My Baby Daddy Isn’t Human

The sunlight felt soft and warm on Raelynn's skin as she walked out of the house, Hera trailing closely behind. The driver stood by the car, opening the door with a respectful nod.

"Miss Moore," Hera began as they settled into the backseat, "are you sure about this outing? If there's anything else you need, I can—"

"I need to do this myself," Raelynn interrupted gently. Her hands rested protectively over her stomach, a subconscious gesture she'd found herself doing more often lately.

Since the moment she'd learned she was pregnant, her head filled with nonstop questions and doubts. Could she do this? Would she be a good mother? Without anyone to guide her—no mother figure, no friends with similar experiences—it was like she was wandering around blind

That's why today mattered. She was determined to prepare herself, to learn everything she could, even if it meant starting with the basics.

The car ride to the mall was quiet, the soft purr of the engine filling the space. Hera sat beside her, composed as ever, her hands neatly folded in her lap.

When they arrived, the driver pulled up smoothly to the entrance. The mall stood tall, shiny and bustling with shoppers. Raelynn stepped out, taking a deep breath. Hera was immediately by her side.

"If you need anything," Hera said, her tone bordering on firm, "you must tell me."

Raelynn couldn't help but smile at her seriousness. "Got it, Hera. You're really taking this job to heart, aren't you?"

Hera's expression softened, though she remained stoic. "It's my duty, Miss Moore."

Their first stop was the bookstore. It felt almost nostalgic to Raelynn—the scent of books and the sight of rows filled with stories brought a comforting feeling.

"Pretty old-fashioned, huh?" she murmured to Hera as they walked in. "With all the technology we have now, you'd think I'd just Google everything. But books…" She paused, running her fingers along the spine of a nearby volume. "Books feel more real."

Hera gave a small nod. "There's wisdom in the written word. Perhaps that's why they've endured."

The pair headed to the aisle marked Parenting and Pregnancy. Raelynn's heart pounded a little as she scanned the titles. The words seemed daunting—What to Expect When You're Expecting, The First 100 Days, Pregnancy for Beginners.

"Let's see…" Raelynn murmured, pulling one book off the shelf and flipping through it. She skimmed a few pages, nodding to herself before placing it in the basket Hera held. One by one, she added more books, occasionally muttering comments under her breath.

"Too technical… too judgmental… okay, this one seems helpful."

Hera observed silently, her calm eyes taking in everything. When Raelynn reached for a particularly thick book, Hera cut in, "Are you sure about that one? It looks quite… detailed."

Raelynn smirked. "The more, the better. I need all the help I can get."

As they moved to the next aisle, Raelynn's mood lightened. The cooking section was like a small comfort in the middle of all her life's craziness. She picked up a few recipe books, flipping through them eagerly.

"This," she said, holding up one with vibrant photos of dishes, "this is what I really love. Experimenting, trying new things…" Her voice softened as she drifted into thought.

Hera tilted her head. "Oh, really? Cooking could be… grounding for you."

Raelynn smiled faintly. "Maybe. For now, though, I'll just collect recipes." She added the book to the basket.

After an hour of browsing, they finally made their way to the checkout counter. Raelynn handed over the black card Elion had given her, half-expecting some kind of hiccup. But the cashier's expression didn't waver.

"Thank you, Miss," the cashier said, handing her the receipt.

Raelynn exhaled in relief. Of course, it worked. It was Elion Vaelorian's card, after all.

Their next stop was a maternity store. Raelynn wandered through the racks of soft, stretchy fabrics, her fingers brushing over the materials. She picked a few items—nothing extravagant, just simple, comfortable clothes. Her baby bump wasn't visible yet, but she wanted to be ready for when it was.

Hera trailed behind her, carrying the heavy bag of books with ease. Raelynn glanced back, a flicker of guilt crossing her face.

"Hera, are you okay? Those books must weigh a ton."

Hera adjusted the bag slightly and gave a small smile. "I'm fine, Miss Moore. It's not a problem."

Raelynn shook her head, impressed. "You're really something, you know that?"

Hera's expression softened again, though she said nothing.

As they left the store, Raelynn suddenly froze in her tracks. Her eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat.

"Miss Moore?" Hera asked, her voice sharp with concern. "Are you feeling pain? Should we—"

"No," Raelynn interrupted, her voice low. Her gaze was fixed on a pair walking toward them. A man and a woman, their movements close, intimate. Raelynn recognized them instantly: Gina, her former colleague from the restaurant, and her ex-manager.

They were laughing together, completely oblivious to her presence. But they were walking straight in her direction.

Panic surged through her. She couldn't deal with this—not here, not now.

"Let's go," she said abruptly, spinning on her heel.

Hera blinked in surprise, quickly following. "Miss Moore, are you sure you're—"

"Just walk fast," Raelynn hissed through clenched teeth.

Her mind raced as they hurried away. She didn't want to face Gina or her ex-manager. She'd had enough drama in her life already—she didn't need any more reminders of her messy past.

As they exited the mall, the cool air outside was a welcome relief. Raelynn let out a shaky breath, glancing back briefly to make sure they hadn't been followed.

Hera's gaze was steady, her concern evident. "Miss Moore, if something is troubling you—"

"It's nothing," Raelynn said quickly, cutting off further questions. She forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Let's just go, okay?"

Hera hesitated but nodded. Together, they made their way to the waiting car, leaving the noise and bustle of the mall behind.