Chapter 13: Of Secrets & Trimesters

The week that Jim and Linnea spent together in that beach house went by so fast, yet it was very enjoyable. The couple explored the area surrounding the beach, treating it as an adventure, before they came home, bathed individually, and had a passionate moment in bed. There were three total passionate moments after the first time, but the couple enjoyed the pleasure and love behind the intimacy. They were married now, so they knew that intimacy was coming, however, they knew that parenthood could follow. When the week had ended, the couple packed their belongings, got dressed after a shower together and breakfast, and climbed aboard the solar surfer to return home. Their friends & family were very glad to see them safe and back home, and they even laughed when they heard if the couple's passionate moments, but no one could predict the secrets that were hidden in the Benbow inn that year...

After a long day of working at the inn, Sarah and Linnea closed the dining room at five o'clock sharp to allow their guests to get some rest and so they could make dinner for their friends and family. Jim was in class, so they wouldn't be back for a while. Doppler and Amelia, however, showed up early with their four kids and ordered the doctor's usual kibble dish while Amelia ordered a fish dish; Linnea decided to prepare some baby food for the infants as she cooed them and pinched their chubby cheeks. Morph entertained the children, giving them dinner and a show, while Linnea and Sarah made the rest of the supper. While mother and daughter-in-law cooked dinner, Jim came through the door after knocking and he greeted his friends and family. After dinner was prepared, the group ate in peace, but Linnea abruptly left the table just after eating as she covered her mouth and ran to the nearest bathroom. Jim followed after her and reached the door too late as it closed in front of him.

Jim knocked on the door a couple times, but Linnea wouldn't answer it. After a few more knocks and pleading for Linnea to open the door, Jim heard a sound that was familiar to him. It sounded like someone was ill or vomiting, so Jim feared the worse. Jim burst through the door and held his wife gently as she vomited with short, raspy gasps. Jim shook his head in disbelief as he held Linnea, "Linny, are you all right? What's wrong? Did you eat something that was spoiled?"

Linnea wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as she shook her head 'no.' Linnea looked up at Jim as she sat down, "You really didn't need to see that, Jim...However, it could have been raw food, but I'm not sure."

"I think I did need to see that. We promised to love each other in sickness of in health, so I wanna help. I'll let Doppler examine you for food poisoning while he's here, and if Dr. Rogers is staying here, I'll let him examine you too."

"...O-Okay..."

"Come on. Everyone will wonder what happened to us..." Jim smirked as he helped Linnea to her feet, letting her use him as a balance beam to get back to the table. As she sat down groggily, Amelia asked, "Mr. Hawkins, is your wife all right?"

Jim nodded to his former captain as he answered, "She's fine. Just some spoiled food in her stomach, that's all...Doppler, could you check for food poisoning?"

Doppler adjusted his glasses as he nodded, "Yes, I can; I know the symptoms...Jim, lead Linnea to a bed or couch so I can examine her properly." Everyone looked on in worry, even Morph and the babies, as Jim lead Linnea to a nearby couch. Linnea laid herself down on her back gently before Doppler starting touching her belly, asking her questions, "Does it hurt?"

"No."

"Is supper the only thing you had to eat all day?"

"No, I ate breakfast and lunch also."

"Did you wash your hands during dinner preparation and did you cook the meal correctly?"

"Yes and yes...I don't understand, this has never happened to me before. I was fine this morning."

"Hmm...Maybe a bug's gone around in Benbow. Linnea, I think you should get bed rest for at least two days. Take time off from working until this vomiting cycle stops."

"But, I feel fine!"

"Now, now, a little rest can't hurt." Doppler argued before Sarah held Linnea's hands, "Please dear, your health means more to us than you know. I can handle the inn by myself while you rest. I'll take up meals to you and if any trouble occurs, I'll fetch Jim, Doppler, or the doctor."

Linnea sighed before she nodded, "...All right, I'll agree to this, but I'll work my butt off harder once I get better to make up for lost service."

"Agreed..." Sarah smiled before Jim replied, "Doppler, thanks for your help, but do you mind if I get a second opinion from Dr. Rogers?"

"No, I don't mind. Do what you need to do to insure Linnea gets better." Doppler answered the boy while Jim ran upstairs, got Dr. Rogers (the doctor that treated Linnea the first day she & Jim met), and had him look at her. After some careful evaluation, the doctor determined that because of Linnea's symptoms, she had caught a stomach bug and needed to rest for at least two days. With that, everyone thought Linnea would be safe if she rested, but this would not be the end of her 'bug.' Although the girl didn't want to do it, Linnea stayed bed-ridden for two days while Jim and Sarah looked after her. Doppler would occasionally come to check on the siren to see progress, and he determined that she was getting better and could get out of bed very soon. But, in reality, Linnea's sickness took a turn for the worst.

