My Baby Daddy Isn’t Human

Raelynn lay on the examination table, the soft padding beneath her offering a bit of comfort. The room was sterile yet comfortable, painted in muted tones of blue and white. A machine hummed softly in the background, its monitor glowing faintly with information that only Zake and Sloane seemed to understand. Her hands rested on her stomach, her fingers occasionally fidgeting as she tried to keep calm.

Elion stood nearby, his hands in his pockets. His sharp eyes, however, never strayed far from Raelynn. Sloane leaned against the counter, her arms crossed and her expression mildly skeptical as she watched Zake prepare for the check-up.

Zake walked over with a calm smile. "Alright, let's take a look." He pulled on a pair of gloves and gently placed his hands on her abdomen. "Tell me if anything feels uncomfortable."

Raelynn nodded, her eyes flickering between Zake and Elion. "Okay."

Zake pressed lightly on her stomach, his face calm but focused. "So far, everything feels as expected for this stage," he murmured. "Your uterus is starting to expand, which is a good sign."

Raelynn exhaled softly, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "That's good, right?"

"Very good," Zake confirmed, giving her a small smile. "No signs of tenderness or abnormalities. Have you noticed any unusual symptoms since our last visit? Any discomfort, spotting, or changes in appetite?"

Raelynn shook her head. "Not really. I mean, I'm more tired than usual, and I get queasy in the mornings, but I think that's normal."

"That's very normal," Zake assured her, jotting down a note in her chart. "Your body is going through a lot of changes. Fatigue and nausea are common, but if either becomes severe, let me know immediately."

Elion's brows furrowed slightly. "And if it does become severe? What then?"

Zake shot him a quick look, staying cool and collected. "We'll address it. Right now, she's doing fine, but I'll monitor her closely, especially since her general health needs careful attention. It's always better to be cautious."

Sloane straightened, her skeptical gaze still on Zake. "What about the supplements? Are you sure they're appropriate for her condition?"

"They're tailored to her needs," Zake replied without missing a beat. "But I welcome your input, Dr. Laurent. Reviewing them won't hurt."

Sloane rolled her eyes but gave a curt nod. "I'll go over the list later."

Raelynn raised an eyebrow, glancing between Sloane and Zake, who were now discussing supplements with the kind of professionalism that felt entirely out of place given their earlier bickering. She couldn't help herself; the words slipped out before she could think better of it.

"Oh, so now you're not bickering?" she asked.

The two doctors stopped talking and stared at her like she'd just interrupted something important.

"I mean, don't mind me," Raelynn continued, waving a hand dismissively. "It's just fascinating to see this sudden transformation."

Zake's lips twitched, clearly trying to suppress a grin, while Sloane's nostrils flared ever so slightly. "We're here to ensure your well-being."

He chuckled, stepping back as he tossed his gloves aside, "Only because we care."

"Right," Raelynn said, crossing her arms. "Just letting you know that if this miraculous teamwork lasts, I might actually start believing I'm in good hands. Carry on."

Raelynn felt herself relax, thankful for how professional they were despite their earlier banter. She turned her gaze to Elion, who was watching her with an expression she couldn't quite read. "So, I'm good to go?" she asked.

Zake nodded. "You're good to go. I'll want to see you again in a few weeks to check on your progress, but everything is on track."

"Thanks, Zake," she said, sitting up carefully.

"Anytime," he replied, handing her a small folder with updated instructions. "And remember, call if you notice anything unusual, no matter how small it seems."

After the examination, the group made their way out of Zake's office. Elion's expression had softened slightly, though his usual intensity remained. He turned to Sloane as they reached the end of the hallway.

"Sloane," he called. "Take Raelynn home."

Both women stopped, glancing at him with questioning looks.

"You're not coming?" Sloane asked, arching a brow.

Elion shook his head. "I have somewhere else to be."

Raelynn hesitated, her lips pressing together in a thoughtful line before she spoke. "Actually... I wanted to meet a friend during lunch."

Elion turned his attention to her, his brow furrowing slightly. "A friend?"

"Yes, a friend," she repeated.

"Man or woman?" he asked, his voice dipping just enough to make her roll her eyes.

"Does it matter?" she countered. "Besides, what if it's a man? Or a woman? I'm telling you, not asking for permission." She gave him a sweet but pointed smile, then turned on her heel. "Bye-bye."

Elion's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as her figure disappeared from view. His expression grew stormy, though he kept his composure.

Sloane noticed the shift in mood and let a smirk tug at her lips. "Oh, what's this I smell?" she teased, placing a hand on her hip. "Jealousy?"

"Shut up," Elion snapped, though there was no real heat in his words. "I'm not jealous."

Sloane raised a brow. "Really? Because you're looking a little green there, buddy."

Elion shot her a sharp look. "I'm not your ex."

At that, Zake, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "Wow, hold on," he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I'm jealous for a reason. You don't get to play that card."

Sloane rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh, please. Spare me the theatrics." She glanced back at Raelynn, who was already heading toward the car. "Don't worry, I've got her. And maybe stop sulking so much."

She walked off without waiting for an answer, her heels tapping sharply on the floor.

Elion remained still, his gaze fixed on the door through which Raelynn had disappeared.

Zake chuckled softly, crossing his arms. "Not easy, huh? Controlling them."

His mouth curved into a small grin, though his gaze remained sharp. "Control isn't the issue," he said quietly, almost to himself.

Zake shook his head, still amused. "Good luck, then."