19. Less Careful
Several Weeks Later...
Though she tried to hold it back, a groan escaped Ruby's lips. Victor's fingers felt so damn good. She vaguely wondered if it was his training as a doctor that helped him be so skilled with his hands- it definitely had to help him know exactly where to touch her to give her the most pleasure. It was all Ruby could do to stay still and let him work at his own pace.
Her eyelids flickered fully open and she caught his gaze. His lips curled into a smile, a flash darting across his eyes like lightning as his fingers pressed against her. Ruby moaned again and let her eyes fall shut. She knew it was wrong to think so, but she was glad people in the past were put off by Victor's oddities. She wanted to be the only one who benefited from his amazing foot massages.
She needed them now that her leg was finally free of its cast. Ruby was still going through physical therapy but she was looking forward to when her leg was strong enough to let her run again. Lucky for her, she had a doctor for a husband, though that didn't mean Victor was going easy on guiding her through her exercises. Ruby loved that he refused to coddle her, and any tender care he gave her was decidedly not the professional sort.
The reconstruction of the docks was just about finished as well. Perfect timing. Ruby made sure to get constant updates from August on its progress so she and Victor could be the first to enjoy when it was finished.
In the meantime, the two contented themselves with getting back to work and enjoying peace for a change. Ruby applied herself to learning about the Bed and Breakfast, since she knew the diner's inner workings by now. It amused her when Ella was the one walking her through some of the procedures. Alexandra helpfully pointed at things and echoed her mother's words every now and then.
"You're very smart, Alex," Ruby praised the girl.
"Tell me about it," Ella agreed proudly. "I know you two are still riding the newlywed high, but have you and Victor talked about children?"
"We-" Ruby's smile wavered. "No, we haven't." She hesitated, wanting to confess that for a moment after the battle with Cora, she thought she was pregnant... But since that turned out to be wrong and she never discussed the moment with Victor, it felt wrong to disclose it now.
Of course Ruby was proof that werewolves could become pregnant and bear children, but she wasn't sure if she was personally able. Or if Victor was. And if they both could, would he want them? There was a high chance their child would inherit lycanthropy.
"If it helps," Ella mentioned, breaking through her friend's thoughts, "I think you would make an amazing mother."
"It helps," Ruby assured her, subconsciously placing her hand over her abdomen. She took a breath, making up her mind: she would talk to Victor when the docks were ready. She couldn't imagine having this conversation anywhere else.
They made an evening of it, with a blanket, some food and wine. They talked about their respective days at work, as always, and their plans for the house once it was ready. When the conversation turned to plans for the full moon, Ruby saw her opening. She had to stay human while her leg was mending, but now that she was out of the cast she could theoretically shift. Except...
"I might stay human again."
"Really? Your leg isn't strong enough for running, but it should be okay for you to shift."
"I'm not worried about the leg." Ruby gazed out over the water as she worked through the best way to phrase this. "I'm just not sure what shifting into a wolf would do if I... if I was pregnant." She felt Victor stiffen beside her and she dared to turn her head. His eyes had widened and he was staring at her in wonder, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed.
"Are you?"
"No." His expression flickered almost too quickly for her to notice, but she did: she saw his disappointment. "I thought I was," she amended, "but no. I'm not sure if I even can. We're pretty active and we're not always careful."
"True," Victor agreed with a little smile. "We can find out for sure and in the meantime..." He paused as that mischievous lightning flashed through his eyes again. "We can be even less careful."
Ruby couldn't help laughing. "So you want to try? You know it's possible our child will be a werewolf like me."
"And they'll have an amazing mother to help them," Victor answered, kissing her lovingly on the forehead. "Liza, when I proposed I told you that I wanted to create a family with you. Since ours already has a shepherd-king, a reanimated corpse and a former puppet, I think we can handle another werewolf." Victor rested his hand over her stomach and Ruby squeezed it. She should've known better than to think Victor wouldn't take to this idea. "I don't know if I'll be a good father," he admitted, "but I'll do my best."
"In that case, this child will have an amazing father." She kissed him, and it didn't take long for the kiss to deepen. "Now," Ruby breathed against his mouth, "you were saying something about being less careful...?"