Between Shadow & Ruin (Fangs & Fae Saga Book 2)

eighty-four.

The next morning, I felt Val get out of bed to use the bathroom, shower, and get ready for a day of teaching. I heard Zane doing the same down the hall. I heard the twins' alarm go off and Zane go into their rooms to get them out of bed. I rolled over in bed, turning my back to the bathroom door. I felt Val's hand touch my shoulder.

"You still taking Odie out today?" she asked softly. I groaned and nodded. "You okay?"

"...Yeah. I just don't feel well, I guess."

"What is it?"

"I feel nauseous. And the baby keeps kicking me in the ribs." I felt my eyes water – I quickly wiped the tears.

"Oh, honey..." Val said, coming around to the other side of me. "It's okay..." She rubbed my arm.

"I don't even know why I'm crying."

"Hormones," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "I cried a lot with the twins. Did you want me to make you some tea to help with the nausea?" I nodded again. Val kissed my forehead and tied her robe closed around her. I heard her talking to Zane downstairs as she made the tea for me and Zane started coffee and a quick breakfast for the kids.

A few minutes later, she came back in with the cup of tea. I forced myself to sit up and wipe the tears off my face. Val handed me the cup, and another wave of nausea hit. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, waiting for it to pass. I pulled the cup to my lips and took a small sip hoping it would help. We were silent for a minute as I sipped the tea Val had taken care to make not too sweet for me.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, brushing my hair back.

"Bette – nope!" I said, shoving the cup at her and pushing her out of my way to run to the bathroom. I just barely made it to the toilet in time as I vomited last night's food. I heaved again and then sat back on my heels as I started crying again.

"Liz!" Val said, rushing into the bathroom. "Maybe you should stay home and rest. You can always take Odie out later – he'll understand."

"No..." I said, wiping my mouth. "I'm fine. I feel better now, honestly. I think whatever you guys made last night just didn't sit right..."

"What were you two going to do today?"

"I'm not sure now. I was going to ask him what he wanted to do." Val helped me off the floor and to the sink as I brushed my teeth. The nausea was less so, but still there as I turned the water on for a shower. I groaned as I took my shirt off and looked at myself in the mirror – I understood where Val came from now when she said she didn't feel sexy anymore. I absolutely didn't feel attractive, and I looked away from the mirror with tears in my eyes again, for maybe the fifth time that morning. I stepped in the shower after undressing and let the water hit my body, the warm water surrounding me felt nice.

I felt pressure in my lower abdomen again and I stifled a moan as I had to hold myself up against the wall until it subsided. I took a few deep breaths and rubbed my belly with my other hand trying to alleviate the pain.

After a few minutes, I could hear Odie getting up now and decided I'd had a long enough shower and was feeling less nauseous. I pulled on a pair of leggings and a t-shirt and brushed my hair back into a ponytail before heading downstairs. Val handed me a fresh cup of tea – Odie was finishing his cereal when I sat down next to him.

"So, where would you like to go today?" I asked him.

"Hm? You didn't plan it?" he asked, confused.

"Well, I had something planned, but I'm not feeling too well, so unfortunately I think we should stay close by."