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Chapter Twenty-Six

Lilianna

The word "home" settled over me like a warm embrace as we pulled into the familiar driveway.

Through the windows, I could see lights glowing in the kitchen and what looked like Christopher moving around, probably preparing dinner.

The sight filled me with a contentment I'd never associated with returning to a house before.

Julian helped me carry the packages inside, where we were immediately greeted by the rich aroma of something savory and comforting. Christopher appeared in the doorway, wiping his hands on a dish towel, his face lighting up when he saw our bags.

"How did the appointment go?" he asked, his gray eyes moving between Julian and me with obvious concern and curiosity.

"Very well," I replied, surprised by how easily the words came. "Dr. Chen was wonderful. She actually talked to me instead of around me."

Miles emerged from the living room, setting aside what looked like a gardening magazine. "And it looks like you two did some shopping afterward?" Miles observed, his green eyes warm with interest as he took in the packages.

"Julian took me to a specialty nesting store," I explained, feeling a flutter of excitement as I thought about the beautiful items we'd selected. "We found some amazing materials."

"Dr. Chen suggested that having proper nesting supplies might be particularly helpful during Lilianna's transition period," Julian added, setting several bags down on the entryway bench. "Her test results are already available, by the way. She'd like to review them with everyone present."

Christopher's expression grew more serious, though his voice remained gentle. "Of course. Would you like to do that before or after you see your new nesting items?"

I considered the question, biting my lip, “Before. I want to know…” I trailed off not knowing the right words to express what I was feeling. "I'd rather not have this hanging over me while we set up my nest," I finished. "Better to know what we're dealing with first."

Nicolaus appeared at the top of the stairs, his damp hair suggesting he'd just showered after his evening swim. "I thought I heard voices. You're back earlier than expected."

Julian nodded, gesturing to my phone. "Dr. Chen's office has already sent Lilianna's results. She'd like to go over them with all of us present."

Nicolaus descended the stairs with his characteristic efficiency, his expression betraying nothing but calm interest. "A thorough doctor. That's encouraging."

We moved to the living room, the bags of nesting materials temporarily forgotten as anxiety bubbled in my chest. I sank onto the couch, Julian settling beside me while the others arranged themselves around us—Christopher perching on the arm of a nearby chair, Miles taking the chair opposite, and Nicolaus standing with his characteristic analytical posture.

"Would you like to read it to us, or would you prefer that one of us review it first?" Julian asked gently.

I clutched my phone, suddenly uncertain. "Maybe... maybe you could look first? I don't know if I'll understand all the medical terminology."

Julian nodded, accepting the phone when I handed it to him. His expression remained carefully neutral as he entered the patient portal and began scanning the results. Nicolaus moved to read over his shoulder, his clinical background making him the most qualified to interpret the medical data.

The silence stretched for what felt like an eternity as they read. I watched their faces, trying to decipher their reactions. Julian's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, while Nicolaus's eyebrows drew together in a slight frown.

"What is it?" I finally asked, anxiety filling me at the look on his face.

Julian looked up from the phone, his expression carefully controlled but with an underlying current of anger. "The good news is that your hormone levels, while suppressed, are within ranges that should allow for recovery. Your body hasn't been permanently damaged."

"And the bad news?" I asked quietly, though I could see from their faces that there was indeed bad news.

Nicolaus spoke up, his voice tight with controlled fury. "You've been on a suppressant that was discontinued for routine use over five years ago. Because of its severe side effects, it's only supposed to be used in extreme medical circumstances.”

Christopher made a small sound of distress. "What kind of side effects?"

"Complete hormonal suppression, chronic fatigue, emotional blunting, and long-term fertility impacts," Nicolaus listed, his cold tone not quite masking his anger. "The dosage in Lilianna's system is also significantly higher than recommended even for the medical uses it's still approved for."

My blood ran cold at his words. "Fertility impacts?" I whispered, my hands trembling as I pressed them against my stomach.

