Chapter Eight
Positive.
Pregnant. She was pregnant.
She was pregnant.
Mairin didn't make a noise as she set the test down onto the counter, bracing herself against the sink as a wave of nausea came over her. She didn't throw up again, as there was nothing left in her stomach to do so, but that didn't mean that she didn't feel like she wanted to. Her throat burned, her head spinning.
Pregnant.
A hand went to her stomach, pressing against it. A baby... there was a baby growing inside of her. She didn't feel anything, not even a small bump, but somehow she seemed to know that something was there. Perhaps it was just the knowledge of the positive test... but still, not even her fear could place her in denial.
She was pregnant.
That meant... that meant that she and Alain had...
A dizzy spell washed over her, and her reflection in the mirror began to look much paler. She stared at herself for a moment, stunned at what she was seeing. Perhaps it was because she had been avoiding her reflection the last few days, or maybe because of the news she had just received... but she looked old. Not gray and wrinkly, but her eyes had a heavy look to them, skin sweaty and pale. Her amber eyes were dim, as if they had seen more than they wanted.
Or as if she had learned something she wasn't ready for.
Pregnant.
Even with her vision blurring Mairin couldn't spend another moment in the bathroom, and she jerked the door open, staggering out into the hallway. Her panic started to build with each step she took, the realization of what was happening becoming stronger. A baby... she was going to be a mom– she had a child in her right this moment... She... she...
She wasn't ready for this.
Tears entered her eyes, fear filling her– she couldn't be pregnant! She wasn't ready for such a thing! She couldn't have a baby– she just couldn't!
A sob escaped her throat, and she rushed down the stairs.
"I didn't tell her more than what was necessary," Alain's deep growl came from the front of the lab. "And you will not approach her on the topic– she has enough on her plate as it is."
"I understand that," Max said, sounding frustrated. "I am just saying this is probably the one time we could approach her on the topic without her emotionally hurting! I wouldn't do this otherwise, but this could be our one chance–"
"I don't care about your stupid research!" Alain snapped. "It's gone now– and you won't bring it up again! You just keep that stupid Gardevoir away from Mairin, and make sure nothing gets–"
"I've encountered four in my life, Alain!" Max's voice cut him off, though Mairin barely took in the words as she stumbled through the lab, merely flinching as the voices became louder. "And three of them had some sort of connection with a human, if we could just figure why this one acted in the way it did then we can help–"
"I said no!" Alain roared as Mairin approached the door that led to the front room of the lab. "Bring it up again and I will personally make sure you regret it, Max!"
Mairin just seemed to realize who was speaking, and she came to a sudden halt, eyes wide. Her arms wrapped around her middle, sweat forming along her skin. Alain... he had, they had... he was... Her eyes clamped shut, and suddenly she broke down sobbing– her mind simply too overwhelmed to know what to do with the knowledge that had been presented. The idea of a child was simply something she hadn't considered until now...
The shouting fell silent as they heard her sobs, and Mairin's heart started pounding as she heard footsteps. The door was thrown open, and Alain stepped out into the hallway, looking down at her. Mairin didn't even know when she had sunk to the ground, but she was curled up against the wall crying.
"Mairin?" Alain asked, worry in his voice. "What are you doing? Are you okay?" In a moment he was at her side, hands on her shoulder, pulling her away from the wall. He was on his knees, blue eyes flickering across her. "Mairin? Were you listening? What–?"
"Don't touch me!" Mairin screamed, the words escaping her throat without even a thought to what she was saying.
Alain didn't let go of her, and she started thrashing in his grasp, sobs still coming from her. "Mairin, hold still– Mairin just hold still! You're hysterical, what's going on–?"
"Let go of me!" Mairin screamed. "Let go of me– let go of me!"
"Mairin," Max's voice barely reached her above her thrashing. "Calm down, and tell us what's wrong, deep breaths..."
