The Lion’s Cross Species Baby

I’m going back to the dig for another week, maybe two. Then I’ll come here and stay in a hotel for the rest of the pregnancy.

LEAH: I think you should stay in Rio for the ENTIRE pregnancy, just to be safe. Shifter pregnancies go so quickly. Complications could arise and you’d never be able to make it to the doctor.

ANNIE: The doctor said I should be ok for two weeks. I have just a few more things to work on out there. If I get done earlier than planned, then I’ll come back to town.

LEAH: All right, but be extra cautious. As soon as you get back to Rio, I want you to contact me. In the meantime, rather than staying in a hotel for so long, I’ll do some research and find an apartment or something to rent for you.

ANNIE: You don’t have to do that, but I have to admit, I’d much rather stay somewhere other than a hotel.

LEAH: Do you want me to come down there?

ANNIE: NO! You have Chloe to take care of. I’m a grown woman and got myself into this mess. I’ll handle it. As soon as the baby is born and he can fly, we’ll head back to the US.

LEAH: So have you told Cooper?

ANNIE: Not yet. I will this evening or tomorrow. He’s walking into the Starbucks, so I have to go. Give Chloe a big kiss for me and say hello to Mark. I’ll contact you as soon as I get back to Rio. I love you!

LEAH: Love you too. Good luck with Cooper!

Cooper swooped over and kissed her on the lips, hugging her tight before releasing her. He pointed at her cup and asked, “You need anything?”

Annie shook her head. “No thanks, I’m still working on this one.”

“Give me a minute to order,” he called as he walked up to the barista and ordered, flirting outrageously with her.

Annie rolled her eyes when she saw him pointing at her while speaking to the woman. When he returned to their table, she asked, “What did you say to the barista?”

“Oh just that I was with you so I couldn’t go home with her after her shift,” Cooper claimed as he added sugar to his coffee.

Annie’s eyes narrowed. “You’re lying.”

Cooper’s eyes widened in a picture of angelic innocence. “Annie, my sweet, I would never lie. That woman wanted a taste and I told her that was out of the question.”

Annie laughed loudly, holding her sides. “A taste? You are the most arrogant man I’ve ever known!”

“You went to college, so I know that’s not true,” he replied, pointing at her. He stirred his coffee and hummed a little tune before continuing. “So, what did the doctor say?”

Annie looked away, using the task of wrapping her laptop power cord as an excuse not to look at him. She’d decided on a story to tell him for now; she’d tell him the truth in the next day or two. She was afraid he would try to leave her here in Rio if he knew she was pregnant, and she didn’t want that.

“I have some kind of virus, just like you predicted,” she lied, staring hard at the cord as she wound it around itself.

Cooper gestured to the paper bag next to her laptop bag. “Did he give you medicine?”

“Um, yeah. Some kind of antibiotics and some anti-nausea stuff.” Finished with her cord, she focused on shutting down the laptop and putting it in her bag.

“Did he say how long you would feel bad?”

“No,” she replied and changed the subject. “So, is it time for lunch yet? I’m starved.”