Calvert said it so casually, like he was suggesting they go grocery shopping together or plant a tree. That was how nonchalant his tone was. It was like it was no big deal.
Vespera stared at Calvert, stunned. How could they have a baby together? Did Calvert think having a baby was some team project?
Dominic glanced up from his newspaper. As if he didn't hear the conversation, he asked, "Together what?"
Calvert beamed and answered, "Have a baby together, of course."
Vespera nearly choked on air. She cursed in her heart, "What do you mean, 'of course'?"
Gerard, who had just taken a bite of his fried egg, gagged and reached for his juice. He barely got it down before coughing again. Was this really an appropriate breakfast conversation?
Dominic didn't immediately respond. Instead, he looked as if he was considering the idea seriously. After a moment of silence, he let out a sigh and said, "That isn't really up to me."
As Dominic spoke, his eyes slid over to Vespera. She shot him a blank look and replied dryly, "Don't be so pessimistic. Technology is pretty advanced these days."
Dominic asked, "Is it advanced enough for one person to do it solo?"
Vespera answered right away, "Definitely. Scientists have already discovered ghost particles. Growing a baby Mightyman in your stomach shouldn't be that hard."
Dominic stared at her for a second and then chuckled before turning back to his newspaper.
Vespera huffed silently. That was what Dominic got for humoring Calvert's nonsense.
The atmosphere at the table shifted after that. The nice atmosphere in the beginning seemed to have tensed up. It was like Londarion's weather, where it was cloudy one minute, pouring rain the next, then suddenly sunny. It was totally unpredictable.
Calvert looked between Vespera and Dominic, confused. Didn't they make up last night?
Gerard shot Calvert a look that carried the meaning, "You're in way over your head."
This wasn't about whether Vespera and Dominic had made up. It was about direction. It was like two people agreeing to go for a run, except one wanted to climb a mountain, and the other was already planning to turn back halfway. How were they supposed to run in sync?
…
After breakfast, they headed to the branch office. The morning sun still glowed when they left, but halfway through the ride, a fine drizzle began to fall.
Vespera stared out the window, watching Londarion blur beneath the rain. The mist softened everything, including the bridge in the distance and the silhouette of an old church further off. It turned the whole scene into something that looked like a dreamy painting. It made her dislike rain a little less.
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