"Let go of me!" Mairin cried again, and at last Alain's hands pulled away from her. Mairin scurried back against the wall, breathing heavily. She looked up at the two males, tears in her eyes. They were watching her, pure concern on their faces. Alain's hands lingered near her, and she shivered.
"Mairin," Alain asked. "Are you okay?"
This only brought more tears to Mairin's eyes, she was far from okay... she was scared– terrified. She felt as if someone had just strapped a boulder to her back, the horrible weight dragging her down. It was dragging her down, and she had no idea of how to get it away from her... it was slowly crushing her, but she had no way to break free.
"J-just leave me alone!" Mairin sobbed, pushing herself to her feet and shoving past Alain. She scurried into the front room, not even sure of what she was trying to accomplish. She just needed to get away from here... she couldn't spend one more moment here...
Her limbs were shaking, and she wasn't sure if it was from fear or weakness. The boys drifted into the room after her, clearly not sure of what to do, but not about to leave her alone. Alain's presence sent chills racing down her back and arms, just a mere reminder of what she had learned...
"What's going on?" Professor Sycamore's voice filled the silence that had been left after her tears, and the professor entered the room, eyes sharp. He looked around, eyes darting from Mairin's trembling form to the Max's uncertain look, to Alain's worried-filled face. "What happened?"
"I think she was having another breakdown or something, sir..." Max said in a soft voice.
"Mairin, what's wrong?" Alain asked, his voice gentle, and he took a step towards her.
"No!" Mairin screamed. "J-just stay back!"
Some part of her mind hummed, quietly telling her that this wasn't necessary, that he hadn't done anything– but the rest of her mind screamed to get as far away from him as possible. She tore her eyes away from Alain, and found Professor Sycamore watching her. Ruby had come into the room after him, the Absol's fur tensed in alarm. Her scarlet eyes locked on Mairin's, as if they could understand the pure emotion she was feeling.
"Mairin..." Professor Sycamore said calmly. "You know who we are, right...?"
Mairin's breathing was heavy, and she tried to make sense of what they were saying– though her panic was much stronger. It clung to every part of her, giving her a strange alertness about herself, drilling a fear through her.
Did they think she had forgotten again? Oh, how she wished that were so– forget the news that had brought such terror over her. Her eyes pressed shut– she needed to get out of here. She needed somewhere to think.
"D-don't follow me..." Mairin whispered, inching to the door of the lab. "Leave me alone, leave me alone..." She swallowed hard, beginning to feel dizzy again. "I just want to be alone..."
Her hand grabbed the door knob, twisting it open, and Alain stepped forward. "Mairin, no– you– you shouldn't go alone in your condition!"
But Mairin tugged the door open, darting out into the Lumiose City. Her heart thumped, she could hear Alain's footsteps coming after her–
"No," Professor Sycamore said, Mairin barely catching his voice as she ran down the front steps. "Let her go."
Mairin didn't slow, heading towards the front gates. She glanced over her shoulder once– but saw no sign of anyone coming after her. Still, she increased her pace as she rushed out onto the sidewalks, eyes glued to the ground. Her footsteps were swift, darting around anyone that she approached. She stumbled several times, but didn't fall as she got as far from the lab as she could. She needed to get out of here, she needed to get away from the lab... too many people, too many questions...
Her hands wrapped around her waist– a baby.
A sob attempted to escape her, and she made a choking sound instead. She wasn't ready for this, why couldn't anyone see that?! Why was this happening to her, of all the times this could happen...
She... she didn't dislike the idea of children... but she just wasn't ready!
Not for the child, nor for accepting what that fact meant.
Mairin glanced up, not quite sure where she was in Lumiose. The city moved around her at an indescribable pace– everything moving on when she was slowly sinking. No one glanced at her, people just passing her as they made their way through the busy city. The sky was overcast and gray, yet the warmth of the summer still pierced the clouds. Not even that was a comfort though, and Mairin lowered her head.
She pressed forward, letting the crowd sweep her away with them, still not even sure to where she was going. She just kept walking, forcing her mind to be numb as she continued on. She didn't focus on anything, didn't think of the pressing matters at hand, she just kept walking...
