"You're measuring at about 7-8 weeks Rose", the doctor explains as she moves the jelly-covered wand back and forth across my lower abdomen.
"Impossible", I whisper as I gaze upon my little seahorse-looking baby. My baby.
"It's still a little too early to hear the heartbeat but I assure you everything looks great. We will schedule to see you in about 4-6 weeks depending on our schedules but if anything happens or you're feeling concerned I want you to come in immediately. If it's an emergency head to the nearest hospital and have them contact me and I'll do my best to be there. Now Rose I am aware this is dhampir-dhampir pregnancy and with your father being Abe Mazur and patient-doctor confidentiality I can assure you that this information will not go to anyone including Her Majesty however I will be monitoring you closely as it is such a rarity. Any questions?"
"No. Thank you", I respond as she grabs the printed ultrasound photos from the machine and brings them over to me.
"Congratulations Rose. I'll see you in a few weeks and again don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Each pregnancy has its own unique experience." Doctor Lev says as she makes her exit.
At that exact moment I see my father make his way into the room. We're currently at his property located at court. He flew in earlier this week when I called him and told him my news and that I needed help getting a doctor who will be willing to go against Lissa and not inform her of my pregnancy. The pregnancy I have yet to inform my fiance about.
Dimitri.
I know he is going to be over the moon. I nearly revealed my suspicions to him when Adrian told us that we could conceive. I had decided to go off of birth control after many years for no major reason other than I wanted to and it felt like the right time to stop taking it. But after a few weeks and lots of love making I began feel queasy and fatigued much more than usual. I think deep down I always knew we'd overcome the impossible. While I wish circumstances were better and I hadn't had to call my father simply to protect me from the risk of Lissa finding out but I didn't have any other choice.
"Well Kizim you sure know how to keep me on my toes. A baby huh?" he's grinning and his eyes are sparkling with excitement that he was the first to know.
"Yes baba an actual thing is growing inside of me", I say while staring at my ultrasound photos. My little seahorse.
Abe walks closer to me on the exam table that has been set up in one of the guest bedrooms of his house. Although the home is closer in resemblance to a mansion. Apparently Zmey likes to make a point and currently owns one of the largest properties at Court.
"I take it you haven't told the cowboy."
"Dad stop calling him that. And no, I haven't. I needed to make sure we were safe first."
"I'm proud of you Kiz. You're going to make a wonderful mother. Although I am far too young and good-looking to be a grandfather." He says while running his hand over his hair. The same luscious locks that flow down my back are combed perfectly in place.
"And on that note can we please figure out what the hell we are going to do about Lissa? She won't stop demanding that Dimitri and I have a child for her to study and see what benefits can come from a dhampir-dhampir pregnancy and I won't be able to hide this forever."
"You have to leave. You have no other option. If she finds out about your pregnancy before we can get you out of here and to safety she will send hoards of guardians to capture you and most likely Dimitri as well. You'll be indentured servants and at her will. It would lead to a war Rose."
"So we leave today."
"No. You'll leave in a few days on a vacation. You'll put in all the necessary forms and paperwork as will Dimitri. Tell Vasilisa that you'll be going on a vacation with Dimitri to discuss your news about being able to have children. She will be excited and probably offer to send you to a luxury destination of her choice. Accept it but when you leave you will leave on my private plane to a secure location. By then it will be too late for her to do anything", he finishes with a proud smirk.
"I really am your child", I mumble.
"That you are. Now go get everything set up and I'll do the rest", as he is walking out he turns and says "And don't forget to tell Dimitri, a father likes to know as early as possible".
"Why's that?"
"More time", he says.