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"Hello, Mother."

"I ran into Healer Fielding today while stopping by the temple." She gave him a hug and ushered him back into the house. He went along with her; the mention of Healer Fielding piqued his curiosity. "She said she had some news for you and the Minister. She wouldn't tell me what it was. Is that why you're here?" His mother looked excited. "Healer Fielding seemed quite eager. It seems like good news. Tell me what happened."

Good news?Bryan thought. If she had gone to see Josef to tell him the test results, he couldn't imagine her seeming eager.

"Uh, I don't know, Mother," Bryan said. "I haven't spoken to Healer Fielding in a week."

"Well, you should find out what this news is. I'm dying to know." She went into the bedroom where his father was still asleep. "Kramer!"

He jolted awake. "Eh? Did I doze off again? Bryan. What are you doing here?"

"Just stopping by, Father," Bryan said.

His mother shook her head. "We could really use some good news," she confided to Bryan. "Your father needs better treatment. And I need a break. Looking after him all day is just too much for me to handle. I've been praying for that baby to come. Have you asked the Minister about extending the contract? Giving us a bit more time? I'm sure a man like him would understand."

"What if it's not good news?"

"Well, like what?"

"I don't know. What if... What if she says that I'm not capable of having children?"

She gasped. "Bryan. Don't say that. You'll give me a heart attack. Right, Kramer?" She took the water glass that was on the verge of tipping out of his lap and set it on the windowsill.

"What if that were the news, Mother? What would we do?"

"Really, Bryan, I'd rather not think about something so horrible."

"Mother," he said firmly, doing everything in his power to keep himself from snapping at her. She stopped and looked at him, startled by his tone. "How would we provide for Lukas? And take care of Father?"

He could see a shimmer of fear pass over her face as she considered the possibility that Bryan was trying to tell her something. All he wanted to know was that she would do her part to take care of things, to rise to the occasion for once in her life. After a moment, her expression softened. Bryan felt a sinking feeling in his chest as he recognized that face of denial, of convincing herself that responsibility was beyond her, that everything would be fine.

"Nonsense, Bryan. There's no point in discussing something that isn't going to happen."

He nearly did snap. The words were on his tongue."I can't get pregnant,"about to be fired out at her. But a knock on the front door stopped him.

"Who is that?" his father asked. "Someone's knocking. Waking me up."

"Can you go get your father some more water?" his mother asked, leaving to answer the door.

Bryan sighed and took the glass from the window sill and went to the kitchen. He didn't think his mother would be able to handle the reality of the situation, not that it was much of a surprise.

He heard her open the front door. "Minister! Oh, it's so wonderful to see you." Bryan froze and turned around. He had a straight view down the hallway to the entrance and saw Josef standing in the doorway. He wore a pleasant smile on his face, and he gave Bryan's mother a hug.

"Hello, Mary-Anne. Ah. Good, Bryan is here. I've come to deliver some excellent news."

She took Josef's hand. "Please come inside?"

"Very kind of you, but I won't be staying for long. I've come to get Bryan. He's been requested by Healer Fielding." Josef looked up, locking eyes with Bryan. "Her tests came back." His smile spread into a wide grin. Bryan felt a chill go through his body, like ice water being injected into his veins, and a strange sensation rippled out from deep within his belly.

No, he thought.

Josef spoke the words that had come into Bryan's mind, and his mother squealed with delight. Bryan's world came to a halt. The glass slipped from his fingers and smashed on the tile floor.

Pregnant.