Chapter 27
The Voyager theater's tour through Ireland had concluded very successfully. Pjotr and his theater family were overjoyed their little performance group's fame had risen exponentially thanks to their latest addition.
Kate was the new star of the theater. Along with Nastya, the names Captain Kathryn Janeway and Nikolai Romanow could be heard all over the country from the smallest children to the elderly. The two main characters of the latest performance of the Voyager theater had won the hearts of the Irish in a storm.
Both Kate and Nastya were beyond glad their attire in the play was a perfect disguise that hid their actual appearances, allowing them to stay undetected. They had heard of other world-famous performers before who were unable to go anywhere without getting swarmed by their admirers and asked for autographs.
It was early morning and Kate was still asleep. Nastya, who was still concerned for her beloved's well-being, had decided to allow her to sleep longer. They were nearing Kate's hometown, Carbury, but Nastya didn't have it in her to wake the sleeping redhead.
Instead, she had started to prepare breakfast, brewing extra-strong coffee which her lover seemed to appreciate these days. Back in Russia when she'd been living in the streets, an elderly woman who often watched over Natascha had often brewed herself what she called mocha.
Anastasia had watched Olga preparing mocha countless times and these days she was thankful to have done so, the knowledge finally coming in handy.
The first time the blonde had brewed the mocha for Kate, the younger girl had been truly delighted. One could say, it had been love at the first swallow.
Nastya chuckled softly at the thought, amused by her own quirky sense of humor and her beloved's strange affinity for the bitter brew.
A groan could be heard coming from the bed, alerting the tall girl who had just been filling the younger's favorite mug with mocha.
Nastya smiled softly, walking over to the bed, sitting down next to Kate, thrusting out the mug in the redhead's direction before saying gently. “Good morning, my love. How are you feeling this morning? I was uncertain whether you had any appetite, so I did not prepare food as of now. Would you like to eat something, Kate?”
The lovers exchanged a sweet good morning kiss, Nastya lingering a moment longer, reluctant to part, but Kate gave off a displeased grunt which forced the blonde to recoil, after all.
The petite girl's brows were furrowed, another sound that Nastya this time was able to identify as a pained groan, leaving her, worrying the blonde. “I've felt better, Nastya... Thank you for the mocha and for being so sweet and considerate. I don't have any appetite at all, to be honest with you.
I'm feeling kinda n-”
Nastya blinked as the redhead quickly handed the mug back to her, rushing over towards the kitchen sink. The blonde was grateful that thanks to her past she was immune to being affected by hearing others retch.
Kate looked much like a ghost when she stumbled back over to the bed and Nastya was quick by her side, swiftly lifting the smaller girl up in her arms, carrying her there instead.
The blonde frowned as her beloved had started to cry again, another thing that seemed to occur quite frequently these days, pressing out. “W-what is wrong with me, Nastya? I must be sick. There's no other explanation for this state I'm in. I don't wanna die...”
Nastya, after gently depositing the petite girl on the bed, joined her there, wrapping her in a comforting embrace, whispering in her ear reassuringly. “You are not going to die, my love. I will not allow that to happen. Once we are going to be back in your hometown, we are going to consult a doctor and get to the bottom of this.
There must be a cure for your disease. I will not give up until we have found that cure. If necessary, I will conduct research myself and aid in your recovery.”
Kate, at last, took the first swallow of her mocha, sighing in content, an action that melted Nastya's heart. The younger woman would never cease to be amazed about that mug which miraculously kept the beverage hot until she took her first sip after which the temperature gradually cooled down but never to the point that her coffee was actually cold and stale only so much so that it was still consumable.
The redhead placed the mug down, nuzzling the long, elegant neck of her beloved, happily breathing in the comforting clean, slightly metal-tinged scent of the older girl. “Your mocha is truly delightful as always, my love. It really helps me functioning these days and stay alert. Without the aid of it, chances are I'd be climbing the walls in no time and lashing out at people for no reason.”
Nastya quirked one elegant blonde brow at this, remarking teasingly. “It is a good thing that I remembered how to brew that beverage then, my love. A wild Kate on the loose sounds truly terrifying. The mere thought makes me shiver in fear.”
