Chosen Legacy (Book Five of the Chosen Universe)

Chapter Twenty-Six

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

ELOISE
She woke up nauseous and dizzy. Eloise wasn't a fan of vomiting, but she couldn't stop herself from getting sick. She was surprised when Lady Eleanor opened up the door and silently moved her hair aside as Eloise continued to get sick.

"Easy now," Lady Eleanor said soothingly.

When Eloise finally felt better, Lady Eleanor helped her to her feet and cleaned her up. "Ugh..." Eloise mumbled. "Thanks, Lady Eleanor. Sorry about upchucking like that... Maybe it's a delayed reaction to being stuck outside of the time line while dying for several millennia." She smiled apologetically.

Lady Eleanor looked concerned. "Eloise, dear..." She began. Then, she seemed to change her mind about whatever she'd intended to say. "Come. I'll give you some crackers and make some tea to soothe your stomach."

"Actually, oddly, I'm craving the heck out of pancakes and bacon... Do we have any?" Eloise asked.

"Of course, dear. I'll make you some breakfast."

"Oooh, and strawberries! I need strawberries in my life right now! And maybe some ice cream... Jeez, why am I starving?"

Lady Eleanor's expression turned unreadable as she led Eloise downstairs. Once there, she began cooking before excusing herself to make a phone call. Eloise savored the smell of the frying bacon until she returned. As Lady Eleanor set a plate in front of Eloise, she hesitated before sitting down with her.

Eloise immediately dug into her breakfast. "Eloise... I just spoke to Sage," she said.

"Did they have any luck with Liza yet?" Eloise asked between bites of food.

"Unfortunately, no, but that's not why I called her. I had my suspicions she could answer a question for me, considering she healed you when you arrived here."

"What question?" Eloise asked as she munched on a piece of bacon like she'd never eaten food before in her life.

"Eloise, dear... Before Zell tried to kill you, did you have any nausea, fatigue, or dizziness?"

"No, not that I can think of..." Eloise paused. "Is something wrong with me?" She thought of a million different health issues that might have been caused by eternally dying outside of the time line for millennia.

"Not precisely..." Lady Eleanor began. She offered up a small smile as she added, "Congratulations, Eloise... You and Jeirmi are going to be parents."

Eloise's mouth dropped open. She closed it quickly, trying to swallow the food she'd shoveled in before hearing those words and nearly choking. "I'm sorry, we're what?" She asked.

"You're pregnant, Eloise. Sage detected the baby as she healed you and she saved you both. She was waiting to tell you until you and Jeirmi had a chance to adjust to being here."

Eloise stared at her in disbelief. "Holy moly..." She mumbled. She touched her stomach. "You must be one tough kid, Little One..." She'd barely survived Zell's attack. It seemed impossible that she hadn't miscarried, if only from blood loss and trauma.

A new thought occurred to her. "Holy horsefeathers... How am I supposed to tell Jeirmi this right now?" She asked. She stared at her food, unable to process the news that she was honest-to-God knocked up and they were in the middle of the fight of their lives.

"Eat, dear," Lady Eleanor said gently. "You need your strength."

"Right... Everything is copacetic..." Eloise tried to convince herself. "It's Jake."