Chapter 1 The Miracle
Charlie Bone flinched and his whole body shuddered hard, his pale and sweaty face twisting into a slight grimace as he leaned forward again over the toilet to be sick.
He and Manfred had returned to Bloor's Academy only two days ago from their honeymoon in Egypt, and now this.
He panted softly and shook, trembling with the continued nausea, leaning over the bowl once more, his stomach heaving again just as Manfred entered their rooms.
"Charlie!" Manfred gasped, his dark eyes wide and his voice concerned as he rushed to his husband's side after setting down the breakfast tray that he'd brought in for them to share. "Are you all right? What is wrong?"
Charlie's slender young body quivered as he sat back again on the bathroom floor, wiping his face on his sleeve before answering him. "Manfred, I don't feel so good.." he replied in a weak tone of voice. "Would you help me back to our bed, please? I don't think I can make it to my first class today."
"Of course, my love," Manfred said, his touch gentle and loving as he helped him to stand, scooping Charlie up in his arms instead when his legs shook beneath him unsteadily. "You will not be going to any classes today. I will send for the school nurse. Are you finished being ill?"
"Oh god, I hope so.." Charlie actually whimpered, sighing in relief as Manfred laid him down carefully on the mattress of their bed before fetching a damp cloth from the bathroom.
"Shh," Manfred crooned to him softly, comforting his lover as he tenderly washed his clammy face clean of cold sweat. "I am here, my love. When did this begin?"
"Not long after you left to get us something to eat," Charlie replied, softly sighing again, this time in pleasure at the touch of the cool cloth guided by his husband's strong hand. "Mmm, that feels good.. Thank you."
"I am glad. Just relax, sweetheart."
Manfred finished bathing Charlie's face, throat and chest after assisting him out of his white-buttoned shirt before tucking him lovingly beneath the covers. "Would you like a drink of water? I think the breakfast that I brought for us is too heavy for your poor tummy right now."
"Yes. Water sounds nice, Manfred, thank you. And maybe some saltines? Just a few will help, I think."
"Of course." Manfred leaned in closer to press a light kiss to Charlie's forehead. "I will go to the kitchens for you first, then bring the nurse along back with me."
"Okay."
Manfred returned with a tray containing a small pitcher of water, a bowl of ice cubes and a plate of saltines, the nurse following after him.
The short, cherubic faced blonde woman shut the door behind herself and Manfred. She smiled at Charlie reassuringly as she approached the bed.
"Hello, Charlie. My name is nurse Melanie Bloor. But you can call me Melanie. I was hired to replace Doctor Ipswitch when he retired at the end of last year."
"Bloor?.." Charlie inquired, his expression friendly, though also a little weary after being sick.
"Yes. I am Manfred's cousin. Now, why don't you tell me what happened after he left earlier to get you and him breakfast?"
"Well.." Charlie began hesitantly, looking a bit embarrassed as he quietly spoke. "I did try to go back to sleep, but I usually can't once I know that Manfred has left our bed. It's too lonely. But then I- My stomach started to fell really icky. I honestly barely made it to the bathroom. I got sick four times, the last when Manfred came back in. I feel a little better now, though. Can I please have my water and crackers?"
"Yes, Charlie," she promised him gently. "Just as soon as I check your temperature."
Charlie ate his snack and drank his ice-cubed water slowly after Melanie finished examining him carefully, then he fell back to a sound sleep straight after.
Manfred finally released Charlie's hand, as he had never left his husband's side the whole time.
He followed Melanie a small distance away from the bed so as not to disturb his sweet lover as they spoke quietly.
"How is he? Do you know what is wrong, Melanie?"
"There is nothing wrong with him, Manfred. This is normal. It's early yet, true, but I can tell. Charlie is pregnant."
Manfred blinked, his dark eyes going wide with shock and his face turning a bit white with his strong emotions. "What?"
"In four to six months, approximately," Melanie explained to him patiently, "Charlie will be giving birth to your son or daughter."
"But- How is this possible? Charlie is male, Melanie."
"Yes, I am aware. It is magic, because you are both descendants of the Children of the Red King. Manfred?"
"Yes?"
"This is a miracle that has not occurred for a thousand years. I trust that you will treat it as such?"
"Yes, of course, Mel. I love Charlie with everything that I have. Our baby shall be no different."
"Good. And Manfred?"
"Yes?"
"Tell him gently. Charlie's body going into shock would not be good for him or your child."