Kate barked out a laugh at this, rolling her eyes playfully. “Yeah, yeah. You're making fun of it now, but believe me when I'm telling you that I can really get scary when I don't get my coffee or these days mocha in the morning. Phoebe is gonna testify that Nastya, having been subject to my death stare and wrath more times than I could count in the past and not always deservingly so.”
Nastya chuckled. “Not always, hm? In other words, there have been times in the past where she did deserve your scrutiny?”
Kate smiled sheepishly. “There clearly have been, yes. Believe it or not, they often were related to you and my attraction to you. Pheebs kept on teasing me about that from the first time I laid eyes on you. I didn't even have to say anything and she'd already started it. She clearly knew way before I had even the slightest clue.”
Nastya grinned and stated matter-of-factly. “I believe siblings have a sixth sense when it comes to these kinds of matters. Dee and Natascha may not be blood-related to me, yet we share a very strong bond regardlessly, and they certainly knew that there was more than a potential friendship in store for you and me more or less from the first time they met you and saw us interact with each other.”
Kate kissed the blonde's neck before biting down softly causing Nastya to growl and press the younger girl closer to her. The petite girl had just positioned on top of her lover when the trailer stopped. The lovers exchanged surprised looks, both bemused at what was going on.
That is until Nastya realized that they must've arrived back in her lover's hometown, the final stop of their journey.
The blonde muttered. “I believe we have arrived back in Carbury, my love.”
Kate gasped out, her eyes turning wide, a huge smile soon gracing those ethereal features. “We're home!”
Nastya could not help but mimic the younger girl's expression, her heart melting at the downright precious reaction of her beloved, whispering out. “Indeed, my love, indeed.”
Kate's cheeks turned crimson when it hit her, exclaiming. “Oh, my Gods! That means we are going to... get married soon.”
Nastya felt her own cheeks heat up at that remark, nodding slowly, coaxing out. “S-so it appears...”
Kate blinked rapidly at her lover's reaction, asking hesitantly. “Nastya, do you need more time? We don't have to rush things and get married right away if you're not ready...”
The blonde kissed her beloved hard on the lips, effectively silencing her rambling, husking out against the redhead's lips. “I do not require more time, my love. I am ready, anxious to get married to you, finally, be able to refer to you as my wife and get to see you in a wedding gown.”
Kate blushed once again, biting her lip, her own voice had turned dark and sensual, her vital functions, as Nastya noted to her delight, elevated, pupils dilated. “I'm very much looking forward to finally be able to call you my wife as well, Nastya, and get to see you in a wedding suit.”
The younger girl frowned. “Is it alright if I refer to you as my wife, or would you prefer for me to call you my husband instead, Nastya? Technically, you will be my husband, at least officially.”
Nastya's cheeks turned a pretty scarlet, muttering shyly. “I must admit that it does have a certain appeal having you call me your husband as opposed to your wife, Kate, although I am uncertain as to why that is.”
Kate beamed. “Well, I won't mind calling you my husband, my love. I also find it strangely endearing, daring in a sense. It's settled then. I think it's time for us to go outside and greet ma and pa. I'm sure they're waiting for us already.”
Just like Kate had rightfully deduced, her parents had already awaited the couple outside along with the rest of the Voyager theater. Edward, much to both Kate and Nastya's surprise, had stroke up a conversation with Pjotr, the two men completely engrossed talking about Lord knows what. Meanwhile, Gretchen was busy catching up with her younger sister and her fiancée.
The oldest Janeway woman who noticed her daughter and Nastya from her peripheral told Dee and Beverly. “Hold that thought, girls. I gotta go greet those two lovebirds over there. They sure took their sweet time leaving that trailer.”
Dee and Beverly exchanged a knowing look, the redhead blushing as her lover sneakily patted her behind, whispering in her ear. “I think I have a good idea what they might have done. Don't you, Bev?”
The taller woman coughed, her cheeks by now a pretty crimson that clashed with her hair color and pale complexion, rasping out. “Eh, well, yeah...”
Dee laughed gleefully, thoroughly enjoying her soon-to-be wife's downright adorable, flustered reaction, cooing. “My, agapiméni. I will never grow tired of your reactions to my teasing. Tell me, my beloved. Am I correct thinking you wish for me to...” Dee's tone turned downright sultry, voice lowered even further. “Use my magic on you, hm?”