Until she felt a headache forming at the base of her skull.
She slowly came to a stop, outside of a small boutique, blinking as her mind tried to recall just what it meant. The headache slowly started to grow, engulfing her head with that horrible pounding, and she closed her eyes in pain. She stumbled back, leaning up against a streetlamp for support. Alain had said she got these around psychic types... someone must have one out in the city, that made sense... it'd pass, it'd pass, she was fine...
Except for she wasn't fine– the headache was growing much quicker than it in the doctor's office. She let out a pained gasp, grabbing her head with one hand. Darkness danced across her vision, her legs starting to shake. Mairin's eyes widened, but that didn't stop her sight from vanishing completely, and the sounds of the busy city dying around her.
Silence.
There was silence around her, and a strange hum. She could hear the wind, feel the sand against her feet... something was approaching. She turned– yet she didn't move a muscle– and she saw something flash red above her. A shadow fell across her, and then she felt a presence behind her, but before she could even turn again she felt something sleek against her.
A pressure formed along her arms, the coldness sharp as the strange shapes wrapped around her. She couldn't move, and something was being pressed against her back. Her breath got caught in her throat, lungs forgetting how to breathe. The cold, thin appendages around her arms were getting warmer, the green and red shapes wrapping tighter around her. The... the thing pressed against her back was getting warmer as well– but quicker. Within moments it was burning, searing!
A scream of pain escaped Mairin– and suddenly she was thrown back to the present.
She was down on her knees, arms wrapped around her head, her whole head engulfed in a blistering headache. The white marks on her arms were tingling, and it felt like the center of her back was still burning. She heard a pain cry in the air, and it took her a moment to realize that she was the one screaming. Her eyes snapped open, the cries still pouring from her mouth as her vision returned.
People were stopping, staring at her. Others swiftly moved on, careful not to look directly at her.
"Mairin?" A concerned voice asked, somehow reaching her through her screams. "Mairin! Oh Arceus– Delphox, return!"
A burst of red light, and the searing pain in her head died down somewhat. Mairin choked on another scream, the sound struggling to escape her. She heard footsteps, and someone was at her side, grabbing her shoulders. Mairin whimpered as she was forced to her feet, her headache still dimly throbbing. The next thing she knew she was being pulled into a hug by the unknown figure, their embrace gentle.
Slowly those that had stopped began to move on, a few throwing uncertain glances back at Mairin.
The person hugging her pulled back, their hands on her shoulders. The woman was taller than her, but her touch was soft. A towering Pangoro stood behind her, arms crossed as he watched his trainer and Mairin. She took in a struggling breath, studying the person in front of her. The woman had pale skin and beautiful honey blonde hair, which was tied up in a loose bun. The woman was wearing reflective sunglasses, which made it impossible to see her eyes, and a sun hat covered her head.
It took Mairin a moment, but she soon recognized the person in front of her.
"Serena?" Mairin whispered.
Serena flinched slightly. "Not now, you know I don't like that," she said in a hushed voice, and she placed an arm around Mairin. "Oh, what are you doing out alone...? Come on..."
Mairin blinked, but Serena began to lead her down the street. The Pangoro followed behind them as if he were a bodyguard, growling at anyone whose gaze lingered on them for too long. Mairin wasn't sure of what to do, and simply allowed Serena to lead her through the streets. So much was happening, and a familiar face that wasn't a familiar face from the last few days was more than welcoming.
The next thing Mairin knew was that Serena was guiding her into what was clearly a high end restaurant.
"You're going to need a reservation," The maitre d' said as they walked in, scanning Mairin and Serena with narrowed eyes. She took in Mairin's outfit and tear streaked face with a crinkled nose.
Serena gave the woman a sweet smile, but there was a toxic tone in her voice as she spoke. The woman's eyes widened as Serena slid her ID onto the counter. "I do have reservations– they're under Yvonne."
