. I’ll need to work eventually, but for now, I’m laying low to take care of my baby.”
“Do you have enough money?”
“Yes… at least for now. I… I’ll have to work something out with Whimpsy, but I know he’ll do it. He’s a good friend.” Renard hoped he was right. With G-Force knowing his suspension, none of them were allies right now. He was surprised to see Erickson being so kind, but he figured that was because they had history.
Erickson sighed and dropped his hand. “I really wish you’d reconsider. That baby could turn out to be a handful. It’ll be part Gocarian.”
Renard cocked an eyebrow. “So, it will.”
“It’s scary and interesting all the same. I’d love to study it.”
Renard made a face. “My baby won’t be someone’s lab rat! Besides, if it’s anything like it’s father, they’ll be fine. He’s different than all the rest of them. Dominic’s gotta heart of gold.”
“And yet you don’t want to find him?” Erickson sounded unconvinced.
Renard exhaled and patted his middle. Being so early, he had no movement in his stomach, but it wouldn’t be long before that changed. “Not until I make sure he’s free. Why tell him if he’s locked up in their prisons?”
“Do you love him?”
“Yes, but I have no way of getting in touch with him unless I do it through Whimpsy. Wait…” Renard started looking around his bed.
“What?”
“My communicator. Shit! He might have it. Can I use yours?”
“No. Mine is tied to the hospital. If you truly are trying to make a getaway, your messages will end up being transmitted over G-Force’s system.”
“Shit. I need to contact Whimpsy. He’s my only hope of getting out of here and settling on Megiddo. Is there anyone you know of that isn’t?”
“No.” Erickson shrugged and got up from his chair. “But I’ll see what I can find out but promise me you’ll wait for me to get back to you. We need to come up with a plan that leaves me out of responsibility.”
“All right. If you’re not back by tomorrow, just consider me gone. I’m not staying here another day while my father makes his own devious plans.”
“I won’t make promises, but I’ll try.” Erickson left without saying another word.
Renard stared after Erickson.
Pregnant?
Although Renard was overjoyed at the prospects of having a child, he was terrified of bringing it up alone.
Yes, he wanted Dominic to know, but first he had to make sure his man was free from Gocarian rule.
If not, Renard would raise this child without knowing his dad, something he wouldn’t have wanted to force upon anyone.
Chapter Eighteen
Dominic
The night was unkind to Dominic. The guards roughed him up good, breaking three of his ribs, rupturing his spleen, and giving him two black eyes along with a broken nose. At least Bratzo wouldn’t start the clock on his eviction from the planet until he recovered. Dominic always knew Bratzo had a sore spot for him. Too bad he couldn’t shove it in Stone’s face.
Despite being in pain, Dominic was able to shift and begin the self-healing. Smelling the blood and stench due to his short cell stay, he wished he could shower, but he could barely move after being attacked. He’d have to burn these bedsheets and throw away the mattress which was perfectly okay with him. Stone could buy his own. No way would he give the asshole everything for free.
Though the rest of Dominic healed quickly, his midsection was a different story. Pissing hurt like a bitch, but it wasn’t as bad as when he was raped. Pain like that should be outlawed everywhere. When they asked him, he wished he could’ve told those assholes to go get violated by a Hunartheon and see how they liked it.
With everything hurting, Dominic only lay in bed, st
aring at the open ceiling above. He wondered how Renard was right now, hoping he was recovering from whatever he had and that his people were taking good care of him. He’d tried contacting Whimpsy through the connector, but the jerk didn’t answer. Dominic wished there was a direct way to get in touch with Renard, but holding his communicator cut off the line between them.
“I miss you Renard.” Dominic spoke to the air, wishing his stone face could hear him. “I hope you’ll respect my mark and love me after all the time we’ve been apart.” Ten sun lights that felt like an eternity. Dominic wondered if Renard was experiencing the same loss and anxiety he was.
But what if he wasn’t? What if his beloved stone demon decided relationships weren’t for him? What if Renard’s father made an ultimatum, saying, I’ll give you your position back if you stop seeing Dominic. What then? What would happen to Dominic if he went to Megiddo and found his lover didn’t want him anymore?