Beverly by now was a mere flustered mess anymore, inwardly cursing both her traitorous body that was always reacting so strongly to her lover and the younger woman in general for being such a tease.
It came as no surprise that when Gretchen alongside Kate and Nastya joined them again remarked playfully. “You two seemed to have enjoyed yourselves while I was gone if my baby sis' flushed cheeks are anything to go by. Dee, you're just what Bev needed in her life. Before you came around, that one.”
She nudged her sister's shoulder. “She was always out there teasing others. It looks like she's finally found her match, someone who manages to tease her in turn. There's no doubt in my mind, that you two were made for each other. Just like my Katie and Nastya here.”
Kate and Nastya exchanged a loving glance at this, about to lean in for a kiss when Gretchen spoke up, her voice surprisingly firm, holding an impressive air of authority and command that allowed no backtalk. “Time to go home, dearies. Lunch won't cook itself, I'm afraid and you must all be hungry from your journey, right?”
Nastya immediately declared. “Allow me to assist you in preparing lunch, Gretchen. There are more mouths to feed today than usual with the Voyager family around.”
The oldest Janeway smiled and nodded in agreement. “You're right, dearie. Thank you for offering to help me. It sure feels great finally having someone who knows how to cook in this family. As much as I love my daughters to bits, the fact that they can't cook is truly a shame.”
Kate puffed her cheeks, shooting a glare in her mother's direction, stating huffily. “It's not my fault that I can't cook, ma! I've tried a thousand times, as you're aware, but my attempts always turned out to be disastrous for reasons that elude me...”
Gretchen ruffled her daughter's hair gently, an action which made Kate whine out in frustration, the redhead not enjoying having her hairdo messed up, telling her sincerely. “I wasn't trying to pass judgment, Katie. I'm aware that everyone's talents lie in different areas and your talents for farm work, as well as creative endeavors, are truly unique and invaluable.
However, I won't let you anywhere near my stove anymore, knowing full-well the risks doing so poses.”
Nastya snorted out a laugh at her soon-to-be mother-in-law's last remark. The other women soon joining in, the blonde's laughter infectious as per usual.
The group had before long arrived at the Janeway farm, Kate exclaiming merrily. “Home, sweet home!”
Gretchen, Edward, and Phoebe Janeway exchanged glances at that unexpected remark, all three soon smiling knowingly. Phoebe wore a smug smirk.
'Interesting. Looks like all it took for sis to wanna settle down was the prospect of getting married to a certain tall blonde. Guess I won't have to worry about leaving the farm anymore once I'll be old enough then, seeing as how those two will seemingly take care of tending to it once ma and pa won't be able to do so any longer, after all.
I wonder if Tascha would agree to go see the world alongside me once we'll be old enough.'
Kate shot a weird look in her little sister's direction, the younger girl visibly spacing out.
'Hu looks like for once it's her, not me who's spacing out. Well, well, well. What's your deal, Phoebe Janeway? Is she hitting puberty already? Heavens, please tell me that's not the case! She's far too young for that still. Or is she? There's probably another explanation for her odd behavior. Hopefully, there is...'
Kate inwardly shivered at the thought of a hormone-driven Phoebe with pimpled face throwing temper tantrums and banging doors shut after arguments with her older sister and parents, slacking off in school as well.
Nastya frowned in concern, carefully asking her beloved. “Kate, are you well? You require rest. Allow me to bring you up to your room.”
Kate blinked, the blood rushing to her cheeks as she suddenly found herself lifted up by a familiar set of strong arms and was carried upstairs to her bedroom by a certain blonde. The younger girl's protests were weak, her fatigue and a fresh wave of nausea forcing her to keep her mouth shut, afraid to otherwise have a very unpleasant accident happening.
Getting carried by her lover, as enjoyable as it typically was, today merely served to increase her nausea and overall dizziness, the slight rocking motion making Kate feel quite seasick.
The redhead sighed out in relief once her back hit the mattress, feeling much as if she'd just completed a marathon.
Nastya asked, her voice now even more concerned. “Kate, are you experiencing nausea again? Your face appears rather... green, please excuse my saying so. It is not meant as an insult, but a mere fact...”
Kate wanted to hide under a rock, deeply humiliated and quite frustrated as well.
'Just why the hell do I have to experience this random nausea these days? It's so frustrating! Guess it's about time I go see a doctor...'