The maitre d' blinked a few times, looking slightly embarrassed. Her eyes flickered towards Serena's Pangoro, and then to Serena again, her voice now having a slight stutter. "Of course, let me get you to your seats ma'am–"
Serena smiled at Mairin as they were led through the fancy restaurant– and Mairin felt very out of place in her everyday clothes– which were wrinkled and covered with sweat. The smell of food wafted past Mairin's nose, and her stomach shifted. Yet her stomach gave no sign of heaving, which was good.
They were seated in a private area of the restaurant, two waiters pulling out the chairs for them. She didn't know what else to do but sit, and Serena smiled across from her as they did so. Pangoro leaned up against the wall, shifting a framed painting, but no waiter seemed brave enough to point this out. They only glanced at the Pokemon, before turning to hand them menus.
"S-serena," Mairin stuttered out, not only was Mairin sure she couldn't eat anything, but these prices were most certainly something she couldn't afford.
"My treat," Serena said with a smile, though it turned into a frown. "The least I could do for Delphox triggering one of your trances..." she glanced away. "It sounded like a bad one– but I won't press it! I know it's hard for you to talk about."
Mairin just blinked.
"May we start you off with a drink today, m'ladies?" One of the waiters asked, and Mairin just stared.
Perhaps she was still too overwhelmed to appreciate this place.
Trances...? Delphoxes were psychic types, but Alain had just said she got headaches... and the Espurr at Dr. Lambert's had given her nothing more than a headache. But yet Serena acted like this was something that had happened before. She had full on blacked out... and what she had seen, was that a dream or...? Why hadn't Alain mentioned that?
She flinched at the mention of Alain, hands going to her stomach.
Serena glanced over the menu without much interest, and pointed to a drink seemingly at random. Mairin didn't recognize the name, though it sounded alcoholic, and the waiter then glanced at her.
She blinked slowly, wondering if she could even stomach anything. "Um... do you have milk?"
Milk was one of the few things that had sounded good the last few days, and one of the few things she had even wanted. Serena smiled at the question, taking off her hat and sunglasses, setting them on the table. The waiter hesitated, glancing at Mairin as if thinking this were a joke.
"...That I can manage, ma'am," he said. He bowed to them, before gracefully walking away.
Serena gave Mairin yet another smile as they were left alone. "I know it's been a while since we've seen each other, so I hope this isn't too sudden to bring you here," she scanned Mairin's pale form, but yet didn't seem surprised by her shaky and frightened state. "Now, how have you been lately?"
"Overwhelmed..." Mairin whispered. It was the only word to describe how she was feeling, yet it didn't even begin to describe what she was going through.
Serena nodded in understanding. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, you know I'd never force you to," she hesitated. "Though Mairin, if it's getting bad again perhaps you should go back to therapy."
"Therapy?" Mairin asked.
"You said it helped," Serena said, blue eyes lined with concern. "There's nothing wrong with going, Mairin. If it helped the first time then it could help again."
"...Why did I go to therapy?" Mairin asked, for a moment not even thinking how that question would sound to Serena. "When?"
Serena stared at Mairin, looking very startled as she took in Mairin's words. However before she could say a thing two waiters waltzed into their room, presenting them their drinks in an unnecessarily fancy way. Mairin stared at the glass of milk she had been given– which was in a wine glass. Serena pushed her drink, which was dark purple, to the side as the waiters left and leaned across the table.
"Mairin... are you feeling alright?" Serena asked, voice sounding slightly shaken.
"Oh!" Mairin said, pressing her hand to her forehead. Her throat was tightening up, and she didn't even dare to attempt to take a drink. "I... I guess I should explain..." tears stung her eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm just a mess right now, so much has been going on..."
Serena wrapped a hand around Mairin's. "What's happening?"
Mairin wiped away a few tears that were running down her cheeks. "I... I'm kinda missing a few memories," she whispered. "Like five years of them..."
"What?!" Serena cried.
Mairin hiccuped. "About a week ago I woke up, and they were just gone. We have no idea what's causing this, and I'm still trying to understand what's happening..." her stomach twisted, and suddenly the tears came faster. "And I'm p-pregnant."