Early that morning on the second day of being bed-ridden, Linnea vomited extremely bad while Sarah came to her aid, holding her hair back as the girl puked. Linnea wiped her mouth again before she asked to see a calendar, but when she looked at the piece of paper, Linnea gasped in shock as she panicked. Sarah didn't understand at first until Linnea revealed a secret, "Sarah, Jim and I left for the honeymoon one week ago, and now, it's been two weeks since the wedding...On land, women have their 'time of the month,' but I'm on land and I'm four days late...Sarah, Jim and I became intimate on the trip."

"Linnea, my dear, what are you saying? What's going on?"

"Sarah, I think I might be pregnant with Jim's child." Linnea got ready to cry tears of fear, because she had never been pregnant before and was terrified, before Sarah comforted the siren, "Okay, calm down, Linnea. It's okay if you are pregnant because I've been there when I had Jim. I know how to help you, so we're gonna go to Dr. Rogers to make sure you're pregnant."

"O-Okay..." Linnea nodded as she & Sarah closed the inn for breakfast by saying they wouldn't open until lunch. This was a family emergency! Sarah and Linnea walked to the doctor's clinic, greeting Dr. Rogers before he did an ultrasound on the siren's flat belly, revealing an infant's shape and a heart beat on the sci-fi monitor. Sarah and Linnea were surprised yet overcome with joy as they looked at the monitor before the doctor confirmed Linnea's pregnancy, as well as the vomiting (also known as morning sickness). He told the siren to return at least every two weeks to make sure she and the baby were healthy, which Linnea promised to do as she left the clinic. Sarah decided that Linnea needed to rest that day, but she told the girl to tell Jim when he got home. Linnea promise she would before she fell asleep on her back, cupping her baby bump as she did so.

Jim arrived home early and greeted Linnea. Sarah allowed Linnea to help out with cooking supper, but Sarah made Linnea sit down before serving the meal. Jim kissed Linnea on the lips before the three family members sat down to eat. They bowed their heads to pray before they ate, speaking every now and again to prevent silence. Linnea started it off, "So, Jim, how was class today?"

"Well, school is school, but I enjoyed it. We had to fix a malfunctioning ship engine to earn our grade, and I passed with flying colors while everyone else struggled. The teacher suggested that I tutor the other students."

"Well, you always did have a gift for machines, and I hope one day, our children do too."

"...Yeah. I mean, we did try to conceive one on our honeymoon, but I guess it didn't work. We can keep trying, though, until-"

"There's something I have to tell you, Jim." Linnea interrupted as Jim asked, "What is it? Is everything all right?"

"I'm fine. It's just...You just said you tried to conceive a child with me on our honeymoon, right?"

"Yes? I did say that...What does this have to do with what you're gonna tell me?"

"Jim, the intimacy did work. We HAVE conceived a child, your child...Jim, I'm pregnant." Linnea grinned as Jim dropped his fork, trying his best to comprehend what Linnea just said as he looked at her in pure shock. Linnea giggled at her husband before she asked, "You're not mad, are you?"

Jim shook his head and his arms as he replied, "No! No! No! No! I'm happy for you, but it's so soon in our marriage. I'm just worried that I'm not ready for it. My dad never was-"

"You're your father's son, not your father himself."

"But, his blood flows through my veins."

"Don't forget that Sarah's blood flows through your veins too, and she's always been there for you. Jim, I know you'll be a great father to this child because you love me, right?"

"Yes, always have and always will."

"Then, you'll love our child because half of me will be in them. They need you, Jim, just as I need you. Please, Jim...At least give this a chance." Linnea pleaded before Jim ran his hand through his hair, smiled at Linnea, and pulled her close, "Every man has their doubts, but you have cleared the path of my future. My father was never ready for it even though he loved us, but even though I don't feel ready, I'll step up to the challenge. I know it's hard the first time, so I intend to journey down this road with you, if you'll accompany me."

"...Of course, Jim. I need you during my pregnancy."

"And I'll help in any way possible. I won't abandon you or the child because I love you."

"I love you too..." Linnea whispered as she kissed Jim and let him sniff her vanilla-scented hair as he touched her belly. Linnea giggled at the touch while Sarah smiled, "Linnea, darling, you will need lots of rest and nutrition for this pregnancy, so I suggest that you wait a couple months before working again."