The redhead sighed heavily, muttering. “I do feel like crap too, so it only makes sense that I look accordingly. As much as I love getting carried by you, it made me feel quite seasick today and increased nausea and dizziness. Just what is wrong with me, Nastya? I'm scared, terrified, in fact...”
The blonde felt as if someone had rammed a dagger in her chest, hearing her lover experiencing fear made her afraid in return, yet she knew she had to stay strong for the sake of both of them, be the rock her lover could lean on. “Kate, you will be alright. I am certain of that. You simply require rest.
Our journey was quite long and strenuous, so were the last few weeks, our tour through your home country.
I will get you a bucket, so you can relieve yourself, shall nausea grow too strong again and I will prepare a bowl with cold water and a washcloth as well which you can use to cool yourself down if you shall begin to perspire again and feel hot. Perhaps, I shall also prepare a pitcher with water and get a glass. You require lots of hydration as well to counteract nausea, my love.”
Kate's heart warmed at the older girl's compassion and loving care.
She pecked her lover on the lips, smiling softly. “That would be great. Thank you, my love. I don't know what I would do without you. I love you so much.”
Nastya smiled and nuzzled the redhead, happily breathing her in, murmuring into the luscious copper hair. “It is my pleasure, Kate. I love you more than anything, you are the center of my universe, the epitome of perfection. I know that were the roles reversed you would act similarly.”
Kate nodded right away. “Of course, I would, my love. I couldn't bear seeing you suffer. I'm so sorry for forcing you to see me like this, worrying you because of my health...”
Nastya's expression hardened her tone firm. “Kate, it is not your fault. Please stop blaming yourself for your condition. You did not choose to be sick. I do not enjoy you blaming yourself for something that is beyond your control.
You will recover in due time with my assistance and care. I assure you of that, my love. Do not be afraid. We will find the cause and a cure for your illness.”
A month had passed by and the double wedding had been delayed indefinitely because of Kate's decreasing state. Everyone was worried sick for the young woman who was bound to the bed, for the most part, all life seeming to have been sucked out of her, those once brilliant blue eyes had dulled and turned a slate-gray, formerly luscious copper curls sticking to her head, hanging down limply, the color had lost its brilliance, even her freckles had paled and almost become invisible due to having been stuck indoors for the most part.
Another thing the young woman had noticed to her concern and chagrin but which she mainly assigned to being more or less immobile for a good month was the fact that she had gained weight. Her formerly flat, toned stomach had distended outwards and on top of that, her breasts had grown larger as well. The young woman didn't mind the latter so much as she did the fact that her belly in her own eyes made her look like a beached whale.
Nastya and she had not been sharing the bed ever since the day they'd gotten back from their tour through Ireland anymore. The blonde had more or less been kicked out of her fiancée's bed which had formerly been their shared bed, the younger woman stating that she felt icky and was unable to share a bed what with constant nausea and having to throw up at random times even during the night, as well as use the restroom.
Needless to say, the lovers had not made love in a long time, Nastya not even daring to touch her lover anymore, having tried doing so almost a month ago only to be clawed at by a furious Kate.
The redhead felt absolutely miserable and like the worst lover, deeming her own attitude insufferable, yet she could simply not bear being seen in this state, let alone touched by Nastya, afraid of the disgust she was sure would be plain to see in those ice-blue orbs of hers at the sight of her changed body.
'And heavens forbid I'd come up with nausea again while making love to her.'
Kate had a hard time not retch again at the mere thought of that.
The day had finally arrived that the local doctor paid the Janeway farm a visit to take a look at Edward and Gretchen's eldest daughter. Nastya, despite knowing full well how her lover did not appreciate her presence in her bedroom these days, had insisted to be there today and offer moral support and comfort to her beloved, aware how Kate was by no means fond of the doctor and getting examined.
Doctor Kelly was a middle-aged man of rather short stature with a balding head and an ego that betrayed his height.
Nastya immediately understood why Kate was not exactly fond of the man the moment he entered the room, head held high, tone far too cheery, voice nasal and arrogant. “Now, what do we have here? If it isn't Katie Janeway, by far my worst patient. How are we feeling today, hm?”
