Chapter 35 - Nic

I can't believe that I'm actually at Lex's parents' house. But I didn't know what else to do. That night in the hospital, my mind went back to my conversation with Eva on the night of the anniversary party. She had hinted that I might discover some things that might make me want to bolt. She'd also said that she'd be there for me if I needed her. Something tells me that she's a human married to a dragon shifter. And she is very much in love with her husband.

Both Eva and Alex have been extremely welcoming. Although it has been several hours since I arrived, they haven't asked even one single question that might be categorized as prying.

Alex has tactfully made his excuses and gone back into the house, leaving me and Eva alone on the porch in front of the log cabin that is their house.

"You have a beautiful place," I say, turning to look at the log cabin. It looks deceptively small and cozy, but is actually quite large on the inside with every imaginable luxury. From the front of the house where we are sitting, we have a lovely view of the mountains and the valley below. Surrounding the house are many flower beds with colorful flowers in full bloom. I don't even recognize ninety percent of the flowers. Their perfume permeates the air. It is difficult not to feel relaxed in such beautiful surroundings.

"Thank you. But I'm sure you didn't come all the way to compliment me on our house," she says with a small smile playing on her lips.

"Well, no." I take a sip of the now cold tea to gather my courage. "I'm pregnant. With Lex's baby."

"Oh! Oh, my darling child!" Her eyes fill with tears. She gets out of the chair and hugs me tight. I'm both surprised and touched by her affection and easy acceptance.

"Does Lex know?"

"Yes. But I only recently came to know he was a dragon shifter," I say, willing myself to breathe slowly.

"Oh dear."

"I'm scared!"

"Of Lex?"

"No, I could never be scared of Lex."

My reply puts a huge smile on her face.

"What then?"

"Of giving birth to a dragon! I mean, how will that even be possible? Can the doctors tell I'm growing a dragon? Will the baby dragon begin to fly immediately after being born? Oh God! How will I stop him from hurting himself if I can't even catch him?"

There. I finally vocalized my fear. I am waiting for her censure, but it doesn't come. Instead, she takes my hand and gives it a gentle reassuring squeeze.

"You won't give birth to a dragon. The baby will be human when born. The shifter genes only become activated much later in life. For most shifters, it is around puberty, but the range varies widely. Some of them start shifting as early as three or four years old, but others don't shift till they're well into their twenties."

"Do they have to shift every full moon? Like they show in the movies?"

"Well, the lower-order shifters certainly do. But dragons are extremely powerful and rare apex shifters. They're not governed by lunar cycles."

"Do shifters live longer?"

"They have longer life spans than humans, but when a shifter and a human are mated, the human's life span seems to increase as well."

"Mating? Is it like getting married?"

"I think you should ask Lex this question," she says, giving my hand another squeeze.

I nod. But I'm not done with the questions yet. There are so, so many.

"Did you tell your family that your husband was a dragon shifter?"

"Well, not at first, but they eventually found out. And boy, what a day that was!" she says with a wide grin. I find myself grinning in return. I realize that I like Eva a lot. Lex might look like his father, but he has inherited Eva's personality.

"What is it like, being married to a dragon shifter?"

"Like any other marriage, I suppose. We drive each other up the wall sometimes, but I can't imagine being married to anybody else. And there are definite perks in the bedroom. You know what I mean," she adds with a wink. I blush and smile.

"Now, do you want to call Lex and tell him you're here?" she asks with a kind smile.

"Yes."

I suddenly can't wait to see Lex.