She had to choke the final word out.
A mixture of emotions clouded over Serena's face– worry, surprise, a hint of excitement– though concern quickly rose to the top. She took in a sharp breath, clearly trying to gather her thoughts, and Mairin looked down at her feet. Serena didn't reply right off, and Mairin didn't blame her– she had just dumped a lot of information on her.
"Five years..." she said softly, and she looked up. "So you don't remember any part of your relationship with Alain? ...Or anything else?"
Mairin shook her head.
Serena bit her lip. "A baby too... that's wonderful news, but of all the times..." she uncertainly glanced at Mairin. "What... what are you going to do? I mean, are you going to keep it?"
"Of course!" Mairin cried, hands wrapping around her middle. This was her baby– her baby. But at the same time... a child. That wasn't just something that could come into her life without change, this would be years of dedication... And what about Alain? Did he want a baby? How would they raise it...? Together? They were married, but still she didn't recall a moment of that–
"Mairin," Serena said, snapping her out of her thoughts. "You're thinking too hard."
"Am I?" Mairin asked, a slight bitter undertone in her voice. There were still tears in her eyes, but that was nothing new. "My upside-down life has just been flipped over once more– and it hasn't even been a week," she grabbed the wine glass of milk, taking a long drink as if this would make her mounting emotions leave. "I honestly have no idea of what to do, or even how to begin dealing with everything!"
"That's what I'm trying to say," Serena said. "There's nothing you can do at the moment that'll change the situation you're in– and you don't have to reach a decision of any kind right now either," Serena took in a deep breath. "Time is something you have right now, so what's the point of worrying yourself sick when you should just try to rest?"
Mairin hiccuped, and she felt her temporary surge of frustration drain away. She took in Serena's words, the truth of them slowly sinking in. No, her situation wasn't different than before, and the pressure was still just as strong– but she had time. She didn't have to bear this all at once.
"Thank you for listening to me..." Mairin whispered. "I think that helped me a lot... I don't know how I was going to tell everyone at the lab about the... baby," she flinched. "I still don't."
Serena sat up. "They don't know you're pregnant? Not even Alain?"
Mairin bit her lip. "I literally found out today, not long before you found me..." she closed her eyes. "Oh Arceus, how am I going to tell them? I've been putting them through enough as it is!"
"It's Alain's baby too, Mairin," Serena said. "You can't keep this from him."
"I know..." Mairin whispered.
Serena offered her a small smile. "I'll go with you to the lab after we eat, if you want."
Mairin shifted in her seat. "That'd be nice... thank you, Serena."
Serena at last picked up her drink, taking a long sip. "Of course, anything for a friend."
"Er..." Mairin glanced around the restaurant, feeling somewhat relaxed for the first time that day. "Um... how are you able to afford to go to a place like this?" a part of Mairin was curious, but deep down she simply wanted to put something else on her mind, something to pull her attention away from everything she had been struggling through this week. "I mean, this place is pretty nice..."
That was an understatement– this place was clearly the top of the line.
Serena blinked, then smiled. "I became the Kalos Queen a while back," she scratched the back of her head Mareep-ishly. "And then I kinda played a role in a movie after that, and..." Serena looked down. "Now it sounds like I'm bragging."
Mairin sat up a bit. "What kind of movie?"
She hesitated for a second, but after she saw the genuine gleam of interest in Mairin's eyes Serena dove into the basics of the movie she was in– based on a Kantonian legend from medieval times, it was a romance about a knight of aura and a queen. Serena had played the role of 'Queen Rin', and seemed to have enjoyed her time filming.
Serena did pause every now and then– both so the waiters could take their orders– and to glance at Mairin as if trying to get her approval of continuing. Mairin made no effort to stop her, since the story behind the movie was actually very interesting, complete with a human having the powers of a Lucario. Serena went over every detail, from the costumes to the trip she and other cast members had taken to Kanto to visit the castle where the legend was said to take place.
