The Experimental Mate (in editing process)

Strawberry

I'm not sure when Jay moved us back to bed. Oakley is laying in her teddy pajamas between Jay and I while Jay's arms are wrapped around both of us. I smile, wishing I could reach my phone to take a picture. I sighed, looking down to my stomach where Oakley's hand rested.

It's strange that I didn't throw up last night. Not once, the nausea wasn't present. I let my hand rest on Oakley's over my stomach for a few moments before gently and very carefully moving her hand. I should probably put her in bed, but they look peaceful...

I really want hot chocolate so hot chocolate I shall get. Walking downstairs, I smiled when Archie and Bubba began running circles around me and trying to jump up.

"Good morning, sweet boys." I whisper, suppressing a laugh when Bubba jumps on Archie and gets his leg caught. Moving to the kitchen, I smiled at Gracie who sat by the window, wagging her tail. I leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead before opening the door. Immediately, it was like a stampede of paws running out the door. Shaking my head, I closed the door with a shiver. It's getting closer to winter. Halloween's right around the corner and the leaves are beginning to fall from the trees. It's beautiful.

"Goodmorning." I shrieked, grabbing my heart and turning with the closest thing to me which was a broom. Lane stood with a sheepish smile, waving while staring at the broom. Sighing, I set it down and gave a gentle smile.

"Good morning. What're you doing up?" I ask, turning to the coffee machine. We bought little pods of hot chocolate. I can't put milk in the coffee machine, so I just use water.

"Couldn't sleep." He mumbled, sitting down.

"Can you make me one too?" His voice was quiet, and he seemed lost in his own thoughts. I still need to ask him about himself... Grabbing another mug, I wait for mine to finish before putting his under. Mine was first, my mug is mine. It has books all over it and I love it. His mug is red. I'm probably selfish for not letting him use my mug but this is done now anyways. I grabbed both of them and walked over to sit beside him.

He grabbed his and began sipping on it. I would do the same, but I need it to cool down first. I glanced at him, wondering how to go about this. How do I even begin to ask?

"Do the others know?" I hum, taking a small sip of my sweet hot chocolate.

"Yeah, Luke's been sleeping in my room to help with the nightmares." He mumbled and for the second time, I noticed his eyebags. This time they seem worse. They're dark purple now... It has been almost a week or two since that's happened.

"No." I state, looking at my coffee.

"Do they know about you..." I didn't finish not wanting to assume. It's really none of my business and if I'm wrong than it could hurt him and make things awkward.

"Know what?" He was staring intensely at me now, trying to search my face and eyes for something.

"That you're a little... fruity." I didn't know how else to say it and the way he's just staring at me makes me want to hide in a corner. There was silence for a long time. Way too long so I stood up and grabbed my hot chocolate.

"I'm sorry." I mumble, fixing to leave the room but he grabbed my arm. When I turned to look at him, he looked relieved but panicked at the same time.

"How'd you figure out?" His voice was quiet, and he looked wide awake now. I stared at him in shock. He is! I was right! Smiling, I laughed softly.

"It was just a feeling. Does anyone else know?" I ask, sitting back down beside him. He quickly shook his head before he looked upset.

"If... If you don't want me here, I under-" Before he could finish, I smacked a hand over his mouth with a soft glare.