My brain completely stops working following Daji's announcement.
"You're my son's mate ... and you're pregnant?" Mom bursts out.
Daji pats her arm. "We bonded almost three months ago. James and Adelle were planning to fix us up ... but then, of course everything changed."
My dad's mouth drops open. "And my son ... is going to be a father? Of a fox baby? No, never mind that. Van, you're going to be a father?"
My head is swimming.
I bluffed Lamashtu, saying Daji was pregnant. The joke's on me. Lamashtu didn't see through any of my bluffs, thank God. She must have been worried. If Daji and I have a child, that means the Thomas line of succession for the inn is secure.
Daji and me. A child. I'm going to be a father.
I whoop, lifting Daji up, not an easy feat--she's stronger than she looks. Her belly brushes against me on the way up. Still flat,
"When?" I ask breathlessly.