Serena's talking was a blessing, even though the Kalos Queen seemed very hesitant on taking control of the conversation after learning everything Mairin had been going through. But being able to engage in just a normal chat with a friend was just what Mairin needed. It provided a familiarity that she had been missing for these last few days, and she simply found herself relaxing. Serena had comforted her and listened to her worries, but yet was willing to drop the topic after as well. At the lab her amnesia simply lingered in the air, never far from everyone's thoughts and words, but here Serena was just treating as a friend.
Serena seemed to understand the fact that even though Mairin was missing a few years of her life, that it didn't mean that she had to be treated as if she had lost everything– and for that Mairin was grateful. She even managed to choke down half a bowl of a spicy soup as Serena talked (the name of the soup Mairin had no hope of pronouncing).
As they left the restaurant Mairin's hand brushed against her stomach. A strange warmth was in her heart, and now that she had managed to accept that she was pregnant the panic didn't seem as strong. Yes, a fear of the unknown future was there– but yet a small excitement. She was carrying a child...
Her child.
A small smile flickered over Mairin's face.
A wave of nausea rushed over Mairin as they found themselves outside the gates of the lab.
"Mairin," Serena said, reaching out to steady Mairin as she started rocking on her feet. Serena had once again hidden her face behind sunglasses and a hat as they had headed back outside. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, what am I supposed to say to him?" Mairin muttered, her stomach twisting with fear.
Serena placed both hands on Mairin's shoulder. "You go in there and tell him the truth– what else is there to say to him? Of course this is a big thing, but this isn't something you should try to put off. Remember, this is his child too."
Alain's child– she was carrying Alain's baby. Mairin had to struggle to keep lunch in her stomach, her world starting to spin around. Now was not the time for her to get sick again, not when she had at least courage to speak to Alain. She braced herself against Serena, praying to whatever legendary was listening not to let her throw up.
"Mairin!"
Speaking of Yveltal...
Mairin's throat went dry as she heard Alain calling out– and it wasn't from the lab. She glanced back, and found him approaching from the gates. A look of relief broke out over his face as he rushed up to them. Mairin stumbled back as he approached, this action causing him to come to a stop several feet away from them.
"Hi Alain," Serena said, offering him a small smile.
"Serena," he replied. "Thank goodness you found her, we were getting so worried," Alain's blue eyes focused on Mairin. "You were gone for over an hour."
"S-so?" Mairin managed to choke out, feeling slightly dizzy.
Alain hesitated. "...Mairin, you came downstairs screaming, then ran off... of course we were worried," he held out his hand. "Come on, let's get you inside."
If she hadn't been feeling so dizzy she probably would have refused him, but one step forward was all she needed to know that she wasn't going to be walking on her own anytime soon. Her shaky hand clamped around Alain's wrist for balance, careful to make sure that her fingers were away from his. She closed her eyes, her world starting to become a gray blur as she was led towards the lab. She blindly allowed him to guide her, simply focusing on Serena's footsteps behind them.
She stubbed her foot on the steps of the lab, but still didn't open her eyes, counting the steps in her mind as she lifted her foot. She heard the door swing open, and Alain calling out to the lab about how he had found her. Her eyes cracked open, sweat starting to form on her skin as she was led to a couch in the front room of the lab. She sat, curling up on the edge, hands pressed against her head.
There were sounds of footsteps entering the room, and the soft mumbles of questions and concerned voices. Serena gave a vague explanation of how she had found her and their lunch. Mairin could feel the many gazes drifting towards her, but yet she didn't open her eyes until she felt something warm and silky touching her.
Amber eyes flickered open to discover Ruby sitting in front of her, front paws up on the lip of the couch as she watched her trainer in concern. Mairin gave a tight smile, reaching out and petting her sleek horn. Tingles ran across Mairin's fingers, and the lingering dizzy spell seemed to fade away. Mairin sat up slightly, looking around to find that all the members of the lab were here. Serena was sitting on the couch next to her, while Alain and the professor were on the large chairs near them. Max, Sophie, and Cosette were standing up, all them listening to Serena.