Kate's expression hardened, shooting her infamous death stare in the obnoxious medical professional's general direction, tone icy. “I don't know how you are feeling, doctor, but I feel like crap and frankly, seeing you does not exactly improve my state, or alleviate my nausea.”
The doctor blinked, his cheeks turning pink, taking a step back, stuttering out. “Eh, well... About that nausea. Could you perhaps tell me when you have first experienced it, Kate?”
Nastya took her lover's hand into hers, squeezing the small hand reassuringly.
Kate sighed and stated. “I have first experienced it one and a half months ago.”
The doctor nodded, tone pensive. “I see. Was there any event that you could think of that could stand in connection to that?”
The redhead frowned, having pondered that same question seemingly countless times in the past, shaking her head. “I can't think of anything of the sort, to be honest. We had been touring the country at the time, but that can hardly be the reason for the decrease of my state.
Can it, doctor?”
The doctor tapped his chin in thought. “Not necessarily, no. I'm curious. Are there any other symptoms that you are experiencing apart from nausea, Kate, and if so when having those symptoms first occurred?”
Kate answered him hesitantly. “Apart from nausea, I'm also suffering from dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite, and...”
Her eyes fell on Nastya who still sat by her side, their hands still entwined, the older girl not at all seeming willing to leave her lover's side anytime soon.
The doctor prodded carefully. “And?”
Kate sighed, her cheeks turning crimson, her embarrassment brutally audible in her tone. “And I have gained weight... That despite not having been able to keep my food down or even eat much altogether these days. I'm sure that has to do with the fact that I've barely ever left my bed in the past month...”
Both the doctor and Nastya frowned at the young woman's words.
Doctor Kelly asked gently. “Might you tell me where exactly you have gained weight, Kate? Is it that you overall have put on a few pounds, or are there specific parts of your body to which the weight gain is limited? Your face does not look much different than the last time I've seen you, so I would've not guessed that you've gained weight simply by seeing you like this.”
Nastya had to agree, her worry increasing. 'Why did she not tell me about this? Does she not trust me? Was she afraid of my reaction?'
The blonde's heart ached at those thoughts. She had hoped that her lover trusted her enough and knew her well enough to be aware that she could share those kinds of matters with her without having to be ashamed.
Kate, at last, spoke up, her tone almost inaudible, deeply humiliated having to share that kind of intimate information with the doctor and afraid for her fiancée's reaction. “I... I have mainly gained weight on my midsection and... my breasts seem to have grown in size as well...”
Both the doctor and Nastya looked at her slack-jawed, a fact the young woman was fortunately unaware of due to her eyes being fixed on the blanket, too afraid of Nastya's reaction was she that she could not face her, similar things going for the doctor, albeit for a whole other reason, the man giving her the creeps.
Doctor Kelly asked gently. “Kate, would it be alright with you if I would examine you? I have a certain suspicion as to what the cause for your symptoms might be, but to confirm that, I have to take a look at your stomach.
Of course, I will not do anything without your consent. Would you allow me to examine you? I promise to be careful and not cause you any further discomfort.”
Kate sighed heavily in defeat, tone dejected. “Very well, doctor. I guess it's the least I can do to allow you to examine me. That is, after all, the main reason you came here in the first place.”
The redhead swallowed, her cheeks turning crimson, muttering. “Nastya... Could you please wait outside while the doctor is going to perform his examination?”
Nastya frowned, very reluctant to leave her lover behind, especially during the examination which she knew would be especially tough for the younger woman, yet she could sense that Kate her good reasons for not wanting her around and got up, making way for the door. “I will be right outside the door shall you need me, Kate.”
The redhead smiled softly at her lover, feeling torn between allowing her to stay, after all, or going through with her initial plan of having her leave her and the doctor to it.
The fear of rejection from the older woman, in the end, outwon and she simply nodded in confirmation. “Alright. Thank you, Nastya. I will call you back in once the examination is over.”
Nastya found herself pacing up and down the hallway, impatiently waiting for the examination to conclude and to be allowed back inside.
'What is taking them so long? I have half a nerve to eavesdrop on their conversation. No, this would be wrong. What they are discussing there falls under doctor-patient-confidentiality and I am certain that Kate had her reasons for not wishing for me to stick around during the examination.