Dominic shuddered and bit his bottom lip. He didn’t want to think the worst, but with only memories of what Renard did for him to fall back on, his confidence was quickly drifting away. The gargoyles didn’t do love or feelings. What if he decided that going back to being alone would be for the best?
“Shit.” Dominic ran his injured hand over his head, knowing he had to stop. He had to keep thinking positive and believing that Renard still wanted him to be his mate. Not looking like hell. No one would want Dominic when he’d been beaten and smelled like an unclean lavatory.
No one.
Not even the stone faced demon who he claimed as his soul mate.
Renard
Renard couldn’t rest.
With a baby on the way, and no job to support it, he couldn’t stop worrying. The added stress of not knowing if Dominic was in prison or not made it worse. Despite what he’d said to Erickson, Renard might not be going anywhere in his shape. Though still strong, carrying a child made any attempts to leave the hospital without release foolish. Even moreso with no one to help. Those kinds of feelings left him powerless and he hated that. Never had he wanted to be trapped in a situation he couldn’t get out of.
Unfortunately, his father returned with his plans for Renard. Desk duty in his office and ten gargoyle suitors to mate with. Little did the asshole know he’d already had the family part covered and would stick to his guns. If only Renard could contact the Gocarians, but that would be nearly impossible.
As nighttime appeared, Renard laid in bed, pretty much resigned to his fate. Without a source of communication that wasn’t monitored through G-Force, getting to the father of his child was nothing but a pipedream. Renard would have to raise the baby alone, then find work on Megiddo as planned before going to search for Dominic.
Knowing how much he wished to avoid prison, Dominic might’ve been offered a deal just to stay away from Renard. Although he didn’t think Dominic would accept it, he wasn’t naïve enough to know that his man wouldn’t consider the consequences.
Die in prison or agree to cut off ties to avoid jail time?
Dominic was a proud Gocarian who wished to be ranked. Not be a gargoyle’s husband about to have a child. Aware that he might suffer, why wouldn’t he choose the deal? Renard hoped that their love would be enough reason not to, but he wasn’t stupid.
“Fuck.” Renard pounded the mattress with his fist and stared at the doors. If he knew where his clothes were, he could sneak out, head to the landing bay, and fly to Gocara himself. It would be a huge risk, but one he was willing to take just to know if he and Dominic would have a future.
“Renard?”
The voice from the other side woke him from his thoughts.
Could that be?
Only the sight of Dominic or Whimpsy would please him right now. “Yeah?”
“Are you decent? I was told you were ill.”
“C’mon in Whimpsy.” Renard wished he could jump out of bed for joy. Had Erickson contacted him or had his good friend come to check on him? Either way, Renard appreciated it.
The doors opened and Whimpsy walked in holding flowers in only one of his six hands. “Since you’re sick, I won’t bother asking you for payment… now.” He said, laying the vase filled with roses on the side table. “Wow, I’m the first one?”
“You’d be the only one.” Renard shook his hand and waved it to his left, inviting Whimpsy to take a seat.
“Oooh that’s right. I forgot you’re an outcast. Yep. That sounds right.” Whimpsy smirked and sat, then crossed on of his three legs.
“Yeah, well, anyway, um, I need a favor.”
Whimpsy cocked an eyebrow. “What? You owe me over 15, 000 credits for damages and you dare ask me for something?”
“Please Whimpsy. I told you I’d pay you back, but I can’t right now. I need to get out of here.”
“Then tell good ol’ dad to allow them to release you.”
Renard shook his head. “It’s not that simple. Listen… and I need you to be quiet, okay?”
“Ooh, I love secrets!” Whimpsy rubbed his hand together and leaned forward. “I’m all ears.”
Renard sighed aloud and closed his eyes a moment to collect himself. He still couldn’t believe he was about to be a father. “I’m pregnant.”
“What? Are you—”
“Shhhh…” Renard put his hand on Whimpsy’s mouth. “My father doesn’t know.”
“Lemme guess.” Whimpsy leaned back. “By the Gocarian?”
