The task force had managed to transport Preston quickly back to Reservation via helicopter. A freaking helicopter…. The trip had been uncomfortable to say the least. Brass had remained quiet since his little revelation. Whenever Preston tried to talk to him about it, he would shake his head no and put a finger to his lips in the age old expression of "shush". The entire trip back he had; however, kept hold of her hand. When Trisha met them at the helipad her expression was what Preston assumed to be her "pissed" face. And all that anger apparently was directed at Brass.
Now, Preston sat in medical once again. It seemed they were here for one thing or another every time she turned around. First her, then Brass, now her again. She wished the two of them could go at least a few weeks without seeing a doctor or a nurse. "Geez Louise." She huffed as she laid on the bed waiting on Trisha and Brass to return to the room. Trisha had left after examining her to get some test results. Brass had rushed out of the room in search of food for her when he heard her stomach growl. Minutes seemed to pass before anyone stepped into her room. When they did it was Field poking his head in.
"How do you feel?" He asked from his post at the doorway.
"Fine." She grumbled back, before crossing her arms across her chest.
"I believe congratulations are in order." He murmured.
"Trisha hasn't confirmed that yet." She retorted back at him.
"She will. Our noses don't lie. If Brass says you're pregnant, you're pregnant." He declared with a large grin.
"What do you mean?." She asked narrowing her eyes at the big man in her doorway.
"You smell faintly like one of us. I hadn't noticed the change in your scent until Brass said you were pregnant. But it is there." He replied leaning against the doorjamb and crossing his ankles. "Some of the other mated pairs have already had children. They're pretty cute."
"Baby. I'm having a baby." She whispered to herself suddenly feeling weepy. When a few tears sneaked out, she brushed them off her checks with the back of her hand.
"You are not happy about this?" Field asked, concern darkening his eyes.
"I…I'm not sure. My family has a genetic disease and I'm a carrier. What if my baby has the disease?" She asked with more tears appearing.
"You do not have to worry about that. Our genetics are strong, stronger than yours. Our children are almost exact replicas of their fathers. A genetic illness will not be a problem for your baby." Field explained.
"Truth?" She asked with hope filling her chest.
"Yes. Your little boy will be healthy." He answered her with a warm smile.
"Boy?"
"Yes, only males have been born so far." He said on a chuckle. "A mini-Brass."
A soft laugh escaped her at that thought. "Thanks Field, for talking me off the ledge. Everyone has just been so quiet about all this since I came in."
"No worries, little one. Brass is only worried and well…Trisha is mad at him for not telling you about the possibility of pregnancy."
"I imagine Trisha is not someone you want pissed at you."
"No; but, the two of them will make up. They are great friends."
They both remained silent for a few minutes before Preston turned into a nosy wench. "So…tell me about Leah and you." She said abruptly. The big male's face flushed red and his eyes glinted with anger. "Or not." She quickly added after seeing his reaction.
"There is nothing to tell. She is interested in another male…Snow." He spit out the other male's name like it tasted bad on his tongue.
"Are you sure? I mean…maybe she just got caught up in the moment with him. Why don't you sit down and tell me what happened?" She said pointing to the nearby chair.
A look of uncertainty passed over his face before he strode into the room and sat down. "I…Since Leah started working here, I have been attracted to her. She is kind and beautiful. And her smell…" The large feline gave a short purr like noise.
"Ah…I take it you like the way she smells. You, New Species and your smells." She said while waggling her eyebrows at him.
"Yes, it is addicting." He admitted with a shrug. "I have not taken it beyond friendship but I want to."
"So, what happened the other day with Snow?"
"I had come to ask Leigh to go to lunch with me. We have been eating together frequently. When I walked in…Snow was kissing her." A growl emitted from the large male and his hands clenched. "I startled them when a growled and they broke apart. Snow and I almost fought and Leah…she fled the room."
"Have you spoken to her since then?" Preston gently asked.
"No. She has chosen Snow. She was to be mine; but, she chose him." He sadly replied.
"You don't know that unless you talk to her Field."
"But I do, I smelled her arousal for him."
"Sometimes it's not that simple. Maybe she doesn't know how you feel and is settling for the next best thing." She pointed out.
"I will think on this. I should go so you can rest, growing one of our babies is tiring." He said as he walked out of her room. "Bye Preston."
—-
Preston woke sometime later to Brass sitting at the edge of her bed, fiddling with her covers. Still silent and still lost in his own thoughts. Preston gently sat up in bed, pulling her legs up against her chest and startling Brass. He sad eyes finally made contact with her own.
"Are you angry with me?" He asked.
"No…maybe." She answered unsure at her own feelings. "I was at first because I was scared."
"Why scared?" He asked cocking his head and making his hair fall forward. Preston couldn't stop herself from leaning forward and tucking the hair back over his ear.
"I was afraid the baby could inherit a genetic disease my family has. I'm a carrier of the disease but do not have it. Field talked with me and put me at ease. I just…I wish you would have talked with me about kids first."
"I should have; but, you went into heat and I couldn't stop myself. I should have though. My instincts…were strong; but, I still should have told you what the consequences could be if we mated that night." He said while reaching up and grasping her knee in his big hand.
"I didn't even know you could get me pregnant. I wasn't even on birth control. The news…they've always said it wasn't possible." She said grasping his hand on her knee.
"We've kept it a secret to protect our young." He said while staring at her stomach with a fierce expression.
"I understand Brass." She admitted. "But we still should have discussed it. No more secrets. Okay?"
"Agreed, no more secrets." He gave a solemn nod. "Do you forgive me? Are you happy about the baby? I'm happy." He rushed out.
"Yes. We're going to be parents." She said with a grin. His look of utter happiness almost sent her into another weepy spell.
"And mates. If you'll have me. Be mine?" He asked. Brass pulled a simple black box from a jean pocket. The small box looked so tiny in his large hands. He quickly opened the box exposing a small intricate brass and silver ring. A small diamond winked back at her. It was something she would have chosen for herself. It was perfect.
"Yes." She exclaimed before jumping into his arms. He carefully slid the ring onto her finger before looking up at her with a large smile. Preston grabbed his head and pulled him to her lips. "I love you."
"I love you too." Brass whispered before pulling her back into another long kiss.
—-
5 Weeks Later….
"You ready to see the baby?" Trisha asked from her perch next to the bed.
"Yes." Preston and Brass answered in unison before breaking into matching grins.
"You guys are too much." Trisha chuckled as she began rubbing the wand across Preston's stomach. The small rounded bulge had grown quickly in recent weeks. Soon the whomp, whomp noise of the baby's heartbeat filled the room. "Okay, so there's the head…" Trisha trailed off as her brow furrowed up. She quickly leaned closer to the view screen and began repositioning the wand.
"What's wrong?" Preston squeaked out.
"I can't believe this…" She said with a huge grin. "It's a girl."
"Girl?" Brass questioned.
"You're having a girl. The first New Species baby girl." Trisha said with an excited clap.
"How's that possible?" Preston asked.
"I have no idea. But it's a miracle." The petite doctor responded.
"A girl, huh? Guess we need to figure out another name then." Preston said with a sly smile.
"Any suggestions?" He asked brushing a kiss across her lips.
"Hope." She said returning his soft kisses.