Still, her behavior earlier was quite curious and out of character. Is she truly afraid that I would be repulsed by her weight gain? I could never be repulsed by her, disgusted by her, no matter how much weight she might gain. She will always be the most beautiful, perfect woman in the whole wide world for me. Her figure and body type are irrelevant.
Yet, she appears to be of a different opinion there. It is her who is experiencing insecurities, lack of self-esteem and those things cause her to act irrationally and assume my reactions based on her own. Oh, Kate. I had never thought her to be the type to be insecure, self-conscious, but apparently I was fooled by her overall personality and outward confidence.'
The blonde snapped out of her musings by the sound of her lover's voice calling out from inside her bedroom, sounding... 'off'. “Nastya, you can come back inside!”
Nastya felt a sense of dread gnawing at her heart, something telling her that there might be bad news. When she reentered the room and saw Kate's tear-stricken face, her worst assumptions seemed to be confirmed.
That's until the doctor spoke up, tone astonished and... giddy? “I have great news and fascinating news. Which would you like to hear first?”
The blonde blinked rapidly, deeply irritated by the physician's words, answering hesitantly. “I would like to hear the great news first, doctor.”
The balding man nodded, stating. “Very well. Kate is perfectly healthy.”
Nastya's eyes widened in disbelief, asking incredulously. “If she is perfectly healthy then what about her state, doctor? Explain!”
The man chuckled at the blonde's reaction, answering cheerfully. “That is the part where the fascinating news comes into play. Kate's state is perfectly normal for someone in her condition-”
Nastya interrupted. “What do you mean 'her condition', doctor? I thought she was healthy, yet why did you declare that she is suffering from a medical condition?”
The doctor rolled his eyes, telling the young woman patiently. “If you would have allowed me to further explain, you would know that when I said condition I was referring to Kate being pregnant, something which is by no means an everyday thing for a human body, especially not for Kate's, seeing as how this is her first time experiencing this truly fascinating phenomenon.”
Nastya felt her knees grow weak, her world crashing down on her.
'She is... pregnant. That means she must have... Been intimate with a man... Why? When? Kate has... cheated on me with a man...'
The blonde sank down to the floor, her legs finally giving in, sobs rattling her body when the reality of the situation sank in. The imagination of her lover, her fiancée sleeping with someone else, let alone a male, too much to bear for the blonde who already found herself in a fragile state these days, having suffered alongside Kate these past few weeks ever since the first symptoms had begun.
Now it all made perfect sense. The sudden waves of nausea that she had once read in one of the Doctor's medical books back at the facility in Russia were known as morning sickness, fatigue, mood swings, loss of appetite, insomnia, emotional instability, and dizziness being typical signs for an early pregnancy. That combined with the younger woman's weight gain, especially on her belly and breasts, as well as back pains leaving no doubt that Doctor Kelly's diagnosis was correct.
Kate whispered out, tears streaming down her own cheeks, the sight of her crestfallen lover breaking her heart. “N-Nastya?”
The blonde swallowed, her tone suddenly harsh, accusing. “You have cheated on me, Kate! How could you? I have done everything for you, opened myself up to you, given my everything to you, trusted you and you?
Was it only a game for you? Was it fun fooling around with me while meeting with a man behind my back? Am I merely an adventure to you, Kate? Was this never real to you?
Were you lying when you told me that you loved me back, wanted to get married to me, lead a life with me? Am I repulsing you?”
Kate's eyes shot wide open with shock, her jaw tightening.
The redhead balled her fist and in a surprisingly firm tone that could have made hell freeze stated. “How dare you accuse me of being a cheater, betraying you, sleeping around, playing with you? What are you taking me for? I have never once even thought of another while I was with you, let alone been with someone else!
I love you, damn it, that was never a lie, empty words and I do want to spend the rest of my days with you, grow old and gray with you, but if you don't trust me then I guess that won't be possible and the wedding's officially canceled. Trust is imminent in every relationship, but even more so in a marriage.
So, if you can't trust me then by God, be on your merry way and go look for another lover, because I can't have you constantly be suspicious of my motives and feelings for you...”
Nastya swallowed hard, the tears not wanting to cease spilling down from her already very red and puffy eyes, her throat feeling awfully raw and tight, her left chest right where her heart sat aching painfully, a profound sense of loss settling in there. She knew she had messed this up, big time.
