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Day 30: Reality Shift
Adam leaned back in bed as he woke up in the morning. He turned to the side to look at Areylia who was pressed against his side, dark hair falling over her face as she slept. Even after being married for a year, Adam still found himself staring at her during times like this. There was something so adorable about her while she slept. She wasn’t overthinking or hiding behind a layer of sarcasm.
She groaned lightly as she shifted her sleep, but didn’t wake up. Adam lifted her slightly, so she could lean into his shoulder. Her body followed his movement without protest or further disruption. As soon as he settled her, she twisted a bit and moved one of her hands up to his chest. He tightened his grip on her as she unconsciously snuggled into his chest.
He smiled to himself as he brushed a hair out of her face. Her heart beat sofly in the same rhythm that had become so familiar to him over the years. As he lay listening to her heartbeat, he noticed that it was different than usual. Knitting his brows together in confusion, he concentrated on the sound, attempting to work out why it was different than usual. After a few moments of confusion he was able to work out that there were actually two distinct heartheats.
His body stiffened at the realization. Two heartbeats coming from the same source could only mean one thing. He stared at her for several moments simply processing. There had been signs, he just hadn’t put them together.
He blinked out of his contemplation when her breathing patterns changed, and she shifted around a bit in his arms. She let out a groan as she pushed herself into a sitting position, rubbing her eyes.
“Hmm,” She mumbled, blinking open her pretty grey eyes which filled with affection when her gaze landed on him. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” He answered as she shifted to press herself further into his arms.
“I’m tired,” she complained.
“Are you?” He asked, mind still stuck on his earlier discovery as he absentmindedly stroked her hair.
“I’ve been tired a lot lately. At first I thought I might be sick since I've been feeling nauseous, but I only feel bad in the mornings. It’s the oddest thing really. You’re not listening.”
“I’m sorry. I was distracted.”
“Adam, it's 6 O’clock in the morning, what could possibly be distracting you already? We haven't had any particularly interesting cases or near death experiences lately.”
“Thankfully,” He responded as she called to memory all the times he’d almost lost her. He pulled her closer almost by instinct, and she shifted to wrap her arms around his neck, and press a peck to his cheek.
“So then what were you thinking about?”
“Something I noticed while you were asleep.”
“Care to elaborate? Or am I going to have to deduce your observation myself?” When he didn’t answer Areylia crawled into his lap, propped up on her knees which were on either side of his legs and facing him. She placed one of her hands on either side of his face. “Adam, What is the matter?”
He sighed, and looked up into her eyes, the concern in them almost making them look silver. “You have two heartbeats.”
“That’s not possible. Humans can’t have two heartbeats.”
“One human can’t have two heartbeats.”
“I’m the only human here,” Areylia protested.
“I thought you were supposed to be good at deduction.”
“I am good at deduction.” She crossed her arms over her chest and gave him the most exaggerated pout possible. It took all of Adam’s effort not to smile. She was just so adorable sometimes. “You just aren't very good at giving hints.”
“You have all the evidence you need. You just aren’t utilizing it.”
At his comment, Adam watched her face shift into her thinking face as she leaned back, now fully sitting on his thighs. He wrapped his hands around her back to keep her supported while she considered what he was hinting at. Adam watched her grow increasingly frustrated before she fell forward resting her head on his shoulder.
“My brain is decidedly not working today. I blame whatever is making me so tired lately. Can you just tell me?”
“You’re pregnant.”
“I’m what?” She sat back up faster than he’d ever seen her move. “Are you sure?”
“Unless there is another human close enough to you for me to mistake your heartbeat that I am unaware of then yes.” He wasn’t sure what kind of reaction he was expecting but the one she gave me wasn’t it.
“Ohh thank goodness. I don’t know if you realized, I gained ten pounds in the last month and half, and I thought I might have to give up pasta. This is so much better.”
“Areylia this is serious. We’re going to be responsible for an actual life.”
“I know! Isn’t it great? I always wanted to be a parent, and I know you’re going to be a great father.”
She leaned forward to kiss him before giving him a smile so bright the only other time he’d seen it was the day they got married. She was so excited, he found himself smiling with her. If only he shared her confidence in his parenting ability.
“You seem very certain,” he observed.
“Aren’t you?” Her excitement wavered for a moment. “You do want kids don’t you?”
“I do, I just…” His face adopted an uncertain frown. “I never thought it would be a possibility before, and I’m still getting used to the idea.”
Areylia scooted closer, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Well, you have about 9 months to get used to the idea, but I highly doubt a baby can be any worse than Felix.”
Adam groaned as he remembered Felix’s previous antics, and Areylia laughed at the look on his face before tenderly cupping his cheek. She looked into his eyes again, and when Adam made eye contact he saw nothing but affection in hers.
“You know this changes everything right?” He asked, leaning into her touch.
“It does, but we’ll figure it out. We always do.”