"I can still work even if I'm pregnant. I'll just cook meals and serve drinks or something. I still wanna work until I'm bed-ridden again or my due date comes, okay?"

Sarah sighed deeply, knowing she wasn't gonna win before she nodded in agreement, "Okay, Linnea...You may work until you are no longer able. Just don't push yourself too hard, okay?"

"Okay..." Linnea beamed before Jim felt her belly again, "So, Linny, what's the child gonna be?"

"I don't know yet. It's still a surprise."

"How far along are you?"

"Hmm...I think two weeks minimum, but we won't know the gender until I'm seven months along. We have six and half months before the gender is revealed...What would you like it to be?"

"Well, I would like a son so I can do better than my father, but I wouldn't mind a girl because I'd protect her with my life...To be honest, as long as it's healthy, I don't care what gender it is. And you?"

"Same thing. I don't care if it's male or female, just as long as it's healthy." Linnea replied as Jim kissed her again. The fuzzy, heart-warming moment lasted long into the night until the family went to bed, thinking of baby names and how they'd break the news to their friends. In her sleep, Linnea decided to contact her family back home and invite Doppler and his family to a dinner party the next day so she could tell them while Jim, in his sleep, decided to try to contact Silver if he could find him.

At the dinner party, Linnea revealed her secret to the canine and feline, causing the two to congratulate the pregnant siren. They wished for only the best for the married couple, as did Linnea's family when they heard the news. Linnea's family even told her that the society had changed from patriarchal to a gender-equal society after the men & women who were against the marriage law heard Linnea's tale. This pleased Linnea because her wishes were coming true and home was as it should've been, considering the government of the sirens was impeached by the people who put them there. However, Linnea would get a mysterious letter that would shock her and Jim before the pregnancy.

Linnea was outside on the porch one morning when a female siren came swimming up to the beach. Linnea walked to the beach alone, loaded pistol in hand, as she saw the siren. The siren had strawberry-blonde hair, fair skin, turquoise eyes, and a turquoise tail, and yes, she was Linnea's foster sister, Aqua. Aqua, now in human form, handed Linnea a note in a bottle as she replied, "I came to visit, little sis! How've you been?"

"I've been doing fine, Aqua. What's that you got there?"

"A friend of yours wanted to give you this in person, but he was unable to come himself. He sent me instead. This is for you and Jim to read."

"Aqua, are you visiting long?"

"Just for a few days, but then, I'm going home...I'll take any reply letters to this one back to your friend on my way back."

"Who gave this to you?"

"Can't tell you...You read it." Aqua smirked as Linnea opened the letter, reading it carefully before she realized who sent it. She was overcome with joy to see the letter, and she had to read it to Jim when he got home.

Jim came home promptly at five o' clock at night where Linnea and Morph waited for him in the dining room. They kissed before she replied, "Jim, we have a letter from a good friend. I wanted to wait until you got home before I read it aloud."

"Go on, read it..."

"' Dear Jimbo, Linnea, fair lassie, and Morphy,

I'm pleased to see yeh lovebirds married fer life! Yeh make a lovely couple and I only wish for the best for yeh two. I heard from Linnea's fair family that she was bearing yer children, Jimbo, so I congratulate you fer yer milestone in life. Yeh two are gonna rattle the stars and yer children will too. I'm sorry I couldn't deliver this message meself, but I promise to see yeh again. I'll return in a few months to stay until that pretty baby is here, but then, I must leave. As they say, true sailors never give up a good adventure, but when they do, goods things happen to them. I must see yer mum's inn for meself, so as I said, I'll come in a few months.

Linnea, fair lassie, stay healthy and out of trouble as long as yeh are bearing yer child and Jimbo, take care of the fair lassie for me. And me dear Morphy, take care of those pups for me. I wanna see yeh all happy and healthy when I come. Take care of yerselves!

-Captain John Silver.'"

Jim and Linnea closed their eyes as they remembered their dear friend before they each wrote reply letters; after all, Aqua was gonna return the letters to Silver when she found him, and Silver even said that he'd visit until the baby was born. After the letters were written, Linnea put them in the bottle she received before she and Jim ate, put Silver's letter on the nightstand, and went to sleep.