"Potentially reversible," Julian said quickly, his voice gentle but firm. "Dr. Chen noted that your reproductive system is essentially in hibernation. With proper treatment and time, normal function should return."

"Should?" I asked, the uncertainty in that word making my chest tight with panic.

Nicolaus moved to sit on the coffee table in front of me, his blue eyes serious but kind.

"Medicine rarely deals in absolutes, Lilianna.

But given your age and the fact that your body is already showing signs of trying to function despite the suppressants—like your nesting instincts—the prognosis is very good. "

Miles leaned forward in his chair, his expression troubled. "How long will it take for her system to recover?" Miles finished, his voice tight with concern.

Julian scrolled through more of the results on my phone.

"Dr. Chen estimates two to six months for full hormonal recovery, depending on how quickly we can transition her off the current suppressant.

" He looked up at me, his expression gentle.

"She's recommending an immediate switch to a much milder, modern suppressant to begin the process. "

"Immediate?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"She doesn't want you taking another dose of what you're currently on," Nicolaus explained, his clinical tone softening with compassion. "The risk-benefit analysis strongly favors stopping now rather than waiting."

Christopher stood abruptly, pacing to the window before turning back to face us. "So her parents have been poisoning her for ten years with a medication that shouldn't even be used anymore?"

"That's accurate, though I doubt they were fully informed about the dangers," Nicolaus replied, his voice tightly controlled. "More likely her doctor was of the old school that believed omegas should be chemically controlled, regardless of health consequences."

I felt strangely numb as I processed this information. All those years of fatigue, emotional flatness, and disconnection hadn't been my natural state—they were side effects of medication I should never have been given.

"What happens now?" I asked, my voice steadier than I expected. "If I stop taking it immediately?"

Julian set my phone down, turning to face me more directly.

"Dr. Chen has prescribed a transitional medication that will prevent you from going into immediate heat while allowing your natural hormones to gradually reactivate.

She's sending the prescription to the pharmacy now and recommends you start it tonight. "

"Tonight," I repeated, the reality of the situation finally beginning to sink in. "Will it... will it hurt? Going off the old medication?"

Julian's expression softened. "Not physically, but Dr. Chen warns there may be emotional fluctuations as your suppressed hormones begin to rebalance. She's recommended daily check-ins with her office for the first week to monitor your adjustment."

"Like what kind of emotional fluctuations?" I pressed, needing to understand what I was facing.

Nicolaus answered, his clinical knowledge coming to the forefront.

"Initially, you might experience mood swings— periods of heightened emotion followed by emotional fatigue.

Your senses will likely become more acute, particularly smell and touch.

You may find yourself more sensitive to temperature changes, and your energy levels could fluctuate unpredictably. "

My fingers twisted in my lap as I tried to process this information. "So I'll be unstable."

"Not unstable," Miles corrected firmly, leaning forward in his chair.

"You'll be adjusting. There's a significant difference.

" His green eyes held mine with steady reassurance.

"Think of it like learning to walk again after having your legs in casts for years.

Your body will need time to remember how to function naturally. "

Christopher returned from the window, his expression still troubled but determined. "We'll be here through all of it. Every mood swing, every difficult moment, every adjustment."

"What if I become too much to handle?" I asked, voicing the fear that had been growing in my chest. "What if I'm emotional or needy or—"

"Then we'll handle it," Julian interrupted gently but firmly. "Lilianna, you're not a burden we're tolerating. You're someone we care about deeply, and caring for you during this transition isn't a hardship—it's a privilege."

The conviction in his voice made my throat tight with emotion. "You mean that?"

"Every word," Miles confirmed, his green eyes warm with sincerity.

I looked around at the four of them—Julian beside me on the couch, his presence solid and protective; Miles watching me with gentle understanding; Christopher, his expression fierce with determination; and Nicolaus, his analytical mind already planning how to support me through this transition.

"Okay," I whispered, making the decision that would change everything. "I'll start the new medication tonight."