"And that's when we decided to come back to the lab," Serena finished softly. "I think Mairin just needed some space away from the lab to think," blue eyes flickered towards Mairin, Serena clearly hoping she had said the right things.
Mairin hadn't been listening to what she had been saying, but she nodded weakly anyways. She didn't think Serena would say anything personal without her permission. Ruby laid her head in Mairin's lap, who continued petting her as she tried to make sense of everything going on around her. After such a nice chance to breathe at the restaurant she was back under the pressure of the lab, with everyone worried about her every move. They were watching her now, as if the way she was interacting with Ruby would somehow be the key to fix everything.
"How are you feeling?" Sophie asked, her green eyes watching Mairin with almost a motherly look. Sophie was standing right behind the professor's chair, and the two of them had seemed awfully close the last few days. Was there some aspect of their relationship she wasn't aware of? Just how many things would pop up until she could get a feel for this strange place?
"Better..." Mairin whispered, looking down at her hands.
"Mairin?" Serena asked, and Mairin glanced to the side. "I can't stay for too long... but do you want me to stay while you... or would you rather do that on your own time?"
Tell Alain about the baby? She wanted to do that on her own time– but Mairin knew if she decided to do that then she'd never get the courage to say a word. She looked towards Alain, hands shaking slightly at the mere thought of making an announcement. How would he react? Should she just tell Alain, or everyone at once?
The logical part of her told her that it would probably be more appropriate to tell Alain in private, and then decide together who to tell from there– he was her husband after all. But... she didn't remember that. Selfish? Maybe– but she just couldn't bring herself to tell him something this big alone. All at once would be better, with Serena here too.
"Is everything alright?" Professor Sycamore asked, glancing between Mairin and Serena.
Mairin took in a deep breath, and forced herself to stand. She shoved all of the worries and fears to the back of her mind, and simply looked out at everyone. The room spun slightly as she stood, but it straightened out seconds later. Mairin didn't allow herself a moment to hesitate, simply jumping right in before her withering courage faded away completely.
"I..." Mairin began, her tongue feeling heavy. "I'm sorry I made you guys worry earlier... I, um, suppose I owe you an explanation for why I acted that way..." Mairin's eyes darted towards Alain, and her mouth went dry.
Why was everyone staring at her... why were they staring? Couldn't they look somewhere else...?
"I was just really overwhelmed, and I didn't know what else to do," Mairin whispered, and she looked towards Serena, who gave her a nod. Mairin gulped, gathered all the willpower she had left, and closed her eyes. "You see, I... the thing is that I'm..." her fingernails dug into her palms. "I'm pregnant."
She didn't move, her words rushing out all at once. Though her voice had been quiet, her words seemed to echo through the room as she spoke. She flinched slightly, as if they had stung, but she didn't dare to open her eyes. Nobody responded right off, taking in the news she had just given them.
Professor Sycamore was first to speak. "I see..."
His tone was soft, gentle. She opened her eyes, looking towards him, and she could almost see his racing thoughts. Mairin didn't let her gaze linger on him for long, shifting up towards Sophie. The dark haired woman had a calm look on her face, and she simply gave Mairin a nod as if to say everything was okay. Cosette had bit her lip, while Max had closed his eyes. She didn't know what they were feeling– overwhelmed? Surprised? Relieved that her sickness wasn't something worse?
Mairin didn't linger on them, her gaze shifting to Alain's chair.
Empty.
Mairin pulled back slightly, startled at the empty seat. Her eyes flickered up, where she could see Alain's towering figure walking away, his steps swift. She stared at him, heart starting to race, and her lips cracked open.
Alain paused, glancing back at her, blue eyes unreadable. His mouth remained still, making no effort to speak. He simply watched her with his cool gaze, before turning away once more. His steps echoed through the silent lab, his hand pulling open the front door of the lab in a single fluid motion.
He then stepped outside, shutting the door behind him.