A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I rose to my feet and made my way towards the door. Instead of waiting any longer, it was best for me to meet with Grandma Celia now. Before I delved into the uncertain realm of potential pregnancies with the women I had fucked with, including my own mother, who might already be aware that she was carrying a child and that the signs would soon become visible.
"Knock! Knock!" The sudden rapping on the door shattered my thoughts, catching me off guard as I stood just inches away from it. "Knock! Knock!" The sound reverberated once more, jolting my mother and sisters awake, their eyes fixated on the door and then on me, standing in its vicinity.
As they rubbed the sleep from their eyes, I sensed their anticipation for me to open the door and reveal the visitor's identity. Little did they know, I wasn't expecting anyone except Ursa, who I presumed had flown to my hut to pick me up for the warrior's training, now that she knew its location. With this assumption in mind, I cautiously swung the door open, only to be confronted by a sight that left me momentarily stunned. Before me, stood five women, their appeal defying their apparent age, save for some subtle signs. However, my attention was instantly drawn to Grandma Celia, who exuded a tangible nervousness, avoiding any direct eye contact with me.
"Ahem!" A distinct sound of throat clearing echoed through the air, drawing my attention from Grandma Celia to Grandma Ingrid, who stood discreetly behind her. With a touch of unease in her voice, Grandma Ingrid asked, "Can we come in?" Her efforts to avoid direct eye contact with me were evident, and I couldn't help but wonder why these commanding women suddenly turned coy. As I observed Grandma Ingrid cautiously glancing in every direction but mine, it left me pondering their peculiar behaviour and the reasons behind their visit.
Still, in order to prevent the upcoming conversation from becoming any more awkward than it already was, I stepped aside and swung the door wide open. A genuine smile adorned my lips as I warmly invited them inside, saying, "Come in."
They all nodded in acknowledgement and entered, one by one. Grandma Celia led the way, followed by the others. I couldn't help but notice Derry's contrasting behaviour -she seemed to be doing the exact opposite of what the others were attempting. She tried her best to smile and maintain eye contact with me. It didn't take long for me to realize that she was attempting to replicate the same tactic Grandma Ingrid had employed the previous day. Unfortunately for her, lightning doesn't strike twice unintentionally, and I knew better than to fall for the same trick twice.
After ensuring that everyone was settled, I quietly closed the door and made my way towards where they were all seated, including my wide-awake mother and sisters. I noticed my mother subtly motioning for me to join them, so I took a deep breath and took my place beside my family. The weight of the situation became more tangible as I found myself face to face with our five neighbours, realizing that three of them could potentially be carrying my child at this very moment.
"Ahem..." My mother's throat-clearing reverberated through the room, instantly capturing everyone's attention. With a composed demeanour, she addressed the gathered group, her words laced with significance. "Before we delve into our discussion, there's a crucial announcement I need to make," I observed how their gazes fixed intently on my mother as she unveiled the news, anticipation swelling in the room. "Reena is pregnant." The declaration hung in the air, stirring a mix of surprise, curiosity, and joy among our neighbours.
"Well, it's about time," Grandma Derry chimed in, her face adorned with a radiant smile. Her words carried a touch of playful admiration. "Considering how stunning and fertile you are, my dear, in comparison to all of us here, we were starting to wonder if the men in your generation were blind," she concluded, punctuating her statement with a hearty chuckle.
I turned my gaze towards the three women standing before us, witnessing their supportive nods and approving smiles directed at Reena. Yet, Grandma Celia stood out, her face wrinkled with a frown as she posed the question, "Who's the father?" Curiosity tinged her voice, and a sense of tension filled the air. However, Grandma Vivian swiftly intervened, gently tapping Grandma Celia's shoulder. "Why does that matter?" she reprimanded, her tone laced with firmness. "Let's not speak as though the girl is as old as us, where the identity of the father becomes so important." Grandma Celia quickly disguised her question with a fake cough, her expression shifting to one of shame and sudden realization.
But before the conversation could continue, my mother's voice cut through the moment, breaking the silence. "No, Grandma Vivian, she is right. The father of Reena's child carries great significance in this case."
As my mother's words trailed off, their eyes turned to her, filled with curiosity and a hint of confusion. I could tell they were grappling with the meaning behind her statement. It made sense why they were puzzled. In our lessons during the awakening ceremony, the identity of the father held little importance unless both parties intended to become partners or willingly embrace the child as part of their family, sharing the responsibility of raising them until they reached maturity.
However, it was more common for families to willingly accept a child into their homes, as it ensured the continuity of pregnancies when the woman was ready for another child. Yet, if one wasn't fortunate enough to possess the attractiveness that granted such treatment, they would be left to face the challenges alone, much like my mother had.
Finally, my mother revealed, "Orion is the father of the child." A tired sigh escaped her lips as their eyes widened and they discreetly swallowed, attempting to make it appear as if they had merely glanced in my direction.
