If You Asked Me To (UWOC)

Bonus Chapter

Thorn asked the Elders for permission to reprogram an old translator tablet in my written language. That way, I could read their books. I was sure they would say no, as that would give the dragonets technology, but to my surprise, their response was an overwhelming yes, because it would give them access to a dead language. They chose a tablet that worked in reverse, too, hoping I would write about the humans so they could have more details about the extinct race.

Thorn and I worked on the project for over a year before we were happy with the results. We decided to let the bonded dragonets have tablets if they wanted. Most refused, as they were comfortable just being bonded animals, but a few of the first generation missed reading and accepted happily. For the wild flock, the Kymari built a tiny treehouse and put three translators in it, protected from the weather and with batteries that would last about ten years. They planned to add new books to the devices every year, too. They only had a little fiction outside of children's books, but their nonfiction showing the evolution of the different races was interesting. I also enjoyed their medical books.

After completing the translator, I was allowed to work with Sebia. Her colleagues quickly got used to her talking out loud to me as she worked. That was typical with a bonded animal. My brain usually went in a different direction from theirs, too, which helped them with their work.

While this was my dream come true, everything stopped when Sebia got sick.

Thorn and I were beside ourselves, but she refused to seek medical care. She pushed our worries aside and would not listen. I checked her thoughts, and she refused to believe anything was wrong. However, her vomiting and fatigue were wearing her down.

"Please, Sebia. Let's get you checked out. You are scaring me." I sent my feelings along with my words. I knew she didn't like to see me upset, so I used that to my advantage. At that moment, I would have pulled any dirty trick I could.

"Sebia, I normally don't do this, but I will go over your head to our supervisors if you don't take the time to get well," Thorn threatened.

I could tell she was getting irritated, but if she got the medical help she needed, that was all that mattered.

"Alright. I will see the medical people in the morning," she said in a tone she rarely used. I leaned over and rubbed my nose against her cheek, thrumming loudly to show her how much I appreciated her doing that for us. She sighed and rubbed the itchy spot between my wings. I loved it when she did that.

I stayed on her shoulder the next day when she entered the clinic. There was no way I was leaving her unless they made me. My presence surprised the small group, especially since I hissed at most people if they got too close.

"Let me just run a quick scan, and we will also take some blood," a woman in a white lab coat said.

The male behind her took a step back from me. Tasha had put several Kymari in the hospital and even killed one when dragonets first became bonded animals, so most gave us a good-sized bubble of personal space. To be fair, those she injured had gone after her handler and his wife. We tended to be protective of those close to us.

"I see what's causing the stress on your body, Sebia. You're pregnant. Congratulations!" the woman exclaimed.

"I'm what?" Sebia was stunned at this revelation.

I knew she was not planning to have a child for another decade. It was unusual for Kymari to make a mistake of that magnitude.

"But I had my shot to prevent pregnancy," she said, a bit of wonder coming through.

"Our records show you were due for a new shot some time ago, but you did not come in to get it," the male read from the computer screen.

"I've been busy with a new formula we are creating to detect--" She stopped there because what we were working on was not common knowledge, and she knew she should not discuss it. "How far along am I?"

"About two lunar cycles. You still have six more to go. Here are some pills to keep you both healthy. They will also stop the symptoms you have been having. You may wish to limit your work days to a normal range now as well. If you don't, your child will keep those same hours," the woman suggested.

"Thank you," Sebia answered automatically. Her brain seemed to short-circuit.

Reaching out to Thorn for her was tempting, but I knew she would want to tell him herself. "Sebia?" I said with a questioning emotion, asking her if she needed anything. They were both used to how my feelings said more than my words.

"I'm okay, Basil. Just a bit stunned."

I did not doubt her words since she just answered me in front of others.

She turned back to the workers. "Thank you. I will be back soon for a full scan."

They nodded to her, and she left the clinic, walking toward the lab where she worked. It was too far to walk, but she needed time to process the event.

"How could I have forgotten that?" she said out loud. "We were not planning on having children yet."

"Are you happy about the baby?" I asked her. My powers were not giving me that answer, as her brain was too chaotic.

"There were many things we wanted to accomplish before having a child. I'm not sure if Thorn will be happy or sad. We agreed he would limit his work for the first year and I would the second, then continue that rotation until the child was out of school."

After another half a block, she continued.

"Since I was the one who forgot the shot, it's only fair I take the first year, but I'm in the middle of something important, and so is Thorn. He may be angry over this."

I could now feel her emotions escalating. She was getting upset.

"Sebia, tell him before you make yourself sick, and then work out the details. There is always the possibility you can hire someone to care for the child so you both can work."

"There is that. We put away all the extra funds we received for being your handlers. We could use that to hire someone. But at the same time, I would like to care for my own child. I wonder if they would let me bring the baby to work?" Her brain focused on that new idea, and her steps became quicker.

I finally asked the obvious question, as the lab building was several miles away. "Can we take a shuttle?"

She stopped and looked around, surprised at where we were. I chuckled through the mind link at her as she used her wrist com to call one.

Once we reached the lab, Thorn was waiting outside, pacing, and I guessed he had probably been doing that the entire time Sebia and I wasted while she walked out her surprise. He was relieved to see us.

"What did they say?" he asked as he approached us.

Sebia opened her mouth and then closed it, taking a deep breath before trying again. "I forgot to get my shot." Her voice faded a bit at the end. "I'm pregnant," she whispered.

Thorn was too stunned to react at first, but then his slow smile and hug said it all. "I'm going to be a father!" His excitement was contagious, and Sebia let out one of her rare smiles.

"You're not mad?" she questioned after a minute.

"Not at all. Our parents will be descending on us soon, though. And it is time to get a bigger house."

I had discussed with them before whether I would need to return to the park if they ever had children, and they had both vetoed that as fast as I said it. They wanted me to help raise their little one. Since I would never have my own children, I loved the idea.

"I'm going to be an uncle!"

They both smiled at me as I chirped out my joy. Life was good.

Correction–Life is good.

The end.

(Again)

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Thank you for reading my story and all the responses I've received. I hope you enjoyed it! I have two other book in this world, Imagine and The Morning Song. Be sure to add them to your reading lists!

A complete edit was done by katiegoesmew. Thank you Katie for all your hard work!