Chapter 16
A few days later, Aaron returned home to find Aislyn on her knees, retching into a bucket. Running to her, he dropped down next to her, pulling loose strands of her red hair back out of the way. “Are you all right?” he asked once she had finished and began to steady herself.
“I’m fine,” she assured him, managing a smile.
He rushed to bring her water and a towel to wipe her mouth. Once he helped her up and over to the bed, where she insisted on sitting instead of lying down, he took care of the bucket and ran back to her side. “Aislyn, do you have fever?” he asked, feeling her forehead. “When did you start feeling ill?”
“A few weeks ago,” she replied, but she was still smiling, and though he had no idea what there was to be happy about, he took a deep breath and let her continue. “Aaron, I’m not ill,” she assured him, placing her thin hand on his knee.
“What do you mean?” he asked. “You were vomiting.”
“Yes, I know. I’ve been vomiting for a few weeks, but then it’s usually in the morning. Sometimes, like today, it hits later. I’m fine.”
“Aislyn, if you’ve been throwing up for weeks, something is wrong. We need to get you to a physician.”
“I told you I’m not ill, Aaron. I’m certain of it. I went to town last week and spoke to my mother. I’m just fine.”
“What does your mother know of this type of illness?” he asked, brushing her hair back over her shoulder where it had attached to her clammy skin.
“Plenty. I’m not ill—I’m carrying a child,” she explained, her smile even wider now.
Aaron could hardly believe what he was hearing. “What’s that?” he asked. “A child?”
“Yes, our child,” she said. Taking his hand, she placed it on her abdomen. “I know you can’t feel anything yet, but soon enough you’ll see. I’ll have a nice bump right here, and wee little legs kicking, in a rush to get out into the world and meet the most wonderful da a babe could ever have.”
“You’re going to have a baby?” The information still hadn’t settled in. Aislyn had leaned her head back into his chest so that his arms were around her. He sat there holding her, contemplating her message, wondering how it was possible that he was going to be someone’s da.
“Isn’t it wonderful?” she asked, her voice sounding sleepy.
Despite the lack of food, the failing potatoes, the Vampires, the uncertainty of who he was and what he was destined to become, Aaron agreed that Aislyn’s news was wonderful indeed. “Yes,” he replied. “It’s the most wonderful thing I’ve ever heard in my entire life.” He leaned back on the bed, pulling her into his arms and held her, marveling about how fortunate he was. He was married to the most beautiful woman in the world, who was carrying his child. How could life be any better than this?
The next morning, Kian was out in the field waiting for him, a concerned look on his face. Aaron could not put away his smile, and he was sure he looked like a fool as he approached his friend. He didn’t care. He was going to be a father.
“Aaron, something’s wrong. I just know it,” Kian said, his voice hardly above a whisper, no regard whatsoever for the ridiculous smirk on his friend’s face.
“Good morning, Kian,” Aaron replied as if he hadn’t understood the statement. “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”
“No, it’s not,” Kian assured him. “Aaron, something is wrong with Shannon. And I fear the worst.”
Disregarding Kian’s negativity, Aaron went about the first task he needed to complete that day. There was a rather large boulder in the middle of his field that he’d been working around. Today was the day this boulder would meet its demise.
“Aaron, she’s been completely non-responsive for three days. Then, this morning, she’s up out of bed, chipper as all get out, telling me how I’m a wonderful, loving husband, and making me fresh eggs.”
“That’s lovely,” Aaron replied, taking the hoe to the rock and striking it along the edge, intending to break it into smaller pieces. The rock broke into two halves, and he realized he could likely pick each of them up now and toss them out of his acreage.
“We don’t even have chickens,” Kian reminded him. “Where the hell did she get eggs?”
Picking up the first half, the larger of the two, Aaron lifted it up over his shoulder and swung it around, sending it sailing off into the woods on the edge of his rented property. It crashed into the top of a few of the larger pines, snapping them and tumbling out of sight. “Maybe she got some the last time she was in town.”
“That was months ago,” Kian argued.
The second half was even lighter and ended up clearing the tops of the trees, disappearing over the horizon. Aaron was proud of himself for finding a constructive way to use his newfound strength. “I don’t know, Kian. Maybe a visitor brought them to her while you were in the field.”
With that, Kian relaxed a little bit. Running his hand through his hair, he muttered, “Maybe. I don’t know. I just don’t feel she’s quite herself.”
“Keep an eye on her,” Aaron recommended, wondering what he might do with the rest of his morning now that the boulder was cleared, “and see how she acts. Kian, you always suspect the worst. It’s likely nothing.”
Though Kian’s expression didn’t show that he completely believed his friend, he nodded and went back to his own field to start his day. Meanwhile, having nothing else to do until later that afternoon, Aaron returned home eager to kiss his perfect wife and remind her of how much he loved her.
A few days later, Kian was back. This time, he swore he’d seen Shannon sneaking in late at night, though he wasn’t positive he wasn’t dreaming. Once again, Aaron calmed his fears and sent him home, hopeful that there truly was no need for alarm.
