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Chapter Five

A month's time had passed since the night Jill and Adrian shared. One of her biggest fears was that things between them would be different. On top of all the changes coming up in her life she didn't want to add this to the list. Luckily her worries were unfounded. Her relationship with Adrian remained the same as it always had. If anything she felt closer to him.

"Is that what you're wearing?" Jesse asked her after Jill opened the door to her room. Tonight was their official engagement party.

Jill looked down at her dress. "Yes," she replied after she looked back up at him.

"Don't you think it's a little…tight?" Jesse asked.

"It's my normal size," Jill said. She smoothed the silk with her hands.

"Whatever. You don't have time to change and thankfully it will be dark in there anyway," Jesse replied. He offered his arm.

Jill inwardly sighed. She closed and locked her door before taking his arm and letting him guide her down to the grand ballroom. In the time since she had first met Jesse his attitude hadn't improved. She was hoping he might grow on her, but that hadn't happened either. He was still the same charmer in public and bully behind closed doors. Lissa seemed happy, though, and Jill didn't want to disappoint her so she kept her concerns to herself. People could get used to anything…she'd just have to get used to this.

The ballroom was decorated in fall oranges and yellows. Jesse was right, the lighting was very soft, giving the space a romantic feel. Almost every royal Jill knew (and didn't know) was gathered in the room. She craned her neck, trying to spot Adrian, but it appeared he was going to be fashionably late. She didn't have time to slip into his head and see where he was before the receiving line started.

After an hour Jill's cheeks hurt from smiling and her hands were raw from shaking so many others. She felt a little woozy too. The air in the room was stifling. Once the line died down she excused herself and stepped outside. She took a few deep breaths before sitting on a nearby bench.

"Hey, Jailbait," Adrian said, taking the seat next to her.

"I'd smile, but my face might crack," Jill replied as she looked over at her friend.

"It's the thought that counts," Adrian said. "Are you doing okay?" he asked.

"Okay," she replied. "It was getting kind of crowded in there."

"I know this sounds weird, but you're looking kind of pale," he said.

Jill felt her cheeks with her palm. She was a little clammy. "I'll have to have some blood," she reasoned. "I didn't have time earlier."

"I'll walk you to the feeder," Adrian offered.

The two stood up and made their way to the room where the feeders were stationed.

"I'll be happy when tonight is over," Jill told him.

"I'm sure you'll be happy when this year is over," Adrian replied. "Is anything getting any better?"

She shook her head no. "At least it's not worse," she said.

Before Adrian could reply Jill was guided into a private room to get something to eat. When she emerged a few minutes later she didn't look or feel any better.

"Jill, I think you might need to see the doc…" Adrian's sentence was cut off as her lanky frame crumbled to the floor.

…

"Jill…Jill…can you hear me?" Adrian asked.

Jill slowly blinked her eyes open. "What happened?" she asked. She swallowed a few times. Her throat felt thick.

"You passed out after you fed. The doctor's doing some tests," Adrian explained. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "You scared me, Jailbait." He handed her a cup of water with a straw in it.

"Sorry," Jill apologized after she had taken a few sips. "Does everyone know?" she asked nervously.

Adrian shook his head. "I mean Jesse and Lissa do, but not the rest of the party." He took the cup away from her and set it on the bedside table.

"Good," she said with a sigh of relief. "That would be embarrassing." She pushed herself up so she was sitting.

"Do you feel any better?" Adrian asked. He fluffed her pillow behind her.

"Just tired, but not like I did before," Jill explained. "Maybe it's just a bug."

As if on cue the doctor walked into the room. "You're looking much better," he commented when he saw Jill sitting up.

"What's wrong?" Adrian asked before Jill could even open her mouth.

"Everything came back normal," the doctor assured them. "But you're blood test did indicate that you're pregnant. Congratulations, princess."

Jill blinked a few times. "I'm what?" she asked him.

"Pregnant," he repeated himself. "About four weeks along. I'm going to send the nurse in and she'll explain the vitamins you'll need to be taking. And rest…you'll need lots of rest. She'll also set up your first check up. Congratulations, again." He patted her arm with his hand and exited the room.

"Adrian…" Jill said and turned to find him sitting in the bedside chair with his face in his hands.

"He did not just say that," Adrian said, mainly to the floor. He finally looked up. "Please tell me you slept with Jesse," he said.

She made a face. "No," she replied. "You know I didn't."

"But we were careful," Adrian said.

"Apparently not careful enough," Jill said. She sank back against the pillows and closed her eyes. "Shit…the doctor can't tell anyone, right?"

"No," he replied. "But I think it's going to be a little obvious soon."

She rolled her eyes. "No kidding." She ran her hand over her face. "We're going to be in so much trouble."

The pair sat in silence for a few minutes before Adrian finally spoke up. "Just…umm…whatever you need me to do, okay? I'm here."

"Do you want this…?" Jill asked him. "I mean I know we're not together…"

"I'll be the first to admit I never wanted kids, but I mean now that it's happening…I mean, it's okay," Adrian stammered. "If you want it."

"It's confusing," Jill stammered herself. "I don't not want it."

Adrian scooted his chair closer to her and held her hand. "Then we'll make it work," he said, his voice much more firm this time. "As long as no one kills us first."