“Yes. I need to find out how he is. If he’s imprisoned, or did he change his mind. Either way I need to know right away.”
“Ah… and you want me to go to the planet and find out?”
Renard shrugged, thinking that wasn’t a bad idea. “No, but if we can’t contact him through my communicator, that will be plan B. I’ll go with you, though.”
“What? If it comes to that, I’m going alone. I don’t want you to put that child in any danger. Even being part Gocarian, they don’t deserve that.”
“Well, I’m glad you think so, but I believe it can handle it. I’m a gargoyle—”
“Yes, but you aren’t invincible.” Whimpsy interrupted him. “And even more vulnerable carrying a little one. “ Whimpsy pulled out his communicator. “I’ve gotten some strange calls, but it didn’t say your name. When they aren’t worn by the right person, they tend to stop working properly.” Whimpsy pushed a couple of buttons. “This one appears to be from the Gocarian territory, missed just yesterday.”
Renard tried not to get too excited, but who else could it be?
“Can you please dial it?”
“I already have. Calm down, Captain.” He grinned. “I must say, seeing you this excited brings me joy… even if it is a Gocarian.”
Renard frowned. Despite their friendship, Renard wouldn’t take the jokes regarding his lover lightly. “Hey, watch it!”
Whimpsy held up his finger. “Hello? Yes, this is Dominic, right?”
“Yeah.”
When the raspy voice came through the speaker, Renard sensed the tears well up in his eyes. Dominic sounded sleepy or hurt. Renard couldn’t tell which, but either way he was overjoyed to hear from him. “Baby bear?”
“Renard. Oh Goddess, Renard! I’m so happy to hear from you.”
Whimpsy squealed and pumped his fist.
“Me too, lover. I… are you okay? Why do you sound like that?”
“I’m tired, babe. They roughed me up a little after my trial. I’ve got 30 sun lights to get off this planet, or they’ll imprison me.”
Renard growled at that, wishing he could tear those assholes limb from limb. “Okay, okay. Here’s what you do—”
“You’ll wait until I pick you up from there.” Whimpsy cut in. Renard wants to come get you himself, but I won’t allow it in his condition.”
“Whimpsy!”
“What? He’s the father of your child, Renard!”
“Child?” Dominic said, sounding confused. “Rocky, what is he talking about?”
Renard shook his head, wishing W
himpsy hadn’t let that slip. “I’m pregnant, lover. We’re gonna have a baby a lot sooner than we thought.”
“Oh Goddess! I… oh fuck!”
Renard leaned back and glared at Whimpsy.
“Don’t tell me you aren’t ready for this child.” Whimpsy said.
“I’m not, but… I don’t care. I’m ready to be with Renard to raise it.”
“Thank the gods!” Whimpsy wiped his brow.
Renard swiped the communicator from Whimpsy. “Are you really? I mean, I didn’t think you’d want to be a father this soon.”
“Honestly, I don’t but, I love you and I wanna start our family, so I’ll accept the baby, even if I’m not ready to be a dad. Doesn’t matter, I’ll learn.”
Renard covered his mouth, feeling his emotions bubbling over. He wiped his face and sniffed. “I love you too, baby bear. So much… I miss you and can’t wait to see you.”
“Same here. So, when are you coming Whimpsy? I’m ready to go whenever you are.”
“I’ll be there tomorrow, first thing. I can’t bring you here to Damascus though.”
“Which is fine cause I’m coming with you.” Renard cut in.
“Oh no you’re not! I told you, no putting little baby Garbear in danger.” Whimpsy warned.
“Garbear?” Dominic chuckled through the speaker. “That’s cute. I love that.”
Renard snorted, but didn’t laugh as much. Bottom line, he’d be going with Whimpsy to rescue his lover from Gocara.
Although it would be a risk, Renard refused to sit on the sidelines and not be the first to welcome his man with open arms.
They’d been apart long enough. Now with the information out in the open they could begin their life as mates.
After Renard and Dominic finished their chat, he and Whimpsy concocted a plan. He made Renard promise that to keep his name out of it, which was fine with Renard because he was the one breaking out of the hospital.
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