1st Trimester:

The first trimester is always the hardest, filled with doubt, worry, and stress for both mother and family. Luckily, Linnea had good friends to help her get through her pregnancy in a simple, healthy way. Since Amelia and Sarah had been there and done that, they knew how to help Linnea; Sarah was lucky to only give birth to one child, Amelia gave birth to four. Linnea was worried that the pain during childbirth would be unbearable, but Dr. Rogers would be there to help her, along with her family. Linnea started to have morning sickness, but it wasn't as bad or frequent as it was the first two weeks of pregnancy, so Linnea and her family didn't worry about the sickness. Linnea did, however, exhibit signs of food cravings for different items, so her diet was changed to make sure she ate healthy foods along with her food cravings. Jim even pitched in to help by taking time to rebuild his old crib in an unused guest room of the inn (on the family's side of the inn), buying paint and furniture for the nursery, and dragging out his old toys for the expected baby. Once the nursery was finished, he showed it to Linnea, who was surprised by the craftsmanship of the room. Overall, Linnea was very healthy during pregnancy and her family was very happy to see her in such a good mood during this time.

2nd Trimester:

The second trimester was a little more relaxed than the first trimester, but it was still filled with a little stress for both mother and family. By this point, Linnea was showing more of a bulge in her belly, stopped having morning sickness, and was almost always tired all the time. She still had food cravings from time to time, and her diet remained changed. Linnea's foster family moved in by this time to make sure that Linnea was healthy, but Silver still hadn't arrived yet; despite the fact that the cyborg hadn't shown up yet, hope was not lost yet. Jim and Linnea strongly believed that he'd come because he didn't break promises, especially after meeting the couple. Jim showered his family, especially Linnea, with his great love and attention every day after his days at the academy. Each time was different yet warm and fuzzy each time to the siren, who had never been treated with so much love before. Overall, the second trimester was going okay for both family and mother, and it would be until the due date.

3rd Trimester:

The third trimester was the crowning moment of love and affection for the mother and her husband. Linnea continued to remain healthy throughout her nine months, and she would until her due date. At last, Silver came to visit and was happy to see his friends again, causing a great moment of friendship and joy to occur between the former comrades. However, for Linnea and Jim, the heart-warming affection of this trimester was at its climax, especially when they were alone in their bedroom at night. One moment was particularly heart-warming for both mother and father and it went something like this:

Jim and Linnea were laying on their bed, asleep after a long day until Linnea woke up. A faint kick was felt against Linnea's inner walls as she woke up, her brown hair cascading like a curtain in front of her eyes while the siren rubbed sleep from her sapphire orbs. Linnea felt the kick again before she woke Jim up, tapping his shoulder gingerly as he opened his eyes. Jim propped up on his elbows before he sat Indian-style and gave Linnea a look of awe as she placed his hands against her shirt, letting the sailor boy feel her belly as another kick was felt. Jim smiled wide as tears leaked from Linnea's eyes, causing him to wipe the cascading tears away as he kissed his magical wife, "I love you, Linny..."

"I love you so much, Jim...Hmm, the child takes after you. Full of hidden strength when it kicks; it never lets me rest at night."

"Maybe it wants to hear your voice. I have a strong feeling that he likes to hear you."

"Maybe...But, I strongly believe he likes his father's voice too. That was a guess without using a psychic power."

"I know..."

"You wanna say hi to our child?"

"Uh, huh..." Jim nodded before Linnea propped up on her elbows, resting her back against the pillows as she felt Jim cup her belly. Jim pressed his nose against the pregnancy bulge as Linnea stroked his brown hair, keeping him close to her womb as Jim spoke to his unborn child, "Hello...Hello, in there. This is your father, Jim...Your mom is a siren, dear one, a mermaid to be exact. Hopefully, you'll be one too."

"I don't think he knows what that is."

"So? We can always teach him."

"Touché...Continue. I think he likes it. He's kicking more."

"...That was your mom's voice, little one. Her name is Linnea, and she's the most beautiful, talented, intelligent, courageous woman I've ever known. We went on a long journey together, and when you're born, I'll tell you our tale of adventure and romance...I love you and your mother so much, and I want you to know that..."

"We both love you too, Jim..." Linnea replied as she wiped silent tears from her eyes. Jim smiled at his wife before he pulled her shirt over her bump, letting the cool air hit it as he kissed the cocoon protecting his child. It didn't matter if this seemed cheesy to others or not; Linnea and Jim just wanted to show affection to their unborn child before the birth. Jim cupped the bulge with his hands as he kissed Linnea's belly, nuzzling the delicate cocoon with his nose as he showered the mother and baby with genuine affection. In that moment, Jim decided that he wouldn't abandon or fail the mother and child like his own father did; he was nothing like Leland and he never would be, so he decided to step up to the challenge of parenthood as he continued to kiss Linnea's bump. After a few moments, Jim kissed the bump one last time before he put the shirt over the flesh again, kissed Linnea on the lips, and held her in his arms as they slept peacefully through the night...

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