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The guys had thought Titus should wear the hat to keep the Christmas cheer going. My fire mate clearly didn’t approve, which only seemed to amuse me, not upset me.

Yeah, pregnancy hormones were insane.

I sort of loved them.

A receptionist greeted us and helpfully pointed us down the hall.

Scheduling an appointment hadn’t been easy, but there were benefits to having powerful mates. Exos had already established connections in Ohio prior to our arrival, knowing this visit might be needed. He’d also prepared for the potential birth—which I would want in a hospital, not at home. I loved that he thought ahead like that and that he’d do anything he could to make sure my wishes were granted.

We entered the office we were directed to, and another receptionist gave my group of mates a wary eye. “Uh, may I help you?”

“I’m here for my appointment,” I said with a smile.

The woman blinked a few times at my mates, particularly settling her gaze on Sol, who had wandered to one of the seats and was trying to sit down—unsuccessfully.

“And, uh, who is the father?” she asked, keeping her head down as if this was a natural question to ask. “We prefer not to allow, um, visitors.”

I frowned. Biologically, Cyrus was the father, but all my mates had a place in my heart, and in the life of my growing faeling. “They’re all the father,” I said without hesitation. “Is that a problem?”

A few women in the room coughed.

Exos leaned down, putting on the charming smile that he reserved for negotiation. He used it on me far too often—and far too often, he also got his way. “I’ve already spoken with Dr. Renalds. If you could please check with her, I believe she’ll tell you everything is in order.”

The receptionist twitched her nose and looked like she was going to argue, but Exos kept his perfectly constructed smile on his face, so she finally sighed and got out of her chair.

“Why is everyone staring at us?” Vox asked in a whisper as he rested a hand on the small of my back.

Yeah, there were a few details about human culture I hadn’t missed.

“Polygamy is very uncommon here,” Cyrus supplied. “In some countries, it’s even illegal.”

Vox frowned as if he didn’t understand. “Why would a government control how many mates one can have? Do humans not sometimes have multiple soul mates like fae do?”

Exos cleared his throat as the side door opened and someone called my name. “Let’s save the human lessons for later,” he suggested under his breath before nodding to the nurse.

We all filtered through the hall, the staff giving my mates curious looks.

Titus lowered his hat around his eyes. “Now you like the hat,” Cyrus mused, making my Fire Fae grin.

After a short wait in another room, and an awkward attempt at changing out of my outfit and into the pathetic sheet hospitals liked to call a gown, the doctor finally came in.

A tall woman with wild red hair caught up in a bun entered and gave me a bright smile. “Claire Summers, is it? And oh, you have so many fathers here to join us! I was intrigued when Exos told me about your situation. You’re from another country. He didn’t mention which one, though.”

Exos cleared his throat. “We’re very grateful that you’re able to see us on such short notice. I hope the hospital grant is still being put to good use?”

Her smile tightened, and I understood now why Exos had been able to get me an appointment on such short notice, as well as entry for all of my mates.

“Yes, absolutely. In fact, we were able to purchase two new sonogram machines, top of the line, one of which we’ll be using today.” She glanced at me. “Exos mentioned you might be interested in learning the gender of your baby?”

I beamed, glancing at all of my mates to confirm that they were dying to know just as much as I was. “Yes, we’d love to know,” I said, sitting on the edge of the examination chair. “But first, I want to make sure he or she is healthy. That’s all that really matters to me.”

She nodded and wrote a note down on her chart. “Yes, of course. We’ll do that right away.”

She had me lie down, and my mates all found places to stand without being in the way. I knew none of this would hurt, but there was still a sense of anticipation anyway.

Vox and Sol looked at the machine that she rolled over, clearly fascinated with the technology. Cyrus and Exos had more experience with human machinery, whereas Titus was harder to impress.

The doctor swept a device over my stomach after slathering it with cold gel. We all jumped when a loud, rapid thumping sounded throughout the room. “Ah!” she exclaimed, zeroing in the device on the left side of my stomach. “There. Such a strong heartbeat.”


Tags: Lexi C. Foss Elemental Fae Academy Fantasy