TOMMY - A MONTH LATER

I've gotten the kids off to school. I feel like hell this morning. If I didn't know better, I'd think I had the flu as horrible as I'm feeling. But in all the years we've been living on Earth since my change, I haven't had it so it's hard to believe I've caught it now.

Thankful that my altered genetics allow me coffee while I'm pregnant, I take a cautious sip. It stays down, fortunately. I hear Zedd moving around upstairs and pour him a cup before I start his breakfast.

"Morning, love." He grabs his cup for a quick swallow before coming over to kiss me.

I kiss him quickly before turning my attention back to his breakfast. Abruptly, I catch a whiff of something that turns my stomach. "What the hell is that smell?"

Zedd looks puzzled, sniffing the air. "I don't smell anything off, Thomas."

"Well, I didn't smell it before you came in here. Are you trying a new cologne again?"

"Of course not! I learned that lesson the last time you were pregnant - don't try anything new unless I'm prepared to take the consequences - good or bad."

Oh right. Because the last time he did that, I nearly mated him to death. Before I can respond, my stomach heaves and I dive for the garbage can, losing the coffee and toast I had been able to consume. Zedd comes over to help me and the stink comes with him. "Get away from me!"

He moves back and I'm grateful when the smell lessens. When I can stop retching long enough, I speak. "Go and wash off whatever cologne or soap or whatever you've used this morning. Use plain water if you have to."

He hurries out of the room and, thankfully, it's not long before the smell dissipates and I can return to making his breakfast - and myself some new toast. Zedd returns before it's ready, but hesitates at the doorway. He speaks, almost timidly. "I've done as you asked, Thomas."

"Well, come here then. Let's see if it's better or not."

He doesn't move. "I don't want you to get sick again."

Setting his plate on the table, I swiftly cross the room and take a deep sniff before he can get away. We both pause for a moment. "Nothing. Whatever it was is gone. What did you do this morning?"

He moves for the table as he answers. "Shower, brushed my teeth, cologne - nothing out of the ordinary, Thomas, I promise."

"Which cologne?"

"My regular one, not the one you normally love so much."

"Eat your breakfast. I'll be right back." I head up to our room. I give everything that he would have used a quick cursory sniff, but nothing causes me to be sick again. I'm about to leave our room when an idea comes to me. Quickly, take a tissue, I mix a little of his cologne with the soap he'd have used for his shower and instantly I want to be sick again. I toss it in the toilet and flush it before it can affect me anymore.

I return to the kitchen and take a drink of my coffee. "Don't mix that cologne and that soap together any more. One or the other, but not both."

"All right. But it's never bothered you before, why now?"

"I don't know. My best guess is the pregnancy. Humans call it morning sickness even though it can happen any time of day and be triggered by almost anything."

Zedd frowns. "You didn't have that before."

I shrug. "I've heard that every pregnancy is different. Hell, maybe I'm carrying a girl this time."

"We'll see if Pina can tell when she comes next week for your first check up."