My Baby Daddy Isn’t Human

The sterile scent of disinfectant lingered in the air, clinging to the white walls of the hospital hallway. Axel stood alone, his back pressed against the cold wall as the fluorescent lights flickered faintly above his head. The muffled sounds of nurses talking and the distant beeping of machines filled the long corridor, yet everything around him felt muted— like he was trapped in a bubble where only his heartbeat echoed in his ears.

Everything was a blur in his memory. One second, they were talking under the tree, and the next... Raelynn had turned deathly pale. The way her eyes fluttered closed before her body went limp haunted him. It all happened so fast — too fast.

His hands trembled slightly as he clasped them together in front of him, fingers lacing tightly as if he was making a silent prayer. He lowered his head, shutting his eyes.

"Please... please let her be okay..."

Axel couldn't remember the last time he felt fear like this — a fear that gnawed at his chest, making it hard to breathe. He hated it. He hated not knowing. He hated the waiting. But most of all, he hated how powerless he felt.

He clenched his jaw, trying to push away every dark thought that crept into his mind. No, she was going to be fine. It was probably nothing serious. Just fatigue. Maybe she hadn't eaten enough or hadn't gotten enough rest. Yes... that must be it.

Axel's eyes flicked towards the clock on the wall. The second hand ticked by slowly, making each passing moment feel like an eternity. His knee bounced restlessly against the floor. He had already snapped at the receptionist once, demanding to know what was taking so long — something so out of character for him. But he couldn't help it.

He never expected to feel this scared... not for someone else.

Finally, the sound of approaching footsteps pulled him from his spiraling thoughts. Axel's head snapped up as a doctor in a white coat walked towards him, holding a clipboard in one hand.

Axel quickly straightened, rushing forward. "Doctor! How is she? Is she okay?" His voice came out faster than he intended, breathless with worry.

The doctor held up a hand in a calming gesture. "Calm down, sir. She's stable now. It was just a case of fatigue— nothing life-threatening."

Axel's chest rose and fell heavily, letting out a shaky breath of relief. "Thank God..."

But the relief only lasted a second before doubt crept back in.

"But are you sure? There's nothing else wrong with her?" he pressed, his dark eyes searching the doctor's face for any hint of hesitation.

The doctor chuckled softly, scribbling something on the clipboard. "It's completely normal for pregnant women to experience dizziness and fatigue. Especially in the early stages."

Axel's entire body went rigid.

"...Pregnant?"

The word barely escaped his lips, like the air had been knocked out of his lungs. For a second, he thought he misheard. His heart skipped a beat— then another.

The doctor looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Yes, she's around two months along. Didn't your wife tell you?"

Axel's mouth parted slightly, but no sound came out. His mind was scrambling, trying to piece together what he just heard.

Wife? Pregnant? Two months?

His heart started pounding in his chest, louder than the beeping machines down the hall. His eyes flicked towards the closed door at the end of the corridor—the room where Raelynn was resting.

The doctor seemed to finally notice his confusion and cleared his throat awkwardly. "Ah... I see. Perhaps she hasn't told you yet. My apologies." He gave Axel a polite smile before turning away. "You can see her now—but she's still unconscious. Let her rest."

Axel barely registered the doctor's words before he walked away, leaving him frozen in place.

Pregnant...?

His mind reeled, the weight of the revelation crashing down on him like a tidal wave.

Raelynn was pregnant—all this time?

Axel swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. His feet felt heavy as he forced himself to walk down the hallway. His hand gripped the doorknob tightly before pushing it open.

Inside, the room was bring enough with the curtains drawn halfway. The soft sound of Raelynn's steady breathing filled the silence. She lay on the hospital bed, her face pale against the white pillow, her chest rising and falling slowly.

Axel's heart clenched at the sight of her.

He quietly pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. His dark eyes never left her face.

She looked... fragile.

Too fragile.

His gaze slowly drifted down to her stomach — the small curve barely noticeable beneath the thin hospital blanket.

Pregnant.

Axel bit the inside of his cheek, his mind racing.

Who was the father?

The question gnawed at him, burning in the back of his throat. He hated himself for even thinking about it—but he couldn't stop. He didn't know much about Raelynn's personal life... not really. They had always been friendly, but there were things she never talked about—secrets she kept hidden behind that gentle smile of hers.

He leaned back in the chair, dragging a hand through his messy hair before letting out a slow breath.

"What are you hiding, Raelynn...?"

His voice was barely a whisper, like he was afraid the walls might hear him.

Axel's eyes softened as he looked back at her peaceful face. Whatever it was... whoever the father was... it didn't change the fact that he was scared for her.

He reached out slowly, his fingers brushing against the back of her hand where the IV drip was taped down. His touch was gentle—barely there.

"You really are too kind for your own good..." he murmured, echoing the words he'd told her earlier.

A lump formed in his throat.

He didn't know what he was feeling right now—confusion, fear, anger... maybe even something more.

But one thing was certain.

He couldn't stand the thought of losing her.

Axel leaned back in the chair, his eyes locked on Raelynn's sleeping face.

And for the first time in a long time... Axel found himself praying again.