How could she ever reassure Kate that she did trust her and the reason for her accusation had stemmed from her own insecurities combined with the shock of hearing that unexpected news presented to her in such a nonchalant manner by the doctor rather than her actually believing her lover could have cheated on her, slept with a man, used and betrayed her, played her even?
To her surprise, it was Doctor Kelly who cut in, desperate to diffuse the tension in the air, speaking up to her. “I am quite curious. Kate and you are obviously lovers, intimate partners and were even about to get married to each other. However, you are a woman as well. Correct me if I'm wrong there.”
Nastya felt her cheeks heat up, muttering embarrassingly. “You are correct, doctor. I am a woman as well. However, I have lived under a male guise from a young age on, mainly to be able to find work easier in my home country, Russia.”
The doctor nodded in understanding. “So, I see. Tell me, have you always felt attracted to females? Or is Kate an exception?”
The blonde was growing impatient and frustrated with the man's interrogation, her tone harsh. “Is there a purpose for this interrogation of yours, doctor? For all I know, my sexual orientation is irrelevant and should not matter to you. Are you by any chance a homophobe?”
The doctor's cheeks turned bright red, coughing at the young woman's blunt words, the hurt obvious in his tone. “I am by no means a homophobe, young lady! Actually quite the contrary. I had a good reason for asking you those questions.
That reason being that if Kate as she has stated various times and convincingly so that she has never once slept with a man, you being the only person she was ever intimate with, who is the father of the child? How has Kate ended up in the state she is in? Who has impregnated her?
I am by no means accusing either Kate of lying to both of us, or accusing you of hiding the fact that you actually are male and hence very much capable of being the father of Kate's child.
However, if both those things that I have last stated do not apply, Kate had told the truth and so have you, the two of you are female and you have been Kate's sole intimate partner...”
Nastya felt herself grow lightheaded once more, finishing the doctor's sentence for him, breathing out, voice shaky. “Am I the father of the infant Kate is carrying?”
The doctor nodded slowly, tone pensive. “Exactly.” He bit his lip and asked cautiously. “Anastasia. I hate having to ask this of you, but... Would it be alright for me to examine you as well? Perhaps, take a few probes which I am going to take with me to my lab and analyze?”
The blonde's eyes widened in panic, a shriek leaving her lips. “Nooo! No, no, no! No more examinations! I am not a lab rat!”
The young woman in her panic had without her noticing it fallen back into her native tongue of Russian again and was frantically backing away, trying to shield herself from an oncoming attack, covering her arms so as not to be able to be sedated.
The doctor frowned at the sight, deep concern for the young woman's state causing him to grow hesitant and wary. He could not help but wonder just what this young woman had been forced to endure in her young life that had made her grow so terrified of examinations.
Kate, without either the doctor or Nastya's noticing, had forced herself out of bed and approached the older woman, wrapping her arms around her gently, cradling her, and whispering words of reassurance in her ear. Nastya, at last, came back to the here and now, blinking at the sight of Kate so close to her.
The blonde's cheeks heated up, her vital functions picking up, unused to the close physical contact with the younger woman anymore. “Kate?”
The redhead, to her utter astonishment, smiled brilliantly, kissing her hard on the lips.
Nastya felt herself grow lightheaded again, this time for a whole other reason, growling lowly, possessively. “Mine.”
Kate licked her lips, her cheeks flushed, pupils dilated, eyes having turned an alluring midnight blue, the scent of her arousal tickling Nastya's nostrils.
The doctor hated to interrupt the young lovers' reunion, yet felt much like a third wheel and out of place.
On top of that, the man hated feeling ignored. “Ehem. Ladies, please excuse my interrupting you, but... I was not finished here. Anastasia, about that examination...”
Kate shot a glare that rivaled that of Medusa in his direction, her tone icy. “There will not be any examination, doctor. My fiancée is terrified of doctors, as you might have already noticed and I will not allow her to have to go through an examination which could potentially trigger very painful traumatic memories.
Can't you simply ask her questions instead?”
The doctor nodded hesitantly. “I can attempt to do that. However, by doing that alone, chances are that the results will be inaccurate, inconclusive...”
To both their surprise, Nastya stated in a surprisingly strong voice. “I will allow it. Let us begin the examination, doctor. What do you wish for me to do?”